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

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prisonermonkeys
They were already in the series. They were just going to run Ferraris, possibly 458 Italias. Marc VDS were going to enter BMWs, but they withdrew. Since manufacturers can only have one team each, Vita4one evidently found the Z4 more appealing, and so switched.
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They did not compete in the -11 season, and they made a statement this fall, that they would do Blancpain Endurance Series only in -12. With Ferrari 458's.
That's why this came as a total surprise for me.
 
Yes, I know they were not in the 2011 season. But when it was announced that GT1 and GT3 were being amalgamated into GT World, they were announced as a starting team.
 
prisonermonkeys
Yes, I know they were not in the 2011 season. But when it was announced that GT1 and GT3 were being amalgamated into GT World, they were announced as a starting team.
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With Ferraris, yes. They withdrew that later though, and said they would concentrate on their BES effort, since they were short on money. Apparently it was just all shadow play. I´m happy though!

BMW (Vita4one), Audi (WRT), Mercedes (All-inkl.com) - DTM anyone? Plus McLaren (Hexis) and most likely Ferrari (AF Corse has said they are ready if Ferrari are). Another thing I picked up is that Callaway apparently have said they are willing to supply Corvettes with support if anyone wants to run them.
 
Alright...so....for 2012, FIA is allowing GT3 and 2009-spec GT2 cars to race along side GT1 cars. This is great on one hand as McLaren and Audi have both said they're gonna run in GT1 next year. It sucks 'cause that means the only difference between GT1 and GT3 is GT3 is restricted to solely GT3 cars. And there is a high chance you'll see a lot of those GT3 cars in the GT1 races, now.

Also...what happened to Maserati?
 
SuperShouden
Alright...so....for 2012, FIA is allowing GT3 and 2009-spec GT2 cars to race along side GT1 cars. This is great on one hand as McLaren and Audi have both said they're gonna run in GT1 next year. It sucks 'cause that means the only difference between GT1 and GT3 is GT3 is restricted to solely GT3 cars. And there is a high chance you'll see a lot of those GT3 cars in the GT1 races, now.

Also...what happened to Maserati?
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Maserati pulled out due to funding. shame, was a beautiful car, and was fast.
 
GT1 World will be running only GT3 spec cars and not the mix of GT1, GT2 and GT3 cars like originally proposed. See the GT1 World site for more details.
 
Stavelot
GT1 World will be running only GT3 spec cars and not the mix of GT1, GT2 and GT3 cars like originally proposed. See the GT1 World site for more details.
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Wait....so....GT3 is becoming GT1 World? What about GT1 & GT2?

Sounds to me like since everything else is switching to GT3 rules, that's what FIA is doing. It makes it cheaper for teams...but...it's still weird.
 
GT1 as it was last year no longer exists, GT2 is now GTE(ndurance) and GT3 has become the main FIA formula for GT racing.
 
GT1 will be with GT3 spec cars but without electronic aids (ABS, TCS, etc)

Less powerfull cars... I really miss the GT1 formula from the 90s
 
Well, GTE is based off GT3 rules. Heck, when Spyker made their new GTE car, they were asked if they were going to make a GT3-spec car, which would require a slightly different set up, but not much. (Spyker has said they're gonna wait to see how the new car does in 2012 and consider making a GT3-spec car for 2013.)

DTM was considering GT3 rules, SuperGT is GT3-spec, now, as is Grand Am GT...I guess out of all the racing specs, GT3 is much easier for manufacturers to meet and enter, which saves time and money. It's actually a good thing 'cause it opens it up to more manufacturers.
 
SuperShouden
Well, GTE is based off GT3 rules. Heck, when Spyker made their new GTE car, they were asked if they were going to make a GT3-spec car, which would require a slightly different set up, but not much. (Spyker has said they're gonna wait to see how the new car does in 2012 and consider making a GT3-spec car for 2013.)

DTM was considering GT3 rules, SuperGT is GT3-spec, now, as is Grand Am GT...I guess out of all the racing specs, GT3 is much easier for manufacturers to meet and enter, which saves time and money. It's actually a good thing 'cause it opens it up to more manufacturers.
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Super GT is GT3-spec??? not the GT500. the cars weight much less than FIA regulations for GT3
 
Fml why can't people do research....

