GP Masters
The Grand Prix Masters logo.
|
|
| Category | Single seaters |
|---|---|
| Country | International |
| Inaugural season | 2005 |
| Folded | 2006 |
| Drivers | 18 |
| Engine suppliers | Cosworth |
| Last Drivers' champion |
 Eddie Cheever
|
| Last Constructors' champion |
Team GPM |
Grand Prix Masters was a one-make motor racing series featuring retired Formula One drivers. The inaugural (and sole 2005) event, at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in South Africa, took place on 11–13 November, but the series folded after a two-race season in 2006.
Grand Prix Masters was modeled on the lucrative seniors tours of golf and tennis. In order to compete, drivers must:
All participants raced identical open wheel cars, which are based on the 2000 Reynard 2KI Champ Car. The chassis was built by English constructor Delta Motorsport, and was powered by a naturally aspirated, 3.5-litre, 80-degree V8 engine produced by Nicholson McLaren. The engine was based on the Cosworth XB engines previously used in IndyCar racing, and according to the series' organisers, it produced more than 650bhp at 10,400 rpm with over 320 lb·ft (434 N·m) torque at 7,800 rpm.
In 2007 cars were to have been powered by a Mecachrome 90-degree V8 4.0 litre. It developed 600 bhp (450 kW) and revved to in excess of 9500 rpm.
Gearbox operation was fully manual, and controlled by a contemporary paddle shift arrangement.
Grand Prix Masters promoters boasted that the 650 kg cars reach 200 mph (320 km/h). Claiming that the combination of stable aerodynamics and considerably simpler technology (than in use in modern Formula One) better demonstrate driver skill and promoted overtaking, electronic "drivers' aids" (such as traction control, power steering and ABS) were absent, and brakes were made of steel rather than carbon (as in many contemporary single seater race cars) to increase braking distances.
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