Courtney's words of wisdom

[Trevor]

Words of wisdom

James Courtney previews the Winton V8 Supercar round
JAMES COURTNEY
May 12, 2010 - 10:10AM

Winton Raceway may lack the profile and big-budget facilities of some V8 Supercar Championship venues, but this week's round on the north-east Victorian circuit is still important for many reasons.


Firstly, there are a maximum 300 points up for grabs at Winton, the same as Bathurst and every round, and since I'm currently second in the championship I want as many of them as I can get.

Secondly, it's important for the category to race in rural areas because they are target markets for Ford and Holden, the two manufacturers in the championship.

If you want proof, go for a walk around the car park at Winton on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday and you will see a much higher percentage of Falcons and Commodores and V8 utes than around the outskirts of the Gold Coast or Sydney street circuits, not to mention Abu Dhabi and Bahrain!

Thirdly, permanent tracks such as Winton are the 'lifeblood' of Australian motorsport, and need to be supported to maintain and improve facilities. These types of circuits are where our best young drivers learn racecraft.

Mark Webber raced Formula Fords at Winton before heading to Formula One, as did many V8 Supercar drivers on the grid this week. And tracks such as Winton are also enjoyed year-round by amateur racing enthusiasts who compete in club, State, and historic events.

[bludvl_x19]

That is one smart bloke there

[Trevor]

I am impressed too.

I will ring you tomorrow bludvl_x19

[NewsStalker]

I never knew Webber never raced at Oran Park, Barbagallo, Symmons Plains, Sandown, Lakeside, Eastern Creek - well - all the other circuits around the country!

Wow! Earth shattering rewrite of history here... Pretty stupid really using a 'fact' like this to bolster up a story.

[RotorFan]

Still, its about time a driver used his voice to support the need for permanent circuits.

[NewsStalker]

Won;t deny that - but not wise to try and single out any one driver particularly do so at a single circuit. Should we also limit Layton Crambrook to Hidden Valley for all of his experience?

[Marcos WTF]

Originally Posted by RotorFan

Still, its about time a driver used his voice to support the need for permanent circuits.

Agree, if VE$A had their way it would be street circuits everwhere.
For once I ageee with Crashney

[TSR]

Well said JC, but the deaf ears at VE$A could give a toss what ur opion is

[Axeman444]

Originally Posted by NewsStalker

Won;t deny that - but not wise to try and single out any one driver particularly do so at a single circuit. Should we also limit Layton Crambrook to Hidden Valley for all of his experience?

so he should start talking about Sandown... even though the event this weekend is at Winton... seriously?

[NewsStalker]

Media releases are (and should be) aimed at the non-racing fan - these are the people they are trying to pick up.

Mark Webber raced Formula Fords at Winton before heading to Formula One

This quote implies Webber only raced at Winton. But hey - why let facts stand in the way of a good press release? Not disputing the rest of it, just the way it has aligned a race driver that raced all over the country with a single track.

[bluesport]

Originally Posted by NewsStalker

Media releases are (and should be) aimed at the non-racing fan - these are the people they are trying to pick up.



This quote implies Webber only raced at Winton. But hey - why let facts stand in the way of a good press release? Not disputing the rest of it, just the way it has aligned a race driver that raced all over the country with a single track.

JC merely stated a fact IMO.......nothing to get worked up about here......move along.

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by NewsStalker

This quote implies Webber only raced at Winton. But hey - why let facts stand in the way of a good press release? Not disputing the rest of it, just the way it has aligned a race driver that raced all over the country with a single track.

certainly got your panties in a knot over this quote didnt you.

No where does it say that he only raced them at Winton, it say's that he raced them at Winton which is true.

Good comments from JC, heading up tomorrow night, Im lead to believe there are new improvements this year, a wider pit lane, is that true? plus the new safety lighting system, looking forward to seeing them for the first time. but hopefully not too much during the races

[peckstar]

sometimes it better to be quiet.

your confusing me with someone, possibly stealthy, i have been JC's defender

[PVDA]

Originally Posted by peckstar

a wider pit lane, is that true?

The pit lane has been sealed all the way to the inner wall so it is about 1.5 car widths wider although is still only 2 lanes.

[peckstar]

thanks, that woudl make it wider than most tracks in australia?

should reduce queuing issues if they happen also

[Driver TBA]

Not everyone is a fan of Winton

Drivers have conflicting views on Winton


But TC is!

V8 Supercars Australia Chairman Tony Cochrane, known for his vocal criticism of promoters he feels are not pulling their weight, praised Winton Motor Raceway’s Benalla Auto Club.

“They are forever trying to improve their facility … I give the Benalla Auto Club full marks for what they do there with a very limited budget,” said Cochrane on BigPond Sport.

[bortall]

Originally Posted by Driver TBA

Not everyone is a fan of Winton

Drivers have conflicting views on Winton

That's because Lowndes is becoming more of a tool as time goes by.

[peckstar]

what i like about winton is eveytime i go there there is something new. i think the 25 mill bathurst got would have been much better spent at winton

come and have a look some time DRT

[Trevor]

But TC is!

I hear from the powder room there could be a bit more on this front into the future.

I bet James really likes Winton now - LOL

There are people who's ego's have outgrown Winton, not the series!

[bortall]

Originally Posted by Big_Trev

There are people who's ego's have outgrown Winton, not the series!

Never has a more accurate statement been said.

[Bown]

Good one JC, hear hear!!

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by peckstar

what i like about winton is eveytime i go there there is something new. i think the 25 mill bathurst got would have been much better spent at winton

come and have a look some time DRT

I was there across the weekend... the citysider I brought with me was less than impressed at getting dusty walking from one end of the place to the other.

No better or worse than Queensland Raceway, Bathurst and the like... doesnt mean its worth the $65 a day to get in there and watch...

... and nothing like watching an AFL game of a similar price band!