GT Racing - GT1, GT3, Blancpain Endurance Series & National GT SeriesSports Cars

[Bo]

But how many GT3 cars are there lying around in North America that don't already compete, be it in PWC or elsewhere? Why would a team choose to buy a GT3 car now if something else hasn't already tempted them? There could be a few, but the grid would most likely be filled up with double-duty teams and cars and as many GT4 cars as possible.

 

[catamount39]

But how many GT3 cars are there lying around in North America that don't already compete, be it in PWC or elsewhere? Why would a team choose to buy a GT3 car now if something else hasn't already tempted them? There could be a few, but the grid would most likely be filled up with double-duty teams and cars and as many GT4 cars as possible.

The SCCA started last year allowing FIA GT3 spec cars into its "Club" GT racing under the GT1 mark (I think...it was an obscure article on Racer last year...or before that). PWC has low chances of getting anymore recognition than a support race to Indycar (not trying to knock PWC...but it's rather unknown compared to Indycar and WTUSCC). IMSA is a neat option, but it can be expensive. Something with the potential to get a larger spotlight in America would be received well I think. Besides IIRC somewhere there was something about IMSA pondering a GT3 championship.

 

[RACECAR]

The SCCA started last year allowing FIA GT3 spec cars into its "Club" GT racing under the GT1 mark (I think...it was an obscure article on Racer last year...or before that). PWC has low chances of getting anymore recognition than a support race to Indycar (not trying to knock PWC...but it's rather unknown compared to Indycar and WTUSCC). IMSA is a neat option, but it can be expensive. Something with the potential to get a larger spotlight in America would be received well I think. Besides IIRC somewhere there was something about IMSA pondering a GT3 championship.

 

[catamount39]

It's some gentleman's cup thing with the rest of the field consisting of a mixed bag of backwoods racers. Don't panic. xD IIRC GT2 was like Porsche Cup cars.

 

[Mt. Lynx]

The tests in Ladoux is under way.
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/details-emerge-from-fia-balance-of-peformance-test-at-ladoux/

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

The tests in Ladoux is under way.
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/details-emerge-from-fia-balance-of-peformance-test-at-ladoux/

It's not underway it's finished with the 488 that bad that they gave up without completing the full test.

 

[Snaeper]

The Lexus didnt even bother to show up...

 

[catamount39]

The Lexus didnt even bother to show up...

Womder if they're still considering the WTUSCC entry.

 

[Northstar]

Womder if they're still considering the WTUSCC entry.

At this rate is seems the CTSCC would be closer to their pace.

 

[Mt. Lynx]

It's not underway it's finished with the 488 that bad that they gave up without completing the full test.

The GTE or GT3?

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

The GTE or GT3?

GTE

 

[GTPorsche]

They'll have time to work the kinks out of it before it goes into competition.

 

[TDZdave]

The Lexus didnt even bother to show up...

I thought it was more or less complete?

 

[Mt. Lynx]

I thought it was more or less complete?

Yes, but they are ridiculously slow compared to the opposition. 15+ seconds per lap around Nordschleife.

 

[TDZdave]

Yes, but they are ridiculously slow compared to the opposition. 15+ seconds per lap around Nordschleife.

Oh eww!

 

[Bo]

Yes, but they are ridiculously slow compared to the opposition. 15+ seconds per lap around Nordschleife.

And about 2 seconds a lap off in GT300.

 

[TDZdave]

And about 2 seconds a lap off in GT300.

Makes sense, to be 15 seconds off around the Nurburgring Nordschleife they would lose a shade under 1.8 seconds per 5KM, or the average length of most Super GT circuits,

 

[Snaeper]

As soon as they announced it would be using the 5.0 V8 I had my doubts. With everyone else using large displacement V's, or Turbocharged engines, the only way Lexus could've been competitive with that engine is if it was a more exotic car (ala Ferrari/Porsche).

 

[Furinkazen]

As soon as they announced it would be using the 5.0 V8 I had my doubts. With everyone else using large displacement V's, or Turbocharged engines, the only way Lexus could've been competitive with that engine is if it was a more exotic car (ala Ferrari/Porsche).

Is it related to the LMP1 powerplant?

 

[TDZdave]

As soon as they announced it would be using the 5.0 V8 I had my doubts. With everyone else using large displacement V's, or Turbocharged engines, the only way Lexus could've been competitive with that engine is if it was a more exotic car (ala Ferrari/Porsche).

Its probably enough to frighten Toyota away,

 

[catamount39]

Is it related to the LMP1 powerplant?

The Toyota LMP1 engine right now is like an old Champcar/Indycar engine. The one in the Lexus GT3 is something from the RC-F roadcar.

