The Motorsport Thread
Moderator: GH Moderators
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Freezing in the carpark waiting on the gates to open
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
Edrick The Entertainer
- -PJ-
- Mal Meninga
- Posts: 24835
- Joined: May 8, 2010, 1:58 pm
- Favourite Player: Josh Papalii
- Location: 416.9 km from GIO Stadium
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Have a great day boney.
Can ya run down Conrod wearing a Raiders jumper ?
Can ya run down Conrod wearing a Raiders jumper ?
3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment..Old Faithful
#emptythetank
#emptythetank
Re: The Motorsport Thread
polar fleece in the car, layered up but no lime.-PJ- wrote:Have a great day boney.
Can ya run down Conrod wearing a Raiders jumper ?
Sitting at the bottom of Conrod between Toyota and Cooper's bars
Sent from my SM-G950F using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Edrick The Entertainer
- FuiFui BradBrad
- Bradley Clyde
- Posts: 8651
- Joined: May 3, 2008, 10:23 pm
- Favourite Player: Phil Graham
- Location: Marsden Park
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Pretty jealous. I have made the trek to Bathurst for the race yet. It’s on my bucketlist
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Feel free to call me RickyRicky StickStick if you like. I will also accept Super Fui, King Brad, Kid Dynamite, Chocolate-Thunda... or Brad.
Nickman's love of NSW
Nickman's love of NSW
- NSW has done a superb job - 18/12/2020
- NSW has been world-class with their approach to date, that's a fact. - 04/02/2021
- -PJ-
- Mal Meninga
- Posts: 24835
- Joined: May 8, 2010, 1:58 pm
- Favourite Player: Josh Papalii
- Location: 416.9 km from GIO Stadium
Re: The Motorsport Thread
What we need is a FORD victory here.
So..Frosty, ScottyMac or Chaz.
The rest can pierce off, especially WHINGECUP<<< hate dat chump.
So..Frosty, ScottyMac or Chaz.
The rest can pierce off, especially WHINGECUP<<< hate dat chump.
3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment..Old Faithful
#emptythetank
#emptythetank
- FuiFui BradBrad
- Bradley Clyde
- Posts: 8651
- Joined: May 3, 2008, 10:23 pm
- Favourite Player: Phil Graham
- Location: Marsden Park
Re: The Motorsport Thread
I am loving Whincups efforts so far. I don’t think he’s won Bathurst since they changed the Co Driver rule.
Surely you’d be happy with a Davey win, since he’s ex-Ford?
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Surely you’d be happy with a Davey win, since he’s ex-Ford?
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Feel free to call me RickyRicky StickStick if you like. I will also accept Super Fui, King Brad, Kid Dynamite, Chocolate-Thunda... or Brad.
Nickman's love of NSW
Nickman's love of NSW
- NSW has done a superb job - 18/12/2020
- NSW has been world-class with their approach to date, that's a fact. - 04/02/2021
Re: The Motorsport Thread
He's won one in 2012
He's butchered about another 3
He's butchered about another 3
- -PJ-
- Mal Meninga
- Posts: 24835
- Joined: May 8, 2010, 1:58 pm
- Favourite Player: Josh Papalii
- Location: 416.9 km from GIO Stadium
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Craig Lowndes/Steve Richards take the win at Bathurst...
3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment..Old Faithful
#emptythetank
#emptythetank
- -PJ-
- Mal Meninga
- Posts: 24835
- Joined: May 8, 2010, 1:58 pm
- Favourite Player: Josh Papalii
- Location: 416.9 km from GIO Stadium
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Billy Slater comes 2nd...again.
3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment..Old Faithful
#emptythetank
#emptythetank
Re: The Motorsport Thread
there was a guy in front of me in a raiders shirt.
