Well, it’s finally here. The big race everyone’s been waiting for. The race that will either make you a fan of motor racing or turn you into one. The 2020 edition of the Plymouth Speedway Grand Prix. Just two weeks until the big race, and the excitement is rising. This year’s race promises to be even better than the last as there are more changes and more upgrades to be found. Let’s take another look at what’s changed in the world of motor racing in the past year, and what might be in store for the upcoming races.
The Past Year
It’s been an eventful year for motor racing, and it wouldn’t be wrong to say that it’s been one of the biggest in the history of the sport. The pandemic broke out halfway through the year, effectively halting all motorsport activity. With a lot of time on their hands, race fans got together and made some amazing documentaries. One of the best racing documentaries of all time was made about this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. And while the world raced to get back out on the track, others took the opportunity to travel and see some motorsport history in the making. The 24 Hours of Le Mans was run in July, and it was one of the greatest sporting events of the year. Over 150,000 people showed up to see history being made. And it was. Nicola Larini became the first woman to win the Le Mans 24 Hours.
The other big race of the year was the Indianapolis 500. The 500 followed in May, making it the last race of the year. The race was also significant as it was the last race for Tony Kanaan. The longtime Penske driver lost his battle with cancer a few weeks after the 500.
Finally, there was Formula One, which started back in October. The season started late, and with the pandemic continuing to loom over the sport, F1 had to push the 2020 season back by three weeks. The season started with the Australian Grand Prix, and given the situation in Australia at the time, a bit of solidarity between the Australian and New Zealand motorsport community and the entire Formula One world was extremely kind.
The Upcoming Races
Now, let’s get to the good stuff. The upcoming races. The last two weeks have been an absolute blur as we’ve been closely following all the updates and news about the pandemic and how the motorsport world has changed. With no crowds in the grandstands, and many more restrictions, the racing has been a different animal. But that’s all been worth it. We’re finally going to get to see some racing again, and it’s going to be incredible. The first race is the Indianapolis 500 in May. We’ll be sure to have all the details on that one.
Changes To The Race Calendar
One of the biggest changes this year is the 2020 race calendar. A full season of races has been put together, with a double header at one of the great venues. After years of rumors and speculation, we’re finally going to get a concrete answer. Will the Indy 500 and the IndyCar Grand Prix return to their traditional spot on the calendar? Will there be any changes for the sake of equality? Will the schedule be longer? We don’t know. But for now, we can focus on what we do know: May 12 will see two great races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and it will be a glorious reunion for IndyCar and the Indianapolis 500.
New Teams And Drivers
One of the biggest changes this year is the addition of two new teams. Hockenheim’s BMW Team RLL will field two cars in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with Thomas Jager and Jonathan Vanezel driving the No. 8 and No. 9 BMWs. The other new team is Prema Powerteam, which will field two cars in the Italian Touring Car Championship with drivers Mirko Bortolotti and Andrea Dontasi. Both teams will be making their grand prix debuts this year.
New Upgrades
There are also many new upgrades this year. The biggest change is the complete relaunch of Formula One. New teams, new drivers, and a brand new car were all part of a major shake-up for the 2021 season. The new car, the F1 2021, is a masterpiece, and the entire grid will be using it this year. The chassis is the same old, tired, unappreciated thing we’ve all been using for years, but the bodywork is brand new and spectacular. One of the best modern takes on the classic orange and black color scheme. We’ll have more information on that as well, along with an in-depth look at the new F1 and how it all works. But for now, let’s get back to the race itself.
The Engine Of Life
What is it about engines that captures everyone’s imagination? It doesn’t matter if you’re a car enthusiast or just want to know what is powering the vehicles around you, engines are fascinating. The new regulations for 2021 forbid single-cylinder, open-top racing engines, so naturally, the focus has shifted to 2.0-liter V-6 and 4.0-liter V-8 engines. We’re talking about the real deal here. High-performance, lightweight turbocharged engines. All the big races have been affected by the single-cylinder ban, so naturally, big engines are back. It’s funny how things work out sometimes. We’ll have more on the 2021 engines next week, so be sure to tune in.
Where To Watch The Races
Now, here’s the most important question. Where can I watch the races? The answer is simple. You can’t. As we’ve already established, motorsport activity has been halted due to the pandemic. There are no television stations, nor are there any cable providers carrying Motorsport TV. The good news is that all the races will be streamed online. The 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Indy 500, and the Indianapolis Grand Prix will be shown live on the Formula One YouTube channel. And if you’ve been wanting to see more motorsport in your life, you can take a look at the entire season’s schedule over on the IndyCar Facebook page.
More Online Resources Than Ever
The good news doesn’t end here. The entire motorsport world has changed, but that’s all for the better. The digital sphere has stepped up and provided all the information we could ever need. In addition to the resources mentioned above, the entire schedule for the entire season, along with all the latest news and stats, can be found on Race Fans USA. Not only that, but they’ve also got an entire section dedicated to the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Grand Prix.
Final Takeaway
There’s a lot to look forward to in the upcoming months. Not only will we get to see some racing, but we’ll also get to see it at one of the great venues. It’s going to be incredible. The hardest part is going to be learning how to operate all these new gadgets and getting used to all this new computer technology. But that’s all going to be worth it. Let’s just hope the pandemic continues to be looked at as a thing of the past and we get to live our regular lives soon. It’s been a wild couple of years, and we’re finally going to see some endings and some new beginnings.