Here are some pics from the tire test at Homestead. Gone are the widebody GTR cars. The flared fenders on these still look cool. TomM, how about some closeups.
http://www.ppiclients.com/albums/600_31.jpg
http://www.ppiclients.com/albums/600_17.jpg

Interesting...do the rules limit the width of the front bumper or something? That much exposed front tire can't be good for aero.

I was thinking the same thing. That is not aerodynamically effecient at all.

Just read the rules...sure enough, a stock front fascia must be used.

Looks like a four car team from PTG in GA next year. Here's another picture and a portion of the news from Thursday. From the Grand-Am site.

http://www.grandamerican.com/Content/Photos/News/2004/hoosiertestTHUR-lg.jpg

PROTOTYPE TECHNOLOGY GROUP PREPARES FOR EXPANDED PROGRAM IN '05

The 2004 Rolex Series GT championship-winning team, Prototype Technology Group, was hard at work this week at Homestead-Miami Speedway as the team revises its BMW M3s to meet the new-for-2005 GT class rules. To that end, drivers Joey Hand, Justin Marks, and '04 GT driver champion Bill Auberlen spent significant time in the seat.

"We're pretty happy," said PTG team owner Tom Milner. "Everything seems to be going okay. Really, the times don't mean anything here. Basically, what we are looking for is to get as much information about the tires, get a good setup and get familiar with the tires. At this moment, we're pretty happy with what we found out here. We're happy with the Hoosier Tires. They seem to be working just fine. The balance of the car is still the same. We've probably put 70 laps on a set of tires, and they seem to be fine. They're not wearing out. As a team owner, I'm happy about that."

While Auberlen, Hand and Marks were the ones doing the testing in Homestead, Milner is planning a four-car assault on the Rolex Series GT class in 2005. It's a tall order for the team that won 10 of 12 races in the GT category in 2004.

"My son (Tom) will be racing next year, he will be racing with Justin in the car," Milner said. "The reason why he's not here is that he's got to go to school. He's in his first year of college. Tom has a lot to learn, and Justin has some experience having been the co-driver of Bill, so that was obviously good. I suspect that they will do a very good job. Bill and Joey will be together, then we will have Ian James and Chris Gleason and Kelly Collins and RJ Valentine. For Daytona, we'll take all of those eight drivers and have four drivers per car. We are going to run the four cars the first time (in Round 2 of the 2005 season) at Homestead."

The reason why he's not here is that he's got to go to school. He's in his first year of college. Tom has a lot to learn...

That's right Mr.Milner :)

Man that thing looks awsome, it look so agressive with such wide fender flares

more pics
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/grandam/2004/gen/grandam-2004-gen-lr-0129.jpg
http://www.motorsport.com/photos/grandam/2004/gen/grandam-2004-gen-lr-0169.jpg

So besides aerodynamic effects, would having that much of the tire exposed to the air effect grip/wear at all by maybe lowering temps on the outside of the tire?

So besides aerodynamic effects, would having that much of the tire exposed to the air effect grip/wear at all by maybe lowering temps on the outside of the tire?


Yeah that would probably help, especially for the long races they have... :confused

Man, this looks (ok I`m gonna yell) mm...mmm... GGRRREEEAAAATTTT :buttrock :eyecrazy

Yea,I just yelled out too,"Yeepy Iaa motherfather!" :redspot

Yep, basically you are allowed a fender flare that covers the tire looking from the top down, and then the flare has to taper back with an indentical to stock front bumper and side skirts. The cars will be pretty close to a World Challenge car with a 3.2 and not a 3.4 anymore.

Tom how much difference in the lap times were there from last season version and the 2005 version on the Hoosiers. And how does PTG feel about going down in performance? Last question, when are you guys gonna run a Daytona prototype for you and Auberlen?

I heard some people are having issues with the new HooHoo's.

Also, the front tire area will be an aero issue, but it'll also be a tire cooling issue.

