V8 Supercars V Motorsport

[Oaksnaf]

Thousands and thousands of people who attend V8 Supercar meetings, whether it be at INDY, Oran Park or in Tasmania. But I wonder how many of those people are motorsport fans? Constantly people use the support category races as a time for a toilet break, or a time for lunch, or just a time for a general wander around the paddock. And those that do watch it, wouldn't have a clue who is in what car. Of course that is a large generalisation, and I do realise there would be several hundred? Who know who is driving what.

But this brings me to my main point. Are V8 Supercar fans, just that? Can they really be called "Motorsport" fans. Of course they follow V8 Supercars, and are then put under the section "Motorsport fan".

But if we were to seperate the two, how many "Motorsport" fans would we be left with?

Maybe a lot less than one would like to imagine.

[Phase3]

Interesting line of thought there Oaksnaf, I consider myself a Motor sport fan, but would prefer to watch the V8 Supercars (at a street circuit - wash my mouth out!) than anything else. I think this is because they are the pinnacle of Motor sport in our country at the moment.

I don't mind watching support categories, but wouldn't go out of my way to see them, and this includes the Fujitsu series cars, which by all rights are still V8 Supercars, its just that the aren't the top of the tree, and don't have the same talent pool at the wheel. It's a bit like being a League fan, but not being interested in watching the Lithgow Vs Mudgee Group 10 game, IMHO I don't think that stops you from being a league fan.

[Oaksnaf]

Originally Posted by Phase3

Interesting line of thought there Oaksnaf, I consider myself a Motor sport fan, but would prefer to watch the V8 Supercars (at a street circuit - wash my mouth out!) than anything else. I think this is because they are the pinnacle of Motor sport in our country at the moment.

I don't mind watching support categories, but wouldn't go out of my way to see them, and this includes the Fujitsu series cars, which by all rights are still V8 Supercars, its just that the aren't the top of the tree, and don't have the same talent pool at the wheel. It's a bit like being a League fan, but not being interested in watching the Lithgow Vs Mudgee Group 10 game, IMHO I don't think that stops you from being a league fan.

Yes that is one factor that is obviously going to prove that you are right, in regards the Union comment. But then again, Id be close to certain that more people watch a Box Hill Hawks match against Williamstown than the amount of people that go and pay to watch a Cams National Round.

But in terms of being an overall motorsport fan, do we have the lowest form of % of fans that are willing to watch something else that is in the same code, when comparing to the likes of AFL, UNION and other sports?

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by Oaksnaf

But in terms of being an overall motorsport fan, do we have the lowest form of % of fans that are willing to watch something else that is in the same code

I very much agree with such a statement.

There is no doubt that the majority prefer to watch an ATCC event over other Australian categories, which is to be expected. No big issue there but what is of major concern is that the majority are ignorant to the fact that there are other cars racing out there.

[Phase3]

Originally Posted by Oaksnaf

But in terms of being an overall motorsport fan, do we have the lowest form of % of fans that are willing to watch something else that is in the same code, when comparing to the likes of AFL, UNION and other sports?

Well, outside of the V8 Supercircus I never miss a World Superbike or MotoGP round, but by the same token, I can take or leave the local version - I guess it's all time based for me, There's not enough hours in the day to watch every form of motor sport that is available out there, hence I just watch the blue ribbon categories....... (nice kitty BTW!)

[D.R.T.]

That is a good point, there is a lot of motorsport on a weekend let alone other sports.

However on the non clashing weekends which there are some, people dont seem to know/care what is going on.

[WebberForWDC]

Originally Posted by Oaksnaf

But this brings me to my main point. Are V8 Supercar fans, just that? Can they really be called "Motorsport" fans. Of course they follow V8 Supercars, and are then put under the section "Motorsport fan".

Can Football fans be called Football fans as the vast majority do not watch the TAC Cup, SANFL, WAFL or QFL. Can Cricket fans be called cricket fans as the vast majority do not turn up to Ford Ranger Cup or Pura Cup games.

[Oaksnaf]

Originally Posted by WebberForWDC

Can Football fans be called Football fans as the vast majority do not watch the TAC Cup, SANFL, WAFL or QFL. Can Cricket fans be called cricket fans as the vast majority do not turn up to Ford Ranger Cup or Pura Cup games.

