AMRS THUNDERDOME - The Comeback!

[inpitlane]

Yes here we go again, Bob Jane has announced the Thunderdome will rise again with a "new" AMRS category to address "the need for a Speedway Car category given the many former Auscars and Nascars that exist in the country"
How many times are they going to try this? I spoke to a regular NASCAR competitor at PI who told me that most of the cars have either been broken up for use in other classes or sold back to the States or just lying in garages never to be seen again. Many of the drivers haven't run in years and how many cars are they likely to get for an all oval event?
And anyway wasn't there already an AMRS Stockcar category? That was a huge success.

[Camaroz]

I've still got my Lumina?

[Camaroz]

Actually,

If they bought in a "Crate Motor", 3.5:1 Rear Gear, just as Fastrack run (day in - day out), wet sump, single dry plate clutch, runs 34's with passengers, will run 30's with set-up that will last all day....... hold on... I set this all out seven years ago, get Bob to give me a call!

There were 73 cars in the country in 2001.

My old Pontiac got trouled in a TV ad shoot, my old Commodore (Buick) is still a chassis (Lagoon), only two or three went back to the States (they would have anyway because they were lease cars) - there could be still 50 plus still here!!!!!! Like many of them, you could get my Lumina up to good spec rolling chassis for less than $7000 plus an eng , crate motor for $5000.00?) The big motors, Jerico's etc were sold on by many but the car is still there!!!!

IPL, you probably spoke to Gene, one of his T'bird's is with Fastrack (as a spare), don't know if he had two or not?

I'm flat out this week (with OP and all) but will dig out the list....

Trevor Oilver still has the Harry Gant car...Lagoon has half a dozen... Wanless has a T'Bird, George has a couple...Middleton has a couple, according to AA, Penske has 50 odd...where are the WA cars..............

[Camaroz]

Sorry, got to do it now!


This was the "LIST" in 2000. I would love to get some updates...

What’s out there;

Whyhoon 2 T’Birds
Best 1 Older Monte
K.Jane 2 1 X Monte, 1 Pontiac
Calvert 1 Older Monte
R Jane 1 Monte
Roark 1 Pontiac
Williams 1 Monte
Small 1 Pontiac
James 2 Monte, Olds
Schubert 1 Monte
Elliot 2 Monte, Pontiac
Sala 2 Olds, Pontiac
Byers 3 2 Monte, 1 Pontiac ?
Galvin 1
Cook 2 T’Birds
Grose 1
Brewer 3 2 X Monte, Lumina
Penzoil 1 Pontiac
Middleton 2 Monte
Peacock 2 T’Birds
Wanless 2 Taurus, T’Bird
Ellis 1 Lumina
Coon 1 Pontiac
Harrison 1 Pontiac
Roaker 2 Calibra, Olds
Woodlands 1 Pontiac
Robinson 1 Pontiac
Gunther 1 Pontiac
X Sawyer 1 Pontiac (at Calder)
Smith 1 Lumina
Stocker 2 Olds
Stepanic 2 Olds, Pontiac
Laws Bros 1 Pontiac
Tinworth 1 Pontiac
Scarcela? 1 Pontiac
Nolan 2 Lumina, T’Bird
Burrows 1 T’Bird
White 1 Monte
Thomas 3? Monte
Abelnica 2 Monte, Olds
Faulkner 2 Monte, Olds
Harman 1 Commodore
X Howlett 1 Commodore
X Cossen 1 Commodore
(Wangaratta) 1 Lumina?
Blake 1 Monte
Pay 1 Pontiac
Kenniwell 1 Pontiac
Oliver 2 Lumina

I know there are changes so lets get the updates ......

Please leave this thread here (ANZTC) and not move it to NASCAR!

[Camaroz]

Sorry IPL,

Would you mind if we renamed this thread......

THUNDERDOME - The comeback!

