A Guide through the Confusing World of GT Classes

"willkinton247" (willkinton247)
02/24/2014 at 14:12 • Filed to: Sports Cars, Racing, Guide, GT Classes, GTE, GT3, GT4

The GT classes of sports car racing offer some of the most exciting and diverse forms of Motorsport, with many road-based cars of different specifications often sharing the track at the same time. This leads to great racing, but understanding the differences between them can be difficult. Here I will attempt to differentiate between the GT classes, so that you may enjoy the sport more fully.

For the sake of clarity, we will stick to classes that currently exist. Attempting to research/explain GT classes before this point will get fairly confusing. I know this because I initially tried, and I got a headache.

GTE

GTE is currently the highest level of GT racing, and is further split into two levels, Pro and Am. GTE-Pro is largely defined by manufacturers and factory backed teams, and GTE-Am is for privateers. GTE-Am cars are required to be at least one year old or made to the previous year's specification. This category was called GT2 before 2011, and is called GTLM in the United SportsCar Championship.

GTE cars must meet certain specifications designed to keep them closely related to the road cars they are based on. This is known as homologation. In order for a car to qualify, a large manufacturer (like GM) must produce at least one road going version of the car per week, or one car a month for small manufacturers (like Ferrari). These cars must also be available for sale, with an official launch campaign for the road car and network through which the car can be sold. The cars must have only two doors, a two or 2+2 seating configuration, and have bona fide sporting ambitions. The car is not required to use the engine it is offered with (although it usually is), but it is required to be a production engine used in a road car. Carbon fiber, titanium and magnesium cannot be used outside of parts like spoilers and wheels, unless the road car has a carbon cockpit. All cars are rear-wheel-drive, and engine-based traction control is allowed. Also, in an interesting nod to the Le Mans era of old, every GTE car is required to have 150 cubic decimeters of luggage space.

Cars Currently Racing in GTE:

Aston Martin Vantage GTE
BMW Z4 GTE
Chevrolet Corvette C7.R
Ferrari 458 Italia GT2
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
SRT Viper GTS-R

Cars Homologated for GTE, but not Currently Racing:

BMW M3 GT2
Chevrolet Corvette C6.R
Ferrari F430 GT2
Ford GT GT2
Jaguar XKR GT2
Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 GT
Lotus Evora GTE
Panoz Esperante GT-LM
Spyker C8 GT2R

These Series Currently Feature the GTE Class:

FIA World Endurance Championship
United SportsCar Championship
European Le Mans Series
Asian Le Mans Series
International GT Open

How Much Does a GTE Car Cost?

Cars in this spec will cost you about $750,000.

GT3

GT3 was initially launched in 2005 by the FIA, and was designed to fit under the GT2 specification. This category was designed to be much simpler and easier to drive than the GT1 and GT2 classes, so that amateurs and younger drivers could work their way up into higher levels of GT racing. This class has become the most popular class of GT racing in the world as it is present in most regional racing series all over the globe. In the United SportsCar Championship, GT3 cars are run in the GTD class with a different spec- rear wing.

GT3 cars have no limit on engine sizes and configurations, chassis construction, or layout, but they must be based on road cars that are in mass production, and a large variety of cars have been homologated. Occasionally you will see privateers run older GT3 cars, even if they are not in production anymore.

These cars have all been homologated for use in GT3, in alphabetical order. Some are no longer in use, but are still technically legal for use in GT3 races, even if they are not necessarily competitive. Those that have had their homologation expired are noted as such.

Cars Currently Homologated for GT3:

Ascari KZ1-R GT3
Aston Martin DBRS9
Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3
Audi R8 LMS (Including R8 LMS Ultra)
Bentley Continental GT3
BMW Alpina B6 GT3
BMW Z4 GT3
Chevrolet Camaro GT3
Corvette Callaway Z06.R GT3
Corvette Z06.R GT3
Dodge Viper Competition Coupe
Dodge Viper Competition Coupe Series 2
Ferrari 430 GT3
Ferrari 430 Scuderia GT3
Ferrari 458 Italia GT3
Ford GT GT3
Ford Mustang FR500C GT
Lamborghini Gallardo LP600 GT3
Lamborghini Gallardo LP600+ GT3
Lotus Exige GT3
Maserati Coupe Grand Sportif Light
Maserati GranTurismo MC GT3
McLaren MP4-12C GT3
Mercedes SLS AMG GT3
Morgan Aero 8 GT3
Morgan Aero Super Sport
Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3
Porsche 911 997 GT3 Cup (2006 model only)
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S
Porsche 911 GT3 R
SRT Viper GT3-R
Venturi Atlantique GT3 Heritage

