17554 view(s)  The 98 GTR incorporated the lessons it learned in its debut year and
returned to the tracks as a much longer and sleeker Batmobile.
To improve the weight distribution and mechanical grip the GTR had a
40 mm wider track and 100 mm increased wheelbase.
More downforce was created by adding a front splitter and extending
the body's front and rear overhang.
A lower roofline created a cleaner airflow to the rear spoiler which
was also moved back another 100 mm. Great efforts had been made to improve
the (cooling) airflow to the motor.
But as it remained tucked away deep inside the Carbon chassis, overheating
still remained a problem.
In 98 the level of competition in sportscar racing reached an absolute
high, but the GTR managed to hold its own against the likes of Porsche
and Mercedes.
In the FIA GT, the Dams Panoz regularly finished in the points and twice
on the podium. In the US 2 GTR's were run in the Professional Sportscar
Series by Panoz Motorsport, without its main rivals it took both team
and driver titles.
Confident that this time they would succeed 2 GTR's were entered for
Le Mans, but during the Pre Qualifications it became clear that the
GT goalposts had been moved again. The new prototypes from Porsche and
Toyota improving 6 seconds faster on the 97 pole time.
During the race only one GTR survived 24hrs finishing in 7th place.
Panoz GTR (LM 1998):
Length: 4520 mm, Width: 1990 mm, Height: 1010 mm, Wheelbase: 2750
mm Tyres: Michelin, Wheels BBS 18'
Panoz Q9 Hybrid (LM 1998):
Length: 4520 mm, Width: 1990 mm, Height: 1010 mm, Wheelbase: 2750
mm Tyres: Michelin, Wheels BBS 18inch
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Liveries
