GT Open 2017

[hondafan37]

I think this series should accept CN and LMP3 (open engine rules , including Ginetta G57 )with the GT3. All 3 categories in the same competitive conditions so that anyone can get an overall victory. I remember with pleasure the battles between P1 and P2 in the ALMS. We also have a lot of GT3 series and in this way could be different and perhaps interesting.

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by hondafan37

I think this series should accept CN and LMP3 (open engine rules , including Ginetta G57 )with the GT3. All 3 categories in the same competitive conditions so that anyone can get an overall victory. I remember with pleasure the battles between P1 and P2 in the ALMS. We also have a lot of GT3 series and in this way could be different and perhaps interesting.

We definitely don't need another LMP3 championship

But I would love to see this series host some more unusual entries.

Things like the Glickenhaus, Radical, etc

I actually think GT Open would welcome most types of GT car, but the ruleset obviously isn't too hospitable hence why we now see GT3 only

Honestly, I still really enjoy GT Open races, the slightly lower quality of drivers on the Am side makes for more unpredictable racing, you see some good fighting and plenty of mistakes.

For a ridiculously professional race I was Blancpain Sprint, for something often a little more down to earth and messy I watch GT Open, and enjoy both for each reason

[TheNewBob]

Originally Posted by Bcarr6

We definitely don't need another LMP3 championship

But I would love to see this series host some more unusual entries.

Things like the Glickenhaus, Radical, etc

I actually think GT Open would welcome most types of GT car, but the ruleset obviously isn't too hospitable hence why we now see GT3 only

I wonder if the way forward for GT Open is not prototypes or GT3-paced oddities, but more towards GT4 instead? They're cheaper and its another class on the rise at the minute.

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by TheNewBob

I wonder if the way forward for GT Open is not prototypes or GT3-paced oddities, but more towards GT4 instead? They're cheaper and its another class on the rise at the minute.

Endurance-Info had an interview with GT Open head honcho Jesus Pareja a few days ago. He said the series will be GT3-only for the foreseeable future.

[hondafan37]

Originally Posted by Bcarr6

We definitely don't need another LMP3 championship

But I would love to see this series host some more unusual entries.

Things like the Glickenhaus, Radical, etc

I actually think GT Open would welcome most types of GT car, but the ruleset obviously isn't too hospitable hence why we now see GT3 only

Honestly, I still really enjoy GT Open races, the slightly lower quality of drivers on the Am side makes for more unpredictable racing, you see some good fighting and plenty of mistakes.

For a ridiculously professional race I was Blancpain Sprint, for something often a little more down to earth and messy I watch GT Open, and enjoy both for each reason

Another LMP3 championship? which?
Did you read what I wrote?
In all LMP3 championships combined with GT3, LMP3 is the first category and GT3 is the second.
I am talking about all 3 categories in the same competitive conditions so that anyone can get an overall victory, like Le Mans in the end of 90s. GT1 vs LMP fighting for overall victory in that moment, GT3 vs LMP3 vs CN fighting for overall victory now.

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by hondafan37

Another LMP3 championship? which?

Did you read what I wrote?

In all LMP3 championships combined with GT3, LMP3 is the first category and GT3 is the second.

I am talking about all 3 categories in the same competitive conditions so that anyone can get an overall victory, like Le Mans in the end of 90s. GT1 vs LMP fighting for overall victory in that moment, GT3 vs LMP3 vs CN fighting for overall victory now.

No I totally understood what you meant, I just don't believe there's any need for another space for LMP3 in Europe. There's already 6 series running P3 in Europe this year that I can think of off the top of my head

But I do agree with your sentiment of having a Open competitive condition for multiple classes. I'd be happy to see some unusual entries in GT Open, but more focused around GT cars

[hondafan37]

Originally Posted by Bcarr6

No I totally understood what you meant, I just don't believe there's any need for another space for LMP3 in Europe. There's already 6 series running P3 in Europe this year that I can think of off the top of my head

But I do agree with your sentiment of having a Open competitive condition for multiple classes. I'd be happy to see some unusual entries in GT Open, but more focused around GT cars

I guess they are not so far our views we both want more variety than just GT3

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by hondafan37

Another LMP3 championship? which?
Did you read what I wrote?
In all LMP3 championships combined with GT3, LMP3 is the first category and GT3 is the second.
I am talking about all 3 categories in the same competitive conditions so that anyone can get an overall victory, like Le Mans in the end of 90s. GT1 vs LMP fighting for overall victory in that moment, GT3 vs LMP3 vs CN fighting for overall victory now.

