[FIA GT] GT1 World Championship 2011

[JAG]

From that Vitaphone interview -

It is therefore possible to see the Vitaphone Racing in another category in the future, why not as the GT2?

"Everything is possible! Wait and see... In which category do you see the Vitaphone Racing Team? (Laughs) "

[Stahler]

I really like direction where contemporary LM GT2 class is heading. For me, that is the true world championship, not this Rat's parade of outdated cars. I think that it's impossible / too expensive today to build a grid full of 'true' 650bhp GT1 beasts, as we knew them. But it would be great to see GT1 versions of Zonda, Koenigsegg, FXX etc...

[joeb]

To me the thing that sets GT1 apart from GT2 is the visual aggressiveness of the GT1 aero. If the current GT2/E cars had more of a Super GT bodywork look I don't think anybody would mind. Although that would likely increase the already high costs to run in said class.

[Simmi]

So the conclusion we are coming to is this is a championship that takes the used cars from other championships when they don't want them any more. I don't see how that will ever change if the demand is only ever going to be for four cars. Inevitably that will rise to six machines when the MC12, DBR9 and C6R leave and nothing replaces them. But who is going to plough money into making a new car to win that championship?

Where as I'm sure manufacturers would lend a hand to sorting/selling off some of their old GT2 cars while endurance ranks open up their regs to evolve the cars. Four years later the same thing probably happens again. It's a Graveyard Tourers championship.

[Purist]

I could care less if the cars are "outdated", as you call them, in GT1. They're still superior cars in my mind, so it would be pointless to replace them with newer, but inferior, product on the racetrack.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Purist

I could care less if the cars are "outdated", as you call them, in GT1. They're still superior cars in my mind, so it would be pointless to replace them with newer, but inferior, product on the racetrack.

I don't think anyone is saying they aren't great cars. The sound, the look is all top notch. But what you are saying doesn't work in theory. I'm not a homolgation expert but I'm assuming that once the papers run out they just can't be used.

So to keep these same cars running is fine - if you want a historics championship. Or the FIA Mid-to-late 2000's GT World Championship. It has to have a long-term plan.

And using that attitude of inferior cars there would be 0 LMP entries to Le Mans next year. It's simply not an argument.

[Speed-King]

As long as the corresponding roadcars are in production, homologation should not be an issue, so the Aston and the Corvette could easily be grandfathered for another season, as both are still in production and will be for a couple of years at least.

[I Rosputnik]

Originally Posted by Purist

The GT2 Corvette doesn't have the aggression to stand next to the GT1 version. The Doran Ford GT2 looks like it was left in the press too long, and so has lost those wonderfully sculpted lines that Matech has recaptured in their GT1 variant. A V8 Vantage is no DBR9, and a Gallardo is no Murcielago. Also, I just have never thought the proportions on the Gallardo, either in road or racing trim, ever looked quite right.

The Ferrari 360/430 and 458 all just look too clinical to be fitting GT1s. I could say the same for the new McLaren, which is just too toned-down/refined compared to its F1 predecessor. The Lotus Evora just doesn't have the aggression in the road-going versions for me to be able to picture it as a real GT1. Maybe, the new Lotus Esprit would work, but then, it looks too close to the Gallardo, so I'd either want the Lotus or the Lambo in, but not both in that scenario.

The Mercedes SLS would definitely make a fitting GT1 in my book. As for the Audi R8, I've just never gotten really into the look of the road car, and the GT3 version just hasn't done it for me either. Anyway, if you're going to make a GT1 out of Audi bits, the most fitting machine to do it from I would have to say is a Gumpert Apollo. If you're going to make a new, Ferrari-based GT1, use the Enzo FXX or the P4/5 as the platform.

The only reason why I feel a LMGT reg switch makes sense as a long term swtich is I'm concerned how new cars will be brought in. While I strongly believe conversion kit's for GT2's and GT3's would make sense on a short term basis, I feel keeping the regulations in sync with the ACO's package would allow constructors to build GT's for any top-tier championship without having to worry about regulations. I really want this championship to work, not turn out like the WTCC, and have a strong set of regulations with a variety of different sportscars.

