FIA, ACO Meeting to Consider GTS Future

[SIMPLETON]

The new Maserati MC12 is both opportunity and threat to sports car racing organizers (photo courtesy Maserati).

Representatives of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the FIA GT Championship and interested sports car manufacturers and teams will hold an ad hoc meeting in Paris this week to thrash out the future GTS class regulations in an attempt to homogenize the category. The eligibility of Maserati's MC12 “supercar” is likely to be the main topic of discussion.

"A GTS car should be a road car first and a race car second," Le Mans sporting director David Poissenot declared.

Maserati's V12-engined MC12 has been built to FIA regulations. Currently undergoing testing in the hands of former F1 and Champ Car driver Mika Salo, the car is scheduled to make its race debut in September. It is unlikely to fit the ACO's Le Mans rulebook, however, due to the overhang of its bodywork beyond the front and rear axles.

"We will not change the rules just for one car," Poissenot added.

Among the manufacturers present at the meeting are expected to be representatives from Chevrolet, Saleen, Ferrari and Aston Martin. The latter also plans to have a GTS contender ready for the 2005 season.


from speedtv.com

[Coventrysucks]

I hope they ban the MC12.

It is motorsport, and developing a race car which is altered to become road legal isn't really in the spirit of sport.

I really am starting to get the impression that Ferrari feels the need to win, whatever the cost - if they have to bend the rules to do it, that is acceptable to them.

I am siding with the other manufacturers on this one.
Intense competition with exciting racing between the Vipers, 550's (the Prodrive cars at least), Murcielago, DB9 et al is what is needed to keep the popularity of the GTS class, not complete Ferrari domination, as with F1.

Unfortunately as the FIA are involved, expect the outcome to be:
The rules have suddenly changed to allow the MC12, all existing GTS cars are now illegal.

[SIMPLETON]

Originally Posted by Coventrysucks

Unfortunately as the FIA are involved, expect the outcome to be:
The rules have suddenly changed to allow the MC12, all existing GTS cars are now illegal.

Well, 2 good thing and 1 bad thing could come if that did happen. More competitive racing and better road cars along with more expinsive road cars

[Coventrysucks]

Originally Posted by SIMPLETON

Well, 2 good thing and 1 bad thing could come if that did happen. More competitive racing and better road cars along with more expinsive road cars

Nothing good will ever come from the FIA.

GTS is just fine the way it is now, don't let Ferrari spoil it.

[fpv_gtho]

Its good to see Ford getting serious about motorsport again, and on a global level. Now with talks of Aston Martin entering GTS, ontop of their stronger presence in V8 Supercars in the last couple of years and WRC recently, hopefully Jaguar can reap some benefits as well in F1

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by Coventrysucks

It is motorsport, and developing a race car which is altered to become road legal isn't really in the spirit of sport.

This is exactly what made cars like the Ferrari 512S/M, Porsche 917 and the GT1 racers eligible to race. What was even worse was the Porsche 962 that won the GT1 class. The MC12 is still derived from a road car. The Enzo's design philosophy of extensive use of ground effects just did not allow it to race. Ferrari probably felt that the chassis would be a good starting point for a racing car, so they chose to do it like they did with the Maser. It might start a revolution.

[Coventrysucks]

Originally Posted by Wouter Melissen

This is exactly what made cars like the Ferrari 512S/M, Porsche 917 and the GT1 racers eligible to race. What was even worse was the Porsche 962 that won the GT1 class.

There is a place for purpose built cars such as these. It isn't in the GTS class though.

Could Ferrari not have developed the car into a LM1 prototype car?
Or were they too afraid that they might loose, so develop a GTS car that cannot possibly be beaten and win that way.

[Wouter Melissen]

The chassis of the car is off a road car, so it is not quite comparable with the Speed 8. The Corvette is also quite dubious, with it's 7 litre engine. It's not like Maserati is the only one using the loopholes.

[DasModell]

the MC12 will race .. as long as they make the 25 cars . they can race . be it in full GTS regs or Supercars regs .. hey .. even the Saleen raced in supercars regs .. cause they didn't build the number of cars ..

as far as i heard .. ACO already said the MC12 will be at LeMans in 2005