[FIA GT] FIA GT3 no news???

[911 GT1]

Originally Posted by cmk

I can't see any good reason for this to happen. It would tax the number of availible drivers significantly. How, for instance, would BMS be able to run 2 GT1 Astons and 3 GT3 Astons economically in the same race? With 3/4 drivers a car? .

That´s a reason, why Cirtek don´t run the second Aston Squad. They do not want to blew up their crew as they would need tor run so many cars.

[ger80]

24h with a GT3? then the cars will need fast refueling system witch they dont need for the "normal" 1h races.

[panoz.lmp1]

Originally Posted by ger80

24h with a GT3? then the cars will need fast refueling system witch they dont need for the "normal" 1h races.

Most of the teams who are running the GT3 cars for the factories have "fast" refueling systems"

[ger80]

ok, but you need it also inside the car

[panoz.lmp1]

Originally Posted by ger80

ok, but you need it also inside the car

Do you have the technicalk regulations? Why did you know that there is no fuel system inside the cars?

I know a lot of GT3 cars with a 24h refuelling system....

[cmk]

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

Well the GT3 championship is European based, and the drivers that are in the BMS cars and likewise almost everyone else in GT3 will be contracted to the teams for the full year, it makes sense to have the Spa 24hrs as part of the championship, the teams gain exposure and so does the new series. The GT3 class is already part of the Spa 24hrs, the G3 class caters for GT3 machinery. And yes, the GT3 class cars are made to do 24hr races, examples of this can be found at races like the Silverstone 24hrs and Bathurst 24hrs and the Nurburgring 24hrs.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a traditional GT3 race as a support to the Spa24, but that in no way implies that the cars will or should run in the main event. I always felt that the G3 class was there to encourage national teams to run in the event and raise the car count and interest in the event.

What I was referring to with preparedness of these cars concerns the fact that they are running to a very fixed specification. In the races you mention, the teams have a great deal of freedom to make alterations to their GT3s to make them more suited to endurance racing. In this instance, I can't see that happening unless GT3 regulations are opened up somewhat for the Sp24.

I do admit, however, that I don't want to see these cars in the 24 hours. Please, save the drivers/budget (as if those were different!) for more of the big cars.

[fangio]

Most of the cars at the Ricard test had airjacks and race-refuelling systems installed.
Especially the Corvette, Viper and Aston looked very good.
The Venturi, which I guess is a new version of a mid '80's car was only at the Monaco showing and did not appear at Ricard.
Most present thought that the Venturi is not a real contender for GT3.

Don't look at all the potential team-lists; I saw quite a few Team-managers still talking to various suppliers of cars, including those teams already linked to a specific car; I know changes will take place.

The top GT3 cars can be bought from Eu 165.000 upwards, compared to Eu 550.000 and over for GT1 cars.......
A lot of drivers present are positive about GT3, simply because the costs involved (both buying and running the cars) is so much lower.
These cars are not only for the FIA GT3 series, but can be used in most National series as well.

[gwyllion]

Some interesting stuff on FIA GT website:

• Monaco press kit
• Photo gallery Monaco launch
• Photo gallery Paul Ricard test day

[SALEEN S7R]

Originally Posted by cmk

What I was referring to with preparedness of these cars concerns the fact that they are running to a very fixed specification. In the races you mention, the teams have a great deal of freedom to make alterations to their GT3s to make them more suited to endurance racing.

Where did you hear that? At the Spa 24hrs this year there were 4 GT3 cars entered in the G3 class, 2 finished the race, and they werent last either. Indeed one finished 14th overall. The GT3 class is simply for cars that are closer to the road going cars that we see on the road than that of the GT2 specifcation cars. I see no reason why they cannot complete a 24hr race, as they proved this year. They are simply de tuned versions of the GT2 cars in a lot of cases, like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is just a detuned version of the GT3 RSR, its basically the same car, just with less power. And as has been said, the cars have the "fast refuelling systems" so that shoudnt really be a issue either.

IMO it would be a good thing to have the GT3 cars at the Spa 24hrs, theres more than enough room after all. The Spa 24hrs can accomidate up to 65 cars, now normally the FIA GT grids get around 25-36 cars maximum. Also CMK if you go to www.fiagt.com and click "news" and download the press pack for the new GT3 class within the pack it states that the GT3 cars will be eligable in the Spa 24hrs, it does however say that the Spa 24hrs is not a championship round, but they will have their own support race too.

[19dodge]

The GT3 race at Spa will be a standalone event. As far as i know, there are no plans for the GT3 series to run in a 24 hour race.

[SALEEN S7R]

In the press release it clearly states that the GT3 cars are eligable for the Spa 24hrs if they wish to enter.

[19dodge]

correct. But it is not a round of the GT3 championship.

[cmk]

Originally Posted by 19dodge

correct. But it is not a round of the GT3 championship.

