V8Supercars on the Thunderdome?

blaarg · 24 Jun 2003, 04:31 (Ref:641033)

I'm not sure if this has been discussed on this forum before, but has anyone (including AVESCO) ever looked into the option of running the V8Supercars on the thunderdome?

I know people will jump up and down, saying the cars aren't designed for oval racing, that it's too dangerous, or that calder park needs alot of work.

Look at the bigger picture.

Seeing V8 Supercars on the thunderdome would be a spectacle in itself, a saturday night qualifying system under lights and a long distance race on the sunday would be ideal during summer, it could help bring back other types of stockcar racing to the dome, turning it into an oval racing festival.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the thunderdome doesn't appear to have many (if any) races on it anymore.

It would most definitely take V8Supercars to new heights, it could only be a win/win situation.

What are your thoughts?

**GTRMagic** · 24 Jun 2003, 04:43 (Ref:641037)

Wouldnt the crocodiles in the moat in the centre snap at the cars as they drove past??

RaceTime · 24 Jun 2003, 05:00 (Ref:641039)

blaarg - this has been discussed before and you are correct - it will never happen.

Why?

First track licence - the Dome is NOT licensed for CAMS racing on its own - never has been and never will be.

The only times the cars have run on the dome were as part of the two racs held there in 1987 as part of the International Circuit - the main track that then led onto the dome, back off and back onto the main track again. A number of cars reported major problems because of the high G forces experienced when on the dome section.

Surface - the dome CANNOT be used when it is wet or even damp - it is simply far too dangerous - all racing STOPS on the dome with even a light drizzle and even a dump from a radiator is evough to shut an event down.

And finally - maintenance - the surface of the dome is no longer suitable for racing without some major work being done on it and Bob Jane isn't currently about to spend any money on it. He had a proposal to the NASCAR drivers 12 months ago to resume racing on it but it required around a starting figure of $150,000 just to get the track up and running again for a club level event.

twig · 24 Jun 2003, 06:06 (Ref:641070)

and why would you want racing which is anything like NASCAR?

RaceTime · 24 Jun 2003, 06:11 (Ref:641073)

Dome racing is a totally different type of racing and - to be honest - would never suit V8's anyway.

NASCAR/AUSCAR racing involves the involvement of the crews to the point that they will more than make or break a teams chances of winning.

Driving around the Dome isn't as easy as it looks - especially when you factor in the high G-forces etc.

One thing I forgot to mention before - setting a car up for Tri-oval racing is a hell of a lot different than circuit racing - HQ's - who used to race regularly on a 23 degree banking and circuits had two seperate cars - the dome car wasn't used (without complete suspension mods being done) on flat tracks.

**GTRMagic** · 24 Jun 2003, 06:31 (Ref:641086)

I still reckon the crocodiles would be a worry

The surface is stuffed, Bob has lost interest, and wont throw another couple of million dollars at something that wont hold his beloved NASCARs ever again

Onlooker · 24 Jun 2003, 06:44 (Ref:641096)

Weren't they ment to run out there on the weekend just gone???????????????

RaceTime · 24 Jun 2003, 06:45 (Ref:641098)

Actually - the crocodiles are't the worry - its the pirahna that come out when the really heavy rain does fall (during a meeting) and both tunnels get flooded out

RaceTime · 24 Jun 2003, 06:54 (Ref:641101)

There were a number o fmeeting s'scheduled' for this year but only one has happened so far AFAIK. And the information I had at the time was that it was so poorly attended by competitors that Calder weren't prepared to waste any more money on them.

blaarg · 24 Jun 2003, 06:55 (Ref:641102)

from an entertainment point of view it would work very well, considering entertainment is what V8Supercars are all about.

RaceTime, if what you originally stated is all that's wrong with racing on the superspeedway, then it's barely a problem.

PS. Since when has the pit crew in V8Supercar not had any influence on a teams chance of winning or losing?

Onlooker · 24 Jun 2003, 07:10 (Ref:641115)

Quote:

Originally posted by blaarg

PS. Since when has the pit crew in V8Supercar not had any influence on a teams chance of winning or losing?

Car 99 springs to mind

RaceTime · 24 Jun 2003, 07:14 (Ref:641116)

blaarg - are you suggesting safety is not a problem? CAMS and drivers alike were, for once, united in their thinking and reasoning on using the Dome - it is simply too dangerous for cars that are NOT specifically built for that type of racing - as I said - HQ's (and even some NASCAR teams) had two cars built. Event the current circuit racing NASCAR drivers have said that they could no longer return to racing at the Dome as all of their cars have been modified for circuit racing and the cost to convert them back to oval racing was prohibitive.

