Why no LeMans Ferrari GT1 in mid 90s?

[kmchow]

In the mid 90s, the FIA GT series reached a zenith with their GT1 class with the likes of the CLK GTR, Mclaren F1, Toyota GT1s, others? Or was there a stillborn GT1 programme?

Why wasn't there ever a GT1 Ferrari? With such competition, surely it would be prestigious enough? OTOH, I assume Ferrari is more concerned about their F1 programme? Not enough money?

[Ebi]

bit of both i guess They wanted to focus on the F1 program and they didnt have the money to do a GT car

[fausto]

They built and tested a GT version of the F50, it seems they even had a number of customers, but decided against racing the car, it must be said that the car came out at a time when rules were uncertain (FIA/ACO), and "disguised" Group C started to appear....

[Adam43]

The BPR Global GT Series had F40s racing in it. It was uncompetitive and old by the time the FIA championship came along. BTW the Toyota never raced in the FIA GT championship, only Le Mans and a random race in Japan.

After that Ferrari concentrated on the 575 and others the 550.

So I don't know. Didn't want to, I guess, and the goal posts were being moved with every new car at the time (F1, 911GT1, Merc...).

[pitviper]

here you are: http://images.google.com/images?hl=e...i+F50+GT&gbv=2

pit

[minimangler]

phwoar. Someone has that as their avatar, only from the back.

[PorscheFanNo1]

It was talk about the new F50 the whole 1996 season basicly and in late 96 the car was in its final steps and was being tested on the track. However, the Porsche 911 GT1 came to race in BPR in the end of 96 (against the F40) and Ferrari didnt like the way Porsche did it, they hadnt made any road going GT1s yet but promised to have 5 roadcars on the roads within 2 years, this was enough for them to be able to race at LeMans, in BPR however they wasnt allowed to score any points, only race for racewins.
When Ferrari heard the 911 was allowed to race in FIA-GT in 97 that replaced BPR still without having built a single road car Ferrari pulled the plug in the last minute to demonstrate against this, maybe they thought they'd get FIA and ACO on their side and ge the 911 kicked out until they made the road cars, but the result was that no Ferrari ever turned up in FIA-GT or LeMans and no cars where deliverd to customers, as far as I know.

This is from the top of my head tho, and I could be wrong, please feel free to correct me.


Not sure how many was built in that time, something like 3-4 race cars I think, anyone know for sure?



EDIT: After some googling, 3 cars where made, 1 test car and 2 cars for customers wich looks like they actually where deliverd but never allowed to race.

[minimangler]

This sounds like a sad, sad story to me

[Ebi]

hope the spy scandal thingy pushes ferrari to quit F1 and focus on a closed roof petrol powerd LMP1

[TheNewBob]

Originally Posted by Ebi

hope the spy scandal thingy pushes ferrari to quit F1 and focus on a closed roof petrol powerd LMP1

Jean Todt in sportscars!? Please, NO!! NEVER!! It would be worse than having Bernie involved.

But the basic idea is nice...

[Alex Hodgkinson]

Originally Posted by TheNewBob

Jean Todt in sportscars!? Please, NO!! NEVER!! It would be worse than having Bernie involved.

peugeot talbot sport??

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Alex Hodgkinson

peugeot talbot sport??

yep

[dj choc ice]

and my what a fantastilicious car peugeot talbot sport and jean todt campaigned, especially in 1992 and 1993, wish the 3.5 litre car's would return, i would love to see the, back in action, especially on tracks like spa, silverstone, monza and suzuka

[GTfour]

Saddest thing is,that this brilliant F50 GT did far quicker lap times on Fiorano then the then active 333SP...treuly a shame this machine was never put to battle.

[panoz.lmp1]

They build three chassis of the F50 GT1 and then stopped the project.

[Splatz the Cow]

Hi guys, my first time back in about a year now.

I understand that one F50-GT went to America and has been run occasionally at Ferrari days at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and videos clips are on the net. The other two cars went to the Sultan of Brunei.

Ferrari pulled the GT program for two main reasons; to concentrate on the F1 programme; and because the car would not have been competitive against the Mercedes, Porsche, and McLaren.

Although the car made massive power, it was at very high revs; the engine lacked low end torque. Also it was aerodynamically inferior to the newer cars, and it would take development work to make it competitve. It is at this point that the project seemed to end, with Ferrari not wanting to spend money on an Evo version. I would speculate that this might have only needed two months work at the most, as the Mercedes entire project was completed in about 120 days, it would not take too long to tweak the aero and suspension on the Ferrari. The engine may be another matter though.


Just a slight correction on the Ferrari F40.. actually it was the fastest car in qualifying in most races, and was extremely competitive in some races. Sadly, it was almost always let down by mechanical failure (gearbox often,) team mistakes, driver error, tyre issues. It's strengths were: most bhp; most torque; low weight; better downforce than McLaren F1. It weaknesses were: worst fuel economy, worst tyre use; fragile grearbox; rough drivers; just not enough of 'em on the track; lack of development.