Sent from my SM-G950F using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G950F using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Edrick The Entertainer
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Was a pretty boring race for Bathurst
Most exciting thing was the wheel falling off Whincups car
Most exciting thing was the wheel falling off Whincups car
- Rick
- Steve Walters
- Posts: 7599
- Joined: August 11, 2008, 3:56 pm
- Favourite Player: Daley
- Location: Darwin
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Nice to see a race not come down to a safety car lottery and actually won on performance.
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Re: The Motorsport Thread
if it wasn't Lowndes leading there quite possibly was a manufactured pace car coming imo
Sent from my SM-G950F using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G950F using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Edrick The Entertainer
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Outside of race times. The Mount Panorama track is a public road. It is 60 km per hour speed limited, but it is a great drive, particularly across the top of the Mountain and down through the esses. You can see all the impact Mark's on the cement barriers. Go around a few times and you can re-live all those great moments and memories. Some say driving the track is 'better than race day'.Fuifui Bradbrad wrote: ↑October 7, 2018, 10:09 am Pretty jealous. I have made the trek to Bathurst for the race yet. It’s on my bucketlist
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
- -PJ-
- Mal Meninga
- Posts: 24835
- Joined: May 8, 2010, 1:58 pm
- Favourite Player: Josh Papalii
- Location: 416.9 km from GIO Stadium
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Well..
Race 1 at the Newcastle V8s threw up plenty of drama and excitement.
There were plenty of dings. Craig Lowndes tried to drive over Pyes car in the pits and bent his steering arm in a rush for fuel and fresh rubber. Coultard hit a tyre wall and spun 180deg with his back end sticking out the the drivers race line..he was clipped by at least 2 others drivers..
The race for the overall champoinship is all up for grabs today. Leading into yesterday's race Scott McLaughlin held a 14pt led over SVG. Clearly these two are at the top of the tree in this sport. SVG won the race but it was pure drama. Fords McLaughlin led comfortably from SVG as the last hand full of laps wound down. But McLaughlins team were nervous..Scotts fuel was low..very low and told by team bosses to "save fuel". In doing so SVG was catching him up with every lap. McLaughlins lead was being chipped into every lap and once SVG appeared in the rear view mirror it was all but over.
Then on the hair pin turn 11 at Nobbys beach SVG slipped inside and passed. McLaughlin was out of fuel..about 300m from victory and was damn lucky to cross the finish line. If he hadn't he would have registered a DNF, but he did finish and got 138 champoinship points to SVGs 150pts.
So we move to today..race 2. It's a winner takes all. McLaughlin leads by only 2pts.
McLaughlins team miscalculated the fuel yesterday and it cost him big time.
This is exciting stuff....
Race 1 at the Newcastle V8s threw up plenty of drama and excitement.
There were plenty of dings. Craig Lowndes tried to drive over Pyes car in the pits and bent his steering arm in a rush for fuel and fresh rubber. Coultard hit a tyre wall and spun 180deg with his back end sticking out the the drivers race line..he was clipped by at least 2 others drivers..
The race for the overall champoinship is all up for grabs today. Leading into yesterday's race Scott McLaughlin held a 14pt led over SVG. Clearly these two are at the top of the tree in this sport. SVG won the race but it was pure drama. Fords McLaughlin led comfortably from SVG as the last hand full of laps wound down. But McLaughlins team were nervous..Scotts fuel was low..very low and told by team bosses to "save fuel". In doing so SVG was catching him up with every lap. McLaughlins lead was being chipped into every lap and once SVG appeared in the rear view mirror it was all but over.
Then on the hair pin turn 11 at Nobbys beach SVG slipped inside and passed. McLaughlin was out of fuel..about 300m from victory and was damn lucky to cross the finish line. If he hadn't he would have registered a DNF, but he did finish and got 138 champoinship points to SVGs 150pts.
So we move to today..race 2. It's a winner takes all. McLaughlin leads by only 2pts.
McLaughlins team miscalculated the fuel yesterday and it cost him big time.
This is exciting stuff....
