PROPOSAL FOR THE FUTURE OF GT RACING
The undeniable success of the GT3 category since its launch at the end of 2005, as well as the
effectiveness of the innovative technical principals underpinning this new category, has given rise
to a set a rules which, once a number of issues have been solved, should answer the needs of
every GT category and allow for the establishment of a World Championship for GT1 cars.
The GT3 category was launched in December 2005, with 44 cars entered in the inaugural FIA GT3
European Championship. Since then, it has become the fastest-growing category, appearing in
most national GT Championships in Europe and around the world, generally as the leading class.
The main reasons for this success are found in the appealing models from prestigious brands,
most of them prepared independently of the manufacturers, at an effective cost-to-performance
ratio.
GT3 is a category where technical regulations are replaced by technical forms – a 106-page
document which must be completed before homologation – followed by a sophisticated balance of
performance process.
There are, however, some limits in the balance of performance, which are calculated over an entire
season rather than on a race-by-race basis. The cars vary greatly in terms of engine capacity,
power and weight, which have a different effect at every circuit. The most competitive cars have to
be severely handicapped, while less powerful ones struggle to reach the average level set by the
FIA GT Bureau.
It is therefore suggested to subdivide the existing GT3 cars into two classes, according to their
engine capacity. These would become the basis of the new GT1 and GT2 categories for 2009.
The new GT1 cars would be considerably upgraded from today’s existing GT3 cars. Each class
would be characterised by a power-to-weight ratio, similar to that successfully used in GT4.
This new procedure would reduce costs in all classes, whilst offering a clear scale of performance
and placing each GT model into one category, and one alone, therefore clarifying the global picture
for the media and general public.
Furthermore, with reduced technical costs, teams would be able to run more races, travel overseas
and invest in marketing – all factors which would allow for the establishment of an official FIA World
Championship, the name of which is yet to be defined. This would be reserved for the GT1 2009
cars, while the GT2 2009 cars would compete in a GT2 Championship, possibly keeping the name
and logo of the FIA GT Championship, thus continuing the spirit of the current long-running
Championship. The FIA GT3 Championship, for non-professional drivers, would continue with the
cars currently running in GT4.
This project, complete with tentative ideas on the technical and sporting regulations, has been
presented to the GT Manufacturers, tyre manufacturers and the FIA GT Commission.
Furthermore, Stephane Ratel started a round of presentations to the teams of all SRO-promoted
GT Championships, including the FIA GT teams this weekend in Adria. He explained the concept
behind the new GT1, GT2 and GT3 categories, which could be approved by the FIA Motor Sport
World Council in December 2007, for a progressive application between 2009 and 2011.
Beside the presentation itself, Stephane Ratel wanted to make clear that :
1: the proposal was still a project, the technical details of which are to be finalised after a round of
meetings with the manufacturers and engineering companies implicated, or with existing projects in
GT racing.
2: the ACO is invited to these meetings and will be closely associated with the decision-making
process as common FIA /ACO regulations on GT cars remain a priority.
3: the new GT1 regulations, with full technical details to be drafted soon, are likely to be applied as
early as 2009, in the context of a newly launched official World Championship, replacing or coming
next to existing GT1 cars, only because no GT1 projects bringing new cars to the Championship
are in place. It is felt that the current GT1 grid will not sustain another two seasons and that the
interest from the media, spectators, television and event promoters will dwindle should the GT1
category present the same grid for five to six consecutive years. Grandfathering of existing GT1
cars will be discussed with the teams.
4: the existing GT2 cars, in their latest 2008 evolutions, would be eligible in the GT2 European
Championship (possibly keeping the name and logo of the FIA GT Championship) until the end of
2010, giving them another three full seasons of competition.
5: the GT4 cars over 3.8 litres would remain eligible in the new GT3 category until the end of 2010.
6: all SRO-promoted national GT Championships will maintain the existing regulations until the end
of 2010 unless specifically requested by the teams.
), and Holland Sport will occasionally upset them with a quick, unseen victory. 
