Ferrari should run GT1 in ALMS.

What teams will run next year in GT1? Corvette is moving to GT2. I vote for an Enzo/FXX or MC12 to run in GT1. Does the car have to be currently in production? Would a 430 based car work? Carol? Mike?

 

I always thought a 599-based GT1 car could be a giant killer (read: Corvette). however, as I understand it, GT1 (at least in ALMS) will cease to exist next year, due largely to GM not committing to a full factory effort.

 

There are already teams running F430's in GT2.

 

+1

 

If the Aston V-12s and the Enzo based MC-12 would have stayed Corvette might have seen GT1 as viable and continued. But it's too late now. 2 years of running against yourself was enough. Takes a long time to develop a car and there is no one today committing to GT1 for 09. The Carrera GT was originally a race project that was abandoned and sold public. Might have been GT1. And yes, GT cars are production based. That's why the MC12 was sold public.

P1 was meant to be factory based, and P2 for privateers. Same in GT. Things are a bit askew as they evolve, but there is growth in the series. Last week was probably the largest field ever on the grid in the US.

 

GT 2 is the place to be... should they just call it GT? ... anyway it should be very competitive next year with Ferrari, Porsche, Corvette, and now BMW coming... also have Panoz and Ford GT...

I really wish they would combine ALMS and Grand AM racing into one series... just open a new category for the Daytona prototype cars, and equalize the GT section... you would have huge fields, lots of named drivers, all the best cars... it would be spectacular!!!!

 

This car count would not fit on anyone's pit lane or race course. It would also be an attempt to combine an innovative, competitive, high tech series with a France family series that is almost a spec car. As you watch the France family run NASCAR into the ground with the COT, you can see that it would be better if they left pure sports car racing alone.

 

You're really talking apples and broccoli here. Grand Am budgets are a fraction of their visually similar ALMS counterparts.

The 911s that you see in ALMS and Grand Am Rolex? Nuh uh, not even close to the same thing. ALMS uses the 911 RSR or whatever they call it, while Rolex mandates a Rolex-specific specification 911 GT3 Cup. How about them Ferraris? Nope, not the same thing either. I think there is one 430 trolling in Rolex GT and there is another 430, which I think is known here, but is a silhouette, a la the RX-8, GXP and M6. If it were my money, I'd go with a silhouette rather than a production racer in GT.

The Frances had the right idea when they built this series from the ground up--Daytona Prototypes were designed with the intention to be driven easily by gentleman drivers, not just professionals like Casey and me.

As for ALMS, next year's going to be exciting. Changes in LMP1 and 2, the Corvettes moving to GT2, Rahal bringing the M3s...

Ron Fellows FTW!

 

They were running MC12 in a series, I think it was GT1, it may have been faster than the C6R but most likely did not have the required endurance or reliability to beat the C6R

 

well played, sir!

 

If memory serves, Ferrari (Risi, I believe) ran a pair of 575s at sebring in GT1 a few years ago. They were faster than the vettes and db9, but fragile. One burned to the ground, and I think the other made it a little more than 1/2 way through, as I recall. But I'm getting REALLY old. I'm sure they ran, though.

 

A 550 not endorsed or assisted by F did win GT1 at LeMans a few years back, and F had the gall to diss them

Then F released their own 575s and the C6Rs destroyed them

 

the fxx would likely be trounced by the c6r's as well. the only car that would be a true player in gt-1 would be a 997 turbo in race trim...have we forgotten the 935's and their winning record?

the c6r's are fantastic race cars and impressive to see in battle. on the subject of gt-2, it is actually sad to see porsche racing against a larger displacement ferrari where some might argue that the 430 should be racing w/ the c6r's...i bet there would be some very sad ferrari faithful then!!!

 

The 550's were Prodrive cars, and they sure beat up on the factory 575's. What I find interesting, is that the GT1 class in the Euro Le Mans series is thriving. There are MC12's, Vipers, Vettes, Saleen ( Won last year?) and even a Lambo. But here in the US, it's simply dried up. The same is happening in LMP1. Audi against Audi. I do wish Porsche would build a Turbo car to race against the C6R's. That would be a great battle.


Darrell.

 

Ferrari should make a 333sp successor,and win Lemans.

 

GT1 is a joke, there is not any one driving in it besides the Astons and Corvette, now that Corvette will go to GT2, it should make for better racing. Its time for a Mustang/ Camaro race in GT1.

 

GT1 in LMS is usually about 6+ cars - GT1 in FIA-GT is large with a variety of cars (the Saleen, C6's run by Luc Aplhand, Mosler, MC12's) - the Lambo has been running GT1 LMS - we've seen them all run this year at various race venues. LMP1 in ALMS is not Audi against Audi as most folks think - there were several European teams at Petit last weekend and in LMS the P1 class at Silverstone was 26+. Big news for the upcoming 09 season is Acura fielding two P1 cars (deFerran and Highcroft) and spectulation of Penske to P1 since Porsche is pulling the plug on the P2's. My speculation for Penske in P1 in ALMS might be either a Lola/Toyota or Dome/Toyota. Roger Penske wants to win and obvious goal is overall so to P1 is the way to go. There's a team from Argentina running a 575.

Definitely DO NOT want Grand Am and ALMS combined - that would be a slap in the face for ALMS.

I've brought up the question of Ferrari in P1 based on the data being received from the FXX program..... to me Ferrari needs to go this route and get away from what Formula One is rapidly becoming which is an IRL look-alike.

Carol

 

The only valuable data coming from the FXX program is when they pull data from Schumacher's car.

 

I agree, especially as F1 gets closer to a spec series.

 

I doubt Ferrari would ever go to LeMans unless they started making diesel engines. Look at Peugot and Audi, they're dominating because of diesel engines. Even Peugot came out with a KERS system for their 2009 car.

 

ROFL

 

Thanks for all the great responses!

 

I get that there are differences, but that to me is what makes it interesting... mix up all the classes.. .France family or not... it would make a strong Sports car series, that can vie for TV and advertizing... I would think it would be an everbody wins... clear up the cobwebs. if you want to run LP1 or 2, fine, if you want Daytona Prot fine ... etc... control the fields or have 2 races per weekend... I think if they wanted it, it would be easy to figure out the way to run it.

 

I'm not a pessimist, but this won't ever work. Also, you might want to learn how TV and sports car racing actually works. Networks aren't buying racing series' rights.

That said, I'm sure ALMS and Grand Am will entertain your proposal, particularly if you're writing the cheque!