3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment..Old Faithful
#emptythetank
#emptythetank
- Sossman
- David Furner
- Posts: 3457
- Joined: August 28, 2006, 4:49 pm
- Favourite Player: Jarrod Croker
- Location: Brisbane, Australia
Re: The Motorsport Thread
SVG penalised for pitlane fuel infraction.
Title is Scotty's to lose now.
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
Title is Scotty's to lose now.
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
4 Time Boogs Award Winner.
Get tested for VIKING CLAP today. https://www.health.act.gov.au/hospitals ... lth-centre.
Get tested for VIKING CLAP today. https://www.health.act.gov.au/hospitals ... lth-centre.
- -PJ-
- Mal Meninga
- Posts: 24835
- Joined: May 8, 2010, 1:58 pm
- Favourite Player: Josh Papalii
- Location: 416.9 km from GIO Stadium
Re: The Motorsport Thread
ScottyMac wins 2018 drivers championship.
DJR/Penske Ford with the win.
DJR/Penske Ford with the win.
3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment..Old Faithful
#emptythetank
#emptythetank
- FuiFui BradBrad
- Bradley Clyde
- Posts: 8651
- Joined: May 3, 2008, 10:23 pm
- Favourite Player: Phil Graham
- Location: Marsden Park
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Happy for Scotty Mac. As a GRM fan, I’m claiming this one haha.-PJ- wrote:ScottyMac wins 2018 drivers championship.
DJR/Penske Ford with the win.
Talk after the race that Kelly Racing are negotiating with Kia to roll out the Stinger for 2020
Feel free to call me RickyRicky StickStick if you like. I will also accept Super Fui, King Brad, Kid Dynamite, Chocolate-Thunda... or Brad.
Nickman's love of NSW
Nickman's love of NSW
- NSW has done a superb job - 18/12/2020
- NSW has been world-class with their approach to date, that's a fact. - 04/02/2021
- -PJ-
- Mal Meninga
- Posts: 24835
- Joined: May 8, 2010, 1:58 pm
- Favourite Player: Josh Papalii
- Location: 416.9 km from GIO Stadium
Re: The Motorsport Thread
The last of the Falcons today as well.Fuifui Bradbrad wrote: ↑November 25, 2018, 6:12 pmHappy for Scotty Mac. As a GRM fan, I’m claiming this one haha.-PJ- wrote:ScottyMac wins 2018 drivers championship.
DJR/Penske Ford with the win.
Talk after the race that Kelly Racing are negotiating with Kia to roll out the Stinger for 2020
2019 will be a Mustang..
3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment..Old Faithful
#emptythetank
#emptythetank
- FuiFui BradBrad
- Bradley Clyde
- Posts: 8651
- Joined: May 3, 2008, 10:23 pm
- Favourite Player: Phil Graham
- Location: Marsden Park
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Yeah it was cool that the #17 won Falcons 17th title. Surpasses Commodore’s 16 titles
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Feel free to call me RickyRicky StickStick if you like. I will also accept Super Fui, King Brad, Kid Dynamite, Chocolate-Thunda... or Brad.
Nickman's love of NSW
Nickman's love of NSW
- NSW has done a superb job - 18/12/2020
- NSW has been world-class with their approach to date, that's a fact. - 04/02/2021
- -PJ-
- Mal Meninga
- Posts: 24835
- Joined: May 8, 2010, 1:58 pm
- Favourite Player: Josh Papalii
- Location: 416.9 km from GIO Stadium
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Apparently the ScottyMac Mustang will have to badged #1 for the new season.
I wonder if Dick is happy with this..
#17 is a trademark with this car and has been forever.
I wonder if Dick is happy with this..
#17 is a trademark with this car and has been forever.
3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment..Old Faithful
#emptythetank
#emptythetank
- Rick
- Steve Walters
- Posts: 7599
- Joined: August 11, 2008, 3:56 pm
- Favourite Player: Daley
- Location: Darwin
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Great result yesterday after all the rubbish at the end of last year and at NZ last round.
