Corvette Racing's Future Depends on Aston Martin
09-06-2007, 05:23 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
09-06-2007, 05:57 PM
#2
Race Director
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I guess that means Aston Martin will return. Can you imagine not coming back with a challenge like that!? Oh yeah, I forgot, AM got beat several times while corvette had one arm tied behind already......
Oh well, in the very least, it would not be very 'british' of 'em to stay home and sulk.
Oh well, in the very least, it would not be very 'british' of 'em to stay home and sulk.
Last edited by SouthernSon; 09-06-2007 at 06:00 PM.
09-06-2007, 06:17 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
I don't understand why other makes such as Porsche and Ferrari don't enter into the GT1 forum? Could someone explain to me why that is? Money, their cars aren't fast enough? What gives? 
09-06-2007, 06:22 PM
#4
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Corvette should make a P1 car and go after the Audis.
The Astons simply aren't as good, so ALMS puts a smaller restrictor plate on the Corvette to even out the playing field. Then the Corvette team just cries, whines and moans about it so much that Aston doesn't want to play anymore.
The Astons simply aren't as good, so ALMS puts a smaller restrictor plate on the Corvette to even out the playing field. Then the Corvette team just cries, whines and moans about it so much that Aston doesn't want to play anymore.
09-06-2007, 06:28 PM
#5
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GM should do the same thing, it would help pay for thier GT1 efforts.
09-06-2007, 07:12 PM
#6
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Ferrari found their new F599GTB not as fast as their older 550GTC, or 575 GTC so they scrapped the idea of making a GT1 599 GTC for now. Now you have to also remember it was ProDrive who really made the Ferrari 550 GTC fast and competitive, not Ferrari. Then Prodrive switched and built Aston Martin DBR9
Porsche also has the Spyder P2 customer car
.
You have to also remember it is not cheap to build a competitive GT1 car. The Pratt & Miller Corvette C6R is in the neighborhood of $675,000 to $750,000 each plus $125,000 for each LS7r engine.
The ProDrive Aston Martin DBR9 is also in that neighborhood of $900,000 each.
Not counting development costs but per unit.
Some GT1 neighborhood eh?
Where a GT2s, Porsche 997 RSR is what? $375,000 Plus $125,000 in spare parts? The Ferrari F430 is about $400 - $425,000
Last edited by AU N EGL; 09-06-2007 at 07:29 PM.
09-06-2007, 08:12 PM
#7
Team Owner
They need to drop to GT-2 for some good brand competition. I heard Caddy will be out of SWC next year also. 2010 move sounds interesting also.
09-06-2007, 08:23 PM
#8
Former Vendor
Corvette should make a P1 car and go after the Audis.
The Astons simply aren't as good, so ALMS puts a smaller restrictor plate on the Corvette to even out the playing field. Then the Corvette team just cries, whines and moans about it so much that Aston doesn't want to play anymore.
The Astons simply aren't as good, so ALMS puts a smaller restrictor plate on the Corvette to even out the playing field. Then the Corvette team just cries, whines and moans about it so much that Aston doesn't want to play anymore.
Chevy in P1 is like bring a knife to a gun fight. Those Audi guys have been winning the 24 hour forever. Even before the R8 the guys were helping the P-cars winning spree also. GM just doesn't build the type of engine needed.
Randy
09-06-2007, 08:25 PM
#9
Racer
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Maybe they should just work on some GT2 cars for next year. Also it gives a good reason for doing a mid engined car for the next generation.
Prodrive is going to be busy anyways, I think they're supposed to be running a McLaren customer car in F1 next year.
Prodrive is going to be busy anyways, I think they're supposed to be running a McLaren customer car in F1 next year.
09-06-2007, 11:26 PM
#12
Safety Car
Let Lou (LG Motorsports) or someone else take over the Corvette racing program and drop down into GT2.
Let GM/P&M go into LMP1 with a new Caddy closed coupe and battle Audi/Acura/Porsche!
Let GM/P&M go into LMP1 with a new Caddy closed coupe and battle Audi/Acura/Porsche!
09-06-2007, 11:51 PM
#13
Former Vendor
I stand corrected the caddy team was starting to show the sign of being a fast team. P1 racing is a stupid amount of $$$ Is the cost worth the benfit??? Only time will tell.
