[FIA GT] Back to the future - GT2 2011

[Speed-King]

From Stephane Ratel's annual press confernce at Spa (source: endurance-info.com)

« Nous allons donc mettre en place un championnat qui sera très ouvert. Les GT2, GT3, GT4 et GTN seront acceptées. Nous souhaitons quatre ou cinq meetings en Europe sur des circuits prestigieux. La série devrait débuter Ã* Monza le 18 avril. La durée des courses sera de trois heures et les usines seront acceptées. Il n'y aura pas de catégorisation de pilotes mais il faut que les GT2 soient un peu libérées pour un peu plus de puissance. »

Translation:
We will introduce a very open championship. GT2, GT3, GT4 and GTN cars will be accepted. We hope to have four of five rounds in Europe on the most prestigious circuits. The series will have its debut at the April 18 at Monza. The duration of the races will be three hours and factory teams will be accepted. There will be no categorisation (gold-silver-bronze) of pilots, but the GT2 will get a little help to make them have a little more power.


That actually sounds a lot like a) the current GT-only proposals for IMSA and b) like FIA GT was until last year, just moved down one rank. I actually like it a lot and if they have a race in Germany, I'll make sure to be there.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

From Stephane Ratel's annual press confernce at Spa (source: endurance-info.com)


Translation:
We will introduce a very open championship. GT2, GT3, GT4 and GTN cars will be accepted. We hope to have four of five rounds in Europe on the most prestigious circuits. The series will have its debut at the April 18 at Monza. The duration of the races will be three hours and factory teams will be accepted. There will be no categorisation (gold-silver-bronze) of pilots, but the GT2 will get a little help to make them have a little more power.


That actually sounds a lot like a) the current GT-only proposals for IMSA and b) like FIA GT was until last year, just moved down one rank. I actually like it a lot and if they have a race in Germany, I'll make sure to be there.

Hmm, writing on the wall.








L.P.

[I Rosputnik]

Translated Eudurance Info

Planet Lemans

Doesn't sound too shabby. 3 hour GT open races looks like it could work, and GT1 looks like it's going to North America next year.

As for the car that will be barely an Alpina which in fact is barely a BMW, I hope it goes well despite how it is being created. But rather then killing off a team for another, why not just have another 4 cars? I don't see anything wrong with 28 cars.

[Speed-King]

Found some more info on a Belgian website:

The Spa 24 hours will be part of the new championship as well and the GT4 Euro Cup will be scrapped/merged into the new FIA GT Endurance Championship.

That article also mentions the Nürburgring as one of the possible venues for the new series, but I am not sure if that was said by Ratel or simply infered by the reporter.

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Found some more info on a Belgian website:

The Spa 24 hours will be part of the new championship as well and the GT4 Euro Cup will be scrapped/merged into the new FIA GT Endurance Championship.

That article also mentions the Nürburgring as one of the possible venues for the new series, but I am not sure if that was said by Ratel or simply infered by the reporter.

Hey forget all that, shouldn't we be hitting up Ratel for some money?

Isn't this our idea?? Though we wanted small production cars (call it Touring)

They are going GT2, GT3 and GT4. I would guess GTN is slotted in for cars in National Championships.

Seems this is aimed directly at the teams currently running International GT Open and attaching the big carrot of Spa too it might just work.

[Speed-King]

GTN will probably pretty much be a Porsche-Cup-class, as that's what's usually run in national championships below the GT3 cars around here. I could also see a couple of Ferrari Challenge cars and perhaps a few Moslers, but then I guess they'll make sure that those won't be a thread for overall victories, so it might be a bit pointless to run one of those, especially in three hour races when attrition is not as big a factor as in the 24 hours.

Something else: The classic circuits strategy is pretty smart as that means racing in countries that have an active national GT racing scene, i.e. series to prop up the field.

Especially the race at the Nürburgring could attract quite a few of the local VLN-teams... I think there's 40 or 50 cars in VLN that would be elegible for this race so there might be a really big field on hand for that round, especially if they can find a date far away from any VLN rounds... like the end-of-August date thy have right now, which is in the middle of VLNs summer break.

[PorscheFanNo1]

Originally Posted by I Rosputnik

why not just have another 4 cars? I don't see anything wrong with 28 cars.

Transportation issues 24 cars with equipment fits into one plane, thats why its 24 cars, if there where room for 28 cars the feild would most likely be just that

[I Rosputnik]

Originally Posted by PorscheFanNo1

Transportation issues 24 cars with equipment fits into one plane, thats why its 24 cars, if there where room for 28 cars the feild would most likely be just that

Can't they just get a bigger plane or strap the cars to the sides of the plane?