Thge G forces along were a problem in 1987 the Nissan team were monitoring this during all sessions because both drivers were complaining of excessive loads on the cars going through turns 2 and 1 (NASCAR number style btw).

As for pit crews - V8 pit crew and pit stops cannot be compared to any legitimate form of racings pit stops. For starters - they can't even pit under safety conditions - this was and still is one of the tactical decisions NASCAR teams have to make - certain CAMS and AVESCO people in this country don't seem to believe that V8 teams are even capable of working this sort of thing out for themselves.

NASCAR pit stops are genuine ie they pit because they have to NOT because the rules simply state they must pit between lap 9 and 10 (well they used to be some may nwo stipulate laps but the point is made)

They also refuel because they have to - V8's biggest mistake with the CPS **** is by still allowing large fuel tanks.

If a race is to be 150 or 300 km long, the fuel tank should only be able to hold enough fuel for 100 or 200 km respectively.

Then we would se the men sort themselves out from the boys....

**GTRMagic** · 24 Jun 2003, 07:19 (Ref:641119)

Would Dunlop sanction the use of their circuit use control tyres for running on the ovals... I know it was political at the time but Bridgestone refused Mr Daily Planet the use of the control tyre at the time to run in Europe on the basis that the tyres hadne been tested at the constant speeds of the Nurburgring

Onlooker · 24 Jun 2003, 07:32 (Ref:641129)

Quote:

Originally posted by GTRMagic
Would Dunlop sanction the use of their circuit use control tyres for running on the ovals... I know it was political at the time but Bridgestone refused Mr Daily Planet the use of the control tyre at the time to run in Europe on the basis that the tyres hadne been tested at the constant speeds of the Nurburgring

The V8's wouldn't be as fast anyway,compared with a NASCAR they are underpowered and got to much drag.The corner speed would be a lot less due to the road going symetrical suspension.

Bridgestone must have been kicking themselves that they had not conducted more extensive tests on their tyres,not often does that kind of chance just fall into your lap.

**GTRMagic** · 24 Jun 2003, 07:44 (Ref:641140)

Well I guess they lucked out of a lawsuit when Mr Daily Planet shortened the ex-Ellery HYL/GMS car at PI....

A Supercar would do a few quick laps, then the heat would build up on the LH front, and blow....

RaceTime · 24 Jun 2003, 08:08 (Ref:641159)

like the truck coming onto the start/finish straight at one meeting - the explosion of the tyre (just before the truck hit the wall, carreered along it taking out a TV camera...) was heard for km - inside the South or media building (which was pretty well soundproofed) it was like a bomb exploding so heaven help anyone outside when it went...

Onlooker · 24 Jun 2003, 08:29 (Ref:641165)

Crick was sure fast around the corners that race but wasn't he

mtpanorama · 24 Jun 2003, 08:31 (Ref:641167)

Quote:

Originally posted by twig
and why would you want racing which is anything like NASCAR?

Because that would involve overtaking, panel rubbing and a bit of biff, which if i remember is not allowed in V8 soupcar

twig · 24 Jun 2003, 08:56 (Ref:641184)

so then it would just be penalty after penalty after penalty......so V8's just couldn't drive around there!

RaceTime · 24 Jun 2003, 09:21 (Ref:641195)

You must be on a different planet

jetsetter · 24 Jun 2003, 09:59 (Ref:641214)

The set ups for the cars would be too different, i couldn't see any of the teams being interested.

The Hrt Kid · 24 Jun 2003, 10:05 (Ref:641220)

Id like to see a indy style track done there with say half the dome and a track made in the inside, would work really well i think, plenty of seats, half the pits is done, pit paddock stays where is for supports, keeps getting better and better if ya ask me.

RaceTime · 24 Jun 2003, 10:17 (Ref:641232)

Don't know why anyone is speculating about this - it has been stated by CAMS and Jane - it will never happen - too dangerous.

Monaro · 25 Jun 2003, 13:26 (Ref:642674)

Quote:

Originally posted by blaarg
from an entertainment point of view it would work very well, considering entertainment is what V8Supercars are all about.

What is so entertaining about a high speed follow the leader.I'm a motor racing fan I want to see racing.In NASCAR they race.Have a look at last weeks NASCAR race on the road course.Over- taking,push and shove, panel rubbing.IN OTHER WORDS RACING.If I wanted entertainment I would go to a strip club

rdmdog · 25 Jun 2003, 23:09 (Ref:643219)

I was at the Tdome a few years ago on the Friday of the weekend of the Sandown round, when the V8s were restricted to two days during a race meetings, 1996, maybe. A V8 team was using the Dome to bed in brakes, didnt make it that much cheaper, did it!

Sounded awesome!!

The best way to make the V8s more entertaining is to give the behemoth wings the chop!!

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