Fair point. But cricket is cricket, the game is played the same way in every competition. With motorsport it is different, as it doesn't consist of V8 Supercars that are just raced Nationally and then at State Level. Motorsport does have a premier Open Wheeler category in Formula 3 that also races Nationally. Then there is the GT Championship, Commodore Cup, Superkarts who run under the CAMS National series. Then you have the AASA categories under AMRS that also travel nationally in Touring Car Challenge, Futureracers, F4000, Super TT etc.

But if we had V8 Supercars as the only motorsport category, that competes are National Level and State Level would we be more inclined to attend that, than a Formula 3 race?

Realistically almost just as many people would attend a weekend of motorsport if the only category competing was V8 Supercars....

[Phase3]

Originally Posted by Oaksnaf

Realistically almost just as many people would attend a weekend of motorsport if the only category competing was V8 Supercars....

As long as Matt Mingay is there to keep us entertained between sessions, or we'd get bored!!

[Senna05]

Same thing with the majority of F1 veiwers not knowing what GP2/F3000 or any other open wheeler series is.

There are "Fans" and then there are enthusiasts. most of us on here are enthusiasts, we read about the sport on here and in mags, and don't just tune in to the TV or rock up for the V8's. I quite enjoy watching and reading about the APCC and GTP and Aussie F3, etc.

I think thats the terms of reference we need to keep in mind - Casual fans, and Fans that are Enthusiasts. And to be quite honest if joe bloggs over there doesn't want to follow GTP or any of the other great categories we have here in Australia, thats there loss, not ours!

[davester]

Before I make some general observations, forums like this one are populated by the hard-core element, the motorsport fan that wants more than on-track action. The events themselves are majority populated by consumers seeking entertainment from thier heroes.

Its these heroes (lead drivers) and the big name teams (front half of the grid) that provide the pulling power. Just look at the crowd difference betweem a V8SC round and a FV8SS round...now the cars are the same, the drivers aren't that much different to the eye, the trucks are pretty much the same, and the FV8SS racing probably produces more entertainment, BUT one series pulls a huge crowd, and one pulls a few locals.

WHY??? Because the crowds flock to be entertained by their HEROES, just like the difference in crowds between a pub band and a big name concert act.

So basically the consumer is making the effort to see the headline act "The hero V8 Supercars", with support categories making up the numbers. Sure some people will watch every lap of every category, and some just the main game, with others somewhere in-between.

At STREET EVENTS you'll have a higher proportion of "party animals", there to cheer on their heroes, if they're in a state to actually see them, while enjoying the surrounding amenities (hotels, pubs, clubs) to complete the party.

At PERMANENT CIRCUIT EVENTS you'll get more fans with a real interest in the sport, because they have to travel to see it. Many of the Street Circuit Party Animals, particularly the girls wont bother with a remote permanent circuit event, as it doesn't tick the other boxes for the complete party atmosphere.

Just look at the crowd figures for Street (200-300K +) vs Perm Circuits (60K max) to figure why VESA want to get more street events happening (not sure where to categorise Bathurst on this one).

This is where the hardcore motorsport fan needs to realise that V8 Supercars are not so much a sport, but a "business", and their interests are not necessarily aligned with motor"sport" at grass roots level, irrespective of where the main game guys started from.

[billybanana]

I'll watch as much motorsport as I can on the box but the V8's are the only category I will and do travel & pay to see. Don't necessarily see having to attend to be categorised a "motorsport" fan, so I'd put myself in that category anyway. But ultimately as davester has said the premier class is a business and that's the one that has captured plenty of my money over the years.

[Notso Swift]

More fool you billy, try going to state round, at least you will get to see some real racing

I consider my self to be an enthusiast, I would only watch maybe 1/4 of V8 events, but I go to every state championship event, weather I am racing or not, quite happy to fork out $15. I guess post group A and following the circus in the early 90's (we were doing APCC in a Pulsar) has jaded me against Supercars.

[Taz Q2]

If the things got wheels, wings, jets ( jetsprint boats ), or propellers, as in offshore boats, or F1 boats, i'll watch it, i can not get enough racing with a motor in it, at all.

Great thread btw.

[Wazzi]

I have travelled to quite a few race tracks and street cicuits over the years and whilst my first love is the v8s i consider myself a motorsport fan, I always like to be at the track early and watch every practice and race. I have had a great time in the pits talking to the drivers of the different catagories and seen some great races at state titles. My kids have had the opportunity to sit in a huge array of race cars from v8s to formula Vs and it gives them a greater interest in the racing when they can relate a personal experiance to the driver.

