'02 Astc?? - Page 5

gmontrack · 1 Apr 2002, 06:02 (Ref:248671)

Michael H.
The 406's that Pual Grimm has need quite a bit of work to get them back up to race trim. When Watts was out here they had to change the engine in his car after the 2nd race. As far as I now both engines will need to be freshened-up before they can race.

ASTEM · 2 Apr 2002, 01:11 (Ref:249496)

TV, Free to air time slots are still to be confirmed,

On optus round 1 will be televised on the 13/4, 20/4 and 27/4 at 10am on the saturday mornings, i beleive a similar time slot will be on fox.

as soon as a get a confirmed Free to air time i will let you all know,

thanks Michael H for the argentine contact.

StuiE · 2 Apr 2002, 06:19 (Ref:249590)

looks exciting!

StuiE · 2 Apr 2002, 06:20 (Ref:249591)

the south american former championship, that is

RaceTime · 2 Apr 2002, 06:32 (Ref:249600)

Quote:

Originally posted by gtr69
looks exciting!

Typical - one car gets it right and the rest turn tail and flee

racer69 · 2 Apr 2002, 11:08 (Ref:249740)

I read that Sam Dale will be missing from Mallala, he has to go and patrol the coast line for illegal immigrants, so which driver is going to take his place.

I really hope some of the ex-South American Championship cars can get down here and race, even better would be some of the teams.

Crash Test · 2 Apr 2002, 11:49 (Ref:249770)

Was the championship called off because all of the drivers left the country on that chopper, or were they used for some form of target practice?

ASTEM · 2 Apr 2002, 22:07 (Ref:250400)

Sams replacement should be finalised by early next week,

D.R.T. · 3 Apr 2002, 05:35 (Ref:250590)

Maybe Anthony Robson. I belive his is a great driver and has Front wheel drive experience. Any other bets.

kmchow · 3 Apr 2002, 08:01 (Ref:250642)

AFAIK, the South American championship may have been called up due to:
1) Economic conditions started to head downward after '99+
2) Some of the cars were bought by race organizers and leased back to teams. I don't know where the organizers got the money to buy the cars. Perhaps when money ran out, so did the teams cause they couldn't afford the real cost of leasing the cars.

racer69 · 3 Apr 2002, 10:17 (Ref:250733)

It's unfortunate if that lead to it's downfall, but it was a great idea while it lasted. The idea of the organiser's buying the cars and leasing them out is great. It ensured the South American Championship had quality cars like Alfa 156s, Vectra's, Chrysler Stratus etc...... and they were all of the latest or close to latest specification.

kmchow · 4 Apr 2002, 03:37 (Ref:251492)

Oh yeah, don't forget that in Argentina, they have a VERY strong TC2000 series!! I think Mitsubishi was the latest automaker to join the series. And this is in addition to Works teams from Honda, Toyota, Chrysler, Ford and VW!! And I also think Opel may be a semi-works? Pretty hard to compete with that?

wishbone · 7 Apr 2002, 22:23 (Ref:254435)

Quote:

Originally posted by gmontrack
I have been involved in ST for five or six years and it would be a shame to see it die, but if this does not work(this time ) then lets move on to what ever, because the longer we try to give it the kiss of life the harder it will be everyone involved to move on to another category and go motoracing.

I am suprised to here such negitve comments from some one involved with super touring, i am assumeing that you have a investment in the category?

I was under the impression that the category was dead, and the teams are now working hard at rebuilding the catergory so to minimise the lost i their investments i would assume.

Where the v8s have suceeded is that every car owner got behind the series, they didn't stand on the side line and watch and wait and see.

the one thing that seams to be apparent reading this post is that there are countless Super Tourers in the country, by the numbers i have read i think there are 32? cars, and some are very good cars.

but every body is standing in pit lane saying , well if it gets up i will run my car, if it dosn't then the fans, toca and the V8s are at fault.

i think the best race i have every seen in the country was at bathurst, i think it was 98, with the volvo and the nissan, no other 2 cars in my memory have fought for 1000 kays as hard as those 2 did! there was also a pretty good crowd if i remeber.

kmchow · 8 Apr 2002, 00:13 (Ref:254482)

Well, people seem to agree that though ST cars may be cheap to purchase, they cost an equal(??) amount on maintenance of their F1-esque engines?

