JGTC in America

[JohnBM01]

Hello, GT Planet.

This is my debut in the Motorsports topic. As we all know, Japanese cars are very popular. In Gran Turismo, did you enjoy racing that 680hp Castrol Toyota Supra in the original Gran Turismo? Those cars were mostly based on the 1996 JGTC and past Le Mans races from a few years ago (when GT was released).

Speed Channel thankfully answered my E-mail from when it was Speedvision. One thing I wanted them to show was the JGTC. Then during a commercial on Speed Channel, the announcer said "...and for the first time on Speed Channel, Japanese touring cars." When I saw the "On the Limit" series, I felt like I died and gone to Heaven. The JGTC. Powerful and agile cars. Intense racing action. Tough Japanese circuits. And for us guys, those beautiful JGTC Race Queens.

Now that I got your attention, what if I told you that they are coming to America in 2004 for a non-championship race? Well guess what? It's true. All the people that criticize Japanese cars as "all show, no go" vehicles will eat their words when these Japanese GT racers (note I'm not saying Japanese Touring Cars, like Speed Channel is) will hit America's west coast.

You are free to share your thoughts about the JGTC in America. I will start with my ideas in the next thread.

 

[JohnBM01]

To me, I think the JGTC will likely bring our Gran Turismo 3 dreams to life and race Laguna Seca. I think it will be a great chance to see what the JGTC is all about as they stomp on American soil. I know someone in another thread said something like "Swedish steel...than American junk." When JGTC comes to America next year, there will be Japanese, American, and non Japanese/American cars. For example, there are the:

REPRESENTING JAPAN:
Toyota Supra
Nissan Skyline
Honda NSX (GT500 and GT300)
Nissan Silvia
Mazda RX-7
ASL Garaiya
Vemac RD320
Toyota Celica
Toyota MR-S

REPRESENTING AMERICA:
Chrysler Viper
Mosler MT900R

REPRESENTING NEITHER:
McLaren F1
Lamorghini Diablo
BMW M3 GT-R
Mercedes-Benz CLK
Ferrari 360 Modena
Porsche 911 GT Cup

These cars carry N/A and Turbo engines. The action is very cool. It's almost like the BTCC, only with more drama. Think of it as NASCAR at Darlington where everyone has trouble at one point or another (not to upset circle-track haters, of course). But the JGTC is one of the best series in the world. If the JGTC wanted to expand its American options, I know a lot of good tracks.

Road America
- America's longest road course at 4 miles.

Barber Motorsports Park
- A fairly-new race track that looks vey beautiful and actually looks like a competitive race track. All it needs is some international action. Once, I thought this looked like a European curcuit!

Sebring
- One of America's oldest road courses. Famous for the 12 Hours of Sebring, it is a long track with surprises at every corner.

Long Beach
- America's oldest street course with a beautiful tropical environment.

Road Atlanta
- Home of America's youngest endurance (Petit Le Mans), this classic circuit is very much a great sportscar circiut.

Limerock
- A short, yet professional track in a beautiful New England environment.

So what do you think about the JGTC in America? Post on!

 

[Dorifto]

Ya I heard about them doing this a long time ago...and I love it!!! I think they should go to the Barber Motorsports Park...or Sears Point cause I live so close!