2013 SCCA Pirelli World Challenge

[NaBUru38]

In Grand-Am Rolex GT you can run modified GT3, with no anti-lock brakes or traction control and smaller wings, for example.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by Ratzenberger

Is this the only series in North America where GT3's are allowed to run? I haven't seen discussion on these forums of any others.

"Pure" GT3? Looks like it.

[Ratzenberger]

Interesting, I was just wondering if this could become the US equivalent of the BES or whether there is still a hole that needs filling regarding GT racing and if SRO would be tempted into setting up another championship to meet the demand.

Probably a discussion for another thread but as a newbie I'm still finding my way around here.

[somebodysb2]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

"Pure" GT3? Looks like it.

Nope. The GMG R8 LMS's (FIA GT3 spec) are not only the older variety, but also "neutered".

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Ratzenberger

Interesting, I was just wondering if this could become the US equivalent of the BES or whether there is still a hole that needs filling regarding GT racing

SCCA World Challenge has 50min races with one driver per car and no pitstops. So it's completely different from the Blancpain GT Endurance Series.

On the other hand, the Grand-Am Conti Challenge has longer races with actual pitstops and driver changes. Perhaps the GS class will allow GT3 or GT3-ish cars in the future.

Anyway, even with the ALMS / Rolex merger, there's still plenty of professional GT racing in the United States.

[Speed Merchant 91]

Any news on who, if anyone, is running the Z4 GT3 in World Challenge?

[WolfsburgRS]

I haven't heard anything on it. As far as I know the GT3 cars currently slated to run in 2013 are the R8s from GMG and the SLS from Black Swan. I haven't seen much from Black Swan other than the basic announcement. GMG posts up a lot of pics on Instagram - in fact they just took delivery of a new transporter for the Audi program.

Seems most of the World Challenge teams have been quiet otherwise.

Anyone heard word on Volvo or Cadillac being back this year?

[Coach Ep]

K-Pax and Pobst recently tested and their website shows the 2013 schedule so it can be expected that the Volvos return (both in GT and TC). Haven´t heard anything about the Cadillacs but assume they´ll be back as well.

[JLGarcia]

Originally Posted by WolfsburgRS

I haven't heard anything on it. As far as I know the GT3 cars currently slated to run in 2013 are the R8s from GMG and the SLS from Black Swan. I haven't seen much from Black Swan other than the basic announcement. GMG posts up a lot of pics on Instagram - in fact they just took delivery of a new transporter for the Audi program.

WC website has Peter Lesaffre/Green Hornet in an SLS as well.

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by JLGarcia

WC website has Peter Lesaffre/Green Hornet in an SLS as well.

http://www.world-challenge.com/drivers/index.php

That´s an insane looking entry list...! 5 Audi R8s, 3 Caddies and 3 Volvos (to name a few) in GT! And a staggering 37 entries in GTS - they´ll have to run 3 seperate races if things stand as they do now!

[Speed-King]

Eh, I think that's just a list of teams that has reserved numbers for the upcoming season... doesn't mean all of them will show up at every race.

[fieldodreams79]

Even still, this is the greatest "potential" entry list I have seen for an American GT/TC series in at least a decade.

Too bad they won't be coming anywhere near me.

[NaBUru38]

they´ll have to run 3 seperate races if things stand as they do now!

[WMUCarGuy]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

K-Pax and Pobst recently tested and their website shows the 2013 schedule so it can be expected that the Volvos return (both in GT and TC). Haven´t heard anything about the Cadillacs but assume they´ll be back as well.

I believe Aaron Povoledo recently tested with K-Pax. Perhaps he'll be in the third car?

[WolfsburgRS]

Originally Posted by JLGarcia

WC website has Peter Lesaffre/Green Hornet in an SLS as well.

Ah that's right, I forgot about that one.

[somebodysb2]

Have there been any BoP measures against the Volvo's? Seeing them belt off the Sonoma grid..ridiculous

Some trickery with the gearbox will do the trick. Like what BTCC did to the 320si.

[Ratzenberger]

Wouldn't a rolling grid solve that problem?

I've never agreed with having 4WD in circuit racing (even the hybrids to a certain extent but that's an argument for a different thread).

[WolfsburgRS]

Originally Posted by Ratzenberger

Wouldn't a rolling grid solve that problem?

I've never agreed with having 4WD in circuit racing (even the hybrids to a certain extent but that's an argument for a different thread).

It would, but part of the big World Challenge promotional pitch is the standing start. I would imagine some BoP has taken place, especially since I'm pretty sure they're doing away with the REWARDS weight program.

[cbbrit]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Even still, this is the greatest "potential" entry list I have seen for an American GT/TC series in at least a decade.

Too bad they won't be coming anywhere near me.

Then see which track the series visits which is closest to you and go there! How difficult can it be, assuming you live in America or Canada?

[Nick6]

There is no BOP per say. SCCA adjust the weights of the cars as they see fit. I tend to think this is where Steven Retal got the idea behind BOP and the GT3 series.

I don't see rewards weight going away as that has been a part of the series almost since the start.

[WolfsburgRS]

Originally Posted by Nick6

There is no BOP per say. SCCA adjust the weights of the cars as they see fit. I tend to think this is where Steven Retal got the idea behind BOP and the GT3 series.

I don't see rewards weight going away as that has been a part of the series almost since the start.

Supposedly it is one of the changes for 2013.

Originally Posted by SpeedTV

Balance of Performance measures will continue into 2013, while the series’ sometimes-controversial rewards weight system will be eliminated.

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...gt3-expansion/

[Nick6]

Sometimes sarcasm has a tough time coming through on message boards. What I was implying, sarcastic is that SCCA doesn't refer to their balancing measures as balance of performance. The methods are one in the same, but SCCA has been doing this well before SRO got the idea to coin it "BOP", which is why at least in the past they never called it BOP.

In the past SCCA had a better concept for "GT3" than GT3 its self. Certain guidelines were set in the rule book on how to prepare a car and then the weight and tire sizes were adjusted accordingly. I think most of this is gone in recent years, save for the wing and dive plane regulations.

[NaBUru38]

How about a Scion FR-S at the SCCA World Challenge? Robert Stout will drive one in the GTS class, with a TRD supercharger.



(That's a show car for the Sema SHow.)

[somebodysb2]

Looks like every other generic 86 with aftermarket bits tacked on.

And its just racing in the GTS class, so it won't fight for overall position.

[TF110]

Its not. This is a scion and i dont see any "tacked on" bits. Just a functional wing and splitter.