Filed under: Motorsports, Sports/GTs, Aston Martin, Chevrolet
ALMS could scrap GT1 class as Corvette drops to GT2
GT1-class racing is one of the most hotly contested in Europe, with cars like the Aston Martin DBR9 and Maserati MC12 competing among others for top honors in the Le Mans Series and FIA GT Championship. Here in the American Le Mans Series, however, officials are considering the possibility that they'll have to shut down the class altogether.
This season, the Corvettes have had the category all to themselves, which has made the class uninteresting, with predictable outcomes. Bell Motorsports announced their intention to run Aston Martins to compete with the Corvettes for GT1 victory, but that may be another case of too little too late. Itching for a good fight, GM is reportedly dropping down to the paradoxically more competitive GT2 series. Not anxious to run another season of an empty GT1 roster, ALMS could very well cut the class out altogether.
[Source: AutoWeek]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
David 1:31PM (9/21/2008)
I wouldn't call the Corvette only racing completely uninteresting. The 3 and 4 teams do beat on each other pretty good. It will be cool to see them racing Porsche and Ferrari though.
Reply
ale 9:10PM (9/21/2008)
even though I understand your point, I still think its better to do this (I was hoping that the ALMS would do this), eh i still think they need to do this with lmp1,
i love audi and their car but from a competitive standpoint, they shouldnt win championships b/c they're the only big manufacturer in lmp1.. i.e. bring more competition or consolidate, Grand-Am is awesome w/ only 2 classes. i mean the fight b/t lmp1 and lmp2 is really the only battle as well as gt2
we'll see i guess...
pmiddle5 2:05PM (9/21/2008)
GT1 in Europe also has incredibly low entrance numbers so idk wtf all that spout is
Reply
Nobodywashere 2:10PM (9/21/2008)
I think this is a real shame. The general idea for the division of classes is that LMP1 and GT1 should be factory teams while LMP2 and GT2 should be privateer teams. With this move it will meant that there are in essence factory efforts in both LMP2 and GT2. It will also mean that GT2 will become extremely crowded with the addition of BMW and the smaller teams will be unable to compete and forced out of the series. The ALMS needs GT1 and more distinction between classes.
Reply
JD 2:32PM (9/21/2008)
This kind of seemed like the writing was on the wall. If there's no one running in the class, it only makes sense to kill it off. They do play pretty rough with each other, but they're on the same team, so I'm not sure how good the racing really is. It's nothing as epic as Ferrari vs. Porsche, but what else is? I would love to see the AMs take on the Vette's in the ALMS, but they would need more than that, I think.
I am looking forward to seeing these beasts race at Laguna Seca before they leave, though. The way those things sound on TV- I can't wait!
Reply
Jay 2:47AM (9/23/2008)
Where did you find that amazing avatar?
JD 3:57PM (9/23/2008)
I found it somewhere online, but here's a link to the picture I used. I just uploaded it. Hope that helps.
http://i37.tinypic.com/2whnp74.jpg
Rick 3:25PM (9/21/2008)
How can they drop to GT2 without a significant drop in displacement? And I mean significant. The GT1 engine is a displacement monster when compared to the much smaller engined GT2 cars. The GT2 cars actually run displacements that are pretty close to factory. I don't see a 4.0 liter V8 in GMs line up.
Reply
Carlos 3:41PM (9/21/2008)
Most of the engines in GT1 and GT2 are derived from manufactured designs, but are largely different in many aspects.
I believe that the two class should be merged, GT1 and GT2 should just be GT Class and LMP1 and 2 should be Prototype Class, it will make it easier to regulate rules and you won't have a lower class beating a higher class.
why not the LS2LS7? 3:42PM (9/21/2008)
There are already Corvettes in GT2 in ALMS. I believe Lou Gigliotti has run most of the season.
They use the base 6.2L motor instead of the Z06 motor. They of course also have tight air restrictors.
Ferrari F430s run in GT2 already, and they have performance similar to a Corvette.
Kiiks 5:52PM (9/21/2008)
They'll be using a race-prepped 5.5L version of the LS3 I believe to comply with ACO GT2 regulations. The problem isn't the hardware, it's the budget. Even the factory-backed entries like Flying Lizard and Risi Competizione don't have the deep pockets of a full-on factory entry like Corvette Racing. They have to secure their own sponsors and spend what they have available. Budget parity will be an interesting hurdle for all parties.
JF 7:36PM (9/21/2008)
Rick, you're forgetting that the Vette's engines are pushrod and really aren't any more of a monster than the monster DOHC engines the other manufacturer's engines.
