Comments on: Corvette Racing confirms its plans for 2009

By: Marcel ten Caat

Marcel ten Caat — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:26:55 +0000

Not to do any harm to our French colleagues…but:

http://www.planetlemans.com/2008/08/01/news-from-the-annual-sro-spa-press-conference/

Lots of info about the proposed World GT Championship as well as the other SRO organised series as mentioned by Mr. Ratel during the press conference at Spa.

By: Bamba

Bamba — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:54:31 +0000

Ca ne fait rien je parle francais. Merci pour le site. Je vais le verifier.

By: HD

HD — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:34:47 +0000

Don’t forget that SRO, FIA and ACO are working together concerning the future of GT-racing ( including the “future-GT1″ ). Don’t forget that Ratel is CEO in LMS, “run” by his friend Peter. To know more, you have to read more frequently articles at endurance-info.com. Sorry, but it’s in French. Ratel knows he is taking a risk organising a WC GT1, but I warn you not to bury it before it’s born. GT1 as it is now is death already, but we should be happy that someone is still working on and willing to take the challenge concerning the future of GT-racing ( GT1, GT2, GT3, GT4 and Sports Light ).

By: bamba

bamba — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:36:04 +0000

The FIA GT has a fairly healthy GT1 field. If the ALMS and the LMS had that field we wouldn’t be talking about the demise of GT1.

But in FIA GT GT1 can give you an overall win, so those teams enjoy their position. You can’t impress a sponsor further than that.

Not so in the LMS and ALMS, thats what many GT1 teams crave so they make the leap to P1.

By: Bamba

Bamba — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:28:14 +0000

I don’t know who will revive GT1 in the ALMS, but the only reason it’s a dead category is because of Corvette. There are privateers out there just like Bell Motorsports.

If shops such as Doran, and Riley can fabricate their own GT racers they can definitely afford to be in GT1. But the fear of being labeled second best has kept them out.

If the ACO still recognizes a GT1 category at LeMans in 2010 you can bet someone will be running in a corvette-less ALMS GT1 that year.

The biggest market by far, 3 chances to qualify for LeMans and a fair chance of winning, what’s not to like.

The MC12 first debuted in the ALMS with Risi. So you know they really want to be here. Prodrive have always unveiled their new cars here as well.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:25:45 +0000

1) Yes no GT1 (as you currently know it in 2010)

2) Of course GM will keep at least one C6R in their private collection and maybe sell another car at auction. If you guys are impressed by Merc’s and BMW’s collection of cars they tend to keep, you should see the GM private collection, not just the ones the public sees and GM trouts around every summer during show season

3) Pratt & Miller were more than likely forced into the choice since GM will not take away money from its more pressing issues which is Plug-In Hybrids and Fuel Cell powered cars

4) It is now up to Ratel and the FIA if they want to be on the same page come 2010. Somehow I think I don’t think so and the FIA Championship might fail on the world scale.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:15:45 +0000

There will be no GT1 class as per ACO rules in 2010. There going to a single GT class.

By: Kiki

Kiki — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 05:31:11 +0000

So… the ALMS will NOT have a GT1 class in 2010?

By: Derek

Derek — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 04:34:54 +0000

The current privater teams are Luc Alphand Adventures in the LMS with Selleslagh Racing and Phoenix Carsport in the FIA GT. I could see Luc Alphand going to the GT2 class in the 2010.

By: Derek

Derek — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 04:26:27 +0000

Bamba this is true that Corvette Europe does not develop the C6R, but for the big FIA GT races such as the 24 Hours of Spa Pratt and Miller offer support.

Where as this support has been factory mechanics, drivers or parts they still bring the goods for those races. What’s better publicity for GM than to have their American sports car beat the Europeans on their turf?

With the rules set for two more years there has to be some sort of development, not a full R&D, but something at least until the C7 comes.