Discussion
Strange one, the Vipers. Was always going to be tough last year, first year entrant and having an engine that was so far outside of the regulations that it was heavily restricted (how on earth they got in in the first place is quite an achievement), but I think the whole TUSC situation as well as the reported poor sales (and production line suspension) is really hitting them.
Shame, as although not my favourite car, they did look good dirty and damaged though (my standard reference point!);
Well Worn by Red Firecracker, on Flickr
Shame, as although not my favourite car, they did look good dirty and damaged though (my standard reference point!);
Well Worn by Red Firecracker, on Flickr
kS 
FredericRobinson said:
Good to see JMW get an entry, but there's a serious lack of variety in GT now, particularly no plucky underdog Lotus / TVR / Panoz / Spyker / Pagani / Lambo type. The aural quality will be well down too, particularly with only 2 vettes
My first LM was 2005 and I remember well the Spyker C8, JLOC, Panoz and TVR. It's such a shame that one of the senses which took such a hammering at Arnage will now have to wait for a Corvette to come round to feel the same aural vibration. I don't understand why the teams in Blancpain are not able to race, what is so bad about GT-3 spec cars? Just today, I checked the team sheet and they have Bentley, Mclaren, BMW, Camaro, Lambo, GT-R. The GT field could be so varied at LM, even just a few years back they had BMZ's and Ford GT's. I guess you can't force manfacturers to want to race at LM but this years race is turning into a one make series. Moan over.Vette_1978 said:
My first LM was 2005 and I remember well the Spyker C8, JLOC, Panoz and TVR. It's such a shame that one of the senses which took such a hammering at Arnage will now have to wait for a Corvette to come round to feel the same aural vibration. I don't understand why the teams in Blancpain are not able to race, what is so bad about GT-3 spec cars? Just today, I checked the team sheet and they have Bentley, Mclaren, BMW, Camaro, Lambo, GT-R. The GT field could be so varied at LM, even just a few years back they had BMZ's and Ford GT's. I guess you can't force manfacturers to want to race at LM but this years race is turning into a one make series. Moan over.
The rules are changing from 2016 to allow GT3 cars to run at LM.As said, the GT rules are changing from 2016 to make a more unified global approach to GT racing, so GT+ and GT (the current suggested nomenclatures). If those rues are sensible and if any grandfathering of existing chassis is done well, then the future is very bright for FIA/ACO ruled GT racing (including what will become the former GT3).
GT3 cars cannot run at Le Mans as they cannot run in the WEC (or TUSC) so are ineligible. It's as simple as that. There's a set of regulations and that's what the Championship is run to, the ACO do not have a set of regulations for GT3 machinery, which is why they have their own Championships and 24 hour races, which are fantastically enjoyable to watch. Realistically, nothing will change until 2016. Nobody is likely to be keen to bring a new GTE chassis to the market until the new regulations come into force as the life of the chassis will/could be so limited for the outlay. However, there have been some very exciting prospects reported for 2016, such as Lexus.
GT3 cars cannot run at Le Mans as they cannot run in the WEC (or TUSC) so are ineligible. It's as simple as that. There's a set of regulations and that's what the Championship is run to, the ACO do not have a set of regulations for GT3 machinery, which is why they have their own Championships and 24 hour races, which are fantastically enjoyable to watch. Realistically, nothing will change until 2016. Nobody is likely to be keen to bring a new GTE chassis to the market until the new regulations come into force as the life of the chassis will/could be so limited for the outlay. However, there have been some very exciting prospects reported for 2016, such as Lexus.
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