Skyline GT-R in Speed GT Series

The Aston Martin DB9s are in the series, how come nobody's pulling for the Aston Martins to beat Cadillac's asses on the track?
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Because I'm a Tommy Archer/Dodge Viper fan. ;) Have been since he took the year off of SWC to head up the Dodge Viper Trans Am project.

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Plus McCann Racing is from my area, being a North Canton based team, which is in NE Ohio.

I don't want to see Caddy win, that's for damn sure, but I also know that this Skyline, without MAJOR sponsorship and R&D dollars, isn't going to be the car to beat the Cadillacs.

And while this isn't the Falken car in particular, it's straight out of the production run of the Falken car, and theoretically Falken could bring their Skyline GTR to the states, make the changes that Igor made, use a set of Toyo Proxes, and compete in SWC. Even though one tire company using another's product to get exposure is a little silly.
 
the second mech. DNF was not related to their first DNF. the car died into lap 4 and that was it for them. unfortunate as it was looking to be a good race for igor.

long beach should be an exciting weekend. hope to see you guys there (supporting the GT-R or not!)
 
Hell, I may be one of the only people who follows the SWC-GT that wants the V's to win. Everyone else wants the Vettes or Vipers or Porsches to dominate, or the Skyline.

It's not that I don't want the Skyline to win. Losing sucks, having your car break on you during a race sucks even worse. I know this. I don't hold anything against Igor or his car, I just don't think the GT-R has what it takes. I won't be upset if I get proven wrong.
 
well, hopefully the Skyline does better.
 
What do you guys think about the Team SMR/ESX Subaru Impreza STi debuting in Long Beach this weekend?

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Gary Sheenan is the driver

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Let me tell you something. That will really give Japanese car fans something to be jacked about. Think about it- a Skyline and the Impreza. Now unless they are tuned to be nothing more than an also-ran, this car may pick up a few Top Tens. Beating the big dogs probably isn't going to happen. Doesn't mean I decline to give them a chance.

Even if these cars don't win races, they are at least exposing these cars to racing conditions, thus marketing them to us racing fans. I can probably say that just seeing them on the track is worth the price of admission. It's like when you have those 200 or so cars in the 24 Hours at the Nürburgring. You have to finish to classify, but some of them are just enjoying the thrill of being on a bigtime circuit.

So let's keep things moving.
 
Based on the history of the team and driver involved, I have a lot more faith in the Subaru Impreza effort than I do in the A.F. Nissan GTR.

Unlike the Skyline, this Impreza is being built by ESX - a team with established American competition pedigree WITH the Impreza. They've won in both NHRA drag racing (engine development) and in USTCC including a 3rd overall at the 25hrs. of Thunderhill. It's being driven by Gary Sheehan, whose touring car resume in America consists almost entirely of Subaru Impreza wins.

Hell, the team even has FACTORY SUBARU SUPPORT.

Igor's a great guy who's been good to me over the years (I actually moderate over on AF) and is honestly being more than tolerant of me voicing my concerns about the GTR, but there's really no comparing the level of prep between the Automotive Forums Skyline and the ESX Impreza.
 
Wouldn't you say though, that the Japanese car competition is heating up in Speed GT with the inclusion of Nissan and Subaru?
 
Well, there are more Japanese cars (two as of now, three if AF gets their second GTR on track) now in SWC than there have been in a while. After all, the last major Japanese effort in SWC GT was by Acura with Realtime's NSX.

A championship winning car, that beast, but then Realtime has had a LOT of time with Acura in racing since they've been so closely tied to Comptech over the years, and we all know what Comptech is capable of....

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However, as far as "competition" is concerned, there's just too much of a gap between the Skyline and its international competition for it to be a major threat, and the Impreza, while looking solid according to the practice times from the Friday Long Beach session, isn't that much further ahead.

Honestly, a full fledged factory effort with either a severely modified or truly to-drawer machine is what it's going to take for a Japanese manufacturer to dethrone Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, and Porsche from their position at the top of the heap.
 
