Production Car Racing (GT4, CTSCC, PWC GTS/TC, MX-5 Cup, etc)Touring Cars 

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Back to the good old days of the 997 GT4. Why not? Most participating manufacturers have their big dogs in both GT categories. Wonder if McLaren would run a 720S in GT4.
 
jus1029
www.dailysportscar.com

McLaren To Wind Down GT4 Programme

McLaren To Wind Down GT4 Programme
www.dailysportscar.com www.dailysportscar.com

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Mistake GIF

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“Honestly speaking, [it’s] also because we don’t believe that looking into the future, GT4 is the right place for a brand like McLaren. Knowing the product range of McLaren for the future, GT4 is not of interest for us.”
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“GT4, it’s a championship that we like,” Sanna explained. “We have a lot of customers. We will continue to support as much as we can their programmes. But GT4, looking into the medium and long term, is not the stage where McLaren will be.”
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Reads like a cop out. :D
Seriously, that's fine. I didn't understand how limited McLaren are in resources for GT4. They had and continue to have plenty of success. At least the GT4 kind of lives on as a Trophy car.
 
Cue the upcoming "slightly watered down from a 911 GT3" roadgoing 911 GT4 money printing machine.
 
I’m getting a little worried about GT4 and GT3 honestly, it seems to be more manufacturers leaving than joining these days honestly. I guess it’s to be expected with there being less sports cars on the road in general, and the increased costs of re-engineering hybrid components from the race car.

But there’s still a few model types that definitely could be made to GT4 regulations it’s a shame we don’t see at all. The Corvette C8 would be a nice replacement for the Camaro, it would be nice to see the I6 Dodge Charger coupe in the class, the Lamborghini Temerario would even be a nice “replacement” for the R8. Ferrari could even enter the 296 or Amalfi which is their entry level model, but I guess they probably see GT4 as a bit low-brow.

There’s honestly still a bunch of current models that would be right at home in GT4, so it’s sad seeing these classes bleed manufacturers quicker than they’re gaining them. But I guess it means more money for AMG and Porsche which are filling most grids these days lol.
 
There are currently ten manufacturers running GT4 cars.
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Mustang are dominant in GT4 Australia. Supra numbers are are up and the overall grid entrants are up. Be it there’s only one R8, a couple Ginettas even. Even Lotus are running cars.
In the European Series, Lotus participate. Only manufacturers that left are Alpine and Chevrolet(which been in GT4 Europe since about 2010; GT4.R ran for close to ten years after that). I’d say that’s a good long stint until it just wasn’t viable.

It’s still a while until McLaren pull out. I wouldn’t be concerned with GT4 as now Porsche are entering the patriarch of Porsche. Since Ferrari and Lamborghini never been in GT4, the series never been at a loss without them. I wouldn’t mind them joining, but isn’t likely.
 
05XR8
There are currently ten manufacturers running GT4 cars.
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Mustang are dominant in GT4 Australia. Supra numbers are are up and the overall grid entrants are up. Be it there’s only one R8, a couple Ginettas even. Even Lotus are running cars.
In the European Series, Lotus participate. Only manufacturers that left are Alpine and Chevrolet(which been in GT4 Europe since about 2010; GT4.R ran for close to ten years after that). I’d say that’s a good long stint until it just wasn’t viable.

It’s still a while until McLaren pull out. I wouldn’t be concerned with GT4 as now Porsche are entering the patriarch of Porsche. Since Ferrari and Lamborghini never been in GT4, the series never been at a loss without them. I wouldn’t mind them joining, but isn’t likely.
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10 is still ok but on this list, Audi is definitely on the way out and is only going to be around for another year or two. McLaren just announced they're out, and some of the manufacturers that are competing have questionable levels of commitment too. Lotus once the Emira ends production won't have a car to use in the class anymore. It was going to end production in 2027 but the relaxed laws have delayed that a bit but by how long is unclear. Also the Toyota Supra is done after the next year or two as well, and it's unknown if Toyota will replace it in GT4, maybe they could with the GR86. So there's only really six manufacturers I feel confident about in the next 3-4 years.
 
MisterWaffles
10 is still ok but on this list, Audi is definitely on the way out and is only going to be around for another year or two. McLaren just announced they're out, and some of the manufacturers that are competing have questionable levels of commitment too. Lotus once the Emira ends production won't have a car to use in the class anymore. It was going to end production in 2027 but the relaxed laws have delayed that a bit but by how long is unclear. Also the Toyota Supra is done after the next year or two as well, and it's unknown if Toyota will replace it in GT4, maybe they could with the GR86. So there's only really six manufacturers I feel confident about in the next 3-4 years.
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I can't see GT4 going back to the early days of the Belgium GT4 where teams pretty much built their own cars. With exception of say the FR500 and a couple Lotus 111R and the 350Z, it was nearly build it to specs and race.
Toyota are replacing the Supra with another Supra(I swear I posted about it in this thread). They look committed to GT3. Their presence in GT4 and not just keeping it at home in Super Taikyu, isn't guaranteed, but customers are successful with them and Toyota have more money than smaller brands.

