BEST GT Series Now?

Splatz the Cow · 1 Feb 2006, 17:34 (Ref:1513647)

With all of the changes taking place around the world of motorsport, what is now, the BEST series of GT in the world?

Things to consider must be at a HIGH level towards BEST:
(in no order)
1. CROWD ATTENDANCE at each round
2. FAN FRIENDLY including circuit access, tickets, pitlane access, drivers, use of cameras etc)
3. TECHNOLOGY of cars
4. MANUFACTURER involvement
5. TEAM numbers entered for each round all season
6. COMPETITION between entrants during rounds, and over season
7. DRIVER SKILL and PROFILE
8. PERFORMANCE combination of cars (power/grip/downforce/topspeed)
9. EXCITEMENT of series, including car noise, event attractions, fireworks, support races, merchandising, etc)

Splatz the Cow · 1 Feb 2006, 17:43 (Ref:1513653)

Super GT is my vote.

cybersdorf · 1 Feb 2006, 17:50 (Ref:1513657)

DTM is not a GT series. "Tourenwagen"...!

JAG · 1 Feb 2006, 18:09 (Ref:1513665)

Belcar IMO.

The FIA/ACO GT1/2 cars plus wacky specials.

Has a colour and vibe that only Super GT can match.

Super GT doesn't do it for me as the cars are too far away from their road car equivalents.

Fogelhund · 1 Feb 2006, 18:12 (Ref:1513666)

What of LMS?

It depends on one's definitions. I've never truly considered JGTC, nor Trans Am to be pure GT series. Perhaps somewhat flawed thinking, but there it is.

If I considered JGTC, it would have to be the top.

Going with my stricter definitions...

1. CROWD ATTENDANCE at each round

ALMS

2. FAN FRIENDLY including circuit access, tickets, pitlane access, drivers, use of cameras etc)

Hard for me to speak of other series here, so I'll leave blank.

3. TECHNOLOGY of cars

Many series have the same cars, so even.

4. MANUFACTURER involvement

ALMS

5. TEAM numbers entered for each round all season

Have to see the final tallies for 06' before deciding.

6. COMPETITION between entrants during rounds, and over season

Last year, some great racing in many series. FIA GT, and ALMS both had great moments in GT1. FIA GT had a poor GT2 category. ALMS had some great racing in GT2.

7. DRIVER SKILL and PROFILE

Again, some great talents in both FIA GT and ALMS.

8. PERFORMANCE combination of cars (power/grip/downforce/topspeed)

Of those listed, ALMS.

9. EXCITEMENT of series, including car noise, event attractions, fireworks, support races, merchandising, etc)

ALMS.

marcel82 · 1 Feb 2006, 20:32 (Ref:1513762)

why are 3 out of the 9 options not GT-series?

Zandbak · 1 Feb 2006, 20:59 (Ref:1513781)

Why DTM, BTCC, V8Supercars and Transam?

Where is FFSA GT, Italian GT, Belcar, SCCA World Challenge GT?

Truckosaurus · 1 Feb 2006, 21:55 (Ref:1513825)

No Britcar/VLN? shurely shome mistake.

Silk Cut Jaguar · 1 Feb 2006, 22:47 (Ref:1513861)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybersdorf

DTM is not a GT series. "Tourenwagen"...!

It may call itself a touring car series but it's not really. The DTM has more in common with SuperGT than any touring car championship.

rcarr · 1 Feb 2006, 23:37 (Ref:1513886)

Scottish Motor Racing Club's Scottish Sports and Saloons series!

Everything from a Super Saloon Imp through to a Mallock and everything in between!

RS500 · 2 Feb 2006, 07:38 (Ref:1514020)

I agree the V8 supercars are no way near GT's they are big sedans. I can't decide between the Super GT and the FIA gt

The Badger · 2 Feb 2006, 08:46 (Ref:1514041)

I went for other ..... my pick would be LMS GT1 class as my favourite GT1 division .

brielga · 2 Feb 2006, 08:48 (Ref:1514043)

FIA GT also looking at the addition of a very strong Gt3 class and the mil milhas. It is growing strong.

**Dani Filth** · 2 Feb 2006, 09:19 (Ref:1514074)

2005 .. for me it was FIA GT .

**Bentley03** · 2 Feb 2006, 10:01 (Ref:1514105)

Voted FIAGT. Although I have to say, the GT1 confrontation at Le Mans is more eagerly anticipated and packs more intrigue and excitement into one race than all of the above mentioned Championships combined.

Truckosaurus · 2 Feb 2006, 11:24 (Ref:1514149)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley03

Voted FIAGT. Although I have to say, the GT1 confrontation at Le Mans is more eagerly anticipated and packs more intrigue and excitement into one race than all of the above mentioned Championships combined.

Well said B03, it's like a title unification fight in boxing, with the best contenders from the ALMS, LMS, and several dark horses (eg. Aston) meeting up on neutral teritory for one hell of a pagga.

