GT4?

[Ranald]

According to Autosport Stephan Ratel is planning a GT4 series starting next year for less powerful and less developed GT cars. He wants 4 differnet manufacturers for the series. Ratel has listed The Lotus Exige, Nissan 350z and Aston Martin V8 vantage as potential cars. He says that there could be 4-5 races next season starting at Silverstone in May.
To be honest I think this is a bit much.

[old man]

Ridiclulous, Just diluting an already oversubscribed market

[TheNewBob]

Just when GT3 was getting so popular. I think he should concentrate on developing GT1 and GT2 rather than bringing in yet more classes.

If he really wants a GT4 class, why not experiment by getting in discussion with the GT Cup teams in BGT and see what they can all come up with or agree too...?

[The Badger]

Im getting **** hearing about GT3 , GT4 ..... soon the Grand-Am folk will have something to laugh about ..... US !!!

Why not talk about a GT5 ..... whats that , a kart or what !!!

If you cant afford to go GT1 or GT2 or even GT3 ..... I suggest you go super touring .

[Adam43]

GT4? It'll be called 1 in 12 years time.

Or GT5 when the PS3 comes out.

[JAG]

As Chris Kamara would say UNBELIEVABLE!

Do the movers and shakers running FIA GT have any clear idea of it's future?

[The Badger]

Ive been wondering about that for years too !!!

Way too many busy bodies for my liking .

[davemk7]

thats bad very bad. more 550's and viper thats what I want! gt1 and gt2? or is gt1 actually gt2 and gt1 was and now isn't and before that..... confused I am.

stop fiddling already, please.

[tux]

tbh i think gt1,gt2,gt3 is enough gt3 has been getting great grids and as has been said earlier in this thread gt1, and gt2 grids should be improved. i feal the fia gt series dosnt need gt4 it needs more gt1 cars.

[old man]

Ratel is not interested in racing as such, he is interested in business and another class is another set of entry fees to increase turnover. Racing should be run by business people who are enthusiasts not by guys who see it as a way to make money in a glamorous environment. Does anybody know if Ratel ever raced?

[TheNewBob]

Originally Posted by old man

Does anybody know if Ratel ever raced?

http://www.racingsportscars.com/phot...-20-photo.html

See car #56 on the above link, Ratel was indeed involved from a racing point of view once with the Venturi. I personally don't know of anything other than that LM entry about his racing exploits.

[Adam43]

I think that is unfair on Ratel. Although perhaps just a natural cynical view. To have a successful series then you need entries. Perhaps many want a GT4 series? If they get the entries then we get more GT racing.

If you want to be cynical then consider that Ratel would not do something that he thought jeopardised GT racing because then he would lose him money.

I think it is all a bit silly and too much, but it is unfair to say someone is doing it for the wrong reasons. I also don't think it is relevant whether he raced before, not everyone who is enthusiastic about GT racing raced in it.

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

If they get the entries then we get more GT racing.

That may be so ..... but where does it stop ? Gt6 or what ?

There is enough championships around the world for a team to find something of interest in GT without making a "special" championship for them . If they cant afford to enter GT1 or GT2 or GT3 , then they should find someplace else to play .

If you want to see souped up touring cars ..... I dont !!!

Im just waiting for the GT3 crowd to want their place in the FIA GT main event and sure enough GT4 will want the same .

No I say to GT4 , even for national championships .

GT1 LMS/FiaGT/ALMS
GT2 LMS/FiaGT/ALMS and National
GT3 National championships

More than enough championships for GT already .

[Adam43]

I quite agree, especially with this sentiment:

Originally Posted by The Badger

If you want to see souped up touring cars ..... I dont !!!

I don't want to see that either. I do want to see souped up (in a Max Power way) GT cars either. Although maybe that is for another thread.

Although we are already on GT6, or whatever, if we take into account the renaming via GTS (etc...)

My post was more just defending Ratel. I do not agree with the move, but can at least see why he could think was a good idea and that he probably isn't just doing it for the wrong reasons.

[TheNewBob]

This may be slightly off topic but it's to do with Ratel, I guess - has there been a noise limit set on GT2? I've not been around for the last couple of races and have found videos from Budapest on YouTube, and the Porsches sound like the GT3 cup versions....? I really don't see the point...

[old man]

See " Farewell GT1" for the answer!!!

[Asa]

I think Ratel should devote more time and brain power towards attracting more manufacturers, especially the Japanese ones, towards GT1 and/or GT2.

