Infinity Program not dead

[AU N EGL]

Infiniti GT

"DENVER, N.C. (October 11, 2006) -- Crawford Race Cars of Denver, N.C., one of the leading chassis manufacturers in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve, has begun the design and development of a GT class program. Recently, Andy Scriven, Chief Designer for Crawford Race Cars, discussed their new projects."

Cars to be built to the Grand AM GT2 prep rules.

http://www.grandamerican.com/News/Article.asp?ID=7366



New Tube frame Infiniti GT G35

"Team HLM and their two Infiniti G35 GT Coupes to the GT division of the Rolex Series, the brand new race car has been undergoing continued development to meet the new organization's competition goals.
"Unfortunately, as with any new race car, there are design issues and such that come up," added co-owner Peter Law. "We have been working through those with Crawford Race Cars and Menards Engineering International. On the commercial front, I think we're right on track and everything is heading in a very positive direction."








Source:http://grandamerican.com/News/Article.asp?ID=6492

Two different builders with Crawford setting the check list for GrandAm Gt rules

[JAG]

Isn't that a Nissan Skyline in Japan (not a GTR, just a regular model)?

Isn't Doran rumoured to be running/building Infinitis in the ALMS?

[Bob Riebe]

Infinity is still dead as far as IMSA mod. prod. goes.

As much as I dislike GARRA, that is a nice looking car.
Bob

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by JAG

Isn't that a Nissan Skyline in Japan (not a GTR, just a regular model)?

Isn't Doran rumoured to be running/building Infinitis in the ALMS?

The ones in the photos are Tube frame cars with bodies that look like the Infiniti GT G35. I think the oridgina Infinitis for ALMS GT2 that were at the TRD( Toyota Reserch and Development) in CA, are the ones at Crawford ( first pic) to be rebuild and finished.

The Grand AM GT cars are built very well in all respects, but power is very limited to just about a stock motor, expect blue printing and balancing is allowd. That gives a few more ponies. Which puts these cars in the just north of 400 BHP range.

I should try to get over to Crawford in Denver NC this winter. Only about 80 miles away from me.

[FIRE]

Infinity enters NASCAR?
GT's and universal tubeframe cars....IMO the wrong combination.

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

The ones in the photos are Tube frame cars with bodies that look like the Infiniti GT G35. I think the oridgina Infinitis for ALMS GT2 that were at the TRD( Toyota Reserch and Development) in CA, are the ones at Crawford ( first pic) to be rebuild and finished.

The Grand AM GT cars are built very well in all respects, but power is very limited to just about a stock motor, expect blue printing and balancing is allowd. That gives a few more ponies. Which puts these cars in the just north of 400 BHP range.

I should try to get over to Crawford in Denver NC this winter. Only about 80 miles away from me.

Infinity is Nissan not Toyota.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by JAG

Isn't that a Nissan Skyline in Japan (not a GTR, just a regular model)?

Nissan 350Z

[Fogelhund]

Note, it is Infiniti, not Infinity.

The Infiniti G35 in North America is the Nissan Skyline Coupe in Japan.

The Nissan Skyline GTR is expected for release in the Fall of 07' in Japan, United States and possibly parts of Europe, as a 2008 model year car.

This car never was dead, and continue to be built, as a Grand Am GT car. It has nothing to do with the car Doran is suggested to be building for the ALMS. What exactly Doran is building, is currently not known, though some have suggested the Ford GT.

[AU N EGL]

Thats right, sorry about that guys. One had one cup of Coffee this morning.

We have seen a few fake Skylines, Nissan 350s with Skyline stickers in the US already. Supposidly they had 400 bhp, and suppension mods, but still not impressive.

There was one Skyline GTR ( or a resmblance of) in Speed World GT at the begining of 2006. Ran in 3 races, Sebring, St Petersburg FL, and Long Beach. Car was lapped too many times the organizers stongly suggested the car be withdrawn and redeveloped before returing to the grid.


Toyota is enterning NASCAR next year.

[Danske]

Prep-1 Nissan 350Zs and a Nissan DP have been announced as well. One guy had built a 350Z without going through the approval/homologation process, so presuming those other 350Zs do go through that process he'll be able to race at the Rolex 24 too after getting a homologated engine from them.

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Note, it is Infiniti, not Infinity.

..........will we see then Beyond Grand Am

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

Thats right, sorry about that guys. One had one cup of Coffee this morning.

We have seen a few fake Skylines, Nissan 350s with Skyline stickers in the US already. Supposidly they had 400 bhp, and suppension mods, but still not impressive.

There is a factory kit, that includes supercharger, with full factory warranty, that will get you over 400 bhp. Fake Skyline stickers though.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

There is a factory kit, that includes supercharger, with full factory warranty, that will get you over 400 bhp. Fake Skyline stickers though.

