[FIA GT] FIA GT: Maserati testing - Fiorano

[SALEEN S7R]

But the FIA GT woudnt be ruined, it would be made better by having the Maserati in the championship, its not a "special" either, there will be at least 100 road versions of the car available, and from what I was reading in Autosport magazine today a Maserati spokesperson has said that the new Maserati woudnt cost anymore than any current supercar, and compared it to the Ferrari 575 GTC, its $100,000 dollars more, but signifcantly less than a Saleen S7R for example.

The Maserati wont be allowed to dominate, thats why Ratel has implimented extra penalites from last year - that is the maximum ballast being 150kg now rather than 100kg that was previously. I cant see a factory Maserati with 150kg of ballast beating cars like the JMB Ferrari 575 GTC, it wont be only 1 or 2 Maserati's in the championship either come the end of the 2004 season JMB should have possession of the new Maserati too, so perhaps they will race their cars towards the end of 2004, or maybe just a full campaign in 2005, either way the Maserati is a good thing, the championship needs new blood, sure last year we had the Saleen S7R come into the championship but theres nothing this year, other than the Maserati, and POSSIBLY a couple of Pagini Zondas if the FIA homlogate the car, otherwise they will be going to Belcar.

[jhansen]

I think you're showing your bias a bit Saleen. This car is very much like a GT1 car from the late 90's. It has been well documented that the GT1 class did FIA GT no favors. You may be right and the rules for the supercars will not allow this to happen. But to say that it cannot happen? Well I guess I'm a bit more pessimistic. Why build a car like that if you cannot exploit an advantage? I'm sure Masserati has found something to make it worth while.

[SALEEN S7R]

Yes but Jhansen, remember when the BMS cars started to dominate mid season? Ratel slapped a air restrictor penalty on them, as well as the 100kg of ballast that they were already carrying. The air restrictor penalty was removed about 3 races after that, but during the time the restrictors were in place the #23 BMS Ferrari 550 didnt win, Ratel has said time and time again that similar things will happen to any car that dominates the championship in that way. Of course all penalties are lifted for 1 event no matter what, the Spa 24hrs. So yes maybe I am optimistic, but Ive followed the FIA GT championship for a long time now, and Ive seen what Ratel has done, the championship is coming back into its prime. Ratel has done a great job so far, and I dont see any reason why he will not continue to do so. The FIA and the ACO do not appear to have a problem with this car, they see it for what it is, the first of the next generation of Supercars.

[BSchneiderFan]

I'm with Saleen. If the Maserati conforms to the rules, it should race. And anyway, I don't buy that GT1 killed the GT Championship. The problems were many; Mercedes-Benz wanted sprint races, Porsche had been kicked around by their Stuttgart neighbours in 1998 and weren't willing to up their game accordingly, and several manufacturers - BMW, Audi, Toyota - took the bizarre decision to spend oodles on a Le Mans effort but didn't want to race in a series. If the IPC proposed for 1999 had been supported by Porsche, BMW, Toyota, Nissan and Audi (all of whom raced at LM that year) instead of just Mercedes-Benz (who, let us not forget, were the only manufacturer willing to support the ITC beyond '96), I think sportscar racing today would look very different. But I think it's too simplistic just to point the finger at rising costs.

[BSchneiderFan]

Oh, and the Maserati is gorgeous, by the way. I wonder who'll drive it?

[JAG]

The FIA GT series will use new black box recorders to monitor performane an keep each, very different car on a level playing field.

FIA GT, is a 'controlled' championship that is packaged for TV and so competitive racing is essential for the series.

In LMES/LM the supercars will have a free reign, hence my belief these cars will eventually be intergrated into LMGTP with more performance breaks to give them a shot at overall vitory.

[RM40]

On the topic of Maserati, does anyone know what type of Maserati Risi Competizione is entering in this years Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona? On the entry list it says "Maserati Light GT." Now Ferrari of Washington is entering a Trofeo Light (converted and upgraded car from the one-make series), and they're entry says "Maserati." Am I correct in assuming that they are both entering the same thing? If not, could someone give me some pictures/info on the Risi entry? I haven't found anything.

