Congo

ACO homologation to occur after 4 hour race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

http://www.americanlemans.com/news/Article.aspx?ID=3693

The Doran-built Ford GT might use Yokohama tires.

Ford cooperative with the homologation process:

http://motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=271607

GT2 team:

http://www.fordgttv.com/main.php?k=n...f=feature1&h=1

Congo

Riley to build Chevrolet Corvettes C6s for 2008

LG Motorsports will race two cars for next year. Lou Gigliotti and Doug Peterson will be the drivers for one car. Tire selection was not announced.

http://www.trackbytes.com/main/2007/...2-corvett.html

http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog/index.php

$471,000:

http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...0001/1024/FREE

Riley news

http://www.americanlemans.com/news/Article.aspx?ID=3704

http://www.rileytech.com/

Engines built by CRD

http://www.crdengines.com/

Congo

Primetime Race Group developing its Dodge Viper Competition Coupe for 2008. They compete with Michelin tires.

http://www.chapmanducote.com/news/8/...emplate-press/

earlyapex

Thanks for the news. This should make it very interesting to watch.

wanna911

I think the GT1 class should be tossed unless there are some real commitments. This three and four cars racing in one class is pathetic. Though if it's true that the Porsche GT1 (I think that's what it's called) is coming back out, that would be interesting with Aston, Porsche, Maserati and hope for a couple more.

I think they should do the same with LMP as well and let the Porsche and Audi go head to head for real.

Ray S

I wonder if they will make them run the composite leaf springs (like the production car) or coilovers (like the GT1 car)

Spyderidol

The Porsche GT2 will be homologated for GT1 if the the new FIA proposed rules for a GT world championship is approved.
The 997 GT3 will be homologated for GT2.
If these rules are approved, it is very likely that the ACO will follow them (or at least a version that is vey similar)

Nordschleife

As far as I am aware, the Ratel proposals are for 2009. Stephane's suggestions are designed to meet his commercial requirements, which don't match those of the ACO.

In a nutshell, he suggested dropping GT1 and GT2 and replacing them with GT3 cars, split into two different classes.

Ratel is running a minority interest series and is having difficulty attracting competitors. The ACO is in a different situation. There are no prototypes in the FIA-GT series. A great part of the attration of GT3 is that each meeting has more podium ceremonies than other race series have in an entire season. Yoiu can come plumb last and still get a cup!

There is a place for mthis sort of thing, but is it Le Mans? I don't think so.

R+C

Spyderidol

I agree!

The ACO however, has already said that the GT2 class is too expensive and will introduce big changes.

Nordschleife

in all forms of racing, its not buying the car/boat/whatever thats expensive, its campaigning it that costs the real money.

Are they going to ban GT2 cars from entering the Sebring 12 Hours?

If you run the GT3 cars in 24 Hour races with professional drivers and teams, the costs will escalate.

R+C

Congo

Nothing suggests Prodrive will be back in ALMS next year. Same goes for Doran's Maserati.

http://www.the-paddock.net/component...1185/Itemid,1/

Stephane Ratel's proposal for GT's future

http://www.the-paddock.net/content/view/242054/49/

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport says P2 grids threatened by factory entries:

http://sportscaranalytics.com/?p=253

GT4 cars to move to GT3

http://www.gt4cup.com/

There has been a GT1-spec 911 raced.

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2...Turbo-GT1.html

Congo

Inside Petersen Motorsports/White Lighting Racing

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/alms/40828/

Spyderidol

I could not agree more with you.

Unfortunately, the ACO has other ideas.
Instead of addressing the current imbalance between diesel and Petrol in LMP1, they would rather employ deviation tactics, and mess around with the other classes.

Nordschleife

To be honest, most of the teams running GT3 cars are not capable of running a 24 Hour car.

I could take a road going version of the Saleen or Maserati and build a 24 Hour race car that meets the rules that are/will be applied to GT1/GT3. It would be more expensive than existing GT2 cars and only be cheaper than several of the GT1 cars because I wouldn't have to replace the entire chassis.

Frankly, we need more money people running racing. If you don't believe me, look at Dave Richards of Prodrive. Almost everybody in racing is unemployable in any other area of endeavour, the lack of common sense is breath taking.

R+C

Congo

Tafel Racing's 911s sold

http://www.dailysportscar.com/viewAr...nID=VTTBRGDKMV

http://www.tafelracing.com/

Ford GTR for new team

might use Dunlop tires

http://www.americanlemans.com/News/Article.aspx?ID=3772

Engines will be from http://www.roushperformance.com/

http://www.doranracing.com/

Robertson Racing's GTR being built

http://translate.google.com/translat...e.php?sid=4419

David Murry to be third driver in 2008

http://www.americanlemans.com/News/Article.aspx?ID=3829

A new race: Riley-built Corvettes in GT2

It will indeed cost $471,000.

Part one interview with Bill Riley:

http://www.theracesite.com/index.cfm...e&mag_id=14444

Part two with Lou Gigliotti:

tire selection was not announced in the interview

http://www.theracesite.com/index.cfm...e&mag_id=14445

Paul Drayson quits to go racing

http://www.americanlemans.com/News/Article.aspx?ID=3830