Developement Series for the 06 GP...

[retro]

Mr Cochrane had made an offer to the GP people to run the 2nd tier series on the GP weekend with some level 1 drivers as reserves.

[D.R.T.]

Yes heard the story today.

To begin, I dont see why the taxi's cant make the GP if it is infact held in April. Some gentle movements of the calender would allow for the teams to make the race.

Interesting also was Avesco saying, if the event was March, "we'd be in no question". This sounds a little different to the talk last year, that the Taxi's were to big to be part of an F1 support. Haha

I loved Ron Walker's response, if they can make it, great. If not this event is about more than one category (well except for F1)

This situation if an exciting time for Aus motorsport, with the opportunity for another category or two to take over the position of the Taxi's.

Avesco says its offered the development series, well from personal opinion I hope this dont happen as there are many varied and great options available.
Including :
- Formula 4000. Along with F3 on the bill, the addition of F4000 would give a chance to highlight Australia's open wheel categories to the world, or even lets face it, just Australia. Provided fields are good, this to me is the best option.

- GT Peformance. A huge diversity of cars from all over the world, is a perfect match for the Grand prix event. Huge fields and in 2004 provided the best Touring Car Action in Aus.

- APCC, Aus GT Championship.

ALong with Carrera Cup, V8 Brutes, F3, this would be an awesome weekend of international motorsport, free of avesco.

Thoughts?

Formula 4000 - a joke, should be buried.

GT Performance "a huge diversity" - well 22 cars for Adelaide and basically 7 models, would need another 10 cars from somewhere.

APCC - 15 entries at their first round - wouldn't that look good at Albert Park!!!!!

Aus GT Champs - yeah gotta resurrect Porsche Cup to fill the numbers.

Personally no problems with V8 Development Series plus Carrera Cup, V8 Utes and F3, maybe throw in one more category that can SUPPLY A FULL AND CLOSE GRID - like Saloon Cars maybe of Formual Fords.

[stmookeyj033]

Gotta have Formula Ford on the bill.

[Crash Test]

Is it just me, or was the a lot of downtime at the GP? I don't know what it was like at the track, but there were just massive time gaps everywhere.... they could probably fit in another half a dozen classes!

[jaytor]

It would be an absolute farce if the development series were to run, a second rate privateer category in old used cars on the same stage as the number 1 motorsport category in the world!

You have to be kidding; Carrrera Cup would have to be the obvious choice if the Supercar Series were not to be the main support….

[pete55]

Would love to see F3 with a few overseas drivers and or cars running in front of the GP crowd. Of course GTP, V8 Utes and 'GTP' could also be on the program.

[TheMan]

If the v8`s dont race in Albert Park then I dont go. I went down with 7 mates and adding all the people I knew that were there I came to 35. Small in comparison to the hundreds of thousands that go but we all said if there are no V8`s then we stay home. I wonder how many more say this. We along with a lot of people didnt stay for the F1`s, we were at the pub already. V8`s are a marketing tool and do, regardless of what a lot on here think, have tremendous pulling power (no not the Ford add), and without them at the GP I think the crowds would be far less than previous years. Ron Walker should think of this before he simply shrugs them off because bums on seats is what he needs, Ecclestone couldn`t care less, TV rights are all he needs. The gamble is on the Grand Prix corporation, either have V8`s or deal with the consequences.

By the way I am sure in my drunken state over the weekend that I read somewhere that the F1gp already runs at a loss. Is this true?

[HDTVKSS]

so, you spent what 85 bucks to go and see a 10 lap non championship v8 race.... intelligent.....

[dsg]

F3, Carrera Cup and definitely Formula Ford would provide full grids and good racing. With the event occurring after the V8 series having already started the anticipation of watching V8s would not be the same as previous years.

As with any event provided the racing is good it could provide a small boost in popularity for other categories.

[racer69]

Good riddance to them, all AVESCO have done in the last few years in ***** and moan anyway at the AGP. What did they want, them to have the F1 pits and the Grand Prix cars to be parked in their area?

Lets remove all support categories with a roof from the AGP support card, and run all open-wheel weekend. It would not affect the crowd, despite what TheMan says, it's the event, not a couple of demonstration races, that the crowd comes for.

How about this;

Formula 3
Formula Ford (could attract a field)
Formula Vee ( " " " " )
Historic Open-wheelers (remember Formula Adelaide from a few years back, old Formula 5000s as well)

And why not bring over the Thouroughbred GP series cars from Europe, or the Can-Am classic cars that we had in 2000 or so (yes, i know some of them had a roof)

Remember when the GP was in Adelaide, there used to be plenty on the support bill. HQ Holdens, Sports Sedans, Porsche Cup etc.. all used to get a run. Not nowadays

[Raglanparade]

I reckon F4000 is a go.

Get the V8 guys in there weekend off to steer at F4000. Would HRT make one or two to race in the championship for Mr Skaife ?

Almost forgot the Historic Touring Cars - always great entertainment

[Forbesy]

Despite what anyone says, having the V8's not there would effect the crowd. I would say at least 20-30% of the people there go to see the V8's, and possibly would not go if they weren't there. They are part of the whole show, and may sway some people away from spending $350+ on a grandstand seat just to see the F1's. I'm talking about the people who have a 'passing interest' in F1, but are mad keen on the V8's.

[StuiE]

Originally Posted by HDTVKSS

so, you spent what 85 bucks to go and see a 10 lap non championship v8 race.... intelligent.....

....just what I was thinking


You could to an actual V8 round and see more races for cheaper.....

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by White Knight

Formula 4000 - a joke, should be buried.

I reckon you should wait and see what 2005 brings for the Category before you right them off. If their are solid fields, the fastest cars in Aus should be at the GP.

Originally Posted by White Knight

GT Performance "a huge diversity" - well 22 cars for Adelaide and basically 7 models, would need another 10 cars from somewhere.

APCC - 15 entries at their first round - wouldn't that look good at Albert Park!!!!!

Aus GT Champs - yeah gotta resurrect Porsche Cup to fill the numbers.

You've got to remember what the meaning of a GP support is to these categoires. Guys and sponsors who usually wouldn't turn out, manage to make the trip and boost numbers. A spot on the GP support could wonders the growth of these categories.

Originally Posted by White Knight

Formual Fords.

Apologies I forgot all about Formula Ford. They should be there for sure, no questions. Entertaining and relevant.


In regards to crowds decreasing to due the v8's departure, I cant agree. this is the biggest motorsport show in the world, that opens its season here in Aus, and people are going to turn away because the v8's dont show. I dont understand.

Even discussing this motion, speaks worrying volumes for this countries motorsport scene.

[Kerri]

Ah but isn't it all about the atmosphere

DRT you may have great sentiments but you are just a dreamer. The reality is that most are there for the F1s, many plus others go to Indy for the party and rest of the motor racing population thrives on V8s.

[EGG]

If they wanted to pull the bogans, they could put the Commodore Cup and/or the HQ's on the schedule. Damn that would be awesome.