Ok that is what it is. I have only seen one on track at a high Performance driving school. My student in the same group had a '87 Chevy Camero. We had no problem passing and driving away from him on several occations.

His instructor said he was more interesting in talking about his car then learning how to properly drive his car. Oh well.

I hope the rear deal does come to the states. More cool cars to look at and run with on the track, let alone hit the grids.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

Ok that is what it is. I have only seen one on track at a high Performance driving school. My student in the same group had a '87 Chevy Camero. We had no problem passing and driving away from him on several occations.

His instructor said he was more interesting in talking about his car then learning how to properly drive his car. Oh well.

I hope the rear deal does come to the states. More cool cars to look at and run with on the track, let alone hit the grids.

Of course you are talking about driver ability, not car ability... but making it sound like car ability. I've seen a guy in a miata, out run a guy with C6. That doesn't say anything about either car, but a whole lot about the drivers.

The Nissan GTR is targeted squarely at the Porsche Turbo. Expect it to perform very nicely.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Of course you are talking about driver ability, not car ability... but making it sound like car ability. I've seen a guy in a miata, out run a guy with C6. That doesn't say anything about either car, but a whole lot about the drivers.

The Nissan GTR is targeted squarely at the Porsche Turbo. Expect it to perform very nicely.

Driving Skill far outweights cars performamce. Too many ppl look at the cars performacne in the hand of professionals and think they can do the same. Marketing companies hope to sell cars the same way.

GTR aimed at the Porsche tubo ?? OK. Been on track with a number of 996 turbos. Good car.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

GTR aimed at the Porsche tubo ?? OK. Been on track with a number of 996 turbos. Good car.

Keep in mind that the R34 Skyline GTR's and the RUF Turbo Porsche's have swapped fastest laps at the Ring a number of times. They are typically very even cars in terms of performance. It wouldn't suprise me to see the new Skyline campaigned in the ACO GT1 classification. I've put in early pre-order for one. (road version of course)

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Keep in mind that the R34 Skyline GTR's and the RUF Turbo Porsche's have swapped fastest laps at the Ring a number of times. They are typically very even cars in terms of performance. It wouldn't suprise me to see the new Skyline campaigned in the ACO GT1 classification. I've put in early pre-order for one. (road version of course)

Interesting. The RUF turbo Porsche is much differnt then factory turbo porsche. Been on track with many turbo porsches but only one RUF porsche.

IMHO between the RUF, turbo and GT3 Porsches ( not couning the RS or RSR race prepared) the GT3 was the better handling of the three. The RUF was the fastest in the straight line. I know several guys who have sold the turbo to buy the GT3 due to better corner and track handling. These two freinds also said the turbo was more geared to the doctor or attorney who wants a little weekend thrill driving. Vs on track performance.

The only Porsches I have only driving the stock 911 and a GT3 on track, both for only 10 or so laps. Both were fun cars to drive.

I am wondering about the new Skyline about GT1 prep. I think it would be more of a GT2 prep car under current rules. Many ppl say the Skyline will rip apart almost any other car. Who actully knows? We will have to wait and see if some team preps them for racing and what class they get homlogized for. Cant really take Ring times to equate to racing performance. Much more to racing then the fastest lap.

What are the tenitive specs for the new Skyline? is there a link?

Rember Nissan would have to build and sell 50+ units to qualify for either class. Nissan is a large manufacture.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

Interesting. The RUF turbo Porsche is much differnt then factory turbo porsche. Been on track with many turbo porsches but only one RUF porsche.

IMHO between the RUF, turbo and GT3 Porsches ( not couning the RS or RSR race prepared) the GT3 was the better handling of the three. The RUF was the fastest in the straight line. I know several guys who have sold the turbo to buy the GT3 due to better corner and track handling. These two freinds also said the turbo was more geared to the doctor or attorney who wants a little weekend thrill driving. Vs on track performance.

RUF makes a tonne of different models. Some have no suspensions upgrades from a stock Porsche, some have substantial.

I am wondering about the new Skyline about GT1 prep. I think it would be more of a GT2 prep car under current rules. Many ppl say the Skyline will rip apart almost any other car. Who actully knows? We will have to wait and see if some team preps them for racing and what class they get homlogized for.

What are the tenitive specs for the new Skyline? is there a link?

Rember Nissan would have to build and sell 50+ units to qualify for either class. Nissan is a large manufacture.

At this point, 4.0 litre, twin turbo, ~ 500hp, AWD/4WD.

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/secret_...sid=224&page=1

While single lap times are not indicative of pure racing capability, they do show what the car is capable of for speed. Of course, if you have a good fast one lap car, it helps in the conversion to a race car.

They've tested it extensively at the Ring already, and are looking at sub 8 minute laps.