[Oaksnaf]

Originally Posted by Wazzi

My kids have had the opportunity to sit in a huge array of race cars from v8s to formula Vs and it gives them a greater interest in the racing when they can relate a personal experiance to the driver.

Based on that, then there would be no greater interest than local competition ,where you could chat for drivers in 10 minute periods without interuption.

[rusky26]

The last time I went to a Supercar round (at QR a couple of years ago), I went on Saturday because Aussie racing cars and the historics had 2 races on that day. Didn't bother going on Sunday.

[Peddler]

Originally Posted by Oaksnaf

Thousands and thousands of people who attend V8 Supercar meetings, whether it be at INDY, Oran Park or in Tasmania. But I wonder how many of those people are motorsport fans?.

I have been thinking of way to bring this topic up for a few days.

I was at the creek on the weekend and couldn’t believe the lack of spectators... it was freaking amazing that a motorsport event with the caliber of entrants had absolutely no spectators what so ever!

I am serious... i was up on the roof of the pits watching the start of a race and there was not one single person up there other than two 6 year old kids playing on the stairs.

I think that it is clear that it is easy for the average punter to have a fascination with the Supercar circus but it takes a real motorsport purist to infact understand the real happenings of the Supercar circus and compare to the racing available elsewhere.

I love motorsport for the actual sport... i hate the political crap that dictates who does what and what the public get to see and i wish that the governing bodies would get Tony Cochrane to pull his freaking head in and not manipulate what happens in other classes of Australian motorsport.

We have a lot of talent in the country and it is unfortunate that our isolation compared to other limiting economic structure due to our population doesn’t allow or interest support in other categories outside the Supercar circus.

The best thing in my opinion that can happen to Australian motorsport to get people back to the track for local, state and National level events is to inject money into it... this isn’t going to happen if we keep going the way we are going and motorsport will be nothing more than a game that only people with bucket loads of money can play and nobody else.

Get back to the grass roots of production based racing... create a medium where drivers talent is rewarded and get the god to be at CAMS thinking that there is more to motorsport than boring as bat sheit Holden V Ford and bloody V8Supercars

[mayhem]

[QUOTE=Phase3] It's a bit like being a League fan, but not being interested in watching the Lithgow Vs Mudgee [QUOTE]
Workies or Shamrocks?

[mtpanorama]

Originally Posted by Notso Swift

More fool you billy, try going to state round, at least you will get to see some real racing

I consider my self to be an enthusiast, I would only watch maybe 1/4 of V8 events, but I go to every state championship event, weather I am racing or not, quite happy to fork out $15. I guess post group A and following the circus in the early 90's (we were doing APCC in a Pulsar) has jaded me against Supercars.

I am with you on that one Notso.
I would rather go to a state round or a CAMS round than a V8 supercar round. For me there is a distinct lack of racing entertainment at a v8 round. The day is wasted by stupid motorbike stunts and vb challenges when there could be more catagories racing. The V8 racing has also become stale without a real lot happening in the races.

I dont mind the Fujitsu series as the races have a bit more going on in them. The support classes are also better at these rounds.

If there was a v8 round on at the same time as a state champs i would got to the state round everytime. The spectators(what few there are) at the state round are actually there to watch the racing, not sit on the hill and get ****ed and miss half the action.

I am a motorsport enthusiast, not just a fan. There is a hillclimb and supersprint on at Mount Panorama on the weekend, I will be up there watching.

[Pro Racer]

i like mtpanorama am a motorsport enthusiast and love motorsport in general,i attend V8's whenever possible and watchevery round and the V8's woul;d probably be my favourite,i watch F1,ChampCar,MotoGP on tv all the time and i like the lower classes of motorsport as well.

good thread this some good posts in here.

[pete55]

There's not much money left for fans to go see any other events after TC gets his large slice of cake.

[D.R.T.]

I agree there Pete.

After you pay $50 - $60 to get in, plus pit access, your family if they are with you, food and drink for those who wish, merchandise for those who wish and the petrol to get to a track. I suppose there isnt a whole heap of desire or resources to head out back to the track.

[Wrighty05]

Originally Posted by pete55

There's not much money left for fans to go see any other events after TC gets his large slice of cake.

That's the comment that hits home the most to me.

Good thread.

[mtpanorama]

Originally Posted by pete55

There's not much money left for fans to go see any other events after TC gets his large slice of cake.

Paying for one v8 supercar event = entry to 4 or 5 rounds of the state championships.