[Matthew Ronke]

Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS) Media Release

AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING SERIES (AMRS) GEARS UP FOR AN EVEN BIGGER 2008
SEASON

August 15, 2007 - After three successful seasons of providing a more
affordable and enjoyable grass roots level motor racing series to hundreds
of racing drivers across Australia's eastern seaboard, preparations are well
underway for the 2008 Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS).

Given the trend of growth in AMRS competitor entries since 2005, next year's
series is set to be the best yet, with four racing circuit promoters teamed
up to provide the most affordable and enjoyable motor racing in the country.

Calder Park and Adelaide International Raceway owner and promoter Bob Jane,
Chief Executive Officer of Winton Motor Raceway and Wakefield Park Raceway
Michael Ronke, and Queensland Raceway Chief Executive John Tetley, today
announced the continuation of the AMRS for 2008 with two events to be held
at each venue.

The AMRS provides low cost racing for race car owners and teams, as well as
an excellent platform for the training of race mechanics and general team
personnel.

AMRS also features well established motorsport categories that ensure strong
levels of competition to suit any racing car, from classic Touring Cars to
current or recent specification V8 Supercars. Well supported AMRS categories
include The Australian Touring Car Challenge, Production Cars, Super Tin
Tops / Sports Sedans, Oz Boss - high powered open wheelers, Thundersports,
Classic Touring Cars, Super TT - Formula Kent (Formula Ford) along with
others.

AMRS has addressed the need for a Speedway Car category given the many
former Auscars and Nascars that exist in the country. AMRS Melbourne &
Adelaide circuit owner and promoter Bob Jane also revealed today that this
low overhead and competitor focused, motor racing series will be introducing
a new Speedway Car category to join the 2008 AMRS.

A preparation Speedway Car event for Auscars and Nascars is planned for
Melbourne's Calder Park Thunderdome in late 2007, ahead of a proposed ten
event AMRS sanctioned category in 2008. Subject to competitor interest, the
Speedway Cars category will include the return of banked tri-oval super
speedway action at the Thunderdome, along with flat circuit racing at the
Calder Park national circuit, Adelaide International Raceway, Queensland
Raceway, Winton Raceway and Wakefield Park Raceway.

The AMRS is a cost-effective racing series that has competitors and venue
promoters equally pleased. Operated to date on behalf of the circuit
promoters by experienced racers Rod Dale and Garry Wilmington, the emphasis
of providing value to competitors remains of paramount importance in the
future.The 2008 AMRS remains committed to continued growth, but without
spiraling administration or venue costs being passed on to competitors.

All AMRS venue promoters and the series organisers are committed to being
leaders in providing affordable and enjoyable club level motor racing.

According to AASA (owners of the AMRS) Chief Executive Michael Ronke,
opportunities exist for new categories to be created in 2008.

"This competitor based series exists to embrace the racing cars and teams
that either have not or are restricted financially to be able to compete in
a professionally run series. Opportunities exist for the remaining Nascars
in the country, powerful open wheelers, Super Tourers and owners of V8
Supercars who do not have the funds to compete in other categories to join
AMRS. We are currently planning the new direction for the AMRS in 2008 and
we look forward to making further announcements during the second half of
2007."

[Denosaur]

Well if this happens and more than 5 cars turn up, you can dip in axel oil and call me Slick

[Silver GT]

the old christmas 200 was an excellent race to go and watch

if they brought it back....I'd go again

and the drags.....but thats another story

[jd yort]

Originally Posted by Camaroz

My old Pontiac got trouled in a TV ad shoot,

Oops, can you tell us what happened there and was it while you still owned it Camaroz? When was the last time you had the Lumina on the track?

[spectator22]

Last I heard the Dome had deteriorated a lot, especially the surface, which would need SERIOUS money spent on it to make it safely usable. If they did, then great. I did get to a couple of the big races when it was at its peak and they were really great. Such a shame it died when it did. Anyone know the real story as nto why?

