[FIA GT] GT1 World Championship 2011

[I Rosputnik]

I was going to wait until the Calendar was announced but might as well get speculation started about the second FIA GT1 World Championship.

So here's a few things to get started:

New/Rumoured cars: The Alpina B6 GT1, Lexus LFA and the Veritas RS 3.
New countries: USA, China and Russia.

Any info/ideas/slating/praising/pondering, say your business.

[Down F0rce]

I wonder if they will race in Bucharest again, since Auto GP have revived the event? Have Auto GP and GT1 raced together before?

[Deleted]

They have not. However, Bucharest is actually a circuit were they have experienced the "1 hour sprint race format" previously, back in 2008 (I remember Vitaphone drivers being unhappy and saying "this is supposed to be an endurance racing series" ). Those races were quite entertaining, so I wouldn't mind going back there.

I'll be very annoyed if the ludicrous BoP tweakings continue throughout the next year as well. Let them race. As the old grandfathered cars will be buried after 2011, sadly it'll also be the last ever season for Corvette in GT1 racing, anywhere. No way P&M is producing a new version of C6.R.

[mirkob]

Originally Posted by Chiana

No way P&M is producing a new version of C6.R.

The GT2 version has a 5.5 engine, enough to race in GT1 ;-)

It should be good, you could buy a customer Corvette GT2 car for ACO races, and with an upgrade kit (aero, etc) you can race in the FIA WC GT1.

I think LAA, SRT and DKR could be interested.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by mirkob

The GT2 version has a 5.5 engine, enough to race in GT1 ;-)

It should be good, you could buy a customer Corvette GT2 car for ACO races, and with an upgrade kit (aero, etc) you can race in the FIA WC GT1.

I think LAA, SRT and DKR could be interested.

I am not saying it will not happen (never say never), but, GM sided with Porsche, Ferrari and AMR in going towards GT-2 for the top class. I would think they would want to stay the course and not offer anything, past the C6.R support that is being supplied until the end of its homologation, towards GT-1!



L.P.

[I Rosputnik]

I still personally believe that it would of made better sense to go with LMGT, but with Ratel now in complete control of GT1, he can do what ever he wants. Which is not a bad thing, seeing as he can make them go faster then LMP2's. Give it a decade; by then the rules will be completely different.

Anyway, more rumblings on the Toyota front from Speedhunters. Scroll down to the bottom, and according to them, Toyota representives were there.

[The359]

I'd say the Veritas will never happen, but hopefully the Alpina and Lexus come to fruition.

Russia and South Africa were both "postponed" after 2010, so hopefully they'll be back in 2011. Is the Dosmedovo Autodrome even finished though?

[NaBUru38]

Down F0rce, Auto GP has been racing this year along with the International GT Open and the European F3 Open. GT Sport is a not-so-major SRO rival.

[JAG]

I don't believe the GT1 series should chop and change cars every season or two as developing rivalries are a big part of the sport.

As ever it's curious to see cars like the Alpina B6 moving into GT1 while the R8 LMS and SLS are in GT3.

[dj4monie]

The first part is going to be slightly off topic.

I find it funny Vitaphone was against the 1 hours split format in 2008 and guess what? That was the "Test Run" the Ratel was making for the World Championship.

I am against Highlighted Coverage (ala Truth In 24) currently being trailed on the ALMS fanbase. Don't say I tell you so if Speed's coverage ends up being the same way for 2011, all "Truth In 24" style.

Back On Topic -

Why couldn't Callaway Competition GbH who currently builds the 2010 Championship Winning Callaway Corvettes for FIA GT3? Matech also went from GT3 to GT1, Callaway could do the same thing and I'm sure they would sell a few. GM is not the end all, be all only company that can build a competitive race car and frankly I don't think they have the budget to do the R&D.

US Rounds will likely be either Watkins Glen or Laguna Seca or possible both.

I do hope Vitaphone is the first of the original teams to make the jump to the new spec car. If Toyota gives them the support they want, I don't think they'll turn it down. I would guess they need the new cars shortly after the end of the season. I wonder if they'll have to take on a favored driver much like SRT was forced (from what I can tell) to take Ara. I think Krum wanted a chance to return to Europe to race so he jumped at it. Richard Lyon's currently is a Toyota/Lexus pilot in Super GT and as we know a min of 4 cars is required for the series. I wonder if he'll return to Europe after spending so much time in Japan.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by dj4monie

The first part is going to be slightly off topic.

