New away for the Sportscar!! Ratel is the new Boss!!!!

SFonseca · 29 Nov 2002, 22:48 (Ref:439688)

Very good news for the fans!!!
A new company has taken over the management of the FIA Sportscar Championship. International Sportscar Ltd (ISL) has been formed by the Directors of the current promoter of the FIA Sportscar Championship, and Stephane Ratel, whose successful SRO company manages and promotes the excellent FIA GT Championship and the popular LG Super Racing Weekend series. Now the has a name: Stephane Ratel!!

**ghinzani** · 30 Nov 2002, 13:07 (Ref:440065)

That is good news - lets hope we see them on the same bill next year - and maybe on the same track for a 6 hours race ??

pink69 · 30 Nov 2002, 23:46 (Ref:440290)

6 hours! remember that the teams are only privateer teams, they'd find it hard to cover such costs. the 3 hours will surfice. Hopefully they will combine the series for a few races, Europe needs a ival to the ALMS and the ACO also wants more LM spec races in Europe.

**ghinzani** · 1 Dec 2002, 00:14 (Ref:440306)

Ok how about 1000 kilometres?

paulzinho · 1 Dec 2002, 00:19 (Ref:440308)

MMmmmmmmm....

Brands 1000km
Monza 1000km
Spa 1000km
Fuji 1000km
Silverstone 1000km
Nurburgring 1000km
Le Mans 24 Hours

Remember when they were all part of the same series in the same season.....

Fantastic racing and lots of winners!

SFonseca · 1 Dec 2002, 00:50 (Ref:440321)

That agreement means the ACO could be isolated in Europe, with Ratel involved in GT and prototypes... Is it good or bad?

Thommy · 1 Dec 2002, 16:16 (Ref:440582)

I don't think Fuji would be in. Doesn't Toyota crash the circuit down and rebuilt it with a new layout for a F1-GP?

rdjones · 1 Dec 2002, 17:07 (Ref:440635)

Am I right think Mr Ratel was involved in orgainsing the old ELMS...........

cybersdorf · 1 Dec 2002, 17:18 (Ref:440640)

Quote:

Originally posted by rdjones
Am I right think Mr Ratel was involved in orgainsing the old ELMS...........

I think you are not right - the ELMS was organised by John McDonald. Ratel's FIA GT was the ELMS' rival.

redshoes · 1 Dec 2002, 20:00 (Ref:440699)

Meant to post this earlier

Quote:

PRESS RELEASE - 29/11/02
For Immediate Publication
NEW WAY AHEAD FOR SPORTSCARS

A new company has taken over the management of the FIA Sportscar Championship. International Sportscar Ltd (ISL) has been formed by the Directors of the current promoter of the FIA Sportscar Championship, and Stephane Ratel, whose successful SRO company manages and promotes the excellent FIA GT Championship and the popular LG Super Racing Weekend series.

Stephane Ratel will take up the post of Chief Executive Officer of the new enterprise, with current Chief Operating Officer of the FIA Sportscar Championship, Steve Lydon, retaining his existing role, with responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Championship.

The Directors of the new company stressed that the new arrangement will try to avoid any clashes between GT and Sportscars, nor is there any intention for the two Championships to merge.

The new company will benefit from a pooled marketing and promotion effort, and will undoubtedly benefit from SRO's acknowledged marketing and PR expertise. The FIA Sportscar Championship's burgeoning television coverage is set to be enhanced further for 2003, with programmes scheduled to be broadcast in no less than 26 territories around the world. Further unified strengths of the new arrangement will include an appropriate calendar and strong support packages.

Stephane Ratel commented : "This represents an exciting new challenge for me. Most of motor sport has suffered a difficult time in the last 12 months, but with the undoubted attraction and popularity of sportscar racing, I am sure this new venture has a great future. Steve Lydon has years of experience in motor sport, and a proven track record in the organisation and co-ordination of major championships."