I love the 17 but hope he will run the 1.
Very interesting news regarding Kia. I thought the Kelly’s would have jumped on board with WAU to run the camero.
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
I love the 17 but hope he will run the 1.
Very interesting news regarding Kia. I thought the Kelly’s would have jumped on board with WAU to run the camero.
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
- FuiFui BradBrad
- Bradley Clyde
- Posts: 8651
- Joined: May 3, 2008, 10:23 pm
- Favourite Player: Phil Graham
- Location: Marsden Park
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Yeah, I’m a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to the number. He should run it.. if not, I guess there’s a 1 in the 17. I like when SVG incorporate the 1 into the 97.
I expected the Kelly’s to jump on the Camaro train as well. They’re an appealing prospect to a new manufacturer because they have the Perkins engine development facilities on site. I guess for them it’s a matter of whether or not they want to go down that path again
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
I expected the Kelly’s to jump on the Camaro train as well. They’re an appealing prospect to a new manufacturer because they have the Perkins engine development facilities on site. I guess for them it’s a matter of whether or not they want to go down that path again
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Feel free to call me RickyRicky StickStick if you like. I will also accept Super Fui, King Brad, Kid Dynamite, Chocolate-Thunda... or Brad.
Nickman's love of NSW
Nickman's love of NSW
- NSW has done a superb job - 18/12/2020
- NSW has been world-class with their approach to date, that's a fact. - 04/02/2021
- -PJ-
- Mal Meninga
- Posts: 24835
- Joined: May 8, 2010, 1:58 pm
- Favourite Player: Josh Papalii
- Location: 416.9 km from GIO Stadium
Re: The Motorsport Thread
I'm a Ford guy so I'm very happy with the result.
Fabian Coultard had some terrible luck both days.
Geez these Supercars are a piece of machinery !!!!
Fabian Coultard had some terrible luck both days.
Geez these Supercars are a piece of machinery !!!!
3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment..Old Faithful
#emptythetank
#emptythetank
- Sossman
- David Furner
- Posts: 3457
- Joined: August 28, 2006, 4:49 pm
- Favourite Player: Jarrod Croker
- Location: Brisbane, Australia
Re: The Motorsport Thread
By the way... I absolutely love Larko and Murph as specialist pitlane commentators. Best in the business.
Watching V8s is the absolute best now.
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
Watching V8s is the absolute best now.
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
4 Time Boogs Award Winner.
Get tested for VIKING CLAP today. https://www.health.act.gov.au/hospitals ... lth-centre.
Get tested for VIKING CLAP today. https://www.health.act.gov.au/hospitals ... lth-centre.
- Sossman
- David Furner
- Posts: 3457
- Joined: August 28, 2006, 4:49 pm
- Favourite Player: Jarrod Croker
- Location: Brisbane, Australia
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Kelly Racing to link up with Kia and run a stinger. However they are worried about homologating a V6TT for Supercars and rightly so. Could be a masterstroke or 4 more years of pain.
The old HRT... United Andretti Walkinshaw Alphabet BBQ racing is pushing Camaro hard. On early mail it is much easier to fit about the control chassis than the Mustang.
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
The old HRT... United Andretti Walkinshaw Alphabet BBQ racing is pushing Camaro hard. On early mail it is much easier to fit about the control chassis than the Mustang.
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
4 Time Boogs Award Winner.
Get tested for VIKING CLAP today. https://www.health.act.gov.au/hospitals ... lth-centre.
Get tested for VIKING CLAP today. https://www.health.act.gov.au/hospitals ... lth-centre.
- Sossman
- David Furner
- Posts: 3457
- Joined: August 28, 2006, 4:49 pm
- Favourite Player: Jarrod Croker
- Location: Brisbane, Australia
Re: The Motorsport Thread
We need Toyota to enter the 'Supra' with a lexus derived 5L V8. It's ridiculous that Toyota is not in the main game considering they are in NZ V8 Touring Cars, NASCAR etc.
