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

[Cap'n Jack]

I'm not even going to call this one. I'm just going to watch.

I know, right? Last night I was trying to work out which team I would be cheering for but I think I'll be happy enough just watching all the action.

 

[05XR8]

Anyone have in depth knowledge of GT4? I check the website and the cars line up. Does the Mustang, Corvette and 350/370Z still race? I see an Evora in pics and the regulations, but I don't see it as a competitor. I'm trying to catch back up to the series(especially aince seeing that KTM GT4 pic). I havent followed as of late, but do remember when GT4 started. There were more manufacturers racing back then.

 

[05XR8]

http://media.speedcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Walls-McLaren.jpg

Porsche Carrera Cup driver Tony Walls will pilot a new McLaren 650S GT3 in the Australian GT Championship next season.

McElrea Racing will prepare the Objective Racing liveried car which will be one of three McLaren 650S cars set to join the Australian GT Championship.

Klark Quinn’s McLaren MP4-12C will be upgraded to 650S specification while father Tony Quinn will drive a newly constructed car imported from England.

After just two seasons in the Porsche Carrera Cup, the arrival of the McLaren represents a new challenge for Walls as he joins the growing Australian GT grid.

The New South Wales businessman, who finished fifth in the Carrera Cup Elite Class, says the opportunity to drive a McLaren in the Australian GT Championship was too good to turn down.

“The global growth in GT racing over the past two years has been a huge attraction and Australian GT is shaping up to have its best year ever in 2015,” said Walls.

“With only 15 new McLaren 650S GT3’s being built for 2015 globally, it is a privilege to be awarded one of the first new race cars to come out of the McLaren GT factory,” said Walls.

“Having spend time in Woking at the McLaren facilities over this past year as well as with McLaren GT at the race track, I have been massively impressed with McLaren’s commitment, passion and direct support of international GT racing.”

AND

Mercedes-Benz Cars Australia will provide the official Safety Car for the Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.

The German manufacturer, which supplies safety vehicles to Formula 1 and DTM championships, will confirm the model to be utilised for the Mount Panorama endurance classic in the new year.

Mercedes will be represented by five SLS GT3 machines on the grid for the race held on February 7-8 courtesy of entries from Erebus Motorsport, HTP Motorsport, Rotek Racing and privateer Dean Grant.

“The opportunity for Mercedes-Benz to provide the safety car for the Bathurst 12 Hour is a great honour,” said Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Horst von Sanden.

“There is no more iconic racetrack in Australia than Mount Panorama and the 12 Hour race is the perfect platform to showcase our vehicles.

“The mixture of production and GT3 cars in an endurance format will prove the relevance and excitement of the race.”

 

[Snaeper]

Anyone have in depth knowledge of GT4? I check the website and the cars line up. Does the Mustang, Corvette and 350/370Z still race? I see an Evora in pics and the regulations, but I don't see it as a competitor. I'm trying to catch back up to the series(especially aince seeing that KTM GT4 pic). I havent followed as of late, but do remember when GT4 started. There were more manufacturers racing back then.

GT4 seems to have waned down to mostly a regional GT class. The car list seems to be quite similar to IMSA's Grand Sport class, with Camaro's, BMW M3's, Porsche 911's, Aston Martin Vantage's, and the Ginetta G50/G55's making up the bulk of the cars running (in the European Championship anyways). Evora's and Nissan 370Z's also participate. With Nissan moving the GT Academy drivers straight into GT3, though, it seems that Nissan's participation in the class is moot, thus they don't develop any cars to compete.

I think GT4 needs to find a new identity rather than being slightly more road-looking versions of cars that are in GT3. The new Reiter/KTM car is interesting, as is the Toyota GT86 that races in the British GT championship.

With a lot of engine downsizing going on, putting more of an emphasis on cars that use 3-6 Cylinder Turbo Engines could make the class more interesting in my opinion.

Then replace the GT4 class cars with Cup cars like the 458 Challenge, GT3 Cup, 650S GT Sprint, etc and make a "GTS" or "GTC" class and do it like they did with the original GT3 spec cars back in '06-'07.

