Japanease Prototype series?

[JAG]

Since the story was posted on DSC last week I've not seen it mentioned on TT, so here goes.

Mr Goh, of Goh Audi fame, is planning a short series of 1000K sportscar events in Japan for LMPs (old and new generation) and GTs (JGTC/FIA/ACO).

He believes there's demand for a series of this kind in Japan, with manufactuers running cars in the JGTC that went out of production long ago.

There's also a desire from Japanease teams to compete on the international stage once again, rather than being isolated with their own unique series.

Goh would run two R8s if there is sufficient demand, which he expects there will be.

This story has sneeked under the radar but I believei it is very significant.

[BSchneiderFan]

Could be fantastic, provided it keeps its aims realistic. A successor to the vaunted but abortive Asia-Pacific Le Mans Series?

[Silk Cut Jaguar]

The last Japanese prototype series (early 90s?) seemed to get a lot of attention from Toyota, Nissan and Mazda. Being able to run cars without the expense of having to fly to Europe or America to race them will be extremely tempting for a lot of Japanese teams.

Team Goh and Dome spring instantly to mind, plus all the teams running Porsches, Ferraris and Lambos in Super GT must be excited by this as it would surely mean being able to race far more frequently.

It could be the catalyst for something great.

[nsxr]

NO NO NO NO NO NO this cant happen. This is going to destroy the SuperGT. There arent enough teams willing to do this. If this was to be a few longer races set within a SuperGt races that would be fine. Like making the Suzuka 1000km worth champoinship points and allow in the 2-3 prototypes that are in japan. How can Mr. Goh run a sries if he cant finance a team?

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by nsxr

How can Mr. Goh run a sries if he cant finance a team?

The biggest part of the budget was his own money. He stopped when he realised his dream of winning Le Mans.

[Bramzel]

Sounds like a great plan to me, there's plenty of money in the Pacific / Asia, plenty of racing-spirit, I think a series like that would have quite a bit of success over there. Also with China coming up rapidly.

[Silk Cut Jaguar]

Originally Posted by nsxr

NO NO NO NO NO NO this cant happen. This is going to destroy the SuperGT. There arent enough teams willing to do this. If this was to be a few longer races set within a SuperGt races that would be fine. Like making the Suzuka 1000km worth champoinship points and allow in the 2-3 prototypes that are in japan.

Considering Super GT only runs once a month there is plenty of scope for a more traditional prototype/GT series to run alongside without competing.

[nsxr]

why SuperGT owns the Japanese racing scene. Besides the teams race more then once a month. Most of the big teams also compete in Formula Nippon. Nakajima,Cerumo, Impul, 5Zigen. They also have Super Taykiu [sp?] D1 and F3 races to keep the drivers and teams busy.
lets see
Goh Audi P1 X1 X2?
jim Grainer Dome P1 X1 2?
factory Dome P1 X1 X2?
AutoExe P2 WR/Mazda X1?
SARD toyota P? LMP?
Kondo Yokahama Dome P1 X1 X2?
Taisan ??????
all teams have LeMan experince and are your most likely canadates for this. 5-10 cars verus 40+ in SuperGT. Nice idea but doubt it will happen

[SALEEN S7R]

Oh it could well happen nsxr, all it would need is for a GT1 and GT2 class too. Preferably running to ACO/FIA GT GT1 and GT2 regulations, and perhaps if the series needs the extra entrants to begin with GT3 machinery. Would be a great thing IMO if this were to happen.

[Asa]

Well if Super GT rules become one with ACO/FIA GT rules, as promised by Ratel, then it would be good.

I'd love to see the Maserati MC12 and Aston Martin DBR9 take on the Nissan 350Z and the Honda NSX-R.

[Graham Goodwin]

Mr Goh was very specific - The series would be for European spec cars (ie NOT Super GT GT500 and GT300) and he expects a mix of older LMP and GT cars (ie the races would NOT run to current ACO rules - The problem is that Super GT regs make ACO / FIA spec cars quite uncompetitive which in turn means that not enough Japanese teams are not looking outside their home markets.

By the by this plan would also open up a market for those Euro / US teams that want to upgrade their machinery to sell on old spec LMPs.

[TerryC]

This is good news indeed if it ever materialises. There is definitely a gap for this series in the Asian-Pacific rim markets. Just out of curiosity, would this proposed series be a "Britsport" of the East?

[TheNewBob]

I like this idea. There's a sort of "motorsports boom" starting to occur not just in Japan but in countries surrounding it, China being a single example. This means quite a lot of people are going to want to set up teams. Using older cars it could be a cheaper way to go one of two ways - either into something like ALMS once they get experienced enough and a large enough team together, or into Super-GT and try and conquer something which puts FIA/ACO GT cars in the shade.

There's bound to be numerous old cars like Lister Storms, Lamborghini Diablo/Murcielago's, Porsche 993-GT2's, Saleens, Ferrari 550's amongst the usual GT2 Porsches and 360's hanging around somewhere in the world, along with some old Panoz prototypes or Riley & Scott, old Lola's and Pilbeams, and indeed now the Audi R8's. It's something not seen much before in Japan so even if it starts off with mere 20-25 car grids (not big for something incorporating 4 classes), I reckon it would go down well in Japan.

