GT Open 2021

[Wilter Will]

2021 Calendar
April 24/25: Portugal (Portimão)
May 15/16: France (Paul Ricard)
June 19/20: Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
July 10/11: Hungary (Hungaroring)
September 11/12: Austria (Red Bull Ring)
September 25/26: Italy (Monza)
October 23/24: Spain (Barcelona)

Pre-Season Winter Test
March 18-19-20: Spain (Barcelona)

[Wilter Will]

Lexus Europe confirms that the brands’ support for GT3 racing in Europe is to cease with immediate effect, but cars can return to competition with independently-funded teams without manufacturer's support. Lexus was represented in International GT Open during 2017 season by Emil Frey Racing and Farnbacher Racing. Also, Lexus competed in GT World Challenge.

[chrisklein90]

I am hoping that the pandemic is over before this event.

[Racing Harz]

Dominik Schraml and Mario Hirsch will drive a equipe vitesse Mercedes-AMG GT3.
http://gt-place.com/2021/01/03/domin...auf-der-seele/

[Wilter Will]

First official announcement of the season - Optimum Motorsport will be presented with two McLarens 720S GT3

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by Wilter Will

First official announcement of the season - Optimum Motorsport will be presented with two McLarens 720S GT3

This is a planned entry, not a confirmed one yet

[Wilter Will]

According to TFT Racing's press release, French squad won't take part in the forthcoming season. The reason is unfavorable balance for their Porsche 911 GT3R. Their main activities: Michelin Le Mans Cup and 24 hours of Spa.

[Wilter Will]

Someone will say that the entry is unconfirmed, but nevertheless Marco Antonelli confirmed the participation of AKM by Antonelli with Pro and Pro-Am cars this season.

[Juntos]

Three months for the first race. Not many confirmed entries. Times are challenging.

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by Juntos

Three months for the first race. Not many confirmed entries. Times are challenging.

Yet more doom mongering from Juntos, it GT Open has 10+ cars publicly announced so far, which is pretty much the same as this time last year. And if I remember rightly, GT open didn’t struggle for entries last year..

[Bcarr6]

Reno Racing - Honda NSX GT3 - Jens Moller / Reece Barr

Reno aiming on adding a second car for the season, not sure how it changes this teams previously announced Italian GT run

[Racing Harz]

Originally Posted by Bcarr6

Reno aiming on adding a second car for the season, not sure how it changes this teams previously announced Italian GT run

No. Nova Race will do Italian GT...
http://www.dailysportscar.com/2020/1...mpionship.html

[Wilter Will]

Entry list is so small. So I'm starting think, that there is need of returning to the roots - multi-class racing. I'm telling not only about GTC/GT4, which number are also not enough. Maybe it's time to allow to compete GTE-spec (GT2) cars along with GT3.

This decision can fill starting grid because of 2 reasonse: Europe is full of GTE cars, participation in GT Open is much cheaper than in ELMS. Or it's absolutlely bad idea?

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by Wilter Will

Entry list is so small. So I'm starting think, that there is need of returning to the roots - multi-class racing. I'm telling not only about GTC/GT4, which number are also not enough. Maybe it's time to allow to compete GTE-spec (GT2) cars along with GT3.

This decision can fill starting grid because of 2 reasonse: Europe is full of GTE cars, participation in GT Open is much cheaper than in ELMS. Or it's absolutlely bad idea?

GT Open previously allowed GTE, and barely any ran in the final year of running GTE.

As my post above says, we have the same number of announced entries this time of year as we did last year.

People freak out every year at grid numbers being low 2-3 months before the season starts.

You have to wait for teams to announce their entries in line with their sponsorship obligations and driver signings.

Grid count in early February is absolutely zero reflection on how many cars will be on track at the start of the season. That applies for every series. GTWC Europe have barely announced any cars yet, doesn’t mean they will struggle for grid count

[Wilter Will]

I came across the account of the Swiss racing driver Francois Grimm on Instagram. He is testing a Lamborrghini Gallardo R-EX GT3 by Reiter Engineering. The profile description says "2021 GT Open", and there is also a photo of a racing jumpsuit and a future livery with GT Open stickers. According to Drivers DB, Grimm competed in the Ultimate Cup Series in 2019, as well as in the Swiss Porsche Cups.