 

[05XR8]

I like the Ginetta. It races in the Australian GT as well. The 86 makes good power in an article I read. Surprised it hasn't been in the European series, as it was the flavor of the year sports car on debut. Hopefully, the M4 replaces the M3 for some fresh skin. The C7 and Viper, CTS-V, even allowing AWD as in the S5 and GT-R, as more choices would be cool. But I see what youre saying about manufacturers developing cars. Maybe opening it up to include sport sedans(Q50, M5, M3, S4) might help. But then, they need people who are intereested in the series to bring money.

 

[Snaeper]

That's the problem. All of those cars are more of the same, in my opinion.

I think GT4 should open the door to manufacturer's who have smaller displacement engines but are not able to compete in Touring Car racing. Small, exciting cars that can help push the development of those engines and separate GT4 from GT3 completely. No car or model overlap, etc.

Example:
Porsche Cayman (GT4 version being developed)
Alfa Romeo 4C
Lotus Evora
Lotus Exige
Toyota GT86
KTM/Reiter
Audi TT (if they allow 4WD)
BMW 2-Series
BMW Z4
Chevrolet Camaro Alpha-platform (but with 2.0T, or V6?)
Ford Mustang Ecoboost
etc.

Give them a more aggressive aero package than GT4 allows now (albeit less splitters and more of a natural body width). Basically GT3 but with 4T-5T-6NA engines.

And then if there's still an interest in racing more powerful cars without going full modern GT3, you take the original concept of GT3, which is to gather the odd misfit GT cars and single-make cars and have them compete together. Current GT4 cars could also be updated/upgraded and even older GT3 cars could take part:

 

[05XR8]

Truuuuue. Maybe KTM presenting something new, will start a change.

 

[Snaeper]

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2014/...oncept-is-lexus-gt3-programme-in-trouble.html

1. The Jaguar program is close to being finalized and just needs the blessing of the higher ups. The cars will follow Bentley's route of a factory program proceeding a customer onslaught. A GTE program could follow depending on the car's success.

But point number two is far more interesting:

2. The Lexus RC-F GT3 has been put on hold since it was way off the pace at the BoP meeting and didn't even finish the session. The car will not debut in Europe in 2015 and it's unclear what the schedule is now for the car.

This doesn't surprise me in the least. Right now, GT3 seems to be dominated by small displacement Turbo engines or large displacement V10's, with the occasional large displacement V8 from the SaReNi Camaro and Callaway Corvette.

I questioned Lexus' NA 5.0 V8 and now it seems my suspicions could be right.

Unless the Japanese are just really bad at developing a GT3 car that doesn't race exclusively in Japan....

 

[IforceV8]

Porsche,BMW,and Ferrari dont agree with the size matters theory.

 

[Snaeper]

Porsche,BMW,and Ferrari dont agree with the size matters theory.

For the Porsche, it depends on the weight of the Lexus.

As for the BMW and Ferrari, BMW is moving to a turbo V8, and Ferrari is likely going to once the road car gets aspirated. So in two years, that Lexus would be the odd one out, and that's assuming the next Porsche isn't also turbocharged...

 

[05XR8]

Do we know if Lexus waited to the last minute to develop the GT3 engine package? Someone posted picks of the car earlier this year, but how far along was the engine development?

 

[05XR8]

I'm wondering how good SuperGT300 cars would go at the Bathurst 12H. It would be awesome to invite some of the japanese teams to take part. Subaru BRZ, TOYOTA Prius and Honda CRZ.

 

[Snaeper]

I'm wondering how good SuperGT300 cars would go at the Bathurst 12H. It would be awesome to invite some of the japanese teams to take part. Subaru BRZ, TOYOTA Prius and Honda CRZ.

It wouldn't make sense. There's only four JAF GT300 cars currently racing. All four would have to show up to even make it worth it. And if there's a chance that they could win overall (which would be the only way to entice them down there, in my opinion), then you'd likely lose some of the visiting GT3 teams from Europe and Asia.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

I didn't realise the dedicated GT300 cars had waned down so much. I knew that GT3 cars had become really popular within the class but not that much! That's a bit of a shame but hopefully the new 'mother chassis' brings back some of the local cars. I couldn't imagine they would bother bringing their cars down here anyway, I assume the operation would be a bit more expensive than bringing a GT3 car down. GT300 cars were eligible back in the days of the Bathurst 24 Hour, though, but none made their way down here in the few years that the race was held.

