SALOON CARS 2009

[Kerri]

2009 Supaloc Australian Saloon Car Series Calendar

Rd 1 Bathurst February 20-21-22
Rd 2 Phillip Island May 16-17
Rd 3 Mallala June 6-7
Rd 4 Winton June 27-28
Rd 5 Willowbank August 8-9
Rd 6 Oran Park August 29-30
Rd 7 Sandown November 28-29

[GTRMagic]

Any reason the series doesnt go to Barbagallo? I thought there was a growing Saloon Car subculture over there??

[alfacors]

For the same reason the Shannons Nationals doesn't go for now.... cost.

[Kerri]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Any reason the series doesnt go to Barbagallo? I thought there was a growing Saloon Car subculture over there??

Alfa is correct in part, as Saloon Cars are a core category of the Shannons Series they are committed to running all rounds within the series, we would all like to go back to WA, so hopefully we can get back there soon.
I would like to see a round in every state including Hidden Valley.

Having said that it's great that we are going back to QLD and also to Winton, we haven't been there for years.

[cavvy]

As a follower of saloon car racing who accepts the difficulty of the WA situation, I'd say the category is the big loser as the sheer size of the entry at Barbagallo would be as good as any category, anywhere across Aus can muster on any day, Bathurst included.
Kerri, maybe you could get a sponsor (yeah I know) who could give the top six (6) pointscorers at the time of a WA round travel costs and guarantee them a start (remember Paul Stubber hauling his Gr N Camaro over to Bathurst to be denied a start - shocker).
The category gets cred as it is national, the WA guys may be encouraged to race on the national scene & WA fans get to see the nations best at play.

Only a suggestion, keep up the great work Kerri !!

[Fox 42]

It is not just the Saloon cars.
WA has a huge HQ feild, and most of the front running national HQ series guys want to come to WA for a round.

And WA already has the 2 day truck meeting that would be perfect for a national round of saloon cars and HQ's as well.

[alfacors]

Getting 1 or 2 categories across is one thing, what else are you going to run on the program though given the Nationals run between 5-7 categories at a meeting? Unfortuately it's a case of having to compromise for all of the categories benefit. The Nationals have expanded to 10 different circuits in 2009 (as opposed to visiting Mallala and PI twice a year), which is a big step up from the last couple of years. It's only a matter of time til WA and NT happen..... but not til 2010 at the earliest.

Edit: I believe the Trucks are doing their own thing in 2009, so we won't see them much on the Nationals calendar.

Back on Topic - it's good to see the calendar out early so guys can prepare for their 2009 campaigns.

[Trevor]

So the rumours are true, there is another CAMS meeting at Winton next year apart from the V8's and Austin 7 Historic - interesting!


It is good to see, but interesting just the same.

[PVDA]

& a Truck meeting Trev.

The calendar for 2009 was released to us yesterday (subject to change of course)

[Trevor]

Love the trucks, I might just journey on over to watch that one.

[alfacors]

Wakefield, QR AND Wakefield no less.... interesting times isn't it?

[D.R.T.]

A pity the trucks wont be on the Shannons tour, as with anything continuity is the key and both had that over the last few years.

[cavvy]

Originally Posted by alfacors

Getting 1 or 2 categories across is one thing, what else are you going to run on the program though given the Nationals run between 5-7 categories at a meeting? Unfortuately it's a case of having to compromise for all of the categories benefit. The Nationals have expanded to 10 different circuits in 2009 (as opposed to visiting Mallala and PI twice a year), which is a big step up from the last couple of years. It's only a matter of time til WA and NT happen..... but not til 2010 at the earliest.

Edit: I believe the Trucks are doing their own thing in 2009, so we won't see them much on the Nationals calendar.

Back on Topic - it's good to see the calendar out early so guys can prepare for their 2009 campaigns.

alfa, I see the Nationals as part of the problem, not part of the solution in this case. How they can use such a misleading name is a different subject for a different time. Whilst they build the series a trip to WA wont help everyone.

Saloon Cars are strong in WA, not all categories are - acting alone (or with another strong WA category) may be a solution.

May give the WASCC another event to promote - not all fans follow the V8s only.

[Green Hornet]

Originally Posted by cavvy

remember Paul Stubber hauling his Gr N Camaro over to Bathurst to be denied a start - shocker

Sports Sedans weren't running at Bathurst that year.

[alfacors]

Originally Posted by cavvy

alfa, I see the Nationals as part of the problem, not part of the solution in this case. How they can use such a misleading name is a different subject for a different time. Whilst they build the series a trip to WA wont help everyone.

Saloon Cars are strong in WA, not all categories are - acting alone (or with another strong WA category) may be a solution.

May give the WASCC another event to promote - not all fans follow the V8s only.

Having been with the Nationals for nearly 3 years now, I've not seen the Series stronger. Going to 10 tracks in 10 rounds next year is a massive step forward, and it can only lead to better things. I've been to Barbagallo before, and I quite like the track (reminds me of Oran Park in terms of viewing and the undulations), but I understand it's very much a long haul for a lot of competitors. I understand Hidden Valley may be considered in the future too. But we can't expect the Nationals to leap forward massively with the current economic situation and some categories still not quite settled. Even the Saloon Cars are not near their peak for grid numbers with the current travelling. These sort of thigns need to be addressed before any further expansion.

[cavvy]

I have little doubt a WA round would encourage more West Aussies in the championship - nothing to do with the National Series, talking saloon cars.

[CooperS79]

Originally Posted by Green Hornet

Sports Sedans weren't running at Bathurst that year.

[Belly13]

What's the go with the Super Trucks next year? Are they no longer a part of the Shannon's Nationals?

[PVDA]

Trucks are running at Winton in 2009 (see Winton 2009 Dates thread for more info) separate to the Nationals series.

[cavvy]

Just when I'm lamenting the West Aussies not travelling a bunch are racing at Sandown this weekend, 6 of which compares with 5 x Vic starters. All the mainland States entered. Well done !!

That Heinrich fella setting the early pace along with the rest of the SA troop.

[Kerri]

Yes cavvy that heinrich fellow did set some good pace in qualifying, but then the usual nasty little gremlins attacked overnight and it sort of fell apart, but hey that's just been what has happened all this year.
Put it in the back of the shed where all bad cars go and start again next year, hey he can't win it every year
Maybe 2009 will be the year of the Holden, still can't believe I'm saying that .

But a big congratulations to Steve Kwaitkowski for finally winning a championship, well done mate, very clean and consistent driving all year, your mum and dad should be proud.

[cavvy]

No doubting the call of the mountain, 51 starters ...

Top 10 in race 1 consists of 4 x SA, a couple of banana benders, some sandgropers and a reps of NSW & Vic.

TV coverage anyone ?

[Peter Nightingale]

TV coverage is a very big and serious problem, and motorsport in general needs to adress this problem.

[Alan52]

Channel 7 is showing programs covering the 12 Hour support races on 4 ad 11 April.I am not sure which date will feature Saloon Cars.

[Chatters]

Out of curiousity, how much does it cost to run/maintain a saloon car over the course of a season?