2008 widebody M3 GTR

[BoxerSix]

Originally Posted by JClark

Purists freak out, car media overreacts. Porsche releases Cayman GT (racey track version, think GT3) and wider Cayman Turbo. A year later the world realizes the Cayman is better.

and in the meantime adam and Jesse jump for joy, point, and say I told you so to those snub nose 911 purists

[Cavi Mike]

I'm talking about the FIA. Will the Cayman still be in the same class as the M3?

[BoxerSix]

Originally Posted by Cavi Mike

I'm talking about the FIA. Will the Cayman still be in the same class as the M3?

The Cayman could compete in GT1 against the GTR pending proper homoglation. However the car in current form(meaning drivetrain) wouldn't stand a chance against anything on the grid, even with extensive and legal modifications. The floating crank design of that motor is horrible for any extensive power modification, let alone durability and endurance in the long haul.... Porsche would have to release the car in a better configuration(again 3.8L flat six with G96 upside down), homoglate it, then build the race chassis to suit the field to have a fighting chance in GT1 against cars like the GTR, S7, MC12, etc.

[Cavi Mike]

So what you're saying is that the Cayman can't compete in the same class that the 911 is competing in?

[JClark]

Adam- The M3 GTR is an FIA GT2 car, not GT1. We got started on GT1 since thats what the Carrera GT would be.

The Cayman would be in GT2 or GT3 (which we dont see over here in ALMS). The current 911 RSR races in GT2. Often companies make different variations of cars to compete in several GT classes. The Aston Martin DB9R can race in GT1 or its sister car can race in GT3. The new 911 GT3 Cup S is designed for GT3 class, while the RSR is in GT2.

The Cayman could be in either. If they were still trying to not upstage the 911, it wouldnt race in either since Cayman vs 911 wars arent good PR when you can fight BMW and Ferrari (and Corvette and Viper this year in ALMS GT2).



On the topic of classing cars, putting cars whose street models actually compete for sales directly in the same class while racing would make it much more interesting.
The GT2 field should be: M3 GTR, 911 RSR, Corvette C6R, Aston Martin DB9R, Viper CC, Panoz GT, Ferrari F430GT.
GT1: Saleen S7R, Maserati MC12, Ferrari 550/575/612/599/etc, Lambo Murcielago R-GT (lol)

[BoxerSix]

doh. Had all the fun cars on my brain...

Jesse's right...Cayman would most likely be a GT2 class chassis if ever factory backed by Porsche. Porsche can't stand to outrank it's 911 line by lower market car sales, let alone have them trounced by lower model cars at the track. PCA 911 members get enough of that with the 20 year old 944's chasing and passing all day long :wink:

I'd like to see a new Porsche based chassis in GT2, but as long as the 911 lives it sadly just won't happen. As much as I dislike the 986's, I must say the new SPEC 986 classes that are sprouting up around the country are probably going to be the stake in the ground that shows Porsche the chassis layout is the way to go in racing by the public(consumer) eye. Porsche is well aware of the mid engine layout capability, they've just got dollar signs in their face rather than the wholesome racing heritage they once used to pursue so aggressively. Nothing wrong with that, but if they want their cake and eat it too Porsche has to make a big change in the racing dept.


Oh and Jesse.....Ed Zabinski just called me right after you left. Ferrari F430 Prep 2 test day at VIR is TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Argggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg.... .....................! Word is it's going to be tight ship there anyway to keep the car under wraps until race day 1 so it'd be highly unlikely that Scott would let us near the car to begin with.(apparently even Amanda isn't allowed to see it). From what I gather he's got a few things undisclosed that he wants to keep low key right now. Not illegal stuff, but things(that what he says, things) that he doesn't want the comp to know about right yet. He's going to give me a call when he's back from the track to chit chat about some scheduling this year and might work out a few trips for you and myself. Sends his appologies on the matter here, just wanted to relay that....we'll get out to that car one way or another this year.

[JClark]

One of the regulars at our Watkins days is building a Spec Boxster and says its a blast to drive once fully prepped.

Bah crap, that sucks. Let me know whenever he has a date we can make and I'll plan around it. I have Grand Am hookups all over the place but they arent even asking for help until LRP in May so they can keep info closed. The RX8 Speedsource teams had their employees sign confidentiality agreements and STILL wont let them near certain parts of the car.

[1.8tV-Dub]

shit that things hot

[Rocket Punch]

that car is on display at the NY Auto Show and a R35 GT-R.