2023 GT World Challenge America

[broadrun96]

TCR is the SRO internationally homologated manufacturer produced touring car regs. You can, and a few in HSR have, buy the car directly at a dealer and take it racing. I think SVRA actually runs the DSG and sequential in separate classifications, think that covers old VW and the Audis

All the TC car run in assorted spec to add to TC class, BMW, Toyota, Mini and Mazda just to make sure no one really knows what's gonna run. But without those added cars I think they would have only Hyundais and Hondas in TCR but I don't even see them any more in SRO list. Alfa runs their only US program in IMSA with an exception as they don't sell that car here but pay to play.

Personally am surprised they aren't more straight TCR cars in SRO Americas, IMSA drew 13 cars across 4 makes, Audi, Hyundai, Honda and an Alfa. Looks like ViR drew 25 TC class cars but it looks like they are all WC homologation not TCR

[joeb]

I don't know what a C7 Corvette GT3 is, but one is entered for Nashville:

Mishumotors Corvette tests ahead of Nashville

Mishumotors’ Corvette C7 GT3-R has been out testing ahead of its appearence in the GT America event on the streets of Nashville this weekend.

In the event, the car will run #70 and be driven by Mirco Schultis.

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/...1-08-2023.html

[broadrun96]

Callaway Vette I'm guessing, give it some good BoP and let win for Reeves

[Coach Ep]

It's a Callaway C7, older type GT3 and it has been participating in GT America for a couple of years now. Schultis is of (Dutch) SuperCar Challenge and ALMS LMPC 'fame', supporting his racing exploits with the 'Dress For Less' brand.

He can be credited for giving Renger van der Zande the opportunity to establish his reputation in IMSA when they teamed up for Starworks, resulting in multiple class wins (not sure if they ever won a championship as it also were Core's LMPC heydays).

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

It's a Callaway C7, older type GT3 and it has been participating in GT America for a couple of years now. Schultis is of (Dutch) SuperCar Challenge and ALMS LMPC 'fame', supporting his racing exploits with the 'Dress For Less' brand.

He can be credited for giving Renger van der Zande the opportunity to establish his reputation in IMSA when they teamed up for Starworks, resulting in multiple class wins (not sure if they ever won a championship as it also were Core's LMPC heydays).

Thanks, the name sounded familiar but couldn't remember from where.

[GT3_Fan]

They Indy 8 should have been open to at least GT2 cars. I'm not sure why SRO never has been open either to the Porsche GT 992 Cup and Lambo Super Trofeo cars running either. I do agree to not have GT4.

[broadrun96]

Corvettes in GT WC for 2024

https://sportscar365.com/sro/world-c...t3-rs-in-2024/

DXDT 2 car effort to start at COTA, likely 1 MB to carry on as well it sounds like

[broadrun96]

Looks like DXDT will carry over drivers and one new pairing in a Vette

"He indicated that its existing driver lineups, consisting of Bryan Sellers/Scott Smithson and Corey Lewis/Jeff Burton will continue, with one pairing in a Corvette and another in a Mercedes for the season, alongside an all-new lineup for the second Corvette." S365 notebook from Indy

[Akrapovic]

Gotta be honest, the Indy 8 hours does nothing for me. Can we have the GTWC America round somewhere better than this? 8 hours of Road America or something.

[GT3_Fan]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Gotta be honest, the Indy 8 hours does nothing for me. Can we have the GTWC America round somewhere better than this? 8 hours of Road America or something.

It could use a few more cars but I like it so far. Road America is too big of a track to run this race on. Watkins Glen on the short course (no boot) would be my pick in the future.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Gotta be honest, the Indy 8 hours does nothing for me. Can we have the GTWC America round somewhere better than this? 8 hours of Road America or something.

Well you could watch the other Roval event this weekend at Charlotte?

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Well you could watch the other Roval event this weekend at Charlotte?

Unfortunately a bit late in the evening for me.

I love GTWC, inc GTWC America. It's just a bit flat that the biggest race of the year is...this. Imagine if GTWC Europe decided their IGTC event was the 15 hours of Barcelona or something.

[J Jay]

I wouldn't be giving Ratel any ideas if I were you...

Actually, SRO are quite pragmatic when it comes to venues/schedules. Until there is an uptick in numbers, there won't be a change to the Indy 8 Hours. Indianapolis provides other benefits that make up for the "meh" circuit; it's the best circuit facility-wise that SRO could reasonably use in America.

[v8supes]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Unfortunately a bit late in the evening for me.