On the other hand though, maybe the SRO might make the GT1 regs work in business sense? Maybe in a few years time they might be called GT1's but might look completely different? Maybe LMGT might reach a point where the cars cost too much? It will be interesting and exciting to watch how the cars change.

But ignoring what I've said, I prefer GT1's to LMGT car wise simply for the looks and sounds, and I'd rather see the cars out on track rather then being idle in some museum...

[NightStalk3r]

Originally Posted by Purist

The GT2 Corvette doesn't have the aggression to stand next to the GT1 version. The Doran Ford GT2 looks like it was left in the press too long, and so has lost those wonderfully sculpted lines that Matech has recaptured in their GT1 variant. A V8 Vantage is no DBR9, and a Gallardo is no Murcielago. Also, I just have never thought the proportions on the Gallardo, either in road or racing trim, ever looked quite right.

The only aggressive looking FIA GT1 car at the moment is the Matech Ford GT, The Corvette GT1 has never looked particularly aggressive and the DBR9 looks pathetic with that poxy little rear wing on it now, The GT2 Corvette looks far more aggressive with those flared fenders than the GT1 car does, the MC12 looks just like the road car and the V8 Vantage has a far more aggressive stance and sound than the DBR9.

[Purist]

The Corvette GT1 has the wider body and sharper edges, which gives it a more aggressive presence than the GT2, as well as having a deeper, more reverberating engine note, since it has a 7.0-litre lump, instead of the 6.2 from 2009, or the 5.5-litre unit they're now using on the standard GT2 car.

The Aston Martin Vantage GT2 has a front grille with a shape such that, at least in most liveries I've seen, it makes the main body of the car look more blunt (or fatter) than is the case with the DBR9. Also, the Vantage just looks too flat overall vertically. The DBR9 has that noticeable hood bulge, and the body and roof as a whole have a bit of a bulge to them, which gives a more sculpted appearance to the car. And like the Corvettes, the GT1 Aston, as compared with the GT2, has the wider body. The V8 Vantage doesn't have a bad sound, but I like my wailing V12s too, and that's what the DBR9 has. Also, the GT ranks already have some rumbling V8s. And I really haven't noticed the wing change on the DBR9, so that argument won't work either.

It's beside the point whether the MC12 looks like the road car. In most liveries, either one looks like a low, sleek, wraith cutting its path along the tarmac. And unlike the other Italian offerings in GT1 or GT2, or even the Enzo itself, the MC12 has some of those long, luscious curves that evoke that famed Italian passion.

The Lamborghini Murcielago, unlike the Gallardo, just has the right proportions, and that glorious V12 wail. Also, whereas the Gallardo GT2s and GT3s, if anything, look like they're just that bit too bulbous and carrying extra weight (fat), that clean, trim wedge of the Murcielago just slices its way along the racetrack.

[TF110]

So, no LFA with Vitaphone?

[I Rosputnik]

Originally Posted by TF110

So, no LFA with Vitaphone?

Nothing yet.

***

Endurance Info have had a very interesting interview with Aston Martin reguarding GT1.

The interesting thing to note is that they are building a V12 Vantage for GT3. I wonder if they will convert a few of these. This is why I like conversion kits; you can develop for two classes.

[Deleted]

Yas Marina 2011 schedule

It would appear that next year's Abu Dhabi round will take place on 25-26 of March. Quite a bit earlier than in 2010.

[TF110]

They'll kick off their season a bit after F1 does. Sounds about right.

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Yas Marina 2011 schedule

It would appear that next year's Abu Dhabi round will take place on 25-26 of March. Quite a bit earlier than in 2010.

They want to fill that gigantic hole the ALMS has left in its schedule courtesy of the ACO's desire to have a Test Weekend.

