2011 Japanese Super GT

[Matador]

Originally Posted by alexkiller8

it's a shame that super gt 500 will transform in dtm and not the reverse, i like a lot more a "typical" gt500 aero/body shape than a dtm one.

This. Super GT cars are also faster. I think a more interesting compromise should have been made.

[alexkiller8]

just think about... super GT cars have updates all new years (and a lot of updates during a single season)... DTM cars specs are "frozen updated spec" since the 2009. Next year new specs will be effective but is a shame that gt500 cars have to sacrifice their "soul" to become japanese dtm cars.

[cptkablamo]

Yes. I would have thought DTM changing to look more like Super GT would be a better option than the other way round...

[Japanese Samurai]

Originally Posted by alexkiller8

just think about... super GT cars have updates all new years (and a lot of updates during a single season)... DTM cars specs are "frozen updated spec" since the 2009. Next year new specs will be effective but is a shame that gt500 cars have to sacrifice their "soul" to become japanese dtm cars.

Yes.
According to AUTOSPORT(Japanese), Aero parts is homologeted, and the update during the season is not admitted. However, the low drag spec aero parts for Fuji is expected to be permitted. In a word, only two versions of aero parts will be permitted during the season.

[Japanese Samurai]

2011 SG Changi Lexus IS with new aero parts
http://plus-u.jp/blog/amasan/?p=3252
This machine is ex-Team Takeuchi's chasis.
http://turbohightechperformance.auto...-gt/index.html
RS Fine developed this aero parts for Team SG Changi.
It designed JAF-GT300 spec RX-7 and Lexus IS.
This aero parts was developed by using the knowhow of Amemiya RX-7.

[DS"]

Even though I can understand fears that the GT500 might lose their "soul", we'll have to wait how the 2012-spec DTM will look. And even then, we'll have to wait for a confirmation by the SuperGT organizers that they'll switch to DTM-spec cars.

[Japanese Samurai]

Lexus SC's new aero parts(wedge shaped side mirror, rear fender that doesn't cover tire!)
*These are standard spec aero parts for this season(not Fuji spec), according to AUTOSPORT magazine.
http://car.nifty.com/cs/car/sgtn/exp...0311330&idx=30
http://car.nifty.com/cs/car/sgtn/exp...0311330&idx=32
Fuji round photos
Qualifying day
http://car.nifty.com/cs/catalog/car_...30311330_1.htm
http://car.nifty.com/cs/catalog/car_...30311329_1.htm
Race day
http://car.nifty.com/cs/catalog/car_...01311406_1.htm
http://car.nifty.com/cs/catalog/car_...01311405_1.htm

[helgi]

Is there any mention that Super GT will get DTM rules? They only say that DTM cars will be able to start in Japan and Super GT cars - in Europe.

[Mr Pink]

If DTM gets carbon tubs it sounds like they're going towards GT500 regs though?

[chernaudi]

I always thought that DTM cars have used a lower carbon tub to form the driver's cockpit area and floor pan, and no production parts commonality.

And it seems that GT500 cars use a carbon tub with a steel tube rollcage (similar to DTM cars but more elablorate and leaning towards being more similar to the closed cockpit LMP cars like the Audi R18 and Peugeot 908), and only a few parts from the unitbody (roof and A-pillars) are carried over from the road car.

So it seems on the surface that the cars are already similar on broad terms, but the rules are so different in regards to chassis, engines, and aero that what I've said is about the only similarities between a DTM car and a Super GT GT500 car.

Of course, on thing that I've been wanting to ask if how much of the production car's chassis carries over on the post 2008 GT500s, because from '03-'08, the production chassis had to be used between the front and rear firewalls, and only neccessary reinforcements and a roll cage were allowed to be added as far as I understood.

Audi have said that by around July or so the "R17" A4 DTM car will be testing, and it's a new regs car, so we'll see what that my entail.

[Ultimo]

JS, is there any word about an LFA replacing the SC for next season? I hear rumours months ago but have heard nothing since.

[hondafan37]

Are the engine's rules of Super GT similar to LMP1?
Then perhaps the Subaru Legacy B4 could be use the 4 Cil. Turbo 2.0 derived WRC. What engine does use in GT300 now?
How will be the engine's rules of the future DTM/Super GT?

[DS"]

Originally Posted by hondafan37

How will be the engine's rules of the future DTM/Super GT?

The DTM will continue to use 4l-V8s until 2014, then they will switch to smaller hybrid engines.

[rich07]

As much as I'd like to see the German manufacturers in SGT, I would rather see SGT stay as it is, part of the appeal of Super GT is its uniqueness, it has its own regs and cars that arent raced anywhere else in the world, I fear that may be lost in a Super GT/ DTM tie up.

