Grand Am Cup - Cobalt

[razoredge]

ST class - currently 1. Mazda 2. BMW 3. Chevy 4. Acura 5. Mini Cooper 6. Dodge 7. Nissan 8. Audi 9. Honda Cobalt has 3 Victories 1 2nd 3 5ths 1 6th 1 7th Not bad for a first year front wheel driver Edited September 24, 2005 by razoredge

[quantum110]

Not bad for a first year front wheel driver

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I've seen many of the races and it must really make some of these more premium brand angry that a lowly Chevy is keeping pace. However you can't just disregard the years of racing development the Europeans have put into this platform. Edited September 24, 2005 by quantum110

[razoredge]

Its front wheel drive and has beaten the various 3 series BMWs more than once. Many of the Bmws have been on the circuit for a few years. I was inspired to look into this on account of the Solstice/Miata review topic. I beleive when push comes to shove the Solstice will do alittle shoving of its own.

I beleive Acura was doing well in this circuit a few years back. It just goes to prove that GM tec is on target. Hopefully they will learn from and apply some of the developement the teams have done to the suspension of the Cobalt.

I should fairly make note that BMW run pretty much stock while many others need lightweight body panels and other allowable mods.

This link is the rules, go to GA Cup Series it will help identify the cars in the series as well as allowable modifications. SS got a SC pully change too.
http://grandamerican.com/Competition/Rules.asp Edited September 24, 2005 by razoredge

[quantum110]

I think you misunderstood me...If I'm not mistaken Opel has raced on this platform for at least a couple years already...Or something very similar. I would think saying it's a first year design is kinda off if that is true.

[razoredge]

Really, what Opel would be FWD ecotec ? I think this is the first GM in this Cup Series in a few years. I never thought of previous tuning done on same platform in other events. I just have American on the brain. Well once again they are running well with the pack and this is the Cobalts first year in the Grand Am Cup series and its FWD

[quantum110]

Always hard finding info about foriegn race cars...Opel and Vaxhall have been racing w/ Ecotecs in the Astra's for a while now...

http://www.opelteam.com/html/
http://www.tripleeight.co.uk/astra/

[BIGPhil]

after looking at the vehicles and their classes/competitors, did anyone notice or know why the WRX is included in the GS class instead of the ST class. I mean i understand that the WRX STI is a very capable car but this is just the WRX, right? I just think it to be weird that the SRT-4, SS Coblat, Mazdaspeed Protege, IS300, and even the A4 (NOT the S4), are all in the class but the WRX is up there fighting with the BIG V-8s. and on another note...... for the other race programs in Europe, (Opel/Vauxhall) were they running forced induction?

[quantum110]

after looking at the vehicles and their classes/competitors, did anyone notice or know why the WRX is included in the GS class instead of the ST class. I mean i understand that the WRX STI is a very capable car but this is just the WRX, right? I just think it to be weird that the SRT-4, SS Coblat, Mazdaspeed Protege, IS300, and even the A4 (NOT the S4), are all in the class but the WRX is up there fighting with the BIG V-8s.
and on another note...... for the other race programs in Europe, (Opel/Vauxhall) were they running forced induction?

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I believe the weight and tire size is what puts the WRX in that class...if you look at any of the race results you'd also notice that no one actually races a WRX.

The european cars use a Turbo 2.0L which of course is a popular choice in the Saab Race cars, especially the 700hp Pikes Peak Saab....this also helped GM develop their Sport Compact Drag race motor.