Bored titless by motorsport?

[Nero]

I was with the grandprix and it has reinforced my jaded view that F1 is no longer motorsport and 'supercars' are headed the same way.
I was told by head retail person for wynn's that supercar bonnet for midfield car is 900,000 for season and each headlight is 100,000 for season or 20,000 for one off.

[Nafe]

What a team requests for sponsorship and what they get are two different things.
Supercars has been going downhill for a long time. Processional racing, lack of passing etc. At least F1 still has the speed and the noise.....and Mark Webber

[AndyMac]

F1 also has pit girls... Namely with Fosters on their shirts.

[Nafe]

Mmmm, grid girls..... they are a cut above the V8Supercar chicks.......although there is a blonde Kanga Loaders chick who has a fantastic rack......

[AndyMac]

picsorban.

[Billzilla]

I've thought about it, and if the F1 rules continue apon the same lines, i.e. keeping the same engine for an increasing number of races and keeping the same tyres, etc, then by the end of 2007 my Sports 1300 should be competitive.

Can't wait!

[AndyMac]

The rules have already been made out to be a joke. Not in the top 8 ? Just retire your car and get a fresh engine.

Personally. Leave everything as is, but...1 Engine a race weekend, 1 tyre stop allowed per race.

[Bitsamissing]

I think top level motor sport is becoming to clever for its own good.

I'm more of a bike race fan than Cars or F1. But even they've lost my viewing over the last few yrs. I hate watching processions in cars or bikes, much prefer to watch 'Racing'

With a few exceptions we don't see the dogged determination of slowly punching through the field from a bad starting position - pushing the gear beyond it's limits, while still having a 'delicate' resemblance of control. We don't see the shoulder to shoulder fighting into the corners, nor the desperate "I want to win more than you" passing manouvres. Or even the classic of squeezing every last drop from equipment by slipstreaming each other down the main straight then having a "My balls are bigger than yours" contest in the braking area has sadly dropped of most people reportoire of skills.

The pinnacle for GP bikes was the era of Schwantz, Rainey, Gardner, & the early Doohan. These guys rode way beyond their gear. Also the superbikes up to about the mid 90's gave off some brilliant racing. The early Rossi in the 125's 250's etc was a 'character', beyond compare

I can't remember names, but the F1, Touring cars & Bathurst were entertaining back then as well.

Sure, the technology is awesome, no question, but in being 'So' refined lately, we've lost the real basics of pure driver/rider ability overcoming anothers ability. I can't put my finger on exactly how to fix it, but it sure is broken. OK, that's a bit harsh, if it's not completely broken, it's got a pretty bad big end knock that needs some attention soon

The corporate glitz and glamour doesn't come close to replacing proper "Racing."

[Stix Zadinia]

i dunno, i went to the location of the 1949 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, and it was even more exciting than the current rounds.

we need more grass roots motorsport, something people can actually aim to acheive.

[Shitbreak]

I think the best motorsport to watch atm would be MotoGP and WRC. Although I'm a huge fan of the V8's, I may be biased but they are a great catagory with plenty of passing.

But last seasons MotoGP was awesome IMO and this season prolly wont be as good as Rossi might me more dominant but should be great viewing nonetheless.

WRC is turning into a belta season this year (Loab and Solburg are going to go at it hammer-and-tongs) but next year with no Peogeot and Citroen, it may be a differnt story. Audi and Renault need to make a comeback to rally .

I just watch the F1 because of Webber and the engineering aspect (ie 19000rpm 900hp etc etc)

Superbikes do have great racing but havent really interested me greatly.

All in all, I'm still excited by motorsport. You've got to watch it for what it is rather than just the excitement value sometimes (ie 1500kg V8's being chucked around a track rather than gauge it on passing etc).

[2ofdem]

Im with datzed passing and racing is much more enjoyable to watch then a cogo line of really fast cars going around.

[Peter...]

On a similar but different note wasn't the 2nd race of the V8's at the GP good? John Bowe and Brad Jones just carving people up left, right and center as the track dried. Most entertainment I've seen in a while in V8's...

[2ofdem]

I liked the stoush between ambrose and skaife in the 2nd and 3rd races more. Especially skaifes overtaking move on the outside of turn 2 in the 3rd race.

[Zac]

Well let's be serious, all motorsport is going in this direction. It is going in parallel with human species intelligence.
You could even draw a parallel with something like chemistry - back in the 1800-1900s when almost anyone with a microscope and a basic lab could discover an element. These days it takes millions and millions of dollars of government or private funding to study sub-atomic particles to find something new. It just ain't what it used to be.

Back to motorsport, simple evolution is going to point towards the perfect solution to getting around a track as fast as you can.
Ross Brawn is entirely correct in saying that even if you took away chassis electronics, it would not instantly mean that cars are sliding across the road. Top level engineers know so much about chassis dynamics that they can design physical suspension components to do the job of chassis electronics.

[Guido]

Zac hit the nail on the head, brilliant post!