Cars with Expired Homologation (No longer meet specification):

Ford Mustang VDS GT3 (Homologation Expired)
Jaguar XKR GT3 (Homologation Expired)
Jaguar XKR-S GT3 (Homologation Expired)

These Series Currently Feature the GT3 Class:

24 Hour Series
ADAC GT Masters
Asian Le Mans Series
Australian GT Championship
Belgian GT Championship
Blancpain Endurance Series
Brazilian GT Championship
British GT Championship
European Le Mans Series
FFSA GT Championship
FIA GT Series (Formerly Blancpain Sprint Series)
GT Asia Series
International GT Open
Italian GT Championship
Portuguese GT Championship
Spanish GT Championship
Superstars International Series (Formerly GTSprint International series)
Super Taikyu Series
Veranstaltergemeinschaft Langstreckenpokal Nürburgring (More popularly known as VLN)

These Series allow GT3 cars to compete against cars of different specifications:

Dutch Supercar Challenge (In the GT Class)
Pirelli World Challenge (Featured in the GT Class)
United SportsCar Championship (Featured in GTD alongside the Porsche 911 GT America)
Super GT (Featured in the GT300 category)

How Much Does a GT3 Car Cost?

GT3 was designed to be cheaper to run, but a GT3 car will still set you back $420,000

GT4

The GT4 class was created to support the GT3 class with a true low tech amateur sports car series. The GT4 class consists of cars that are much closer to the road cars they are based on over than the other classes featured here. GT4 cars are often referred to as "Track Day" cars, as they are at price points that make them very accessible to gentleman drivers who want racing experience. The GT4 class is often seen accompanying GT3 classes in series around the globe. You'll also see GT4 class cars compete in single make series.

Cars are adjusted to have an almost identical performance level so that driver skill is highlighted, and once a car has been homologated it cannot be modified. This prevents a war of developmental cost increases, allowing the series to keep it a true amateur series.

Cars Currently Racing in GT4:

Aston Martin Vantage N24
Aston Martin Vantage GT4
BMW M3 GT4
BMW Z4
Corvette C6
Chevrolet Camaro
Ford Mustang FR500 GT4
Ginetta G50 GT4
Maserati Gran Turismo MC
Maserati Trofeo
Mazda MX5
Nissan 350Z
Nissan 370Z
Porsche 997 GT4
Porsche Cayman
Lotus Evora

There is also a Supersport category for lightweight cars. These cars are homologated into the GT4 Supersport category:

Donkervoort D8GT
KTM X-Bow
Lotus 2-Eleven
Peugeot 207 Spyder

These Series Currently Feature the GT4 Class:

24H Series
Blancpain Endurance Series
FIA GT4 European Series
Many Regional GT Championships

These Series allow GT4 cars to compete against cars of different specifications:

Pirelli World Challenge (Featured in the GTS Class)
Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (Featured in the GS Class)

There are many more racing series that use the GT4 class or feature cars built to this spec, so if you know of any more, let me know.

How Much Does a GT4 Car Cost?

For the price of an exotic road car, you can get yourself a race ready GT4 car at around $250,000.

I hope that this helps you understand the current world of GT racing a bit more. Sometime in the future, I'll write a post about how GT racing got to this point, but this is how it exists now. I did not include the Japanese GT500 class of Super GT and German DTM as a part of this guide, because those cars are Silhouette cars; while they may look like their road going counterparts, they actually have carbon fiber monocoques and tube frames, and share as much in common with their road going counterparts as Australian V8 Supercars.

Photo Credits: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

I love racing and cars. I talk about that a lot on Twitter. Feel free to follow me at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . If you want me to look into a particular series or topic, or have any feedback, let me know!

DISCUSSION (62)

Ryanator122 > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 14:29

Perhaps a Clarification on "Super GT" and "DTM" are in order? Those are touring cars, but I feel as if that may be something cool to include.

desertdog5051 > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 14:31

Great post. Thanks.

willkinton247 > Ryanator122
02/24/2014 at 14:32

Yeah, Super GT 500 and DTM are touring classes, and on the same level as V8 Supercars and even *gasp* NASCAR. They are purpose built silhouette cars that kind of look like the car they are based on, but that's more or less where the similarities end.

That's a subject for a different day. Ha

Maxxuman > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 14:34

Isn't there also a GTC class now?