They'll have no problems selling 50 of these cars, they aren't THAT expensive.

[broadrun96]

I would like to see the new skyline in racing, but wouldn't it be more of a GT2 car then GT1? I know it's gonna be powerful but enough to keep up with the AM and vettes out there? And who would race-prep the vehicles, NISMO or do they have a history with some race-builders? And the AWD part, legal for ACO/ALMS competition, or will they have to build a old Skyline GTS instead of GTR type to race it. And I am positive they won't have a problem sellilng 5000 in the US every year, it is only supposed to debut at probably 60-70 grand USD and even with the dealer mark-up it will still fly well past 50 in no time at all.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

I would like to see the new skyline in racing, but wouldn't it be more of a GT2 car then GT1? I know it's gonna be powerful but enough to keep up with the AM and vettes out there? And who would race-prep the vehicles, NISMO or do they have a history with some race-builders? And the AWD part, legal for ACO/ALMS competition, or will they have to build a old Skyline GTS instead of GTR type to race it. And I am positive they won't have a problem sellilng 5000 in the US every year, it is only supposed to debut at probably 60-70 grand USD and even with the dealer mark-up it will still fly well past 50 in no time at all.

At 4.0 litres, Twin Turbo, it is squarely in GT1 territory. It's road going performance target will be the Porsche Turbo... it will be capable of keeping up with road going Aston's and Vette's.

NISMO would likely develop it.

AWD would be removed, and is allowed to be under the rules.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

At 4.0 litres, Twin Turbo, it is squarely in GT1 territory. It's road going performance target will be the Porsche Turbo... it will be capable of keeping up with road going Aston's and Vette's.

NISMO would likely develop it.

AWD would be removed, and is allowed to be under the rules.

500 HP is GT2. I believe the Porsche Turbo is also GT2 if at all. The GT1s are 600+/- hp under current congifurations.

AM 600 HP
Corvette* 585 HP/ 605TQ
New Ferrari/prodrvie engine 600 HP

* Twin air intake with a 2.5cm restrictor in each intake to reduce HP to 585.

As far as being compatable with the 'road going' versions, yes that I would believe.

[cmk]

A 500hp road car engine should easily be in the frame for a ~600hp race-prepped engine. I would agree with Fogelhund that the GTR would be a GT1 car if it is ACO-homologated.

For your reference, the only Porsche 996 Turbo to run under ACO homologation ran as a GT1 car. That car was the A-Level Porsche developed in Russia/Germany and run in the 2004/05 LMES, driven by Wolfgang Kaufmann, partnered by Tiemann or Van de Poele. It was, admittedly, not that competitive but with somewhat more liberal restrictors it would have been on the pace.

FIA-homologated 996 Turbos have also been run as GT1 equivalents. These cars were built by PSI in Belgium and campaigned in Belcar, FFSA-GT and at one point FIA-GT by PSI and various customer teams.

[JAG]

In GTR2 (official FIA GT sim) the GT1's all have around 620-640bhp.

Re. Skyline, I hope the new models been on a diet, the R33/34 were a little large and humbled by Evo's and Impreza's.

A mate had an R33 and it wasn't as nimble as my Evo8.

[Satorian]

4 litre twin turbo? A V6 perhaps? Something like a VQ40DETT?


Hmmmmm, makes me think of the new Lister GT1 again, even though everyone expects it to be a Jag.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by cmk

A 500hp road car engine should easily be in the frame for a ~600hp race-prepped engine. I would agree with Fogelhund that the GTR would be a GT1 car if it is ACO-homologated.

For your reference, the only Porsche 996 Turbo to run under ACO homologation ran as a GT1 car. That car was the A-Level Porsche developed in Russia/Germany and run in the 2004/05 LMES, driven by Wolfgang Kaufmann, partnered by Tiemann or Van de Poele. It was, admittedly, not that competitive but with somewhat more liberal restrictors it would have been on the pace.

FIA-homologated 996 Turbos have also been run as GT1 equivalents. These cars were built by PSI in Belgium and campaigned in Belcar, FFSA-GT and at one point FIA-GT by PSI and various customer teams.

I am not doughting anything you say here, but this brings up another challange. Whos GT1 regulations?? FIA or ACO? Seems like there is a bit of a discrepency between the two and may be why FIA-GT1 cars are not invited to the LM 24.

What are the MAJOR differences in the technical regs in GT1 ??

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

500 HP is GT2. I believe the Porsche Turbo is also GT2 if at all. The GT1s are 600+/- hp under current congifurations.

The road going Z06 is rated at 505hp. Is it your suggestion that the C6.R be moved to GT2 as well?

AM 600 HP
Corvette* 585 HP/ 605TQ
New Ferrari/prodrvie engine 600 HP

You are comparing apples to oranges.