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
4 Time Boogs Award Winner.
Get tested for VIKING CLAP today. https://www.health.act.gov.au/hospitals ... lth-centre.
Get tested for VIKING CLAP today. https://www.health.act.gov.au/hospitals ... lth-centre.
- FuiFui BradBrad
- Bradley Clyde
- Posts: 8651
- Joined: May 3, 2008, 10:23 pm
- Favourite Player: Phil Graham
- Location: Marsden Park
Re: The Motorsport Thread
I’m surprised Toyota aren’t in it yet. They had a sniff years ago with the Avalon. Brad Jones had huge Audi support back in the 2L days. I wish he would try and coax them in with something. I’m a fan of multi marque series.
WAU - I cant wait to see what they do with the Camaro.
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
WAU - I cant wait to see what they do with the Camaro.
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Feel free to call me RickyRicky StickStick if you like. I will also accept Super Fui, King Brad, Kid Dynamite, Chocolate-Thunda... or Brad.
Nickman's love of NSW
Nickman's love of NSW
- NSW has done a superb job - 18/12/2020
- NSW has been world-class with their approach to date, that's a fact. - 04/02/2021
-
- David Furner
- Posts: 3879
- Joined: May 31, 2015, 7:25 am
- Favourite Player: Dean Lance
Re: The Motorsport Thread
The issue with attempting to coax new manufacturers in to supercars is that the series is at a low point commercially. Ford and Holden are at an extremely low level of investment into the series, the switch to Foxtel based telecast has had a large effect on sponsor revenue to teams. This revenue piece is becoming obvious to results - the teams that have the large operating budgets are wining all the races, the teams that do not, are not winning. The cycle remains that sponsors want to invest in teams that 1)win, and 2) get a lot of TV time. Which are the big teams that already have the budget.
Supercars as a group saw this decline in manufacturer involvement coming - with Ford pulling out and Holden reducing teams input and spend, with Mercedes not becoming more involved with the Erebus project and Volvo pulling the plug. That is the reason that they have opened the rules up to allow coupes and various engine profiles to be homologated. The issues with this are - they are alienating to a point the core fan group as the 'V8s' has always been the blue collar sport, and that demographic will struggle to get behind twin turbo Hyundais for example. But the people who are attracted to that style of car will be less likely to follow the sport as it is seen from the outside a 'the V8s".
The second major issue is the spend required from teams and manufacturers to bring in a new car, with very little confidence that the car or specification will be competitive. Take the Volvo vs Nissan chassis/engine combos. Volvo 'got lucky' that the chassis presented and aero package homologated was very drag efficient, but didn't necessarily have the downforce levels of Ford/Holden. This led to it being a chassis that could be untouchable at some circuits and back in the pack at others, depending on circuit profile. The bonus was that at least it was able to win some races when the stars aligned, if not challenge for a championship due to inconsistency. Compare that to the Nissan, which was homologated with essentially no stand out strength - it was a little down on power, a little down on downforce, and had a bit more drag due to vehicle profile. That manufacturer has struggled to get any sort of results for its entire time as a Supercar team, to the point where they have decided the investment is no longer worth while.
While Supercars continue to run homologations tests with fairly antiquated methods such as 'roll down' tests on airstrips, this variance in chassis performance will continue - and once homologated, its VERY hard to update deficiencies.
Now look at this from a manufacturers point of view.
-Is the series strong commercially? - its not collapsing, but it was much stronger a decade ago. I use the litmus test of mid-rear of pack team sponsors - I look at them now and have no idea who half the companies are. A decade ago they were nearly all 'name' brands.
-Does the series have good visibility to the public? - with the addition of the Fox deal, no. Arguably (and supercars will push this point heavily) the telecast has never been better, and has more hours on screen than ever before. The issue is that is is generally only the 'die hard' fans that actually see this - and they will watch regardless. What this model has lost is the fringe fan or non-fan who may tune in accidentally on a Sunday because they are channel surfing.
