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<body> <Table Width="550" border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="0"><TR><TD Width="35"><IMG SRC="//www.totalmotorsport.com/images/spacer.gif" WIDTH="35" HEIGHT="1"></td><td> <CENTER><Table border="0" width="100%"> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="5">FIA SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">11/07/2001</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="4">John Mangoletsi</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="3">Responds To Forum Debate</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><img border="1" src="Storage/etsiRespFIA.jpg"></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="1">  </FONT></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">"I have always read the fans' opinions with interest on the TotalMotorSport Forum and value the points of view expressed. <BR> <BR> In the debate over the lack of prototypes at Estoril, there was a suggestion that influence by the FIA on teams was a possible cause for the lack of entries. This could not be further from the truth. At no time, publicly, privately or jokingly has the subject of not racing in another series even been discussed. It might be remembered that when we brought the rules closer to the ACO's we stated that it would help teams swap between series. Let's face it, there are many more cars that race with us than elsewhere in Europe, so we were the potential losers.<BR> <BR> It should also be noted that we own all our commercial rights but work in organisational partnership with the FIA in technical, sporting, calendar and safety matters. Therefore it is we who deal with the teams and not the FIA, and our relationship with them all has always been sound and strong.<BR> <BR> Realistically, it would be counterproductive as our teams are independently minded and quite rightly not influenced by enticements. They are all professionals who assess the options, then do what they believe is best for them. I don't think it is fair to blame teams by saying that they have let an organiser down. It is a struggle for anyone to get a modern sportscar on the grid and we all have teams that hope to make it but drop out at the last minute for various reasons.<BR> <BR> I enjoy the lively debate about sorting out the future of sportscar racing and I'd hate to reduce the areas of speculation too much by throwing in some facts - but I will anyway.<BR> <BR> - The majority of FIASCC cars are under 3 years old. The older cars (333SP and R&S) all look set for replacement next season.<BR> <BR> - There are only around 30 potential sportscars in Europe but probably over 100 GTs.<BR> <BR> - The FIA Sportscar Championship grids will continue to increase to the end of the season.<BR> <BR> - In 2002, with new constructors and teams joining plus the 675s, there will certainly be no shortage of cars.<BR> <BR> - The performance of SR2s is on a par with GTS, therefore when comparing numbers we think it reasonable that slightly lower grids at the 20 mark represent a higher quality field with great variety. The great racing we have seen all season certainly supports this.<BR> <BR> - With 36 cars in FIA GT and around 30 cars in FIASCC in 2002 it is not feasible to join the series together for the logistical reason that there are strict grid limits on most circuits. Also, each car needs to have adequate garage space and a fuel rig within the pit lane, so there is simply not enough room to combine the two FIA championships.<BR> <BR> - Another critical point is that apart from 1000km races, most of our teams do not want to race against GTs in sprint races. It spoils the rhythm of close wheel to wheel racing our drivers enjoy race by race. This is always going to be a fundamental problem to any series looking to make up a mixed grid. It should be remembered here the now immortal words at the beginning of the season that 'three sportscar series are too much for Europe'. It would seem that the majority of sportscar/prototype teams agree with that."<BR> <BR> <BR> John Mangoletsi<BR> FIA Sportscar Championship Chairman<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> </FONT></TD></TR> </TABLE><BR> </CENTER> <BR><CENTER><font size="1" color="#808080" face="Tahoma">Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport</font></CENTER> </td> </tr> </table> </body>