What are we really merging anyway? I think the idea would be that the GT1 teams like Pratt/Miller Corvette and Pro-Drive Aston Martin would build EVO cars and the GT1 spec class would be abandoned and the GT2's would just become GT. Besides there are already GT2 class Vette's and Aston's out there. Whats the difference anyway, we are talking about tube framed cars anyway.
I think the main differences betweein GT1 and GT2 are the amounts of money involved, top speed, and HP. As I said though the modern Viper has over 600 HP and in GT2 that's too much and for many thats too large of an advantage when matched to the Ferraris and Porsches. The Viper Competition Coupe used in the ALMS GT2 is a late model based on the old Viper but how about the new Viper and its next generation? How about supercars like Lamborghini or the Corvette ZR1 - where would they fit on the grid since the Lamos are classed at GT1 in Europe and the ZR1 has 600+...
My point. There is a need for differences in the GT series.
A united GT series well resemble that of the Rolex Series - which if great in itself - but not if you're planning to running more then 600+ HP.
Even from GT1 to another GT1 there is a lot of restrictions made. The Saleen S7 has more horsepower off the showroom floor then it does when raced in ACO competition. You bring up Corvette, there are currently two purpose built tube framed cars one in GT1 and another in GT2, it is quite easy to build a chassis and hang a Corvette body on it, thats the current state of things in ALMS. The idea is to make the rules to attract the greatest number of competitors, not to base the rule on the hope that a car participates in the series. If Lamboghini and Dodge were looking to have full factory GT1's, there would not be a debate about whether the class should survive. The Evo class would allow for the fire breathing GT1 cars to compete for the overall win, which in turn gives the factory more ROI instead of being a red headed step child.