-Is the manufacturer able to invest a sensible amount of money to be competitive? Probably not - I know in my day the teams operating budgets were in the vicinity of $6-10Million dollars a season. I would expect that the 2 big teams - Triple8 and Penske/DJR are now operating on significantly more than that. And the gap from those teams to the rest is getting larger every year, so arguable an investment LARGER than those teams is required, because they are refining existing competitive packages, not developing form scratch.
-Once that investment is made, is there any guarantee of success? No. The Mercedes/Volvo/Nissan examples all had limited success based of having a similar chassis Engine combo as the existing manufacturers.
-Is bringing a new chassis/engine configuration into the series likely to have success? Maybe. I see it as the highest risk, highest reward. To use the Volvo as an example - that combo had strengths and weaknesses when compared to the status quo. But the positive was that the 'strengths' - essentially low drag straight-line speed - was stronger than its competitors, allowing some level of success at specific circuits. We have seen how a package that isn't quite comparable to the existing really has no chance of victory in the Mercedes. And that is with a 4 door V8 model very similar to its competition. Now introducing a twin turbo 2 door for example opens the door to massive aero variances, and power levels, but more importantly power delivery. Depending on homologation restrictions, these combination may have a higher torque, lower top end power for example, which means they may be untouchable at Winton, but irrelevant at Bathurst. They may get lucky and have a combo homologated that has circuits that it excels, and it may also turn into a Mercedes, and that is not a very attractive proposition.
-Can a manufacturer enter with an existing team such as Kellys and be confident of their level of expertise to take them to the top? Probably not. The larger teams are now all using a lot of international linkups or were built up using those links. I was working at Triple8 during the Briggs/T8 change over period, and there was a level of international expertise using T8 UK, and bringing in Ludo from DTM that was above anything that team had done before. Penske obviously has strong technical alliances with their US bases. Walkinshaw now have access to the Andretti technical team. These links are proving to separate the haves from have nots -the the point where it is increasingly hard to field a car without a technical alliance to a top team. Tickford and BJR for example are dropping off the podium as they cant keep up with the pace of development of the top teams due to resourcing.
So really, why would a new manufacturer come in to the sport? Supercars have been very very blessed since the early 90's that Ford and Holden had extremely similar chassis and engine combos, and both invested heavily in the series. These could roll out every year with an extremely balanced level of performance. The past few years has proven that 'balance of performance' is a very difficult thing to manage.
I hate to say it, as I think it goes against racing in its purist form, but if they want to make the series attractive to other manufacturers, they need to bring in manufactured and adjustable performance limiters such as air restrictors and success ballast. These have worked in other series globally to keep all manufacturers relevant.
To use KIA as an example - they currently have a perception within the mainstream that they are a low cost hairdressers car. I know that they are battling this with introducing vehicles like the Stinger, but they are battling the existing perception. It would be a huge risk to enter Supercars when there is a very real possibility that they will not be able to field a race winning car, and only solidify the perception that their vehicles are not the equal to traditional Aussie cars such as Ford and Holden.
Supercars as a group saw this decline in manufacturer involvement coming - with Ford pulling out and Holden reducing teams input and spend, with Mercedes not becoming more involved with the Erebus project and Volvo pulling the plug. That is the reason that they have opened the rules up to allow coupes and various engine profiles to be homologated. The issues with this are - they are alienating to a point the core fan group as the 'V8s' has always been the blue collar sport, and that demographic will struggle to get behind twin turbo Hyundais for example. But the people who are attracted to that style of car will be less likely to follow the sport as it is seen from the outside a 'the V8s".
