TRG # 003: Classes

I know it's easy to get all mixed up over the acronym alphabet soup that are the various classes of different racing series, especially in sportscar racing. Allow me to help you crack the code.

Let's start with the basics and then I'll put down some examples:

GT = Grand Touring (this one you will see a lot)

Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO):

GT1 - (one) The premier sportscar class of the FIA. A relevant series would be the FIA GT series, though many would argue, at this present time, no one is really racing true GT1 cars. General global financial malaise is often cited as the main reason for this class' downfall.

GT2/GTE/GTLM - (two/Endurance/Le Mans) GT2 is now the archaic term for what is now really considered either of the latter. You will find these cars raced not only in Europe, but also in the ALMS and upcoming USCC.

GT3 - (three) This classification is arguably emerging as the global sportscar class. Production derived race machines, that many would aspire to own for the street, piloted by professionals or amateurs. You will find this class in many series including FIA GT3 and 24H (Bathurst 12hr etc).

GT4 - (four) Closer to production, lower budget.

Endurance Sportscar racing, with P and GT racecars

International Motorsports Association 'IMSA' ["im-sah"]:

LMP1 - (Le Mans Prototype one) eg. Audi R18, bleeding edge tech.
LMP2 - (Le Mans Prototype two) various manufactures, high tech.
LMPC - (.. Challenge) spec based series, meaning all cars are the same, used as a feeder class and for driver development.
GT - (GTE) cars.
GTC - (.. Challenge) similar to LMPC but with GT cars.

Grand American Road Racing (Grand-Am):
DP - (Daytona Prototype) Not true prototypes as they traditionally shunned new tech for big pushrod V8s, Americans eh, sheesh!)
GT - An Americanized GT class (inc. tube framed not production based, like NASCAR), more power etc! Those pesky Americans, always have to be exceptional! God bless 'em!
GX - Grand Experimental, with an X, you know, to be cool. Includes diesels and other alternative fuels (now defunct).
GS - Grand Sport, production based touring cars.
ST - Street Tuner, even closer to production, to be down with the kids.

Some series have their own formulas, to make them safer for the competitors, keep cost down and improve fans with better, closer racing. For example...

British Touring Car Championship (BTCC):

NGTC - (Next Generation Touring Car)

V8 Supercars (V8SC)

CotF - (Car of the Future)

And all you need to know about NASCAR is, "there is nothing 'stock', about a 'stock car'."