GT Racing - GT1, GT3, Blancpain Endurance Series & National GT SeriesSports Cars
- Thread starter Speedster502
- 8,075 comments
- 580,425 views
- 5,184
- Phoenix, AZ
- nitrorocks
I woke up too late! 
- 9,765
- OrlandoFL GMT-5
- GTP__Jav
Tired Tyres
Premium
- 12,630
- West Yorkshire
- Tired_Tyres
- Tired Tyres
FIA GT 1 & 3 racing at Portimao
Yesterday's GT1 qualifying race and GT3 first race are available to watch again on youtube.
Today's racing will be available on the usual websites.
http://gt1world.com/
http://gt3europe.com/
Interesting weekend for this to happen again.
Yesterday's GT1 qualifying race and GT3 first race are available to watch again on youtube.
Today's racing will be available on the usual websites.
http://gt1world.com/
http://gt3europe.com/
Interesting weekend for this to happen again.
- 33,155
- Hammerhead Garage
Well, the GT1 series has become a joke. After very nearly not starting at all, the original ten-round calendar has been cut back to seven races with the removal of the Korean, Beijing and Ordos rounds. The organisers are apparently planning to replace the two races in China with events in Europe, but they tried the same thing when Korea was removed from the schedule and failed. Meanwhile, five rounds in and Sunred have not yet entered their second car (which was supposed to be ready for the first race at Nogaro), and they only seem to be able to get fourteen cars – when they are supposed to have eighteen (and were originally aiming for at least twenty) – to race at any one time; in addition to one Sunred Ford GT not racing at Algarve this weekend, Valmon Russia and one of the Exim 911s have not entered. And none of these cars are actually pure GT1 cars, but GT3 cars re-tuned to GT1 performance levels after the whole “GT World” concept failed (which arguably set this entire farce in motion). And to cap it all off, I’ve heard talk that the FIA is on the verge of revoking the series “World Championship” status – if they haven’t done so already.
What, exactly, is Stéphane Ratel doing?
What, exactly, is Stéphane Ratel doing?
- 33,155
- Hammerhead Garage
The organisers might be better off abandoning the 2013 championship and picking it up again in 2014. It's a risk, but the series is in serious disarray. They need a stable calendar and a stable team roster. And I'd also look at getting rid of the driver change requirement, and have one driver per car.
Another idea that I had would be to change the qualifying race format. It's really just a race that decides the grid for the championship race. If they really want a qualifying "race" then they could maybe open up the qualifying session to free running. But rather than basing the grid on one timed lap, they could base it on several. After one hour, each driver's five fastest laps are added together, and the fastest overall time wins, and starts the championship race from pole. It might not be a perfect setup, but at least it would be a unique format that rewards consistent speed and strategy (do you fuel the car light for five flying laps, or do you go heavy and do one long run of ten laps and take the best five times?) and it might be something that restores crediblity to the series.
Another idea that I had would be to change the qualifying race format. It's really just a race that decides the grid for the championship race. If they really want a qualifying "race" then they could maybe open up the qualifying session to free running. But rather than basing the grid on one timed lap, they could base it on several. After one hour, each driver's five fastest laps are added together, and the fastest overall time wins, and starts the championship race from pole. It might not be a perfect setup, but at least it would be a unique format that rewards consistent speed and strategy (do you fuel the car light for five flying laps, or do you go heavy and do one long run of ten laps and take the best five times?) and it might be something that restores crediblity to the series.
Tired Tyres
Premium
- 12,630
- West Yorkshire
- Tired_Tyres
- Tired Tyres
Ratel? Apart from emptying GT3 to get entrants in GT1, nothing sensible.
Even when teams show him what they want with massive entries in the BES endurance series, he still persists in this one hour sprint format.
The GT cars in GT1 are not tuned differently. There was a plan to give them more horsepower but I haven't heard of it being implemented.
It never should have been a World Championship this year. It didn't visit enough continents in the first place. It's just silly now.
That's a tactic Ratel has used before. It didn't work before, it won't work now. That time limit will move and then move again.