Don't forget about the starts, the STi and GT-R get a considerable advantage by having 4WD
 
FireEmblem62
Don't forget about the starts, the STi and GT-R get a considerable advantage by having 4WD
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I forgot the GT-R had 4WD. so we might see a Audi type start(minus the Charging through the field on the first lap).

BTW, Layla's Keeper, do you go by the same name on AF?
 
If I'm not mistaken, I think Automobile did a short story on 3 Skyline owners in the US (R32, R33, R34), and the R34 was the owner and operator of that AutomotiveForums.com Skyline.
 
Yes, same name Racecar.

Now, as far as the AWD advantage off the line, it certainly helped Igor in the first few laps at St. Pete. He ran as high as 16th after the start.

However, a starting line advantage doesn't add up to race pace and reliability, both of which the GTR is struggling with now.
 
I can remember a few years ago when Michael Galati won the crown in Speed GT with his Audi. 4WD is a good deal, but you also have to have a capable car as well as driver talent. When these three virtues combined in SCCA's Speed World Challenge, the end result = champion.

Then again, take a look at SPEED Touring Car and the Turner Motorsports BMWs. They have REAR wheel drive, which is very advantageous in standing starts because of better and quicker acceleration. FWD has long been a staple in touring car racing since it's nimble and not as unforgiving. But any RWD runs the risk of losing control of your car and oversteering (I hate using "loose") if not careful.

And in defense of Layla's Keeper:

It's not how you start, but how you finish.
 
*McLaren*
If I'm not mistaken, I think Automobile did a short story on 3 Skyline owners in the US (R32, R33, R34), and the R34 was the owner and operator of that AutomotiveForums.com Skyline.
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igor and his team were featured in automobile mag :)

HUGE power differences between the GT-R and the rest of the class. AWD jumped igor a few spots on the 1st lap; on the straights it was over.

maybe one day we'll see an actual GT500 class car from JGTC. i'd love to see how that would stack up against the GT class.:)
 
JohnBM01
Let me tell you something. That will really give Japanese car fans something to be jacked about. Think about it- a Skyline and the Impreza. Now unless they are tuned to be nothing more than an also-ran, this car may pick up a few Top Tens. Beating the big dogs probably isn't going to happen. Doesn't mean I decline to give them a chance.

Even if these cars don't win races, they are at least exposing these cars to racing conditions, thus marketing them to us racing fans. I can probably say that just seeing them on the track is worth the price of admission. It's like when you have those 200 or so cars in the 24 Hours at the Nürburgring. You have to finish to classify, but some of them are just enjoying the thrill of being on a bigtime circuit.

So let's keep things moving.
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both the GT-R and impreza are championship endurance cars. the skyline competed in the super taikyu series in japan; the impreza at the 24 hours at thunderhill.:)
 
LAOBA
both the GT-R and impreza are championship endurance cars. the skyline competed in the super taikyu series in japan; the impreza at the 24 hours at thunderhill.:)
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Lets not forget the Skyline was a winner of the 24 hours of Nurburgring too.
 
Lets end speculation and get it straight from the horses mouth. I am the Crew Chief on the AutomotiveForums.com R34 World Challenge GT car.

Dont think that we didnt know that we would struggle in a class against factory backed 6 and 8 liter cars. Tube frame cars with carbon fiber bodywork attached. We are running a street car, but its an all wheel drive street car. We are as heavy as the heaviest car in the series, the Cadiliac. We were the smallest displacement motor until the STI showed up. 2568 cc.

Its our first year, our drivers first year. Sebring we had things that we delt with, but it was pretty obvious to us that we were way down on power. Our straight line speed is much lower than any of the other cars in the series. By the time we realized this, it was too late to try and do anything about it until after our third race.

Sebring we had a small leak onto a downpipe that caused smoke,when we were brought into the pits it flashed and was put out immediately. No damage to the car, no damage to the motor. Something failed I have never seen fail.

St Pete we were off pace and working on setup. Every practice we gain around two seconds. On the start Igor passed six or seven cars up the inside. A couple laps in four cars got together in front of him. On the fourth lap we lost an intercooler pipe, and being a MAF car, we decided to put the car off course in a safe location, rather than limp it around to the pits.

