Some of the new 2010 GT1 cars are testing in France alongside current spec GT cars in the FIA test sessions. Included are the Nissan GT-R and a Ford GT built by Matech. These are the first 2010-spec GT1 cars to hit the track. Some other details can be found in this article:
http://www.planetlemans.com/2009/04/08/first-2010-gt1-cars-unveiled-at-paul-ricard-httt/Some of the important details:
These regulations are going to be used by both FIA and ACO.
- The new GT1 class will be based mostly off the current GT2 technical regulations but with more powerful engines of 5.5L or greater, heavier weight, and some aero modifications. (2010 GT2 cars will be very similar, but with engines under 5.0 L)
- A car can only be homologated in 1 class (can't have a GT2 version of a GT1 car)
- The new FIA GT World Championship will consist of GT1 cars from a maximum of 6 manufacturers.
- Nissan will race the GT-R against the Ford GT, with a Lambo on the way. There will also be a GT1 Corvette (see http://www.corvetteracing.com/history/2008releases/general/racing5.shtml) which leaves the door open for 2 more GT1 marques.
In theory, GT1 cars will be much more economical to build and race. This should hopefully yield fuller fields with greater diversity. Another neat thing about the FIA GT World Championship is that it will be open to privateer teams only, so no manufacturer will be able to dominate. Whether or not that translates to other championships that will use the specification (ALMS, LMS) remains to be seen.
With these new GT1 and GT2 classes, it will be interesting to see the effects on the ALMS entrees. I imagine Corvette Racing will use ALMS as their playground to develop and build the car which will be available for sale to privateers. I don't know how drastically the GT2 cars will be altered, so there may not be much change on that front. If homologation rules follow the FIA, we'd see the end of the Viper, Ford GT, and Riley Corvette in GT2.
