[FIA GT] FIA GT 2007 - Which direction?

[mirkob]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

Does this mean that because the 2007 GT1 field will be decimated by unhappy/disillusioned defectors that 'historics' will now be allowed to race in the main FIAGT race as a 'desperate measure' to boost numbers, or that there will be a seperate race for these cars?

The magazine says (translated) "to increase the number of cars on track" so ther should race together the GT1/GT2 cars

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by mirkob

The magazine says (translated) "to increase the number of cars on track" so ther should race together the GT1/GT2 cars

Thanks, mirkob!

Oh dear, Ratel's in desperate trouble I suspect.............

[mirkob]

I dont know, but as reported by http://www.project-lemans.de/:

"all GT1 team signed a declaration of intent with a Meeting on Sunday at 11.00 o'clock on the Adria Raceway to want to go under the compiled conditions 2007 to the start"

Maybe the situation is not desperate :-)

For 2007:
Zakspeed has idea fro 2 Saleen, Reiter would back, PSI, Playteam and Racing Box are more then "possibilities"

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by mirkob

I dont know, but as reported by http://www.project-lemans.de/:

"all GT1 team signed a declaration of intent with a Meeting on Sunday at 11.00 o'clock on the Adria Raceway to want to go under the compiled conditions 2007 to the start"

Maybe the situation is not desperate :-)

For 2007:
Zakspeed has idea fro 2 Saleen, Reiter would back, PSI, Playteam and Racing Box are more then "possibilities"

I wish no ill on the FIAGT championship , but 2007 would appear to be built on very shaky foundations. A declaration of intent.............

[SALEEN S7R]

Every year the same things are said about the FIA GT Championship, that the series looks to be going through a tough time and that entries look set to drop along with the quality and variety. And each year the series gets better and better. IMO. As Mirkob pointed out, Zakspeed may well enter 2 cars next year and the Playteam Maserati MC12 may well be seen in the Championship along with Racing Box and perhaps PSI. Thats potentially 4 more GT1 cars, now even if only 1 or 2 of these cars turns up that will still boost the series dramatically with around 12 GT1 cars, possibly 14 if all the potential entrants show up.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by mirkob

3) There should be an "Independent Trophy" reserved to "old" GT1 cars, like Lister Storm, Ferrari F550/F575, Chrysler Viper and old Saleen

I assume this will be similar to the WTCC Independent Trophy. These old GT1 car will race according to current GT1 regulation (so they are slower than modern machinery), but they will be able to score points for the Independents championship.

[Go_For_Pole]

Actually since there is talk of GT1 being dropped from the Italian series, maybe we will see more MCs in FIA GT?

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

Every year the same things are said about the FIA GT Championship, that the series looks to be going through a tough time and that entries look set to drop along with the quality and variety. And each year the series gets better and better. IMO. As Mirkob pointed out, Zakspeed may well enter 2 cars next year and the Playteam Maserati MC12 may well be seen in the Championship along with Racing Box and perhaps PSI. Thats potentially 4 more GT1 cars, now even if only 1 or 2 of these cars turns up that will still boost the series dramatically with around 12 GT1 cars, possibly 14 if all the potential entrants show up.

I found it fascinating at Silverstone this year to see the 'traffic jam' of GT3's Ratel had managed to assemble thanks to the fantastic manufacturer support he'd mustered for the series. Beautifully prepared and presented cars all of them. Imagine the spectacle we would have if a similar commitment were shown to the GT1 class of the real FIA GT.

I look at the 2007 calendar and proposed two hour format to the races. Very little there to whet the appetites of sponsors as far as I can see. I then read and digest Jean-Denis's comments, and apart from the teams who run MC12's, I can see absolutely nothing there to persuade me not to jump ship and join the LMS and boulster my season with a couple of trips across the Pond.

I just can't see the attraction for teams to race GT1's in the FIA GT. It's stagnant, and without a major boost from manufacturers, I see absolutely no future for GT1's in that series (sadly).

[old man]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

I think there is a place for FIAGT. I just don't think it can continue in it's current format. A championship based around GT2/GT3 may well be the way forward.