I find it funny Vitaphone was against the 1 hours split format in 2008 and guess what? That was the "Test Run" the Ratel was making for the World Championship.

I am against Highlighted Coverage (ala Truth In 24) currently being trailed on the ALMS fanbase. Don't say I tell you so if Speed's coverage ends up being the same way for 2011, all "Truth In 24" style.

Back On Topic -

Why couldn't Callaway Competition GbH who currently builds the 2010 Championship Winning Callaway Corvettes for FIA GT3? Matech also went from GT3 to GT1, Callaway could do the same thing and I'm sure they would sell a few. GM is not the end all, be all only company that can build a competitive race car and frankly I don't think they have the budget to do the R&D. Callaway builds them with GM's blessing! It is not good to bite the hand that feeds you, per se.

US Rounds will likely be either Watkins Glen or Laguna Seca or possible both. I'll believe it, when I see it.

I do hope Vitaphone is the first of the original teams to make the jump to the new spec car. If Toyota gives them the support they want, I don't think they'll turn it down. I would guess they need the new cars shortly after the end of the season. I wonder if they'll have to take on a favored driver much like SRT was forced (from what I can tell) to take Ara. I think Krum wanted a chance to return to Europe to race so he jumped at it. Richard Lyon's currently is a Toyota/Lexus pilot in Super GT and as we know a min of 4 cars is required for the series. I wonder if he'll return to Europe after spending so much time in Japan.

L.P.

[rich07]

From the existing teams who do we think will return in 2011?

Reiter-not sure
Matech-I think they are a big possibility to return but with the car racing in GTE where will they race?
Sumo Power-Good year so far...
Vitaphone-possibly with Lexus power?
Phoenix-after what's gone on this year will they return? Audi?
Marc VDS?
Swiss Racing Team? Havent had the best season...
All Inkl?
Young Driver? Are Aston Martin interested in one last year of GT1?
Hexis? From what I've read from them they intend to return.
Mad Croc?
Triple H?

Big question mark over the Veritas, I'll be pleasantly surprised it if appears.

I think the Alpina stands more of a chance of appearing.

Rumoured project of Frederic Dor? whatever that could be-new Aston?

[Speed-King]

Hans Reiter has been talking very favourably about the series, so I assume they will be back. If Albert wins the GT-Masters title this year, I expect to see him in the World Championship in 2011. Money shouldn't be an issue then, he just might be the richest guy in racing today...

Similarly, Hardy Fischer of Young Driver Racing is a big supporter of the World Championship.

[Dauer 962]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

. If Albert wins the GT-Masters title this year, I expect to see him in the World Championship in 2011. Money shouldn't be an issue then, he just might be the richest guy in racing today...

Albert has no ambitions to race in GT1. He would like to, but he is full time employed and couldn’t cope with the amount of time necessary for travelling and testing. He’s fine with GT3 racing; motorsport is just a hobby for him, though a serious one.

[I Rosputnik]

Endurance Info on the future of GT racing (Translated into English by Google)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Possible models for 2011 and 2012 for GT1, as suggested by Eudurance Info:

BMW Alpina B6 (Aurora) : 2011

Lexus LF-A : 2011 or 2012

Aston Martin Vantage : 2012
Audi R8 GT1 : 2012
Ferrari F458 GT1 : 2012
Ford Mustang GT1 : 2012
Mercedes AMG SLS : 2012
McLaren MP4-12C : 2012

Apart from the Alpina take the cars with a pinch of salt, but I do hope some of the cars on that list do appear.

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by rich07

From the existing teams who do we think will return in 2011?

Reiter-not sure
Matech-I think they are a big possibility to return but with the car racing in GTE where will they race?
Sumo Power-Good year so far...
Vitaphone-possibly with Lexus power?
Phoenix-after what's gone on this year will they return? Audi?
Marc VDS?
Swiss Racing Team? Havent had the best season...
All Inkl?
Young Driver? Are Aston Martin interested in one last year of GT1?
Hexis? From what I've read from them they intend to return.
Mad Croc?
Triple H?

Big question mark over the Veritas, I'll be pleasantly surprised it if appears.

