Anybody out there following the Grand Am?

[nitrorocks]

That's good that the Ferrari did. The chassis is coming around this season and finding success. It didn't take too long for them to figure it out.

 

[Mac K]

That's good that the Ferrari did. The chassis is coming around this season and finding success. It didn't take too long for them to figure it out.

Now it's Audi's turn..

 

[hawkeye122]

Now it's Audi's turn..

Perhaps. I think it may take them a bit still..

What happened to that joke of a Mustang that ran 2 races ago? They were apparently still upgrading it..

 

[nitrorocks]

Now it's Audi's turn..

Hopefully.

 

[Mac K]

New Jersey Motorsports Park today, anyone else watching or going?

 

[RACECAR]

Its official, Aston Martin is considering getting into the Rolex Sports Car Series. link.

 

[Cale]

OMG. Sound of an Aston V12 on the grid would be welcomed by me.

 

[SuperShouden]

Grand-Am reveals plans to add a new class to the series:
http://www.grand-am.com/News/GA_New...nounces-plans-for-new-rolex-series-class.aspx

Essentially, some makes want to enter models that don't meet the current rules of Grand-Am so Grand-am has created a sort of..."Blanket" class that allows those cars to enter.

 

[Sam48]

I'm a bit confused as to what GX will field and where it will stand in regards to the current two classes we already have. Is it for GT cars with less restrictions, or can they test DP style cars under the GX class as well?

Also, one must remember the reason Grand-Am is expanding in popularity right now. Chief of which is the fact that people can very easily distinguish between classes (e.i. DP and GT). ALMS has already shrugged down the road Grand-Am appears to be taking, and we ended up with six classes which are hard to distinguish in most cases. However, if Grand-Am makes it clear through mandatory livery revisions, like in Super GT with GT300 & GT500, then maybe they can squeak through without disappointing their base.

Regardless, the GX class will hopefully bring more attention and manufactures to Grand-Am over the next few years.

 

[RACECAR]

I'm a bit confused as to what GX will field and where it will stand in regards to the current two classes we already have. Is it for GT cars with less restrictions, or can they test DP style cars under the GX class as well?

Also, one must remember the reason Grand-Am is expanding in popularity right now. Chief of which is the fact that people can very easily distinguish between classes (e.i. DP and GT). ALMS has already shrugged down the road Grand-Am appears to be taking, and we ended up with six classes which are hard to distinguish in most cases.

Pretty sure the main issue ALMS has is lack of participants (along with the ELMS).

 

[SuperShouden]

It sounds like there might be two separate GX classes, one for DP style cars that meet those power regulations and one for more production based cars that will conform to the GT specs. I think the major difference is GX will allow for different engines and fuel types. I wouldn't be surprised to see some VW/Audi TDis in this new class as I don't think the R8s in GT are currently Tubro powered or diesel. This would also open the door to vehicles like a beefed up Prius or Focus Hybrid. I guess we'll find out just what this new class entails when the entry list is revealed. They obviously have a lot of interested parties for this new class and they mentioned models that would be exclusive to the class. Maybe we'll see stuff like GT-Rs and some cool hybrids.

 

[Sam48]

Pretty sure the main issue ALMS has is lack of participants (along with the ELMS).

I believe that was the side effect, rather than the causation. It could be a bit of both though.

It sounds like there might be two separate GX classes, one for DP style cars that meet those power regulations and one for more production based cars that will conform to the GT specs.

Until that's sorted out, I'm all for it as long as they make the GX class noticeable distinguishable.

 

[Mac K]

There's a race this weekend isn't there? Oh and a potential new class in the future? That could be fun!

 

[CodeRedR51]

Mazda will participate in this new class next year with a SkyActive Diesel.

http://www.grand-am.com/News/GA_New...for-new-grand-am-gx-class.aspx?cid=6383&sid=1

 

[Sam48]

Cool Is this a first for Mazda in the sense that they've never raced a diesel before?

 

[Mac K]

Thats one sexy piece of engine right there!

 

[MustangManiac]

Thats one sexy piece of engine right there!

They always make them look nice for the photo ops don't they? Would look just fine sitting in my truck 👍

 

[Mac K]

Crazy race yesterday, anyone else envious of Jordan Taylor? Full time Grand Am ride, so he wins in Detroit and then flys out to Le Mans last night for the Le Mans test day for the factory Corvette team!

 

[MustangManiac]

Crazy race yesterday, anyone else envious of Jordan Taylor? Full time Grand Am ride, so he wins in Detroit and then flys out to Le Mans last night for the Le Mans test day for the factory Corvette team!

I wish I had those kinds of weekend plans 👍 I certainly am not envious of the other Taylor though, what a screw up, hate to face the boss after that one!

 

[Sam48]

I certainly am not envious of the other Taylor though, what a screw up, hate to face the boss after that one!

Maybe he was trying to one up Keselowski by doing some in-race tweeting as he drove down the pits.

Anyway, happy to see Action Express get a one two finish.

 

[JohnBM01]

Yesterday's race was beautiful... if you're a Chevrolet fan. Chevy winning in DP and GT on Belle Isle. The action was pretty intense all race long in both classes.


Up next, the series stays in the Midwest; but they go down to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. No matter what kind of racing takes place at Mid-Ohio, this track will test you like you won't believe. It will be no different when Grand-Am heads out there this coming weekend.

 

[RACECAR]

I wish I had those kinds of weekend plans 👍 I certainly am not envious of the other Taylor though, what a screw up, hate to face the boss after that one!

To make things even more sour, his boss is also his dad. You know he's getting some serious scalding

 

[SuperShouden]

Best Quote of the Season:

"It's like Grand Theft Auto for two and a half hours." --Andy Lally @ Barbers Motorsport Park

 

[Mac K]

Our own Bryan Heitkotter is on pole at Mid Ohio for the Continental Tire race this week! Good luck to him. Grand Am will be great to, Mid Ohio looks like a great track.



Edit: Stupid technical difficulties.

 

[hawkeye122]

I dont understand Turner...

One race I watch, and they're way at the back, getting owned while Bill Auberlen is clearly gnashing his teeth, trying to stay ahead of the severely outclassed Ford Mustang.

And then I watch today and they win? What?

 

[MustangManiac]

I belive that the beemers got one of those Grand-Am "cosessions" recently, but could not go back and find the reference.

 

[Mac K]

I dont understand Turner...

One race I watch, and they're way at the back, getting owned while Bill Auberlen is clearly gnashing his teeth, trying to stay ahead of the severely outclassed Ford Mustang.

And then I watch today and they win? What?

You might have been watching the Continential Tire series, no Mustangs run in the GT class, just Camaros. There was one Mustang but I don't know what happened to it.

 

[hawkeye122]

You might have been watching the Continential Tire series, no Mustangs run in the GT class, just Camaros. There was one Mustang but I don't know what happened to it.

No, it was the Grand Am. It was trying hard to stay ahead of that one Mustang, I remember the colors being horrible.

Still, whats the deal with the M3?

 

[MustangManiac]

Nobody watching the Conti Tire series tape delayed on speed? Love the classic Mustang vs Camaro battle back on the track!

 

[RACECAR]

Nobody watching the Conti Tire series tape delayed on speed? Love the classic Mustang vs Camaro battle back on the track!

Didn't even know that was on today, I was kinda occupied with something going on in France