- 33,155
- Hammerhead Garage
It had Europe and Asia, with a race in India. And South America was on the calendar too. But the race at San Luis was the first to go, and now all the Asian races have been dropped.
Ratel doesn't control the series' right to call itself a "World Championship". Only the FIA can recognise a series as a World Championship, and to do that, it has to meet certain criteria.
Tired Tyres
Premium
- 12,630
- West Yorkshire
- Tired_Tyres
- Tired Tyres
Sorry for not being clearer in what I was saying. I was referring to Ratel's tactic for trying to get teams to sign up for the series. Not the status of the series itself.
- 9,765
- OrlandoFL GMT-5
- GTP__Jav
They should've just given an extension on the homologation for the cars from 2010-11 seasons...
- 33,155
- Hammerhead Garage
That wouldn't have saved the series.
- 9,765
- OrlandoFL GMT-5
- GTP__Jav
Guess you're right, but perhaps it might have given it another year or so and it seems that manufacturers are starting to get back into motorsports. Who knows, maybe it would've generated interest again. Anyways it really is a shame to see this championship die such a painful death.
- 33,155
- Hammerhead Garage
It's not dead yet. It's just not in a very good position right now.
- 2,976
- Sweden
I think both the FIA and SRO needs to think outside the box here.
My two cents:
Only one car per team. This will make the teams take very good care of their equipment, and it will save alot of dough. Max two cars from each brand though, to get as much diversity as possible. GT3 spec cars only. FIA international homologation.
A total rethink of the racing. More diversity. My suggestion goes like this:
1. Abu Dhabi city circuit: 1+1hrs night race
2. Imola: 3hrs
3. Silverstone GP circuit: 3hrs
4. Goodwood hillclimb
5. Long Beach GP circuit: 1+1hrs
6. Sebring: 3hrs
7. Indianapolis Motor Speedway: 200 miles oval race
8. San Luis: 3hrs
9. Spa-Francorchamps: 24hrs
10. Isle of Man TT circuit: 5 lap time trial
11. Monte Carlo: tarmac rally stages
12. Suzuka circuit: 3hrs
13. Macau GP: 1+1hrs
14. Mt. Panorama Bathurst: 3hrs
My two cents:
Only one car per team. This will make the teams take very good care of their equipment, and it will save alot of dough. Max two cars from each brand though, to get as much diversity as possible. GT3 spec cars only. FIA international homologation.
A total rethink of the racing. More diversity. My suggestion goes like this:
1. Abu Dhabi city circuit: 1+1hrs night race
2. Imola: 3hrs
3. Silverstone GP circuit: 3hrs
4. Goodwood hillclimb
5. Long Beach GP circuit: 1+1hrs
6. Sebring: 3hrs
7. Indianapolis Motor Speedway: 200 miles oval race
8. San Luis: 3hrs
9. Spa-Francorchamps: 24hrs
10. Isle of Man TT circuit: 5 lap time trial
11. Monte Carlo: tarmac rally stages
12. Suzuka circuit: 3hrs
13. Macau GP: 1+1hrs
14. Mt. Panorama Bathurst: 3hrs
- 44,185
- Blackburn
- Furinkazen_54
Fia GT has killed itself. The fact that it restricted itself in machinery was one thing (only 1 class), the fact there was limits on teams and car numbers was another - look at the old Le Mans GT2 (now GT-Pro / GT-Am) - thriving classes with a healthy mixture of machinery.
When Ratel announced his "World GT vision" for GT1 / 2 / 3 a few years back, I was sceptical. Seems it's not worked out.
When Ratel announced his "World GT vision" for GT1 / 2 / 3 a few years back, I was sceptical. Seems it's not worked out.
- 2,976
- Sweden
I think Ratels idea was great. Not sound though. The financial climat meant it was doomed from the start.
GTE is also basically only one class of cars. And outside the US it isn't as healthy as GT3. At Le Mans only 9 cars entered the pro class, and only 4 brands were present in both pro and am.
- 3,915
- California
- gdwest1
The thing that gets me is even the Pirelli World Challenge is doing better than the GT3 series.
