Anybody out there following the Grand Am?

[Ardius]

Stupid questions time; I've followed sports car racing avidly for a few years, but I have no idea what Grand-Am is? What class of cars do they use? And what sort of length are most of the events- and does it compare with the ALMS? TBCH I thought the Daytona 24 was a Nascar thing (partly why I never took notice) until I saw a post from Audi Sport on G+ showing their new grand-am R8.

Edit: And have now just seen a fb post from Oreca showing the 'Vette C5R and Viper GTSR - which I thought where older GT1 spec cars!

The Daytona 24 used to be part of the World Sportscar Championship and then later the IMSA GT. It used to be quite the prestiguous race, I've always remembered it because of the Jaguars winning there in the Castrol colours (which I had a scalextric model of the XJR-9 winning car from 1988). Once upon a time, it was considered a "must-win" race along with Spa and Le Mans in sportscars...

An explanation of Grand-Am is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_American_Road_Racing_Association

The cars are a mixture of spec "Daytona Prototypes" class and a general GT class which appears to be effectively an open GT3 class.

 

[SuperShouden]

Grand-Am's adding B-spec races to their lineup. These will all be 4-cyclinder sub-compact cars like the Honda Fit, Mazda 2, Kia Rio, Mini Cooper and others. So...another series to watch.

http://www.grand-am.com/news/index.cfm?series=r&cid=51049

 

[nitrorocks]

I saw this on twitter an hour ago. Isn't it similar to the Continental Tire Sportscar challenge?

 

[Northstar]

I saw this on twitter an hour ago. Isn't it similar to the Continental Tire Sportscar challenge?

Sounds like it will be one tier lower.

 

[nitrorocks]

Sounds like it will be one tier lower.

Will be exciting though

 

[Northstar]

Will be exciting though

I'm not so sure about that since it sounds like it will mostly be an amateur series. Should make it easier to follow some of the younger talent though.

I am happy that they are trying to build a ladder for people to make their way to the top though, they seem to be putting a focus on affordability as well which is a plus.

 

[SuperShouden]

Alright, so, there are about 10 cars that are eligible for Grand-Am GT class that aren't being used. My idea, to get rid of a lot of the Porsches, Mazdas and maybe the Ferraris, is to require all eligible cars to be used and limit the manufacturers to a five first-come-first-served cars.

In case you're curious as to the cars not being used:

1. Aston Martin Vantage
2. BMW M6
3. Hyundai Genesis
4. Infiniti G35/G37
5. Jaguar XK
6. Lamborghini Gallardo
7. Lexus IS-F
8. Lexus SC430
9. Mercedes CLK 430
10. Mercedes SLS
11. Nissan 370Z

 

[RACECAR]

Dammit, why is there no Radio Le Mans coverage of this race? I'm absolutely getting my ears grinded by the MRN crew.

 

[SuperShouden]

Here's a good stream, if anyone's interested:

http://www.venturetv.me/channel8.htm

Also, the grand-am website has a live radio feed on the home page.

 

[nitrorocks]

I'm not so sure about that since it sounds like it will mostly be an amateur series. Should make it easier to follow some of the younger talent though.

I am happy that they are trying to build a ladder for people to make their way to the top though, they seem to be putting a focus on affordability as well which is a plus.

I want to go to Le Mans when I grow up, and that way seems logical but anyone that is younger in Grand-Am don't get to go to Le Mans oddly enough.

 

[mikeonthebike]

http://www.grand-am.com/ has live audio feed.

Live timing and scoring.

http://grandam.racersites-cluster.com/OrbitsServer/grandam/TimingView.html?sid=2377&VN=92749

 

[thesrdic]

Decided I'm going to watch some of this.. see if I get into it. Probably won't stay up for the night like I do for the WEC races, got a field trip on Monday lol

Edit: Rather getting into the race 👍 My eurosport player has died so I'm having to watch the Speed stream though Was hoping RLM's coverage would work if I muted the Speed stream but they seem to be quite offset as well.. So, instead of hearing about lap times, I'm just hearing about the American drivers's lives etc.. also the US adverts are boring as always... And I've never heard a name pronounced worse than 'Ee-man-well-ee" "Pie-roo". [/Rant] But it's the first race of the year so hey 👍

 

[nitrorocks]

Decided I'm going to watch some of this.. see if I get into it. Probably won't stay up for the night like I do for the WEC races, got a field trip on Monday lol

Edit: Rather getting into the race 👍 My eurosport player has died so I'm having to watch the Speed stream though Was hoping RLM's coverage would work if I muted the Speed stream but they seem to be quite offset as well.. So, instead of hearing about lap times, I'm just hearing about the American drivers's lives etc.. also the US adverts are boring as always... And I've never heard a name pronounced worse than 'Ee-man-well-ee" "Pie-roo". [/Rant] But it's the first race of the year so hey 👍

Lol

 

[lilcat89]

Decided I'm going to watch some of this.. see if I get into it. Probably won't stay up for the night like I do for the WEC races, got a field trip on Monday lol

