V8 Supercars

[ajp]

** Spolier **




Am currently watching the race on internet (couldn't organise the TV access) and a tragic end with about 25 to go. Marcos looked to get clipped but I think he was having engine trouble. I didn't have commentary so don't know exactly what the problem was, but after working his way to 2nd, he was starting to get easily picked off after the 3rd yellow and eventually pitted with smoke bellowing from the back. They ended up pushing the car out the back so it was obviously terminal engine failure of some sort. Unfortunate because he clearly had the pace and was starting to make his mark. Obviously was looking after his tyres and brakes better than the oval boys and was showing good speed and passing. It was a very good cup "debut" for Marcos and I'm sure he made a considerable impact.

I stand and applaud your rant Keith. The only thing the good ol' boys of NASCAR offer is racing every week and lots of money. The fear is that the board of V8SC is heading the same way. You often hear OS drivers mention how much they enjoy our racing, but if they keep making some silly decisions, we could end up as insignificant as NASCAR on the world stage of driver talent. Yes NASCAR is entertaining, but only for so long, because going round in circles week after week does tend to get a bit, meh.

Having said that though, I would not say no to what Sandie offers Peter as bargaining chips. I'd love to take any opportunity to drive a thumping V8 fast round in circles for a couple of dozen laps any day.

[KeithS]

Hi Anthony - I've been avoiding our website (in fact, the whole internet...) all day so that I could get home and watch the race.

Yep - Ambrose showed the Nascar boys how the drive properly! He eventually had a gearbox failure which ended his day. His performance was remarkable - top five for most of the beginning, caught a bad yellow flag moment half way through the pit sequence, causing him to drop to around 20th, then he fought his way through the field, picking them off on by one. Then another yellow flag that favoured him, up to second then slowly drifting out until retirement. Great race overall!

And SANDIE (have to yell her name as she might skip this thread otherwise) - That NASCAR racing experience at Daytona sounds awesome. Pricey, but awesome!

Anthony, I've been meaning to ask - do you watch Top Gear?!

[sandie]

SANDIE (have to yell her name as she might skip this thread otherwise) -

That's what you would think - but I always check in just to make sure the boys arer not plotting a hostile takeover!!!!!!!

SANDIE

[ajp]

Anthony, I've been meaning to ask - do you watch Top Gear?!

Nowhere near as much as I'd like to. Unfortunately my position in the pecking order with the TV is not strong, so I only watch it when I can hijack it and get in early. And since they've moved it away from Monday nights, I get less opportunity, because when we're home (not often currently) we tend to watch movies (DVD). But it is the best car show on TV by far! I'm not looking forward to the Australian version, I think it will be a poor duplication. You can copy the format, but you just can't replicate the personalities. There is only 1 Jeremy Clarkson!

but I always check in just to make sure the boys arer not plotting a hostile takeover!!!!!!!

We wouldn't dare make it hostile. We would always say please first!

[KeithS]

We wouldn't dare make it hostile. We would always say please first!

And besides, we are boys and by definition could not be capable of such a complicated proposition like a coup.

Anthony, as for Top Gear - the new series is back on Monday nights on SBS at 7:30pm. Last night was an absolute cracker. It was another special similar to the Polar Expedition and the US show last year. This time, they had 1,500 pounds each to buy a 2-wheel drive car in Botswana, and drive it from the border of Zimbabwe - across the Botswana deserts and mad flats - to the border with Namibia! Richard had an old 1965 Opel, Jeremy and old Lancia, and James had an old Mercedes saloon. It was one of the funniest episodes ever, and the scenery and camera work was spectacular.

[ajp]

Thanks for that, didn't realise it was back on Mondays. I did happen to see both those episdoes you mentioned - you know you can buy the polar trip on dvd at the moment? I loved the one where they raced the Isle of Man (think it was) with fishing rods in the boot. Porsche v Aston Martin from memory - very funny. I'll go home and set the recorder to recuring I think to make sure I get it from now on.

[calisota]

Finally something in this thread that I can comment on.

I am not a car person by any means (if you could see mine it would be obvious) but Top Gear is a show that I really enjoy watching. All the car specs may go over my head but the humour, and especially the production values, make it a great watch. It looks fantastic in HD.

Greg

[calisota]

Finally something in this thread that I can comment on.

I am not a car person by any means (if you could see mine it would be obvious) but Top Gear is a show that I really enjoy watching. All the car specs may go over my head but the humour, and especially the production values, make it a great watch. It looks fantastic in HD.

Just out of curiosity, what is the relation, if any, between Top Gear and Fifth Gear?

Greg

[mushu mama]

Top Gear - UK Version

Fifth Gear - US Version.


(and how do I know this? worlds No.1 car fanatic - Zach - and the constant takeover bid for the Big TV on a Monday night because of this show)
Lisa.

[ajp]

Keith (and others who take a passing interest on this topic), not sure if you've seen the news, but FoMoCo Australia have announced they're only suporting 2 teams next year - FPR and SBR. 888, Britek and DJR all miss out on funding. This is going to be a huge development to the future of the teams and the sport I suspect.

[KeithS]

I missed it - but that is huge news.

Did you see this as well?
http://www.smh.com.au/news/motorsport/o ... 56011.html

V8 Supercars want to run a race in Homebush - I know that is not a new proposal, but it may now be getting a little closer to reality...

[ajp]

I did see that as well. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out.

[sandie]

You must be getting to me - I dreamed I was driving in a 18 hour Nascar race last night (and had to keep making toilet stops - I am a girl afterall)

Sandie

[KeithS]

and had to keep making toilet stops - I am a girl afterall

Which means all the other girl-racers had to pit at the same time

On another note - I just bought the first edition of the Australian Top Gear magazine - well worth the $7.95 - I was laughing on every page!

[ajp]

It's now official. Australia will have a Full Time Cup driver as of 2009. Let's see how Marcos goes knowing he's locked in for next year now. Full story here. http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlin ... index.html

On another note - I just bought the first edition of the Australian Top Gear magazine - well worth the $7.95 - I was laughing on every page!

I agree, I'm over half way through it and it is very funny reading. Although being a long term subscriber to Wheels, I'm not sure that I'm going to change just yet. I'll buy the next few issues to see how they go adapting to our market and see if I'll sign up to it. My only beef is that they tend to focus on the "supercars" which are great to watch on TV when they drive them, but I'd prefer to read about a more cross section of the industry.

You'll recall a few posts ago I had to either record or hijack the TV to get my fix of Top Gear. Well, thankfully the first few episodes have been roaring classics and now the ladies are finally hooked. It's now on our list of must watch now, which makes me very happy. -/