"They" didn't kill off GT1 at all. It died a natural death. Hard to support a race like that when there's at most 10 GT1 cars entered, and when manufacturers aren't building cars to those regs any more. Look at how GT1 died off in America in the ALMS and Europe in the LMS. There was never more than three cars entered in either series. Plus, GT1 had the same BoP issues as GT3 does, perhaps even more.
I know it's your opinion, but I don't understand what is so bad about GT3. It's the most successful GT class in the world right now. Huge grids in British GT, Blancpain (bigger entries now for the Spa 24 than there ever was during days of GT1/2), and whatever else. Massive diversity in the sheer number of different manufacturers entered, again, more than GT1.
I can't say I've lost total interest in anything. My interest in BTCC has dipped, I'm certainly not as interested in it as I once was, but I still watch it and go to the occasional race event. GP2, I'm vocal on the terrible driving standards, but again, I'll still watch it from time to time. I like racing too much to dislike one category.
GT1 had more BoP issues than GT3? Whaaaaaaaaaaat 
Okay, 2010-2011 GTWC sure had equal amount, even at the point of arranging pre-season BoP tests with designated FIA drivers, but that was SRO being stupid and trying to copycat their other category.
SRO's old FIA GT classes had BoP more than the ACO, particularly towards the end of the decade but was it the same as GT3 and GTE of today? No. Also things like ALMS 2006 when AMR gained favourable adjustments all the time when they kept bitching and moaning about Corvettes (their primary reason for sucking being crap Pirellis and smaller budget) were annoying. BUT the fact is that no-one is saying that BoP didn't exist in old GT1 or GT2. But it was more like this (ALMS example):
http://www.imsaracin...letin 07-01.pdf
* During the season, changes will be made first to weight, and only if the
changes required exceed the available weight changes, will Engine restrictor / boost be used.
* During the season, the maximum single weight step for any single car shall be 25kg
* [Minimum restrictor BoP] Engine restrictor / boost pressure change up to +/- 10% restrictor area and / or 9% of absolute permitted pressure
* [Minimum weight BoP] Up to plus 50kg and minus 50kg (GT1 cars), Up to plus 50kg and minus 25kg (GT2 cars) - The above changes are the total maximums that could be applied in the season, not the maximum change per adjustment. [two in-season adjustments allowed]
* [Basis for making changes] Being outside approximately 1% of the fastest average green flag race stint lap time of the reference car during each race in the evaluation period
Again, NOT PERFECT, but less random than the current mess in GT3 (anything can be changed at any time + no rules) and GTE (anything can be changed at any time + rules are worthless because of waiver granting). Prior 2005 most of the GT champs didn't even have those
If you want to see the chance in ACO ideology, look at this:
Vincent Beaumesnil, June 2013
"If you look at the [LMGTE] regulations, we can change [it] whenever we want. -- For sure, it's not the spirit of what we want. But you have no other way to do it."
ACO LM GT1 & LM GT2 technical 2009 regulation rulebook
"-- It is out of the question to make adjustments after or in accordance to each race. If adaptions are necessary, they will be imposed by the ACO preferably at the end of each race season. But should a model of car show too high a performance, immediate measures will be taken by the ACO in order to reduce it's performance for the following races"
GT1 did die natural death, of course it did, but they had no reason to kill it off from Spa in 2010 when it was technically still there. Maybe I used bad wording there but whatever. As for GT2, it was SRO's own fault that the GT2 teams chose to abandon their series in 2010.
As for GT3, I stated my opinion already here - also say my opinion about the original concept of GT3
http://forums.autosp...4/#entry6543517
What then if the old classes had less cars. I don't care about huge grids and "variety" in single class racing if the end result is GT3 which I do not see as real racing. It doesn't have any relevance with the road cars or technology. You can't even have a tyre war as those figures are BoPped too. I am not here to watch "cool cars" that have nothing to do with anything. Why would I watch something that I know is manufactured at the point that WWE is not so far a way? Even NASCAR gimmicks pale in comparison. Of course, GT3 is popular for the manufacturers as it provides an easy platform where you can build whatever you want (supercar or B-class sedan) and just relax while the organizing body makes sure that you are able to comfortably have success in the series. Same with (gentleman) drivers, these cars are so easy to handle with all the driver aids and stuff that it's become like an entry level class for many. It is an easy place for teams. BoP-only series provides great grids but I DO NOT CARE about big grids if it means racing that is more or less scripted in advance.
Also I don't find GT3 exciting to look at, they're just... meh. Too little power and unspectacular designs. When you have the same exact models entered for EVERY SINGLE RACE ON THE PLANET it becomes boring as well. Back when GT1 and GT2 were at Spa, what other 24 hour events there were where those cars were able to score overall victories? Apart from Daytona at the turn of the decade (and maybe Zolder at some point, don't know)
Edited by SonnyViceR, 05 January 2014 - 14:47.