[PVDA]

Originally Posted by Silver GT

the old christmas 200 was an excellent race to go and watch

if they brought it back....I'd go again

and the drags.....but thats another story

There's a Pro Street Drag Meeting on 27th October for you to come and check out Silver GT.

[NewsStalker]

Haven't we heard all this before like in April 2006 when the entrepreneur known as Bob threw a party on his boat complete with Norm Beechy and Sam Newman et al amidst a big announcement that racing was about to return to the Thunderdome?

And then the rumour had it that Bob had contracted Simon and Garfunkle to play one song at Calder Park and it was such a huge success he has since adopted it as his theme - namely 'The Sounds of Silence'

[Trevor]

Ah NewsStalker, one appearance for you too I suspect

[Robert Ryan]

Haven't we heard all this before like in April 2006 when the entrepreneur known as Bob threw a party on his boat complete with Norm Beechy and Sam Newman et al amidst a big announcement that racing was about to return to the Thunderdome

When is the Thunderdome going to be sold?..it must be the Jane's family interest to do so now.

[mountainstar]

I'd suspect many of those nascar chassis are back in the usa. They are becoming extremely popular in historic racing.

[bartman71]

Allan Roark still has his pontiac.

sits in his bar at Archers Manor in Launceston. The Universal Joint

[PVDA]

Originally Posted by Robert Ryan

When is the Thunderdome going to be sold?..it must be the Jane's family interest to do so now.

The trouble is, even with the current high land prices, the cost to level the Thunderdome banking would negate any possible profit for what is effectively zoned industrial land.

Besides the place still earns enough to keep it going.

[Falcadore]

I hope this goes better than the last NASCAR revival 'Thunder Road' which received no support whatsoever and not a single car showed up.

I'd like to see it come back, but the amount of support it received two years ago was embarrassing. Will car owners support it this time? Will the series be viable for car owners?

[cavvy]

Originally Posted by Robert Ryan

When is the Thunderdome going to be sold?..it must be the Jane's family interest to do so now.

Must you say, why Robert?

[Aarrgh8]

This probably deserves its own thread, but while we're talking Thunderdome...

I heard that Robin Best passed away in Tasmania last week. He was aged 60. Robin was Australia's first NASCAR Champion back in 1989, and followed that by winning the NASCAR Championship again in 1990. He also raced Sprintcars and competed in drag racing. In 1979 he was the first Funny Car driver in Australia to do a 7 second pass, and in Sprintcars, at one stage won eight consecutive Feature Races.

His Speedway career started back in 1967. He was always a crowd pleaser, and always a proud Tasmanian.

Robin Best R.I.P.

[Camaroz]

Originally Posted by jd yort

Oops, can you tell us what happened there and was it while you still owned it Camaroz? When was the last time you had the Lumina on the track?

I had sold the Pontiac to Fastrack. The adv was for Canada I think! My lumina is the ex-Walter Giles car. I never ran it.

[mildura1963]

How about just adapting some of the existing dirt speedway classes to run on pavement....super sedans, midgets etc.....

[GTRMagic]

Or just run at Calder on the short circuit Here

[A9X05]

Originally Posted by mildura1963

How about just adapting some of the existing dirt speedway classes to run on pavement....super sedans, midgets etc.....

I grew up at Liverpool Where as a kid in the 70's, I used to go to the Liverpool City Raceway on a regular basis! I used to love the good ol Aussie sedans rumbling there way around the 1/4 mile first on dirt, then after, when it was ashpalt! Back in those days we saw XU-1.s Falcon GT's, Monaro's,and some American muscle like Camaro's and Mustangs!
The USA Vs Australia sedan meetings were great, Used to love it when our Aussies used to give it to them in their big dollar race cars!
Sprintcars were just spectacular on the black top, the mighty little VW midgets looked awsome some 3 wheeling there way around!
It would be good to see a similar concept on the Thunderdome

[James63]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Or just run at Calder on the short circuit Here

Is that the right link??