Long Beach - We were four seconds faster in the race than we were in qualifying. Started 24th - finished 17th. Even in front of the factory backed Subaru/ESX team. They struggled and had a few offs. We struggled and had a few offs.

We are learning, we will get faster. Will we ever be a threat to the factory backed teams ? Will we finish better than 17th ? Can we knock 3-4 seconds a lap off our times ? Thats for you guys to spectulate and for us to actually do.

Look for us at Mid-Ohio.
 
tyndago
Lets end speculation and get it straight from the horses mouth. I am the Crew Chief on the AutomotiveForums.com R34 World Challenge GT car.

Dont think that we didnt know that we would struggle in a class against factory backed 6 and 8 liter cars. Tube frame cars with carbon fiber bodywork attached. We are running a street car, but its an all wheel drive street car. We are as heavy as the heaviest car in the series, the Cadiliac. We were the smallest displacement motor until the STI showed up. 2568 cc.

Its our first year, our drivers first year. Sebring we had things that we delt with, but it was pretty obvious to us that we were way down on power. Our straight line speed is much lower than any of the other cars in the series. By the time we realized this, it was too late to try and do anything about it until after our third race.

Sebring we had a small leak onto a downpipe that caused smoke,when we were brought into the pits it flashed and was put out immediately. No damage to the car, no damage to the motor. Something failed I have never seen fail.

St Pete we were off pace and working on setup. Every practice we gain around two seconds. On the start Igor passed six or seven cars up the inside. A couple laps in four cars got together in front of him. On the fourth lap we lost an intercooler pipe, and being a MAF car, we decided to put the car off course in a safe location, rather than limp it around to the pits.

Long Beach - We were four seconds faster in the race than we were in qualifying. Started 24th - finished 17th. Even in front of the factory backed Subaru/ESX team. They struggled and had a few offs. We struggled and had a few offs.

We are learning, we will get faster. Will we ever be a threat to the factory backed teams ? Will we finish better than 17th ? Can we knock 3-4 seconds a lap off our times ? Thats for you guys to spectulate and for us to actually do.

Look for us at Mid-Ohio.
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First of all, Welcome to GTP:)

Back on topic, this answers alot of questions we've had. How far have you guys gotten in the development of the car?
 
Sean, I want to congratulate you guys on your best yet finish at Long Beach, and - just as I've said at AF - while I'm critical of the car and frequently shoot holes in optimistic GTR fan prattling, I am a fan of the operation and of the team, and want to see you guys build some momentum.

If I recall correctly, Igor has turned laps in the AF 350Z project car at Mid-Ohio, so that will benefit him. Believe it or not, Mid-Ohio has even been (blasphemy alert) COMPLETELY REPAVED so that it's smooth with grip, so perhaps the Skyline will be able to get something done in Madness and the Keyhole.

Just get that six wound up for the backstretch and the Esses, okay? 👍
 
Repaved Mid-Ohio?!?!?!? No! That's like repaving Sebring! Sacriligeous!


Anyways, is that three different bumper config. in three diferent rounds for the AF GT-R?
 
tyndago
Dont think that we didnt know that we would struggle in a class against factory backed 6 and 8 liter cars. Tube frame cars with carbon fiber bodywork attached. We are running a street car, but its an all wheel drive street car. We are as heavy as the heaviest car in the series, the Cadiliac. We were the smallest displacement motor until the STI showed up. 2568 cc.
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Thanks for the clear up, I am not familiar with the rules but I find it strange that some competitor cars are tube frame with carbon fiber bodywork while others like the GTR are a street car and I find it amusing that people expect the street car to keep up with the race cars. Good job anyway, to bad small unusual problems are causing DNF's. 👍
 