I still see GT4 and GT3 being around for a good while.
 
McLaren is just winding down support, but they will still provide it for another 3 years. I would expect a lot of those teams to slowly transfer to the new Porsche. I'm curious about Mercedes, will we see a GT4 version of the new AMG GT? I thought Audi ended support a while ago but there are still cars out there doing laps. Hell they won a championship last year in European GT4.

I think Ford is locked in for a while, Lotus will probably drop off in the next season or two. I wouldn't expect Toyota to drop the Supra until the new one comes around. The car is still winning races and running at the front. I think that the Supra popping up in Supercars even with it being discontinued for the time being is proof that Toyota doesn't really care about that.

Just need Nissan to jump back into the ring...
 
05XR8
gt4australia.com.au

NZ GR86 winner Chris White earns fully-funded Monochrome GT4 Australia campaign

Monochrome GT4 Australia , GT Racing, news, live streaming, live timing, news, team profiles, driver profiles, video highlights, photos, race information, event information
gt4australia.com.au gt4australia.com.au
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Well done to Chris, and the clever people behind this whole idea.

@05XR8 Didn't we discuss the idea of the winner of the 86 title being rewarded with a Supra GT4 drive of sorts, and something like the highest placed Supra driver getting a test in a Supra Supercar?
With that kind of ladder in place, the same incentive should be on offer for the Australian winner, too.
If I was involved with GR Australia and had some kind of influence, I'd be making plans for the previous year's title winner, or current pointscore leader, to team up with the NZ winner and race one of the guest GR86 in the Bathurst 6hr Class D.

Ford should look at doing something with winners and/or place getters of the Mustang Cup like putting them in a GT4 for a race at least.
 
Pete05
Well done to Chris, and the clever people behind this whole idea.

@05XR8 Didn't we discuss the idea of the winner of the 86 title being rewarded with a Supra GT4 drive of sorts, and something like the highest placed Supra driver getting a test in a Supra Supercar?
With that kind of ladder in place, the same incentive should be on offer for the Australian winner, too.
If I was involved with GR Australia and had some kind of influence, I'd be making plans for the previous year's title winner, or current pointscore leader, to team up with the NZ winner and race one of the guest GR86 in the Bathurst 6hr Class D.

Ford should look at doing something with winners and/or place getters of the Mustang Cup like putting them in a GT4 for a race at least.
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For sure. Porsche been doing it for so long. It’s good to see Toyota have a steady customer base with the GT4. Makes complete sense for drivers to go from GR86->GT4->GT3/GT300/Supercars->GT500->Le Mans or whatever. Opens up so many possibilities for local and overseas drives with the brand.

It’s taken Ford so long. Looked like when the Mustang GT4 was initially shown at Bathurst, that there’d be potential for some kind of relationship with the GT4 car and Supercars. The GT4 car just faded away. Anyway, at least with GR86 and Mustang Challenge, young drivers have more choices on their racing path.
 
The Michelin Pilot Challenge is currently racing at Laguna Seca, and it's been an absolute melee so far.

 
05XR8
33 entries for this one.

The Bend awaits Monochrome GT4 Australia for intriguing battle royale

Following a record-breaking start to the 2026 season, Monochrome GT4 Australia will return to action this weekend with an equal-high 33 entries confirmed to battle it out at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park for LIQUI MOLY GT Festival The Bend.
gt4australia.com.au gt4australia.com.au
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I’d absolutely be there if The Bend wasn’t like a desolate tundra this time of year. Should be good watching on TV though.
 
Been a minute since Ive visited this forum but I poked my head in and noticed this thread. I was racing at the B6H - secured 2nd in Class D 😀
 

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Cap'n Jack
I’d absolutely be there if The Bend wasn’t like a desolate tundra this time of year. Should be good watching on TV though.
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I have heard the same thing about Mallala.
Have you ever been there?
I was thinking about coming over for the recent Historics meeting, but got cold feet.
Concerns about protection from the elements if the weather turns sour, and just being exposed to the elements.

Punknoodle
Been a minute since Ive visited this forum but I poked my head in and noticed this thread. I was racing at the B6H - secured 2nd in Class D 😀
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That was a very tight finish in Class D with so many of you, and the very well driven Class E Mazda 3, all on the same lap (110).
I can't find a result that tells me how many seconds there was between you all.
Given the Safety Car so close to the finish, I'm guessing it wasn't that many?
 
Pete05
I have heard the same thing about Mallala.
Have you ever been there?
I was thinking about coming over for the recent Historics meeting, but got cold feet.
Concerns about protection from the elements if the weather turns sour, and just being exposed to the elements.
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I have been, but it was a long while ago and my memories are pretty vague. From what I recall, there’s not much in the way of weather protection.

Incidentally, the last time I went was for a Historics meet too, I think my uncle was racing his pre-war Plymouth Special.
 
