This is ITS Jeff speaking, not ITAC Jeff.
I don't buy it. Zsolt's car has more top end (both from personal experience and from watching his in-car data) than any other ITS car I've seen. Note I don't think the car is misclassed or anything, and I don't think it needs any adjustment.
But I think it makes really good power, and significantly more than 170. It's aero is good, maybe best in class, and that may explain the 125 mph+ advantage it has, but I'm personally convinced some of it is power.
I think all of the good S cars (other than the Miata, which is at a lower weight) are in the 170+ range.
I know that when I was making 160 whp or so, I couldn't compete. The jump to high 170s/181 was a big deal and changed the game. The three GSRs I've seen seem to be in "top ITS car" power ballpark.
Steve, forgot IMike ran that in S. Before the time where I was competitive, so I probably only saw him when lapping me.
Bottom line to me is there are a number of cars that can win in S (240z, 260z, 280z, 300zx, E46, E36, E30, Porsche 944S, TR8, Miata, RX7, Corrado). GSR is one of them.
the GSR has a nice low-slope hp curve and a very flat torque curve. the P72 cams,head, and intake combo is designed for that. You'll see peaky power on the B16/17/18C5 due to the P30/whatever head, cams, and those intakes being better for building HP. the P72 intake, in particular, is restrictive to building peak hp.
I don't think 125% on a GSR is likely, but I think it makes up for that in large part due to the overall package and wide power curve, and really good driving.