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by I Rosputnik

Can't they just get a bigger plane or strap the cars to the sides of the plane?

Next bigger plane would probably be the Antonow An-225

And while that would be awesome and somehow extremely fitting for a guy like Ratel, I just can't see it happening...

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by I Rosputnik

Doesn't sound too shabby. 3 hour GT open races looks like it could work, and GT1 looks like it's going to North America next year.

I can already tell you the target markets -

Northeast (NY, Boston, Philly, DC)
Florida
California

Florida and The Northeast because it would cut down travel cost. This is also the motivation for the World Touring Car series to come to America.

The old series was at Homestead and Sebring

California for several reasons, but FIA/Ratel has past experience at Laguna Seca and it was well-attended race when it was held here in '97 and '98.

I would put my bet right now on Laguna Seca. California Speedway is a Roval was well, last used by Grand Am several years ago, but its constantly in use by NASA and SCCA SoCal Sports Car Club for Regional Events. Its 70 miles from Los Angeles and has a rail connection. Attendance has been falling for NASCAR, it suffered after the CART/IRL split and Grand Am was never accepted here. However Super GT did run expeditionary race here and had planned on returning but that never happen. Attendance was good.

I would avoid the temptation to do a Urban Festival. It could however replace World Challenge at Long Beach, putting it right in the center of things. Since there's only ALMS, Indy Car and Indy Lights if you eliminated WC, I think the Sprint (1 hour) format would work for the series here.

They could also pair up with World Touring Car who's looking to come to America as well. I guess if Chevy does its job and markets the race featuring its Cruze and BMW dealers do their part, I guess it could have a fair turnout on its own, but that's hard to say.

I would go to both events however -

[I Rosputnik]

Originally Posted by dj4monie

I can already tell you the target markets -

Northeast (NY, Boston, Philly, DC)
Florida
California

Florida and The Northeast because it would cut down travel cost. This is also the motivation for the World Touring Car series to come to America.

The old series was at Homestead and Sebring

California for several reasons, but FIA/Ratel has past experience at Laguna Seca and it was well-attended race when it was held here in '97 and '98.

I would put my bet right now on Laguna Seca. California Speedway is a Roval was well, last used by Grand Am several years ago, but its constantly in use by NASA and SCCA SoCal Sports Car Club for Regional Events. Its 70 miles from Los Angeles and has a rail connection. Attendance has been falling for NASCAR, it suffered after the CART/IRL split and Grand Am was never accepted here. However Super GT did run expeditionary race here and had planned on returning but that never happen. Attendance was good.

I would avoid the temptation to do a Urban Festival. It could however replace World Challenge at Long Beach, putting it right in the center of things. Since there's only ALMS, Indy Car and Indy Lights if you eliminated WC, I think the Sprint (1 hour) format would work for the series here.

They could also pair up with World Touring Car who's looking to come to America as well. I guess if Chevy does its job and markets the race featuring its Cruze and BMW dealers do their part, I guess it could have a fair turnout on its own, but that's hard to say.

I would go to both events however -

And if he goes to Canada I'm guessing it will be Circuit Mont-Tremblant?

For a series like this it has to be either Laguna Seca or the Glen, and hopefully it will be glorious.

And I think if Chevy wins this year in the WTCC, that means they can put a little sticker on every Cruze saying World Champion. And that opens the doors to a lot of PR and marketing.

[Félix]

Originally Posted by I Rosputnik

And if he goes to Canada I'm guessing it will be Circuit Mont-Tremblant?.

Most probably a no-go because of noise.

The story this year after talks of an "almost certain" NA date is that no one was interested in what Ratel had to offer (sanction fee?)

[NightStalk3r]

Sounds good, as long as they sort the GT2/GT3 performance out, at the moment there is nothing separating them, and this for me is ridiculous.

These days GT3 cars are just as expensive as GT2 cars aswell, that needs sorting out.

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by NightStalk3r

Sounds good, as long as they sort the GT2/GT3 performance out, at the moment there is nothing separating them, and this for me is ridiculous.

These days GT3 cars are just as expensive as GT2 cars aswell, that needs sorting out.

How do you figure? To somebody with alot of money a few 100K here or there doesn't matter, but the facts remain.

I went over this already, most GT3 run $350K, almost all GT2 cars run Half a Million US.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by dj4monie

How do you figure? To somebody with alot of money a few 100K here or there doesn't matter, but the facts remain.

I went over this already, most GT3 run $350K, almost all GT2 cars run Half a Million US.

Sorry, I agree with NightStalk3r.





L.P.

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Sorry, I agree with NightStalk3r.

L.P.

Why? Do you have 7 digits behind your name?

