GT3: ACO style

[flatlandsman]

I have noticed that also, compared to the GT3 and IMSA cars which do seem louder,m why would this be the case for Porsche?

[JoeW04]

Originally Posted by v8supes

Its really noticeable at Le Mans how quiet the GT3 cars in WEC spec. You can hardly hear the Porsche on TV.

I’ve been trackside all day and I’m really struggling to warm to them, it’s crazy how quiet some of them are, especially the Porsche.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

I have noticed that also, compared to the GT3 and IMSA cars which do seem louder,m why would this be the case for Porsche?

I haven't heard the ACO spec in person but we know cars have had to change to conform to the WEC spec. The Lexus is said to be a very different car. I don't know what all the differences are though.

[GT3_Fan]

So there could be room for Mercedes to enter LMGT3 in 2025 now. I hope this happens! Do you think it will? If so which team or teams. Perhaps Winward for 1 car and GetSpeed for the other?

[joeb]

Ratel admits he doesn't see the need to add torque sensors like the ACO and now IMSA have.

https://sportscar365.com/sro/world-c...re-not-for-us/

Adds cost and doesn't improve closeness of racing in his mind.

[Adam43]

I agree you him. It probably is best to continue as is for those series.

I also like that WEC and IMSA have and are going to torque sensors.

[J Jay]

He's right, for SRO; torque sensors make no sense. Politically, Ratel will not want to be seen to be following ACO/IMSA's lead when it's been theother way around for the past decade and a half. Economically, he has a significant number of privateer entries who would baulk at the increased cost.


But it's telling that the two GT3 series with the most direct manufacturer involvement have both opted for torque sensors. Politicking in GT3 isn't just about changes to BoP.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by joeb

Ratel admits he doesn't see the need to add torque sensors like the ACO and now IMSA have.

https://sportscar365.com/sro/world-c...re-not-for-us/

Adds cost and doesn't improve closeness of racing in his mind.

If it ain't broke don't fix it as they say. No practical reason to add it right now

[flatlandsman]

He is also trying to keep his series relevant against severe competition now from IMSA WEC and DTM, he has to be different. I can see Sprint dying off actually.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

He is also trying to keep his series relevant against severe competition now from IMSA WEC and DTM, he has to be different. I can see Sprint dying off actually.

I don't think they're in competition at all?

WEC and IMSA the GT3 cars are an addition or in support of the Hypercars with most of the teams being amateurs.
In the primary GT3 series, GTW Endurance and Sprint, they are the main event and the entrants are very serious.

[flatlandsman]

Not really, a heck of a lot of the teams taking part are pro am, less than in IMSA and WEC but still an aspect of the racing you have the differing categories just as you do in IMSA< but there are more pro only teams taking part.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

He is also trying to keep his series relevant against severe competition now from IMSA WEC and DTM, he has to be different. I can see Sprint dying off actually.

Good point there. Each series has it's unique value and this should be no different. This series needs to offer something different to attract others along or there's no point when drivers and teams can easily do those series you mention

[flatlandsman]

Sprint has always had poor numbers, whereas the endurance SRO events are massive, but Ratel clearly knows that he cannot go silly with them, so keeps them to a minimum.

I think you could perhaps have one more, would love Silverstone but I doubt Pringle would bother

[GT3_Fan]

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

Sprint has always had poor numbers, whereas the endurance SRO events are massive, but Ratel clearly knows that he cannot go silly with them, so keeps them to a minimum.

I think you could perhaps have one more, would love Silverstone but I doubt Pringle would bother

Sprint Series gets the numbers, but they don't get the manufacturer diversity. No Mustangs on the grid at all. Not much representation from Porsche, Ferrari and McLaren. I recall one year I think it was 2022 where 80% of the grid was Audis and Mercedes even though it was about 30 cars.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by flatlandsman

Not really, a heck of a lot of the teams taking part are pro am, less than in IMSA and WEC but still an aspect of the racing you have the differing categories just as you do in IMSA< but there are more pro only teams taking part.

The driving roster in WEC GT3 is made up of amateurs. IMSA has GT3 'pro' but that is a handful of cars. Yes you can argue about 'manufacturer' involvement but WEC has even restricted which makes are allowed to enter. That's not competition to the SRO series which is open to all makes. There's only one Mustang in GTWCE because there aren't enough cars built yet, and the Corvette is also new. The Lexus and Hondas are old cars

The point I made was that GT3 is a support class in both those series, not the main focus.

DTM amd GTWCE Sprint don't ger the diversity of cars because sprint racing doesn'g suit all of the makes.

[tomcug]

Originally Posted by chunterer

IMSA has GT3 'pro' but that is a handful of cars.

That's true but still it's better to have a handful of pro cars instead of 0 like in the WEC.

[flatlandsman]

I agree I think in time you might see GT3LM split like IMSA,

[v8supes]

I don’t think you’ll see a two class GT3 split in WEC because the costs are astronomical for GT3 level racing. In DSCs latest piece about the ELMS return to Silverstone it’s revealed that a single season in GT3 is £4.2m. Seems absurdly high

[flatlandsman]

it depends on who is paying which is why the Am discussion is so vital in modern endurance racing, without them it would be very difficult to have the grids they do in ALL series. If you have hundreds of millions as a lot of these people do, this is nothing. You see no return but this to you is fun.

Have you seen the world lately???

[GT3_Fan]

LMGT3 right now is fine as it is. It just needs to be enhanced in two ways.... 1) Add two Mercedes to make it a 20 car grid. 2) More TV coverage.

[flatlandsman]

Was not really saying there was anything too much wrong with it, but I would like to see a Pro/AM split one day, it is not likely due to paddock sizes etc, but maybe long term there could be races that do it.

[TF110]

I hope the aco drop the changes to the aero these cars must undertake. They should run the cars as every other GT3 series does. They can control speeds with (rather crappy) tires in those series, the ACO can do the same.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by TF110

I hope the aco drop the changes to the aero these cars must undertake. They should run the cars as every other GT3 series does.

+ 1.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by TF110

I hope the aco drop the changes to the aero these cars must undertake. They should run the cars as every other GT3 series does. They can control speeds with (rather crappy) tires in those series, the ACO can do the same.

As much as this makes sense, expecting the ACO to effectively concede that SRO got it spot-on is a step too far, given previous examples of the two organisations working fabulously well together.

[chernaudi]

That's true, but the ACO and FIA used to be at each other's throats during the Balestre and Mosley eras until Todt succeeded them. Probably helped that Todt was a sportscar guy and only ended up at Ferrari in F1 mostly because Peugeot were wavering back and forth about going into F1 (which ultimately happened, and was largely a disaster, possibly because of Todt leaving Peugeot in July of 1993 due to Peugeot being slow to commit to F1).