Bowe Slams Monaro

Forbesy · 13 Nov 2002, 07:39 (Ref:427550)

In today's Motorsport News, John Bowe has been quoted as saying that the Monaro is hardly a Nations Cup car, and he reckons it'll run away with the race. In particular, he states that components from it bear no resembelance to the road car whatsoever, where as the Ferrari, Porsche etc. do and that is the basis of the category.

I couldn't agree with him more, this car could kill the category, as it is already rumoured that PHR will leave next year, plus this new Carrera Supercup series starting up could take away the already low grids. It'll just turn into rich busissmen playing with their toys, as if it isn't already. I don't think the Nations Cup category is long for this world.

rocket · 13 Nov 2002, 08:51 (Ref:427591)

yeah its just tipical of everybody kissing holdens a$$ & allowing them to do whatever they want.
its a joke that they allow something that modified to compete in the first place

racer69 · 13 Nov 2002, 10:19 (Ref:427639)

As has been stated many times, Nations Cup is not a Production Car class. The Monaro is within the regulations, even more so now that the HSV 427 is going to be built for the road. What about the Mosler, that is a purpose built sportscar with just the minimum number of road cars, and that car is eligible for Nations Cup from next year.

On the Carrera Cup, from what i'm hearing there is every liklihood this thing won't get started.

Buckshot · 13 Nov 2002, 20:57 (Ref:428071)

I actually replied to a similar thread to this on the PROCAR forums a few weeks ago.

People, you need to take into account that John Bowe is almost as good at driving as he is at whingeing.

Acheiving parity for the Nations Cup Series would be a heck of a lot easier if Bowe stopped his spoilt brat routine at the end of every race he loses and just admits he wasn't good enough on the day in question.

Don't get me wrong - I do think it is unfair and rather underhanded that the Monaro will be entered into the 24 Hour without anybody knowing it's abilities after it was promised it would be available for the Indy races.

I think we all just need to remember that anything John Bowe says in regards to the performance of his compeititors needs to be taken with a grain of salt.

Dazz · 13 Nov 2002, 22:24 (Ref:428136)

Holden did not make the rules, they simply looked at them, submitted a specification which was approved, they then built the car and will race it.

Like it or not, they simply did their homework and exploited the situation. Nothing that any clever business person wouldn't do.

Anyway, what is Nations Cup really? Lets face it the Monaro is probably not worth any more than those Lambo's or Ferrari's, and at the end of the day all of the cars are fiddled with to some extent. Holden have just fiddled a little (lot, but still legal) more with theirs.

Crash Test · 13 Nov 2002, 22:40 (Ref:428162)

When Ford put the Mustang in GTP everyone kicked up a Monaro like stink. There is little doubt that the Nations Cup will be on the verge of having the arse fall out of it next year. Many of the Porsche (and non Porsche) competitors will be moving into the Carrera Cup, and even the Lambo team seemed to have whinged for the last time.

Mattracer · 13 Nov 2002, 22:50 (Ref:428173)

Oh well, nothing like a bit of pressure at Bathurst. If the "Monaro" doesn't win, who's going to look pretty stupid on Monday morning? Big risk for Holden, unproven car, max PR hype. Good luck...

Dazz · 13 Nov 2002, 22:59 (Ref:428179)

The publicity they get will be well worth it either way.

mac · 13 Nov 2002, 23:24 (Ref:428188)

Couldn't agree more with Bowie. I'm ****ed off at the Monaro. How would Holden like it if PHR chucked the engine from the Enzo in one of their 360s?

I really hope the Monaro doesn't win.

Dazz · 13 Nov 2002, 23:31 (Ref:428191)

I'm sure there is nothing really stopping PHR racing an Enzo in Nations Cup if they wanted to. It's just a small matter of about A$2 million

In all honesty, I don't think the Enzo is really a good 24-hour proposition anyway.

I do take your point though, it is in some ways a little unfair, but ......

Beejay17 · 13 Nov 2002, 23:42 (Ref:428198)

If you want to see a Bathurst 24-Hour, you'd better go this year. If I were Ferrari, Lamborghini or Porsche, I'd be getting my cars out of this class as soon as possible. They're on a hiding-to-nothing.

