GT Class

[Jack4688`]

I'd like to see this become an R-GT car: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ne...t-spy-pictures

[itix]

That's an older Lotus Elise/Exige... slightly modified. There is an actual lotus Exige R-GT... it appears to have run in Ypres but I have no idea which year. I would love to see that in the R-GT championship! (It seems to be official from the factory also, hmmm. Could be mentioned in this thread before, I will admit that I haven't read it cover to cover).

http://www.lotuscars.com/our-cars/cu...e-s-exige-r-gt

http://www.lotuscars.com/sites/defau...um_624x416.jpg

[Andre Oliveira]

2012 as course car. Driver was Bernardo Sousa

[Mirek]

That's an older Lotus Elise/Exige... slightly modified. There is an actual lotus Exige R-GT... it appears to have run in Ypres but I have no idea which year.

The car had only provisional homologation for Rali Madeira (it followed after Ypres) but the homologation process was never finished.

[Jack4688`]

It's a test mule of the forthcoming Renault Alpine clothed in Lotus bodywork. The production version of this concept is to what I was referring, not a Lotus: http://www.largus.fr/images/images/a...concept-49.jpg

[itix]

The car had only provisional homologation for Rali Madeira (it followed after Ypres) but the homologation process was never finished.

How typical of lotus... It is very frustrating being a big fan of them *sigh*
Thanks for the info anyway!

[tommeke_B]

Yes, I know. But who said that the RGT rules cannot be changed?

No way FIA will ever allow cheaper cars to be quicker than R5, they just can't let that happen. Also FIA is really not encouraging any drivers to choose GT. The car is almost a group N and the homologation procedure is too complicated and expensive for privateers, on top of that it lasts only up to 2 years (until the end of the year after you homologate the car, if anyone homologates their Porsche now it would last to the end of 2016).

[stefanvv]

It's little strange how things developed. Back in 70's You can see some 911s on the podium of Safari Rally! May be the RGT class should be made for gravel as well....

[Mirek]

Back in 1970' everything was different. 4WD cars were forbidden in rallying, everybody used sports cars and the air-cooled engines of Porsches were good for endurance events. Just one little thing was enough to make things upside down - to allow 4WD.

[janvanvurpa]

Back in 1970' everything was different. 4WD cars were forbidden in rallying, everybody used sports cars and the air-cooled engines of Porsches were good for endurance events. Just one little thing was enough to make things upside down - to allow 4WD.

I think the big change was the thing that created the need for dividing up the power and spreading it out to 4 wheels, and that change was this:




Saab could not compete on equal footing with the all conquering Group 4 Ford Escorts with the great Cosworth BDG even with their 16v head---only 235 bhp vs 252-262 for BDG---mainly they figured from having a much heavier car so they added one of these:
(lurking behind the waste-gate)


And made TONS more torque....and then discovered very quickly that the housing for the gearbox was far far far too weak..
I am good friends with the engine builder at Saab from those days and have staying at his house several times.
Massive torque drove the need for more than 2 wheels driving..

Only then did the extra weight and problems of 4wd make sense.

Whatever the history, regarding these refugees from the circuits, I don't understand the fascination. They are clearly way way in excess of what is needed..too brutal delivery and so guys driving are too timid. They could de-tune a bit and go faster.