Will GTC cars race in British GT 2007??????
Discussion
The SRO, in their usual "non consultation" style, have issued a press release that strongly hints that they will be dumping all the long term, loyal, and consistent competitors who have formed the backbone of the series for the last four years, i.e GTC. A number of the existing teams have reacted badly to the potential news as it comes midway through the season and could effect sponsorship deals currently in place. SRO's timing for announcing such fundamental possible changes is ill considered and as it is a strong hint and not a statement of fact, it does nothing but cast a cloud of doubt and worry.
Britcar/EERC have issued a quick reply stating that all existing cup class GT teams will be welcome to race with them in 2007
Britcar/EERC have issued a quick reply stating that all existing cup class GT teams will be welcome to race with them in 2007
yup,
start as you mean to go on...
Having already ****ed Ian and myself, they go on to kill off everybody else (wonder how smug Rodin feels now?)
I have to say, what is the point? GT3 is all well and good, but without manufacturer support, it's dead in the water, and with the cost of GT3 cars being £200K+ just for starters, we are back to stupid budget racing again.
start as you mean to go on...
Having already ****ed Ian and myself, they go on to kill off everybody else (wonder how smug Rodin feels now?)
I have to say, what is the point? GT3 is all well and good, but without manufacturer support, it's dead in the water, and with the cost of GT3 cars being £200K+ just for starters, we are back to stupid budget racing again.
I have just been authorised to issue the following press release by SRO in response to the story on DailySportsCar.com. Ian and Rod - you should have received a copy of this in your email.
Jeff Carter
Press & PR Manager
Avon Tyres British GT Championship
Multi-Class British GT Grid Bolstered By GT3
With the phenomenally successful launch of the FIA GT3 European Championship this year, and strong support for the new class at the Donington Park and Pau rounds of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship, it has been suggested that the British GT Championship may become a GT3-only championship in 2007.
SRO is delighted that the GT3 concept has been such an instant success, and strongly believes it will form an integral part of future national GT grids across the world. That said, SRO wish to clarify that based upon current driver and team demand, they are committed to a multi-class British GT Championship.
“Since 2004, SRO has continued to build a strong and healthy multi-class grid, with GT2 and GTC providing action packed, entertaining racing,” said SRO General Manager Bernadette Fitzsimmons. “We have valued relationships with teams from both categories, all of whom have shown a great commitment to the British GT Championship.”
Bernadette Fitzsimmons continued, “This season has seen the successful launch of the FIA GT3 European Championship, with large grids in the two opening races at Silverstone, and 51 cars entered for the full season. From a national perspective, SRO see GT3 becoming a large and important class within the British GT Championship, but so long as support remains strong in other classes, the Avon Tyres British GT Championship will continue to be a multi-class Championship in 2007 and beyond.”
ENDS
Jeff Carter
Press & PR Manager
Avon Tyres British GT Championship
Multi-Class British GT Grid Bolstered By GT3
With the phenomenally successful launch of the FIA GT3 European Championship this year, and strong support for the new class at the Donington Park and Pau rounds of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship, it has been suggested that the British GT Championship may become a GT3-only championship in 2007.
SRO is delighted that the GT3 concept has been such an instant success, and strongly believes it will form an integral part of future national GT grids across the world. That said, SRO wish to clarify that based upon current driver and team demand, they are committed to a multi-class British GT Championship.
“Since 2004, SRO has continued to build a strong and healthy multi-class grid, with GT2 and GTC providing action packed, entertaining racing,” said SRO General Manager Bernadette Fitzsimmons. “We have valued relationships with teams from both categories, all of whom have shown a great commitment to the British GT Championship.”
Bernadette Fitzsimmons continued, “This season has seen the successful launch of the FIA GT3 European Championship, with large grids in the two opening races at Silverstone, and 51 cars entered for the full season. From a national perspective, SRO see GT3 becoming a large and important class within the British GT Championship, but so long as support remains strong in other classes, the Avon Tyres British GT Championship will continue to be a multi-class Championship in 2007 and beyond.”
ENDS
Edited by macsport on Friday 9th June 19:49
dino ferrana said:
Doesn't look like spin to me, looks like a correction of a possibly misinterpreted quote from a guy who doesn't have english as a first language?
more like a panic knee-jerk reaction when they realise they have shot themselves in the foot yet again.....
If this sounds somewhat bitter a comment, this may have something to do with SRO's in-ability to even answer the phone or emails re: the prosport debacle.
Thanks Jeff,
It's good to see that a proper definitive statement regarding British GT has now been made by the SRO, it's a pity that it took the efforts of 3 or 4 websites lead by DSC, and a countless number of telephone calls to the SRO to provoke a response. The SRO must stop acting as if they are board members of an old established, very self important insurance company or a major PLC with shareholders who all wear the same tie,, hells teeth, in real terms. the SRO arrange motorsport events, it's not rocket science, they provide a service for which drivers like me pay them a small fortune. If they want to change the way things work, then ask us, the guys that race and pay all the bloody bills, ask for our opinion, lets have a bit of customer related inter reaction and if it's not too much trouble, a touch of respect for the fact that those of us that do pay for the services SRO provide do so because we choose too. If we get any more of these statements released without consultation with the seasons competing teams, then we will, as sure as eggs are eggs, start voting with our feet.
