Thread: Fia gt1

Yes, I follow the series this year and I am pleasantly surprised by the results. After Nogaro, I expected that Audi will win again, but we had a highly entertaining and competitive races. I have to admit that it is very nice to see so many beautiful cars racing each other. For me it is difficult to choose which to support, but I agree with John Watson - to see Porsche, with their classic silhouette, winning against so many modern sports cars, is frankly awesome

Audi made serious strategy mistakes with their tire choice.
Yesterday they stayed on wets when the track was drying, today they started on slicks when the rain was about to start falling. They were clueless.

I supported the BMW as they were the outside bet for this race and because I've been a long time supporter of Michael Bartels, however I was just as happy to see Mike Parisy take the win in the 911 Porsche, which has a classic silhouette but also impressive modern technology beneath it's skin.

BMW did very well and I think that they will continue to do well, as the Vitaphone team is probably the best in GT racing, they won numerous championships with Maserati and Michael Bartels... I am also curious when Hexis will be able to unlock the potential of the McLarens.

Considering Ioan denigrated F1 I'm greatly surprised how he can rave about FIA GTs

I find FIA GTs far too contrived for my liking.

It's now basically glorified Touring Car racing just to make GT racing TV friendly.

Performance balancing and success ballast.

It started off with 4hr races, 3hrs, 2hrs and now twin 1hr races with mandatory pit window. Its not how GT/endurance racing should be IMO, even if Stephane Ratel has cornered the market in making GT racing appealing.

SRO has done a fantastic job with GT3s and GT4 but money in GTs is drying up. Watching some of the top drivers in the had its appeal but less so now. Saying that Portugal/Portimao will always be a must. A shame San Luis isn't on the calender this year as well. Another under rated circuit.

GT1 racing is not endurance racing.
Check the WEC and the Blancpain series for endurance racing, you'll be surprised to find the same cars though as in GT1.

these are not GT1 cars, they are GT3's. GT1's were the old Dodge Viper, Corvette C6R, and Aston Martin DBR9, Maserati MC-12, Saleen S7, etc... they were far faster than any GT2 car but the cost was unbearable and they killed the class.

GT2 is now the top GT class

GT1 World is not endurance and thanks to God for that. I love the cars, but could not stand to watch 3 or 6 hours of racing. The new format is fun and entertaining, with iconic cars and lots of overtaking. About the ballast, as John Watson said, after all, these series are for fun and, as ioan pointed, there are some endurance racing with these cars So I am a huge fan of the current GT1 World series.
But I don't agree with ioan about F1.

Originally Posted by ioan

GT1 racing is not endurance racing.
Check the WEC and the Blancpain series for endurance racing, you'll be surprised to find the same cars though as in GT1.

What you think of F1 today is what I think of FIA GTs today = gimmicks for people with a short attention span.

Originally Posted by F1boat

GT1 World is not endurance and thanks to God for that. I love the cars, but could not stand to watch 3 or 6 hours of racing. The new format is fun and entertaining, with iconic cars and lots of overtaking. About the ballast, as John Watson said, after all, these series are for fun and, as ioan pointed, there are some endurance racing with these cars So I am a huge fan of the current GT1 World series.
But I don't agree with ioan about F1.

If it's not endurance racing then what is it? Why the mandatory pit stops and driver changes for a 1hr race? Why on earth does it require a 'qualifying race'? After all it is supposed to be a top tier category, not a national series as is say SRO affilliated British GT championship which too has 1hr races.

IMHO it's glorified Touring Car racing. If you took away the pit stops its not that much different to WTCC.

Hello from a new member,
living 26km from the race track of Portimao, I saw there will be FIA GT1 racing in June. I used to be F1 all the way till some years ago, but know not much about GT. Any recommendations on reading and understanding GT?
Thank you

Originally Posted by wedge

What you think of F1 today is what I think of FIA GTs today = gimmicks for people with a short attention span.
If it's not endurance racing then what is it? Why the mandatory pit stops and driver changes for a 1hr race? Why on earth does it require a 'qualifying race'? After all it is supposed to be a top tier category, not a national series as is say SRO affilliated British GT championship which too has 1hr races.
algarvissimo, I think that you'll have fun with this series. Try its site for more info:
FIA GT1 World Championship - Official Site
IMHO it's glorified Touring Car racing. If you took away the pit stops its not that much different to WTCC.