There is a discussion going on in the CSR/DSR sports racer forums now about tire cooling, and how the btcc honduhs/MG/etc have a new bumper design that allows for tire cooling. Apprently some of the spec tires they designed over there are made to be cooled, I am assuming its moreso a stickier/softer compound that requires some cooling on the exposed rubber so it does not overheat itself and deteriorate.

If they will allow small dive plates, it'll help get some airflow around the car and miss the tire, hwoever, I doubt they'd allow considering the new rules proposed.

Here's a shot of the honduh bumper:

http://www.btccpages.com/gallery/ps/2004/040613mp1/de5.jpg

Also found another mfg is doing it as well:
http://www.btccpages.com/gallery/aj/2004/040316don/ct1.jpg
http://www.btccpages.com/gallery/aj/2004/040316don/fh1.jpg

No clue on the difference in lap times. I think Joey said they slide around more and have less grip, but will last forever. They put 100+ laps on a set with no problems.

I think the downgrade in performance is made up by the fact that now there is one GT class and one prototype class. In terms of BMW, I think it's just as good or better than the GTR's since now you can really see an E46 M3 out there. Just some bigger tires, and bigger fenders otherwise it looks just like a street M3.

I know all of the drivers want to drive a DP and I think PTG would like too as well but with the competition getting stiffer in GT now with many of the top VW, I mean Porsche, teams and Pratt & Miller coming with a GTO, FMoW, and those guys the lure of moving up to a DP isn't as great since hopefully we'll have a good fight with the other GT cars next year.

I would like to see PTG moving up to the premier class in a series for once, but only if it makes sense for PTG and BMW. I think our guys can compete with the top DP teams and it would be nice to get that chance soon.

No clue on the difference in lap times. I think Joey said they slide around more and have less grip, but will last forever. They put 100+ laps on a set with no problems.

I think the downgrade in performance is made up by the fact that now there is one GT class and one prototype class. In terms of BMW, I think it's just as good or better than the GTR's since now you can really see an E46 M3 out there. Just some bigger tires, and bigger fenders otherwise it looks just like a street M3.

I know all of the drivers want to drive a DP and I think PTG would like too as well but with the competition getting stiffer in GT now with many of the top VW, I mean Porsche, teams and Pratt & Miller coming with a GTO, FMoW, and those guys the lure of moving up to a DP isn't as great since hopefully we'll have a good fight with the other GT cars next year.

I would like to see PTG moving up to the premier class in a series for once, but only if it makes sense for PTG and BMW. I think our guys can compete with the top DP teams and it would be nice to get that chance soon.

Just to clarify, are you saying you would like to step into a production DP, or have BMW design/build one with PTG to run in the series? (i.e. building/designing one opposed to buying a crawford)

I think DP is going to keep getting better, but having a strong backing with GT classes ia very important. Overall wins are nice for DP's, but for a GT car to be ranked in the same, say, top 10 with DP's is even more impressive...adds another little twist to the series :)

Can't wait to see the maserati's, VedubaPorsches, GM and Bimmer's at it!

Tom M - What performance adjustments did the Por-shays get if the BMWs had to move back down to a 3.2?

Here are the 05 Gt rules: http://www.grandamerican.com/CONTENT/Docs/PDF/Rules/Rolex/2005/2005%20GT%209-14.pdf

i like the new look but i have to say i loved the old bodies.

Tom, are you guys going to have the new bodied GA cars on hand for the upcoming January open house? can't wait to go again, always a fun time :)

Hey Sunir,
Keep us posted on when the open house is. My dad, bro and I would love to make the trip down to meet up with you guys and tour PTG and maybe snag some parts from the all elusive parts room :)

I hope GA runs at Barber again. I might actually attend this year.

little boo-boo during testing :(

http://www.gscdownloads.com/leh/rolexpr/daytonatesting060.jpg

I noticed checking the online timing on the GrandAm site that the 22 car wasn't running anymore. Oh well it happens.