I reckon if Porsche Supercup allowed different cars (Yeah, stupid idea) they could get tons of sponsors on board with running the same weekend as a Grand Prix. That should be the FIA GT3 series.
Tired Tyres
Premium
- 12,630
- West Yorkshire
- Tired_Tyres
- Tired Tyres
The Blancpain series effectively is the GT3 series.
It is where all the cars and teams are.
The fact that they are there rather than GT1/3 would indicate that they are not interested in the sprint events that Ratel is pushing.
It is where all the cars and teams are.
The fact that they are there rather than GT1/3 would indicate that they are not interested in the sprint events that Ratel is pushing.
- 6,576
- Lincoln
- Speedster502
As well as that it shows that teams don't like the Pro/Pro driver pairings that are required for GT1 World. Also Blancpain offers way, way more track time before the racing has even began - perfect for a rich team owner that wants to make sure he gets as much track time as possible.
- 2,976
- Sweden
Yeah, that would be optimal. I've had that thought too. But it seems Bernie has some irrational fear of GT racing, so that will never happen.
- 373
- PA
- Subaru_WRC555
What I would like to know is what is the cost of running the current GT1/3 car as compared to the full blown GT1 cars of old? I'm thinking probably not much. I love how there are so many entires in BES but not GT1 or 3
I think some how all sanctioning bodies all over the world that run GT CARS should come up with a way to make all cars to be in the same classification. That way you can take your car to any series in the world and run it.
I think that would help the Sillyness immensely!!
I think some how all sanctioning bodies all over the world that run GT CARS should come up with a way to make all cars to be in the same classification. That way you can take your car to any series in the world and run it.
I think that would help the Sillyness immensely!!
- 3,915
- California
- gdwest1
What I would like to know is what is the cost of running the current GT1/3 car as compared to the full blown GT1 cars of old? I'm thinking probably not much. I love how there are so many entires in BES but not GT1 or 3
I think some how all sanctioning bodies all over the world that run GT CARS should come up with a way to make all cars to be in the same classification. That way you can take your car to any series in the world and run it.
I think that would help the Sillyness immensely!!
Tell that to the guys here that try to run Grand-Am and the ALMS. They basically have to run 2 different cars for what is effectively the same type of racing.
ESM, AF Corse, Flying Lizard...
As I recall, thats exactly what the DTM and Super GT series are trying to do.
But those are "Super Touring" Cars, not GT.
- 6,576
- Lincoln
- Speedster502
Breaking news on FIA GT1 and FIA GT3...
Source: http://gt1world.com/news/details/towards-the-future-for-sro
Source: http://gt1world.com/news/details/towards-the-future-for-sro
- 373
- PA
- Subaru_WRC555
Wow. What a bunch of dummies!
- 6,576
- Lincoln
- Speedster502
Not really. FIA GT1 & GT3 both had declining grids this year, there's no point in running those championships if they can't guarantee grids for next year - also the continous changing of the calendar hasn't helped GT1 & GT3E. On the plus side I'm glad the SRO have announced this now rather than...say January next year. Gives the teams plenty of time to figure out where they might be heading next year. On a side note, it's not necessarily the end of the FIA GT1 WC - but SRO won't be part of it's future.
In my opinion this is a good thing. Don't get me wrong, the track action in GT1 is great but the series has been dying for years now. Hopefully this is the final nail in the coffin for FIA GT1 World and hopefully the kick that the GT racing world needs to sort itself out.
What I am interested in is seeing how this announcement will effect the feeder series (BGT, ADAC GT Masters etc).
In my opinion this is a good thing. Don't get me wrong, the track action in GT1 is great but the series has been dying for years now. Hopefully this is the final nail in the coffin for FIA GT1 World and hopefully the kick that the GT racing world needs to sort itself out.
What I am interested in is seeing how this announcement will effect the feeder series (BGT, ADAC GT Masters etc).
- 33,155
- Hammerhead Garage
Sense!
- 5,184
- Phoenix, AZ
- nitrorocks
So do you think a better championship will come along from the SRO?
