Panoz hands off SCCA engine sealing etc.

[boothkc]

I spoke with Brandon at PAD regarding upgrades for the GTS. Here is his response with permission to post. Seems we will have to forward improvments directly to the SCCA.....any ideas on what to start with?? Good to know that PAD will continue to supply parts. Too bad no "factory upgrades."

Kevin
GTS
GTRA

John Leverett,
Your letter has been reviewed by the GT committee, and tabled for further
review. After additional research, the committee will send a recommendation
to the CRB. Your letter details are below:

Letter #849
Title: Turn Over Panoz GTS Spec Racer Rules Administration to the SCCA
Request: Dear Club Racing Board,
Panoz Auto Development Co. has decided that it will no longer be sealing the
Panoz GTS Spec Racer engines and car components. We have had numerous
requests from customers for changes to the specs to help them make the cars
more competitive in the GT-2 category but do not feel this falls within the
auspices of our program. While we will continue to provide parts and
technical support for the GTS and all Panoz cars, after 10 years, there is
no longer a business case for us to be sealing the engines and other
components for the GTS program. We feel our customers and the SCCA would be
better served by allowing the SCCA to use its judgment to make the
appropriate changes to the car as it sees fit for the GT-2 class.
There are also approximately 80 additional Panoz GTRA and GTWC cars from the
Panoz Racing Schools and the Panoz Pro Series that have gone into private
hands in the last two years. These cars are near identical to the GTS cars
with the exception of lower horsepower V-8 engines and some other component
specifications such as fiberglass bodies on the early cars instead of
plastic, PFC instead of Brembo rotors, Koni shocks instead of Penske's, etc.
There is a great opportunity to fold these cars into the GTS/GT-2 category
as well but we feel that the SCCA is better positioned to make that happen
in a way that augments the car count for the GT-2 class.
Please let us know if we can provide you with any additional information to
help with the transition. We would love to see all 150 Panoz GT cars active
in the SCCA and have been happy to contribute to the resurgence of the GT-2
class.
Best
Regards,
John M.
Leverett
Dir. of
Engineering/R&D

Panoz Auto Development Co.

[panozracing]

AWESOME NEWS!!!!

450 HP
Wider Tires
Wing relocation
splitter