What's the incentive for the LMP3s, though, to run in this series vs one where they can run without being pegged back to the level of the GT3s?

Also: I'm not sure I'd feel particularly at ease in a 1000lb CN-car sharing the track with GT3 behemoths almost three times that weight.

[Bcarr6]

Drives school at back with a new AMG GT3

Drivex - Mercedes AMG GT3 - Marcelo Hahn / Allam Khodair

Getting to be an exciting entry this year:

GT Open 2017

Confirmed:

Balfe Motorsport - McLaren 650s GT3 - Rob Bell / Shaun Balfe

SF Racing - Ferrari 488 GT3 - Fu Songyang / TBA

Imperiale Racing - Lamborghini Huracan GT3 - TBA

Imperiale Racing - Lamborghini Huracan GT3 - TBA

AF Corse - Ferrari 488 GT3 - Piergiuseppe Perazzini / Marco Cioci

SPS Automotive - Mercedes AMG GT3 - Valentin Pierburg / Tom Onslow-Cole

FFF Racing Team - Lamborghini Huracan GT3 - Antonio Luizzi / Hitoshi Hamaguichi

Solaris Motorsport - Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 - Francesco Sini / Mauro Calamia

Drivex - Mercedes AMG GT3 - Marcelo Hahn / Allam Khodair

Teo Martin Motorsport - BMW M6 GT3 - TBA

Teo Martin Motorsport - BMW M6 GT3 - TBA

Witt Racing - Bentley Continental GT3 - Jordan Witt / David Witt

Garage 59 Racing - McLaren 650s GT3 - Alexander West / Come Ledogar

Garage 59 Racing - McLaren 650s GT3 - Mike Benham / Duncan Tappy

Raton Racing - Lamborghini Huracan GT3 - Eduardo Liberati / Link Kang

Spirit of Race - Ferrari 488 GT3 - Mikkel Mac / Miguel Ramos

Sports & You - Mercedes AMG GT3 - TBA

Farnbacher Racing - Lexus RC F GT3 - Mario Farnbacher / Dominik Farnbacher


Partial Season:

Emil Frey Racing - Lexus RC F GT3 - Albert Balboa / Lorenz Frey (Estoril only so far)

Kaspersky Motorsport - Ferrari 488 GT3 - Alex Moiseev / Giancarlo Fisichella (Spa and Ricard)

Factory Team - Arrinera Hussarya GT - TBA (late season)

[Bcarr6]

Sports & You - Mercedes AMG GT3 - Nono Figueiredo / Marcio Basso

[Bcarr6]

FF Corse - Ferrari 488 GT3 - Ivor Dunbar / Johnny Mowlem

[Bcarr6]

MS Racing - Mercedes AMG GT3 - Martin Konrad / Alexander Hrachowina

Imperiale Racing - Lamborghini Huracan GT3 - Thomas Biagi / Giovanni Venturini

Imperiale Racing - Lamborghini Huracan GT3 - Vito Postiglione / Andrea Fontana

[Bcarr6]

Teo Martin Motorsport - BMW M6 GT3 - Lorenco Beiro / Antonio Felix Da Costa / Tiago Monteiro (Tiago & Antonio share second seat)

[Bcarr6]

Well that's confusing

Victor Bouveng will actually be the main driver in that car.

Lorenco Beiro will be the second driver in Estoril

After that Da Costa and Monteiro will alternate

[Bcarr6]

Figueiredo / Marcio Basso

Sports & You - Mercedes AMG GT3 -Antonio Coimbra / Luis Silva

[TF110]

Here's Farnbacher's RC F GT3
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTLzmspjOLC/

[Juntos]

Originally Posted by TF110

Here's Farnbacher's RC F GT3
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTLzmspjOLC/

Is the car homologated? The longest journey begins with the first step.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Juntos

Is the car homologated? The longest journey begins with the first step.

It's the same one running in IMSA and Super GT. I would say it's homologated...?

