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Originally Posted by broadrun96
Exactly what JHamilton said, there is NO factory deal for 2018.
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So far as we know, yes. However, that can change at any time.
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The drivers aren't even factory drivers, they are contracted to the teams.
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This has no bearing on whether or not a team has factory backing. Factory-provided drivers are not automatically a part of getting support from the factory.
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The allowance for 2017 manufacturer cash is done, if they go back on that expect every manufacturer to be waving cash in the class and then it's DONE.
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To what "allowance" are you referring? You speak like IMSA's clamping down and forbidding such expenses in the future, but I've not heard of any IMSA ruling saying factories will not be allowed to back teams in GTD for next year.
Even if they do, it's effectively impossible to completely put a stop to factory associations in a class like GTD. It's going to happen no matter what. So, we come back to the original question: Why would they be looking in GTD if they want a factory partnership? Because they can get one.
It is of course no GUARANTEE that they're going to GTD. It's simply one possibility.
And no, GTD will not be done if they let the manufacturers continue to spend money. Frankly, that's one of the things keeping the manufacturers happy despite that million-dollar extra charge. To say nothing of the teams, considering how pricey those GT3 cars tend to be.