Let this be known, tyndago... I respect your efforts and all you've done in the series so far. I've stated that I've got you down for a win and maybe a few top fives or top tens. It wasn't to say this was going to be easy like when Mario Andretti started at the Daytona 500 one year and beat the hell out of the competion in his first start of "The Great American Race." Yet, many people kind of look at your team like you're running a 150hp FWD vehicle with an automatic transmission. I mean, people thinking of you more like an overrated sports car that's just a "fanboy rice rocket." I'm giving the team a chance because I believe in the spirit of competition. Think about this, tyndago. You're up against stuff like the Cadillacs (which I completely despise), the Corvettes, the Vipers (I'm fond of Vipers), but not to mention the new Impreza entry and the Aston Martin DB9s. Hell, I can play Gran Turismo 4 and set up a match like that! Never is SPEED GT easy. The R34 Skyline is usually around 3400 lbs. I don't know how light (heavy) the Cadillacs are, so I won't go there.

You all would be the ultimate underdog. I don't know if you follow college basketball, but I covered the March Madness tournament on this message board. No one expected the George Mason University Patriots to advance as far as they did this past postseason. It was their first NCAA Tournament appearance, and they made it all the way to the Final Four, losing to eventual champions, Florida. I would like to think of your operation as the George Mason of SPEED GT. You know, nothing glamourous, nothing clearly experienced, but that fire to win is eminent. I'll use another college basketball analogy, like when Chaminade University upset (then) #1-ranked Virginia back in the 1980s in the Maui Invitational, that was a TRUE underdog story. Either way you look at it, you're picking up the pace. Your team is due for a win. It's almost mind-boggling to think of all the American fans who love the Skyline and its long line of models. To me, a win would really excite the many Skyline fans here in America, and perhaps Canada as well for the fans there. That is a little incentive to help you win. I also believe that just seeing a Skyline race in America is about as satisfying as a Skyline winning in SPEED GT. I'm not real big on the Skyline lineup, but I do think about some of the many people who consider the Skyline a dream car, not to mention the wild 400hp-something GT-R due next year or so. Fans have a right to be jacked about the Skyline being available to America, even if it's very expensive (it usually costs as much as a very expensive SUV, like a Navigator or that Mercedes-Benz G-class SUV or something).

So much luck to you all. If you win, I'm happy. If you lose, I'm happy. At least you're giving Skyline fans the chance to see it race in America and elsewhere the series races. I guess some of us forget that the series is about exposure about as much as seeing drivers and teams going at it. Go get 'em boys!
 
To clear things up, there are no full tube frame cars in the SWC GT. In fact, the only car with a partial tube frame is the Viper Competition Coupe, all the rest are street cars with carbon fiber doors, hoods, trunk lids, etc. Does the Z-Tune not have composite body panels? I'd also like to state that there is only one factory backed team in the series.

As for the 6 and 8 liter engines, they don't have two turbos, either :)
 
Ghost C..... tube frame cars ? Have you actually looked at one of the Vettes ? Seriously. Two pits over they were changing an engine..they had the ROOF of the car off. It looked like a convertible Corvette. The firewall and floorpan looked entirely fabricated. Tubes with carbon fiber bodywork attached.

The Viper is a tube frame, its tube frame from the factory. Box tube, but tube.

The Caddys have the engine moved back 9 inches. The steering rack moved 5 inches. The rear frame rails moved up 4 inches. The Caddy is entirely dry carbon fiber up to the roof. The transmission lays on its side for clearance. Check out the VTS sheets on www.world-challenge.com

Our car has composite panels, they are allowed in the series. No issues there, but we are a steel unibody. Steel doors. We are heavy, but something we will work on.

The 6 and 8 liter engines dont have 2 turbos, but they do have torque. I wonder why so many of them blow up considering they are nearly 500 horsepower stock.

Factory backed teams..... Caddy is the one. Dodge supports the series. Dodge just supports all the teams running Vipers, not just one. Turn key competition coupes with Dodge engineers at every race. I call that factory support. The Aston Martins were Pro Drive built cars and they are struggling. The Subaru is a factory supported car and they struggled. The Porsche Cup cars are turnkey cars also.

We are a small team. Three full time people. This is our first real racing experience. We dont have factory backing or support, but we have friends. Based on the teams that we have talked to in the series, we are about 100 horsepower down on the other cars in the series. By Mid-Ohio we will try and fix that.
 