The second major issue is the spend required from teams and manufacturers to bring in a new car, with very little confidence that the car or specification will be competitive. Take the Volvo vs Nissan chassis/engine combos. Volvo 'got lucky' that the chassis presented and aero package homologated was very drag efficient, but didn't necessarily have the downforce levels of Ford/Holden. This led to it being a chassis that could be untouchable at some circuits and back in the pack at others, depending on circuit profile. The bonus was that at least it was able to win some races when the stars aligned, if not challenge for a championship due to inconsistency. Compare that to the Nissan, which was homologated with essentially no stand out strength - it was a little down on power, a little down on downforce, and had a bit more drag due to vehicle profile. That manufacturer has struggled to get any sort of results for its entire time as a Supercar team, to the point where they have decided the investment is no longer worth while.
While Supercars continue to run homologations tests with fairly antiquated methods such as 'roll down' tests on airstrips, this variance in chassis performance will continue - and once homologated, its VERY hard to update deficiencies.
Now look at this from a manufacturers point of view.
-Is the series strong commercially? - its not collapsing, but it was much stronger a decade ago. I use the litmus test of mid-rear of pack team sponsors - I look at them now and have no idea who half the companies are. A decade ago they were nearly all 'name' brands.
-Does the series have good visibility to the public? - with the addition of the Fox deal, no. Arguably (and supercars will push this point heavily) the telecast has never been better, and has more hours on screen than ever before. The issue is that is is generally only the 'die hard' fans that actually see this - and they will watch regardless. What this model has lost is the fringe fan or non-fan who may tune in accidentally on a Sunday because they are channel surfing.
-Is the manufacturer able to invest a sensible amount of money to be competitive? Probably not - I know in my day the teams operating budgets were in the vicinity of $6-10Million dollars a season. I would expect that the 2 big teams - Triple8 and Penske/DJR are now operating on significantly more than that. And the gap from those teams to the rest is getting larger every year, so arguable an investment LARGER than those teams is required, because they are refining existing competitive packages, not developing form scratch.
-Once that investment is made, is there any guarantee of success? No. The Mercedes/Volvo/Nissan examples all had limited success based of having a similar chassis Engine combo as the existing manufacturers.
-Is bringing a new chassis/engine configuration into the series likely to have success? Maybe. I see it as the highest risk, highest reward. To use the Volvo as an example - that combo had strengths and weaknesses when compared to the status quo. But the positive was that the 'strengths' - essentially low drag straight-line speed - was stronger than its competitors, allowing some level of success at specific circuits. We have seen how a package that isn't quite comparable to the existing really has no chance of victory in the Mercedes. And that is with a 4 door V8 model very similar to its competition. Now introducing a twin turbo 2 door for example opens the door to massive aero variances, and power levels, but more importantly power delivery. Depending on homologation restrictions, these combination may have a higher torque, lower top end power for example, which means they may be untouchable at Winton, but irrelevant at Bathurst. They may get lucky and have a combo homologated that has circuits that it excels, and it may also turn into a Mercedes, and that is not a very attractive proposition.
-Can a manufacturer enter with an existing team such as Kellys and be confident of their level of expertise to take them to the top? Probably not. The larger teams are now all using a lot of international linkups or were built up using those links. I was working at Triple8 during the Briggs/T8 change over period, and there was a level of international expertise using T8 UK, and bringing in Ludo from DTM that was above anything that team had done before. Penske obviously has strong technical alliances with their US bases. Walkinshaw now have access to the Andretti technical team. These links are proving to separate the haves from have nots -the the point where it is increasingly hard to field a car without a technical alliance to a top team. Tickford and BJR for example are dropping off the podium as they cant keep up with the pace of development of the top teams due to resourcing.
So really, why would a new manufacturer come in to the sport? Supercars have been very very blessed since the early 90's that Ford and Holden had extremely similar chassis and engine combos, and both invested heavily in the series. These could roll out every year with an extremely balanced level of performance. The past few years has proven that 'balance of performance' is a very difficult thing to manage.
I hate to say it, as I think it goes against racing in its purist form, but if they want to make the series attractive to other manufacturers, they need to bring in manufactured and adjustable performance limiters such as air restrictors and success ballast. These have worked in other series globally to keep all manufacturers relevant.
