[BBDOS CV8]

The cars still start out with bodies-in-white. There is a very strict set of aero principles that govern the size of wings and ground effects. That is why the VE is shortened - to provide equalization so it gains no advantage from the longer wheelbase. Shows how flexible Zeta is: just cut a few inches out, line everything up and you've still got a car, capable of taking this

and the driver walking away. Remember, we sit on the right; he was sitting on the side that hit hardest. The driver's door still opens!

All the doors, bonnet, boot (hood, trunklid) still open on these racecars, the stock wiring loom is used and all lights (not stickers), the inner panels are there. The car below has a stock front fascia, grill support panel and even hoodcatch.

Of course they are hoping to drag crowds in: but it almost doesn't matter. The tie in for GM (Holden) is of course promotion of the 'new' Chevrolet V8. It's no surprise they go to Bahrain and China - two markets where Holden has a significant presence.

 

[nota]

you've still got a car, capable of taking this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIns9MuwGpI&feature=related

and the driver walking away. Remember, we sit on the right; he was sitting on the side that hit hardest. The driver's door still opens!

IIRC the only walking involved was from the stretcher bearers carrying the driver towards the ambulance.
For poor Radisich it was a career-ending impact.

Radisich crashed heavily during practice for the 2008 Bathurst 1000, after the throttle jammed open at McPhillamy Park Corner, hitting the concrete wall in a gap in the tyre barriers.

Radisich fractured both ankles, reopened the fractured sternum sustained in an accident two years prior, fractured lumbar and thoracic vertebrae, cracked ribs and suffered bruising to his lungs. His recovery has been protracted and brought an end his motor racing career.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Radisich

All the doors, bonnet, boot (hood, trunklid) still open on these racecars,

Do the doors still fall off the car (literally) during pitstops?

 

[redTT]

Get Marcos Ambrose to drive a Ford.

 

[redimpss5]

Wow!!..I love this idea!! Putting a car on the track that has roots in the same car that I drive, this is what I want!! A rear drive race car with drivers that can turn left or right...send it to me!!! This is what it used to be here and now the Aussies and Germans remember these good ol' days (hehe) send it back!

 

[ejfx]

I've got to think they want to have at least a FEW people at the event.

I would assume the first races would have free tickets ... get the people in there and make money on food/beverages and memorabilia

 

[spd98]

Hmm, yeah, if they've rebadged it as Chevrolet in other places (I didn't know that,) then it would make sense to do it in Texas. Not to do that would be... dumb.

A partnership with NASCAR would be awesome! I'd love to see Tony Stewart tear it up in the V8s... Or Kyle Busch. That could be so epic.

More than likley they would crash and burn. There are VERY few Nascar drivers that can road couse well.

 

[PontiacBixler]

One question are these real actual cars or fake crap cars like NASCAR ?

I agree. If NASCAR actually used "STOCK" cars that could actually be bought on the lots, I might actually have an interest in it.

 

[EcoBustier69]

Well the fine folks at Austin will know what a Ford is and wonder why they can't have that model over here. Then they will look at a Holden and say...I never heard of them before! Must be a new German brand.

 

[61BelAir]

Sounds cool, would love to see the new track. I don't understand the hatred for NASCAR, I don't hear anyone complaining that Formula 1 cars don't look like anything they can buy from Ferrari, Peugeot or other such manufacturers. I've never heard so much whining before, you would think this was a kindergarden class with a bunch of whinney little 5 year olds.

 

[bonecrrusher]

I might have to go to Texas if this is turns out true....

 

[61695]

 

[nyascona]

In response to " #11 (permalink)
BBDOS CV8
GMI Australia Correspondent

It only makes sense. Now that the Commodore is scheduled to return as a Chevrolet SS, if they make it to Texas, guess why you'll see Supercar V8s with bowties (that, and the Caprice PPV)?"

I am not seeing announcements of a Chevrolet SS being brought to the U.S. Has that import been announced officially? Only the police version thus far.

 

[Suziebob]

More than likley they would crash and burn. There are VERY few Nascar drivers that can road couse well.

You don't even know how laughably wrong you are.

Tony Stewart is a borderline road course expert. Same for Jeff Gordon. Jamie McMurrary, somehow, is. Even Michael Waltrip - who is awful in NASCAR - ran competitive laps at Le Mans.

You know, it's funny. If they can't run road courses well, why hasn't Marcos Ambrose even FINISHED well in NASCAR? Why doesn't Montoya win every road course race? Why don't the other road course ringers finish in the top 5?

The NASCAR guys would be competitive. Trust me.

