[FIA GT] FIA GT2 Spa 24 Hours • Spa • July 30-Aug 1st

[arakis]

well there is some of that in there, but the porsches at spa were slower no only compared to the bmws, but abnormaly slower to the ferrari as well, so my guess would be porsche downtuned their engines for 24h races this year, it woud explain the diff at Le Mans as well

[Spyderman]

Arakis - I have thought about that too. If that is indeed the case, then it seems to me like a very risky move (on Porsche's part) as the only way that strategy guarantees a win, is by betting that your competition wont make it to the end (without major problems). If they do not have problems, then you you are simply not able to keep up and will find yourself many laps down.

[ubrben]

Originally Posted by NightStalk3r

Im pretty sure the Michelin runners were on the spec GT2 tire that FIA GT used last year, and if you compare laptimes last year between the LMS and FIA GT on tracks both series visited, the FIA GT on Spec tires was a good 2seconds or more slower than the LMS on development tires on the same track, so if BMW were really using last years development tires then it is no wonder they were much quicker, and it really is a poor decision by the FIA to allow them to be used, if they are going to allow BMW to use development tires then they should allow everyone else to use them.

The point is that if Michelin chose to bring slower tyres to FIA that's their prerogative. If Dunlop decided to bring something a little better they haven't broken any rule.

This is the fundamental issue with the FIA GT tyre regs, they allow competition between tyre manufacturers but it's not totally free competition -you have to homologate a spec and it's fixed. Basically SRO want a one brand but hasn't forced it on people because Michelin want to win in a competitive environment. When it was Pirelli that was fine for them.

I think the point about Porsche turning the cars down relative to Ferrari is also relevant. Plus it's hard to compare lap times between different events. Temperatures and track condition are going to play a role in any time gap.

Ben

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by ubrben

This is the fundamental issue with the FIA GT tyre regs, they allow competition between tyre manufacturers but it's not totally free competition -you have to homologate a spec and it's fixed. Basically SRO want a one brand but hasn't forced it on people because Michelin want to win in a competitive environment. When it was Pirelli that was fine for them.

According to http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...race-notebook/ all GT2 cars are supposed to run on the Michelin control tyre. BMW, clever as always, elected to race in the GTN class, which allowed them to run on their favorite Dunlop tyre.

[racerspics]

I heard the top Porsches were running on factory tyres. There was no strategy about the laptimes. They where running at the limit. The BMWs where about 2 sec. fast in nearly every round. But the Porsche where more efficient and didn`t stop as often as the BMWs.

I have lots of pics in my galery. Hope you like it.

here are the links:


:: overview

:: GT1 qualification

:: GT1 race 1

:: GT1 race 2


:: 24h qualification

:: 24h start

:: 24h evening

:: 24h night and sunday morning

:: 24h impressions

Greetz Ralf

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by racerspics

I heard the top Porsches were running on factory tyres. There was no strategy about the laptimes. They where running at the limit. The BMWs where about 2 sec. fast in nearly every round. But the Porsche where more efficient and didn`t stop as often as the BMWs.

I have lots of pics in my galery. Hope you like it.

here are the links:


:: overview

:: GT1 qualification

:: GT1 race 1

:: GT1 race 2


:: 24h qualification

:: 24h start

:: 24h evening

:: 24h night and sunday morning

:: 24h impressions

Greetz Ralf

Well...then they obviously have two limits, as they were doing 2:20 laps in the 1000Km race at Spa.

[ubrben]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

According to http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...race-notebook/ all GT2 cars are supposed to run on the Michelin control tyre. BMW, clever as always, elected to race in the GTN class, which allowed them to run on their favorite Dunlop tyre.

Not correct.

The Michelin isn't a "control" tyre as in a one brand. FIA GT works by allowing all tyre manufacturers to compete, but they are only allowed to submit two specifications "soft" and "hard" if you like (in FIA GT3 it's a single spec only). They can be changed at the start of each season, but once the season starts they can't be changed.

The problem this year is that FIA GT2 doesn't exist apart from Spa. Dunlop haven't done FIA GT recently and therefore had to submit tyres for the first time at this event. If FIA GT2 had run as a championship then these would have been submitted in Feb/March. The fact that Dunlop apparently chose tyres they developed only last year is entirely up to them and not in breach of any rule.

BMW were in GTN because Ratel doesn't want saloon cars in GT2 - it has nothing to do with the tyre choice as others on this thread have pointed out.

Ben

[arakis]

Originally Posted by ubrben

GTN because Ratel doesn't want saloon cars in GT2 - it has nothing to do with the tyre choice as others on this thread have pointed out.

Ben

Nope, BMWs are in the GTN category because they DO NOT confirm with the GT2 rules. either the aco or the FIA (witch are the same)
the difference being that the Aco alowes them to race without comfirming to the rules, the FIA does not!
-and I know it is writen in the rules that the ACO has the right to not folow specs, but that does not oblige the FIA to do the same. so the fact that they do not race in the GT2 Fia class is proof that they are not a GT2 car

[stuart thompson]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

According to http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...race-notebook/ all GT2 cars are supposed to run on the Michelin control tyre. BMW, clever as always, elected to race in the GTN class, which allowed them to run on their favorite Dunlop tyre.

Elected? Ratel doesn't want them!

[arakis]

exacly, they didn't elect to go into the gtn class, but they did benefit from it

[insanity_mc]

Our pictures of the Spa 24H are online

http://www.motorsports-online.net/

Some teasers:

GT1:



Spa 24H:



Around the track:



Greetings,

Insanity

[porsche91722]

The gridgirls seemed to have enjoyed each others company and provided a bit of a sideshow over the weekend.

[Splendid Cat]

Originally Posted by porsche91722

The gridgirls seemed to have enjoyed each others company and provided a bit of a sideshow over the weekend.

I briefly watched the "carwash show" on Saturday before the race situated behind the open grandstands. All I can say is cheap and tacky.

[arakis]

Originally Posted by Splendid Cat

All I can say is cheap and tacky.

the only way to go! I mean we are talking about beer guzzling, petrol breathing motorsport fans here!

[I Rosputnik]

The girls seem to like each other quite a bit!

Nice pictures!

[Yakuncha]

Originally Posted by Splendid Cat

I briefly watched the "carwash show" on Saturday before the race situated behind the open grandstands. All I can say is cheap and tacky.

'He who is fussy, doesnt get any puss......'

[rogerwills]

Originally Posted by dj4monie

I saw that and congrats, but somebody needs to tell Wills to step away from the dinner table I'm sure its worth a tenth or two.

BTW I would tell Mark Blundell the same thing...

My lap times were just fine thank you. Second quickest in the car in all conditions over the weekend in only my first modern race.

"formerly banned"..... Shame they let you back in.......

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by rogerwills

My lap times were just fine thank you. Second quickest in the car in all conditions over the weekend in only my first modern race.

"formerly banned"..... Shame they let you back in.......

L.P.

[MJ_N_09]

Owned