The 2024 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 has debuted with the manufacturer claiming there could be up to 30 of its cars racing by the end of the year. Full details below.
I also bring you details on a discount on Radical Cup North America fees, a new modern Formula Ford in the works, more racecraft tips and the bonkers Pagani track car.
All this and more in this week’s edition of the Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup on Motorsport Prospects.
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
Goodwood Road & Racing: “The Pescarolo 01 sits in a slightly forgotten era of fantastic racing cars. Maybe it’s not old enough to trigger nostalgia bones, and it’s not contemporary enough to live in our recent memories, but this 2011 Pescarolo 01 LMP1 car is very special. Ignoring its success in period, the 4.4-litre Judd V8 engine alone is enough to get us excited. We sat down with owner Jamie Constable to talk us through why his Gulf-liveried example is special and what it’s like to drive around Daytona… at night.”
Ross Bentley of Speed Secrets explains how to smile your way to fast.
“Here’s something else to consider: I’ve written a lot about the negative impact that holding your breath has on your performance. What if you deliberately practiced “breathe with a smile”? What if you mentally practiced that before ever going to the track? What if you practiced this every day when you’re driving on the street? What if you took part of a few sessions on track to deliberately “breathe with a smile”?”
In a recent free issue of On Racing Drivers by Terence Dove, Dove discusses why your fastest lap could be misleading you.
“This reliance on a single measure from a single lap is giving you a skewed perception of your performance. It’s a sort of delusion – making you think you’re doing better than you actually are or the opposite; unnecessarily denting your confidence when the times don’t accurately reflect your actual driving.”
Your Data Driven has put together a 3 step guide to how to learn a racetrack from anywhere.
“You’ll be excited about getting out there, so this is about trying to give you something proactive you can easily do in a spare 15 or 20 mins ahead of time. It’s about trying to help speed up your learning so when you get to the track, you will have a head start.”
Race Car & Series Developments
Aston Martin has revealed their 2024 Vantage GT3 ahead of its WEC debut. The 2024 Vantage GT3 is a comprehensive evolution of the recently retired Vantage AMR GTE and GT3 cars, which made their debut in 2018. Not only that, Aston Martin expects to have approaching 30 of its Vantage GT3s racing in the new-for-2024 evo specification by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Autosport speculates on what a successor to the Mercedes-AMG GT3 could look like. “While some other manufacturers have extended the life cycle of their GT3 contenders by introducing a second facelift, Mercedes will stay away from this philosophy and is putting all its resources on building an entirely new car for 2026.”
FPC have confirmed that the Formula Prototype Challenge, FPC, is returning for 2024 as a stand alone run group at select CASC-OR Regional Racing events.
For more information about FPC check out their website: https://www.fpc-canada.com/
Please feel free to contact the organizer, Steffen Rilli, directly if you have any questions at info@fpc-canada.com or 647-620-216.
A record nine manufacturers will compete for global supremacy in what promises to be the biggest season yet for Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS.
The 2024 calendar comprises 52 races across 30 events – also a record – with more than 100 hours of competitive action set to take place between the opening round at Bathurst (18 February) and the finale at Jeddah (23 November).
Mercedes-AMG is the brand to beat in 2024 as it goes in pursuit of a sixth successive global crown. The Affalterbach marque will once again face off against its key domestic rivals as BMW, Porsche and Audi bring their race-winning machinery to the fight. Ferrari and Lamborghini represent the Italian supercar sector, while McLaren also continues its bid for supremacy.
The British contingent doubles this year as Aston Martin joins the fray for the first time with its next-gen Vantage AMR GT3. The entry features another big-name addition as Ford becomes the first American marque to enter Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS, bringing its hotly anticipated new Mustang GT3 to the global stage.
SRO Motorsports Group has revealed an overhaul of the Intercontinental GT Challenge’s point system for the manufacturers’ standings, with brands no longer required to nominate entries. In a change for the 2024 season, which kicks off this weekend with the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour, all cars from registered marques are automatically eligible to score drivers’ and manufacturers’ points. See Sportscar365 for all the details.
Sign up for the full season of Radical Cup North America by February 16 and save $2000! The full season entry includes Registration, all event entries and all three Promoter Test entries. Alternatively secure your race number and custom feather flag today with the Registration Fee.
More details here.
Speed Cafe reports that a working group has been put together to go through the process of creating a new, modern Formula Ford car. The program is headed by Motorsport Australia Director of Motorsport & Commercial Operations Michael Smith. The group includes stake holders Jamie Augustine, Andrew Jones, Ryan McLeod, Mike Borland and Jeromy Moore.
They are working on the creation of a car for the future, a modern and safe update to the current machinery while retaining the philosophy of the category as a low grip, low aero class that has endeared it for so long. The cars will still have a tubular chassis, but will feature several new safety components, including the halo, front and rear crash structures, side impact crash structure, an extractable seat, driver headrest, sidepods and wheel tethers. Whether the style of gearchange is retained is still to be decided, also the prospect of a five-speed sequential is something to be considered.
“Motorsport Australia is committed to working closely with Formula Ford Australia, as well as with teams and manufacturers ahead of the roll out of this new generation car. It’s important we get this right and provide a platform that will allow the category the best opportunity to thrive in a changing motorsport landscape,” Smith said. “We’re excited about the future of Formula Ford and its place as a pathway for junior development for the next generation of motorsport competitors.”
Track Days
Automobili Lamborghini presented Telemetry X, an innovative ‘track connectivity’ concept that can be applied to the future range of super sports cars produced in Sant’Agata Bolognese. The unveiling took place at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at the Accenture Innovation Hub.
The application of racing-derived digital technologies coincided with the 2020 debut of the Huracán STO, the first Lamborghini super sports car equipped with a telemetry system that can be used via the Unica app. With Telemetry X, Lamborghini anticipates a future immersive track driving experience based on the synergy of three systems developed in collaboration with Accenture: the Real Time Remote Garage (remote coaching), the Biometric Data System, and the Digital Co-Pilot.
Pagani Automobili have its most extreme supercar yet in the Pagani Huayra R Evo. With a unique long tail design and a bespoke V-12 engine providing nearly 900 hp, this track-only model is designed specifically for the brand’s most important customers.
“The inspiration for the design of the Huayra R Evo struck me during a Indy race in Nashville,” said company founder and chief designer Horacio Pagani. “As I observed the single-seater cars with their aeroscreens, the idea of creating a car with protective polycarbonate surfaces and the option to remove the two roof panels to be fully immersed in the allure of the air and the captivating sound of the engine, dawned on me. From that moment on, we set out with the goal of creating a beautiful car, subjective as that term may be, harmonious in its lines and strong in its character. The final result is a true descendant of the Huayra R, one of the cars our customers love the most.”
Racing Opportunities
The Caterham Graduates Racing Club will run a special race for new drivers at Snetterton this year. The 20-minute contest over the 17-18 August weekend, which is being promoted as a ‘Friends and Family race’, is only open to those who have never competed or held a race licence. Drivers can use any car that is normally eligible for Caterham Graduates races, which spans models up to and including the Caterham Seven 310R.
The P1 Groupe has a number of drives available. “2024 schedules are now released, so if there’s a race, championship or level of car you’re interested in for 2024, get in touch with us today to start putting those wheels in motion! For 2024, we have many options from grass roots series’ like WRL to the top level of the professional ranks. Let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll provide the best options for your racing needs.”
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a former lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.
