GT1 racing featured not only at one-off races like the Le Mans 24 Hours or Sebring 12 Hours, but would ultimately become the top category in global and regional championships. While the spiralling costs of the early GT1 period were brought under control, the fight was just as fierce as ever, with manufacturers developing special cars just for GT1.
While the early stages of the decade were dominated by the Dodge Viper, it is the Maserati MC12 that is perhaps the most famous GT1 car of the 2000s. Pretty much a purpose-built racing car based on the Ferrari Enzo, the MC12 won eight teams and constructors titles between FIA GT and FIA GT1 championships, winning 40 of the 94 races it entered in that period.
The V12 song of the MC12 was joined by a dozen more cylinders under the bonnet of the Aston Martin DBR9, and the rumbling eight of Chevrolet’s Corvette C6.R. As well as those established GT racing brands, GT1 saw the return of Ford to top-level GT racing as well as forays into competition from Lamborghini and even Lister, with its legendary Storm.