[Mal]

Originally posted by BSchneiderFan
Oh, and the Maserati is gorgeous, by the way. I wonder who'll drive it?

Could there be a link to the storey about schumacher doing LeMans - it would give Maserati massive publicity if they spread that rumour around for a while

[nkh]

Well, the Maserati _is_ "just" a Ferrari Enzo with another front (and probably a targa roof in the street version). It's very clear in these pictures from july last year:

http://www.italiaspeed.com/news_2003...sportscar.html



So it's a road car that's then made into a racing car.

[SALEEN S7R]

Id like that too Mal, but I think the more likely scenario is that we could see a combination of, Andrea Bertolini, Luciano Burti, and Luca Badoer. Burti incidently was at the track yesterday watching proceedings, btw does anyone have a report on todays testing? Havent seen anything yet but they were scheduled to continue testing today.

[nkh]

http://www.italiaspeed.com/2004/moto...t_session.html

Maserati Trofeo Light GT @ Daytona

It's the coupé from the Maserati Trofeo series.

[EliseGT1]

I wonder when Bentley enters FIA GT with an EXP Speed 8 telling the public they will sell 100 roadgoing cars in the near future....;-)..where do you draw the line? Interesting issue...

B.t.w. did anybody mention the F50 yet? I heard Enzo a few times, but I think the Maserati looks very much like an F50...

take a look again at the F50 and see:

http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/s...7/F50pics.html (click on the first picture, red f50 on racetrack)

[SALEEN S7R]

EliseGT1, as has been said here the car is a road car that has been converted into racing, comparing the Bentley and the Maserati is like comparing apples and oranges, just look at the areodynamic differnces, its plain to see that the Maserati is far less superior to that of the Bentley, and woudnt be competitve in LMP GTP IMO. What makes the Maserati any better areodynamically than cars such as the ACEMCO Saleen S7R? The S7R looks far more streamlined if u ask me, but nobody has questioned whether this belongs in GTS or LMP GTP. Just look at the new breed of supercars entering FIA GT, they are all heading the same way areodynamically, the Carerra GT, the Pagini Zonda and Ferrari 575.

If Maserati make 100 versions of this car then they are eligable, and within the spirit of the rules if u ask me. I wonder why a few people here have a problem with the car, when the ACO and FIA dont..

[Mal]

Originally posted by SALEEN S7R
Id like that too Mal, but I think the more likely scenario is that we could see a combination of, Andrea Bertolini, Luciano Burti, and Luca Badoer. Burti incidently was at the track yesterday watching proceedings, btw does anyone have a report on todays testing? Havent seen anything yet but they were scheduled to continue testing today.

I agree the chances are remote but theres no harm in throwing a few rumours abouts to pep up the publicity.

If anyone deserves the drive it has to be Luca Badoer, unless he has forgotten how to race

[nkh]

Originally posted by EliseGT1
B.t.w. did anybody mention the F50 yet? I heard Enzo a few times, but I think the Maserati looks very much like an F50...

Hmm, I would have updated the last picture, but I was too late... (if an admin sees this, just remove the picture in my last post :o))

Here is the picture of the car Maserati tested with last year together with a Ferrari Enzo....


The headlights, the doors that cut into the roof, the air intakes, the nose.... it's the same car. Ferrari just want to give Maserati an easy way into top racing.

[jhansen]

I don't know Saleen. The Masserati looks pretty darn aero efficient. But I'm not an aero specialist. To me its very similar to the Mercedes CLR. Maybe a larger greenhouse than the CLR. Perhaps the CLK is a better comparison.

Oh, and I would question whether the Saleen S7R should be in FIA GT or not. But it makes sense why it is. When it came out where would it have gone? That was after GT1 ended I believe. Many of these cars belong in a separate class IMO.

[SALEEN S7R]

The Saleen looks like a GT1 car? Hmm maybe to a degree yes, but whether or not it has the performance to be in GT1 is another matter, sure the car has been very quick in FIA GT last year, but no faster than the Ferrari 550s and Ferrari 575's. The Saleen, and the new Maserati are true GT cars, not GT1 cars, so what if the manufacturers have stepped up the pace a bit, its up to the other designers and manufacturers to buiild cars to match them, or shall we stay in the ages of Vipers, Porsche GT2's, Listers and Ferrari 550s forever? I dont think so personally, but of course from a fan of LMP cars perspective that would be very agreeable, not seeing one of their precious LMP cars being matched by a lowly GTS car.