Understanding rich people's ridiculous spending habits and given Jim Tafel's BK woes, when you have 7-8 digits behind your name $100-150k extra doesn't mean SHHHH to you, especially if your buying race cars.

Indy Car was focused on reducing cost because Indy Car is uber-expensive to run mid-pack.

There's no such demand for reduced cost, you two are just a couple of worry worts looking out for the Rich's man bank account (Torrie's and Republicans?) because you think it could affect car count. I can assure you, Brian Wilman has more money then he knows what do with, just won't spend it.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by dj4monie

Why? Do you have 7 digits behind your name?

Understanding rich people's ridiculous spending habits and given Jim Tafel's BK woes, when you have 7-8 digits behind your name $100-150k extra doesn't mean SHHHH to you, especially if your buying race cars.

Indy Car was focused on reducing cost because Indy Car is uber-expensive to run mid-pack.

There's no such demand for reduced cost, you two are just a couple of worry worts looking out for the Rich's man bank account (Torrie's and Republicans?) because you think it could affect car count. I can assure you, Brian Wilman has more money then he knows what do with, just won't spend it.

The view is loaded with so much lopsided BS that it is........





L.P.

[kingkai]

Originally Posted by dj4monie

How do you figure? To somebody with alot of money a few 100K here or there doesn't matter, but the facts remain.

I went over this already, most GT3 run $350K, almost all GT2 cars run Half a Million US.

I'm sorry but a new porsche/ferrari GT2 cost at least 550.000,- euro's and that was already the case in 2008 without the 2008 and 2009 upgrades of atleast another few 10k's. (2006 versions for sale at 350.000 euro's!) The audi r8 LMS GT3 car costs also 550.000,- euros new! and quite some have been bought this year. And come to think of it, how much does this differ from the $1 million pricetag for a new GT1....

Must say that the prices have dropped a 100k here and there when I looked for them more than a year back.
Phoenix DBR-9 was a year back still 660.000 euros, now 399.000,- euros

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by kingkai

I'm sorry but a new porsche/ferrari GT2 cost at least 550.000,- euro's and that was already the case in 2008 without the 2008 and 2009 upgrades of atleast another few 10k's. (2006 versions for sale at 350.000 euro's!) The audi r8 LMS GT3 car costs also 550.000,- euros new! and quite some have been bought this year. And come to think of it, how much does this differ from the $1 million pricetag for a new GT1....

Must say that the prices have dropped a 100k here and there when I looked for them more than a year back.
Phoenix DBR-9 was a year back still 660.000 euros, now 399.000,- euros

Audi R8 LMS is 550k Euros????

The 2010 Audi R8 LMS price is 298,000 Euros plus VAT. The company says the 2010 Audi R8 LMS production is already sold out

Does VAT take it up to $550,000 Euros??? Methinks you don't get charged VAT buying State side.

Seem the Audi's price has increased from the 2009 model.

Porsche's prices are in its press release and the GT3-R is a touch over $300,000US. GT3 Cup is about 65% of that ($180,000).

[I Rosputnik]

Planet Lemans has got a new article up about GT2 next year.

Reading it, it seems like GT2's are going to allowed to run bigger restrictors.

I do think GT3 needs some work. I think if GT3 featured more cars like the Z4 and the 370Z, while GT2 features more upmarket cars such as the Gallardo and the 458 Italia that would work nicely. And then you could have larger cars like the DB9, 599 GTO and B6 racing in GT1.

I hope Ratel knows what he's doing and doesn't screw this up, because I like what he is doing.

[kingkai]

Originally Posted by dj4monie

Audi R8 LMS is 550k Euros????



Does VAT take it up to $550,000 Euros??? Methinks you don't get charged VAT buying State side.

Seem the Audi's price has increased from the 2009 model.

Porsche's prices are in its press release and the GT3-R is a touch over $300,000US. GT3 Cup is about 65% of that ($180,000).

They must have lowered the pricetag then...

[fiend540]

My only hope is that the US race is held at The Glen, other than that I don't really care.

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by fiend540

My only hope is that the US race is held at The Glen, other than that I don't really care.

Considering they installed FIA approved curbing earlier this year and now have an open date vacated by not asking Indy Car back to the track for 2011, this is very much a possibility, though I rather the ALMS have that date, not likely though.

[fiend540]

Originally Posted by dj4monie

Considering they installed FIA approved curbing earlier this year and now have an open date vacated by not asking Indy Car back to the track for 2011, this is very much a possibility, though I rather the ALMS have that date, not likely though.

I don't think we will ever see alms at The Glen, which is a shame but is what it is.

[rich07]

Will there be four or more then that?

Wonder who would enter the series, might help if they've drop the stupid driver classifications they proposed for this year-and look what happened eh?