GT Classes?

[johnycarrera]

How do the different sized engined cars compete in the same class? Is it down to the fact that the 911 or indeed lotus is expected to travel much further on same fuel as the much larger capacity Corvette? Someone explain to me how it evens up thanks?

[AndrewIC]

My basic understanding is that it is to do with the drivers being classed as Pro or Am.

[xr287]

They are fairly well equalised on performance due to differing weights, bhp per litre and aero. The Corvette obviously has a much bigger engine than the Porsche or Ferrari for example but doesnt produce as many bhp per litre as they do.

[johnycarrera]

Would be surprised if it's either of the above as neither seems fair but if the Corvettes/ Ferraris have a weight penalty to even things up I guess that would make sense.

[Polariz]

Maybe sorted with air restrictors?

[johnycarrera]

Googled due to lack of replies. The GT classes are all now as per the old GT2 class ie up to 5Litres and 8 cylinders for NA and up to 3.2litres and 6 cylinders for forced induction. There are professional and amateur classes but I can only presume the likes of Porsche and lotus can hope to use less fuel than the 5litre corvettes thus less pitstops, to attempt to compete with greater power and capacity............. So far the Corvettes are running away with it.

[xr287]

johnycarrera said:

Would be surprised if it's either of the above as neither seems fair but if the Corvettes/ Ferraris have a weight penalty to even things up I guess that would make sense.

Maybe my post wasn't clear enough. It's not a natural difference. The rules try to balance performance by giving some cars weight breaks, and others increasing the base weight. They can also reduce the aero of a car to slow it down. There are restrictions on engine power through air restrictors but just due to the nature of the engines the corvette may be 6 odd litres compared to the ferraris 4 litre but it doesn't produce 50% more power.

So its not like having the bigger engine immediately gives it an advantage. The dynamics of the cars also play a part you have a Corvette with a big heavy engine up front then you have a lighter engine in the middle of the Ferrari. So you have a Ferrari thats going to be a bit more agile round the corners but might not have the same top speed. They are looking to balance overall laptimes so you still have cars with slight differences on straight line and cornering performance.

Here is the 2011 balancing chart


Taken from http://www.lemans.org/wpphpFichiers/1/1/ressources...

[Polariz]

Polariz said:

Maybe sorted with air restrictors?

Not a bad guess then

Great post xr247, thanks for putting up the answers.

[johnycarrera]

Aaaaahh thanks for the reply, that makes much more sense