GT4 In 2008
The Contenders

The inaugural GT4 Cup suffered from perhaps a late green light in 2007, but there are plans for an expanded 2008 Series, together with a stand-alone class in the British GT Championship alongside the headlining GT3 class.

And there could be plenty of variety in both Championships with some very different cars currently approved for GT4 competition. In addition others will be approved in a ‘GT Light’ sub-category for cars weighing less than 1000kg and which do not meet the minimum GT4 production level of 300 cars per year. The GT Lights (which include the Ginetta G50), will compete for a separate podium and will run on treaded rather than slick rubber in the European series – The Ginetta though will run on Avon slicks in the British Championship.

SRO also believe that the Alfa Romeo Brera, Audi TT, Mercedes SLK and Opel GT might also feature in the GT4 Cup with the Lotus 2/11, KTM X-Bow and Donkervoort potentially joining the Ginetta in GT4 Light.

Only ‘Silver’ and ‘Bronze’ classified drivers will be allowed to compete in the European GT4 Cup with a revised calendar featuring triple header races of a single 50 minute race (including a mandatory pit stop / driver change) and a pair of 25 minute sprints.

Here’s how the major 2007 contenders measure up.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24
4280cc All Alloy Quad-Cam V8
6 speed transaxle with limited slip differential
Non adjustable dampers – Eibach springs
Brembo 4 piston ventilated discs front and rear
18” x 10” tyres front and rear
410bhp / 1360kg – power/weight ratio (kg/bhp) 3.32
125,000 Euros plus VAT

BMW Z4M
3246cc 6 cylinder in line
Standard BMW 6 speed gearbox
Moton 2 way adjustable dampers front and rear
AP Racing 4 piston brakes front and rear
18” x 9” tyres front / 18” x 10” rear
370bhp / 1220kg – power/weight ratio (kg/bhp) 3.32
120,000 Euros plus VAT

Ford Mustang FR500 C
4997cc 90 degree V8
6 speed Tremec T-56 gearbox
Dynamic three way adjustable dampers front and rear
Brembo 4 piston discs front – Ford single piston discs rear
18” x 10” front and rear
420bhp / 1420kg – power/weight ratio (kg/bhp) 3.38
120,000 Euros plus VAT

Ginetta G50
3500cc Ford V6
5 speed Quaife gearbox
Double wishbone Ohlines adjustable front and rear
Alcon brakes front and rear
18” x 9” front and rear
265bhp / 920kg – power/ weight ratio 3.47
50,000 Euros plus VAT

Lotus Exige
1796cc Toyota in line 4
6 speed Hewland/ Lotus gearbox
3 way Ohlins telescopic dampers
4 piston callipers front / 2 piston callipers rear
16” x 7” Front / 17” x 8” Rear
260bhp / 800kg – power/ weight ratio 3.15
80,000 Euros plus VAT

Maserati Trofeo
4244cc 90 degree V8
6 speed cambiocorsa box
3 way adjustable dampers front and rear
18” x 9” front / 18” x 10” rear
400 bhp/ 1350 kg – power/ weight 3.38
c50,000 Euros (second hand)

Nissan 350Z
3498cc 90 degree V6
6 speed adapted gearbox
3 way telescopic dampers front and rear
AP racing 6 pot calipers front/ Nissan 2 pot calipers rear
18” x 9” front and rear
385bhp / 1285kg – power/ weight ratio 3.34
110,000 Euros plus VAT

Porsche Cayman
3386cc Boxer 6
6 speed standard Porsche gearbox
2 way adjustable telescopic dampers front and rear
Brembo 6 pot callipers front / Brembo 4 pot callipers rear
18” x 9” front / 18” x 10” rear
330bhp / 1210kg – power/ weight ratio 3.67
110,000 euros plus VAT

Provisional 2008 GT4 European Cup Calendar
4-6 April – TBC
16-18 May – Monza
20-21 June – Adria
1-3 August – Spa-Francorchamps
12-14 September – Brno
3-5 October – Donington Park