[NaBUru38]

V12 in GT3??? That shouldn't be allowed.

dj4monie, what do a FIA GT Abu Dhabi race and ALMS have to do?

[I Rosputnik]

All-Inkl.com Münnich Motorsport unsure whether to do next year.

It would be a shame to see them go. Rieter and All-Inkl.com are beginning to put in results.

[Yakuncha]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

V12 in GT3??? That shouldn't be allowed.

Why not? Works for the DBRS9

[Canada ALMS fan]

Do we have a running car count for the 2011 season yet? Are we 100% sure there will be a next season?

[I Rosputnik]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

Do we have a running car count for the 2011 season yet? Are we 100% sure there will be a next season?

As far as I am aware, Sumo Power, Matech, Mad Croc, Hexis, Young Driver and Rieter all look like they could be returning next year. I'm not sure about everyone else, but I'm sure we might see Vitaphone come back in some shape or form.

Calendar will be annouced in mid December. (So they say.)

[Canada ALMS fan]

A member of Matech told me at Petit Le Mans that they would not continue in GT1 unless an outside sponsor was found for 2011. This is one of the reasons why they are looking for customers of the their GT2 car, he said they aren't really interested in funding an effort (entirely) themselves.

[I Rosputnik]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

A member of Matech told me at Petit Le Mans that they would not continue in GT1 unless an outside sponsor was found for 2011. This is one of the reasons why they are looking for customers of the their GT2 car, he said they aren't really interested in funding an effort (entirely) themselves.

And Matech was formed to achieve having Ford GT's running at Le Mans again, which they can't do with a GT1 car anymore...

It doesn't look too good, but I hope they do come back. If Richard Westbrook can be a force to be reckoned with in a few races, god knows how strong he would be over a season in GT1.

[rich07]

Originally Posted by I Rosputnik

All-Inkl.com Münnich Motorsport unsure whether to do next year.

It would be a shame to see them go. Rieter and All-Inkl.com are beginning to put in results.

So what happens next year-will there still be the requirement to have four cars from each marque or will it be whoever turns up like in days of old (yes I know there are 3 Corvettes right now but that happened mid season so thats different). Hope All Inkl return though, the more of those mighty Murcielagos the better.

Wonder if SRT will return with Nissan going by how their season has gone.

I have to say Sumo Power have done a really good job this year, I had my doubts when they announced their plans for 2010 on whether they could compete at a level such as this-I was wrong, hats off to them.

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

V12 in GT3??? That shouldn't be allowed.

dj4monie, what do a FIA GT Abu Dhabi race and ALMS have to do?

Because they only race twice in the ALMS before the Le Mans Test Break, which runs from April to the July 4th Weekend!

There will be about two-three week break between the Dhadi round and the Silverstone race if the schedule largely remains the same as this year.

Together they have nothing to do with each other, from a fan's perspective, its a HUGE gap for the ALMS not to be mentioned in America for a Sports Car fan.

[dj4monie]

Originally Posted by rich07

So what happens next year-will there still be the requirement to have four cars from each marque or will it be whoever turns up like in days of old (yes I know there are 3 Corvettes right now but that happened mid season so thats different). Hope All Inkl return though, the more of those mighty Murcielagos the better.

Wonder if SRT will return with Nissan going by how their season has gone.

I have to say Sumo Power have done a really good job this year, I had my doubts when they announced their plans for 2010 on whether they could compete at a level such as this-I was wrong, hats off to them.

When the Gigawave deal fell apart Sumo Power stepped up to take their place, they got their cars sooner than SRT did. I believe one of the Gigawave car is being used by Sumo Power.

Sumo Power was able to put a testing program together. SRT was late getting the car and late signing drivers. Ara/Moser was much better this weekend actually.

I don't know if all the Ford GT's will drop away. If both MarcVDS and Matech drop the series, somebody might pick up the slack since that car is capable of winning in the right hands.

Car counts is not really a concern with me, I think 95% of the current teams will return.

When the Matech rep spoke about sponsors, did they mean team sponsors?