Randy
Randy
09-07-2007, 12:46 AM
#14
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I think Lou with P&M involved (works/ semi-works) going ALMS GT-2 with a two car team would be great. And then P&M resurrecting the Cadillac LMP program with their proven abilities and some not so noticeable (link) would be a much better approach than last time, no offense to Wayne Taylor. Also in the mix are the ever rumored mid engine, C7 this time and I would presume the XLR-V, and the new "Ultra" DOHC 4valve replacement platform for the Northstar engines. So depending on the new 2010 LMGTP(?) coupe rules, maybe a DOHC 4valve 7L+ 
L.P.
L.P.
09-07-2007, 07:58 AM
#15
Le Mans Master
Ferrari has the F430 customer car, and Porsche has the 997 customer car.
Ferrari found their new F599GTB not as fast as their older 550GTC, or 575 GTC so they scrapped the idea of making a GT1 599 GTC for now. Now you have to also remember it was ProDrive who really made the Ferrari 550 GTC fast and competitive, not Ferrari. Then Prodrive switched and built Aston Martin DBR9
Porsche also has the Spyder P2 customer car
.
You have to also remember it is not cheap to build a competitive GT1 car. The Pratt & Miller Corvette C6R is in the neighborhood of $675,000 to $750,000 each plus $125,000 for each LS7r engine.
The ProDrive Aston Martin DBR9 is also in that neighborhood of $900,000 each.
Not counting development costs but per unit.
Some GT1 neighborhood eh?
Where a GT2s, Porsche 997 RSR is what? $375,000 Plus $125,000 in spare parts? The Ferrari F430 is about $400 - $425,000
Ferrari found their new F599GTB not as fast as their older 550GTC, or 575 GTC so they scrapped the idea of making a GT1 599 GTC for now. Now you have to also remember it was ProDrive who really made the Ferrari 550 GTC fast and competitive, not Ferrari. Then Prodrive switched and built Aston Martin DBR9
Porsche also has the Spyder P2 customer car
.
You have to also remember it is not cheap to build a competitive GT1 car. The Pratt & Miller Corvette C6R is in the neighborhood of $675,000 to $750,000 each plus $125,000 for each LS7r engine.
The ProDrive Aston Martin DBR9 is also in that neighborhood of $900,000 each.
Not counting development costs but per unit.
Some GT1 neighborhood eh?
Where a GT2s, Porsche 997 RSR is what? $375,000 Plus $125,000 in spare parts? The Ferrari F430 is about $400 - $425,000
Thanks Tom!
It seems to me if no one else is going to run GT1, Corvette should get into GT2 and run with something closer to street trim car and use that series to advance/develop the Corvette body and drivetrain to benefit their real customers....all of us!
09-07-2007, 09:15 AM
#17
09-07-2007, 09:40 AM
#18
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Oh yeah, at the 24 heurs lemans, the AM's were allowed a larger intake.
Yes, the vettes got ripped! Of course, they still beat AM almost every race last year.
The team's effort was absolutely phenomenal. I would never characterized their disposition as one of whining...more like very restrained in their reaction to the rules changes.
09-07-2007, 10:01 AM
#19
Le Mans Master
I think Lou with P&M involved (works/ semi-works) going ALMS GT-2 with a two car team would be great. And then P&M resurrecting the Cadillac LMP program with their proven abilities and some not so noticeable (link) would be a much better approach than last time, no offense to Wayne Taylor. Also in the mix are the ever rumored mid engine, C7 this time and I would presume the XLR-V, and the new "Ultra" DOHC 4valve replacement platform for the Northstar engines. So depending on the new 2010 LMGTP(?) coupe rules, maybe a DOHC 4valve 7L+
L.P.
L.P.
As much as we love Lou for his dedication to the Corvette and Corvette racing, you will never see GM partner with Lou. They would either go into GT2 as a factory with the current driver line up, or they will sell customer cars like Porsche. Also, I don't think there are ANY factory teams in GT2, are they even allowed? I think they need to drop down to GT2 as a factory for one year and then go customer cars after that. This will allow the Corvette name to continue racing for years to come. Going in the other direction has more risks, P&M already went there with Caddy and couldn't make the car fast. The Corvette is GT sports car, let it stay that way and leave prototype for Caddy or some other premier american brand
09-07-2007, 10:25 AM
#20
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People got on Honda/Acura's case just suppling engines and not chassis to the series, now you know why.
If GM wanted to go into that class, they would be best just to supply engines as well.
If GM wanted to go into that class, they would be best just to supply engines as well.