With current concerns about the potential oversubscription for the LMS, could there perhaps be an argument for the ACO to drop GT2 and adopt a three class format for the LMS (and Le Mans?)? FIAGT drops GT1 and adopts some sort of GT2/GT3 format. More space in the LMS for the ever increasing ranks of prototypes and a good home for those GT1's. Those LMS teams wishing to continue to race GT2's can jump ship and join a 'new look' FIAGT. Just a (not very well thought through) suggestion..........

Why drop GT2, it brings more entries in all races than any other class, it is LMP2 that I would drop, who understands the differance to LMP1. We do not need both FIA and LMS, I agree with another comment, extend the LMS and link it properly with the ALMS, make that the WORLD Championship series

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by old man

Why drop GT2, it brings more entries in all races than any other class, it is LMP2 that I would drop, who understands the differance to LMP1.

LMP2 is very important to the LMS. It's growth and popularity has been extraordinary. Whilst we have privateers running LMP1's at the moment, in 2010 LMP1 becomes the 'manufacturers only' class. LMP2 will be for privateers wishing to compete in prototypes. I understand your thinking, but the class is strong (and getting stronger) and there is currently nowhere else for them to race.

Originally Posted by old man

We do not need both FIA and LMS, I agree with another comment, extend the LMS and link it properly with the ALMS, make that the WORLD Championship series

I actually think we do need both the LMS and FIAGT. The strength of the LMS is undermining the FIAGT championship. And that is the reason for my suggestion that the ACO could drop GT2 in favour of a three class format. Such is the growth in the prototype classes that the LMS is unable to accommodate all the teams who wish to compete. There are plenty of series, both National and International, where GT2's can compete, the FIA GT being the most prestigious outside of the ACO series. If Ratel were to drop GT1 and make the series a GT2/GT3 championship, I believe it could solve a problem currently experienced by both, FIAGT undersubscribed in GT1 and LMS oversubscribed full stop.

[old man]

If you were to take the restrictors out of the GT2 cars and let them run as GT1s I would agree, they may not be quite as quick as the Astons and Corvettes but may well compete and some apparent Giant Killing would be interesting. Privateer entries against factory budgets sometimes give good results, look at the EMKA McLaren in 98 and certainly add interest

If LMP1 is factory only in 2010 how do they define factory?

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by old man

If LMP1 is factory only in 2010 how do they define factory?

Manufacturer not factory (I know that may sound a bit pedantic, sorry). Road car manufacturers; Audi, Peugeot, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Porsche, BMW etc.etc. The cars must be closed top and the ACO want the cars to bear just a smidgeon of resemblance to the manufacturers road cars (by that I mean the odd styling cue).

[Garp]

If LMS is the better championship,
Why is it that the level of competition in FiaGt is a lot higher.
IMHO, the LMS is strong because of the ACO that holds LeMans.
And with a few long races in Europe, it´s relatively cheap for Gentleman drivers.

The FIAgt should stay, as a platform for the GT class. Because the focus of LMS is to much towards prototypes.

Time will tell, it´s a question of luck, the FIAgt could just as well be the oversubscribed championship if they were able to attrackt more supercars like the MC12.

[old man]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

Manufacturer not factory (I know that may sound a bit pedantic, sorry). Road car manufacturers; Audi, Peugeot, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Porsche, BMW etc.etc. The cars must be closed top and the ACO want the cars to bear just a smidgeon of resemblance to the manufacturers road cars (by that I mean the odd styling cue).

AH, I see, so where does that leave Percarolo and Courage in particular (French) not to mention Zytek or Creation

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by Garp

If LMS is the better championship,
Why is it that the level of competition in FiaGt is a lot higher.

I don't think it is.

Originally Posted by Garp

IMHO, the LMS is strong because of the ACO that holds LeMans.

I'd agree. Who wouldn't want to live the dream of racing at Le Mans?

Originally Posted by Garp

The FIAgt should stay, as a platform for the GT class. Because the focus of LMS is to much towards prototypes.