[The IC]

Originally Posted by rich07

As much as I'd like to see the German manufacturers in SGT, I would rather see SGT stay as it is, part of the appeal of Super GT is its uniqueness, it has its own regs and cars that arent raced anywhere else in the world, I fear that may be lost in a Super GT/ DTM tie up.

If the GT500 cars were still different in engine and layout like they were a few years ago, id think the same thing, but with the current FR 3.4L V8 rules does it really matter that much now?

[rich07]

Originally Posted by The IC

If the GT500 cars were still different in engine and layout like they were a few years ago, id think the same thing, but with the current FR 3.4L V8 rules does it really matter that much now?

True for GT500 (RIP NSX ) but I fear more for GT300, what will happen with the uniquenes and variety in that class, I hope it doesnt go the way of GT500 if this tie up actually happens.

[The IC]

Originally Posted by rich07

True for GT500 (RIP NSX ) but I fear more for GT300, what will happen with the uniquenes and variety in that class, I hope it doesnt go the way of GT500 if this tie up actually happens.

well...by the time GT500 and DTM sync up their rules properly, the GT300 class might mostly be comprised of FIA GT3 cars anyway

[Japanese Samurai]

Originally Posted by Ultimo

JS, is there any word about an LFA replacing the SC for next season? I hear rumours months ago but have heard nothing since.

It is likely not to be replaced until 2013.
And, a new machine that adjusted to 2013 "united" regulations will become LFA.

[DS"]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

It is likely not to be replaced until 2013.
And, a new machine that adjusted to 2013 "united" regulations will become LFA.

While the LFA could fit into DTM, as it has a front engine, the DTM organizers have stated that they prefer mid-sized coupes, such as the BMW M3, Audi A5 or Mercedes C-Class Coupe.

By the way, Aufrecht has stated that they will use coupes, because they are more popular in Japan. That sounds to me that they did a step towards the SuperGT organizers.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by alexkiller8

it's a shame that super gt 500 will transform in dtm and not the reverse, i like a lot more a "typical" gt500 aero/body shape than a dtm one.

How the new DTM cars will look is still unclear.



BMW will use the M3 and Audi the A5.

[chernaudi]

Are you sure? Audi have made reference to the "R17" DTM car, and if I remember, they referred to in the PR as the "A4 DTM", but this was around the time that they first released info about the R18 LMP1 car (in fact, I think it's the same press release), but when you consider how much the Audi R18 has changed (slight but noticeable differences from the launch/early R&D cars), Audi could've changed their mind on the A/S5 vs the A/S4 for the DTM series next year, especially since it seems that DTM will actually encourage teams to run coupes again.

Strangely enough, there were rumors not only of DTM going to 5 liter engines for 2012 (which that now seems is unlikely), but that Super GT would allow four door cars to actually compete in GT500 in a couple of years time.

All is pretty much rumors and educated guessing until the rules are set in stone at this stage, as both series seems for the forseeable future to be sticking to their current packages.

[danardif1]

hi, first post, came here because this seems like one of the only places to talk about SuperGT!!

Have Honda fallen back a bit since last year? Both the GTR and SC430 were quick at Fuji... the main Toyota teams in particular carrying a very dramatic new aero kit.

Is there any reason why Team LeMans and Cerumo were not using the latest spec on their Lexus' (Lexi :P)? Surely it'd be worth Toyota giving each of their teams full 'works' cars...

[Japanese Samurai]

Originally Posted by danardif1

hi, first post, came here because this seems like one of the only places to talk about SuperGT!!

Have Honda fallen back a bit since last year? Both the GTR and SC430 were quick at Fuji... the main Toyota teams in particular carrying a very dramatic new aero kit.

Is there any reason why Team LeMans and Cerumo were not using the latest spec on their Lexus' (Lexi :P)? Surely it'd be worth Toyota giving each of their teams full 'works' cars...

There were a lot of spins of HSV during the race weekend. In addition, the trouble to which a front view became cloudy because of rain occurred in HSV. But top-speed of HSV was not inferior to that of SC and GTR.

The delivery time of new parts is not equal in Lexus teams. New parts are delivered in last year's most order of the point ranking.
Team CERMO has received the delivery of new rear fender. However, the side mirror seems not to have been delivered yet.
Team LeMans tried three kinds of rear fenders during the race weekend. In that, there was a rear fender with the rear skirt that looked alike to the shape of HSV.

[TF110]

I think the cars will still retain their 'SuperGT look'. I think DTM cars will alter more than the SuperGT cars will. Excited to see if the LFA is used in 2012 or 2013 though, one of my favorite cars!

[Japanese Samurai]

Motor Fan Illustrated magazine reported the steering mechanism of GT500 machine. GTR adopts the hydraulic power steering system. On the other hand, HSV and Lexus SC adopt the electric power steering system. The steering shaft of Lexus SC goes between V-banks of the engine.