 

[IforceV8]

 

[sgohsixthree]

2016 Blancpain Endurance/Sprint Schedule released... no Zolder.

• April 8-10 — Italy TBC (Sprint)
• April 23-24 — Monza (Endurance)
• May 7-8 — Brands Hatch (Sprint)
• May 14-15 — Silverstone (Endurance)
• June 24-25 — Paul Ricard (Endurance)
• July 1-3 — Nürburgring (Sprint)
• July 28-31 — Total 24 Hours of Spa (Endurance)
• Aug. 28-30 — Budapest (Sprint)*
• Sept. 17-18 — Nürburgring (Endurance)
• Oct. 1-2 — Barcelona (Sprint)

 

[05XR8]

http://www.speedcafe.com/2015/09/20/bathurst-12-hour-included-in-new-sro-gt-series/

 

[sgohsixthree]

http://www.speedcafe.com/2015/09/20/bathurst-12-hour-included-in-new-sro-gt-series/

So much yes!!! I need more 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

As far as worldwide GT racing goes... the first step is seeing if Cadillac is going to take Johnny O to Zandvoort for the Blancpain finalé. Please, please, please.

 

[Snaeper]

http://www.racer.com/international-racing/item/121665-intercontinental-gt-series-launched

Some more information for those that desire it.

This seems like an interesting idea that could have some merit, though I wish the American round was a little longer (Be different and make it an 8 hour endurance race).

So much yes!!! I need more 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

As far as worldwide GT racing goes... the first step is seeing if Cadillac is going to take Johnny O to Zandvoort for the Blancpain finalé. Please, please, please.

Unfortunately that won't happen, since Cadillac only fields cars in the USA at the moment. This might entice them into putting teams in Europe and Asia, though, which they should if they want to grow the brand outside of the US.

 

[sgohsixthree]

http://www.racer.com/international-racing/item/121665-intercontinental-gt-series-launched

Some more information for those that desire it.

This seems like an interesting idea that could have some merit, though I wish the American round was a little longer (Be different and make it an 8 hour endurance race).



Unfortunately that won't happen, since Cadillac only fields cars in the USA at the moment. This might entice them into putting teams in Europe and Asia, though, which they should if they want to grow the brand outside of the US.

I'm hopeful what was introduced earlier in the year will still stand:

With the Blancpain GT Series being organised mainly in Europe and the Pirelli World Challenge in America, collaboration between the two series makes sense in more than one way.....

...That is why the three best placed cars in the final standings of the 2015 Pirelli World Challenge will be invited to participate in this year’s Baku (Zandvoort?) World Challenge, the final round of the Blancpain GT Series. The three teams will benefit from the same logistical and financial support granted to the European teams racing in the event.

Finger crossed, unless I missed a press release...

 

[Snaeper]

I'm hopeful what was introduced earlier in the year will still stand:

Finger crossed, unless I missed a press release...

Oh, that's my bad. Didn't realize you were on a different topic.

I haven't heard much in the way of interest from American teams yet, just because the invitation is there doesn't mean they necessarily have to accept it, but I feel that Zandvoort would be a good showing for Cadillac. Would be nice to see the Ferrari and Effort Porsche join in (or even better if one of the top GTA teams decided to fly over *cough* Momo Ferrari *cough*)

Speaking of PWC and going back to the Lexus topic: It could be interesting to see if Lexus would be accepted into the slightly-more-lax championship to further develop their car as well as their American connections. It's more of a GT3 car than the Acura is, and could add appeal to the series.

I for one have always been a fan of fringe-GT3 cars, though.

 

[sgohsixthree]

Oh, that's my bad. Didn't realize you were on a different topic.

I haven't heard much in the way of interest from American teams yet, just because the invitation is there doesn't mean they necessarily have to accept it, but I feel that Zandvoort would be a good showing for Cadillac. Would be nice to see the Ferrari and Effort Porsche join in (or even better if one of the top GTA teams decided to fly over *cough* Momo Ferrari *cough*)

Speaking of PWC and going back to the Lexus topic: It could be interesting to see if Lexus would be accepted into the slightly-more-lax championship to further develop their car as well as their American connections. It's more of a GT3 car than the Acura is, and could add appeal to the series.

I for one have always been a fan of fringe-GT3 cars, though.

I'm with you 100%. I was curious to see if the invite would be extended to Acura had they finished top 3. And heres to hoping the PWC invites do actually accept. Regardless, the Lexus would be amazing to see on a world-wide platform. Even if just the big rounds like Bathurst 12, Spa 24 and Nurburgring 24. Might have missed a rumor... but maybe RCF GT3 at Daytona 24?

And Lexus in IMSA/PWC would make sense as it is probably has more name rep in the states than Europe.

The 2016 GT3 models have me jonesing. PWC already announced a two car AMG GT3 team joining. I love this class.

 

[RACECAR]

I for one have always been a fan of fringe-GT3 cars, though.

What do you mean by "Fringe"? Just curious.