Speedsource TV

 

Jackpot!

 

during the race at VIR the commentators said that the pontaic (GXP-R i assume) will not be able to race next season. i was just wondering why. They let the GTO that is not in production race and they let the rx-8 use an engine that is not in production. so what is the deal with the pontaic?
also see post #870

 

The commentators said that this the last year for the GTO, since it has not been in production for a couple years. The GXP-R I would assume could keep racing for that same amount of time once they shut down Pontiac. The Mazda uses an engine that is available thru Mazdaspeed, so I believe the count that as a production engine, since it is still made.

 

You are correct Blue.

 

Excellent find, thanks!

 

Losing the Pontiacs (GXP's) will be more bitter than sweet IMO. It will obviously increase the 8's chances of winning but will seriously lower the talent pool. I would rather they stayed, but rules are rules. Hope something worthy replaces it so its not just a Mazda/Porsche battle.

 

It's not like the GXP's are gone tomorrow, they have at least 2 years if I recall correctly. Whether the teams stay or not, thats another story.

 

^^Yea figured that. Whether it be sooner or later it will still suck to see such competitors go.

Speaking of competition, looking forward to seeing the 8's make up some points this weekend in Jersey. The Koni series will be racing as well, so, will be pulling for the 8's in that series as well.

 

Other teams will step into the breach, someone will fill up the vacuum with some other cars.

 

Just to put a finer point on it, here is the actual rule:

"1-1 Approved Models - Grand-Am has developed these specifications for competition automobiles that will participate in the category titled "GT". Cars must have been in production for road use or meet homologation criteria, and have been/or be for sale to the public in a regular dealer offering. Approved models, unless otherwise stated are to be current production models or those no older than three years after the end of production. Grand-Am may approve additional models upon request."


Then again, I've never heard of the GXP being an actual model produced by Pontiac... Shouldn't they call it a G6?

 

The problem is that the Pontiac's will no longer get any assistance (or money?) from the parent company. GM certainly wouldn't want to support a brand that they are no longer selling.

 

With Pontiac leaving, they should ditch the rule that allows tube frame chassis cars (RX8 and GXP-R) to compete against production chassis Porsche's... its suppose to be a production based class, so let it return to a production based class

 

very true, i wouddl hate to see a small field, look how smal the field is in ALMS in the GT1 and GT2 catagory.

 

Nissan perhaps??? Is there any particular reason they have steared clear of this series? Well, besides $, lol

 

Well, Nissan did have a 350z in the field a couple of years back, they went nowhere with the car.

As to the ALMS point, I would hate to see that. I really don't watch that series this year because there are so few competitors. If you are guaranteed a podium in your class if you don't break down there are problems.

 

I agree. I wonder how a 20B would do in a real RX-8.

Unfortunately, I'd have to say Porsche has a better chassis. A GT3 or whatever costs more than RX-8, but that reflects the amount of R&D put into it. It was made for competition, all the more reason for Mazda to make the next rotary a light 2-seater sports car.

 

Ugh, New Jersey shows its typical colors w/ a shitty day for racing. Pouring down rain, really ugly race overall and even worse for the 8's. #70 was 7th with like 6-7 minutes left in the race and lost 4 positions to finish in 11th. Racers Edge 8 was actually in the lead (for like a second) with like 50-60 minutes to go and then fell back to finish 9th. Dont even want to talk about the #69 car. Hate watching these rain soaked events, becomes more about just staying on the track rather than actually racing. Was one of those days, LOL. On to Laguna Seca in couple weeks! Thats our "home" turf.

 

Let's give it up for the #40 Dempsey Racing for taking the highest finish for Mazda! Patrick drove well and gained 2 positoned despite the track conditions and Joe brought it home with a Top 10 finish. Congrats to Racer's Edge for taking the lead for a few laps. Looking forward to a Mazda 1-2-3 finish tis year!

 

i was really sad about the 70 car spinning out. I noticed tremblay got a little squirly the turn before the spin i think and i said out loud "careful" and then he spun. what a depressing race that was. accident driving past the first green flag...you knew how the rest was gonna go.

 

Great job guys!!
Main Site:
http://www.youtube.com/user/SpeedsourceTV

Matt Martin (Really great guy):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx9nh...e=channel_page

Emil: Lap @VIR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx-oKPs5K54

 

Lots of good info in the Matt Martin video, like how they're still using the same engine from Daytona test days and the 24 race, kinda like how 1991 Le Mans car teardown showed it was still good after the race.

 

Yeah, all those videos are really great. I have been hoping for more content from the Speedsource guys for a while now.

 

Matt is a great guy to talk Mazdas with!

 

The really cool part about the SpeedSource TV thing is that they welcome questions and comments as well.