Edit: Rather getting into the race 👍 My eurosport player has died so I'm having to watch the Speed stream though Was hoping RLM's coverage would work if I muted the Speed stream but they seem to be quite offset as well.. So, instead of hearing about lap times, I'm just hearing about the American drivers's lives etc.. also the US adverts are boring as always... And I've never heard a name pronounced worse than 'Ee-man-well-ee" "Pie-roo". [/Rant] But it's the first race of the year so hey 👍

Listen to RLM and the Speed onboards. 👍 Liatening to RLM online with the Dempsey Mazda onboard as background noise. Definitely the way to go. Been on the same onboard since the start. Wish I was there though. I went last year and swore to go this year, but moving screwed that up.

 

[thesrdic]

Listen to RLM and the Speed onboards. 👍 Liatening to RLM online with the Dempsey Mazda onboard as background noise. Definitely the way to go. Been on the same onboard since the start. Wish I was there though. I went last year and swore to go this year, but moving screwed that up.

I can't wait to finally go to a race, I've only ever been to Silverstone for the 2010 F1, but I so wanna go to something like this..

Edit; Eurosport finally working Can listen in full RLM goodness 👍 Decided to go for the all-nighter as well

 

[Stavelot]

I've got to admit that I'm enjoying the concept of the DPs and the new DPG3 cars, wouldn't mind driving one sometime.

 

[GrahamTurismo]

You mean in Gran Turismo? What would you guys say is the closest car to a DP in GT5?

 

[Stavelot]

I mean me, in reality, getting into one and driving it. Not in a game...

Doubt there's any tube frame prototypes in GT5 so nothing would be close.

 

[GrahamTurismo]

Well, of course in reality, but I wouldn't mind the chance to drive one in GT someday either.

And I just meant in terms of performance... P/W ratio, handling/braking, Daytona Road lap times near 1:42, etc.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Grand Am and Nissan have just partnered up.

http://www.grand-am.com/news/index.cfm?series=r&cid=51085

 

[nitrorocks]

I mean me, in reality, getting into one and driving it. Not in a game...

Doubt there's any tube frame prototypes in GT5 so nothing would be close.

I like the new DP cars they look good for once

 

[Snaeper]

Grand Am and Nissan have just partnered up.

http://www.grand-am.com/news/index.cfm?series=r&cid=51085

Nissan played a dominant role in American sports car racing in the late 1990s and early 1990s...

But not the middle 1990's 'cause they needed a break!

I'm interested in the bit where it says they're going to be supporting/participating in the ST class! I wonder what car they're planning on using... Ye olde Sentra SE-R? Do they even make that jalopy anymore?

"inb4" Brian Heitkotter runs in Grand Sport. Calling it right now, although if I were Brian I'd feel shafted since Mardenborough is racing a freakin' GT-R in the Blancpain Endurance series... granted Heitkotter will be getting a lot more seat time since the CTCC has a larger schedule.

 

[nitrorocks]

Early 1990s Nissan GTP-ZX Turbo with 1000 HP

 

[hawkeye122]

You mean in Gran Turismo? What would you guys say is the closest car to a DP in GT5?

I suppose shape-wise you could pull out some form of Group C car, and then adjust the weight and power accordingly. But thats not really close at all.

 

[nitrorocks]

This is where the beauty of rFactor comes along.

 

[Northstar]

Sounds like BMW may be on the grid in the future.

Looks like the GT class is finally starting to get interesting(hoping of course that the Ferrari's can become competitive and the Audi's can stay going the right direction).👍

 

[Snaeper]

Sounds like BMW may be on the grid in the future.

Looks like the GT class is finally starting to get interesting(hoping of course that the Ferrari's can become competitive and the Audi's can stay going the right direction).👍

I wonder how Turner Motorsport will feel after all the hard work they've put into those two-of-a-kind M3's?

 

[Motominded]

The cars in Grand Am are a waste of time as well as Nascar's way of forcing its ways into sports car racing.

ALMS or nothing when it comes to top level sports car racing in the USA.

 

[Northstar]

The cars in Grand Am are a waste of time as well as Nascar's way of forcing its ways into sports car racing.

ALMS or nothing when it comes to top level sports car racing in the USA.

I think you are more singleminded than motominded.

Enjoy your narrow-mindedness, I'll just continue watching both and enjoy the great racing. I also think it's great that the US can support not one but 2 top level sports car series'.

 

[Snaeper]

I think you are more singleminded than motominded.

Enjoy your narrow-mindedness, I'll just continue watching both and enjoy the great racing. I also think it's great that the US can support not one but 2 top level sports car series'.

This.

Why pick a side? Honestly? I like ALMS because of the cars, I like Grand-Am because of the racing. If I had the money I would participate in both, but if I had to pick one then I'd go with Grand-Am as it's much more reasonable cost-wise and you can be competitive on a small budget.

But ultimately, it's not like it costs anything to be a fan of both...