midlifer

This might help the RX-8's get an edge.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 30, 2008) - In an attempt to maintain a competitive balance in the ACXIOM GT category of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16, the sanctioning body announced Wednesday that Pontiac GXP.R and GTO.R entries will race with an additional 100 pounds of vehicle weight. In addition, the maximum rear weight percentage for these Pontiac entries will be 49 percent, meaning that 51 percent or more of the weight must be on the front tires.
The rule change will be in effect for the series' next race, the June 7 Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International.
"Grand Am has an obligation to maintain competitive balance in the GT field to the best of our ability," said David Spitzer, Grand-Am Vice President of Competition. "The biggest new variable that has been introduced for the 2008 race season is the Pirelli tire. While the tire has more grip for all cars, it allows greater durability on the Pontiac entries than for the Porsche and Mazda cars. This change will bring the competition into balance both in terms of outright lap time and tire durability over the race distance.
"Our analysis included consideration of all races this season, and analysis of all the tracks where we raced in 2007," Spitzer said. "We understand that some tracks naturally favor some cars more than others - that is part of racing, just as teams and drivers have favorite tracks."
Pontiac is riding a five-race winning streak in GT class. Kelly Collins and Paul Edwards won Monday's race at Lime Rock Park for their third victory of the season in the Banner Racing Pontiac GXP.R, while the Stevenson Motorsports Pontiac GXP.R of Andrew Davis and Robin Liddell has two victories. The lone non-Pontiac victory of 2008 was scored by the SpeedSource Castrol Mazda RX-8 of Sylvain Tremblay, Nick Ham, David Haskell and Raphael Matos in the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Grand-Am does not expect to make any further adjustments for the duration of the 2008 season.

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

It's about time. Hopefully, the Porsches AND the Mazdas will be able to play at the top with the Pontiacs...

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

that should work

lesper4

iTrader: (3)

that is great news but i wonder why the corvetts and ferraris do not complain. you would think they would be competative but they are not. that last race was nto even co mpetative and porcshe when interviewed sid if it is not competatives they would drop out.

GO SPEEDSOURCE!

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Pontiac will now have create new suspension settings for their cars. That alone will give Mazda & Porsche an advantage for a race or two.

zoom44

Hey did you guys hear about that rules change in Grand AM?

stupid work schedule!!

http://www.grand-am.com/rolex/news/index.cfm?cid=16988

darnellm

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the update.
Go Speedsource

I8U

iTrader: (1)

Go Hypersport!!!No wait...Go Racer's Edge!!! No, no...go RX8's!!!