[jhansen]

I'll put last year's Bentley Speed 8 or the aging Audi R8 up against any of the new GTS cars. And I've always been surprised at the record of the SR7 myself. And I already mentioned that I wouldn't mind a top GT class that rivals LMP/GTP.

[JAG]

The Masarati can not be considered a 'regular' GT car such as a Viper. It is an homologation special in the mold of the original 911 GT1 (parts bin special).

I've no problem as long, as expected, it is reigned in if it dominates.

Even Ferrari have been lobbying for a new GT1 class so that the Maserati can compete for overall wins.

In fact Ratel in interviews has said he see's the Maserati, Saleen etc. in GT1 while the 575, Viper etc. will be in GT2 in the future.

[SALEEN S7R]

If Ratel has this view why has he not created a GT1 class once again? He has the power to do so in both the LMES and FIA GT championships, the interviews Ive read with Ratel have said that he beleives GTS class cars will be competitve enough in a couple of years to compete for overall wins. Cant say Ive heard of anything regarding Ferrari 575's, Vipers etc being in a GT2 class though, as far as Im concerned the 575 and the Maserati arent much differnt, and I dont expect there to be much differnce in pace either, after all the Ferrari 575 is a homlogation special too...

[BSchneiderFan]

Maybe I'm simplistic, but I thought the procedure was thus: the FIA (or the ACO) sets rules and regulations for each category of sportscar racing. Manufacturers conform to those rules.

Is there any suggestion that the Maserati DOESN'T conform to current FIA GT regulations?

[SALEEN S7R]

Nope BSchneider I dont belive that there is, which is why I cant see a problem with the car. The minimum homlogation for small manufacturers in FIA GT such as Maserati I belive is 25 cars. They intend to produce 100, so really and truly theres no cause for any complaint from anyone.

One thing everyone should ask themselves also, how many road going Corvette C5R's are there in the world? Not many at all as far as Im aware, lots of the C5, but not the C5R.

[JAG]

Ratel, by himself, has no power whatsoever in FIA GTs, and especially LMES to change the regs.

His point regarding GT1 is that by 2005/6 it may be viable and in the interests of the sport to seperate the 'Supercars' from the 'regular' GT's.

In the interview I saw, he envisaged the Saleen, Masarati etc. becoming GT1s, while Astons, Vipers, 575s remained in GTS (GT2).

Ratel has said he is in discussions with the ACO with the hope of allowing GTS cars to compete for overall wins. If 2 or more manufactuers enter LMP1s the start of 2006 ratel believes GT' should be able to compete for overall wins with whatever LMP1s there are still around.

Upgrading all GTS cars spec, or creating a GT1 class are options open for disscussion.

As for current GTS cars performance, they will never match the performance of even an outdated LMP1 such as an old Reynard or Lola. Even an LMP2 like the new Courage and Lola 'should' be quicker over a lap than a GTS car. 500BHP+, 750KG and significant downforce will add upto a pretty quick car.

The leight weight and extra downforce are too much of an odstacle for even a car like the Maserati to overcome.

Hence the need to either improve the spec of all GTS cars, or create a GT1 class in order for GT cars to compete for overall wins with the LMP1s.

BTW the 575, 550, DB9 etc. are not homologation specials. They are genuine road cars that have the mods allowed by the GTSclass, applyed to them.

[Patrick B]

Originally posted by BSchneiderFan


Is there any suggestion that the Maserati DOESN'T conform to current FIA GT regulations?

Im not sure about the Fia GT rules but it dosn't meet the ACO GTS rules. It clearly states in the GTS rules that roof mounted intake "snorkles" are not allowed. Plus they havn't built a single road version yet. I don't care if they say they will build 100 cars... until they do the car should not be allowed to run... Unless they enter it in the LMP1 GTP class, which is where i think it belongs.

[Patrick B]

Oh and i read on another forum today that the 333SP ran 1:12's at Fiarono.. so this Maserati would probably out run most of the LMP's if that's true...