2016 WeatherTech SportsCar ChampionshipSports Cars 

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Honda is far too late, like Lexus in getting into GT3. GT3 won't be around much longer because of it's costs becoming too high.
 
Kamuifanboy
Honda is far too late, like Lexus in getting into GT3. GT3 won't be around much longer because of it's costs becoming too high.
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Considering they basically developed a pair of cars for their own use in PWC, I think its all uphill for them if they even sell a single car.
 
Kamuifanboy
GT3 won't be around much longer because of it's costs becoming too high.
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Obviously as a racer you've got an inside track on this sort of thing, so I'd be interested in why you think that GT3 won't be around much longer. I'm seeing this sentiment a lot, but it seems unsubstantiated to me. Audi has already sold more than 60 of their new R8 LMS, and the likes of Porsche and Mercedes can't build cars fast enough. GT3 series worldwide are seeing increased numbers, and major series such as Super GT and IMSA have adopted GT3 regulations. While costs are getting high, there are so many cars out there that I can't see it disappearing any time soon.
 
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GT3 dying? Take a look at Audi and Mercedes who has sold 40, 50+ NEW model GT3's. The class isn't going to fall anytime soon. What's more likely is it expands into even more racing series' around the world. When most every big manufacturer enters to sell cars, it's a viable business they see potential in. People have been predicting for year's it's failure, and they've been wrong. In fact it's the opposite. The class has grown. Lamborghini entered as an official manufacturer with the Huracan and it's a success. As did Bentley. Now you have the Japanese big 3, the German big 3, the 2 Italians, 3 (or 4) British... it goes on.
 
GT1 seemed like could never fail at one point as well.

I'm not going to go as far as saying GT3 will fail, but I think it's currently in a very delicate situation. The series' that run the class need to find a way to reel in the manufacturer squads or it will drive the non-manufacturer affiliated ones away because they can't keep up.

catamount39
Even if GT3 went kaput, everyone and their mother makes a GT4 car or GT4-esc car too. Not like it'd end badly. :p
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I guess it's only the next logical step. GT1>GT3>GT4?

The cars do remind me of what GT3 cars looked like at first, granted not as fast.
 
Northstar
GT1 seemed like could never fail at one point as well.

I'm not going to go as far as saying GT3 will fail, but I think it's currently in a very delicate situation. The series' that run the class need to find a way to reel in the manufacturer squads or it will drive the non-manufacturer affiliated ones away because they can't keep up.



I guess it's only the next logical step. GT1>GT3>GT4?

The cars do remind me of what GT3 cars looked like at first, granted not as fast.
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FIA seems to be more careful with GT4 as well.

It'd solve the problems with class speeds now wouldn't it? :p Also, if GT3 regs ended up getting cut, those teams could afford GT4's (I'd think).

Let's all hold off on the doom and gloom though, nothing has happened yet and it seems stable-ish currently. (apart from what is now indeed a flood of cars available)
 
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The ACO/FIA just solved Imsa's PC problem by stating that the new spec P2 cars will have a different BOP than the current field of P2 cars. This means that at the end of this year there will be around 15 P2 chassis for sale including a nice field of Ligier JS2's that will no longer be competitive in the WEC and ELMS. A field of 6-8 JS2's mixed in with a couple of BRO cars should be enough car to field a true Pro-Am class. Keep the power levels around 525hp so the Nissan/Judd/HPD engine balance is still maintained and the gap between DPi and GTLM is the same.

Current count
WEC- Ligier JS2-3 cars, BRO-1 2 cars
ELMS- LIgier JS20 6 cars
Add to that Shank's current car and the other chassis that just won Daytona and Le Mans and the PC field has the potential to become 13 P2 coupes next year.
 
