Grand Am just announced a new class for 2013- GX- Mazda to release info tomorrow June 1.We'll know better in 24 hours.

 

GRAND-AM Announces Plans For New Rolex Series Class
Responding to burgeoning interest from a variety of manufacturers, GRAND-AM Road Racing today announced plans to add a third class to compete in the Rolex Sports Car Series.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 31, 2012) – Responding to burgeoning interest from a variety of manufacturers, GRAND-AM Road Racing today announced plans to add a third class to compete in the Rolex Sports Car Series, beginning with the 2013 season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.

The new class, to be called "GX," will join the series' headlining Daytona Prototype (DP) and the production-based Grand Touring (GT) classes. The models – and some manufacturers – will be unique to GX.

The production-based GX competition will feature cars and technologies not currently involved in the Rolex Series. Rules are being developed to allow for the exploration of a wide variety of alternative technologies and alternative fuels. This could include turbocharged engines; fuels other than gasoline, such as clean diesels; and hybrid powertrains.

The class will be developed with performance levels that complement the current DP and GT classes. No changes to GT performance levels are expected.

Announcements regarding specific manufacturer participation in GX competition are expected in the near future.

"A number of OEMs have expressed their desire to field cars that wouldn't fit within our current two-class structure, so it makes good sense for us to find a way to accommodate those desires and in the process make something that's already great – the Rolex Series – even better," said GRAND-AM President and CEO Ed Bennett.

"When there are manufacturers looking to compete, we need to find a model that works to include them in the Rolex Series. It's good for the fans, providing another whole group of exciting cars they can relate to. And the fact that the GX class will get to debut at the Rolex 24 just adds to the anticipation and excitement."

The 2012 Rolex Series season continues Saturday with the Chevrolet GRAND-AM Detroit 200 at Belle Isle, presented by Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers – part of the overall Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix weekend. The 5 p.m. (ET) race will be broadcast live by SPEED and MRN.

http://www.grand-am.com/News/GA_News...cid=6383&sid=1

 

Ten years from now, THESE will be the good ole days for RX8 fans and owners. Sorry but no rotary, two less fans at the tracks. We'll catch it on Speed or DVR it. Got our tickets early for Lime Rock, THE END ????

 

Well according to the article on Grand-Am, Speedsource will be doing all the tuning and motor development on that diesel, so I bet they jump ship to that new GX class. Should be interesting; seems like they are going after ALMS.

 

A diesel powered RX8? I hope it doesn't come to that. An RX8 without a rotary is like wiping your *** before you ****- it makes no sense!

 

My guess is it will be a diesel prototype.

 

It looks like Mid-Ohio will be the last GA I will be attending and my heart isn't really into this one. Not only is it not a rotary, it isn't even a gasoline engine. I can't relate.

 

So you can't relate because of the engine? Did you not ever enjoy another other form of racing?

 

I will be cheering on the rotary powered cars tomorrow on Belle Isle.

 

Good job this weekend by Speed Source finishing second. Gonna miss the scream of the rotary next year.

 

I bet the rotary is still raced by someone for multiple years. They are good until 2015 to race with Grand-AM.

For more rules click below.

http://www.grand-am.com/portals/0/gr...2012GT-GCR.pdf


Stephen

 

Link is dead.

 

sorry, not sure why...

Try this. http://d3pczhwof661ii.cloudfront.net...20Rulebook.pdf

or go to the competitor page of grand-am. All you need to know and a lot more!
http://www.grand-am.com/CompetitorIn...edbySunTr.aspx


If you don't feel like reading the GT cars are good for 3 years past production and ST cars are good for 5 years past production.