If not with any existing teams looking to do something different, then definitely for the new teams coming up in the Asian/Pacific areas of the world - afterall we do have an Aston Martin DBR9 rumoured to be getting sent to a team from that area awaiting the FIA GT championship to pay Bahrain a visit...?

Just have to hope the FIA GT's don't start dominating Japan too and start putting weak grids everywhere...

[JAG]

Don't forget the JSPC Group C series startied with many 956s, Lolas, March' etc. from Europe. The Japanease manufactuers then came into the game big style.

This series could be used as a launching pad for Le Mans/LMES/ALMS programs from Japanease manufactuers.

The likes of Toyota and Nissan have run their LMP programs alongside their JGTC activities in the recent past, so they will not neccessarily conflict with each other.

Dome for example run their LMP and the works Honda NSX program.

[nsxr]

were will you draw the teams from? only one team not from japans Supergt series competes internationaly. Amprex of Maylaysia I dont doubt the money. hell i even like the idea of the series i just think now is not the time for it. Are you going to have Holden of Australia running the factory Corvette program. hey just a thought. And why would european teams wont to compete if all that new equipment there buying or going to buy from LeMan is illegal. Illegal in that stated above is this would be for older prototypes. Didn't soembody say something about the japanese series running its own rules and teams wonting to step up to the international stage? how does old equipment help there cause? sorry I'm critical cuz I care

[JAG]

You would draw teams from JGTC, FNippon, F3, and all the various Group N type championships in Japan.

Allowing old reg LMPs gives a home to the many cars out there. At this early stage it doesn't really matter that they are not eligable outside of Japan.

The series would take time to build, and teams would obviously purchase newer equipment as the competition increases, seeing as new cars would also be eligable.

[nsxr]

so you wont to put undo stress on teams to travel around asia when some of the series you mentioned cant attract a full grid.

[JAG]

Japan has a passion for sportscar racing and Le Mans, this series is needed.

BTW it will only be 3 races to beign with.

Japanease manufaactuers need to spread their wings a little.

[TheNewBob]

It also gives chance for new machinery from that area to be developed for Le Mans or LMES/ALMS - I believe Holden, for example, was already mentioned here... would give a good opportunity for some development of the Monaro for international racing...?

[Silk Cut Jaguar]

Originally Posted by nsxr

so you wont to put undo stress on teams to travel around asia when some of the series you mentioned cant attract a full grid.

These are professional teams you're talking about, I'm sure most people would love to go out and race some prototypes on a Sunday afternoon. All they need is the budget and the will to be there.

A prototype series would be filling a niche that has been sadly lacking in Japan for a long, long time.

[TheNewBob]

Originally Posted by Silk Cut Jaguar

These are professional teams you're talking about, I'm sure most people would love to go out and race some prototypes on a Sunday afternoon. All they need is the budget and the will to be there.

A prototype series would be filling a niche that has been sadly lacking in Japan for a long, long time.

The budget shouldn't be that difficult to find if the cars are likely to be old and cheaper, right? Which would help the series in starting off, I presume.

[Bramzel]

Imho if such a series would be started, budget would be found within short amount of time. There's so much money and interest in racing in Japan, just look at that Hongkong based GruppeM team that's going to do LMES soon. I'm confident they'd enter that eastern gt championship, just like many others. At this moment the only serious GT series in the asian countries is the Super GT one. A LMES kind of series wouldn't harm that one, it would be a nice addition, and I'm pretty confident that there will be plenty of interest on it from countries like Japan, Malaysia and China.

[nsxr]

then why do so few japanese teams go to le man. if they love le man and can find the budget to do three races then one shouldnt be a problem. Plus has anyone realised the lack of circuits. Japan, Maylaysia [sp?] china and australia have good enough tracks. China doesnt wont anything to do with the japanese so there out. Sepang is the only track in the south thas any good outside australia. Plus if this was neede why didn't the Aisan Pacicifc le Man Series start.

[Asa]

Le Mans might be a huge race in Europe, but in Asia it is not so well known.

Super GT is more a marketing platform for the tuning market. They give the illusion that you CAN modify your own car to be a Super GT car. That's why it is so popular. They can get more buzz ffrom the Japanese/Asian fans by racing in Super GT than winning Le Mans. But if you race a prototype you cannot create that illusion.

Also, if such a series materialises, the teams will want to enter if Le Mans entries are available, which I doubt will be granted if old machinery is run and of course the Europeans will never want to lose a single place to us.

[sportscarsRULE]

Originally Posted by Asa

Well if Super GT rules become one with ACO/FIA GT rules, as promised by Ratel, then it would be good.

I'd love to see the Maserati MC12 and Aston Martin DBR9 take on the Nissan 350Z and the Honda NSX-R.

Oh Jesus, please no! Please keep those JGTC monstrosities and all 8 thousand of their diveplanes away from the real sportscars.