Rare situation only in the JGTC?

[kmchow]

For many years now, I noticed that Castrol Motor Oil is the the PRIMARY sponsor for one car of each major manufacturer in the JGTC. They sponsor a Honda, Nissan and Toyota all at the same time. And I'm not talking about associate/supplier sponsorship either. However, for the '03 I think the practice has finally ended. Has this situation ever existed in any other series?

[kmchow]

Does anyone know what's the estimated or published cost for a JGTC car? Thanks ahead!

[JAG]

At least £500,000. They don't have the power of a GTS car but have more advanced chassis, at least until the carbon GTS cars arrive, and were at least until a few years ago allowed all sorts of electronic gismos.

An ex-JGTC Supra was raced privately in the Nurburgring or Spa 24 Hours a few years back and required a team of engineers from Japan just to get the thing started. It was tested by a UK journalist and if I remember correctly had traction control and a semi-auto gearbox.

A lot of people hold up the JGTC regs as an example of how to run a stable sportscar series.

However the manufactuers have an agreement to run there true road cars, thats why the Nissan R390, Totyota GT-ONE etc. did not appear, and why the F1 GTR is so restricted. Its a closed series and if any car appears that is significantly supperior to the home grown cars there performance is pegged back.

[RacingManiac]

True road car? The "big 3" in JGTC from the Japanese end, the Skyline GTR, the Supra and the NSX are very much purpose built. Maybe not to the length of the Prototypes, but they are FAR from road car. Supra have always ran the 2 liter MR2 motor from their Rally program to "improve" the weight distribution of the stock Supra, and then now they are running a V8 motor. Skyline in the last 2 years have been running a V6 motor because the RB26DETT is being phased out. While the NSX is now running a purpose built racing gearbox along with reposition engine(logitudinal placement). While at the same time the McLaren was detuned year after year to make the Japanese car look good.....

[JAG]

I know they are basically prototypes, but they outwordly look like there road going conterparts. For there national GT series they did not want cars like the GT-ONE to race, in order to keep the road car 'link'.

Therefore cars like the F1 GTR are detuned if they do compete in the JGTC.

[veeten]

then explain the Taisan Advan Viper, which for many years had gone a similar route in detuning, not to mention the Mosler.

It seems strange that cars such as these are put into GT 300 class, along with the BMW M3 & Porsche 911 GT3R. Later, they're "sandbagged" to allow the MR-S, NSX-GT, and Silvia 240-R the possibility of winning.

[JAG]

A GTS spec Viper could compete with GT500 cars, but with only 500BHP, as GT500 allows, a heavier Viper could not compete with these down to weight, high tech cars. Therefore they run in GT300 for less high tech cars.

Plus the fact its very difficult to compete against the works teams in GT500.

[Lee Janotta]

Plus the fact that the Japanese only want their own to win.

[kmchow]

The JGTC started out as being quite "touring car" in nature. But as the years have gone by, they have become more prototype and LeMans in nature. For '03, I think they are now allowing tube frame carbon fibre chassis I think.

They have a good article explaining the changes for '03.
http://www.jgtc.net/race/inside/2003e/repo_e031.htm

It's a shame I think. They are losing their showroom identity.

[FIRE]

It would be nice if they change more to ACO or Fia GT rules.

[kmchow]

Originally posted by veeten
then explain the Taisan Advan Viper, which for many years had gone a similar route in detuning, not to mention the Mosler.
It seems strange that cars such as these are put into GT 300 class, along with the BMW M3 & Porsche 911 GT3R. Later, they're "sandbagged" to allow the MR-S, NSX-GT, and Silvia 240-R the possibility of winning.

To be fair, can you blame the organizer? If a team comes to you wanting to race their car, would you change the rules to accomodate them? By doing so, you can get another car on the grid this way. As well, perhaps a few more fans?

Which begs the question, is motorsports a "sport" or "entertainment"? Which is more important? Does having a Viper race against a MR-S make it more entertaining?

[Lee Janotta]

It depends.

Rallying is a sport, especially at the grassroots level. Most everything on 2 wheels is a sport.

Open-wheel racing is usually a business. Too much damn money involved.

Sports/touring/GT cars alternate between sport and business depending on who's involved. When Toyota or Mercedes shows up, it instantly becomes a business. Or if the ACO manipulates rules or scrutineering to benefit a French manufacturer.

NASCAR and JGTC are to motorsport as Pro Wrestling is to legitimate sport. Constant manipulation of the rules to make for a better show, and to give the more popular teams/drivers an advantage.

[kmchow]

The JGTC does have one redeeming thing, they are coming to race in the Western US in '04!!!

[wibblywobbly]

Originally posted by kmchow
The JGTC does have one redeeming thing, they are coming to race in the Western US in '04!!!

Do you know where? Perhaps Laguna Seca? As a support race for another series like CART?

[Lee Janotta]

Originally posted by kmchow
The JGTC does have one redeeming thing, they are coming to race in the Western US in '04!!!

*starts drinking*