[FIA GT] GT1 World Championship 2011

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by Birddog07

Just my thoughts on any American rounds. Possibly Barber Park with it's FIA 1T homoligation and I think Miller should have one aswell. I'd love to see some GT1 at Barber, Miller is just plain rubbish. SRO in North America may also see potential for a GT3 Championship. /dream

Uh no...

Miller will not happen because the ALMS hasn't been successful and Grand Am is even worst.

I named those two tracks because they both have open dates right in the middle of summer and after or before Le Mans.

ALMS moved back too its traditional Oct date for the 6 hour race at Laguna Seca. Watkins Glen and ICS did not invite back Indy Car for its early July date because of poor fan turnout in consecutive seasons. Ratel said Mosport was out of the question. That leaves only a few possibilities. I also believe Ratel wants to be in the biggest markets possible and that's California and the Northeast.

There's something to be said for serving undeserved areas of America, but for your first time in the US since the late 90's? I don't think so, plus the FIA GT has run at Laguna Seca before. Watkins Glen is just a given because it has an open date and its a historical track.

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by TF110

So is Ratel going to let these guys develop the cars or are they going to be stuck at the spec they are now? I'm fond of the GT1 cars. I always have been. I've always liked the Astons. But the GTR is surprising that it's able to push that 'big' body around and hang with the others. The Ford the Maserati are especially low, that GTR looks almost twice as tall. I'm hoping Ratel will let the regs go a bit, let them gain some speed back from what they have lost. Is this in the cards? Does anyone know? I also look forward to seeing what an LFA in GT1 trim would look like, I'd say it'd be a bit different from the VLN Nurburgring car.

Which spec is that? Top speed around 170mph for all the cars? I think in this economic environment, I think its best to leave the cars in this spec for at least another season.

Maybe if car counts get up to 30, we can look at opening up the rulebook a bit to put them solidly ahead of GTE/GT2 cars, faster than LMP2 cars and slightly slower than LMP1's.

[Birddog07]

Originally Posted by dj4monie

Uh no...

Miller will not happen because the ALMS hasn't been successful and Grand Am is even worst.

I meant that it should have a 1T rating aswell, believe me I hate that bore, don't even bother watching the races.

What is the minimum requirement for a circuit? I'd love to see them at The Glen or Laguna. Laguna I could even attend.

[WMUCarGuy]

There has been talk that P&M is building a Cadillac race car for GM. Could we see a CTS-V GT1 car???

[TF110]

Originally Posted by dj4monie

Which spec is that? Top speed around 170mph for all the cars? I think in this economic environment, I think its best to leave the cars in this spec for at least another season.

Maybe if car counts get up to 30, we can look at opening up the rulebook a bit to put them solidly ahead of GTE/GT2 cars, faster than LMP2 cars and slightly slower than LMP1's.

Well all cars seem to be equal except the Maserati. That baby is always near the front. Then again it could be because the drivers have been the same for the past god knows how long. I didn't mean spec as in all the cars are the same. I'm speaking of the regulations. Whatever they are. I'm not diving into details about them. I realize they'll keep the cars the same for at least another season, but I do hope he lets them gain some speed. Or lose some weight. It'd be great to see them all running at 1150kg. Forget all the weight penalties, just let them meet that minimum weight and go from there with their 'success ballast' and restrictor sizing.

[I Rosputnik]

Those Citroën ads above show the perfect examples of GT cars. Survolt for GT2 and GT3, while the GT for GT1 and LMGT.

The GT would make an awesome GT1 car.

[Dauer 962]

Originally Posted by I Rosputnik

New/Rumoured cars: The Alpina B6 GT1, Lexus LFA and the Veritas RS 3.

Scatch the Veritas and forget about it. It is dead as dead can be (if it ever was alive) and will never happen.

[Dauer 962]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

. If Albert wins the GT-Masters title this year, I expect to see him in the World Championship in 2011. Money shouldn't be an issue then, he just might be the richest guy in racing today...

Albert has no ambitions to race in GT1. He would like to, but he is full time employed and couldn’t cope with the amount of time necessary for travelling and testing. He’s fine with GT3 racing; motorsport is just a hobby for him, though a serious one.

[I Rosputnik]

Endurance Info on the future of GT racing (Translated into English by Google)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Possible models for 2011 and 2012 for GT1, as suggested by Eudurance Info:

BMW Alpina B6 (Aurora) : 2011

Lexus LF-A : 2011 or 2012

Aston Martin Vantage : 2012
Audi R8 GT1 : 2012
Ferrari F458 GT1 : 2012
Ford Mustang GT1 : 2012
Mercedes AMG SLS : 2012
McLaren MP4-12C : 2012

Apart from the Alpina take the cars with a pinch of salt, but I do hope some of the cars on that list do appear.

