Fultrot’s 2016 Racing Calendar

Advances in technology have been great to us. However, there are some things I still like to do the old fashion way, such as marking the new years’ calendar with my favourite races. If you’re like me, this piece will help you fill out yours. And if you’re modern, just bookmark this page and use it whenever you need to find out the day a race takes place, in either: F1, WRC, WEC, V8 Supercars, MotoGP, NHRA, PDRA and the FAC.

2016 FIA Formula One Championship:

Though considered by many to be the pinnacle of single-seat auto racing since the 1950’s, the championship has been losing viewer ship lately to other forms of racing. But don’t worry! In 2016 Max Verstappen will boost on track action with his bold and gusty over-taking manouvres that scare even battle tested world champions.

1. Australian GP, Melbourne, 18-20 March (first race in 1996)
2. Bahrain GP, Sakhir, 01-03 April (2004)
3. Chinese GP,  Shanghai, 15-17 April (2004)
4. Russian GP, Sochi, 29 Apr-01 May (2014)
5. Spanish GP, Catalunya, 13-15 May (1991)
6. Monaco GP, Monte Carlo, 26-29 May (1950)
7. Canadian GP, Montreal, 10-12 June (1978)
8. European GP, Baku, 17-19 June (2016, race start TBC)
9. Austrian GP, Spielberg, 01-06 July (1970)
10. British GP, Silverstone, 08-10 July (1950)
11. Hungarian GP, Hungaroring, 22-24 July (1986)
12. German GP, Hockenheim, 29-31 July (1970)
13. Belgian GP, Spa-Francorchamps, 26-28 Aug, (1950)
14. Italian GP, Monza, 02-04 Sept (1950)
15. Singapore GP, 16-18 Sept (first race in 2008, night race)
16. Malaysian GP, Kuala Lumpur, 30 Sep-02 Oct (1999)
17. Japanese GP, Suzuka, 07-09 Oct (1987)
18. U.S. GP, Austin, 21-23 Oct (2012)
19. Mexican GP, 28-30 Oct (1963)
20. Brazilian GP, Interlagos, 11-13 Nov (1973)
21. Abu Dhabi GP, Yas Marina, 25-27 Nov (2009)

The FIA World Rally Championship:

Rally drivers are often considered to be in a category of their own, having to master ever changing conditions on tarmac, gravel and snow, let alone having b*lls of steel.  Sébastien Ogier is the defending drivers’ champion while VW is the manufacturers’.

1. Rallye Monte Carlo, 18-24 Jan, mixed  (Jewel in the WRC crown)
2. Rally Sweden, 11-14 Feb, frozen roads and snow, Colin’s Crest
3. Gunajuato Rally México, gravel, 3-6 March
4. Rally Argentina, gravel, 21-24 April
5. Vodafone Rally de Portugal, gravel, 19-22 May
6. Rally Italia Sardegna, gravel, 9-12 June
7. 73rd LOTOS Rally Poland, gravel, 1-3 July
8. Neste Oil Rally Finland, gravel, 28-31 Aug
9. ADAC Rally Deutschland, Tarmac, 18-21 Aug
10. Rally China, 08-11 Sept
11. Tour de Corse – Rally de France, Tarmac, 29 Sept-02 Oct
12. RallyRACC Catalunya – Rally de España, mixed, 13-16 Oct
13. Wales Rally GB, gravel, 27-30 Oct
14. Coates Hire Rally Australia, 17-20 November

The FIA World Endurance Championship:

In 2016 Porsche prepares to defend it’s title in this increasingly prestigious endurance series, a joined partnership between the FIA and the ACO. Four categories are run together in the same race, LMP1, LMP2, GT-Pro, and GT-Am. The LMP1 cars have technological advancements that are truly out of this world. And the series is on a roll, so much so that the Circuit of La Sarthe (Le Mans) is adding garage space. And Audi has a brand new car too!

