2011 Japanese Super GT

[PorscheFanNo1]

Originally Posted by MitchZ06

I really don't think the organizers would give up the 'soul' of Super GT by doing away with the current GT500 regs and going with GT1, it'd kill the excitement of it IMO.

It would indeed, however, new regulations will come in 2013 according to that press conference, so what would they shift to? A new version of their own GT500 regs again? Looks to be quite a mess.

[Japanese Samurai]

The announcement of GTA means "we will not see the new GT500 chassis until 2013."
And, Even under the current regulations, there is an enough performance difference in GT300 and GT500.

Suzuka test time
**GT500
1)#1 Weider HSV-010 BS 1'54''125 (1'54''125/1'54''755)
2)#32 EPSON HSV-010 DL 1'54''708 (1'54''708/1'54''959)
3)#39 DENSO SARD SC430 MI 1'54''904 (1'54''904/1'56''504)
4)#100 RAYBRIG HSV-010 BS 1'54''948 (1'56''901/1'54''948)
**GT300
1)#14 SG CHANGI IS350 YH 2'04''348 *with GT500 size restrictor
3)#4 GSR BMW Z4 YH 2'06''297 *with No restrictor

[rich07]

Originally Posted by MitchZ06

I really don't think the organizers would give up the 'soul' of Super GT by doing away with the current GT500 regs and going with GT1, it'd kill the excitement of it IMO.

Indeed, half the attraction to SGT is the uniqueness of the cars that race in in the series that dont race anywhere else in the world and to lose that would be incredibly sad.

Looks like Sugo was an interesting race, nice finish with both class leaders crossing the line next to each.

[MitchZ06]

With FIA GT3 cars all they'd really need to do in GT500 is either up the horsepower or drop the weight through the floor. They've got the aero advantage so giving that little bit more would ensure they stay well ahead of the GT3 cars.

[rich07]

So if GT3 cars become the main car in GT300 does that mean that non GT3 cars (JAF GT300 cars for example) will not be allowed in the class after 2012?

[MitchZ06]

The organizers would be foolish to kick them out, they'd just be BoP'd against the FIA GT3 cars IMO. No point kicking out cars that have been supporting the series for so long.

[Japanese Samurai]

"JAF-GTism" of GTA will be corrected.
It is because the Japanese FIA-GT3 car (Nissan GTR) will participate at the next season.

[rich07]

I thought as much with the GT3 GT-R coming online next year but what of Toyota/Lexus?

[Japanese Samurai]

Originally Posted by rich07

I thought as much with the GT3 GT-R coming online next year but what of Toyota/Lexus?

Don't you know GTA is a big fan of Nissan GTR?

[rich07]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Don't you know GTA is a big fan of Nissan GTR?

No, Im not down with the politics of GTA and SGT but have always suspected that Nissan and Toyota got better treatment then Honda.

[Audi Racer]

Originally Posted by rich07

No, Im not down with the politics of GTA and SGT but have always suspected that Nissan and Toyota got better treatment then Honda.

too bad Honda has the fastest car lol

[Japanese Samurai]

SUGO round digest movie by NISMO
http://www.nismo.co.jp/motorsports/n...2011sgtrd4.f4v

[MitchZ06]

Samurai-san, in essence would the GT500 and GT300 cars be pretty much GT 'prototypes' like the late 90's GT1's were?

[Japanese Samurai]

GTA says that "it is undecided whether to unite regulations with overseas series (DTM?) or to go by original regulations."
Obviously, the regulation unification affairs with DTM seem to have been toned down.

[Félix]

I was expecting the new regulations to move towards something that could please people outside of the regular German entrants, but looking at the comments from new entrants BMW it looks like they will need a learning year to catch up with Audi and Mercedes who have been doing this for a decade. Not good for potential Japanese entrants...

[TF110]

SGT is already faster than DTM, the new DTM cars should catch up though with the new regs I'd assume. Seeing as how BMW has made a car FOR the newer regs, whereas Merc and Audi seem to be 'on the bandwagon' to it, I don't know if BMW is just playing down it's chances or what. If SGT is letting new DTM's in next year, perhaps DTM will do the same? There could be a trial period to see how the DTM's fair?

[hondafan37]

I do not understand, The DTM will be more better than now with Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Honda, Lexus and Nissan. The same with the SuperGT, will be more better than now with the six brands.
Both series change your rules soon.(DTM in 2012 and SuperGT in 2013)
Why is it so difficult to unify the regulations?
Plus the same rules in both series allow to race in 3 series (SuperGT, DTM and DTM USA in 2013) with the same cars, then the brands racing in 3 continents with a single development.

