"Viggen" (viggen37)
10/06/2015 at 14:58 • Filed to: None
5
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"Viggen" (viggen37)
10/06/2015 at 14:58 • Filed to: None | 5
| 17 |
Over the past five years or so, sports car racing has provided some of the closest racing on the planet. It comes from the ranks of the GT classes. GT3 and GTE. In America we know of these classes as GTD or GT/GTA (IMSA and PWC, respectively) and GTLM. As one of the most competitive forms of motorsport, it’s also one that changes most often. Balance of Performance, driver line ups, strategy, regulation changes and what not. For both factory and privateer teams alike, this is an expensive gig.
The end result of this? Teams come and go fairly often. As such, it’s hard to want to become attached to a team, because you know they may not be back the next year. But some of these teams are really close to their fans and make an effort to please them, and you end up becoming attached.
This year, two well known and well respected teams are closing their doors. Petit Le Mans marked the final race for the #17 Team Falken Tire Porsche 911 RSR. Falken Tire does an amazing job interacting with their fans on and off the track. In the paddock they were welcoming and on social media they’re always hosting competitions. Sure, they’re for a Falken liveried Hot Wheels car, but it’s the thought that counts, damn it!
EDIT: Just remembered that Falken Tire has actually run liveries designed by people in Forza, including the 2013 Petit Le Mans GT class winner.
Today we also
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
that Marc VDS Racing is ending its GT program. Among the often serious race related posts on social media that many other teams make, there was Marc VDS, with something silly, usually about Markus Paltalla.
While I’m sure many of us end up becoming a fan of all the teams on a grid, there’s no denying it’s always sad to see one go. This is probably something Corvette Racing fans know whenever they lose a rival, like Flying Lizards or Viper.
I could end this with that Dr. Seuss line about smiling because it happened, I’ll end on a different note. The spirit of racing and the spirit of teams past lives on in the drivers, crews, and fans of the sport.
So farewell Team Falken Tire Porsche and BMW Sport Trophy Team Marc VDS. And from the countless fans you’ve made happy, thank you.
desertdog5051
> Viggen
10/06/2015 at 15:52 |
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It is sad to lose some of the competitors, especially Falken.
I am looking forward to the new BMW M6 GT3, though. Not sad to see the Z4 go away. Ugly car.
Cherry_man1
> Viggen
10/06/2015 at 17:10 |
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I beg your pardon about Flying Lizard
Quite alive in GTD
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Viggen
> Cherry_man1
10/06/2015 at 17:26 |
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Alive yes, but no longer Corvette Racing’s rival like in the ALMS days. And it still hurts to see them in Audis. Announcers still have to stop themselves from saying Flying Lizards Porsche.
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Cherry_man1
> Viggen
10/06/2015 at 17:36 |
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I think the livery fits the R8 better then the 911 RSR
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Viggen
> Cherry_man1
10/06/2015 at 17:40 |
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Eh, not with the way the intake cuts through the head.
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Cherry_man1
> Viggen
10/06/2015 at 17:46 |
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They should refine it to make the intake a mouth.
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Viggen
> Cherry_man1
10/06/2015 at 17:51 |
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If the 2016 Sports Car Silly Season rumors are true it’s going to look good on the 650S GT3 next year.
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Cherry_man1
> Viggen
10/06/2015 at 18:19 |
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if the 650S come to the class. That will be amazing. I need to get a Ford, Lamborghini, and if McLaren comes in one of their banners.
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Viggen
> Cherry_man1
10/06/2015 at 19:19 |
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Apparently McLaren and IMSA have been in talks. I hope it’s true.
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Cherry_man1
> Viggen
10/06/2015 at 19:38 |
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What IF: the 540C will be coming to the America and that’s how they are gonna introduce it to the US to try and sell it here? or maybe it will be the 570s?
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Viggen
> Cherry_man1
10/06/2015 at 19:41 |
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They’d have to make a GT3 version of the 540C which won’t happen.
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Cherry_man1
> Viggen
10/06/2015 at 19:46 |
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That we know of! OR WHAT IF IT’S A GS CLASS CAR~!
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Viggen
> Cherry_man1
10/06/2015 at 19:50 |
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That’d be unfair as hell.
StingrayJake
> Viggen
10/06/2015 at 20:02 |
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I also seem to remember hearing that Porsche will run only one 911 in GTLM next year. I love Corvette Racing and I want them to win but it certainly sucks when everybody else closes up shop. At least we’ll have the Ford GT next year. And damn it we better beat them.
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Cherry_man1
> Viggen
10/06/2015 at 20:21 |
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Not really, the 540C would be a good fight for the GT350R-S, Z/28, 911, and M3. It would be a fair fight.
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Viggen
> StingrayJake
10/06/2015 at 20:35 |
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I hope that’s not true. You pretty much need two cars to win the manufacterer or team awards.
I want Ford to come stone dead last in every race. With Falken gone I’m pretty much into anyone but Ford mode.
Maybe someday AMR will make a full season attempt. But that’ll only happen when AF Corse brings 11 million cars over.
Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius
> Viggen
10/07/2015 at 18:58 |
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Falken’s cover story is the GT program was there for tire development. They wanted to be able to prove thier products were on par with Michelin and Dunlop.
If they won some races and got some acclaim, that was a side bonus.
Is it true? Dunno. They won races and they were competitive (sometimes more, sometimes less), but they were not setting the record books on fire. Do they want their name coming in 4th or 5th place year after year? I could see them stating their goals were met, while at the same time protecting the brand of being percieved as ‘mid-pack.’