Official 2013 Grand Am season Discussion
01-27-2013, 04:01 PM
#46
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Actually, I think they created the GX class specifically because they knew the merer was coming. Grand Am hasn't really been all that welcoming of new tech, generally taking a NASCAR approach (which is understandable as they own Grand-Am) of generally adding restrictions rather than making allowances.
"Generally"
VS the European LeMans which allows increasingly advanced tech year after year after year. I mean, think about last years 24hrs of LeMans. Would you see Grand-Am historically letting a concept car run in their race outside the rules as a pure demonstration / test? Not a chance. The addition and surge of diesels, hybrids, etc... is remarkable in LeMans and shows how much they are willing to change rules to give people chances to try something new.
Aside from allowing the rotary to run at all (which is admittedly outside the standard rule set with the 20b), the addition of the GX class is the first thing GA has done in this direction. When it was first announced, I immediately thought "LeMans tech?"
I then frowned at finding out that only one manufacturer was actually entering the GX class with anything within the lines of the intent of the class.
Here was the announced intent: GRAND-AM Announces Plans For New Rolex Series Class
But then the final list of actual cars: http://www.grand-am.com/Portals/0/Im...%20cars_gx.pdf
So the final list didn't really match the intent of the list. Several cars certainly do, but some are basically "GS class +1" Where is the alternative technology in the 370z? Altima? Cayman? Evora? TT? Genesis?
I'm not interested in a higher powered GS class. I'm interested in the part of European LeMans that I LOVE: The fact that teams are always bringing something very new to the 24hrs. Every single year. It's REAL racing advancement. Not re-stirring the pot every year with driver and team shifts. I'm frankly not interested in a semi-spec series. I want to see something different. It's why I loved watching the 8s run. Why I was excited to see the Sky-D run.
Sorry. End rant.
"Generally"
VS the European LeMans which allows increasingly advanced tech year after year after year. I mean, think about last years 24hrs of LeMans. Would you see Grand-Am historically letting a concept car run in their race outside the rules as a pure demonstration / test? Not a chance. The addition and surge of diesels, hybrids, etc... is remarkable in LeMans and shows how much they are willing to change rules to give people chances to try something new.
Aside from allowing the rotary to run at all (which is admittedly outside the standard rule set with the 20b), the addition of the GX class is the first thing GA has done in this direction. When it was first announced, I immediately thought "LeMans tech?"
I then frowned at finding out that only one manufacturer was actually entering the GX class with anything within the lines of the intent of the class.
Here was the announced intent: GRAND-AM Announces Plans For New Rolex Series Class
The production-based GX competition will feature cars and technologies not currently involved in the Rolex Series. Rules are being developed to allow for the exploration of a wide variety of alternative technologies and alternative fuels. This could include turbocharged engines; fuels other than gasoline, such as clean diesels; and hybrid powertrains.
GX CLASS Cars List
Audi TT (Prep1), V-6, 2550 lb.
BMW 1 Series (Prep2), 2.0L turbo 4 cyl. 2450 lb.
Chevy Cruze (Prep2), 2.0L turbo 4 cyl., 2450 lb.
Focus 4-door(Prep2), 2.0L turbo 4 cyl., 2450 lb.
Hyundai Genesis (Prep1 or Prep2), 3.5L V6, 2550 lb.
Lotus Evora GX (Prep1), Toyota V-6 (2GR-FE), 2550 lb.
Porsche Cayman (Prep1), Porsche flat 6 3.8L, 2550 lb.
Mazda ??? (Prep2), Skyactive turbo Diesel, 2450 lb. (w/ transaxle)
Subaru BRZ (Prep2)
Scion FR-S (Prep2), 2.5L Turbo 4 cyl., 2500 lb.
Nissan 370Z (Prep 1), 3.7L V6, 2550 lb.
Nissan Altima (Prep2), 3.5L V6, 2550 lb.
Volkswagen EOS (Prep 2), 2.0L Turbo or 2.0L TDi, 2450 lb.
Audi TT (Prep1), V-6, 2550 lb.
BMW 1 Series (Prep2), 2.0L turbo 4 cyl. 2450 lb.
Chevy Cruze (Prep2), 2.0L turbo 4 cyl., 2450 lb.
Focus 4-door(Prep2), 2.0L turbo 4 cyl., 2450 lb.
Hyundai Genesis (Prep1 or Prep2), 3.5L V6, 2550 lb.
Lotus Evora GX (Prep1), Toyota V-6 (2GR-FE), 2550 lb.
Porsche Cayman (Prep1), Porsche flat 6 3.8L, 2550 lb.
Mazda ??? (Prep2), Skyactive turbo Diesel, 2450 lb. (w/ transaxle)
Subaru BRZ (Prep2)
Scion FR-S (Prep2), 2.5L Turbo 4 cyl., 2500 lb.
Nissan 370Z (Prep 1), 3.7L V6, 2550 lb.
Nissan Altima (Prep2), 3.5L V6, 2550 lb.
Volkswagen EOS (Prep 2), 2.0L Turbo or 2.0L TDi, 2450 lb.
I'm not interested in a higher powered GS class. I'm interested in the part of European LeMans that I LOVE: The fact that teams are always bringing something very new to the 24hrs. Every single year. It's REAL racing advancement. Not re-stirring the pot every year with driver and team shifts. I'm frankly not interested in a semi-spec series. I want to see something different. It's why I loved watching the 8s run. Why I was excited to see the Sky-D run.
Sorry. End rant.
Last edited by RIWWP; 01-27-2013 at 04:03 PM.
01-27-2013, 06:02 PM
#49
I'm really not sure what happened to Mark,but he did quit well for only getting into the car on friday for practice,he was there as a sub to someone who got sick and couldn't drive. He usually drives in the DP class but I haven't seen much of him since his father died.
01-27-2013, 09:03 PM
#50
