Anybody out there following the Grand Am?

[Jav]

Looks like some of them(fwd) will be tube framed rwd monsters, something I honestly dislike...

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

The Cruze dominates the WTCC...

World Chevy Car Championship, I know.

It's true the Cruze is not competitive.
Nobody could keep up.

Exactly. Not very competitive.

 

[Snaeper]

I thought the Eos looked quite good given that it's rear was supposed to house a folding metal roof. The face lift made it look much cleaner.

That is an interesting and exciting selection of cars they've homologated and I'd love to see the class take off. It just makes things even more interesting when it comes to combining ALMS and Grand-Am... but that's for a different thread.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

I love the tire sizes, too... Did they actually say 305/--/18? My god, these things will be faster than DP and GT, for sure.

 

[SuperShouden]

So...the FR-S is coming to CTSCC next year...it makes me wonder if the Subaru Racing Impreza will get replaced by the BR-Z. I mean, considering that the BR-Z and the FR-S are basically the same exact car, it wouldn't be surprising. And it looks like the Impreza isn't Subaru's sports car anymore, as the 2013 Impreza looks like it's more geared towards a small family hatchback, meaning the BR-Z is basically the new Impreza.

 

[RACECAR]

And it looks like the Impreza isn't Subaru's sports car anymore, as the 2013 Impreza looks like it's more geared towards a small family hatchback, meaning the BR-Z is basically the new Impreza.

You sure that isn't just the wagon you're looking at? Pretty sure they're still making the main baseline version towards the same audience the Impreza's always have been. Would be foolish to suddenly replace it.

 

[Jav]

The WRX and Sti are supposedly getting a new platform for their next generation.

 

[01GTP]

The WRX and Sti will no longer be an Impreza is what I read also.
They're on they're own.

The Impreza will continue as RACECAR describes.

The BR-Z, turbo'd.

 

[CodeRedR51]

The BR-Z, turbo'd.

Not confirmed, in my opinion. It's been known for a while that engine was in development for use in other cars. (i.e, next WRX)

See here.

Also, here's the classes announcement by Grand Am:

Competitors looking to participate in GRAND-AM’s newest race category will have 10 new models from nine manufacturers to choose from, based on the list of cars eligible for the new GX class in the Rolex Sports Car Series.

Earlier this year, GRAND-AM announced the new class to allow for cars and technologies currently not involved in the Rolex Series, that will debut in the 2013 Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Eligible cars already announced for the class were the Lotus Evora GX, Porsche Cayman, and Mazda with the Skyactiv-D turbo diesel in a model to be determined.

GRAND-AM today expanded that list to 13 models from 12 different manufacturers, adding the Audi TT, BMW 1 Series, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus (four door), Hyundai Genesis, Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S, Nissan 370Z or Altima, and Volkswagen EOS.

GX will join the Daytona Prototype and GT classes at all Rolex Series races. Rules are being developed to allow for the exploration of a wide variety of alternative technologies and alternative fuels. This could include turbocharged engines; fuels other than gasoline, such as clean diesels; and hybrid powertrains.

The class will be developed with performance levels that complement the current DP and GT classes. No changes to GT performance levels are expected.

 

[Jav]

I kind of like this class, some cars like the Focus, EOS, Altima and Cruze don't belong in a GT class but this may very well be the foundation for a GT-C class in the new series...

 

[RACECAR]

Video featuring the new Kansas In-field Roadcourse:


Too short if I'm honest. At least Daytona has the obvious challenge of exiting off the Oval straight into 1 and has a very challenging exiting back onto the Banking. Likewise, Homestead has a nice blend of tight corners and some decent elevation change along with some long straightaways. Both tracks have a decent sized in-field Road Course. This just seems abit bland in comparison with both the entry and exit to the Oval not at all looking exciting to me.

 

[Jav]

This type of track is ok for Club racing, Time Trials and Track Days doesn't belong on the schedule of any major Road Racing series.

 

[Mr.Skyline09]

I never knew you could make a 1.5 mile MORE boring.

 

[Snaeper]

I kind of like this class, some cars like the Focus, EOS, Altima and Cruze don't belong in a GT class but this may very well be the foundation for a GT-C class in the new series...