IforceV8
The ACO/FIA just solved Imsa's PC problem by stating that the new spec P2 cars will have a different BOP than the current field of P2 cars. This means that at the end of this year there will be around 15 P2 chassis for sale including a nice field of Ligier JS2's that will no longer be competitive in the WEC and ELMS. A field of 6-8 JS2's mixed in with a couple of BRO cars should be enough car to field a true Pro-Am class. Keep the power levels around 525hp so the Nissan/Judd/HPD engine balance is still maintained and the gap between DPi and GTLM is the same.

Current count
WEC- Ligier JS2-3 cars, BRO-1 2 cars
ELMS- LIgier JS20 6 cars
Add to that Shank's current car and the other chassis that just won Daytona and Le Mans and the PC field has the potential to become 13 P2 coupes next year.
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So I'm guessing that means no more "spec P2's" being competitive in DPi?
 
Well the current gen cars were only eligible to race in '17 so they should in theory be competitive, but in reality the current Nissan/Judd/HPD P2 engines are wound pretty tight at 575 hp and would struggle against the new DPi cars.
 
That storm has been brewing for some time. It's not surprising either since both parties want completely different things from the same regulations.
 
I say IMSA flips the bird to the FIA/ACO and moves on to create their own thing. The FIA/ACO's idea of LMP2 starting next year is utter garbage.
 
catamount39
I say IMSA flips the bird to the FIA/ACO and moves on to create their own thing.
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They would be stupid not to considering only a few teams have actually taken advantage of the invite. The whole Le Mans tie in is rather pointless outside of GTLM because of that fact.
 
GTPorsche


:lol:
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This guy :lol:

Northstar
They would be stupid not to considering only a few teams have actually taken advantage of the invite. The whole Le Mans tie in is rather pointless outside of GTLM because of that fact.
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Alright that's a good point. Still, the FIA/ACO are wrecking the heck out of LMP2.
 
I think the real kicker will be what the car counts are for in both DPi and spec LMP2. Whichever class winds up getting a higher car count in future seasons will be the series that decides which LMP2 method is better for competition. If some of the LMP1 privateers appear in DPi years down the road, that could also potentially throw a monkey wrench into future IMSA/FIA P2 negotiations. IMSA and the FIA both have a right to do what they deem is best for their competition, but we will all see which is better in due time.
 
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IforceV8
GM's Mark Kent says no to Cadillac in GTD and is very vague about GM's future in DPi. http://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/chevrolet-still-evaluating-imsa-prototype-future-682152/
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Well that's a load of ****. :indiff: Though maybe there's hope then for a that Camaro GT3 or Callaway Corvette GT3 from Europe (yes logistically almost impossible, but there's hope then) in GTD, which would be great. No reason for GM to stop anybody if they're not interested in GTD with the Caddy. Though its kinda disgusting not allowing the Caddy in GTD.

So it'd seem then DPi is only really Honda and Mazda (Nissan and Bentley's entries withstanding). Surprised really, but not surprised at the same time. Obviously the DPi isn't entirely ruled out, but I bet GM wouldn't mind cutting back to the P&M Corvette's.
 
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Didn't know GM had an idiotic one brand per series rule :rolleyes:
 
RACECAR
Didn't know GM had an idiotic one brand per series rule :rolleyes:
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They don't.

michael-cooper-drives-the-blackdog-speed-shopchevrolet-camaro-during-picture-id456396832


However I don't see a problem with a Bentley style policy where they only want their high end model going for the overall win.

And I think people should wait for announcements before assuming they are or aren't going to be taking part in DPi.
 
Northstar
They don't.

michael-cooper-drives-the-blackdog-speed-shopchevrolet-camaro-during-picture-id456396832


However I don't see a problem with a Bentley style policy where they only want their high end model going for the overall win.

And I think people should wait for announcements before assuming they are or aren't going to be taking part in DPi.
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It was a sarcastic response to this part:

“We are really trying to have the Pirelli World Challenge as the place where the ATS-V races, and IMSA United SportsCar where the Corvette races, in GTLM.”
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