Tyndago, the obvious goal for a racing team is to win races and eventually championships. In your first season, what do YOU want the goal to be for this season, and what level of success do you think you are accomplishing this/these goal(s)?
 
After reading the VTS for the C6 Corvette, I realize that they're using an old Dick Greenwood trick.

The Corvettes, being a full frame car from the factory, are tying the cage directly to the framerails and using a one-piece aftermarket composite roof/lexan windshield unit from ACP, the same folks who produce ALL of the legal bodywork (and the sole legal body modifications) for the C6 Corvette.

This is actually quite an old thing to do with glassback Corvettes, dating back to IMSA Camel GT Group 5 competition, as well as Trans Am, with Dick Greenwood's Corvettes. Even though they wear silhouette bodies and the roof is no longer structural, they're still running a stock frame. They're what us short track guys often refer to as "clip cars" because they use factory front and rear ends.

What's a little odd, honestly, is that because of the Corvette's perimeter frame engineering - instead of unibody - the SCCA is allowing C5 teams to update their C5 chassis into C6 cars by attaching the aftermarket body panels, the allowed bracing, and re-engineering the rear suspension with bolt-on C6 parts (namely the cradle and upper control arms).

I agree with you, that brand of construction - which the Vipers share, as they also are a factory perimeter frame car with a tie-together cage - gives those cars a tremendous advantage over the unibody Skyline when it comes to weight savings. However, to call them "tube frame" is a bit of a stretch as a tube frame's purpose has nothing to do with weight savings, but instead is intended to relocate or replace suspension components.

A true tube frame car, in fact, abandons stock geometry and components altogether. Trans Am cars, for instance, share 0% of their chassis with their factory namesakes, using sophisticated four or five link solid axle rear suspensions and minimal travel tubular a-arm fronts with practically no roll.

Not to be disagreable, Sean, but coming from a background in ISMA and MSA Supermodifieds, if there's one thing I know it's a tube frame, and neither the Vipers nor the Corvettes in Speed World Challenge are true tube frame cars.

It kind of makes me wish the Skyline GTR was a full-frame car instead of having a godawful unibody. If it were a full-frame car, it'd be easy peasy to slice the pounds out of its hide, get 'em down low in the chassis, and have you a setup like those C5/6 hybrids and the Viper Competition Coupes.

I'll be doing all I can to be at the Mid-Ohio round in full support.
 
JohnBM01
Tyndago, the obvious goal for a racing team is to win races and eventually championships. In your first season, what do YOU want the goal to be for this season, and what level of success do you think you are accomplishing this/these goal(s)?
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Our goal is to go out and compete. We are not expecting to be at the front, we dont want to be at the very back.

Finishing a race was a good thing. The first two races had small issues that made us DNF.

Igor actually advanced 7 positions at Long Beach - 8 was what it took for Rookie of the race, and hard charger of the race.Top 10 once during the year would be nice.

With some more power and more time to develop the car for this series, it will get faster. With more time under his belt, Igor will get better and faster.
 
Layla's Keeper
The Corvettes, being a full frame car from the factory, are tying the cage directly to the framerails and using a one-piece aftermarket composite roof/lexan windshield unit from ACP, the same folks who produce ALL of the legal bodywork (and the sole legal body modifications) for the C6 Corvette.

I agree with you, that brand of construction - which the Vipers share, as they also are a factory perimeter frame car with a tie-together cage - gives those cars a tremendous advantage over the unibody Skyline when it comes to weight savings. However, to call them "tube frame" is a bit of a stretch as a tube frame's purpose has nothing to do with weight savings, but instead is intended to relocate or replace suspension components.

I'll be doing all I can to be at the Mid-Ohio round in full support.
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Yes, Im stretching the tube frame thing a bit. If you had a good chance to really look at the cars, to the guy competing against them, they look tube frame. The removeable roof really threw me off a bit.

The Vettes are 2950 lbs. The Vipers 3100 lbs. The Vipers dont get much weight "savings". They do get 8 something liters. A mountain of torque, and something like 505 hp if they were stock.

I added my real name to my signature.
 

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