Fuel Cell Changes In GA GT & GTS Classes
Conversation with Pat Murphy (GA Special Projects Manager)

Late yesterday afternoon, GARRA released a technical bulletin regarding “minor” rule changes in the GT and GTS classes.

“Section 12-8.2 Effective July 5, 2003 - Rolex Series maximum allowed total on board fuel capacity is 24 U.S. gallons for Daytona Prototype, 20 U.S. gallons for SRP, 21 U.S. gallons for GTS, 17 U.S. gallons for GT and 15 U.S. gallons for SRP II."

Despite previous remarks from series administrators indicating that the GT and GTS classes would remain unaffected by rule changes, the GT classes have had fuel cell sizes reduced – rather dramatically. Why?

Ken May placed several calls to GT teams and to the GARRA office and received a timely call back from Pat Murphy.

KM: Pat, thanks for the call back….What is this about the fuel cell change for the GT class?
PM: We released a technical bulletin yesterday explaining the reduction of the fuel cell capacity for our GT class.

KM: Why was this done and why now?
PM: The primary reason was to keep the GTS class and GT class racing close….Are you familiar with the Acxiom Challenge Ken?

PM: (After describing the rules of the Acxiom Challenge) Many of the GTS teams cannot compete effectively with the current GT teams for this award. At Phoenix, the #33 Ferrari took every “qualifier” for the challenge and took the award. The only way, currently, a GTS team could compete for this challenge, would be to reduce the fuel load for the GTs or hope that all of the GTs break.

PM: The rule change goes in effect July 5th.

KM: One of the foundations for GARRA is rule stability and cost containment…..won’t this change “cost” something to the current GT teams?
PM: Very little Ken, it is a quick change for the GT teams.

KM: Pat, not very knowledgeable here on how teams change fuel cell capacity, won’t they need to replace the cell? The time to accomplish this and then the cost of the cell…is that not adding cost to the teams?

PM: Not really, they do not replace the cell, they insert a block into the cell, which in turn, changes the capacity….very easy and very quick to do.

KM: What have some of the GT teams said about this change and specifically the past GT winners?
PM: Ken, we just announced this yesterday afternoon, so we have not heard anything, and I am confident this will be well received.

KM: I am not familiar with the differences between the current GT cars in fuel consumption, will this have the “same” effect for the Marcus BMW, as for the Ferrari, Porsches and others?
PM: Can’t answer that Ken, don’t know the answer…..

KM: Pat, I appreciate the call back so quickly and your openness to discuss this issue….This will be a hot topic, thanks for the insight.
PM: You’re welcome and look forward to seeing you again at Mid-Ohio and you are always free to call me.

So there you have it….the rule change will allow the GTS cars a better chance at winning the Axiom Challenge…….just don’t expect a GT car to get close to winning the 2004 Rolex 24, or a GTS, come to that!

(Mat Hayashibara image)