[Simmi]

Definitely taking some of those cars with a pinch of salt. Isn't the McLaren completely unworkable to the regs due to its chassis material?

[kyoung]

That’s the problem; they need to separate GT cars from ringer supercars. Neither LF-A or the McLaren belong in GT1, if Ratel wants a super car class they should make one full of Enzos, MC12s, MP4-12Cs, Hennessey Venoms, Zondas, Veritas etc.

[Stahler]

Brno is cancelled for next year. Circuit owner has money only for his son who will be racing 800cc MotoGP class next year and Czech government does not want to support motorsport.

[WMUCarGuy]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Definitely taking some of those cars with a pinch of salt. Isn't the McLaren completely unworkable to the regs due to its chassis material?

I don't think there has been an issue for carbon chassied GT1 cars, the MC12 has one. It's GT2 where there's been the issue.

[I Rosputnik]

I wouldn't read into this too much, but the rep from the GT1 facebook page seems to be suggesting GT1 at Laguna Seca next year. He hasn't confirmed anything, but has left the question open.

Makes sense seeing as FIA GT has been there before.

[NaBUru38]

Endurance-Info's article says: "The future of the GT may mean building models that can run in all GT1, GT2 and GT3 with adaptation kits". But why would you have three different classes with similarly priced cars?

[Birddog07]

Different teams, different budgets. Different drivers, different skill levels.

The same car could race GT3 to GT1, but GT3 is pro-am and no car development. GT2 factory and privateer teams, pro drivers and alittle development, cost rise. GT1 pro drivers, most development, world championship, highest cost. But for the manufactuers, they just need to develop one base model GT3 car, then subsiquent upgrades instead of brand new cars.

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by Birddog07

Different teams, different budgets. Different drivers, different skill levels.

The same car could race GT3 to GT1, but GT3 is pro-am and no car development. GT2 factory and privateer teams, pro drivers and alittle development, cost rise. GT1 pro drivers, most development, world championship, highest cost. But for the manufactuers, they just need to develop one base model GT3 car, then subsiquent upgrades instead of brand new cars.

Seems more series are going with the combined classes format.

World Challenge moved from single class racing, to two classes now it will be three classes (started this year).

That is one way to ensure healthy grid numbers and enough entry fees to ensure the series can run flag to flag pun intended.

But I don't know if that's what was suggested.

[Tim the Grey]

Gt1 and GT3 are VASTLY different cost classes? The base car may be the same, but the racer is not.
Look at Matech's Ford GT, and Aston's DBR(s)9 models?
The GT3 cars look like the road car, with a few wings added. GT1 cars look like race cars made to resemble the road car. Yet both are based around much the same basic components...

GT2 is a (slightly) cheaper way into Top Flight racing. But I know that Ferrari upgrade kits for 430s were £100K 3 years back... That's on top of the basic car!

GT4 may well use the same base car model again, as any of the above classes, but be very nearly a road car.

Bigger Bang for the Buck, for the manufacturers, and probably, the teams.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by kyoung

That’s the problem; they need to separate GT cars from ringer supercars. Neither LF-A or the McLaren belong in GT1, if Ratel wants a super car class they should make one full of Enzos, MC12s, MP4-12Cs, Hennessey Venoms, Zondas, Veritas etc.

I don't see the problem. I'd welcome those cars. Zondas won't compete, i don't ever see them trying to either. Hennessey cars probably wouldn't either, McLaren sounds great as does the LFA. There are already supercars in the series, the MC12, the Murcielago, the GTR, the Z06 are all 'supercars' not GT's.

[Birddog07]

Pagani should enter the Zonda R, now that'd be a treat.

[rich07]

Originally Posted by Birddog07

Pagani should enter the Zonda R, now that'd be a treat.

That would be indeed a treat but I dont think Horatio Pagani is that interested in motorsport from what I've heard. It would be nice if a private team developed the next Pagani (which is due out soon) to GT1 rules.

[I Rosputnik]

I wonder if the championship will go to Japan next year, seeing as Nissan is pushing it over there.

[NaBUru38]

Nissan don't have a circuit there, do they?

[I Rosputnik]

I don't think they do own a track, but I do seem to remember that they have connections to Fuji Speedway. If Lexus enter someway, I'm sure Toyota will get it at Fuji.

[TF110]

Fuji is under repairs as of now, but it won't be long to fix. I'm hoping Lexus enters the LFA, they were doing demo runs of it at Fuji, with it limited to 7500rpm, some of the guys driving it were questioned about it's superb cornering grip. They were presented with this, 'it seems the LFA corners faster than a SuperGT car here at Fuji'. Kino****a, one of the LFA drivers nodded. I love how the Japanese don't brag, but they confirm all the while. If the LFA can corner faster than a SuperGT car around Fuji I think they have a hit on their hands. Seeing as how the car they ran was still over 3000lbs. in it's N24Hour trim.