Mercedes Benz DTM @ Bathurst

[buzz]

Any credence to the rumour that AVESCO chucked a spaz because the invincible V8 SuperTaxi image they've spent so much on building would have been shattered and leaned on ze Germans?

OooOOooh! Now that is a quality conspiracy theory. Not sure how AVESCO could knobble the Merc mob when they've paid the money to use the place, but I'm sure Dan Brown, the Knights Templar, Freemasons and people who 'read' spark plugs could be intertwined into a good plot.

Oh yeah, and back up ther esomewhere I did mean lumpy bumpy track not being flat, as opposed to a hill not being flat. Merc=floppy.

[Zac]

With all their advanced technology they still dont bring in anywhere near the crowds that V8 Supercars do, despite being exposed to more than 10x the population.

The average DTM race attendance in 2006 was over 83,000 and peaked last season at almost 150,000 at Hockenheim

There are also many more other racing series here that compete for audiences.

[oldcorollas]

Group A was expensive!

as per other threads, each racing class is only as expensive as the sponsors are willing to cough up... if you only have 1 mil to spend.. then it will be spent..

if you have 5 mil to spend.. you will find a way to spend those cubic dollars...

edit: wtf... PF time machine?

[EfiOz]

Actually it wouldn't since they've already rented the track and mercedes has quite a few dollars up it's sleeves too so do other manufacturers.

Lets face it AVESCO couldn't give a fuck about others being faster. The only people who are going to give a fuck are the super-taxi haters anyway.

No they give a big fuck about classes being faster than them. This goes back to taking a leaf out of Bernies book where you step on any class that shows you up.

Also, they had enough clout to keep half a dozen or more currnet and past V8 stars out of a Benz driving seat last weekend due to "contractual obligations" even though they were there ready to go.

Never underestimate the reach of the Black Wiggle.

[rexxxy]

If they could lap Bathurst 10 seconds quicker, but it would be unsafe, then wouldnt lapping it 1 seconds quicker be safer?

[Corso]

OooOOooh! Now that is a quality conspiracy theory. Not sure how AVESCO could knobble the Merc mob when they've paid the money to use the place, but I'm sure Dan Brown, the Knights Templar, Freemasons and people who 'read' spark plugs could be intertwined into a good plot.

Oh yeah, and back up ther esomewhere I did mean lumpy bumpy track not being flat, as opposed to a hill not being flat. Merc=floppy.

Hahah

I don't think it would be that difficult; for example, when you think of the money that the V8s bring into Bathurst one weekend per year to the local economy it would give them a fairly large negotiating chip.

Next you'll tell me local councils are the epitome of a free, unchartered, unfettered democratic process?

Only a shame Ross Palmer didn't have that much money to back the 24hr year-in, year-out afterall. Hearing the Mosler and 360GT at 2am across Skyline was marvellous...

[MartyHusseinXF]

If they could lap Bathurst 10 seconds quicker, but it would be unsafe, then wouldnt lapping it 1 seconds quicker be safer?

But they are too scared to, because V8 SUPERTAXI's FTW

Haha this is awesome though, they just look like they are talking shit, hangon thats what all you V8 hating pussies do as well.

[Nero]

1`

[Ze]

Hahah

I don't think it would be that difficult; for example, when you think of the money that the V8s bring into Bathurst one weekend per year to the local economy it would give them a fairly large negotiating chip.

Next you'll tell me local councils are the epitome of a free, unchartered, unfettered democratic process?

Only a shame Ross Palmer didn't have that much money to back the 24hr year-in, year-out afterall. Hearing the Mosler and 360GT at 2am across Skyline was marvellous...

Actually it wouldn't since they've already rented the track and mercedes has quite a few dollars up it's sleeves too so do other manufacturers.

Lets face it AVESCO couldn't give a fuck about others being faster. The only people who are going to give a fuck are the super-taxi haters anyway.

[MartyHusseinXF]

It's true, they just weren't sure they could do it without crashing.

Otherwise, they would have.

Basically, V8 Supercars > DOHC fairy mobile.

[260BC]

It's true, they just weren't sure they could do it without crashing.

Otherwise, they would have.

Basically, V8 Supercars > Eurokraut fairy mobile.

Fixed a bit

[Corso]

I think you are missing the point. If a DTM car flew around Bathurst (the cathedral of Australian motorsport) and put daylight between itself and the V8 Supercar lap record, there would be a very hairy question asked, "why aren't these cars racing here?"

AVESCO doesn't care who asks it, as long as its not the existing punter who spends $70 entry per person each race and three times that on merchandise each meeting. They picked up their bat and ball and went to play elsewhere before when the mighty bent eight was shown up but a couple fours and sixes, so I don't put anything past them.

An event like this brings press, and how exactly would it be good copy for the existing category? It wouldn't. What percentage of knuckledraggers are aware that vehicles in overseas touring car championships are lightyears ahead, in terms of technology and laptimes, of the local V8s? I'd would hazard a guess and say a minority.

As mentioned above, the car would have handled it with aplomb. It's smoke and mirrors to think that a DTM driver couldn't do a couple hotlaps of Bathurst without crashing. A good number of those in the series are ex-F1 and whilst I'm happy to wave the flag for our local steerers, you are having a lend of
yourself to think the Krauts couldn't handle it.

Like you said, Merc have the dollars I really do not think they would have beaten the publicity drum unless they had a green light that the car was going to race. The Krauts, like the Japanese, do not take kindly to waking up with egg on their faces.

[Sturmovik]

They are 400kg lighter, even the most diehard Supercar fan would realise that it would have to be faster.

With all their advanced technology they still dont bring in anywhere near the crowds that V8 Supercars do, despite being exposed to more than 10x the population.

Anyway, just like V8 supercars theres just two manufacturers, but half the teams, half the drivers and half the cars. Why would people rather watch it? Because they have DOHC?
Spectators dont want to see technology, they want to see racing.

[Ze]

I think you are missing the point. If a DTM car flew around Bathurst (the cathedral of Australian motorsport) and put daylight between itself and the V8 Supercar lap record, there would be a very hairy question asked, "why aren't these cars racing here?"

AVESCO doesn't care who asks it, as long as its not the existing punter who spends $70 entry per person each race and three times that on merchandise each meeting. They picked up their bat and ball and went to play elsewhere before when the mighty bent eight was shown up but a couple fours and sixes, so I don't put anything past them.

Get fucking serious , Group A died because it died globally , then someone needed a sucessor, the V8 Supercars came to the party the others didn't.

Seriously nobody gives a fuck if something is faster or better tech otherwise we'd be seeing the Formula 'X' cars being more popular. In the end people watch AVESCO because they like the racing.

[F|sh]

Group A was expensive!