GTE Speculation

[Mt. Lynx]

Originally Posted by Velociraptor

but with the M3 e9x going out of production, there is no V8 available... only 4,4 twin turbo N63, which is highly unlikely in a Z4. Might as well wait a year for the new M3 and use it's TT I6.

Really? Had no idea.
So does this mean that the Z4 GTE will be illegal very soon, since it will not be fitted with a production unit?
That aside, isn't the Z4 getting a bit old? Is it even in production still?

[Velociraptor]

Originally Posted by Mt. Lynx

Really? Had no idea.
So does this mean that the Z4 GTE will be illegal very soon, since it will not be fitted with a production unit?
That aside, isn't the Z4 getting a bit old? Is it even in production still?

The current Z4 debuted in 2009, which means it's probably at around 50-60% of it's model life expectancy.

[TF110]

Rumors are it will share platforms with a new Toyota Supra! That is due in 2015, so the new Z4 may be a couple years away?

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by Mt. Lynx

Really? Had no idea.
So does this mean that the Z4 GTE will be illegal very soon, since it will not be fitted with a production unit?

It was never intended to be legal... as in conforming to the regulations. From the the very start the race car has been developed with politicking and waivers in mind.

[Mt. Lynx]

Originally Posted by Pandamasque

It was never intended to be legal... as in conforming to the regulations. From the the very start the race car has been developed with politicking and waivers in mind.

A showcase in that it is possible to turn a GT3 to GTE? Or that a unification of the very differing rulesets really can be done?

[Ferrari333SP]

Maybe this has been answered already, and I'm too lazy to review all the previous pages, so has anybody heard talk of the R8, SLS GT3, MP4-12C, and Gallardo moving up to GTE in the feature? Or will GT3 and GTE sort of merge in the near future?

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Ferrari333SP

Maybe this has been answered already, and I'm too lazy to review all the previous pages, so has anybody heard talk of the R8, SLS GT3, MP4-12C, and Gallardo moving up to GTE in the feature? Or will GT3 and GTE sort of merge in the near future?

No GTE and GT3 will not merge, though they will however be based on a single car per mfg it seems. At least that is what has been alluded to as being the most favorable, from the mfgs.




L.P.

[MitchZ06]

Use the GT3 regs for turbos for both classes and kick the capacity limit in GTE and the cars should work for both classes using a single platform.

[FstrthnU]

R8: There was some talk of getting the Dragonspeed R8 homologated for ALMS GTE, but the plans were tabled (though that may change if Dragonspeed continues into USCR next year)

SLS GT3: Since Mercedes-Benz has shown almost 0 interest in going back to Le Mans, there is almost no chance of a MB SLS GTE.

MP4-12C: Plans for the GTE version were almost confirmed, but they have been tabled due to poor Turbo BoP as other people here have stated.

Gallardo: West Racing ran a (pitifully slow) version of the GT3 in ALMS 2 years ago, no word on any new GTE Lambos since (especially since they just released the GT3 FL2 version).


The next cars to join will likely be the Acura NSX (almost-confirmed) or the Jaguar F-Type.

[Canada ALMS fan]

Heard from the paddock at Laguna Seca today:
Both Audi and Mercedes looking at GTLM in USCR for next year.

[TF110]

Great news if it materializes.

[Simmi]

Hopefully the USCR will coax in more manufacturers. Equally I hope they aren't US-only specials but even that is better than nothing.

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Hopefully the USCR will coax in more manufacturers. Equally I hope they aren't US-only specials but even that is better than nothing.

I wouldnt be surprised if they just waived in the unmodified GT3s... With a greater distance from the ACO USCR could easily do that and save the manufacturers a lot of hassle.

They've got to find a way to integrate the GT3s, and I don't think keeping them down in GTD is it... the GT3s are just to darn expensive for what is going to be the series fourth fiddle class - and already now the GA-GT field is pretty much disintegrating. With the Porsche teams switching to the 991 Cup for next year, they have a chance to reset the clock on GTD cost and speeds and I am pretty sure they are very aware of that.

Also, Audi was already in talks with ALMS about running the GT3-spec R8 LMS Ultra in GTE, but ALMS demanded that they also race their P1 car. With Audi now looking at building a DP, there's even more of a case for letting the Audi into the big GT-class.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

I wouldnt be surprised if they just waived in the unmodified GT3s... With a greater distance from the ACO USCR could easily do that and save the manufacturers a lot of hassle.

