The future of Corvette

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Hmm, I wonder what this will mean for the number of entries in GT2. Corvette racing drove everyone who tried to take them on out of GT1, might that happen in GT2 as well? After all it's a full-on factory assault against a few semi-factory teams and a lot of privateers.
With LMP2 being left behind by the factories, it could soon become once again the favourite playground for privateers.

Really though, who did Corvette drive out?

ACEMCO? A team that didn't win anything of note in GT2 either.
AVR? Nice guys, but.....
Rafanelli - in the wrong Ferrari 550..

Really, I think that's about it.

Regarding LMP2 being left behind, I think we should hold off on concluding this. Next year could look very much like this year, less of course the two Acuras that move to P2, unless they are bought by privateers. Again, we already have a number of teams sniffing around, to pick up an Acura LMP2, to pick up any number of the Porsche Spyders built, that haven't turned a wheel.... (of course with all the disclaimers as per usual about funding, and not believing it until it is on the grid... )

Corvette Racing is good, but I don't believe that the Ferrari, BMW or Porsche Factory backed teams are exactly slouches either.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by David

Some interesting further analysis here by Marshall Pruett at Speed.com.

Yes David. Very Interesting

"After reaching out to rival and potential GT1 manufacturers to gauge interest on joining the rather thin category, a marked lack of positive responses would find GM looking for a new division to call home. "

So GM talked to other manfactures to step up to GT1, but did not get positive responses. ie GT1 as we know it is dead or just about.

And

"That choice was made much easier with a soft global economy and waning car sales – the tens of millions of dollars required to build a prototype to fight the likes of Audi, Peugeot, and Acura wouldn’t be forthcoming anytime soon. A step down one class to GT2 was the only logical choice for Wesoloski and his partners at Pratt & Miller Racing."

and

"With the team phasing out their GT1 efforts, the prospect of an unsubscribed GT1 category in 2009 is very real. Corvette Racing will use Sebring and Long Beach as a tune-up for another Le Mans bid, but the remaining rounds might find GT1 with just one or two entries. Or none."

[johntt]

Originally Posted by The 359

Hopefully the ACO's one class will be one of the two new FIA classes, and not some "third option" hybrid that will just muck everything up.

I think i can see how the classes will work with one spec giving us different classes.

The single ACO class and the GT2 class for FIA competition will be the same and Ratel's GT1 will be the single ACO/FIA-GT2 class cars with the upgrade package mentioned.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

Yes David. Very Interesting

"After reaching out to rival and potential GT1 manufacturers to gauge interest on joining the rather thin category, a marked lack of positive responses would find GM looking for a new division to call home. "

So GM talked to other manfactures to step up to GT1, but did not get positive responses. ie GT1 as we know it is dead or just about.

I appreciate why you would come to the conclusion that you have, but it isn't quite correct. (at least from my understanding)

I believe that they gauged interest in what could/should/would be the future GT1 category, at least according to the FIA. There are currently TWO interested parties, and one isn't a manufacturer. The interest in the future FIA based GT rules, is all in GT2. No coincidence that Corvette will move to a 5.5l engine in 2010, when these rules take effect, which keeps them in GT2.

[gwyllion]

http://www.endurance-info.com/static...dex.txt&npds=1

[deggis]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

So we will see what is released on Sept 15.

I'm not so sure the ACO press conference will reveal much about GT... especially when GT situation seems to be very unclear and it's only five days to go...

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by deggis

I'm not so sure the ACO press conference will reveal much about GT... especially when GT situation seems to be very unclear and it's only five days to go...

It is UNCLEAR for the public. The manufactures and teams know what the rules are. Just waiting for the OFFICIAL Press Release.

[JAG]

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/alms...ype_plans.html

[deggis]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

It is UNCLEAR for the public. The manufactures and teams know what the rules are.

Yes, crystal clear, as Doug Fehan's responses implies...