ASTEM · 8 Apr 2002, 02:53 (Ref:254514)

Engine Cost for the Super tourers varies depending on who you talk to: the standard answer i get from talking to out teams is that a rebuild costs between $25,000 and $35,000, i know that SAE Racing gets about 1500Km out of and engine, V8 super Engine rebuilds are around $50,000 with and engine life of about 500Km, most teams i believe have a spirnt and an endurance spec motors.

I was recently talking to a Sprint Car driver who is intersted in moving across from the clay track and he told me that his engines cost $75,000 each and uses on anverage 3 per season

RaceTime · 8 Apr 2002, 03:00 (Ref:254515)

WHich really makes it a rich persons sport, doesn't it?

racer69 · 8 Apr 2002, 10:21 (Ref:254671)

i more or less agree with what wishbone has said. There have certainly been people who have done all they can, and more, for the category to try and make it a success, but then there are others who think it is all too hard and don't bother.

There is definatly the potential to have a full grid, the only thing going against it is that ST is no longer an international formula, i believe it is no longer the FIA Class 2 touring car formula, and that the cars are ageing, however, that really shouldn't stop the series from having a healthy future.

gmontrack · 8 Apr 2002, 12:22 (Ref:254784)

Wishbone,
I have had alot to do with the running of a ST team for the last three/four years but unfortunately last year we did not get to run the car. My income relies on working on and maintaining race cars and I have to look at the best opportunity in the "motorsport game" that will give me what I think is a chance to work for a full season. As with some of the other cars that have been run by people like myself, they too have had to go to other categories to survive and make a living. But I'm quite sure if you asked them, they too would love to keep running a ST but they just can't afford to. This then leads to the cars sitting in w/shops or being run by poeple with all the right intensions to do well, but are not able to keep them going for very long and they end up side lined anyway. You have to remember how these cars were built, one step down from F1, and if you have not had a good look at one and been involved in the running of one it's hard to explain just what is involved in keeping one of these cars on the track. If you know what you are doing they do, tick like a clock , but if you don't, they could end up as a very costly pile of nuts and bolts. I would love to show anyone around the cars that I have in my w/shop and show them just what great peices of machinery they really are.

Buckshot · 8 Apr 2002, 20:29 (Ref:255092)

Quote:

I would love to show anyone around the cars that I have in my w/shop and show them just what great peices of machinery they really are.

hehe be careful dude, there are a lot of posters here in the Penrith area that just might take you up on that offer - myself included.

Crash Test · 8 Apr 2002, 22:43 (Ref:255170)

lol- he aint joking.... I've seen this lot get all excited about show cars parked next to the road...

Buckshot · 9 Apr 2002, 00:19 (Ref:255231)

Yes...yes I did.

kmchow · 9 Apr 2002, 01:30 (Ref:255254)

Hey, you can't blame us...those were VERY NICE LOOKING showcars!!!

Crash Test · 9 Apr 2002, 01:47 (Ref:255259)

It was a Camry (a model which never saw the track in Super Touring) with some stickers, road wheels/tyres, and tinted windows!

racer69 · 9 Apr 2002, 02:37 (Ref:255276)

i might take up the offer as well.

As for the Camry, sure once i got out and looked at it it obviously wasn't the real thing, but from a distance when all you can make out is the recognisable colour scheme....

Although, i have to wonder why they used a showcar which wasn't the same model as the race car.

RaceTime · 9 Apr 2002, 02:47 (Ref:255280)

Probably because only the real enthusiast would know the difference between the models - show 'em a race car, get 'em through the gates...

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