They've got to find a way to integrate the GT3s, and I don't think keeping them down in GTD is it... the GT3s are just to darn expensive for what is going to be the series fourth fiddle class - and already now the GA-GT field is pretty much disintegrating. With the Porsche teams switching to the 991 Cup for next year, they have a chance to reset the clock on GTD cost and speeds and I am pretty sure they are very aware of that.

Also, Audi was already in talks with ALMS about running the GT3-spec R8 LMS Ultra in GTE, but ALMS demanded that they also race their P1 car. With Audi now looking at building a DP, there's even more of a case for letting the Audi into the big GT-class.

You're right. The Z4 was let in, so might as well bring the others in as well.

[Mechanic Z]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

Heard from the paddock at Laguna Seca today:
Both Audi and Mercedes looking at GTLM in USCR for next year.

That would be cool! The more cars worth watching next year the better!

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by joeb

You're right. The Z4 was let in, so might as well bring the others in as well.

The flood gates will not be thrown open. GT3 will be targeted for GTD not GTLM.





L.P.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

The flood gates will not be thrown open. GT3 will be targeted for GTD not GTLM.





L.P.

Thats ridiculous. I doubt theyll want to play second fiddle and purposely slow their cars.

[kyoung]

Originally Posted by TF110

Thats ridiculous. I doubt theyll want to play second fiddle and purposely slow their cars.

That's the nature of racing, outside of monster truck racing and NHRA most sanctioned racing is "purposely slowed". If they don't like the BOP they can get in line to complain. I hope they have some time on their hands because its a long line.

[Ginaro Zukovsky]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

The flood gates will not be thrown open. GT3 will be targeted for GTD not GTLM.

Sounds like a great idea, buy a GT3 car from a manufacturer then convert it to be as slow as a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car in the slowest of the 4 classes.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by TF110

Thats ridiculous. I doubt theyll want to play second fiddle and purposely slow their cars.

What is ridiculous is the fact that some refuse to realize that this is coming from the mfgs. It is still only in the discussion stages, that we know of, but... it shall be what it shall be!







L.P.

[somebodysb2]

Originally Posted by joeb

You're right. The Z4 was let in, so might as well bring the others in as well.

The Z4 GTE is far from a simple GT3 conversion. I also don't get all this fuss as well, FYI the 2012 Aston GTE car has GT3 suspension bits.

Originally Posted by Ginaro Zukovsky

Sounds like a great idea, buy a GT3 car from a manufacturer then convert it to be as slow as a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car in the slowest of the 4 classes.

It's not as simple as that. Check out the rear body panels of this particular GAGT 997 Cup
http://www.racecarsdirect.com/listin...1_gt3_cup.html

[joeb]

Originally Posted by somebodysb2

The Z4 GTE is far from a simple GT3 conversion. I also don't get all this fuss as well, FYI the 2012 Aston GTE car has GT3 suspension bits.

Yes BMW did more than just slap ALMS decals on a GT3 Z4, but it was a starting point that they were able to utilize instead of developing an entirely new car.

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

The flood gates will not be thrown open. GT3 will be targeted for GTD not GTLM.

L.P.

You're probably right. I also wonder why Audi would want to have a GTLM version of the R8 if it is already running in GTD? Perhaps they don't care for the way it has been neutered, or the fact that sales haven't been swift.

I also wonder if Audi and Merc do indeed develop cars for USCR GTLM then will there still be interest in a US DTM.

[Ferrari333SP]

What's the difference between GTLM and GTD again?

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by Ferrari333SP

What's the difference between GTLM and GTD again?

GTLM is ALMS GT/ACO GTE, GTD is GAGT + ALMS GTC/Porsche Cup.

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by joeb

Yes BMW did more than just slap ALMS decals on a GT3 Z4, but it was a starting point that they were able to utilize instead of developing an entirely new car.



You're probably right. I also wonder why Audi would want to have a GTLM version of the R8 if it is already running in GTD? Perhaps they don't care for the way it has been neutered, or the fact that sales haven't been swift.

I also wonder if Audi and Merc do indeed develop cars for USCR GTLM then will there still be interest in a US DTM.

To be honest, I'd be very surprised to see a bespoke GTLM from Mercedes... the SLS GT3 has pretty much been orphaned by AMG by now, with no upgrade kit coming out over the offseason (and IIRC neither was there one the year before).