2017 VASC Silly Season

[mayhem]

With Gen 2 set to kick off, 2017 will be an interesting year. But before we talk drivers moves, the question is, which manufacturers will be there?

It seems Ford are very unlikely to be supporting any type of Gen 2 entry, as is any type of AMG/Mercedes deal.

Volvo are yet to confirm and are publicly questioning their future in the category today.

Holden look like almost definite starters.

Nissan? Will they be there?

Are there new manufacturers on the horizon?

[Compromised]

Nissan to have one more crack... With BJR

[Racing Harz]

That sounds not good...
http://www.v8superfans.co.nz/volvo-n...sc-after-2016/

[FIRE]

Commodore Cup

[anthony81901]

PRA to stick with FG Xs. Doesn't bode well for the rest with the defending champions appearing to have already run up the white flag in terms of attracting the backing of a new manufacturer. http://www.speedcafe.com/2016/01/21/...o-gen2-v8-era/

[GTRMagic]

Interesting to see in that interview with Mr Edwards that he saw running Gen2 as not 'mandatory'...

[mayhem]

The parity balance just got even harder, if they get any Gen 2 entries that is...

[chavez]

Originally Posted by mayhem

The parity balance just got even harder, if they get any Gen 2 entries that is...

But not impossible, as per BTCC regs in the 2000's.

[peckstar]

have heard some chat regarding a big move to Team Penske in 2017, maybe even a driver exchange

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by peckstar

have heard some chat regarding a big move to Team Penske in 2017, maybe even a driver exchange

There is/was chat that Mr Lowndes had an offer from DJRTP for 2016, and turned them down...

It would almost be time for Mr Davison to move teams again next year wouldn't it?

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

There is/was chat that Mr Lowndes had an offer from DJRTP for 2016, and turned them down...

It would almost be time for Mr Davison to move teams again next year wouldn't it?

rumour may have been that after he rejected them he may have gone back a few week latter after reconsidering and was told Sorry, too late

[Backagain]

Interesting to note another "Supercar" team venturing into GT3's.
How many teams are now dipping their toes in the water, getting familiar with GT3, others can add to the list but so far
Walkinshaw,
Tekno,
Nissan
Have they seen the writing on the wall and are getting ready to bail out of the GEN2 single make series ?
Even Supercars themselves are hedging their bets.

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by Backagain

Interesting to note another "Supercar" team venturing into GT3's.
How many teams are now dipping their toes in the water, getting familiar with GT3, others can add to the list but so far
Walkinshaw,
Tekno,
Nissan
Have they seen the writing on the wall and are getting ready to bail out of the GEN2 single make series ?
Even Supercars themselves are hedging their bets.

or are they looking at a way to spread their engineering costs

[Axeman444]

Originally Posted by peckstar

or are they looking at a way to spread their engineering costs

ROFL they only have the capacity because they moved 2 cars on from V8's because of costs due to lacking sponsorship

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by Axeman444

ROFL they only have the capacity because they moved 2 cars on from V8's because of costs due to lacking sponsorship

you made that up, Nothing i have seen ever said it was due to lacking sponsorship, especially seeing as one of the teams was a customer car who is looking after their own sponsorship (and still is)

[Compromised]

How does it spread their engineering costs? I'm genuinely baffled

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by Compromised

How does it spread their engineering costs? I'm genuinely baffled

I'd say that what Pecky means is that the cost of engineering staff can be spread across more cars so the cost per car (and therefore the cost borne by the V8 team) is reduced.

In a similar manner, the amortised cost of all the engineering plant, equipment, software etc would also be spread across more cars, meaning less cost per car as above.

Thinking about it, the same could probably be said of all overhead / fixed expenses for the business.

On top of that, having more cars and needing more consumables (such as K nuts, rod ends etc) could allow better deals to be done meaning that again, the cost per car would decrease.

[Compromised]

I get that, but why go gt racing then? If its just to spread the cost why not another supercar

[peckstar]

I probably did use the wrong term there, what i meant is that they have staff they need more work for and a building and machinery that needs cars in it. The ability to work in another series gives them opportunity to utilise those staff and the assets. I labeled those items as engineering which is partly correct but it is broader

They downsized because they want there key people to concentrate on two cars only in v8s especially on race weekends , but this still allows them to use their other vast resources that would be under utilised as well. and yes i know that sometimes GT3 is on at the same weekend as v8s, but not at the same time

GT# racing isnt cheap though so they will be looking for someone to fund it

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by Compromised

I get that, but why go gt racing then? If its just to spread the cost why not another supercar

Dunno - that'll be an internal team decision. There ARE limited RECs and maybe they didn't want to run development series, or simply liked the idea of running something different to what they already have.

[Compromised]

Cheers boys

[thunderbolt]

ok looking at this from Gen2 how long dose the Holden factory-back the team ?

http://www.motorsport.com/australian...orsche-671749/

Walkinshaw to run factory-backed Porsche

[one five five]

Originally Posted by thunderbolt

ok looking at this from Gen2 how long dose the Holden factory-back the team ?

http://www.motorsport.com/australian...orsche-671749/

Walkinshaw to run factory-backed Porsche

TWR used to run factory Jags in different series alongside running factory Rovers & then Holdens in other series

They even used to run factory backed Rovers, Mazdas and Audi's in the same series competing against eachother.

I don't think this Porsche deal would affect their V8SC HRT program decisions in anyway

[anthony81901]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

There is/was chat that Mr Lowndes had an offer from DJRTP for 2016, and turned them down...

Given that it was announced back in March 2015 that Lowndes had signed a contract extension with Triple 8 until the end of 2017, seems unlikely remembering this was before Ambrose had bailed out and it was only later in the year that DJRTP decided to return to a 2 car operation. Guess they could have offered to buy Lowndes' contract out, but expect Roland Dane would have commanded many millions before agreeing to a release.

And while every man has his price, get the feeling an extra 20% or whatever in remuneration wouldn't be a prime motivator for Lowndes. He spent a few years in the wilderness at 00 Motorsport and FPR while they found their feet, and probably has little desire to do so again.

[anthony81901]

Originally Posted by one five five

TWR used to run factory Jags in different series alongside running factory Rovers & then Holdens in other series.

When Brock drove for Volvo in Super Touring in 1996, this was frowned upon by the brass at Holden, yet they didn't seem to have any problems with TWR running Volvo's BTCC program or being involved with Benneton Ford in Formula 1 at the same time.