They simply trade overhead cams for displacement. The end result is a wash, as indicated by the competition.
why not the LS2LS7? 3:45PM (9/21/2008)
This is too bad, since GT1 was really the best class several years ago. I usually prefer production-based cars over one-offs, and that's what GT1 brought.
But the problem is the werks teams spoiled GT1. As much as I like Corvette racing, I know I couldn't compete with them. And other teams know it too.
With GT1 what it is today, it seems inevitable that it will shut down.
Reply
jaytee 5:09PM (9/21/2008)
As production based as the GT1's appeared, they aren't close at all (coming from an avid Corvette and P&M fan). I spoke to one of the engineers that works on the car, and the basic floorplan, windshield, taillights, among other small things, are the only pieces common with the Z06. The engine is a structural member, the gearbox is a Hewland Sequential, leaf's aren't used, suspension pickups aren't the same, etc.
The new cars for next year will be Z06/ZR1 chassis based, with decreased displacement LS7.R blocks, and much more production oriented hardware. The 2010 cars are to recieve a specific engine for the chassis, and be even smaller (LS3 based, I believe). Think Z06.R for a comparison.
The GT1 class has essentially become what the GT1 class was about 10 years ago (with the CLK's, Porsche GT1's, Panoz GTR-1's, etc), and the cost of running, as well as the full factory support for select teams, killed the class. GT1 in Europe is stronger than it is over here (Maserati, Corvette privateers, Aston, and others participate on a regular basis). Having an Aston show up at random races doesn't make for a season long battle.
To Rick (a few comments up): Both the C6.R and Z06 use a 7.0L V8. The GT3 Corvettes in Europe use the 7.0L as well. LG uses an LS3, I believe.
why not the LS2LS7? 12:57AM (9/22/2008)
I know it's heavily modified. The engine is mounted lower and further back for starters. But it's more production than a prototype, and I like that. In my mind, the C6.R isn't that far off a McLaren F1. You're never really going to win GT1 with a production street car. You either start with a ringer like the McLaren F1 or you turn your car into one (within the rules). Look at the F430, despite performance similar to the C6 (at least in Z06 form) and a huge racing pedigree, it runs in GT2.
I would love to see Corvette racing run a Z06R-type vehicle. I'd love to get the C6 GT4 get out and about in the US too. At Le Mans, it'll be a bit sad to see production-derived cars turned into back markers, but in ALMS it'll be fine by me.
dukeisduke 3:59PM (9/21/2008)
Yes, dump the GT1 class and rename GT2 simply "GT".
Reply
LC 5:11PM (9/21/2008)
Apparently GT1 cars run about +100hp compared to LMP2. And since liberating power in the Le Mans Prototypes series is patently absurd (according to the FIA) the GT1 class faces extinction anyway.
The first sentence is from Andy Wallace, the former Jaguar driver from 1988. I don't remember where the second comes from, but it seems sensible that relaxing restrictions at LMP2 level would never happen.
Reply
why not the LS2LS7? 12:59AM (9/22/2008)
IMSA unleashed the LMP2s. It appears the ACO has decided to go the opposite way and slow the LMP1s. I wondered what this would mean vis-a-vis the GT1s, perhaps this is the answer.
Rick 9:50PM (9/21/2008)
Guys, I'm perfectly aware of the regulations in GT1 and 2. ALMS is practically the only racing series I still have an interest in, besides local vintage.
My issue is with engine parity..I see a season of protests on the horizon. On another note, I had the opportunity to stand very close to a ALMS Corvette that was partially unassembled, thanks to a GM PR Dept friend. I have to tell you, there wasn't much Corvette there. GT1 cars are purpose built racers. How can they fairly equalize the chassis prep when the current GT2 cars are practically (but modified) factory platforms? Something has to give, one direction or the other. And going one direction is going to boost costs and put, as one poster noted, teams like Risi and the smaller ones, in trouble.
Reply
jaytee 8:27AM (9/22/2008)
The Corvette GT2 car will not be the C6.R. The Corvette name drops to GT2, but not the actual car. As above, I already stated that the C6.R is very un-production. The new car will actually be fully C6 based (much like the GT3RSRs and the F430GT's).
Factory support in LMP2 (formerly with the MG-Lola, and currently with the Acuras and Porsches) have strengthened the group (but have left some of the smaller teams behind). Likewise, cars like the E46 M3, GT3R/RS/RSR, F430/360GT, always had factory supported teams (if not, factory 'favoured' teams, as with Ferrari) and privateer teams that did very well against the bigger teams. My hope is that this just adds to the diversity of the class and brings more competition, running modern vehicles and putting on a much better show than simply having a 'fast' group and a 'slow' group in each class.