NASCAR to purchase Grand-Am - Page 3

cptkablamo · 8 Sep 2008, 02:12 (Ref:2284267)

It doesn't even say to simplify Grand Am - it reads that they just want to simplify the multiple drivers thing...cause that is so hard to understand...love to see Daytona with just one driver...

They talked up the media link with GA and NASCAR - one has to wonder just how much effect this will have - yes the media contigent for Nascar is much bigger but if no one cares, it ain't getting published...

Bob Riebe · 8 Sep 2008, 06:45 (Ref:2284330)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxk1

I also thought that NASCAR owned a controlling interest in GARRA. So how does this change things? GARRA already runs on NASCAR-owned tracks don't they?

DK

The same person/people can own two item that are separate, and then legally, even if the owner is the same, have one purchase the other.

The results are not a glorified game of three car monte, but I am sure the France family will not give details.

KA · 8 Sep 2008, 10:15 (Ref:2284508)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Sheer brilliance this quote.

http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/head....am/index.html

Why does that sound ominously like a future of single-driver sprint races other than the 24hrs....?

AU N EGL · 8 Sep 2008, 13:15 (Ref:2284688)

“
The important aspect of the deal, from Hunter's perspective, is NASCAR's ability to maximize the exposure Grand-Am receives.
"Just the access NASCAR has to the media is huge, compared to the access that Grand-Am has, or any other road-racing organization has," Hunter said. "We're going to do everything we can to at least put information out there that's available on a week-in, week-out basis. There's some really good human-interest stories in Grand-Am that we plan to use some of our people to help get those out there and take a much more proactive interest in what's going on in Grand-Am.

It's confusing somewhat when you've got a race where you've got three drivers [taking turns in the same car]. We're going to work with Grand-Am to figure out how we can simplify this so everybody can understand it."

Translation - NASCAR Fans are SOOOO dumb, that they only know ONE NAME per ONE CAR.

Does this mean races up to 600 miles?? and One driver ??

and Human Interest stories? Oh great HOLLYWOOD all over again.

SO it will be NOT about the Racing, BUT WHO is doing whom crap?

WHO the F Cares????

**FIRE** · 8 Sep 2008, 15:38 (Ref:2284781)

NASCAR allowes also more drivers. For example driver A can qualify and driver B will do the race. Or even more difficult to understand: driver A starts in the race and driver B takes over.

porsche45 · 8 Sep 2008, 17:02 (Ref:2284863)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

“
Translation - NASCAR Fans are SOOOO dumb, that they only know ONE NAME per ONE CAR.

And it seems more often then not, they call a driver by his car number.

Aslak Vind · 8 Sep 2008, 17:25 (Ref:2284879)

Let me say it this way, NASCAR fans are not always the best informed people, when it comes to motorsport outside NASCAR..

Bob Riebe · 8 Sep 2008, 18:57 (Ref:2284958)

Quote:

Originally Posted by KA

Why does that sound ominously like a future of single-driver sprint races other than the 24hrs....?

It probably means that a team will NOT be required to have more than one driver in races of X length or less.
Many years ago Phil Currin quit the IMSA and went to the SCCA because he was required to have another driver in races of only 300 miles.

cmk · 9 Sep 2008, 00:41 (Ref:2285178)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Riebe

It probably means that a team will NOT be required to have more than one driver in races of X length or less.
Many years ago Phil Currin quit the IMSA and went to the SCCA because he was required to have another driver in races of only 300 miles.

If it's about making it more intelligible for the fans, I don't see it being a 'choice'. Well, I'm sure there will be a choice - our way or the highway.

I don't claim to be a GARRA fan, but I do watch the lion's share of their races because you can't talk sensibly (negatively or positively) about something you don't understand, and because there are a handful of drivers and teams I really respect in the series. But if it gets much more NASCARified, I will rapidly lose even that amount of interest. The teams and drivers I respect will hopefully do the same, but I can't see myself watching regardless.

Dutton · 9 Sep 2008, 01:45 (Ref:2285214)

Hopefully they won't just turn it into a road racing version of Nextel. That would be a shame.

I don't mind NASCAR at all, although it certainly isn't my favourite form of motorsport, but I fear NASCAR hegemony. Hegemony of any form, in any walk of life, is not a good thing. I'm just waiting for them to set up some form of open-wheel contraption...

Ah, well, the future will be what it will be.

rich07 · 9 Sep 2008, 01:56 (Ref:2285222)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subaru_WRX_STi

if GA goes to an all tube-frame GT class, I am sure that Porsche will leave
as for Ferrari, are they OK for supplying a DP car ? even with the money I can't imagine a DP powered by them

Would Ferrari even want to be associated with a DP though?? Ferrari can be quite protective of their image and they had no problem with a 430 racing in GT but a Ferrari engine in a non Ferrari chassis??

Spyderman · 9 Sep 2008, 04:14 (Ref:2285267)

They don't seem to mind in F1. (or in F2)

rich07 · 9 Sep 2008, 05:30 (Ref:2285287)

Sorry I meant as in sportscars not open wheelers.

Speed-King · 9 Sep 2008, 09:28 (Ref:2285397)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich07

Would Ferrari even want to be associated with a DP though?? Ferrari can be quite protective of their image and they had no problem with a 430 racing in GT but a Ferrari engine in a non Ferrari chassis??