 

[05XR8]

It wouldn't make sense. There's only four JAF GT300 cars currently racing. All four would have to show up to even make it worth it. And if there's a chance that they could win overall (which would be the only way to entice them down there, in my opinion), then you'd likely lose some of the visiting GT3 teams from Europe and Asia.

Was it that difficult to bring the GT500 cars over for that exhibition in Cali some time back? I think it was for the opening of the Autobacs store. I get it about incentives, but they should be invited and see who answers. What if all 4 did say yes?

I didn't realise the dedicated GT300 cars had waned down so much. I knew that GT3 cars had become really popular within the class but not that much! That's a bit of a shame but hopefully the new 'mother chassis' brings back some of the local cars. I couldn't imagine they would bother bringing their cars down here anyway, I assume the operation would be a bit more expensive than bringing a GT3 car down. GT300 cars were eligible back in the days of the Bathurst 24 Hour, though, but none made their way down here in the few years that the race was held.

That's crazy, I didn't realize that either.

 

[Snaeper]

Was it that difficult to bring the GT500 cars over for that exhibition in Cali some time back? I think it was for the opening of the Autobacs store. I get it about incentives, but they should be invited and see who answers. What if all 4 did say yes?

They never did it again, did they? And that was when the economy was healthy.

 

[05XR8]

That was all about promotion. I lived in NY at the time. Most people in the states, outside of customising Civics, didnt even know about Skylines, let alone JGTC. It wasnt even promoted heavily enough for it to break wind on the East Coast. I was watching BMI videos, going to Speed World Challenge races at Lime Rock and buying Super Street magazine. That's where I got most of my news on events from Japan and the west coast.

With the way the 12H is promoted, Europe being further than Japan, a Japanese GT300 team trekking down here is probably not as costly.

 

[Snaeper]

That was all about promotion. I lived in NY at the time. Most people in the states, outside of customising Civics, didnt even know about Skylines, let alone JGTC. It wasnt even promoted heavily enough for it to break wind on the East Coast. I was watching BMI videos, going to Speed World Challenge races at Lime Rock and buying Super Street magazine. That's where I got most of my news on events from Japan and the west coast.

With the way the 12H is promoted, Europe being further than Japan, a Japanese GT300 team trekking down here is probably not as costly.

But if what they gain doesn't outweigh the costs, then it doesn't matter if they only spend two dollars to go down there if they're only gonna make one dollar back.

Contrary to what I like to think, racing teams are still a business for the most part. If they constantly made decisions based on what would be cool or neat to do, they'd be out of business. I'd rather not risk losing the last four currently running JAF GT300 cars all because they made a questionable trip down to Australia and ruined their financial plan for the year when they all wrecked.

And now that I think about it, they may not even be prepared to do a 12 hour race. The longest race they run is the Suzuka 1000km. It could be questionable on how reliable they are for a 12 hour event.

 

[Spacegoat]

Reiter Gallardo Extenso GT3 breaks cover.

 

[05XR8]

But if what they gain doesn't outweigh the costs, then it doesn't matter if they only spent have to spend two dollars to go down there if they're only gonna make one dollar back.

Contrary to what I like to think, racing teams are still a business for the most part. If they constantly made decisions based on what would be cool or neat to do, they'd be out of business. I'd rather not risk losing the last four currently running JAF GT300 cars all because they made a questionable trip down to Australia and ruined their financial plan for the year when they all wrecked.

And now that I think about it, they may not even be prepared to do a 12 hour race. The longest race they run is the Suzuka 1000km. It could be questionable on how reliable they are for a 12 hour event.

Oh, no doubt it's a business. And definitely valid concerns, but arent they works teams? I dont know how much yen Honda Racing, FHI and Toyota have. If they do wreck, the SGT season starts in May. Nismo wrecked just when their drivers were getting comfortable. The Blancpain season started in April. They're back to try again.

However, it would make sense to enter if SGT(even though the GT500 cars are the main focus) are looking to broaden their fanbase with Europe and the world watching the 12H. But as you pointed out, only a shot at an outright win would be the main objective.

That would really suck if the GT300 cars are not as reliable as the GT3 machines.


http://www.speedcafe.com/2014/12/23/grove-racing-signs-barker-youlden-b12h/

The 23-year-old Englishman’s Porsche experience will be valuable having finished every race of this season’s fiercely competitive Porsche Supercup inside the the top 10.

