[LM24 Race] replacing GT1?

[Hawkwood]

I know that GT1 has finally been killed off (unfortunately, in my book), but have any details been released about replacing it with GT3 or anything else? Or is it going to be GT2 only for the forseable?

[Victor_RO]

GT2 Pro and GT2 Am, as a short answer.

[Hawkwood]

Thanks, but any word on what makes an 'amateur' driver? It is just a gentleman pay driver? Because some of the gentlemen get around alot and can't really be called amateurs anymore.

[Victor_RO]

Not really sure, but it's probably "older"-spec cars and drivers that qualify as amateurs under FIA driver regulations.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Not really sure, but it's probably "older"-spec cars and drivers that qualify as amateurs under FIA driver regulations.

FIA does not determine what criteria the ACO use to determine what is AM or not (beyond the minimum). They do for FIA licenses, but from that point on it is the ACO's to set.





L.P.

[Victor_RO]

Well I hope they do have a set of regulations in place for drivers, but at the moment it doesn't seem like they do. But maybe the final departure of the Rat's GTs might make the ACO draft a driver classification of their own.

[gwyllion]

ACO just uses the FIA Bronze/Silver/Gold classification.

The GT Endurance category will have two classes:
- GT Endurance PRO – professional category, cars and drivers free
- GT Endurance AM – cars over one year old and a minimum of two drivers classified in the bronze or silver categories

source: http://www.planetlemans.com/2010/06/...at-the-future/

[HORNDAWG]

So the only restriction I see as to drivers, is that a Gold may not be in an AM car, otherwise free.




L.P.

[NaBUru38]

How about manking GT1 a GT2 Plus (see WRC and Super 2000), with fatter bodykits, less restricted engines and bigger wheels? Cars could be switched back and forth for little money.

[HORNDAWG]

Because the ACO have already laid out what is going to be, as it concerns GTE.







L.P.

[Captain Spyro]

Maybe add a GT500 class...

Never happen, but the thought is nice.

[JAG]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

How about manking GT1 a GT2 Plus (see WRC and Super 2000), with fatter bodykits, less restricted engines and bigger wheels? Cars could be switched back and forth for little money.

They are going down that route to some degree as GTE's will be allowed paddle shift and top speeds controlled with limiters rather than cutting power.

The ACO will still use restrictors but theorectically you could see cars pushing beyond 500bhp.

IMO this move was driven as much by the marketing needs of manufactuers as any technical reason as manufactuers like Corvette, Ferrari and Mclaren (coming) are racing cars that produce over 500bhp in road going form.

When the next set of GTE regulations are put together I wouldn't be suprised to see P1 like electronics and hybrids systems allowed as this is the direction road cars are moving.

The inevitable worries about costs particularly for privateers, are alleviated with the GTE AM class.

From my point of view GTE is right behind P1 in terms of interest and this after taking little interest in GT racing since the end of 90's GT1.

[Speed-King]

The inevitable worries about costs particularly for privateers, are alleviated with the GTE AM class.

Actually, it doesn't - these cars will filter down to GTE AM and while they will be cheaper to purchase, they'll be just as expensive to run - i.e. due to expensive spare parts and factory guys with laptops...

And splitting the class is IMHO not particularly wise as both fields will be somewhat depleted, maybe not for LM, but in regular LMS-rounds both sub-classes will probably struggle to get into double digit figures - if regular LMS rounds get any of the GTE Pro-teams at all, that is.

How about manking GT1 a GT2 Plus (see WRC and Super 2000), with fatter bodykits, less restricted engines and bigger wheels? Cars could be switched back and forth for little money.

I think Ratel will (have to ) do this eventually for his world championship... the current Maseratis, Vettes and Astons have a limited shelf life and have to be eventually replaced.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by JAG

They are going down that route to some degree as GTE's will be allowed paddle shift and top speeds controlled with limiters rather than cutting power.

The ACO will still use restrictors but theorectically you could see cars pushing beyond 500bhp.

IMO this move was driven as much by the marketing needs of manufactuers as any technical reason as manufactuers like Corvette, Ferrari and Mclaren (coming) are racing cars that produce over 500bhp in road going form.

When the next set of GTE regulations are put together I wouldn't be suprised to see P1 like electronics and hybrids systems allowed as this is the direction road cars are moving.

The inevitable worries about costs particularly for privateers, are alleviated with the GTE AM class.

As to top speed limitations, electronics is not the only way to limit it! Final gear ratios can be adjusted to limit top speed also. Which could be configured for/per track and car and would be the more economical of choices for the -AM class.
As to hybrids being in the rules next time around for GTE, we will see if that is still the 'trend' then. Although I would agree that something 'greener' will be included.



L.P.

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Actually, it doesn't - these cars will filter down to GTE AM and while they will be cheaper to purchase, they'll be just as expensive to run - i.e. due to expensive spare parts and factory guys with laptops...

And splitting the class is IMHO not particularly wise as both fields will be somewhat depleted, maybe not for LM, but in regular LMS-rounds both sub-classes will probably struggle to get into double digit figures - if regular LMS rounds get any of the GTE Pro-teams at all, that is.

Going back to the F1 GTR days teams have been willing to buy and run expensive GT cars.

Things have only gone tits up when privateers have been required to purchase new cars each year in attempts to keep up with factories.

With GTE AM a team can spread the cost of a car over 3 years and remain competitive within their class.

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by JAG

With GTE AM a team can spread the cost of a car over 3 years and remain competitive within their class.

What happens if one of their opponents in GTE-AM decides to buy a car one year newer? Will there be a performance balancing that will make sure that cars from different years within GTE-AM stay competitive with eachother? And will it work? And if it does, why should anyone buy cars from the manufacturers except every three years? Which of course ruins the possiblities for the manufacturers to recoup their investments through used car sales.

FIA GT has already tried that binary structure within one class with the Citation Cup, and as I recall it hasn't really been a huge success. But then Ratel is of course an idiot and the demigods from La Sarthe can do no wrong and will of course succeed.

[JAG]

There'll be classes within classes only now rather than the smallest privateers hoping for a top 10 finish against factories and major teams in GT2 they'll be looking for the occasional podium in GTE AM.