Monday 11th December 2017

Ginetta confirms G58 track car for Autosport

Well if you can't quite stretch to the LMP1 car...

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This January looks like being a very busy one for Ginetta, the Autosport Show hosting both the debut of its LMP1 car and its new track day prototype, the G58.

Described by Ginetta as "one of the fastest track day machines on the market" and suited "to all levels of driver, experience and ambition", the G58 is a thorough overhaul of the previous G57. So while it still runs a dry-sumped 6.2-litre Chevy LS3 with more than 580hp (and a 900kg kerb weight), the G58 introduces ABS and air-con to the package. This being the result of an increase in both sales to hot environments (such as the USA) and the amount of customers calling for driving aids. Make your own witty comments about Americans on track days.

These modifications are in addition to an enhanced cooling package that's also new for the G58, hopefully ensuring that both car and driver can continue running unflustered for longer. Certainly everything else about the car would point towards it doing that, with a huge 105-litre fuel tank, power steering, Alcon brakes and, should you wish, both a second seat and a 98db silencer. No excuse not to lap for days, right? Well, apart from the traffic - the G58 is only four seconds slower than an LMP2 car around Paul Ricard, so you're going to be catching up to a lot of caged M3s at Donington.

Fortunately the G58, like its G57 predecessor, will be eligible "for a number of open sports car competition series across the globe." With all that in mind, a £225,000 asking price doesn't look absurd for a track day toy with a carbon monocoque that can compete too - what's the going rate for a GT3 RS right now? Ginetta says the first chassis is in production now (and will be the Autosport show car) so if you fancy something new for the 2018 track day season, it might just come from Garforth...

[Source: Ginetta]

[V8 FOU]

Fab.
More details, such as transmission etc. Please
A/C in a track car? Essential - got it in the Bentley.

[Krikkit]

V8 FOU said:

Fab.
More details, such as transmission etc. Please
A/C in a track car? Essential - got it in the Bentley.

Well, using the G57-P2 as a benchmark I'd say an Xtrac six speed sequential, 3-element Ohlins, Motec management. Pretty much an full-on LMP2 endurance racer with more civilised manners for novices, and the super restrictive regulations bypassed to reduce cost.

[thegreenhell]

That looks amazing value, especially alongside that new McLaren track car thing.

[Talksteer]

Looking at the lap times for Paul Ricard if it is 4 seconds behind an LMP2 it is 2 seconds faster than an LM-GTE Pro car.

So pretty quick.

It works out as around 20 seconds faster than an 675LT....

Assuming an LT can do a 7:15 Ring time it would also indicate that it would be capable of doing a 6:12 lap of the Ring....

Surprised they've not done that!

[The Wookie]

Talksteer said:

Looking at the lap times for Paul Ricard if it is 4 seconds behind an LMP2 it is 2 seconds faster than an LM-GTE Pro car.

So pretty quick.

It works out as around 20 seconds faster than an 675LT....

Assuming an LT can do a 7:15 Ring time it would also indicate that it would be capable of doing a 6:12 lap of the Ring....

Surprised they've not done that!

I managed a 1:01 around Donington National on my first go in the 57, I reckon if I'd had a fresh set of boots once I'd got my head around the downforce it would have done a sub 1 minute lap... quick doesn't really do it justice, in fact I'd say Donington is too small a track for it to stretch its legs!

I doubt there'll be much inclination to run it at the Ring, even at Magny-Cours it was difficult to see going over the bumps while on the brakes down to the hairpin! That type of car doesn't like bumps!

[ecsrobin]

Come on euromillions.