what is the difference between the Grand-Am Cup Series and the World Challenge Touring series? (Both televised on speed channel today) Seems like they both feature some of the same cars (RSX-s, integra, bmw...)

Which series is considered to be higher standard, or more "esteemed", and why would there be two series with the same cars, why not combine the two?

 

Here's the short of it:
"Speed Touring Cars must have a back seat in production form. They can be driven by two or four wheels. Engine displacement limit is 2.8 liters and they must be naturally aspirated (no turbo or super charging). GT cars may have forced induction. There is no limit to displacement and cars may be two-seaters."

You can get the whole set of details here: http://www.world-challenge.com/carfacts.html

 

The WC cars are *MUCH* more developed, especially the chassis and suspension. Grand-Am (the non-prototype cars) are more like a professional IT or Honda Challenge.

Also, WC is strictly a sprint race series with races being about 1hr long. Grand-Am races are longer with pit stops and I think even driver changes.

 

Sorry, I somehow read "GT" instead of "Grand Am" in your question.

 

no prob. The GT cars are sick, great race on SpeedTV today from Lime Rock, probably the best of the day IMO. Speed had two hours of grand am cup racing from Birmingham, then an hour of World challenge touring racing and then 2 hours of world challenge GT racing from Limerock; got me thinking about the different auto racing classes since I'm pretty new to the sport. 5 solid hours of good tv today

 

They are two different sanctioning and marketing bodies, both looking for commercial success. More choices for us viewers.

 

As the above posts says, another difference is that the world challenge is sanctioned by scca, while the gran am cup is sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association, founded by the nascar family. Also it's sometimes confusing to remember that Grand AM Cup refers to the "street stock" cars while just Grand AM is the series for the prototypes and GT cars. In a way they are competing against each other (the cup vs the wc) as are the grand am series with ALMS, and that was one reason for Grand AM's creation. Like someone said, one is a sprint race (wc) while the other one is an endurance race with pit stops and driver changes (grand am cup). Competition (and budgets) are significantly higher in the wc touring, but I always love to watch the grand am cup. It was particularly interesting seeing the barber track on TV!

And speaking of the wc, I'll say it again: Bill Auberlen is simply *awesome*.

 

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Man, that is a beautiful track. As a long islander, I'm praying that the situation with Bridgehampton magically changes and we have a track again, but pretty doubtful. There is also speculation for a new track on Grumman's old space. Seeing a track like Barber makes me so jealous.

 

TV does not do the elevation changes there any justice, but then where does it ever do. It must also be hard to run an enduro at barber since without a long straight, it all feels as one continuous lap with no breaks in between. Always turning and going up and down. Great surface and facility too.