Part of me agrees with you... and another part of me is excited at this potentially becoming an American-style GT300 class.

 

[01GTP]

Video featuring the new Kansas In-field Roadcourse:



Too short if I'm honest.

This one is a bit longer.
CJ Wilson in a MX-5 at COTA.
That turn 1 looks ominous.
Story
From the story

Dempsey was slated to drive a Formula One car during the proceedings but mechanical gremlins wound up causing a Ferrari Challenge car to be substituted.

Imagine that.

 

[Jav]

American-style GT300 class.

That's exactly what I thought! I find it very hard to believe it's just casuality that GT300 wich are very similar to the proposed GX cars are now accepted as GT-C cars for the Asian LM series.

This one is a bit longer.
CJ Wilson in a MX-5 at COTA.
That turn 1 looks ominous.
Story
From the story

Imagine that.

Could swear I was looking at an iRacing replay with the MX5 and Mustang!! Damn that place is enormous!!!

 

[HaoleHatingWRX]

So...the FR-S is coming to CTSCC next year...it makes me wonder if the Subaru Racing Impreza will get replaced by the BR-Z. I mean, considering that the BR-Z and the FR-S are basically the same exact car, it wouldn't be surprising. And it looks like the Impreza isn't Subaru's sports car anymore, as the 2013 Impreza looks like it's more geared towards a small family hatchback, meaning the BR-Z is basically the new Impreza.

The STi will probably still race if Phoenix stays in GS. The FR-S will be in ST, run by Rebel Rock I think, if it runs in the CTSCC. Seems like they're going to be running with the DP's and GT's though...I'm not sure.

 

[Mr.Skyline09]

Found this video its not an on-board but it gives a good idea of just how steep turn one at CotA is

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

🤬 yeah! The Canadian Touring Car Championship's car list just went super-touring.


A Hyundai Genesis Coupe?! Awesome!! A Focus?! Awesome (because the Focus is already a well-known car in ST) Subaru FR-S thingy?! Awesome!!


So, yeah, I like this new GX class. I'm just worried about what they're saying "it will complement" the existing classes; so, this is going to be a bit faster than GT, but slower than DP?

 

[Jav]

🤬 yeah! The Canadian Touring Car Championship's car list just went super-touring.

I love that series! Do you have any links or suggestions to watch the races?

 

[sumbrownkid]

I wonder if LMP1 cars and F1 cars can break the 200 mph mark in that long straight.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

I wish, Jav. I don't have a link. But, I have my natural proximity to the Canadian Touring Car Championship.

 

[Jav]

I wonder if LMP1 cars and F1 cars can break the 200 mph mark in that long straight.

The exit from the last turn is quite slow and tight so is gonna be hard, but I think they will on the back straight DRS zone.

 

[Jav]

This would look so good on GX...

 

[Mac K]

This one is a bit longer.
CJ Wilson in a MX-5 at COTA.
That turn 1 looks ominous.
Story
From the story

Imagine that.

Cool video, pretty neat how the Mustang embarrasses the MX-5 down the straights, but in the corners the MX-5 holds its own. You figure they could have at least cleaned the track service a bit.. looks a bit dirty.

 

[SKIDMARX]

Found this video its not an on-board but it gives a good idea of just how steep turn one at CotA is

Here's a link to the onboard video of this test... Clicky Here

 

[RACECAR]

B-Spec Series Axed

 

[Mac K]

Daytona testing tommrrow and Wednesday.

http://www.grand-am.com/News/GA_New...rway-next-week-in-daytona.aspx?cid=6383&sid=1

Doesn't say if any GX cars will be testing..

 

[RACECAR]

Article regarding the silly season for Grand Am here.

I'm most interested in the portion regarding the persistant rumors of BMW pursuing their own bodykit as well as the possible Aston Martin Involvement of TRG (Porsche would not be pleased). Big question though is what model will BMW's Bodykit take its looks from should this come to fruition?

 

[David]

Looks like Gainsco is leading the Daytona testing so far. Should be interesting to see the full results later/tomorrow.

I really hope the Spirit of Daytona team has some better luck this year. If not for the bad luck in the middle of the season they could have been right up there with Gnassi and Starworks fighting for the championship. Should also help having a full time second driver (Ricky Taylor) paired up with Westy this time.