Ryanator122 > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 14:35

Well, I'm assuming you've written this for people who don't know about motorsport. I can see them not seeing the differences between a GT500 GT-R and a GTE Class car. Still pretty solid and I'm still gonna link to it.

willkinton247 > Maxxuman
02/24/2014 at 14:36

GTC is a class that you'll see in various series. They are usually GT3 or GT4 spec cars of a single make. ALMS had the GTC class consisting of 911 GT3 Cups, but that no longer exists.

veteran011 > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 14:44

If all GTE cars are RWD why is the Gallardo LP560-4 allowed? The "-4" in the name refers to the number of powered wheels...

Also, how long does a car stay on the "approved" list after it's no longer in production?

willkinton247 > veteran011
02/24/2014 at 14:51

They are converted to be RWD. It's the same case with the Audi R8 LMS in GT3.

And as far as I know, they are always able to be run. They eventually just stop being competitive. A model will move from factory teams to amateur teams and then just out of style. You'll see some older models pop up every now and then like Ford GTs

123456 > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 14:55

What is the difference between GTE and GT2? I do believe there are subtle differences?

Admiral Asskicker > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 14:56

Where does the lower "ST" Class of the IMSA Continental Sports Car Challenge fit into all this? Or is that "too low to matter"?

Also, I thought that the MX-5 was only running in ST and not GS class (though i may be mistaken, Im new to all this motorsports stuff)

willkinton247 > Admiral Asskicker
02/24/2014 at 15:01

You can think of the ST class as more of a touring car class. You'll see a lot of racing series that combine GT3/GT4 classes with Touring Cars.

Furthermore, the GS class does allow some GT4 cars, but not all GT4 cars. You'll just see some there like the Vantage GT4.

willkinton247 > 123456
02/24/2014 at 15:08

Very, very little. GT2 was renamed GTE when GT1 went defunct. Any differences would be very minor changes in year-to-year rules.

The Transporter > Admiral Asskicker
02/24/2014 at 15:16

That may be a typo on his part. The MX-5 runs in the ST class in the CTSCC and the TC class in the PWC. ST is more of a touring car class, which is technically different from GT. Touring cars are in the US are much more production based than even GT4. For instance, Compass 360 is racing in both the CTSCC ST class and PWC TC class with the same Honda Civic Si cars that started out life as road going Civic Si's that were modified for safety and BoP rules.

North > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 15:16

Furthermore to add on to GTC is that there are two versions of it still active both in the European LeMans Series and the Asian LeMans Series. They're primarily there as open, non-spec make GT3 classes used to fill the field. This is because of the cost difference between GTE and GT3 in which GT3 is cheaper. Also to note is that GT300 cars from the SuperGT series in Japan were given permission to compete in the Asian LeMans Series for two rounds. You can possibly expect GT300 cars to morph into regular GT3 cars, maybe in the future. Imagine a Super Prius in the ELMS...

willkinton247 > The Transporter
02/24/2014 at 15:21

The MX-5 is actually homologated for GT4, but the GT4 spec MX-5 does not run in CTSCC or PWC.

Eazy-O > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 16:17

Cubic decimeter is another word for liter or 1000 ccm. ;) No need to get esoteric. Also, great writeup, thanks.

willkinton247 > Eazy-O
02/24/2014 at 16:20

haha, funny enough, the regulations say "Cubic Decimeter." I thought about doing some unit conversion, but then I figured, hey if the ACO uses Cubic Decimeter, then I can too.

DeltawingGothamDeserves > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 16:28

We need an infographic...

willkinton247 > DeltawingGothamDeserves
02/24/2014 at 16:29

I would love to make one.

But I don't know how.

DeltawingGothamDeserves > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 16:30

We could have Torch do it...

Rich J > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 16:37

And occasionally do well... The Robertson's got 3rd in GT-AM in the 2011 LeMans with a Ford GT.

Rich J > North
02/24/2014 at 17:40

Setting aside the awesomeness that is the Super Prius, when will hybrid systems make it into GT racing?

Somebody is going to be crazy enough to homologate a McLaren P1 or a LaFerrari at some point, or pick up some second hand F1 "power units" w/ ERS when one of the F1 backmarkers decides to pack it up.

Teryn_Mant > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 17:42

I've yet to find a racing series that I'm comfortable with. There are so many I can't even begin to choose. Can somebody recommend me anything? I'm mainly looking for something with a bunch of races per year, kind of like F1, but with GT cars that I could maybe watch on my computer live (don't own a tv).

The359 > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 17:54

You left out the other half of GT4, the Supersport subclass for lightweight GT4 cars that is left seperate in some series and combined with GT4 in other series. This features the KTM X-Bow and Lotus 2-Eleven.

