Mitsubishi, is it on?

[GTRMagic]

Interesting to read that Alan Heaphy has signed a consulting deal with Mitsubishi, to evaluate the ARC supply program, and the possibility of selling turnkey rally cars and parts to private teams.

This comes off the back of Bob Riley's BRAD organisation losing the preparation deal for the official Mitsubishi ARC team.. but has me wondering.

And Les Walkden Rallying taking over as the anointed factory Mitsubishi rally team in the ARC, with Ed Ordynski alongside Juha Kangas, and Spencer Lowndes on the scrap heap

I wonder at the significance of this. 00 Motorsport has sufficient facilities to build most things automotive, with the right budget in place, it has you wondering if that facility in the future isnt linked to becoming the works Mitsubishi outfit in the ARC, and indeed as a car constructor in rallying.

Where I am heading with this predominantly, is if the triple diamond chooses the "00" solution, it has me wondering if the same facility isnt able to turn out Magnas in a Supercar specification, given the myriad of Group A and Supercars built there over the years.

The experience bank seems to be very strong on the 00 side, what with prepping and running the Boylan M3 in the 24hr, which showed a strong turn of pace, and now this development...

... could we see a Mitsubishi in Supercar sooner than we think?

[Mattracer]

Sounds a bit suss doesn't it?

I would think it's inevitable that the two other makes will join in.

Just a question of when and how many teams will run them.

[Hazza]

Do we have Holomaglation (spelling?) Laws? Does it have to be approved?
It was suggested that they won't enter untill they released the new spack Magna with RWD.
But on a side note, I saw one the other day, and it had supercar potential...

[GTRMagic]

Magnas have the AWD version, so a RWD unit can be legitimised whether Holden & Ford agree may be another story.

Either way, if the Supercar universe thought a little laterally, they too could potentially operate in multiple classes of racing and rallying, to utilise the vast investments in facilities they have in many disciplines of the sport.

Even if they dont go Supercar, the inclusion of an internationally experienced operator like Mr Heaphy should be a plus for the rallying side

[TheGspot]

The blue oval and red brigade will never allow it,,watch for a rival series if they allow any other manufacturer in.

[Chucky]

How well does Mr Heaphy get on with Mr. Gibson in the wake of the 00 Motorsport bloodbath.........

I'm not saying that they will be in Supercar but Mr. Gibson has been spending a lot of time in Adelaide for the several months.

[RaceTime]

Or, conversely, a rival series if they don't allow them in....

[Mattracer]

That could be more likely...

[GTRMagic]

Not exactly sure, is it more than coincidental that while Mr Gibson is tickling the tummies of the cardigan boys, while a former employee of long standing history gets a consultancy contract to evaluate the rallying program?

To close for it not to be linked at some level I would have thought.

Mitsubishi could make a strong case to be in GTP in a big way with the Evos in there, and also with the Magna AWD with Supercharger alluded to by Ross Palmer, plus some of the highline models that might make a tilt at Nations Cup.

There was some chat at one stage of a factory supported one-make series to support the Supercar show (no, not the Mirage series) but that never seemed to go anywhere

[RaceTime]

Fred is no stranger to non-circuit racing (remember his pre-Australian Nissan days)

[pete55]

Fred Gibson was rumoured to have had talks early last year with Mitsubishi regarding V8 Supercars. I would say he would be the front runner to field the cars if it happens.

[GTRMagic]

Goody goody gumdrops!!!!

Gives me more opportunity to work on a contra deal for supporting them

[smithers]

Will this make you AWDMagna Magic?

[Mattracer]

Now who would be the likely candidates in the driving dept?

[GTRMagic]

Originally posted by smithers
Will this make you AWDMagna Magic?

Sounds good to me...

[Onlooker]

Do the rules state that the car MUST be a Ford or Holden product? From what I know ( and that is limited) the rules only say that it must be a V8, 4 door, Australian built rear wheel drive passenger car/sedan
:confused: :confused:
If that is the case then perhaps the 2 incumbent factorys are not in a great position to stop it save for their respective members on the TEGA board.
Mitsubishi would merely have to get the car passed.That may not be the easiest thing to get done but the cars are so heavily modified that anything can be done to appease the others,heck if isn't that quick it will be then allowed performance adjustment via the parity system.

Does anyone know the excact wording?

[GTRMagic]

Originally posted by Mattracer
Now who would be the likely candidates in the driving dept?

It depends, in the old days, Freddo ran a team with a very strong engineering bent, and drivers who were not known as top line (well till they hired JR anyway) and developed them up.

Plenty around to choose from, should I guess my perennial favourite Cam McLean?

[RaceTime]

Where's Crash for his nomination?

[falcontastic]

A new challenge for GS maybe

[GTRMagic]

In the 2003 Operations Manual...

"C2.1 Technical definition & class
2.1.1 The requirements of this Division C apply to V8 Supercars, which are defined as large-scale Production Touring Cars comprising a specialised class of 5-litre, Australian produced, Right hand drive, four door cars, fitted with pushrod two-valve normally aspirated V8 engines.
2.1.2 There is only one class of car, the V8 Supercar, with engines of up to 5000cc capacity fitted to cars of which at least 25,000 examples, meeting the definition of "Family of vehicle" (Rule C1) must have been produced."

The "Family of vehicle" thing refers to only Holdens and Fords, and there is a homologation paperwork which gets approved by TEGA.... which only lists VX/VY & AU/BA as models with paperwork.... but if you can get thru TEGA, the car model thing should be sorted... if Mitsubishi sells 25,000 Magnas a year...

[GTRMagic]

Originally posted by falcontastic
A new challenge for GS maybe

I like this plan too

[The Tool Man]

I am a huge fan of the Ford holden battle but wouldn be too upset to see Mitsubishi enter the C ship to spice things up a bit more.

[falcontastic]

(Keeping GTR's signature in mind)
So what we possibly have is a 2 car Magna Team called
MRT or MRA
Owned by Gibbo
Managed by Heaphy
Lead driver Seto
#2 ???
Will be interesting reading next week

[Onlooker]

What in AA or MSN??

[Ozfords]

Brad Jones in an earlier episode of V8 Superstars hinted at becoming comfortable with leaving Ford for another manufacturer if the money was acceptable.

For the time being I wouldn't want to see the new Magna on the grid due to its looks, but hey if they can manage a better looking Magna for 2005, then I'll be none the wiser.

I say! Mitsubhisi bugger off to PROCAR and put a thumping V8 into a Magna and try an beat the Munro! I'll pay to see a Magna beat that Holden!! And possibly aim for a 24hr to put under your belt, with Mitsu's factory interest in the PROCAR series, surely it will boost that series popularity?


Ozfords