That will mean improving the marketing of the existing championship, the TV coverage, the image and everything. Build it properly and they will come.

[Truckosaurus]

Originally Posted by Asa

I think Ratel should devote more time and brain power towards attracting more manufacturers, especially the Japanese ones, towards GT1 and/or GT2.

With the recent demise of the road going versions of the NSX and Supra, are there any Japanese GTs on the market anymore? The Nissan 350Z is all I can think of and that's more of a small coupe.

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Asa

I think Ratel should devote more time and brain power towards attracting more manufacturers, especially the Japanese ones, towards GT1 and/or GT2.

That will mean improving the marketing of the existing championship, the TV coverage, the image and everything. Build it properly and they will come.

FIA GT better watch out, the LMS ia attracting major manufactuers and large privateers, while the International GT Open is giving a home to privateers who can't neccesarily afford the latest and greatest GT machines, ala BPR of old.

[davemk7]

internation gt open are doing a good job. 60+ cars practiced for montmelo. If they have 1 two hour then it'll kill fia gt dead.

[Adam43]

Isn't one of the ideas that these lower GT4 categories cater for cars like the 350Z?

[JAG]

GT Open have it about right, they aren't competing head to head with LMS, DTM, WTCC for teams, they are targeting national GT teams who can run their unhomologated cars, Marcos, Viper Comp Coupe etc., in a European series.

[dj choc ice]

Originally Posted by JAG

GT Open have it about right, they aren't competing head to head with LMS, DTM, WTCC for teams, they are targeting national GT teams who can run their unhomologated cars, Marcos, Viper Comp Coupe etc., in a European series.

i think the international GT open should lead into a entry into the LMS, FIA GT for a smaller national team say the prize for winning the championship is a fully paid season in the LMS or FIA GT in the GT2 class it would be a great way of letting smaller teams which could be capable of winning the GT2 class but doesnt have the money to do the LMS or FIA GT.

[duke_toaster]

If we are having a problem with classes, a new system might need to be phased in. For example

GTA : Supercars with minimum 100 (50 for smaller makes) examples made, air restricted to 750 horsepower. Only modifications allowed being fitment of a rear wing, better brakes, new exhaust, safety stuff and that's it. Price cap of a $750,000. For example : Saleen S7.
GTB : Sub-supercars with minimum 200 (100 for smaller makes) examples made, air restricted to 600 horsepower. Same modifications allowed, price cap of $250,000.
GTC : Road cars with minimum 1000 examples and air restricted to 400 horsepower. Same modifications, price cap of $80,000.

But I hope we get an FIA GT-LMES merger. On the ACO's terms.

[Bob Riebe]

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

If we are having a problem with classes, a new system might need to be phased in. For example

GTA : Supercars with minimum 100 (50 for smaller makes) examples made, air restricted to 750 horsepower. Only modifications allowed being fitment of a rear wing, better brakes, new exhaust, safety stuff and that's it. Price cap of a $750,000. For example : Saleen S7.
GTB : Sub-supercars with minimum 200 (100 for smaller makes) examples made, air restricted to 600 horsepower. Same modifications allowed, price cap of $250,000.

You are going to do all that to the A cars, not allow the full roll cage, and then limit horsepower but put wings on for higher cornering speed, which is where accident usually happen, .
Also billion dollar companies only have to build 100 but companies that survive on a shoe string and a prayer, must build fifty. VERRRRY INTERESSSSSTING.

I think I actually understand the ghist of what you are trying to say, but what is with the controlling HP, while adding wings. It is like cutting off your nose, to spiite your face.

If one is going to have a B class, do as they once did, for smaller displacement cars, where class confusion will not happen, and size of engine performs a natural limiting factor.

GTC : Road cars with minimum 1000 examples and air restricted to 400 horsepower. Same modifications, price cap of $80,000.

Is the C in GTC an accident or is the fact that there are GARRA GTCup cars, which fit this format; i.e. the horsepower is so limited the they run at a lower level than the street cars they represent.
That is NOT a good idea.

All this symbolism over substance, i.e. supercars, not so supercars; sports cars, kinda sporty cars; touring cars, grand touring cars, not so grand touring cars, almost grand touring cars etc., etc., etc.
In the original GT series, if it was homologated in A, B, or C production; A, B, or C sedan it ran, and no one had a sissy fit about it.
I do not care what it is called if it goes like stink, that is all that should matter.
Bob