BullManUGA > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 19:05

It's not confusing if you follow it. Might as well make a post entitled, " A Guide Through the Confusing World of Minor League Baseball."

Also, GTD in TUSC is more than just a shitty spec wing. They remove TCS and ABS from the cars as well.

North > Rich J
02/24/2014 at 19:20

I doubt they will for the likes of the P1 and LaFerrari unfortunately. The biggest problem with alternative propulsion systems is how they would be introduced into GT class cars. Super GT allowed it because they were self governing, until recently. However if you look at the FIA's most innovative series that includes the likes of GT classes, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) which controls the likes of the World Endurance Challenge, European LeMans Series and Asian LeMans Series and the GT classes GTE/Pro/Am you will find that the current regulations don't bear much flexibility for hybrid or KERS. They generally promote the likes of alternative fuels like E85 ethanol, but surprisingly not diesel.

Furthermore the classes you'll most likely see using hybrid technology will be in the prototype arena, specifically LMP1 where this year almost all teams will be running gasoline/diesel hybrid setups. I believe in 2017 the FIA and ACO are set to revise and drastically change the GT classes, my guess will be a merge of GTE and new 2nd and 3rd generation GT3 cars. Then there could be talks of possibly alternative fuels, but who knows? They don't say much.

Lastly Porsche did make a 911 GT3 RSR Hybrid. It raced at the Nurburgring a few times, other than that I'm not sure it is still being used. I doubt it is. Here's a pic.

Kinja'd!!!

North > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 19:24

MAHPHUKIN SUPA PRIUS

Kinja'd!!!

LOL

Kinja'd!!!

Rich J > North
02/24/2014 at 19:35

That's a pretty hot Porsche.
I bet the ACO will be all about hybrid GT as soon as some manufacturer wants to. The ACO wants to have the best show in town.

North > Rich J
02/24/2014 at 19:45

Yeah I agree. In my opinion it's a matter of time before we see something great happen. The GTEs need updating anyway. Their only saving grace from the top speed of the GT3s is their cornering ability. So if they decide to keep the two separate you'll be likely to see something like a KERS system on those cars in a few years. Plus I know it's off topic but Ferrari is more than likely developing a hybrid P1 with a similar power plant that exists in their current F1 car. I think Jalopnik may have posted it but I generally see the articles hanging up on SportsCar365 or Racer. Here's a picture. I'm guessing it's a mockup aero kit for LMP1, not with the same looks but similar effect?

Kinja'd!!!

This article is great, there needs to be more! (LMPs, DTM/SGT, etc!)

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 20:22

TIL someone thought a Morgan Aero 8 GT3 car was a good idea.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 20:35

Very cool and comprehensive article.

Great work for putting this together!

hindaughstalker > BullManUGA
02/24/2014 at 20:56

Nice to see you're an insufferable, childish, petulant twit everywhere you post. At least you're consistent.

BullManUGA > hindaughstalker
02/24/2014 at 21:09

lol troll. Please go fuck yourself, whoever you are. I believe this is the second time you've posted something like this in reply to me.

dogisbadob > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 21:35

They should allow the smart car to be homologated! I think it has good cargo space, and it is RWD and 2 doors :p

150L of luggage space? That's almost 40 cubic feet! Even a Corvette only has 25 cubic feet, which would be closer to 100L

King Ginger, not writing for Business Insider > willkinton247
02/24/2014 at 21:37

Excellent write up.

And another reminder that there is just too much out there competing for too small of a piece of marketing/viewership pie.

King Ginger, not writing for Business Insider > BullManUGA
02/24/2014 at 21:47

To be fair, it IS a bit confusing for those who DON'T follow these series. A write up like this is helpful for casual viewers to begin making sense if they have been on the outside looking in up to this point (there are actually a lot of those folks on Oppo and Jalopnik). Considering how small auto racing's viewership is compared to other sports any fans that can be had is a good start :-)

GT921 > Somethingwittyer likes noisy
02/24/2014 at 22:43

Oh my God, it's beautiful hahaha.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Morga…

willkinton247 > The359
02/24/2014 at 23:30

You're totally right. I'll update it in the AM. Thanks for pointing it out!

willkinton247 > King Ginger, not writing for Business Insider
02/24/2014 at 23:33

Thanks!

willkinton247 > dogisbadob
02/24/2014 at 23:34

I'm thinking it would make a better rally car with the short wheelbase. GROUP B SMART CAR FTW

willkinton247 > Teryn_Mant
02/24/2014 at 23:36

the WEC, the Blancpain endurance and FIA GT series.