[Japanese Samurai]

The problem is whether to unite the shape of the cabin. Japan wants to value the individuality of the car. Germany wants to value the equal-condition.
In addition, Japan wants to protect Japanese motorsport industries. BMW announced new DTM version M3. But the design and manufacturing were all "made in Germany". Japanese motorsport industries decline if regulations are united to 2012 DTM rules. It is because all chassis become German products.

[MitchZ06]

Super GT should stay separate, whilst the idea of being able to use your car in 3 different series' is a good one it takes awake the uniqueness of SGT.

That said, does anyone else but me think GT500 should become the new GT1?

[DistortedSmile]

Originally Posted by MitchZ06

That said, does anyone else but me think GT500 should become the new GT1?

You're not the only one, as much as I like the GTE cars and the excellent racing they've provided, I do think they're a bit underwhelming to be the top GT category.
IMO GT500 style regs could be a worthy successor to the glory of late 90's GT1.

[MitchZ06]

That's pretty much how I'm seeing it (in my noodle). Crazy aero, lighter weights and creative engineering are what GT1 should be all about, not old outdated racers.

[alexkiller8]

the actual (and i guess future specs) gt500 cars can't be even called GT1 because don't share the chassis with road version car, so it isn't a GT. In middle-end '90 there were those "almost-prototype" GT1 cars because the manufacter were directly involved in competitions and basicly the rules of FIA GT (ex BPR) were written by them indirectly but the things went out of control, the "old" GT1 class imploded because of no concorrence against mercedes in 1998 when official mclaren teams left, japanese GT1 cars were focusing only for le mans and porsche were not involved officialy anymore. Then you have to think that there was a different global economic condition too but now even for a big manufacter is a foolish to build a GT1 car like that with limited road version released for homologation

[TF110]

They can share the track, be competitive and still have their uniqueness to them. If they want to be a worldwide series they'll need to cooperate. DTM will be alike but there are differences. SGT will go their way but I still hope they can find a common ground with DTM so we can see more interesting racing with awesome cars, sound, and speed that SGT and DTM offer.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by hondafan37

I do not understand, The DTM will be more better than now with Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Honda, Lexus and Nissan. The same with the SuperGT, will be more better than now with the six brands.
Both series change your rules soon.(DTM in 2012 and SuperGT in 2013)
Why is it so difficult to unify the regulations?
Plus the same rules in both series allow to race in 3 series (SuperGT, DTM and DTM USA in 2013) with the same cars, then the brands racing in 3 continents with a single development.

Because the Japanese manufacturers don't want to be beaten by German manufacturers on their home soil and the German manufacturers don't want to be beaten by Japanese manufacturers on their home soil?

Reducing costs is an important reason for the new DTM rules.

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

The problem is whether to unite the shape of the cabin. Japan wants to value the individuality of the car. Germany wants to value the equal-condition.
In addition, Japan wants to protect Japanese motorsport industries. BMW announced new DTM version M3. But the design and manufacturing were all "made in Germany". Japanese motorsport industries decline if regulations are united to 2012 DTM rules. It is because all chassis become German products.

They could have one monocoque design but two manufactures. E.g. Dome in Japan and Dallara in Europe.

[hondafan37]

Originally Posted by FIRE
Because the Japanese manufacturers don't want to be beaten by German manufacturers on their home soil and the German manufacturers don't want to be beaten by Japanese manufacturers on their home soil?

Reducing costs is an important reason for the new DTM rules.

I agree with you nobody want to lose but if you make a winner car the taste of victory is much greater!!!
If the rules are unique for both series, this series could be as important as F1.

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai
The problem is whether to unite the shape of the cabin. Japan wants to value the individuality of the car. Germany wants to value the equal-condition.
In addition, Japan wants to protect Japanese motorsport industries. BMW announced new DTM version M3. But the design and manufacturing were all "made in Germany". Japanese motorsport industries decline if regulations are united to 2012 DTM rules. It is because all chassis become German products.

They could have one monocoque design but two manufactures. E.g. Dome in Japan and Dallara in Europe. (Originally Posted by FIRE)
I think like Fire this is the solution.

Originally Posted by TF110
They can share the track, be competitive and still have their uniqueness to them. If they want to be a worldwide series they'll need to cooperate. DTM will be alike but there are differences. SGT will go their way but I still hope they can find a common ground with DTM so we can see more interesting racing with awesome cars, sound, and speed that SGT and DTM offer.

I Think like you too they'll need to cooperate, the potential for unification would be wonderfull. Eclestone would begin to tremble