GT4?

[Ranald]

According to Autosport Stephan Ratel is planning a GT4 series starting next year for less powerful and less developed GT cars. He wants 4 differnet manufacturers for the series. Ratel has listed The Lotus Exige, Nissan 350z and Aston Martin V8 vantage as potential cars. He says that there could be 4-5 races next season starting at Silverstone in May.
To be honest I think this is a bit much.

[old man]

Ridiclulous, Just diluting an already oversubscribed market

[TheNewBob]

Just when GT3 was getting so popular. I think he should concentrate on developing GT1 and GT2 rather than bringing in yet more classes.

If he really wants a GT4 class, why not experiment by getting in discussion with the GT Cup teams in BGT and see what they can all come up with or agree too...?

[The Badger]

Im getting **** hearing about GT3 , GT4 ..... soon the Grand-Am folk will have something to laugh about ..... US !!!

Why not talk about a GT5 ..... whats that , a kart or what !!!

If you cant afford to go GT1 or GT2 or even GT3 ..... I suggest you go super touring .

[Adam43]

GT4? It'll be called 1 in 12 years time.

Or GT5 when the PS3 comes out.

[JAG]

As Chris Kamara would say UNBELIEVABLE!

Do the movers and shakers running FIA GT have any clear idea of it's future?

[The Badger]

Ive been wondering about that for years too !!!

Way too many busy bodies for my liking .

[davemk7]

thats bad very bad. more 550's and viper thats what I want! gt1 and gt2? or is gt1 actually gt2 and gt1 was and now isn't and before that..... confused I am.

stop fiddling already, please.

[tux]

tbh i think gt1,gt2,gt3 is enough gt3 has been getting great grids and as has been said earlier in this thread gt1, and gt2 grids should be improved. i feal the fia gt series dosnt need gt4 it needs more gt1 cars.

[old man]

Ratel is not interested in racing as such, he is interested in business and another class is another set of entry fees to increase turnover. Racing should be run by business people who are enthusiasts not by guys who see it as a way to make money in a glamorous environment. Does anybody know if Ratel ever raced?

[Adam43]

I think that is unfair on Ratel. Although perhaps just a natural cynical view. To have a successful series then you need entries. Perhaps many want a GT4 series? If they get the entries then we get more GT racing.

If you want to be cynical then consider that Ratel would not do something that he thought jeopardised GT racing because then he would lose him money.

I think it is all a bit silly and too much, but it is unfair to say someone is doing it for the wrong reasons. I also don't think it is relevant whether he raced before, not everyone who is enthusiastic about GT racing raced in it.

[TheNewBob]

Originally Posted by old man

Does anybody know if Ratel ever raced?

http://www.racingsportscars.com/phot...-20-photo.html

See car #56 on the above link, Ratel was indeed involved from a racing point of view once with the Venturi. I personally don't know of anything other than that LM entry about his racing exploits.

[kingkai]

No no no no...
I want GT1, why doesn't he try to give GT1 a better future.
These cars are so damn sexy, I want GT1!!!

[Dauer 962]

Originally Posted by TheNewBob

http://www.racingsportscars.com/phot...-20-photo.html

See car #56 on the above link, Ratel was indeed involved from a racing point of view once with the Venturi. I personally don't know of anything other than that LM entry about his racing exploits.

Beside LM 93 he used to start in the Venturi Trophy.

[TheNewBob]

This may be slightly off topic but it's to do with Ratel, I guess - has there been a noise limit set on GT2? I've not been around for the last couple of races and have found videos from Budapest on YouTube, and the Porsches sound like the GT3 cup versions....? I really don't see the point...

[old man]

See " Farewell GT1" for the answer!!!

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

If they get the entries then we get more GT racing.

That may be so ..... but where does it stop ? Gt6 or what ?

There is enough championships around the world for a team to find something of interest in GT without making a "special" championship for them . If they cant afford to enter GT1 or GT2 or GT3 , then they should find someplace else to play .

If you want to see souped up touring cars ..... I dont !!!

Im just waiting for the GT3 crowd to want their place in the FIA GT main event and sure enough GT4 will want the same .

No I say to GT4 , even for national championships .

GT1 LMS/FiaGT/ALMS
GT2 LMS/FiaGT/ALMS and National
GT3 National championships

More than enough championships for GT already .

[Adam43]

I quite agree, especially with this sentiment:

Originally Posted by The Badger

If you want to see souped up touring cars ..... I dont !!!

I don't want to see that either. I do want to see souped up (in a Max Power way) GT cars either. Although maybe that is for another thread.

Although we are already on GT6, or whatever, if we take into account the renaming via GTS (etc...)

My post was more just defending Ratel. I do not agree with the move, but can at least see why he could think was a good idea and that he probably isn't just doing it for the wrong reasons.

[Asa]

I think Ratel should devote more time and brain power towards attracting more manufacturers, especially the Japanese ones, towards GT1 and/or GT2.

That will mean improving the marketing of the existing championship, the TV coverage, the image and everything. Build it properly and they will come.

[Truckosaurus]

Originally Posted by Asa

I think Ratel should devote more time and brain power towards attracting more manufacturers, especially the Japanese ones, towards GT1 and/or GT2.

With the recent demise of the road going versions of the NSX and Supra, are there any Japanese GTs on the market anymore? The Nissan 350Z is all I can think of and that's more of a small coupe.

[Adam43]

Isn't one of the ideas that these lower GT4 categories cater for cars like the 350Z?

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Asa

I think Ratel should devote more time and brain power towards attracting more manufacturers, especially the Japanese ones, towards GT1 and/or GT2.

That will mean improving the marketing of the existing championship, the TV coverage, the image and everything. Build it properly and they will come.

FIA GT better watch out, the LMS ia attracting major manufactuers and large privateers, while the International GT Open is giving a home to privateers who can't neccesarily afford the latest and greatest GT machines, ala BPR of old.

[davemk7]

internation gt open are doing a good job. 60+ cars practiced for montmelo. If they have 1 two hour then it'll kill fia gt dead.

[JAG]

GT Open have it about right, they aren't competing head to head with LMS, DTM, WTCC for teams, they are targeting national GT teams who can run their unhomologated cars, Marcos, Viper Comp Coupe etc., in a European series.

[dj choc ice]

Originally Posted by JAG

GT Open have it about right, they aren't competing head to head with LMS, DTM, WTCC for teams, they are targeting national GT teams who can run their unhomologated cars, Marcos, Viper Comp Coupe etc., in a European series.

i think the international GT open should lead into a entry into the LMS, FIA GT for a smaller national team say the prize for winning the championship is a fully paid season in the LMS or FIA GT in the GT2 class it would be a great way of letting smaller teams which could be capable of winning the GT2 class but doesnt have the money to do the LMS or FIA GT.