1. 6 Hrs of Silverstone, Great Brittain, 17 April
2. WEC 6 Hrs of Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, 7 May
3. 24 Hrs of Le Mans, France, 18-19 June (84th edition)
4. 6 Hrs of Nurburgring, Germany, 24 July
5. 6 Hrs of México, 3 September
6. 6 Hrs of COTA, U.S., 17 September
7. 6 Hrs of Fuji, Japan, 16 October
8. 6 Hrs of Shangai, China, 6 November
9. 6 Hrs of Bahrain, 19 November

2016 MotoGP FIM:

Without a doubt, the premier road racing championship on two wheels, especially after last season’s epic battle between the Spanish and Italian riders. Valentino Rossi will be riding with a vengeance.

1. GP of Qatar, Losail, 18-20 March (6 left, 10 right corners, 5.4 km long)
2. GP de la Rep Argentina, Termas Hondos, 1-3 Apr ( 5 left, 9 right, 4.8 km)
3. GP of the Americas, COTA, 8-10 Apr (11 left, 9 right, 5.5 km)
4. GP de España, Jerez, 22-24 Apr (5 left, 8 right, 4.4 km)
5. GP de France, Le Mans, 06-08 May (5 left, 9 right, 4.2 km)
6. GP d’Italia, Mugello, 20-22 May (6 left, 9 right, 5.2 km)
7. GP de Catalunya, 03-05 Jun (5 left, 8 right, 4.7 km)
8. TT Assen, 24-26 Jun (6 left, 12 right, 4.5 km)
9. Motorrad GP Deutschland, 15-17 Jul (10 left, 3 right, 3.7 km)
10. Motorrad GP von Österreich, Spielberg, 12-14 Aug
11. GP Ceské republiky, Brno, 19-21 Aug (6 left, 8 right, 5.4 km)
12. British GP, Silverstone, 02-04 Sept (8 left, 10 right, 5.9 km)
13. GP di San Marino, Misano, 09-11 Sept (6 left, 10 right, 4.2 km)
14. GP de Aragón, 23-25 Sept (10 left, 7 right, 5.1 km)
15. GP of Japan, Montegi, 14-16 Oct (6 left, 8 right, 4.8 km)
16. Australian GP, Phillip Island, 21-23 Oct (7 left, 5 right, 4.4 km)
17. Malaysia Motorcycle GP, Sepan, 28-30 Oct (5 left, 10 right, 5.5 km)
18. GP de la Comunitat Valenciana, Ricardo Tormo, 11-13 Nov (9, 5, 4 km)

2016 V8 Supercars:

Run down under, these touring cars (FIA’s International series) are wicked fast and the on track action is nothing compared to their American brothers. A must watch if you haven’t seen it yet. Bathurst, aka Mount Panorama, is like a roller coaster ride, just ask Nascar legend Darrel Waltrip.

1. Clipsail 500 Adelaide, 3-6 March
2. F1 Australian GP, 17-20 March (Non-Championship)
3. Tyrepower Tasmania SuperSprint, 1-3 April
4. WD-40 Phillip Island SuperSprint, 15-17 April
5. Perth SuperSprint, 6-8 May
6. Winton SuperSprint, 20-22 May
7. SKYCITY Triple Crown Darwin, 17-19 June
8. Castrol EDGE Townsville 400, 8-10 July
9. Coates Hire Ipswich SuperSprint, 22-24 July
10. KL City Grand Prix, 12-14 August
11. Sydney Motorsports Park SuperSprint, 26-28 August
12. Wilson Security Sandown 500, 16-18 September
13. Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, 6-9 October
14. Castrol Gold Coast 600, 21-23 October
15. ITM Auckland SuperSprint, 4-6 November
16. Coates Hire Sydney 500, 25-27 November

2016 NHRA Drag Race:

Founded in 1951 in California, the NHRA  claims to have 40,000+ drivers and riders, making it the largest motor sports sanctioning body in the world. 2016 brings new rules (EFI) to the Pro Stock category. Better late then never, some say. The nitro classes run blown V-8 that produce in excess of 12,000 HP. Ever been nitro baptized? One must experience this at least once in a life time.