The Brit also won the Carrera Cup curtain raiser to the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours classic in June.

“I love this place [Bathurst] as most do. It can bite, but having had a fair few laps over the hill and turning some solid podium finishes in the past, I go with a good track record that I intend on keeping,” said Barker.

“The Bathurst 12 Hour has been the talk of the paddock in all three series that I have raced in this year.

“Part of what makes it very special is the fact that Europeans have to travel 24 hours to get there, making it a truly unique and worthwhile event.”

With 15 Bathurst 1000 starts to his name, Youlden will bring a wealth of a circuit knowledge to the squad.

The 36-year-old has been regular V8 Supercar co-driver at Brad Jones Racing and has also demonstrated his skills in the Porsche Carrera Cup.

Youlden drove for the factory Abarth effort at this year’s Bathurst 12 Hour.

“I had my first race at Bathurst in 1996, so I’ve done the odd mile or two around the place,” said Youlden.

“Being quick around Bathurst is about commitment across the top of the mountain and trying not to wash off too much speed on the way down.

“I think that the race will be about avoiding other people’s accidents and making good calls around pit stop times because with our car and driver line-up, I think we’ll definitely have good speed.”

Team boss Grove is confident his drivers have all the necessary skills required to defend the team’s Bathurst 12 Hour Class B title.

“It’ll be great to have him back,” said Grove of Ben Barker.

“He has managed some fantastic results in 2014, particularly in the Porsche Supercup where he has been very impressive considering the quality of the drivers in the category.”

“I was really keen to get Luke on board because of his invaluable experience in endurance racing.

“He can provide some help for Ben and myself in regards to setting the car up for Bathurst and executing driver changes efficiently where a lot of time can be made up and lost.”

Elsewhere, former A1GP driver Matt Halliday will join Michael Almond and Peter Fitzgerald’s in the latter’s Class A Audi R8 LMS GT3 entry.

New Zealand squad GT3 Endurance has also confirmed its driver line up for their two Class B Porsche 997 Cup cars.

The team’s #66 entry will be driven by Kiwis Scott O’Donnell and Hayden Knighton with the pairing completed by England’s Michael Lyons.

The sister #69 car will feature Christchurch drivers Lindsay O’Donnell and Phil Mauger alongside Michael Lyons’ father Frank.

 

[TDZdave]

The way I see it is if the car can do 1000km then there is no reason it shouldn't be able to compete over 24hrs, no team really does more 10 hours in a private testing session without extended R&D breaks throughout the session

 

[Clark]

A lot of the manufacturer teams do 30 hour tests when developing a new car.

 

[Brutaka]

PWC GT/GT-A/GT-Cup entry list as of now

 

[05XR8]

PWC GT/GT-A/GT-Cup entry list as of now

That Cadillac, Andretti Autosport trying to field the GT-Rs will be cool. RTR need to think about another marque if Acura arent making a GT3 NSX.

 

[catamount39]

Reiter Gallardo Extenso GT3 breaks cover.

That thing looks like pure EVIL. O_O I love it!

 

[Snaeper]

That Cadillac, Andretti Autosport trying to field the GT-Rs will be cool. RTR need to think about another marque if Acura arent making a GT3 NSX.

That's like asking a long time devout Christian to consider another religion.

 

[05XR8]

That's like asking a long time devout Christian to consider another religion.

you got that right!

 

[Jav]

That Cadillac, Andretti Autosport trying to field the GT-Rs will be cool. RTR need to think about another marque if Acura arent making a GT3 NSX.

I'm pretty sure the SCCA will be pressing them hard to get a couple of NSXs in the series in 2016.

 

[05XR8]

I'm pretty sure the SCCA will be pressing them hard to get a couple of NSXs in the series in 2016.

The TLX is not unlike the 4 door CTSV and Volvo up against Corvette and Viper years back. And it's a tough looking race car. Too bad there's no Legend Coupe.

 

[Jav]

The TLX is not unlike the 4 door CTSV and Volvo up against Corvette and Viper years back. And it's a tough looking race car. Too bad there's no Legend Coupe.

True, but with WC-GT moving more towards the GT-3 direction they'd be looking to get those NSXs in the series. This is a lot of me hoping...