If I was a Marketing Man I'd think up a tagline in the style of "Rumble in the Jungle", how about something like "Bloodbath in La Sarthe"? or "Carnage in Arnage"?

Splatz the Cow · 2 Feb 2006, 15:55 (Ref:1514302)

To answer why V8 Supercars, DTM, BTCC, and Trans AM are included, this is why:
1. I knew they are popular on this forum.
2. It is partly to avoid a backlash from the Brit and US fans, who have a long relationship with BTCC and TransAm respectively.
3. Also I know that these series (and DTM and V8) in there own way, are the best in the world in some respects. (However this is often unknown)
4. They represent the best from those countries.
5. They have massive manufacturer involvement.
6. Some have international races on the calender.
7. Lots of teams.
8. Competitive series.

Why not FFSA GT? I considered this in place of "other", but I did not think it was well supported enough, but it would be great to get more info on it.. It looks like I'm wrong on this one.. but then again, how many of you discuss the FFSA here at the Forum?

Why no Britcar/VLN? Because I don't know what it is.

>> "rcarr" is that the factory team running those Imps?

Sounds fun, but I didn't know about it, sorry.

Where is FFSA GT, Italian GT, Belcar, SCCA World Challenge GT?

The answer is they're not in the poll, but discuss them here and maybe there will be enough reason to have the mods add them.

For example, V8 Supercars about which I am not a fan at all, has fireworks, Air Force air displays, many support races, and has concerts at some of its events, and includes circuits like Adelaide, Melbourne, Bathurst, Sepang, Shanghai (last year), and has about eight support categories. It is a truley awesome series.
(I just don't like the cars, and some of the drivers, but to each his own.)

But maybe BTCC could go...

Le Mans is only a race so not a series, right guys?

Joe Taylor · 2 Feb 2006, 17:10 (Ref:1514331)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Splatz the Cow

2. It is partly to avoid a backlash from the Brit and US fans, who have a long relationship with BTCC and TransAm respectively.

I fail to see what that has to do with GT series though

Bramzel · 2 Feb 2006, 17:32 (Ref:1514341)

I fail to see what any of those points has to do with GT racing. A poll like this one is good, but do incorporate the right groups then. Belcar, Italian GT, French GT and Britcar should definitely be on there for example.

BTW, I voted FIAGT. Even though I might be biased I still think it's the best GT championship around at the moment. Good amounts of cars, good organisation keeping the races interesting by balancing cars, good drivers and respected names and teams, and on top of that they're also bringing in the GT3's. Beats others imho.

canam · 2 Feb 2006, 17:47 (Ref:1514344)

I know that V8 Supercars are not GTs but they are big powerful brutes, draw great crowds and have exceptionally close racing. FIA GT with attitude.

....and all those flames on over-run....phwoar

Japanese GT ------Yawn.

BTCC: Expensive buzz boxes that are slow, ugly and better suited to a shopping mall car park.

Of the true GTs, I would put Belcar and French GT as tops--then FIA GT.

TheNewBob · 2 Feb 2006, 19:14 (Ref:1514405)

To even think about associating BTCC with GT's is almost offending!

Out of the choices in that poll, I'd only ever think FIA GT and ALMS are anywhere near to being a good GT series at the minute - British GT is treading dangerous waters, and frankly everything else I'd consider pretty poor. I am biased though - I dislike BTCC and I'm not quite sure what DTM and SuperGT are trying to be (touring cars, GT cars or prototypes!?).

I meant to vote for FIA GT (but think I accidentally chose BGT instead... oops) - it was the only place in the world in 2005 to see 20-odd stunning GT1's run at very high standards - even if it doesn't last.

marcel82 · 5 Feb 2006, 22:10 (Ref:1516232)

Quote:

Originally Posted by brielga

FIA GT also looking at the addition of a very strong Gt3 class and the mil milhas. It is growing strong.

GT3 is not a new class for FIA GT. it's a new series, to run at the same events as FIA-GT, since WTCC will no longer be doing that

lewis360 · 5 Feb 2006, 22:22 (Ref:1516248)

i think super GT because it is the only endurance race i can sit through on TV without changing over

cybersdorf · 7 Feb 2006, 13:41 (Ref:1517273)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silk Cut Jaguar

It may call itself a touring car series but it's not really.

It may not really be one but it sees itself as one.

enemy-ace · 7 Feb 2006, 14:39 (Ref:1517307)

SCCA SPEED GT. Easily one of the best road racing series and growing.

View Poll Results: What is the BEST GT SERIES in the world now?
Super GT (Japan)	10	13.16%
FIA GT (Europe)	32	42.11%
British GT (United Kingdom)	1	1.32%
V8 Supercars (Australia)	3	3.95%
TransAm (North America)	0	0%
ALMS GT (North America)	17	22.37%
Grand Am (North America)	4	5.26%
DTM (Germany)	3	3.95%
BTCC (United Kingdom)	2	2.63%
Other..	4	5.26%
Voters: 76. You may not vote on this poll

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