FIA GT1 2011

[Desertdawg]

Yeah, I guess they do have weights, it just seemed a little less important than the ALMS series. Nice pics, teh vette got lucky

[MOTV8]

Just a follow up to post #45....Ratel is hustling:

FIA GT1 World Championship, European GT3 could run together

The FIA GT1 World Championship could be combined with the European GT3 series next season.

Series boss Stephane Ratel has revealed that he has hatched the plan as a backup in an attempt to end speculation that either the world series or the FIA GT3 European Championship will fail to happen in 2012. He has so far been unable to put together the 10 teams he is seeking for GT1 World, while the European GT3 championship looks likely to be hit by the success of his new-for-2011 Blancpain Endurance Series.

"I am working flat-out to have enough cars for two separate championships, but if there are less than 20 cars in each, there is a possibility that we will run them together," Ratel said. "I need to stop people saying that either series won't happen. Now we can say with certainty that both series will take place."

The two series would run together at six of the seven European rounds of next year's world championship. It is likely that GT3 cars from regional series could join the GT1 grid at the three fly-away events outside Europe.

The move was made possible by switching the world championship from GT1 to GT3 regulations, which should be ratified by next week's FIA World Council. His previous plan involved allowing GT3 cars to run alongside the existing GT1 machinery such as the Nissan GT-R. The minor technical adjustments he plans, which include greater freedom of springs and dampers, will also be adopted by the European series to help distinguish it from national championships running in accordance to GT3 rules. This will mean that tire changes will be mandatory for the first time the series.

The creation of what Ratel is calling a unified GT platform will make it easier for teams to graduate from the pro-am European series to the world championship, he explained. "If we have common sporting and technical regulations, it will be easier for people starting in the European series to move into the world championship."

The GT1 World Championship was given a boost last week when the French Hexis Racing squad, winner of the teams' title this year with Aston Martin, confirmed that it will run a pair of McLaren's new MP4-12C GT3s next year. Ratel insists that he is confident of getting 10 teams but would not divulge how many firm commitments he has at present.

Next year's world championship will begin at Nogaro in France. The other European races will take place at Zolder in Belgium, Navarra in Spain, the Sachsenring in Germany, Brands Hatch in the United Kingdom, Portimao in Portugal and the new Moscow Raceway in Russia. There will be two events in China, as there were this year, and a race in Argentina.

Ratel's world championship will retain its GT1 tagline next season despite the change of rulebook. He explained that the title would help distinguish it from national championships running to GT3 rules around the world.