I think the Alpina stands more of a chance of appearing.

Rumoured project of Frederic Dor? whatever that could be-new Aston?

• Reiter - No Reason To Leave, will be back
• Matech's GTE program has nothing to do with GT1, GTE is a customer car though they have said they might run a pair of cars themselves I would assume at Le Mans
• Sumo Power is supported by Nismo, will be back
• Vitaphone moving over to the L-FA was one of the bigger rumors post Le Mans
• Phoenix ? Who knows, they run ADAC GT and Euro GT3 for Audi
• SRT, staying likely, driver changes likely?
• All Inkl - See Reiter
• Young Driver - Likely Return
• Hexis - See Young Driver
• Mad Croc - Who knows, a fool and his money....
• Triple H - See Vitaphone L-FA Rumor?

The Veritas I almost forgot about completely. Still don't know what it looks like.

That old Freddy Dor rumor has been around for awhile. Seems if he does do it, it will be a Ferrari again.

I doubt the One-77 will be used as a bases for a new car. I don't think you'll see a new Aston until you see an update of the current DB9 or Vantage.

[The359]

Mad-Croc could be gone from the series if Kuismanen loses interest.

I think we may also lose Phoenix and Swiss Racing. Also, who might make the switch to the Alpinas, or will some new team step up to the series?

[kyoung]

Originally Posted by The359

Mad-Croc could be gone from the series if Kuismanen loses interest.

Would that be a bad thing, watching him do parade laps is tedious at best. I will be glad to see Corvettes out of GT1.
What the series needs is maybe a Cadillac STS, leave the rear seats in it and carry passengers for ballast, Ratel can sell raffle tickets to the fans to see who gets to ride.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by kyoung

Would that be a bad thing, watching him do parade laps is tedious at best. I will be glad to see Corvettes out of GT1.
What the series needs is maybe a Cadillac STS, leave the rear seats in it and carry passengers for ballast, Ratel can sell raffle tickets to the fans to see who gets to ride.

Best idea I have heard yet!

[I Rosputnik]

And then they can sue if the driver crashes!

[Yakuncha]

Originally Posted by The359

Mad-Croc could be gone from the series if Kuismanen loses interest.

Only as a sponsor/team name - Im sure SRT/DKR could arrange the necessary sponsorship elsewhere - Olly Gavin has hinted at a return to SRT in 2011 as part of an all pro lineup

[rich07]

Originally Posted by Yakuncha

Only as a sponsor/team name - Im sure SRT/DKR could arrange the necessary sponsorship elsewhere - Olly Gavin has hinted at a return to SRT in 2011 as part of an all pro lineup

I'd love to see that happen.

[The359]

They could easily base it on the DBS if they wanted. But given the direction of some of the new cars (Ford GT and Nissan GT-R) the smaller V8 Vantage might be more suitable.

This is the Veritas. It'll never happen, not only because it's a pure roadster, but also because there are no production cars.

Don't forget the planned GT1 version of the Marussia that also will never happen!

[Birddog07]

Just my thoughts on any American rounds. Possibly Barber Park with it's FIA 1T homoligation and I think Miller should have one aswell. I'd love to see some GT1 at Barber, Miller is just plain rubbish. SRO in North America may also see potential for a GT3 Championship. /dream

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by Birddog07

Just my thoughts on any American rounds. Possibly Barber Park with it's FIA 1T homoligation and I think Miller should have one aswell. I'd love to see some GT1 at Barber, Miller is just plain rubbish. SRO in North America may also see potential for a GT3 Championship. /dream

Uh no...

Miller will not happen because the ALMS hasn't been successful and Grand Am is even worst.

I named those two tracks because they both have open dates right in the middle of summer and after or before Le Mans.

ALMS moved back too its traditional Oct date for the 6 hour race at Laguna Seca. Watkins Glen and ICS did not invite back Indy Car for its early July date because of poor fan turnout in consecutive seasons. Ratel said Mosport was out of the question. That leaves only a few possibilities. I also believe Ratel wants to be in the biggest markets possible and that's California and the Northeast.

There's something to be said for serving undeserved areas of America, but for your first time in the US since the late 90's? I don't think so, plus the FIA GT has run at Laguna Seca before. Watkins Glen is just a given because it has an open date and its a historical track.