To use KIA as an example - they currently have a perception within the mainstream that they are a low cost hairdressers car. I know that they are battling this with introducing vehicles like the Stinger, but they are battling the existing perception. It would be a huge risk to enter Supercars when there is a very real possibility that they will not be able to field a race winning car, and only solidify the perception that their vehicles are not the equal to traditional Aussie cars such as Ford and Holden.
- FuiFui BradBrad
- Bradley Clyde
- Posts: 8651
- Joined: May 3, 2008, 10:23 pm
- Favourite Player: Phil Graham
- Location: Marsden Park
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Lowndes confirmed to be partnering Whincup for the next 3 seasons. Strong partnership.
Steven Richards one of the front runners to partner SVG, now Bamber is unavailable. Matt Campbell the other choice, but I think Richo is the safer bet
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Steven Richards one of the front runners to partner SVG, now Bamber is unavailable. Matt Campbell the other choice, but I think Richo is the safer bet
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Feel free to call me RickyRicky StickStick if you like. I will also accept Super Fui, King Brad, Kid Dynamite, Chocolate-Thunda... or Brad.
Nickman's love of NSW
Nickman's love of NSW
- NSW has done a superb job - 18/12/2020
- NSW has been world-class with their approach to date, that's a fact. - 04/02/2021
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Mad not to go with Richo, probably the best codriver in the last few years
- Sossman
- David Furner
- Posts: 3457
- Joined: August 28, 2006, 4:49 pm
- Favourite Player: Jarrod Croker
- Location: Brisbane, Australia
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Richards will start to regress soon. SVG has been smart in trying to bring on a gun driver from a major O/S championship.
Bamber is a weapon so hope he's back in 2020. Can drive and can win in anything.
Campbell is pretty good but I think struggles with the lower-tech V8SCs a bit. He's very polished and smooth.
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
Bamber is a weapon so hope he's back in 2020. Can drive and can win in anything.
Campbell is pretty good but I think struggles with the lower-tech V8SCs a bit. He's very polished and smooth.
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
4 Time Boogs Award Winner.
Get tested for VIKING CLAP today. https://www.health.act.gov.au/hospitals ... lth-centre.
Get tested for VIKING CLAP today. https://www.health.act.gov.au/hospitals ... lth-centre.
- Rick
- Steve Walters
- Posts: 7599
- Joined: August 11, 2008, 3:56 pm
- Favourite Player: Daley
- Location: Darwin
The Motorsport Thread
I was super impressed by Bamber this year. Comparing him to Matt Campbell he really came in and looked at home right away. I think he was very smart to do the extras in Super 2 that he did. Also a very likeable bloke on the face of it. More drivers like Bamber and Prémat need to be encouraged into the endurance cup rather along with up and comers rather than the hacks that are involved.
To do this they need to seperate the endurance cup from the championship series. I want to see the top teams go all out at Bathurst etc. let them pair up their top drivers and encourage them to bring in drivers from outside Australia for their second cars.
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
To do this they need to seperate the endurance cup from the championship series. I want to see the top teams go all out at Bathurst etc. let them pair up their top drivers and encourage them to bring in drivers from outside Australia for their second cars.
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Re: The Motorsport Thread
They tried that at the Gold Coast for a couple of years and it was carnage
- FuiFui BradBrad
- Bradley Clyde
- Posts: 8651
- Joined: May 3, 2008, 10:23 pm
- Favourite Player: Phil Graham
- Location: Marsden Park
Re: The Motorsport Thread
Yeah GC had a rule that the co driver had to be an international. We got this
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Feel free to call me RickyRicky StickStick if you like. I will also accept Super Fui, King Brad, Kid Dynamite, Chocolate-Thunda... or Brad.
Nickman's love of NSW
Nickman's love of NSW
- NSW has done a superb job - 18/12/2020
- NSW has been world-class with their approach to date, that's a fact. - 04/02/2021