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- catamount39
GT Racing - GT1, GT3, Blancpain Endurance Series & National GT SeriesSports Cars
- Thread starter Speedster502
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I think the biggest issue with the PWC/Blancpain crossover is the team planning.
From what I understood when it was originally announced, World Challenge was going to cover the bill for sending the teams to the race. But the PWC season finale and the BSS finale might not have been a big enough gap for championship front runners to plan and coordinate the trip, because unless you're 100% locked in to win the championship before the season ends, you can't start setting aside those kinds of financials, and that's on top of having sponsors/Am drivers that are willing to foot the bill to go over there for what?
Not even taking into consideration the thrill (or lack thereof) that BSS regulars might experience to have a bunch of American champions coming over and potentially throwing a monkey wrench into your season just to make the show more exciting.
From what I understood when it was originally announced, World Challenge was going to cover the bill for sending the teams to the race. But the PWC season finale and the BSS finale might not have been a big enough gap for championship front runners to plan and coordinate the trip, because unless you're 100% locked in to win the championship before the season ends, you can't start setting aside those kinds of financials, and that's on top of having sponsors/Am drivers that are willing to foot the bill to go over there for what?
Not even taking into consideration the thrill (or lack thereof) that BSS regulars might experience to have a bunch of American champions coming over and potentially throwing a monkey wrench into your season just to make the show more exciting.
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- catamount39
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Agreed! I've never been a huge fan of "guest" grid spots reserved on a championship grid, especially in the final and deciding rounds.
Ideally I think it would be good if the crossover races were non-championship rounds. I'm thinking sometime during the offseason winter months. Maybe even something like a "home & home" mini series, with one or two races on each continent. Some incentive more than bragging rights would probably be necessary too.
I've really liked those Acuras from first glimps. Glad to hear the program is moving along
👍
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The last paragraph says 'Murica,'Muria,'Murica, then European series and settings so I doubt it.
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- catamount39
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I'm still putting my money on a GTD entry.
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The article specifically mentions that Curran will still be racing a Whelen Corvette Prototype next year and his schedule in the Callaway will work around that.
Thats not even touching on that Corvette being barred from racing here by GM.
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Alright.
And no it isn't barred. The logistics of Callaway trying to support a U.S. effort would be difficult, and a team would just have to be willing to deal with the hassle. I was hoping AXR would be willing to deal with the hassle.
From what I understood, Callaway was only permitted to develop the Corvette as long as it didnt compete in North America ,presumably to avoid conflict with P&M's Cadillacs and confusion/redundancy with the GTLM Corvettes.
The only way I see them racing here would be in the SRO 6 hour race, a North American BSS race, or maybe something like the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. I doubt GM will let a team compete in IMSA or PWC given the amount of money they funnel into those series.
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Except GM and them throwing their weight around to not let you compete in the top two series you could enter it in.
GM "Oh, we saw you bought a car that we didn't want racing here in Europe and brought it over here yourself. That's cute, what a waste of money. IMSA! *snaps fingers and points while waving a wad of cash in the other hand*"
IMSA "Sorry dude, GTD is limited as it is already and what GM wants, GM gets."
And Callaway would likely get in trouble for not asking the question "Do you plan on racing this in North America?" to the person who bought it.
I do contend that Whelen would probably be the Sponsor/Team that could make that rabbit happen, but really, that would be a headache to get support from a constructor that doens't normally support cars in North America, especially when you have prototypes and other GT's available right here.
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Exactly, besides GM doesn't even have a solid entry into the GTD category at the moment in the WTUSCC. The ATS-V.R will need to impress Stevenson Motorsports at the endurance test at Sebring enough to purchase the car. Nobody else is interested in the Caddy. Besides, IMSA isn't in a position to kick away entries.
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Last I read, IMSA was planning on restricting GTD entries to manufacturer partners only, which raised questions over the future of the Vipers and Aston Martins. Chevrolet is a partner, but if a Cadillac competes then the chances are likely slim.
Anyways, this is a semantical conversation. I dont expect to see the Corvette over here and would advise others to do the same, but you can wish and dream if you'd like. I will enjoy being wrong in this case. Curran will be with AXR racing prototypes next season and overseas in the GT3 Vette with Said.
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Yes either way it's a great addition to the BSS. 👍 Plus a Corvette always looks good in Whelen colors. 👍 👍 I wonder though how the Caddy will do at the test they've planned at Sebring, it's had quite the year in the PWC, will be interesting to see how it handles the most brutal race track on this Earth.
IMSA better keep Aston Martin, I'll flip 🤬 🤬 🤬 if they dare kick out the greatest brand in motorsports. 
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http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/10/14/gt4-champion-daniel-uckerman-on-the-run.html Suppose it's one way to fund your championship.
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Just heard on MWM about this very issue and GM has said the Corvette GT3 will not race in North America. This comes from the head of Callaway. They dont want it competing against the Cadillac or on the same track as the GTLM Corvette.
I get the Imsa part,but the restriction on PWC makes no sense. Whelen Corvette GT3 to race in ADAC or BES.
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They can buy one and submit a entry and it will come backI take it you were still listening when they said it still doesn't stop someone buying one privately and putting in an entry
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