After watching a Super Saturday doubleheader of Super Rugby, I got the chance to catch up some of the World Endurance Championship highlights during midnight last night on 9Go, which was from last Sunday’s 6 Hour race from Portimao in Portugal (Algarve International Circuit).
Yes, I did hear a bit about it in the lead-up beforehand when it comes to one of their Porsche one-make support races where some driver lost control into the wall before it landed on top of an empty grandstand. Fortunately no one was hurt, but it was terrifying which could’ve been a lot worse if some people turned up to watch & somehow got hurt along the way.
Back to the main event and we saw the traditional Le Mans race start style during the formation lap as always before we roll off with the green flag to begin a long day’s work of Endurance Racing.
And although there’s lot to reflect from start to finish while rotating drivers, adjusting & recharging things on pit road throughout the last six hours, but boy we saw a race-winning move (outright) from none other than New Zealand’s Brendon Hartley in the No.8 Toyota Hypercar Machinery, who got around the No.50 Ferrari with about an hour and a bit to go. What an unbelievable start so far as Brendon is looking for his fourth Le Mans victory now come early June (Sat to Sun 10th-11th).
For now, the WEC moves over to high-octane and adventurous Spa-Francochamps next Sunday where we’re only one race away from the huge annual event. As said, every WEC race live & on-demand is a Stan Sport exclusive, but there’s always one-hour highlights packages a week later from the event for free on 9Go – just look out for your TV guides & tune in on a future Saturday whenever & wherever possible.
And yes, there was some live 24 Hours of Le Mans FTA coverage in the past thanks to Network 10’s former digital channel One, but Nine (the current exclusive rights holder) wouldn’t do it since they doesn’t generate much interest despite running at a comfortable time zone for most of Sunday.
The same goes to the Indianapolis 500 (another Stan Sports property via IndyCar) when you have Australia’s own Will Power & 1-2 Kiwis like Scott McLaughlin & Scott Dixon in the mix, but again they’re held over in the US at around 2am our time which also makes little to no sense to put it on 9Gem.
So while having the one-hour highlights races on FTA is good at our own time for the majority, I’m sure if there’s an WEC, Formula E or World Rally Championship Australian event coming here at some point then Nine will definitely air it live on 9Gem or 9Go.
You never know what will happen as watch this space!