Which is exactly the position I hoped would be taken. Teams who can and want to enter there GT3s are fine, but there shouldn't be an onus on them to do so from a championship standpoint. That would take away too directly from the funding pool.

Saleen, do you really believe that just because there's more room on the grid, there is automatically the money to fill it once GT3s have been made availible? There are a lot more cars that could enter the Spa24 in Europe than do, every year. It all comes down to budget. I worry that too many GT3 cars in the big showcase would spread that money a little too thin. Frankly, I'd rather be paying attention to GT1s.

[SALEEN S7R]

Originally Posted by cmk

Saleen, do you really believe that just because there's more room on the grid, there is automatically the money to fill it once GT3s have been made availible?

If the Spa 24hrs was a championship race and the GT3 supporting race wasnt on over the weekend then yes I do think there would be sufficent money available for the teams to field their cars. After all, all that would be needed is more tyres and more fuel, the cost of which would surely be cancelled out by the fact that the GT3 teams would have additional pay drivers for the Spa 24hrs therefore helping the team with their budget requirements. I dont think you would have any problem finding the additional drivers too, particularly if the price was reasonable, theres plenty of drivers from various national championships who Im sure would be delighted for a chance to enter the race.

[Graham Goodwin]

They have of course already had that chance as G3 has been legal for the 24 for several years

[SALEEN S7R]

Ah yes, but now there are that many more cars in the GT3 class that are racing at a International level seeing as the new championship is European based, Stephane Ratel has said he expects to see anything between 30-36 cars on the grid's normally. Therefore id expect to see a few more teams contesting the race than we have seen in recent years. I dont think there will be masses of the GT3 cars, but maybe the class will go into double figures. The lead G3 runner proved what they are capable of at Spa this year with a fine 14th place overall, and in 2004 a G3 car did even better finishing 10th overall. The teams cant race in their cars in the Le Mans 24hrs so the Spa 24hrs is obviously the next biggest race that the cars are eligable for. IMO.

[Bramzel]

Remarkable btw that the Ferrari 430 Challenge wasn't present at the presentation/test, because the car is finished and tested already.

[Dani Filth]

i was wondering the same thing .. and teams are interested in that car .. Ratel also didn't mention Ferrari 430 . and it's not in the press kit .. not even data .. as was the case for Venturi ..

[Audi R8R]

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

If the Spa 24hrs was a championship race and the GT3 supporting race wasnt on over the weekend then yes I do think there would be sufficent money available for the teams to field their cars. After all, all that would be needed is more tyres and more fuel, the cost of which would surely be cancelled out by the fact that the GT3 teams would have additional pay drivers for the Spa 24hrs therefore helping the team with their budget requirements. I dont think you would have any problem finding the additional drivers too, particularly if the price was reasonable, theres plenty of drivers from various national championships who Im sure would be delighted for a chance to enter the race.

You are, of course, speaking from a punter's point of view, not a team one.

One where, an extra engine (plus rebuild, possibly two, depending on how the weekend goes) Plus the lifespan of all parts of the chassis. Suspension, drivetrain etc. Plus the possible addition of extra staff costs for the 24 hours (might be a necessity for some teams, others, maybe not.

Having said that, I can see that the 24 hours would be a big draw for the gentlemen drivers to the series.

Swings and roundabouts.

[FIRE]

Pictures of the Corvette Z06 GT3 (scroll down)

[mirkob]

Best Lap Times:

Aston Martin 2.14.669
Dodge 2.14.939
Porsche 2.15.765
Maserati 2.18.252
Lamborghini 2.18.318
Ascari 2.19.804
Nissan 2.21.172
Lotus 2.25.513

[nsxr]

how did Nissan get involved in this?? Granted I havent been on this thread very often. That Z they tested was a class 3 super taikyu car. Was that Hattori driving??? good to see nissan racing in europe again. how do these cars differ from speed world challenge cars??? that viper was raced there the last two years. It would be cool to see a aston or lotus join the series here in the states.

[Dani Filth]

In truth the Ferrari F430 Challenge has not been introduced to Paul Ricard for a delay of preparation of version GT3 (even if is from june that turns in track between Fiorano, Vallelunga, Monza and Mugello...). When it will be ready, the F430 will be free for the studies of the FIA and the own pilots people in charge. Appointment therefore between some month, always to the Castellet...

this is what google translated from here
http://www.racegarage.it/news_gp.php...ategoria=fiagt

[Dani Filth]

Originally Posted by nsxr

how did Nissan get involved in this?? Granted I havent been on this thread very often. That Z they tested was a class 3 super taikyu car. Was that Hattori driving??? good to see nissan racing in europe again. how do these cars differ from speed world challenge cars??? that viper was raced there the last two years. It would be cool to see a aston or lotus join the series here in the states.

the cars were driven by SRO official driver . C.Bouchut

[panoz.lmp1]

Originally Posted by Dani Filth

the cars were driven by SRO official driver . C.Bouchut

Bouchut drives only five laps. The other time the manufactuers have their own drivers in the cars...