Maybe endurance racing is fun live, but you know, people have to do many things and for me two short and action-packed races are better than one 6 hours race in which the winner laps the field (and you have a FIA championship for that - WEC). And BTW I love both F1, the current GT1 format and touring cars racing.

Originally Posted by F1boat

Maybe endurance racing is fun live, but you know, people have to do many things and for me two short and action-packed races are better than one 6 hours race in which the winner laps the field (and you have a FIA championship for that - WEC). And BTW I love both F1, the current GT1 format and touring cars racing.

IMSA - with GTP and ALMS they ran/run multi-distance races. It pleases the die hard fans and the general sports fan.

Wouldn't it be great if SRO could combine the FIA GTs with Blancpain? With the shorter races do away with the Qualifying Race and have two 1hr races on a Sunday though ideally back to 2hr race would be better.

So you think that it'd be better if both 1hr races are in Sunday? I dunno, honestly. Now you have races in both days of the weekend...

Originally Posted by F1boat

Maybe endurance racing is fun live, but you know, people have to do many things and for me two short and action-packed races are better than one 6 hours race in which the winner laps the field (and you have a FIA championship for that - WEC).

I'm not hardcore. I don't think much of the LMPs post Peugeot's defect, I care more about GT class. I cannot see how you can tire of 6hrs, 12hrs and let alone 24hrs of GTs and consistant nail biting finishes in ALMS or LMS/WEC.

Originally Posted by F1boat

So you think that it'd be better if both 1hr races are in Sunday? I dunno, honestly. Now you have races in both days of the weekend...

Shows how ignorant I am!

Ah, there is a saying of Charly Lamm's repeated ad nauseam by Hindy.." You either get Endurance racing, or you don't..."

Originally Posted by wedge

I'm not hardcore. I don't think much of the LMPs post Peugeot's defect, I care more about GT class. I cannot see how you can tire of 6hrs, 12hrs and let alone 24hrs of GTs and consistant nail biting finishes in ALMS or LMS/WEC.

Different people, different tastes... for me shorter, more action-packed races are better. And, again - there are many series with long races. What's the problem to have one with short ones?

This series has been waining for many years now. .so dissapointed.

I have followed this series from it original format of both 3 and 6 hours races, then down to the 1 hour series.

I have no idea why ? but the death knell is tolling for the series I believe. Why. . ?

Simply, can someone point out to me where the UK Race is?

Silverstone? Donnington? In fact in hindsight Brands would of been a superb track over the last 10 year to run this series.

Where did Silverstones race go?

and Media? is anyone trying to tell me that watching races on YOUTUBE at 360 resolution is bringing in the sponsors? where's the TV coverage?

There is no FiA GT round in Britain this year - I would think it's the lack of crowds, media, etc
It doesn't help that the regs have changed, going from GT1 to GT's with a Balance of Performance.....so the entries have padded out.

I've hardly watched a round on TV, mostly on the series website and/or Dailymotion......not ideal I know - but that is how Ratel prefers it - he leaves it to the hosting track to promote their race.

Originally Posted by F1boat

What's the problem to have one with short ones?

That's what Touring Cars are for, IMO.

Originally Posted by AndyRAC

There is no FiA GT round in Britain this year - I would think it's the lack of crowds, media, etc
It doesn't help that the regs have changed, going from GT1 to GT's with a Balance of Performance.....so the entries have padded out.

I've hardly watched a round on TV, mostly on the series website and/or Dailymotion......not ideal I know - but that is how Ratel prefers it - he leaves it to the hosting track to promote their race.

It's a joke series now. They're running on Mickey Mouse circuits. I checked the calender the other and was absolutely gutted that San Luis nor Portimao feature - the only time I've ever taken FIA GTs seriously in recent years.

Perhaps it needs to merge with Blancpain series - 3hr Silverstone race this year. Factory cars raced at Bathurst 12hrs & N24, ACO adopting GT3 cars.