[Bcarr6]

24 car grid for this weeks opener, outstanding turn around from last season that struggled last 14 cars per race

[TF110]

Here's Emil Frey's Lexus

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTTBvMlB_F8/

[Bcarr6]

GT OPEN - ESTORIL ENTRY LIST


PRO CLASS

No.1 - Imperiale Racing - Lamborghini Huracan GT3 - Thomas Biagi / Giovanni Venturini

No.007 - Solaris Motorsport - Aston Martin Vantage GT3 - Francesco Sini / Mauro Calamia

No.11 - Raton Racing - Lamborghini Huracan GT3 - Edoardo Liberati / Kang Ling

No.23 - Imperiale Racing - Lamborghini Huracan GT3 - Vito Postiglione / Andrea Fontana

No.51 - RACE BMW Team Teo Martin - BMW M6 GT3 - Lourenco Beirao da Veiga / Antonio Felix da Costa

No.54 - Emil Frey Lexus Racing - Lexus RC F GT3 - Alberta Costa / Phillipp Frommenwiler

No.55 - Farnbacher Racing - Lexus RC F GT3 - Dominik Farnbacher / Mario Farnbacher

No.65 - RACE BMW Team Teo Martin - BMW M6 GT3 - Victor Bouveng / Fran Rueda

No.488 - Spirit of Race - Ferrari 488 GT3 - Miguel Ramos / Mikkel Mac Jensen


PRO AM CLASS

No.5 - SF Racing - Ferrari 488 GT3 - Fu Songyang / Andrea Caldarelli

No.8 - AF Corse - Ferrari 488 GT3 - Piergiuseppe Perazzini / Marco Cioci

No.12 - Sports & You - Mercedes AMG GT3 - Marcio Basso / Fulvio Figueiredo

No.16 - Drivex School - Mercedes AMG GT3 - Marcelo Hahn / Allan Khodair

No.20 - SPS Automotive - Mercedes AMG GT3 - Valentin Pierburg / Tom Onslow-Cole

No.22 - Balfe Motorsport - McLaren 650s GT3 - Shaun Balfe / Rob Bell

No.24 - Garage 59 - McLaren 650s GT3 - Michael Benham / Duncan Tappy

No.25 - FF Corse / Ferrari 488 GT3 - Ivor Dunbar / Johnny Mowlem

No.88 - Garage 59 - McLaren 650s GT3 - Alexander West / Come Ledogar

No.555 - FFF Racing Team by ACM - Lamborghini Huracan GT3 - Hiroshi Hamaguichi / Vitantonio Liuzzi


AM CLASS

No.10 - Jordan Racing - Bentley Continetal GT3 - Jordan Witt / Christ Stockton

No.14 - Antonio Nogueira - Porsche 997 GT3 R - Antonio Nogueira / TBA

No.62 - RACE BMW Team Teo Martin - BMW M6 GT3 - Filipe Barreiros / Francisco Guedes

No.74 - MS Racing - Mercedes AMG GT3 - Alexander Hrachowina / Martin Konrad

No.99 - Sports & You - Mercedes AMG GT3 - Antonio Coimbra / Luis Silva

[Bcarr6]

So there's the entry for Estoril separated by PRO, PRO AM, and AM

i think this is the first time there's a pro class no? I thought all were pro am last year. Makes for a good entry but shame the mclarens won't be fighting for the overall win

4 Ferrari's, 4 Lambos, 5 Mercedes

Teo Martin have ramped up to 3 cars too

And of course those two pro class RC F's running there first sprint race where they are in the top class..

Pro Am looks hard to call a favourite, with ten cars all looking pretty even

9 cars in pro should be a good dog fight, Antonio Felix da Costa up against Venturini should be interesting, two well experienced factory guns

5 Am cars should make a nice fight too

[MaskedRacer]

Good come back for GT Open. This is the best the series has looked since the peak of the GTE/GT3 battles in 2013. I have not followed GT Open since then. Will give it a look this year though. I still think they should open up the series to a GTE class though.

[TF110]

I used to watch this series a few years back but fell out of interest with the low grid counts. I will watch again now that the numbers are back up. And of course I want to see the Lexus's do a good job . I think the Farnbacher guys will be one's to watch.

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by TF110

I used to watch this series a few years back but fell out of interest with the low grid counts. I will watch again now that the numbers are back up. And of course I want to see the Lexus's do a good job . I think the Farnbacher guys will be one's to watch.

Definitely, I don't know what the Emil Frey pairing is like in terms of talent but the Farnbacher boys are always solid

I'm curious how the RC F will fair in general having been so focused on Endurance so far