Rhys_00 · 14 Nov 2002, 05:07 (Ref:428268)

Well, thats why im goin this year, I want to see Holden rock up, win, and never go back. "Game Over" ring a bell from the early CV8 monaro ads?

rocket · 14 Nov 2002, 05:28 (Ref:428271)

well the lambo team has pulled out thanks to the monaro
as for it being compared to the other cars im pretty sure that they ARE NOT tubbed to fit extra large rear tyres their engines are certinaly not something that is NOT available in the car. i know its not a production car class but even the porsche, ferrari & lambo are not modified to the extent of the monaro

Dazz · 14 Nov 2002, 05:56 (Ref:428282)

I don't think the Lambo or the Vipers had any real intention of running to be perfectly honest, and are simply using the Monaro as an excuse.

That LS1 powered thing from England should scare them more than the Monaro, but nothing was said about it was there?

I'm not defending the Monaro as such, because I think it has pushed the rules a little too far, but lets be honest, they were gong to let the Japanese GT cars race which are no less modified than the Monaro.

I think it is all simply rich little boys whinging about racing cars which most of us mere mortals would give our right, ummmm, arm to have a steer in.

If you look at it from a pure dollars and cents point of view, I think it all looks pretty even to me.

racer69 · 14 Nov 2002, 10:33 (Ref:428380)

The race i don't believe was originally meant to be intended as Nations Cup cars would be the outright cars. That's why N-GT, GT500 and so on where allowed in, the get a good overseas entry.

Give the event this year, honestly i only expected an entry of around the 40 mark anyway it was announced so late. It's not a bad line-up anyway, i think the Mosler could be faster than the Monaro actually, that is a purpose built Sportscar.

As for Nations Cup, The Monaro will definatly get parity adjustments, wasn't someone lining up a TVR Chimera for next year, plus i read elsewhere that Geoff Morgan is close to getting factory backing for a new Viper. It's got promise, lets just hope it is realised.

mac · 15 Nov 2002, 01:24 (Ref:428912)

As well as the Maserati Trofeo (which I can't wait for). They are doing some demo runs for that at the mountain this weekend.

Crash Test · 15 Nov 2002, 02:09 (Ref:428919)

Is Morgan going to run a Viper and a Porsche?

sevi · 15 Nov 2002, 03:07 (Ref:428931)

No.

Splatz the Cow · 16 Nov 2002, 10:26 (Ref:429818)

Monaro = 5.?L Chevrolet V8 with six speed gearbox.

So why are they allowed to have a 7 litre V8? Anyone REALLY know the answer?

Is it because Corvette Racing run a 7litre Chev Corvette in the ALMS? If so the Corvette is in GTS and races above the Porsche and Ferrari 360 category, not with them?

Is it because the Callaway C12 has a 7litre V8, possibly.
But the C12 is restricted to around 365kW(490Hp) & 520Nm.

So why does the Monarort have 600+Bhp and way more than 650Nm torque?
Any bright sparks know the answer?

Or are Holden engineers and team members so much smarter than every body else? Yes that must be it.....

PS. For those of you who obviously think the Mosler appeared out of nowhere and is some "Sportscar" (??), the company has been around for ages and they've made a number of racing efforts, this is really their first dedicated road car. It currently races in the ALMS and JGTC (against Porsche GT3-RS and Ferrari 360, Toyota MR-S and Nissan Silvia.)

DAVID PATERSON · 16 Nov 2002, 12:16 (Ref:429871)

I received an email tonioght, that Holden are in fact going to build 50 7 litre Monaros in order to gain eligibility for the Nation's Cup. The car will be called the HRT 427. It will have the Chev 427 from the Calloway Corvette and a 6 speed gearbox with sequential shifter. A roll cage and massive racing brakes will be standard. The car will sell for $200 000. I've seen pictures and OMG I want one!

mac · 17 Nov 2002, 00:08 (Ref:430205)

$200,000!!!!

I'll take a Maserati Coupe thankyou.

Valve Bounce · 17 Nov 2002, 00:59 (Ref:430240)

Pity Ford won't match Holden with a similar monster.

smokinJ · 17 Nov 2002, 01:57 (Ref:430280)

the farrari had a spec race motor and shueys engineer
but Bowe through that out the window by over revving it
i wonder if PHR are still keen on retaining him

a mates dad who allready has a Monaro is thinking about getting a 427 if his wife will let him
and he didnt even know the race was on
this may be the clincher

smokinJ · 17 Nov 2002, 02:31 (Ref:430286)

750 k for the PHR donk

marcus · 17 Nov 2002, 03:07 (Ref:430299)

yeah Dave I want one tooooo

thanks for the email it looks awesome.

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