"I am sure our skills and expertise will complement each other perfectly," Steve Lydon commented. "This will result in an improved Championship which has more to offer for everyone involved - drivers, teams, promoters and spectators."

ghinzani, looks like you could be disappointed - nor is there any intention for the two Championships to merge

**ghinzani** · 1 Dec 2002, 20:49 (Ref:440718)

nads!

cybersdorf · 1 Dec 2002, 20:51 (Ref:440720)

Quote:

Originally posted by redshoes
nor is there any intention for the two Championships to merge

And who knows, it may be for the better. Let's have one or two bigger events as direct Le Mans qualifiers, and otherwise let the two series go their own ways.

**Snapper Baz** · 1 Dec 2002, 21:00 (Ref:440724)

Once the mod's are done at Brands-wouldn't it be great to see Sportscars back at Brands-those days of the great Bellof, Wollek, Bell, Ickx, Stuck, Brundel etc throwing there machines around might be on there way back???

rdjones · 1 Dec 2002, 21:36 (Ref:440750)

Quote:

Originally posted by Snapper Baz
Once the mod's are done at Brands-wouldn't it be great to see Sportscars back at Brands-those days of the great Bellof, Wollek, Bell, Ickx, Stuck, Brundel etc throwing there machines around might be on there way back???

Hopefully..........

SL · 1 Dec 2002, 23:09 (Ref:440789)

Hopefully the start of things to come.

Once Ferrari get banned from F1 and Jag look for something in which they have a chance of winning once again.

Simon

Nordic · 2 Dec 2002, 12:36 (Ref:441088)

Quote:

Originally posted by pink69
6 hours! remember that the teams are only privateer teams, they'd find it hard to cover such costs. the 3 hours will surfice. Hopefully they will combine the series for a few races, Europe needs a ival to the ALMS and the ACO also wants more LM spec races in Europe.

Back in the 80's and then again in the mid 90s for the BPR, the race where always 6hr or 1000km and the teams where largely private. Its the works teams that want shorter races.
Private teams can sell the 2nd sit to a pay driver to help offset the costs.

Bring back the longer races is what I say and mix the GTs with the Prototypes

SALEEN S7R · 3 Dec 2002, 14:26 (Ref:441815)

Its just a shame that ISL who run both championships now have stated in no uncertain terms that the 2 championships those being the FIA GT and FIA SCC have no intention of merging. Ah well maybe 2004..........

cybersdorf · 3 Dec 2002, 14:30 (Ref:441820)

ISL doesn't run both Championships.

a_r_c_a · 3 Dec 2002, 14:32 (Ref:441824)

Quote:

Originally posted by cybersdorf
ISL doesn't run both Championships.

Where is your mind Saleen S7R? ISL is only a FIASCC jobiness.

SALEEN S7R · 3 Dec 2002, 15:06 (Ref:441841)

No sorry thats SRO who runs and Owns the FIA GT series. Although the FIA SCC is part owned by Stephane Ratel and the owners of the FIA SCC which formed the ISL.

lowieracing · 3 Dec 2002, 16:25 (Ref:441896)

guys i doubt that the two championships will merge but ive heard rumours (from stephane ratel himself) that he is to let manufacturers enter teams into the FIA GT in 2004...im thinkin bak 2 the old GTPs such as merecdes clk-gtr, porsche gt1 etc... lets just hope it all happens and that these are the type of cars that will become involved...

SALEEN S7R · 3 Dec 2002, 16:41 (Ref:441907)

Yeah I mean it looks as though it could happen in 2004 perhaps with the regulations all being the same for all the championships. If the FIA SCC and FIA GT did team up the racing would be fantastic the FIA GT is excellent but with the FIA SCC along with it, it might just give Eurosport the nudge it needs to televise the races live rather than a 1hr highlights programme.

lowieracing · 10 Dec 2002, 15:45 (Ref:447031)

i think if both the two championships merged we would have a fantastic contender to the ALMS as both types of sportscars would be represented ie. GT and prototypes

SALEEN S7R · 10 Dec 2002, 20:45 (Ref:447223)

I totally agree, it would be fantastic. Although are we just dreaming? Or could it become a reality?

cybersdorf · 10 Dec 2002, 22:00 (Ref:447281)

For starters, how about one or two combined 1000k events. Now that Ratel is involved in both series it could happen.
A merged sportscar/GT series has its downsides as well.

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