V8s at Calder Thunderdome

db120176 · 26 Mar 2007, 03:10 (Ref:1876375)

Being a fan of Nascar, I would love to see the V8 Supercars hold a round at the Thunderdome. Think about it - corners with multiple fast lines, being able to go three wide on occasion, a proper pitlane. I was there for the WTCC round where it was connected with the Calder track and even that was terrific (don't think much of the grand prix track - if you remember the last V8 supercar round it was a Paul Morris led freight train). Now if only Bob Jane and Tony Cochrane could resolve their differences in regards to round fees......

mountainstar · 26 Mar 2007, 03:32 (Ref:1876379)

Calder seems to be the forgotten race track, especially the thunderdome.

I think it would need a refresh before the V8's came again.

I suspect at some point the place will get plowed under and sold.

Adam Ronke · 26 Mar 2007, 07:16 (Ref:1876449)

Quote:

Originally Posted by db120176

Now if only Bob Jane and Tony Cochrane could resolve their differences in regards to round fees......

There are more issues than that and it starts with C and ends with AMS.

naughtymutt · 26 Mar 2007, 08:05 (Ref:1876482)

dick johnson ran his v8sc around the 'dome years ago for a magazine article comparison of his car and the JSR valvoline car...think it was in wheels or street machine magazine.

As I recall it dragged the front spoiler on the ground so that might be an issue...however 30 v8sc's under lights at the dome might be interesting

Uncle Cranker · 26 Mar 2007, 11:17 (Ref:1876613)

Quote:

Originally Posted by naughtymutt

dick johnson ran his v8sc around the 'dome years ago for a magazine article comparison of his car and the JSR valvoline car...think it was in wheels or street machine magazine.

As I recall it dragged the front spoiler on the ground so that might be an issue...however 30 v8sc's under lights at the dome might be interesting

Interesting thread.

I was out at the Center of Australian Motorsport at the weekend, and a longtime official was overheard to expound the virtues of an apparent plan to do some major upgrades to the Thunderdome.

I noticed a lot of major earthworks has been recently done at the site, especially on the Sydneham side of the 'dome, with the dirt pile almost higher than the existing banking.

I question the expenditure, with the reply,

" There are serious plans in place for a full Nextel Cup round in 12 months time, NASCAR, Busch & Craftsman trucks !"

After I had the paramedics treat my chin & tongue for gravel rash, I inquired further....

" A budget of 10 million has been set aside.... Full garages in the pitlane, new grandstand seating and a total re-surface of the Thunderdome," this font of information flowed forth.

I then asked about a re-surface to the National circuit, and works to the Drag strip, but there was a blank look

So this will either be the Cranker Enterprises scoop of the century, or a bigger porkie that Adam just sliced in half on Mythbusters, but either way, you heard it first on Ten-Tenths...

Oh & V8's around the 'Dome: in your dreams.
Even IF any rectification works take place, don't hold your breath, the only current V8 driver to have raced on the Thunderdome id Steve Richards, and my tip is, even he'd say no to running a V8SC around there.

The lack of side intrusion protection, and low ride height would be just the start, CAMS, R Jane Esq, frightened team owners, and above all else, that Autocrat, TC will NEVER EVER let it happen.

MPA · 26 Mar 2007, 11:22 (Ref:1876616)

Calder is far from forgotten. And you can forget the bulldozer talk.

Why would any developer want to spend the money to flatten Calder Park?

The final cost of the development would be pushed onto the home owner/builders and considering there’s so much open paddock around the place I’d be buying land a bit further north in Diggers Rest or Plumpton. Melway Map 354. It makes no sense for a mob like Delphin to spend major bucks on Calder when they could buy a bucket load of grazing land next door.

It would be easier to re-zone and develop the Organ Pipes National Park than flatten the Dome.

Yeah, V8's under lights, I'd like to see that......Perhaps the Peter Brock/TAC Classic could make a come back.

Boxy · 26 Mar 2007, 11:25 (Ref:1876618)

I wonder if Mr Gore would have something to do with this?

Sounds like something he would like to get invovled in. (not that there is anything wrong with that)

Bullett · 26 Mar 2007, 11:29 (Ref:1876621)

Hasn't Brad Jones raced at the dome?

Adam Ronke · 26 Mar 2007, 11:30 (Ref:1876623)

I dont think Bob needs Mr Gore's help.

Uncle Cranker · 26 Mar 2007, 11:34 (Ref:1876629)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullett

Hasn't Brad Jones raced at the dome?

