Nascar and homologation

[F14CRAZY]

I got thinking...

At what point/year did the cars in Nascar become different than their production versions? I know the current cars have virtually nothing in common aside from the name, but I know back in the '80s the Buick turbo V6 did well in Nascar...was it pretty much the same car as at production Regal Grand National? And was the Thunderbird the same? Grand Prix? Etc

I'm guessing production/race similarities ended when GM came out with the W body; I don't know for certain but I'm assuming they didn't race FWD cars.

I might not know what I'm talking about, but please do fill me in

[ronald mcretard]

You mean that's not the real Camry?

[marinerbc]

That's about when I remember it happening, F14. The introduction of the FWD Lumina changed everything; Ford still had the RWD Thunderbird, but the Chevy Lumina was definitely NOT what was on the track that year.

Others probably remember this better than I do, though.

[F14CRAZY]

Originally Posted by marinerbc

That's about when I remember it happening, F14. The introduction of the FWD Lumina changed everything; Ford still had the RWD Thunderbird, but the Chevy Lumina was definitely NOT what was on the track that year.

Others probably remember this better than I do, though.

As I understand it, Nascar was created with the requirement that at least 500 production versions of the race version were offered for sale, and were made from production parts.

So, how did GM get this exception?

I would appreciate the sport if they were truly stock. A lot of people would argue that nobody would be interested in watch a race with Chargers versus Camrys versus Fusions versus Impalas...

Well, if the stock cars had to be raced, they wouldn't be like they are now would they?

[marinerbc]

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

As I understand it, Nascar was created with the requirement that at least 500 production versions of the race version were offered for sale, and were made from production parts.

So, how did GM get this exception?

As I recall, it was pointed out to the France family that without the Lumina FWD being re-engineered as a RWD look-alike, there would be no GM presence in NASCAR. That was a biggie.

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

I would appreciate the sport if they were truly stock. A lot of people would argue that nobody would be interested in watch a race with Chargers versus Camrys versus Fusions versus Impalas...

Well, if the stock cars had to be raced, they wouldn't be like they are now would they?

No. Just think of all the mods that have to be made to the car for safety alone, and then picture how that would affect the end result. Then try and haul that around the track with a Turbo V6 or a DoD V8.

Would I go to the track as I currently do to see Camry's race Impalas at 100 mph? No.

Would I watch faux-Toyotas get smucked into the wall at 190 as Jimmie Johnson "Bump Drafts" them in his faux-Impala? Oh, yes. Yes, yes, yes.

[knightfan26917]

Originally Posted by marinerbc

That's about when I remember it happening, F14. The introduction of the FWD Lumina changed everything; Ford still had the RWD Thunderbird, but the Chevy Lumina was definitely NOT what was on the track that year.

*nods*

This is how I remember it, too, marinerbc.

I don't think Dodge had anything on the track at that point, did they?

Pontiac raced the FWD version of the Grand Prix, as I recall....

Soon after ... the Taurus replaced the Thunderbird, with the demise of the Thunderbird. Now, Ford is racing the Fusion and Dodge is racing the Avenger. However, when Dodge first came back into the ring, they used the RWD Dodge Charger....


I remember when stock cars like these were raced:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/coll...618r8_jpg.html


And, of course, even before that:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/2007...Mrear_JPG.html

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/2007...oster_JPG.html



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[HoosierRon]

The Car of Tomorrow is a joke. Even if there were a need for it due to FWD Impalas, Grand Prixs and Intrepids, that all is about to change.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

I would appreciate the sport if they were truly stock. A lot of people would argue that nobody would be interested in watch a race with Chargers versus Camrys versus Fusions versus Impalas...

Well, if the stock cars had to be raced, they wouldn't be like they are now would they?

I totally agree with you there and I've been saying the same thing for a while now.

[vt6banger]

F14 thats how the Australian touring car championship was in the 70s early 80's. 500 homogalated cars which enthusiasts enjoyed , then they decided that we wanted something different, no more import cars only holden and ford, with the basic rule to qualify being must be, built in oz, rwd and come into production with a v8and have 4 doors, thats why no mitsu or toyota in our championship, but they are heading down nascars path, not happy really, they run control tyres, suspension, gearbox, diff, hell even contol body kit. ATM ve isnt even running on a VE chassis as it wouldnt be fair on the opposition, what a load of BS. so while the cars are actual bodies from holden/ford they are modified to suit the rules, not quite as bad as nascar but not far off it, who invented parity.....

[likearock00]

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

The Car of Tomorrow is a joke. Even if there were a need for it due to FWD Impalas, Grand Prixs and Intrepids, that all is about to change.

Pontiac is not in NASCAR anymore, and the pony cars may be going to the Nationwide (formerly Busch) series cup. Toyota may have a problem with this though!

[marinerbc]

Originally Posted by knightfan26917

However, when Dodge first came back into the ring, they used the RWD Dodge Charger....

Before that, when Evernham came in, it was the Intrepid, IIRC.

Good calls, though kf.

[F14CRAZY]

Originally Posted by likearock00

Pontiac is not in NASCAR anymore, and the pony cars may be going to the Nationwide (formerly Busch) series cup. Toyota may have a problem with this though!

As shown by HoosierRon, we've got 4 modern performance cars (or coming soon). If equipped so none of them seriously outclass the others, you'd have an interesting race to watch.

I'm not much of a Toyota fan but I wouldn't mind seeing a modern Supra go up against the G8, Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger. Throw in a 350Z or GT-R too

[327]

I think it was late 80s, Ive seen clips of a wrecked 80s areocoupe with the sheetmetal off the door. You can see all the way into the drivers seat and all round tube cage with a sheetmetal dash. I didnt know they raced the turbo v6, was that in the GN series?

[Buick61]

It was well before the '80s. Modifications were always made to the cars, but it started to get out of hand in the '60s. The 80's weren't the beginning of the end, they were the end of the beginning.

[F14CRAZY]

I can understand the rollcages and dash, along with a fuel cell and stuff like that, but I don't buy the safety/performance argument.