[WyldStallion]

Originally Posted by Bcarr6

GT Open previously allowed GTE, and barely any ran in the final year of running GTE.

As my post above says, we have the same number of announced entries this time of year as we did last year.

People freak out every year at grid numbers being low 2-3 months before the season starts.

You have to wait for teams to announce their entries in line with their sponsorship obligations and driver signings.

Grid count in early February is absolutely zero reflection on how many cars will be on track at the start of the season. That applies for every series. GTWC Europe have barely announced any cars yet, doesn’t mean they will struggle for grid count

You are right about the timing. Cars will come in right before it starts. However, if GT Open wants to distinguish themselves from SRO and ADAC, then they should allow GTE cars to run. In early 2010's that was the reason why the series got my attention. I wanted to see GTE and GT3 cars on the same track at the same time and compare them. IMSA has that but they BoP the GTD class down intentionally I think. Plus they have the tire difference between GTLM and GTD....won't be an issue after this year of course :-)

[Wilter Will]

Originally Posted by WyldStallion

You are right about the timing. Cars will come in right before it starts. However, if GT Open wants to distinguish themselves from SRO and ADAC, then they should allow GTE cars to run. In early 2010's that was the reason why the series got my attention. I wanted to see GTE and GT3 cars on the same track at the same time and compare them. IMSA has that but they BoP the GTD class down intentionally I think. Plus they have the tire difference between GTLM and GTD....won't be an issue after this year of course :-)

That's it. That's what I meant: the fact that cars from different classes compete together is very interesting. Unfortunately, times have changed

[Wilter Will]

VSR returns with two-car program
#63 - Michele Beretta and Frederik Schandorff
#19 - Baptiste Moulin and TBC

[Wilter Will]

It seems, Teo Martin Motorsport plans to compete in GTWC as well as GT Open. There will be two intersections in the calendars.

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by Wilter Will

It seems, Teo Martin Motorsport plans to compete in GTWC as well as GT Open. There will be two intersections in the calendars.

Looks like Gt Open clashes with 2x Sprint rounds of GTWC currently, so means they can run Endurance without clashes.

That is of course if the current calendars remaining the same.

Interestingly the other big Mclaren team- Optimum are also planning on running GTWC and GT Open

[Wilter Will]

Originally Posted by Wilter Will

I came across the account of the Swiss racing driver Francois Grimm on Instagram. He is testing a Lamborrghini Gallardo R-EX GT3 by Reiter Engineering. The profile description says "2021 GT Open", and there is also a photo of a racing jumpsuit and a future livery with GT Open stickers. According to Drivers DB, Grimm competed in the Ultimate Cup Series in 2019, as well as in the Swiss Porsche Cups.

The full-season single Am campaign is finally confirmed. And here we have upgraded Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 R-EX developed by Reiter Engineering, which reinforced N/A V10 engine, improved exhaust, wing and diffuser. Also, body got wider (+13 cm) and aluminium panels were replaced by carbon-fibre.

[Wilter Will]

News from last days:
The opening round at Portimao on 23-25 April to be replaced by Imola round on 23-25 July because of F1 Portugal GP. So it means, that first round to take place on 15-16 May at Paul Ricard. The series will return to italian circuit after 10-year break.

Team Lazarus test at Varano Circuit is provided by Ukrainian driver Ivan Peklin.

And GT Open teased forthcoming announcement by Porsche customer on March 14.

The season takes shape.

[tux]

I’m excited to see the Gallardo again. For me it’s one of the best sounding GT3 cars. Obviously very similar to the R8 & Huracan but it’s slightly higher pitch and very aggressive on downshifts.

[Wilter Will]

Yes, it's interesting car. Moreover, I suggest, this car can add some attention to this season.

[Wilter Will]

So, here is first of three upcoming announcement: German-American Winward Racing team to take part at full-season campaign:
Mercedes AMG GT3 - Markus Sattler and Nico Bastian