GT3: ACO style

[Ferrari333SP]

I simply don't get these new GT3 rules for 2024 - what is their reasoning for not simply just using the GT3 cars as is? Wouldn't that actually be the cheapest way forward?

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...lass-for-2024/

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Ferrari333SP

I simply don't get these new GT3 rules for 2024 - what is their reasoning for not simply just using the GT3 cars as is? Wouldn't that actually be the cheapest way forward?

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...lass-for-2024/

Because ACO?? That's all I can think of, but yeah why make the teams have to source new unique aero only body kits? Unless the ACO is making them in house and more money coming in

Plus who is going to take the hit to develop them at the 50-100k euro price cap. Just gonna guess that will barely cover the manufacturing costs never mind recoup testing and development

[canaglia]

it reminds me the GT3+ ratel planned to introduce in late 2011 to replace GT1...

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by canaglia

it reminds me the GT3+ ratel planned to introduce in late 2011 to replace GT1...

GT3+ exterior only, GT3+ wanted engine and other upgrades too. This is just bodywork for aero tuning it seems

[tomcug]

This makes no sense. Most importantly, there won't be a Pro category anymore or at least I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere. So the ACO and FIA want manufacturers wanting to race to build a hypercar. But since not all of them are interest in prototype racing, after 2022 they can either go to IMSA or stop racing at all. Great


About the GT3 "Premium" thing, I guess they're aiming at gentlemen drivers who want to race in "cooler" looking GT3 cars.

[broadrun96]

And Porsche has already publicly asked why?

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...eally-need-it/

[canaglia]

Originally Posted by tomcug

This makes no sense. Most importantly, there won't be a Pro category anymore or at least I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere. So the ACO and FIA want manufacturers wanting to race to build a hypercar. But since not all of them are interest in prototype racing, after 2022 they can either go to IMSA or stop racing at all. Great


About the GT3 "Premium" thing, I guess they're aiming at gentlemen drivers who want to race in "cooler" looking GT3 cars.

As DTM was asking for more powerful GT3 equipped with a different clutch system to let GT3 having standing start without burning clutch, the gt3 manufacturers answer was a big middle finger. I'm wondering if ACO actually asked manufacturers opinion about this...

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by canaglia

As DTM was asking for more powerful GT3 equipped with a different clutch system to let GT3 having standing start without burning clutch, the gt3 manufacturers answer was a big middle finger. I'm wondering if ACO actually asked manufacturers opinion about this...

It appears again the answer is no, no they did not

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by tomcug

This makes no sense. Most importantly, there won't be a Pro category anymore or at least I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere. So the ACO and FIA want manufacturers wanting to race to build a hypercar. But since not all of them are interest in prototype racing, after 2022 they can either go to IMSA or stop racing at all. Great


About the GT3 "Premium" thing, I guess they're aiming at gentlemen drivers who want to race in "cooler" looking GT3 cars.

They have dropped the idea of requiring a Hypercar entry to be eligible for a GT entry.

[FIRE]

GT3 yes, but GT3 premium doesn't make sense. Not for manufacturers, not for teams, not for spectactors, not for WEC/LM24.

[Mike E]

Yep, it's nonsense and solves one problem by creating another. We have GT3s racing in the Road to Le Mans races and they seem just fine to me.

[tomcug]

"The objective is that we’re totally devoted to lower the costs."
and
"According to FIA Endurance Commission President Richard Mille, the kit, which is targeted to provide a “special look” to each GT3 model"
These two just contradict. If you want to lower the costs, why force teams to spend cash on something that is totally not necessary? Each GT3 car has its unique looks anyway, you can't mistake a Lambo GT3 for a Mercedes GT3.

[canaglia]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Yep, it's nonsense and solves one problem by creating another. We have GT3s racing in the Road to Le Mans races and they seem just fine to me.

In my opinion it doesn't solve problems


1) to me a pro-am only class doesn't make any sense in a "supposed" FIA world championship... is it so bad for ACO to possibily have abt, htp, grasser, schubert with pro lineups?
2) evidently aco ignores that gt3 manufacturers follow an already scheduled production and for them will be quite complicated and unecessarily wasteful to produce limited and bespoke parts for only the few teams involved in WEC



as happened for DTM GT3+, I think that this silly idea of GT3premium will last just a couple of months. Not to mention that bespoke parts = more expensive cars for teams = more expensive seats for am drivers which would be a no sense for a pro-am focused class.

[DistortedSmile]

'We want to lower costs so let's introduce something that will increase costs.'
Genius!
Just gives us a pro class you morons, I don't want to lose the Corvettes.

[J Jay]

If it's alright with everybody, I'm just going to put in here what I did in the thread in the general section.

There is no practical justification for this change. It's a token gesture at considerable expense just so the ACO can say the cars are running to their rules.