 

[VS Ute 5Litre]

Ambrose usually does better on the Street circuits , i'd like to see a few NASCAR drivers try out Bathurst

Not sure many (if any) have come over for a taste

 

[Suziebob]

Ambrose usually does better on the Street circuits , i'd like to see a few NASCAR drivers try out Bathurst

Not sure many (if any) have come over for a taste

Ambrose has had a few good runs but he usually finds a way to screw himself out of a good finish. Like the embarrassing incident at Sonoma where he shut the car off to try and save gas for no apparent reason, stalled it, and lost the lead. UNDER CAUTION.

What's the total elevation change at Bathurst?

 

[VS Ute 5Litre]

Ambrose has had a few good runs but he usually finds a way to screw himself out of a good finish. Like the embarrassing incident at Sonoma where he shut the car off to try and save gas for no apparent reason, stalled it, and lost the lead. UNDER CAUTION.

What's the total elevation change at Bathurst?

174 metres between the lowest and highest point

Marcus is having a bad year thats for sure

 

[AceRimmer]

What's the total elevation change at Bathurst?

I believe the elevation change is 174m (570 feet).

Steepest grade = 1 in 6.13

Circuit Length: 6.213km

Length of Conrod Straight = 1.916km

Length of Mountain Straight = 1.111km

Highest Point: 862m above sea level

 

[LBTheDawg]

I'm in the minority. I wish that there was a sedan racing series here in the states. But NA$CAR has stolen all the sponsorship. IMO, they run their extra series not for the fans but to make certain that other series can't bring in any money. So sponsors send money to a second rate Nationwide series or a farcical Craftsman Truck series. Then they let the biggest clowns from their "name" series come in and devastate what little competition there is. Would you really want to see the Green Bay Packers pick a game with a lousy college team? They would kick the snot out of a U of M team week after week. And then take the gate out of the deal on top of it.

With that rant over, I just can't see anybody building anything new as long as the greed and insipidity of NA$CAR continues. They are the professional wrestling of motorsports and it's making money. And they can crush anything else that dares threaten their market (even if it is shrinking)

But I'm one that would go see a good series at Mid Ohio or Road America or even Watkins Glen. Got one?

 

[SierraGS]

The cars still start out with bodies-in-white. There is a very strict set of aero principles that govern the size of wings and ground effects. That is why the VE is shortened - to provide equalization so it gains no advantage from the longer wheelbase. Shows how flexible Zeta is: just cut a few inches out, line everything up and you've still got a car, capable of taking this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIns9MuwGpI&feature=related

and the driver walking away. Remember, we sit on the right; he was sitting on the side that hit hardest. The driver's door still opens!

All the doors, bonnet, boot (hood, trunklid) still open on these racecars, the stock wiring loom is used and all lights (not stickers), the inner panels are there. The car below has a stock front fascia, grill support panel and even hoodcatch.

Of course they are hoping to drag crowds in: but it almost doesn't matter. The tie in for GM (Holden) is of course promotion of the 'new' Chevrolet V8. It's no surprise they go to Bahrain and China - two markets where Holden has a significant presence.

Thanks, great info.

Those cars are a lot closer to "stock" than any NASCAR one has been since probably the 50's, not sure when they started to weld the doors shut but it's been quite a while and they haven't had anything resembling stock headlights for decades. IIRC the only thing close to these recently were the late '70's when they still had stock "noses" and bumpers, maybe some trim.

Just hope they don't make a generic "Car of Tomorrow", the only thing it did for NASCAR is destroy it's future.

 

[BBDOS CV8]

Thanks, great info.

Those cars are a lot closer to "stock" than any NASCAR one has been since probably the 50's, not sure when they started to weld the doors shut but it's been quite a while and they haven't had anything resembling stock headlights for decades. IIRC the only thing close to these recently were the late '70's when they still had stock "noses" and bumpers, maybe some trim.

Just hope they don't make a generic "Car of Tomorrow", the only thing it did for NASCAR is destroy it's future.

The thing that has made V8 Supercars is the tribalism of Ford vs Holden, Red vs Blue - and the recognisability of the shells.If they didn't use equalisation measures like the NASCAR motors, or the live rear axle and common front suspension design the series would have been unequal. Note the 9" diff was introduced when Ford didn't have IRS as a standard - it's been kept because it is an equalistion and costs reduction measure as it's tough as nails. For circuit racing cars, IRS makes not much difference. Ford's V8 didn't have the modification potential of Holden's from the LS1-era on.

Now it's looking increasingly shaky for the V8 Supercars because of uncertainty regarding the Falcon; they look like going to this flatpack-box thing. At the moment, the cars run NASCAR motors - the GM and Ford version respectively. but the suspension, rear axle, gears, engine management are all the same. How much wing they are allowed to run is strictly equalised, control tyres, fuel. Even the ECU revlimit is set.

The car of the future thing is meant to allow more makers, including makers who don't make RWD cars in. Most of us think that may be a mistake - might lose the tribalism thing and not gain many more starters.

At least today, the car is a Holden Commodore or Ford Falcon shell and recognisable as such.