Just a footnote, but I have spent most of today trying very hard to retain sponsorship, what little I have that is, as they all thought that GT cup was down the toilet, this is the unseen cost of loose or ill considered talk !! Nice one SRO !!
It's good to see that a proper definitive statement regarding British GT has now been made by the SRO, it's a pity that it took the efforts of 3 or 4 websites lead by DSC, and a countless number of telephone calls to the SRO to provoke a response. The SRO must stop acting as if they are board members of an old established, very self important insurance company or a major PLC with shareholders who all wear the same tie,, hells teeth, in real terms. the SRO arrange motorsport events, it's not rocket science, they provide a service for which drivers like me pay them a small fortune. If they want to change the way things work, then ask us, the guys that race and pay all the bloody bills, ask for our opinion, lets have a bit of customer related inter reaction and if it's not too much trouble, a touch of respect for the fact that those of us that do pay for the services SRO provide do so because we choose too. If we get any more of these statements released without consultation with the seasons competing teams, then we will, as sure as eggs are eggs, start voting with our feet.
Just a footnote, but I have spent most of today trying very hard to retain sponsorship, what little I have that is, as they all thought that GT cup was down the toilet, this is the unseen cost of loose or ill considered talk !! Nice one SRO !!
Edited by Racing Rod on Friday 9th June 23:01
dino ferrana said:
Doesn't look like spin to me, looks like a correction of a possibly misinterpreted quote from a guy who doesn't have english as a first language?
With the greatest of respect how can this be misinterpreted?
"Also, GT3 will become the standard class in National Championships. I will propose it for the British Championship next year, to go all GT3, and we are working on the concept of GT3 National Championships in a number of countries, and I think it will become very important."
Now please also take into account that this was an interview with Stephane released to the media as part of the SRO's regular newsletter, the implication being that this is an item which can, if required, be cut and pasted into news coverage.
Suffice to say that teams have not been backwards in coming forward to speak to us about this proposal. The rule here is simple - If you don't want a debate then don't make an opening statement.
The 'clarification' above is welcome but I would resent any implication that we or anyone else involved here misinterpreted or got wrong anything in the first instance.
Racing Rod said:
...Just a footnote, but I have spent most of today trying very hard to retain sponsorship, what little I have that is, as they all thought that GT cup was down the toilet, this is the unseen cost of loose or ill considered talk !! Nice one SRO !!
Rod, basically what you are saying is Loose lips, Sink Ships.
No one wants to air dirty laundry on fora such as here/DSC/10ths etc, but without them somethings would slip under the radar and before soon, it's too late.
Lets hope this is cleared up soon and BGT's can get back to what they are there to do - Race.
mutley said:
Rod, basically what you are saying is Loose lips, Sink Ships.
No one wants to air dirty laundry on fora such as here/DSC/10ths etc, but without them somethings would slip under the radar and before soon, it's too late.
Lets hope this is cleared up soon and BGT's can get back to what they are there to do - Race.
Quite, I would much rather have open direct communication but all you have to do is look at the way the Prosport issue was dealt with, it was appalling and very shabby IMHO, Simon is still awaiting a proper response !!!!! Then we get this nonsense about GTC and you can begin to "understand" the management culture at SRO. When I say understand, I don't mean that I can follow the logic or find any real customer related policies, I can only gleam that it makes little or no sense and I certainly wouldn't run any of my companies or organisations in the same arrogant manner. So until things change for the better, it does seem that one of our few methods of applying pressure is via sites like this for as we have just seen, it gets a response.
Lets have it right. The Britsh GT championship is largely funded by the drivers themselves. The championship offers little opportunity to sponsors with rediculous TV and media for the money spent. To be honest racing in the UK is becoming an absolute joke. I have to admit that the FIA GT3 championship is a fantastic concept and it was very impressive at Silverstone to see so many varied cars. However who is going to want to put that kind of budget into running in the UK?
The only championship that offers any serious sponsor benefits is the BTCC tour (thinking particularly BTCC and Porsche CC).
As rightly stated the British GT championship has been loyaly supported by the GTC class and to issue a sweeping statement which really means selling their existing GTC cars (whoever wants them) and spending a lot more money.
SRO be careful. If the Britcar series goes the way as promised i.e. a championship with regs next year then the Britsh GT could suffer.
The only championship that offers any serious sponsor benefits is the BTCC tour (thinking particularly BTCC and Porsche CC).
As rightly stated the British GT championship has been loyaly supported by the GTC class and to issue a sweeping statement which really means selling their existing GTC cars (whoever wants them) and spending a lot more money.
SRO be careful. If the Britcar series goes the way as promised i.e. a championship with regs next year then the Britsh GT could suffer.
GrahamG sorry I should have been clearer, I don't think anyone here misinterpreted the French one. I think he made a statement in his rather limited English which was actually totally incorrect. I am led to believe this isn't the first time he has made a statement that would clearly indicate one position, only for it to be reversed later.
Suffice to say I don' think there is any reason why SRO would get rid of the GTC class which is strongly supported this year. I can't see why he made the statement in the first place?
Suffice to say I don' think there is any reason why SRO would get rid of the GTC class which is strongly supported this year. I can't see why he made the statement in the first place?
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