On Ratel/FIA's side, probably won't hear much until FIA WMSC makes their decision(s) in November/early December (that's usually when WMSC is having their meetings). For sure that will affect ACO's decisions too.

[prototype]

I find it very interesting that Corvette is moving to GT2 now that the ACO has announced P2 size engines will be the next generation P1s. Could this mean we see a factory P1 Corvette in 2010 or 2011?

Maybe the Corvette Pescarolo is a toe in the water type of approach, then again maybe it is totally unrelated.

[Bob Riebe]

Originally Posted by prototype

I find it very interesting that Corvette is moving to GT2 now that the ACO has announced P2 size engines will be the next generation P1s. Could this mean we see a factory P1 Corvette in 2010 or 2011?

Maybe the Corvette Pescarolo is a toe in the water type of approach, then again maybe it is totally unrelated.

Not likely, Chevy has other items coming up in car sales and a p car is of little to zero concern to them.

[prototype]

I am not so sure.

[dxk1]

Originally Posted by Bob Riebe

Not likely, Chevy has other items coming up in car sales and a p car is of little to zero concern to them.

In light of your definitive statement, I was just wondering, what was the impetus for the Chevy Corvette GTP car of the mid 80s if there is no interest in prototype racing at Chevy? I'm not arguing, I'm just asking as I have no idea either way of determining Chevy's interest. However, one could surmise that they might have some interest if they could get some good publicity out of it.

DK

[Subaru_WRX_STi]

with Corvette Racing to GT2, next year GM will still support its customers in Europe LAA and Phoenix Racing ?

[HORNDAWG]

Corvette will not move to GT-2 until after Le Mans, also why would P&M not provide the support package for the complete year? It is not like the engineers cease to exist because the "works" team switches chassis. I see no reason what so ever for them not to continue with support until the cars can no longer run in GT-1.


L.P.

[Bob Riebe]

Originally Posted by dxk1

In light of your definitive statement, I was just wondering, what was the impetus for the Chevy Corvette GTP car of the mid 80s if there is no interest in prototype racing at Chevy? I'm not arguing, I'm just asking as I have no idea either way of determining Chevy's interest. However, one could surmise that they might have some interest if they could get some good publicity out of it.

DK

In the eighties all Detroit was RE-ENTERING motorsports with a large presence after quitting in the early seventies, that is the the BIG difference.

[HORNDAWG]

Corvette's 08 Laguna livery. http://www.badboyvettes.com/album?a=...2008&backnum=0



L.P.

[Aslak Vind]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Corvette's 08 Laguna livery. http://www.badboyvettes.com/album?a=...2008&backnum=0



L.P.

One bad ass livery, love those guys!

Go for it, champion Magnussen

[protopuma]

Did Johnny O just say they were going to race with the new ZR1 in GT2 on RLM? I swear thats what I heard.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by protopuma

Did Johnny O just say they were going to race with the new ZR1 in GT2 on RLM? I swear thats what I heard.

Somewhat

The new GT2 Corvette will be based on the ZR1. But a different engine, not the LS9

The GT1 Corvette is based on the CZ06 for the most part

[protopuma]

For some reason I just assumed that they would use the C6 since they sell more of those then any other model. I wonder if the GT2 ZR1 will get the clear hood.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by protopuma

For some reason I just assumed that they would use the C6 since they sell more of those then any other model. I wonder if the GT2 ZR1 will get the clear hood.

nah but you can count on an extractor hood

[Subaru_WRX_STi]

as I understund, current GT3 cars can be upgrated to a GT1 spec car, if it is correct, the Z06 Callaway could enter the new GT1 ?

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Subaru_WRX_STi

as I understund, current GT3 cars can be upgrated to a GT1 spec car, if it is correct, the Z06 Callaway could enter the new GT1 ?

Huh? GT-3 to GT-1, where did that notion come from??


L.P.

[Subaru_WRX_STi]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Huh? GT-3 to GT-1, where did that notion come from??

on endurance-info the new GT1 will be based on the current GT3, and these GT3s can be upgrated to GT1