GTE (GT2) was based off the old GTS (or N-GT, can't remember off the top of my head) cars after the collapse of GT1 in the late 90s. These cars must be production based with steel brakes, production based engines and limited aero.

GT3 was created in 2005-2006 to provide a low cost alternative to GT1 and GT2 using even more production based cars an balanced using the Balance of Performance system (restrictors, weight, ride height). GT3 became popular for national GT series' and now is the top class of FIA GT racing (the other being production based GT4) and is now the class being used for GT World.

Super GT is running GT3 cars in the GT300 class.
 
Yeah, it's cheaper to run GT3 & GT4 cars, which is why FIA and everything else is switching over to GT3 rules. Isn't that what I said?
 
Stavelot
Fml why can't people do research....

GTE (GT2) was based off the old GTS (or N-GT, can't remember off the top of my head) cars after the collapse of GT1 in the late 90s. These cars must be production based with steel brakes, production based engines and limited aero.

GT3 was created in 2005-2006 to provide a low cost alternative to GT1 and GT2 using even more production based cars an balanced using the Balance of Performance system (restrictors, weight, ride height). GT3 became popular for national GT series' and now is the top class of FIA GT racing (the other being production based GT4) and is now the class being used for GT World.

Super GT is running GT3 cars in the GT300 class.
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This is probably the one thing I would refer people to if they want to find out about the GT World Championship. It sums it all up briefly but misses nothing.

What I can add it that GT3 cars will be granted upgrades to up their speed, the exhaust omission restrictions will be less and carbon fibre brakes will be allowed. The upgrade will be offered by manufacturers in kit form. This has the effect of reducing costs as it would cost teams far more to buy a car specifically homologated to meet the GT World regulations.

What I also learned is that the championship didn't choose the GTE class as so many teams in the GTE have decided to purchase GT3 cars.

So what I know is the merger is just between GT3 and GT1. Though with so many GT1 cars like the Ford GT coming to the end of their shelf life I would be very surprised if we see anything other than GT3 cars in the championship. The GT2's still working independently in the FIA GT2 European Championship.
 
It will be GT3 cars only for GT World and no, they will not be the upgraded 'GT3+' cars originally planned, they will be stock GT3 cars which is rather sad....

FIA GT2 doesn't exist anymore, they had one race in 2010 (Spa 24Hours) and since then the series has collapsed.
 
Diehardracer
So what I know is the merger is just between GT3 and GT1. Though with so many GT1 cars like the Ford GT coming to the end of their shelf life I would be very surprised if we see anything other than GT3 cars in the championship. The GT2's still working independently in the FIA GT2 European Championship.
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There won't be anything other than GT3 in the championship. http://www.planetlemans.com/2011/12/02/gt1-world-adopts-gt3-regulations-for-2012/

This is what I find confusing about the championship. They chose to retain the 'GT1 World Championship' name but change to be a all GT3 format...where is the sense in that? It makes it incredibly confusing for people who have only had a passing interest in the series before and new fans will be completely bewildered by what defines a GT1 car or even GT3.

I continually find the news of the 2012 GT1 Championship disappointing to say the least, I'm not remotely interested in watching what will be a GT3 only field racing for about an hour each weekend with only four different cars (at the moment at least; Hexis, All-Inkl, WRT, Vita4One).

There are distinctly better GT3 formats out there which have a far greater field of cars and are proper endurance races. Even the national British GT has a larger field of cars and they compete in longer races...

Do I dare even mention Blancpain Endurance Series?

You only have to look at the amount of cars entering for BES to see that the teams are far more interested in going to BES rather than GT1 - let's not forget the BES gives teams a 3 hour race and the calendar includes the Spa 24H.

I'm also going to have a re-jig of the first post to make this more of a thread to discuss FIA GT1/GT3, Blancpain Endurance Series, British GT (and other local GT championships).
 
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BES is 3 hour races, reminds me of an old championship that used to be worth watching a few years ago....
 