Bullett my mistake, yes dear Brad has turned a lap or 2 of the Dome, not quite sure how he slipped my mind ?

"The most sucessful AUSCAR racer ever" might be his greatest claim to fame.....

I was probably thinking of proper (read winning) V8SC racers......

F J Nedos · 26 Mar 2007, 11:34 (Ref:1876630)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullett

Hasn't Brad Jones raced at the dome?

Yes he was untouchable in Auscars there. Drove a red commodore from memory, VN-VP models I think

Uncle Cranker · 26 Mar 2007, 11:46 (Ref:1876640)

Quote:

Originally Posted by F J Nedos

Yes he was untouchable in Auscars there. Drove a red commodore from memory, VN-VP models I think

Cooper tools were his sponsor in AUSCAR, and K-Mart in NASCAR.

Ahh the memories, come flooding back.

blaarg · 26 Mar 2007, 12:22 (Ref:1876663)

UC; the earthworks certainly are an eyebrow raiser!

A-bit of pest control for those snakes and she'll be right...

fomoco · 26 Mar 2007, 13:00 (Ref:1876688)

V8s at Calder. Tell him he's dreaming. Uncle Bob and Tony just don't see eye to eye. As well as Bob and Cams. So unless Bob sells the place or turns his toes up, and young Rodney takes over, I doub't we will ever see V8's back at Calder until one of the previously mentioned occurs.

banksie · 26 Mar 2007, 13:23 (Ref:1876704)

Saw Bob in person the other week, he didn't appear to be the epitome of health.

As for the Calder Park precinct... would $10mil be enough to get the Dome up to standard? The stands as I last saw them included more weeds than useful structure. The infield is more than regularly used for 4WD events. As for the pits... Well, there is a road for them.

Adam Ronke · 26 Mar 2007, 13:45 (Ref:1876711)

For $10 Million I will personally clean up all the weeds!!

Falcadore · 26 Mar 2007, 19:19 (Ref:1876987)

Look here for a previous time this thread surfaced. Seems to surface every six months in one form or another.

Ain't gonna happen, blah blah blah, new idea please.

blaarg · 26 Mar 2007, 21:05 (Ref:1877081)

Well there you have it... something I posted 4 years ago.

You can really see RaceTime working overtime to shoot everyone down! hah!

Uncle Cranker · 26 Mar 2007, 21:44 (Ref:1877118)

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaarg

Well there you have it... something I posted 4 years ago.

You can really see RaceTime working overtime to shoot everyone down! hah!

The irony there is we are still here on the forum & he isn't

PVDA · 26 Mar 2007, 22:33 (Ref:1877175)

For those that want to see some Calder highlights you can view this 2 minute video on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnBZ4SYMHaM

Ahhh, the memories.

deeks6 · 26 Mar 2007, 22:39 (Ref:1877183)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Cranker

Oh & V8's around the 'Dome: in your dreams.
Even IF any rectification works take place, don't hold your breath, the only current V8 driver to have raced on the Thunderdome id Steve Richards, and my tip is, even he'd say no to running a V8SC around there.

Um, Uncle, Brad Jones was champion of pretty well every series there at some stage ...

Uncle Cranker · 26 Mar 2007, 23:27 (Ref:1877218)

Quote:

Originally Posted by deeks6

Um, Uncle, Brad Jones was champion of pretty well every series there at some stage ...

Thanks for pointing out my error again there deeks.

I'm not remembering Brad being a champion in any of the following classes that ran on the Thunderdome :

Formula Falcon (hello to Troy Small if he reads this)
Sportsman
Legends (except within his own mind)
Formula Vee
HQ Holden
Super trucks
and for those with long memories, Grand Nationals.

And as per usual, feel free to line up & let me know of any mistakes Ive made.....

Amonfan · 26 Mar 2007, 23:57 (Ref:1877232)

Uncle, i remember the Grand Nationals, there was a few very quick ones, faster than the nascars iirc.

Adam Ronke · 27 Mar 2007, 00:04 (Ref:1877235)

I remember the Vees on the dome, then when they came to Winton they were all snapping axles. Also the Super Trucks were awesome to watch on the dome. I remember sitting in Bob's corporate area at Turn 1 when on of the trucks plowed into the wall, it was very messy!

Uncle Cranker · 27 Mar 2007, 00:05 (Ref:1877237)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amonfan

Uncle, i remember the Grand Nationals, there was a few very quick ones, faster than the nascars iirc.

Nice work Amonfan, there were indeed faster than NASCARS, why do you think they didn't get invited back.......

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