@hashiryu

1.) GT500 cars need to be based on a production chassis, which is what this entire conversation about Honda comes from. They are not tube frame chassis, however a tube frame can be used to strengthen the production chassis (not to mention all the CF bits).

In the case of GT500 the rules are relatively flexible, if they wanted to enter the LFA they could merely adapt the current SC GT500 chassis and call their entrant a LFA with a few modifications (much like how Nissan had the Fairlady and GT-R entry in 08') They don't need to re-adapt the entire car from scratch. The fact they have a production carbon-fiber chassis as their base obviously gives them more flexibility, but again, that too isn't necessary if they just want to use their current chassis.

The fact that Toyota uses the SC, and Supra before that isn't meant to sell the specific car, its designed as a promotional incentive for the brand.

2.) My point was that GT1 entries can be made in GT500, and not the other way around. And not that GT500 and GT1 cars are the same. If Nissan wanted to combine their GT1 and GT500 efforts they are allowed to. However, they would need to significantly reduced the weight of the GT1 car.

Let's also keep in mind GT1 homologation regulations are also relatively flexible, but are also inconsistent as well. The Maserati MC12 was only this year allowed to score points even tough they met the production requirements.

The MC12 also illustrates why GT1 and GT500 are so different. Team Goh's MC12 entrant in 2006 showed their lack of pace. In fact, the MC12 was the fastest on the straights then any other car, but Japanese GT500 tracks are very compact and full of curves, hence the longer wheelbase MC12 wasn't very successful in the corners (which is why they pulled out).

@Jruhi4

Thanks. That's very interesting and informative.

@ Cypher09

First off, allowing your sport fall to the whims of the FIA aren't preferable. SuperGT is the Japanese equivalent of the DTM. Its a popular regional racing series that the GT1 isn't. As I said before, GT1 cars are allowed to compete in GT500, not the other way around. Also, like DTM they want to standardize engines so that the racing is better, and to reduce costs (granted, only Toyota is following the regs this season).

What companies like Nissan and Honda can do is to make their vehicles meet FIA GT1 regulations and it will be allowed to race in GT500, that option is available. Nissan may be going this route. Also consider that small teams like Nova aren't competitive in GT500 because their comparative budget and team is small; GT500 is an expensive sport. GT300 is designed for privateer teams, and GT500 is designed for factory teams.

Using the 3.4L V-8 also isn't isolationist. Its designed to be compatible with ACO LeMans as well as series like IRL, Formula Nippon, etc. The Nissan V8 is also related to the Renault V8 that is raced in GP2. Let's also consider that Porsche/VW also have 3.4L V8s ready for their LeMans efforts, and Toyota's engine is a derivative of their old IRL efforts. These will be the standard engines in LeMans starting in 2011.

@Cypher09

GT500 cars and GT1 cars are fairly compatible, but not both ways. GT500-spec GT-R is entering into FIA GT1 as you've stated, and the GTA does allow GT1 cars into GT500. As is the case of the Nova's DBR9 GT1 car.

Who knows, Honda may make a low production run of these cars. Nissan is rumored to be making a limited run of 300 cars for their GT-1 car the R35 LM. GT1 only requires 20 vehicles for homologation.

BTW this SuperGT contender is not a tube-frame, supposedly its the chassis designed for their new NSX.

The LF-A entry has been rumored; and for good reason. Primarily because the 2009 regulation changes have had mixed success. Lexus did win with the SC this year, but they are actually the only car to meet every required regulation. Cars have to be FR and have the 3.4L V-8.

SuperGT is trying to attract more European sports cars and there have been discussion to modify the rules again to reduce costs further and to promote more foreign manufacturer entry. In 2009 only foreign entry was Team Nova's DBR9.

If Honda gets a go ahead with a V-10 and a non-homologated car, the likelihood of a Lexus LF-A entry increases dramatically. The GTA is pretty flexible with the rules and manufacturer friendly so its a definite possibility.

If its a SuperGT GT500 car then it'll be a 3.4L V-8 as are the regulations. Honda can take it from their LMP racer cars that they already are running.

The 3.4L V-8 race engine is designed to be compatible with IRL, Le Mans, and Formula Nippon. Which is why GT500 has moved to those engines, GT300 allows for any production engine to be used.

SuperGT requires that the chassis is based on a road going production car. As the article states they are hoping the regulators will remove that requirement.

Here's the thing, Super GT is insanely competitive right now. Nissan is running their GT-R a 3.4L V-8s, and Toyota will likely race the LF-A with regulation engine. Honda has nothing at this point...

It is sure is when you think how many times that team in Brackley have been re-badged...

B.A.R.-> HONDA -> Brawn -> Mercedes

B.A.R started off by acquiring Tyrrell Racing by Craig Pollock and built around Jacques Villeneuve with Mugen-Honda engines. So the you could make the argument that this new team is a decedent of Tyrrell.

I'm personally surprised that they didn't go for the 2GR-FSE; the direct injection variant on the same engine that gets 315hp.

The engine does make 400hp with a supercharger pretty easily, and there is a already a hybrid-variant of the engine set and ready to go of the same powertrain taken from the GS450h. They could also reduce weight of the hybrid system significantly be using lithium-ion batteries.

Toyota obviously invested hundreds of millions of dollars, and have developed simultaneously with the 09 season (like all F1 teams do). Being "drawn-out", and being being designed in 2 wind tunnels with a staff of 500 people are very different.

It should be noted that, the grid was fairly close this season, few tenths of second a lap between front-runners and mid-fielders. It wasn't like pre-09 where there were seconds per lap difference between the cars.

The TF110 will definitely be competitive, maybe not a front runner, but certainly more competitive then a car designed in a few months by a new team.

Looking as how successful Brawn was continuing Honda's design, the Toyota TF110 could be a good investment...