Stavelot
BES is 3 hour races, reminds me of an old championship that used to be worth watching a few years ago....
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Ah your right, don't know why I said 2 hour -must have been thinking of something else!

Definitely reminds me of the same championship...
 
Both classes produce some incredible racing to watch, especially GT1, but I like GT3 better because the cars and the car amount. Also the drivers. GT1 has a smaller amount of really good looking cars. But this year hey will at least get a few Mclarens
 
nitrorocks
Both classes produce some incredible racing to watch, especially GT1, but I like GT3 better because the cars and the car amount. Also the drivers. GT1 has a smaller amount of really good looking cars. But this year hey will at least get a few Mclarens
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Huh?

I never said that GT1 or GT3 didn't produce some great races. GT3 has always had a wider variety of vehicles, but I'd probably have to say GT1 had the stronger range of drivers; Dumbreck, Westbrook, Campbell-Walter, Leinders, Luhr, Turner, Brabham and more that GT3 just couldn't really rival in 2011. That said high class drivers doesn't always mean better racing...

At the moment GT1 World is only set to have one set of McLarens (Hexis). BES currently has two sets (United Autosports & Gulf Racing)...
 
Would appear nitrorocks never does any research....

Btw, there'll be 9 McLarens in BES. United (x2), Gulf (x2), Von Ryan Racing (x2), ASM Team (x1) and Boutsen Ginion (x2).
 
Stavelot
Would appear nitrorocks never does any research....

Btw, there'll be 9 McLarens in BES. United (x2), Gulf (x2), Von Ryan Racing (x2), ASM Team (x1) and Boutsen Ginion (x2).
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Oh awesome, didn't know about the other teams. BES is certainly looking strong for 2012! I'm also looking forward to seeing how well the 'Blancpain Revival Series' goes this year - should be an epic prospect for any GT racing fan.
 
Speedster502
Huh?

I never said that GT1 or GT3 didn't produce some great races. GT3 has always had a wider variety of vehicles, but I'd probably have to say GT1 had the stronger range of drivers; Dumbreck, Westbrook, Campbell-Walter, Leinders, Luhr, Turner, Brabham and more that GT3 just couldn't really rival in 2011. That said high class drivers doesn't always mean better racing...

At the moment GT1 World is only set to have one set of McLarens (Hexis). BES currently has two sets (United Autosports & Gulf Racing)...
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I know. That's what I'm saying. There is going to be a lot of Mclarens in both series. But why do you guys think that everyone is running Mclaren? The car hasnt totally proved itself. Remember Spa? Do you think Mclaren gave them a better deal to run their chassis?
 
Well a McLaren costs in the region of £330,000 however that includes absolutely everything you need to go racing (and I mean everything). McLaren at Spa last year wasn't a good showing because 1) the all pro #59 car crashed early so it wasn't able to show its true pace and 2) the fire that took out the #58 wasn't caused by anything major. The #60 car finished where it did because of the gentleman drivers, problems and a lack of me behind the wheel :sly: (apparently my sponsor money wasn't good enough....).
 
Speedster502
It makes it incredibly confusing for people who have only had a passing interest in the series before and new fans will be completely bewildered by what defines a GT1 car or even GT3.
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I would count myself as both. I am new but have had a passing interest in it and you are spot on. Fundamentally what separated the different classes to me varied much. Different bhp, different allowances with regard to components, different eligibilities and so on.

I think this way it will simplify things because many new fans don't have a particular desire to know details that doesn't isn't important to them. All they want to know is what makes up the car they are seeing on screen. And every car will be identical with regard to homologation.
 
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Stavelot
Well a McLaren costs in the region of £330,000 however that includes absolutely everything you need to go racing (and I mean everything). McLaren at Spa last year wasn't a good showing because 1) the all pro #59 car crashed early so it wasn't able to show its true pace and 2) the fire that took out the #58 wasn't caused by anything major. The #60 car finished where it did because of the gentleman drivers, problems and a lack of me behind the wheel :sly: (apparently my sponsor money wasn't good enough....).
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I know how it feels. I was out of a ride all of last year. But I'm glad Alexander Simms got the ride. They didn't have very great drivers.
 

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