If you are a little dispointed with racing on the teev these days get out there and look at some events live. Historic racing is really starting to take off and there is always a sprint, hill climb or other event happening most weekends in capital cities.

It is also much more grass roots. I know I'd much rather see a Phase III HO or BDA Escort carving up the track than a V8 supercar, let alone just watching said big dollar car on the teev. Likewise, what's better, staying up until two in the morning watching the F1 or heading out to the local hillclimb track to see a methanol sucking winged open wheeler strap up a hill?

[AndyMac]

Staying up a 2am for the F1 for me...

[ezepze]

guidos right.
i was at the historics at phillip island on the 26/27th feb. fantastic meet with grids of over 40 cars for the group n's and most other catagories.
and you could look over the cars in the padock and talk to the owners, try that with f1/supercars.

[2ofdem]

WRC MotoGP NHRA Top Fuel V8supercars BTCC - all of these categorys of top level motorsport are very close it seems to be F1 is the exception rather then the rule.

[Peter...]

Nah, I disagree. Parity, of late, has bred close racing. Racing so close, in fact, that no-one can even overtake. Which creates the procession. Although, it must be said that this years major motorsport is off to a better start. There was overtaking in V8's AND F1 at melbourne...

[ducky boy]

no substitute for cubes!
go to the drags and see some reel grunt.(7000hp)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Peter...]

I think you left out some exclamation marks.

[Nafe]

WRC MotoGP NHRA Top Fuel V8supercars BTCC - all of these categorys of top level motorsport are very close it seems to be F1 is the exception rather then the rule.

V8Supercars rarely pass without biffing each other off the track. They are close because all the cars are the friggen same..... FatBoy probably does more passing (or gets passed) more per race than the entire V8Supercar field

F1 may be frowned upon in terms of 'pure' racing, but for those into technology, speed, and the sheer awesome-ness of seeing them live....

[Grunt]

i think the live aspect of f1 is what saves it for me... hearing and see the cars go past you...

i think indy weekend last year was quite average, off track "entertainment" was HOT but the racing was somewhat dull.

i think the answer for me would be cheaper cars, that was less sophisticated... in all honesty ( throws flame suit over me ) watching stuff like the mitsu mirage cup i think is great fun... shitty handling, small brakes and drivers deadset having a go, lots of passing and movement. i also enjoy the brutes and little aussie cars.

watching local club days is great fun aswell...

Cheers
GRANT

[Camma]

guidos right.
i was at the historics at phillip island on the 26/27th feb. fantastic meet with grids of over 40 cars for the group n's and most other catagories.
and you could look over the cars in the padock and talk to the owners, try that with f1/supercars.

Was there as well, a couple of friends of mine race in Group Nb and its always good to watch. Lots of passing and some real quality cars and drivers. Former greats like Bo Seaton are a pleasure to watch.

Also went and checked out Improved Production on the weekend, highly recommend this as well. Dont think I saw Fatboy racing though?

[Grumpy Rooster]

no substitute for cubes!
go to the drags and see some reel grunt.(7000hp)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes it is awesome. I also think that because there is the real potential for either car to win in a race takes all the predictability that is built into categories like F1 or the Supertaxis.

Look at Pro Stock in Australia. It is so close that each race is basically won on the start line. Be asleep on the tree and you lose.

[Nero]

well what I do like about the drags is that they are usually very well run and lots happening. I rate them better viewing than the 'supercars'. The only problem I have had was with some yobs on the hill, but that has nothing to do with the racing and could happen anywhere.

[AndyMac]

Pffttt...

You all should get out and watch a real kart race...Now thats exciting. And you can see the whole track.

[Nafe]

You can see all of the track when the Drifting is on too!

*runs for cover*

[FatBoy]

Also went and checked out Improved Production on the weekend, highly recommend this as well. Dont think I saw Fatboy racing though?

Nah, i didn't make it unfortunately... The car is almost back together but i simply ran out of time (and money !!). Should be ok for Rd 2 at Eastern Creek...

Improved Production does put on some great racing though - that's the first time i've watched in a while and damn, do the boys have some fun !!

FatBoy probably does more passing (or gets passed) more per race than the entire V8Supercar field

I get pissed off when the car has a problem and doesn't finish, but it always makes for a lot of fun in the next one !!
Best race i have is the in-car footage from a Wakefield round - 19th to 7th in 2 laps - fark i was rude in that one...

I think crowds love variety - that's why people are really getting along to see Historic and I.P meetings...

I love watching any motorsport really, but the V8's are starting to lose their appeal a little...

[AndyMac]

Best race i have is the in-car footage from a Wakefield round - 19th to 7th in 2 laps - fark i was rude in that one...

I think crowds love variety - that's why people are really getting along to see Historic and I.P meetings...

I love watching any motorsport really, but the V8's are starting to lose their appeal a little...

Slam That door Shut!

People will come if you put on a show. Something that predictablity doesn't provide