the car is meant to *compete* on the class-level of OEM Porsche 996/(997) GT3. let me clear up the meanings of LeMans class systems a bit, as the 911 GT3 is not in the class of GT3. that is the name of the car. Porsche typically competes in the GT2 class in gran touring races (although this is about to change, as an LMP2 car was built for Sebring and will be raced next year on american soil with its brand new RS Spyder LMP2 class car --this marks a return to LMP [lemans prototype] for Porsche since its abandoning of that class in 1998).

a brief overview of GT class (from Wikipedia):
Grand Touring (from the Italian word Gran Turismo) racing is the most common form of sports car racing, and is found all over the world, in both international and national series. Under the ACO rules, Grand Touring cars are divided into two categories, Gran Turing 1 (GT1, formerly GTS) and Grand Touring 2 (GT2, formerly GT). GT1 cars are purpose-built race machines based upon production exotic cars with homologation production limits of 25 cars (for small manufacturers, such as Saleen) or 100 cars (for major manufacturers like DaimlerChrysler). As the name of the class implies, the exterior of the car closely resembles that of the production version, while the internal fittings may differ greatly. GT cars are very similar to the FIA GT3 classification, and are 'pure' GT cars; that is production exotic cars with relatively few internal modifications for racing. The Porsche 911 is currently the most popular car in the GT2 class.
FIA divides GT cars into 2 categories, called GT and N-GT. These divisions are very close to the ACO rules outlined above, and again some crossover racing does occur, particularly in the N-GT class. Historically, these are the GT2 and GT3 classes, merely renamed.
In 1998, FIA dropped the old GT1 category because of rising costs. The GT1 class was for the purebred supercars and purpose-built race cars, such as the McLaren F1. Rising costs coupled with declining entries led to the death of this class, and it was replaced by GT2 (FIA) and Le Mans Prototype (ACO).
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as well, the sanctioning body for the RS Spyder LMP2 car is ALMS --American LeMans Series.
for lemans classes, see here: http://forums.gtrforums.com/showthre...7&page=2&pp=10

so why do i keep talking about racing classes?
well, considering the brisk sales and huge success of the Infinity line, particularly this year, Nissan is probably, as is Porsche, in a position to devote more corporate backing to an all-out racing program. in Porsche's case it is a step back up to LMP class.

and why would the Nissan people, in myriad interviews since the 2001 TMS, keep mentioning the GTR in the same sentence as the Porsche 996 GT3? as well saying that the next GTR will be a giant leap in development up from prior generations? they were saying that the GT3 would be a "starting point."

i'm drawing the inference that the Nissan GTR Proto was probably from the very beginning designed as a race car. just as the R32 GTR was. and Nissan is selling the car, of course, to introduce a new model line. but is really setting it's sights on a return to racing, to homologate the required number of cars to be sold as functioning production examples --why would they have Lotus designing the suspension? and Cosworth, allegedly at this point, tuning the engine? these are nearly purely racing entities. the "real" reason for the GTR program is for racing. this is my guess based on blatant facts about Nissans past history.

it would not surprise me to see the GTR program become a relevant strike force in at least GT2 class.

 

Thanks for the info bonzelite you are a real specialist in this mater
I think i found an idol

 

wizard, that is among one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me on a chat forum. thank you hundreds of times. may you live long and have a GTR!

and for "what's under the hood" of the GTR Proto -----> again, look at the blatant clues out there: the R34 GTR Z-Tune --look at that car. again, ask yourself the question, why did they do that? why did they have that go to press? why did Nismo bother to even engineer that version? also, what do you think Nismo was testing under the test mule G35 at Nurburgring that was all over the magazine covers for the past couple of years?

if you want a peek of what the GTR Proto is going to resemble in performance, they've already given you a very powerful clue. and it exceeds Porsche GT3. this GT-R Proto (and production version) is NO EVO. it is NO STI. we are not in Kansas anymore.

the best kept secret is yet to come. we've seen what she looks like, but they're still not giving away the baby yet. the drum roll is now in act 2. if you like how she looks, watch out for the rest. the benchmarks are going to be SICK.

 

I can't wait for it I will rob a bank if I have to, but will buy one as soon as possible

 

how much

are they asking for this proto type new car??

is going to be over 100K or less??

wont it have problem riding it on the streets with those holes and bumps!!

 

I heard its going to be between 70,000 -80,000. Which, if the performance numbers match the Porsche turbo, is a bargian. Does anyone know when dealears will take deposits? I want to be the first in Massachusetts to have one.

 

i am curios

how are people going to be able to ride in these cars

are they good street cars?? because the streets have bumps and holes,

and all kinds of bad roads!!

can this car ride in these kind of streets?? is the car high enough

that it wont be able to catch things under it !! or is it only for racing??

how do you think?

 

I Know I drive my Porsche day to day, sure ut gets some bumps and bruises. But you buy cars to drive them, not to look at them. When I get the GTR it will be a day to day driver, regardless of road conditions