The359 > Teryn_Mant
02/25/2014 at 02:54

The FIA GT1 World Championship somewhat filled that niche, in that it had close racing, two one-hour races on its weekends, two cars on every team like F1, and was streamed online, at least originally.

The International GT Open is the only other series with great live webcasts and a good variety of GT2 and GT3 cars. The only problem is a real lack of major teams and drivers compared to some of the other championships.

http://www.youtube.com/user/GTOPENser…

spasticatedmammal > willkinton247
02/25/2014 at 05:53

Good article, but could have done with SuperGT/DTM seeing as that's now becoming a tube-frame GT class.

spasticatedmammal > DeltawingGothamDeserves
02/25/2014 at 05:53

I could do it?

xc90v8/I4 :( > willkinton247
02/25/2014 at 05:57

Excellent thank you! Way less confusing now. Some more details on specs suchs as horsepower, engine sizes, weight, cost, or laptimes would be nice.

Teryn_Mant > Teryn_Mant
02/25/2014 at 06:16

Thanks guys!

willkinton247 > spasticatedmammal
02/25/2014 at 07:12

Yeah those are more like V8 supercars. This was for cars strictly built on a road going chassis. I'll do another explainer of those later

willkinton247 > Ryanator122
02/25/2014 at 08:29

I went ahead and put a blurb at the bottom about DTM and SGT being silhouette cars.

willkinton247 > The359
02/25/2014 at 08:30

Done. They're in there now.

willkinton247 > Teryn_Mant
02/25/2014 at 08:31

Also, if you are looking for great racing, I highly suggest checking out the V8 Supercars of Australia. Watch the video in this article to see what I mean.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

willkinton247 > xc90v8/I4 :(
02/25/2014 at 08:34

I went ahead and put in a small bit about cost for each category. The other details are a bit more technical, and there are a ton of exceptions that have been granted by the FIA/ACO.

But GTE has a limit on engine size and HP.

GT3 does not have a limit on engine size, but all of the cars are balanced out by the FIA to have more or less equal performance when they are homologated

Lap times are a hard thing to get a read on because not everyone uses the same tracks.

willkinton247 > spasticatedmammal
02/25/2014 at 09:52

Sure. The next topic I will probably write about may need an infographic.

I want to tackle the history of GT Classes. A chart would be very helpful when trying to show how it went from GT to GT1 which became LMGTP and GTS which became GT1 again which then went away.

SubiSanchez > willkinton247
02/25/2014 at 14:00

Awesome write up! Well explained. GT racing can get somewhat messy with the different classes. I've always wondered how the Trans-AM/SCCA GT-1 cars stack up to GT3s since they're more like NASCAR silhouette cars rather than true GTs.

Pat Stager > willkinton247
02/25/2014 at 14:18

There's a few mistakes here. GT4 is no longer a part of the Blancpain Endurance Series. They run all GT3's separated into Pro and Am classes. Also, Blancpain Sprint Series is the new name of the FIA GT Series, you've got it the other way around. Still a good rundown though!

Ryanator122 > dogisbadob
02/25/2014 at 14:28

"Back seat" space maybe?

willkinton247 > Pat Stager
02/25/2014 at 15:38

Thanks!

Teryn_Mant > willkinton247
02/25/2014 at 18:06

Thanks! I'll make sure to check out the race going on soon!

Wheelerguy > willkinton247
02/19/2016 at 07:19

At the rate both GTE/GTLM and GT3/GTD is going these days, an update is in order. I can help you with that.

willkinton247 > Wheelerguy
02/19/2016 at 08:47

You’re probably right. I should get on that. I'll let you know

Wheelerguy > Somethingwittyer likes noisy
02/19/2016 at 09:02

And why not? It won at Silverstone in 2009.

andrewrobbinsk24 > willkinton247
09/20/2017 at 22:11

is there not a racing class for street cars. im currently building a 07 Civic Si(2.4L inline-4 cylinder) and im looking at around 350-400BHP. im just really curious as to what class would be available to me. also what is the best way to get recognized? time attacks? lol sorry if i sound dumb. if you could just email me at andrewrobbins123@yahoo.com

-Andrew

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

Rokas > willkinton247
04/26/2018 at 17:15

Good article. However I was left a bit puzzled performance wise. So GTE class is the fastest one? It would be good to add for example SPA circuit qualifying times for comparison to see what are the differences.

Also, my favorite series this year Lamborghini Super Trofeo are not mentioned. I understand they run GT3 spec but I am not sure.