I guess there's not a whole lot they can do. Porsche didn't like the Cayenne V8 that Spirit of Daytona and Alegra are using either.
IIRC there were several Ferrari powered cars in IMSA-Lites in the 80s. Does anyone know if those teams had the official blessing from Maranello?

AU N EGL · 9 Sep 2008, 11:45 (Ref:2285500)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich07

Would Ferrari even want to be associated with a DP though?? Ferrari can be quite protective of their image and they had no problem with a 430 racing in GT but a Ferrari engine in a non Ferrari chassis??

Does Ferrari even have the time? They are building all the GP2 engines for the next few years.

The359 · 9 Sep 2008, 14:53 (Ref:2285634)

Since all the DP engines seem to be around 4 liters, I imagine they might just use the F430 GT2's engine with some adaptations.

AU N EGL · 9 Sep 2008, 16:23 (Ref:2285721)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The359

Since all the DP engines seem to be around 4 liters, I imagine they might just use the F430 GT2's engine with some adaptations.

Pontiac are the LS6 Chevy motor. 5.7 Liters with the Pontiac badges

Speed-King · 9 Sep 2008, 16:33 (Ref:2285728)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

Pontiac are the LS6 Chevy motor. 5.7 Liters with the Pontiac badges

Pontiac is a 5l engine nowadays (see here: http://208.112.96.124/assets/DPEngines.pdf ) but the Porsche is reasonably competitive with just below 4litres, so I guess the 430's engine would be the likeliest weapon of choice.

AU N EGL · 9 Sep 2008, 17:31 (Ref:2285773)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Pontiac is a 5l engine nowadays (see here: http://208.112.96.124/assets/DPEngines.pdf ) but the Porsche is reasonably competitive with just below 4litres, so I guess the 430's engine would be the likeliest weapon of choice.

de stroked so not to win too much.

ah yes NASCAR I mean GARR rules

duke_toaster · 9 Sep 2008, 17:34 (Ref:2285777)

As for driver numbers, maybe they want to keep it to two driver races with the exception of Daytona 24 Hours. I've never seen why they needed four for a 24 hour race when drivers using faster cars can easily cope with three in Europe.

fieldodreams79 · 9 Sep 2008, 17:35 (Ref:2285780)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

“
Translation - NASCAR Fans are SOOOO dumb, that they only know ONE NAME per ONE CAR.

that's not the case. it is something completety "foriegn" to the average NASCAR fan because every race series they watch (more than just NASCAR), it involves a single driver, in a single car, making left turns. for these NASCAR cronies to take control of a series, the people in charge are the ones who necessitate a change, wanting to make it more compatible to their series (supposedly the greatest in the world

). THEY (NASCAR) are the ones who don't particularly care for a "strange" series and are making up an excuse to change things....and it usually is for the worst.

i have to agree, however, that they will be making it into more of a cookie cutter/hollywood series much like NASCAR is becoming. i would like to see a GA series like the Trans Am used to be; a longish race sprint race with one or no pit stops and a single driver. in it's hayday, there wasn't a (saloon car) series that could top Trans Am for driver lineup & competition.

NASCAR could do this right but they won't. they've been screwing up NASCAR in the name of business (money) and at the "cost" of their true fans (like myself).

Speed-King · 9 Sep 2008, 18:38 (Ref:2285842)

Quote:

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

i have to agree, however, that they will be making it into more of a cookie cutter/hollywood series much like NASCAR is becoming. i would like to see a GA series like the Trans Am used to be; a longish race sprint race with one or no pit stops and a single driver. in it's hayday, there wasn't a (saloon car) series that could top Trans Am for driver lineup & competition.

The way GA currently works a single-driver series would not be viable. 1/3-1/2 of the DP-cars have Pro-Am driver pairings and even more of the GT cars. If you mandate single-driver races the amateurs will no longer be competitive and may very well leave the series. Unless GA gets 20+ well funded all-pro cars in DP a single driver rule would be suicidal.

So the question really is: What can NASCAR actually do?
- Single drivers: No, not viable.
- Tubeframe only in GT: No, Porsche is the backbone of the class, esp. with the uncertainty around GM/Pontiac
- More support races for NASCAR: If it is -as I'm told - not possible at Pocono, it can't be possible at many tracks. Many tracks on the NASCAR circuit don't even have a roadcourse.

johntt · 9 Sep 2008, 19:38 (Ref:2285925)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

Does Ferrari even have the time? They are building all the GP2 engines for the next few years.

Ferrari are makingA1GP engines.

Gp2 engines are made by Mecachrome and badged as Renault.

AU N EGL · 9 Sep 2008, 20:00 (Ref:2285958)

Quote:

Originally Posted by johntt

Ferrari are makingA1GP engines.

Gp2 engines are made by Mecachrome and badged as Renault.

That's it.

Thanks John

Bob Riebe · 9 Sep 2008, 23:14 (Ref:2286127)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed-King

If you mandate single-driver races the amateurs will no longer be competitive and may very well leave the series. Unless GA gets 20+ well funded all-pro cars in DP a single driver rule would be suicidal.

Not even close; U.S. racing thrived on single driver racing until the nineties, mixing hot-shoes against privateer or part-time drivers, I doubt people have suddnely been over-come by inferiority brain worms.

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