18360 view(s) ![]() Besides giving birth to the ALMS, Miljardair Don Panoz love affair with
"les 24 hrs" resulted in the most striking GT of the 90's.
Under the condition that it had to be a front engined car, designer
Nigel Stroud was given carte blanche to create a high tech GT1.
The result was the Panoz GTR, a Batmobile shaped Coupe with a Reynard
buildt carbon monocoque.
Although ddescribe as fornt engined , the Roush buildt 6l Ford V8 was
actualy located in the very middle af the chassis. For a better weight
distribution the sequential X-trac 6-speed gearbox was mounted transversly
at the back of the tub.
Debuting in 1997 at the 12 hrs of Sebring, Price Racing and Dams each
entering one of the Panoz "Batmobiles."
Although immidiately popular with the fans, the race itself turned into
a disaster.
Both cars retiring due to overheating early in the race, a problem that
would haunt them throughout the season.
3 category wins in the US Professionnal Sportscar Series ( ex IMSA),
were the teams best results in what could only be described as a learning
year.
Panoz GTR (LM 1997):
Length : 4380 mm, Width : 1950mm, Heigth : 1020 mm, Wheelbase .
2650 mm, Tyres : Michelin 27/68-18 & 30/70-18, Wheels : BBS 11,5x18
& 13x18
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Liveries
Although painted in 1998 colours the car uses the same 1997 body as the other Carrera Panoz'es