Cap'n Jack
I have been, but it was a long while ago and my memories are pretty vague. From what I recall, there’s not much in the way of weather protection.

Incidentally, the last time I went was for a Historics meet too, I think my uncle was racing his pre-war Plymouth Special.
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Has your Uncle ever crossed the border and raced in Victoria?
His Plymouth intrigues me.
What do you know about it?
 
Pete05
Has your Uncle ever crossed the border and raced in Victoria?
His Plymouth intrigues me.
What do you know about it?
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Well, to be technical - he crossed the border to race at Mallala, he’s based out of NSW and is/was (it’s been a couple years) a pretty regular Historics racer in both states.

I don’t have much information on the car, but it looked great on the track. I think it’s based off of the Clem Dwyer car, which used a 1938 Plymouth Special chassis, engine and gear box.
 
I plan on attending the Winton Historics at the end of the month.
To try and boost flagging numbers of what they call the alphabet cars, entry is fees of those cars will be refunded by the VHRR.

What is an alphabet car?
The short version is, a Special like the Clem Dwyer car, or your Uncle's, would fall into Group Kb - Specials built at any time, using components from the period between 1931 and 1940.

At the Phillip Island Classic in March, Groups J, K ,Lb & Invited Formula Vee, were all lumped in together so as to fill the grid.
In that race was a green 1939 Plymouth Special from South Australia, driven by Gerard Miller.
The sponsor, usually the owner at this level, Marque Restoration & Motor Repair.

I should also po8nt out, Syd Negus named in the fantastic link you supplied, was a W.A Independent Senator in the early 70s, and the father of 70s Touring car driver and sometime Holden Dealer Team member, Wayne.
Wayne was a pioneer of sorts and is in the Australian motor racing record books.
He, along with some fella named Brock, and John Harvey, recorded the first podium lockout in ATCC history by a single team, at the Wanneroo round of the 1978 ATCC.
That record stood for 40 years until Triple Eight did the same at the 2018 Sandown 500.
 
Pete05
That was a very tight finish in Class D with so many of you, and the very well driven Class E Mazda 3, all on the same lap (110).
I can't find a result that tells me how many seconds there was between you all.
Given the Safety Car so close to the finish, I'm guessing it wasn't that many?
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We missed out on the class win by 2.1s. Our car was a bit slow in sectors 1 and 3 but was brilliant in sector 2. The new GR is the car to have now for D class and I think I'll need to make the switch soon.
 
Punknoodle
We missed out on the class win by 2.1s. Our car was a bit slow in sectors 1 and 3 but was brilliant in sector 2. The new GR is the car to have now for D class and I think I'll need to make the switch soon.
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That's a massive effort, and result, considering you were giving away 400-500cc every lap.
Being quick across the top is great if you have a clear track in front of you.
Very frustrating if your car suffers motorsport asthma on the straight bits.
There's corners where a GR can run a gear higher than the 86, so for 110 laps that's saving wear and tear if nothing else.
Do you plan on running any APC rounds this year?
What State are you guys from?
 
Pete05
That's a massive effort, and result, considering you were giving away 400-500cc every lap.
Being quick across the top is great if you have a clear track in front of you.
Very frustrating if your car suffers motorsport asthma on the straight bits.
There's corners where a GR can run a gear higher than the 86, so for 110 laps that's saving wear and tear if nothing else.
Do you plan on running any APC rounds this year?
What State are you guys from?
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Based in QLD - definitely won't be doing any APC - don't like the direction that category has gone with more open rules. It's basically catered for the top classes and GT4 cars, the lower classes it becomes a regularity due to the laptime brackets. I'm tempted to do one of the ARDC Production Endurance rounds - I won't make SMSP but I might do the QR event.

My main focus this year was the 6hr, other than that I'll try and win the QLD Production Cars championship this year. I've come close, with a 2nd in 2024, took most of 2025 off, see how we go this year.
 
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Punknoodle
Based in QLD - definitely won't be doing any APC - don't like the direction that category has gone with more open rules. It's basically catered for the top classes and GT4 cars, the lower classes it becomes a regularity due to the laptime brackets. I'm tempted to do one of the ARDC Production Endurance rounds - I won't make SMSP but I might do the QR event.

My main focus this year was the 6hr, other than that I'll try and win the QLD Production Cars championship this year. I've come close, with a 2nd in 2024, took most of 2025 off, see how we go this year.
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I agree with you about the APC.
Totally the wrong direction and just going to ramp up the costs for everyone. Besides, GT4 already have their championship.
I've just seen your ad for the 86 on FB, but if you decide to do Morgan Park later this month, wishing you all the best.
 
Pete05
I agree with you about the APC.
Totally the wrong direction and just going to ramp up the costs for everyone. Besides, GT4 already have their championship.
I've just seen your ad for the 86 on FB, but if you decide to do Morgan Park later this month, wishing you all the best.
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Thanks, yep I've entered the QPC Enduro round there on the 23rd / 24th 👍
 

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