I tend to agree, but unless the FIAGT becomes a more attractive proposition to potential entrants, the LMS will continue to grow it's GT classes and add yet more strength in depth to the point that the FIAGT championship is a dead duck!

Originally Posted by Garp

Time will tell, it´s a question of luck, the FIAgt could just as well be the oversubscribed championship if they were able to attrackt more supercars like the MC12.

Luck? I don't think so. It's a question of creating and offering a product which appeals to those wishing to invest.

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by old man

AH, I see, so where does that leave Percarolo and Courage in particular (French) not to mention Zytek or Creation

These smaller, specialist racecar builders will all use the ACO regs series over the next couple of years to display their technology and try to attract a big manufacturer who will fund and badge their products. We're seeing the start of this process with the LMP2 Acura Lola and Courage's in the ALMS next season.

I should add that these specialist builders will also want to tap into the LMP2 market.

[SALEEN S7R]

Originally Posted by Garp

If LMS is the better championship,
Why is it that the level of competition in FiaGt is a lot higher.

I agree, as soon as the LMS even tries to expand its calender you will find that a lot of the entries simply fall away because they simply dont have the budgets, good TV coverage and promotion or not. The FIA GT Championship has good promotion and good crowds at most events. Nobody here can honestly tell me that the LMS gets better crowd attendances than the FIA GT Championship. Also, there is no way that the GT1 and GT2 teams in the LMS are anywhere near the level of the teams found in FIA GT, sure there are a few like Oreca and GPC but the vast majority arent. IMO.

IMHO, the LMS is strong because of the ACO that holds LeMans.
And with a few long races in Europe, it´s relatively cheap for Gentleman drivers

Exactly, as soon as the series steps away from Europe it will suffer in terms of entry numbers. IMO.

The FIAgt should stay, as a platform for the GT class. Because the focus of LMS is to much towards prototypes.

Exactly, why stay with a series that is mainly European and has no real prospects of major expansion? Added to that if you race in the LMS with a GT1 or GT2 car all you are is a side show, the ammount of TV coverage you get is marginal. In the FIA GT Championship there are fewer classes and everyone tends to get a more even spread of TV coverage. What would be great for the series is to have more G3 class cars racing at the regular rounds like we have had a few times this year, but change the class name to GT3. IMO.

Time will tell, it´s a question of luck, the FIAgt could just as well be the oversubscribed championship if they were able to attrackt more supercars like the MC12.

Exactly, as has been said in the FIA GT future thread there are a number of potential entries waiting to join the FIA GT Championship for next year. Even if not all of the potential cars make it to the grid for 2007 and only 1 or 2 do that would still mean GT1 grids of 12+ throughout the course of the season.

[davemk7]

There are 4 classes that run in the lms, logically that would mean you'd get more tv time running a gt1 car in the fia gt series. There is something to be said forr being at the front of the race. In the LMS GT1 never will be.
A total split would be the better solution for both series (assuming you want both and I do) Run LMPs in LMS and Le Mans and road car based GTs in FIA GT.

[mirkob]

Why not SportsCar Racing Week-end ?

With 2 separate races for LMP and GT :-)

P.S.
Like this Brno 2002:

[davemk7]

thats saleen for making my post pointless (i wasn't there when I started typing honest)

[Erki]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

I'd agree. Who wouldn't want to live the dream of racing at Le Mans?

FIA GT teams can race at Le Mans(unless they are racing an MC12...), BMS and Scuderia Ecosse have shown it.

[Asa]

I think by going for 2 hours races, Stephane Ratel must have been promised major TV deals and/or teams entries before making this decision. If not he would have rejected it just as he did last year.

I am a little surprised that it is not visiting the middle east anymore in 07. Or maybe it should be expected?

[19dodge]

Official Schedule Released.. No Mil Milhas, or Argentina..

http://www.the-paddock.net/content/view/240762/49/

[mirkob]

Seems SportAutoMoto was wrong !!

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by 19dodge

Official Schedule Released.. No Mil Milhas, or Argentina..

http://www.the-paddock.net/content/view/240762/49/

Thanks for the information.

Not sure what to think of this.