1. Winternationals, Pomona, California, 11-14 Feb
2. Carquest Auto Parts Nationals, Phoenix, 26-28 Feb
3. Gatornationals, Gainesville, Florida, 17-20 March (PSM)
4. NHRA Nationals, las Vegas, 1-3 April
5. Four-Wide Nationals, Charlotte, NC, 22-24 Apr (PSM)
6. NHRA Spring Nationals, Houston, 29 Apr-1 May
7. Summit Racing Equipment Southern, Atlanta, 13-15 May (PSM)
8. New England Nationals, Epping, NH, 3-5 June
9. Toyota Summer Nationals, Englishtown, NJ, 9-12 June (PSM)
10. Thunder Valley nationals, Briston, Tennessee, 17-19 June
11. Summit Racing Equipment Nationals, Norwalk, 23-26 June (PSM)
12. Route 66 Nationals, Chicago, 7-10 July (PSM)
13. Mopar Mile-High Nationals, Denver, 22-24 July (PSM) *
14. Sonoma Nationals, Californa, 29-31 July (PSM) *
15. Northwest Nationals, Seatle, 5-7 Aug *
16. Lucas Oil Nationals, Brainerd, Minn., 18-21 Aug (PSM)
17. The U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis, 31 Aug – 5 Sept (PSM)
18. NHRA Carolina Nationals, Charlotte, NC, 16-18 Sept (PSM)
19. AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals, St. Louis, 23-25 Sept (PSM)
20. Keystone nationals, Reading, PA, 29 Sept – 2 Oct (PSM)
21. AAA Texas Fall Nationals, Dallas, 13-16 Oct (PSM)
22. NHRA Toyota Nationals, Las Vegas, 27-30 Oct (PSM)
23. Auto Club NHRA Finals, Pomona, California, 10-13 Nov (PSM)

PSM stands for race run with the Pro Stock Motorcycle category. The western swing (*) is formed by back-to-back races and is always an exciting time to watch NHRA.

2016 PDRA Tour:

Differing from the standard 1/4 mile long track, the PDRA runs the 1/8 mile and does so under the lights Friday -and Saturday night. Furthermore, the level of excitement is much higher than in any other drag racing series, partly due to the short wheelbase – large horsepower – crazy driver combinations run in seven categories. Hailing from Curaçao, King Kong VI will look to win more races in the pro nitrous category in 2016, while her driver Lizzy Musi gets even better behind the wheel.

1. Tulsa Raceway Park, Oklahoma, 11-12 March
2. Rockingham Dragway, North Carolina, 8-9 April
3. Texas Motorplex, Enis, Texas, 20-21 May
4. US 131 Motorsports Park, Michigan, 10-11 June
5. Maryland Int’l Raceway, Maryland, 15-16 July
6. Memphis Int’l Raceway, Tennessee, 12-13 August
7. Galot Motorsports Park, North Carolina, 9-10 Sept
8. Bradenton Motorsports Park, Florida, 30 Sept-1 Oct
9. Virginia Motorsports Park, Virginia, 21-22 Oct

2016 Curaçao Int’l Raceway:

Widely considered as the premier track in the Caribbean and having the best night races, promoters and the track operator bring cars from as far away as the US and the Netherlands to compete against the locals. Nobody likes to be beat by the Beach Boys, who’ve been drag racing there since 1973. If you’re from one of the Caribbean islands and haven’t experienced this in person yet, come on down!

Race schedule still TBA.

Source: FIA Formula One, FIA WRC, FIA WEC, MotoGP/FIM, V8 Supercars, NHRA, PDRA,

Photo credit: Batchelor/XPB Images, Max Verstappen/ Peter van Egmond, Mark J. Rebilas, MotoGP, dsf.my, foxsports.