I love GTWC, inc GTWC America. It's just a bit flat that the biggest race of the year is...this. Imagine if GTWC Europe decided their IGTC event was the 15 hours of Barcelona or something.

I agree with you. The Indy event does nothing for me. Indy is a fantastic facility and has amazing history but i just find the track layout very boring. Grandstands virtually empty too.

Not sure it helps that from about 20 minutes into the race it was very obvious that one of the BMWs was going to win.

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Gotta be honest, the Indy 8 hours does nothing for me. Can we have the GTWC America round somewhere better than this? 8 hours of Road America or something.

GT3, GT4, Cup cars (Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo, Ford Mustang), fastest TC cars and boom you have 50 entries. Instant classic.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

GT3, GT4, Cup cars (Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo, Ford Mustang), fastest TC cars and boom you have 50 entries. Instant classic.

This would improve it for sure, but I just think the track is the most uninspiring in North America lol. Maybe they could keep the venue and just sort out the infield. Everything after that fast chicane needs redone.

[broadrun96]

Just remember, if you want to have other circuits you may have to suffer the cost. Indy has the trackside facilities for the sponsors to press the flesh and make deals that can fund the rest of the season. I don't think this event is really for us but more for the teams to sell themselves

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

This would improve it for sure, but I just think the track is the most uninspiring in North America lol. Maybe they could keep the venue and just sort out the infield. Everything after that fast chicane needs redone.

Rd. America obviously.

[GT3_Fan]

Probably the only current spec Audi R8 GT3 in all of the North American continent.

https://sportscar365.com/sro/gt-amer...title-defense/

[GT3_Fan]

Perhaps we can remove the "2023" part of the thread title.

Entry list for first 2024 race aint good with 13 cars. For a few years I thought the 2 race 90 minute format has been overkill. Still is! A rethink of the format is needed for sure. Not sure what exactly but it needs to differentiate itself from IMSA GTD in a big way.

Despite the small numbers it looks like BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche are represented well. Manufactures and teams from the others need to step up.

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by GT3_Fan

Perhaps we can remove the "2023" part of the thread title.

Entry list for first 2024 race aint good with 13 cars. For a few years I thought the 2 race 90 minute format has been overkill. Still is! A rethink of the format is needed for sure. Not sure what exactly but it needs to differentiate itself from IMSA GTD in a big way.

Despite the small numbers it looks like BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche are represented well. Manufactures and teams from the others need to step up.

Stopped watching it last year, the small grids and 90 min race format combine to create dull dull dull races. You could barely call it racing.

GT America has 21 cars, GT4 America has 28 cars.

21 + 28 + 13 = 62 cars... Its not like SRO is missing car counts, but to have 3 GT3/4 series on the same bill is overkill.

Ive been saying this for years but they should be following British GT format down to a tee.

GT America is absorbed into GTWC America, for some great multi class racing... back to the original world challenge days almost. Any of the GT4's that dont like being the bottom class in GTWC America can run in GT4 America.

Run a calendar of 6 events as currently (Indy 8 is probably going down with IGTC right?!) but vary the length.

Sonoma 2x 1hr races
Sebring 1x 3hr race
COTA 1x 2hr race
VIR 2x 1hr races
Road Am 1x 3hr race
Barber 2x 1hr races

14-15 GT3's is plenty on a multi class grid, add 20-25 GT4s (they clearly have the demand on that front) and you have a handy 35-40 car grid with GT3's doing some fun traffic weaving.

Im sure someone will say boo to the risk of extra damage risk by running multi class, but heck the series wont exist forever if it carries on this path. Incidentally, its curious how SRO are struggling heavily in America and Aus. They seem to have a better grasp in Asia.

[Akrapovic]

Sonoma Thursday track action cancelled as the new surface is being torn up by the cars.

[broadrun96]

Sounds about right for Sonoma, terrible track and it GTs are doing this Cup cars will erase it from the map. And rain forecast for most of today so that should make for great repairs

[JT240Z]

Never attended a Sonoma race. A 90-minute race featuring 13 cars just doesn't do it for me.

[GT3_Fan]

A strange fact is that the only Audi R8 GT3 presence in all of North America is in the Am based GT America?! I wonder if some merge between GT America and GT WC America is needed....like by the next round at Sebring. All of us on here are telling the SRO group. The two race 90 min format does not work. Its time to abandon it now. You can merge the two series. Have two 60 minute races. Optional to change drivers at the mid race pit window. If some teams in GT WC America are complaining about the shorter races reducing track time. Then just increase the practice session length.