V8 SuperCars

[MOWOG]

The Australian V8 SuperCars ventured above the equator for the first time last Sunday to race at COTA outside Austin, Texas. Attendance was good, the weather fair and the racing intense. These guys really know how to put on a show. NASCAR should be quaking in their boots!

The racing is similar to BTCC in that the weekend features two races on Saturday and two more on Sunday. These are all sprint races, with none of the tedium that results from watching the NASCAR boys circling a half mile oval 4,568 times for 11 hours straight. OK, that may be an exaggeration. Make that a SLIGHT exaggeration!

Anybody catch the racing in Austin? Anybody follow V8 SuperCars on a regular basis? Is there anything Formula One could learn from the Aussies about entertaining racing fans?

[kalinka]

Yeah, I follow the series from 2011, though not as closely as F1.
Yes, F1 could learn a lot of things from V8SC. Especially how it is broadcasted. The TV show is at much higher level then F1, with much more technical insights, and lot of interesting camera angles. And clearly everyone at the teams are aware how important is the media. Everyone is very helpful with the riporters, and you can really feel the human side of the racing here. It's not that sterile like F1. The racing is good too. There are lot of cars on the track ( i think 36 ), and there is always action. There are also longer races in the calendar like endurance racing, like SUPERCHEAP AUTO BATHURST 1000 (1000 km ). The tracks are also interesting. Like Mount Panorama - it's fantastic.

[Billzilla]

The Australian V8 SuperCars ventured above the equator for the first time last Sunday to race at COTA outside Austin, Texas.

No, they've been north of the equator for years - they have raced at Dubai and Shanghai for at least four or five years that I know of.

[MOWOG]

you can really feel the human side of the racing here.

Excellent point, That is definitely an area where F1 could improve.

I have read some reports about the Bathhurst circuit from American drivers who have taken part in the race, They say it is the scariest and most exhilarating racing circuits anywhere. Watching that race is close to nirvana for racing fans.

No, they've been north of the equator for years - they have raced at Dubai and Shanghai for at least four or five years that I know of.

My bad. I must have been thinking of the OTHER equator.

[MadMatt]

I'm also watching occasionally V8 Supercars since 2007 I think, and I find it really interesting. The battle Ford-Holden is just great, and many drivers can win a race. Talking about Bathurst, that is indeed a very good track although I would love to see Indy Cars on it! I hope they will not try to get too "technological" because that is not really good on a series like this imo. I was quite sad to see the good old gearstick dropped, I hope they won't go too far.

[MOWOG]

I was quite sad to see the good old gearstick dropped,

You must be an old bastard. Like me!

[Billzilla]

I have read some reports about the Bathhurst circuit from American drivers who have taken part in the race, They say it is the scariest and most exhilarating racing circuits anywhere. Watching that race is close to nirvana for racing fans.

Yes it's a pretty darn good track - I ran in the 2008 12 Hour race for Toyota there - http://www.billzilla.org/bathurst.html
But Nurburgring is a big leap above Bathurst, I've never seen anything close - http://www.billzilla.org/nurburgring.htm

[proutyc]

Bathurst is great and TV doesnt do it justice. Its steeper than you think.

DW was there a few years ago with Speed and they posted this clip. I still find it funny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLkLtBkUVuo

[Jersey Tom]

The racing is similar to BTCC in that the weekend features two races on Saturday and two more on Sunday. These are all sprint races, with none of the tedium that results from watching the NASCAR boys circling a half mile oval 4,568 times for 11 hours straight. OK, that may be an exaggeration. Make that a SLIGHT exaggeration!

This comes across like a typical comment from those who don't actually follow stock car racing at all, or is generally biased from an upbringing of road circuit racing. I should know, I used to be one of those people. There are some events which are bland... others which end up being as intense or more so than any road series race I've watched. Of course having actual skin in the game pushes that direction as well.

But sure, V8 Super Cars have some very fun events.

[MOWOG]

I appreciate your comments, sir. I have a friend who races in roundy round events and he insists the drivers are working every bit as hard and are as passionate about their craft as any Formula One driver. He also says the teams invest as much time and effort as any in racing. And I have no doubt that all of that is true.

However, and this is just my opinion, if I require a good nap of a Sunday afternoon, I will find a NASCAR race on TV, set the sound on low, and wake up refreshed and energized about the time the checkered flag shows!

But to be fair, I have dozed off during F1 races on occasion. And I will grudgingly admit that I have done so less often lately, what with all the falderol regarding tires. I can honestly say that the ONLY racing that has never put me to sleep is BTCC and any top tier motorcycle race!

There has always been rivalry between oval track and race race fans. Just as there is a quiet but passionate rivalry between fans of sailing and those who think having two big honking supercharged engines is the way to go on the water. As the famous Mounds commercial so aptly put it: Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don't. Anyway, in general, V8 SuperCars is way cool.

Thanks to Billzilla and proutyc for those links. Good stuff. I have seen the DW footage before and it was great fun watching it again.

[Tommy Cookers]

........ those who don't actually follow stock car racing at all, or is generally biased from an upbringing of road circuit racing. .........

this seems a good time to ask (guess) .......
some Nascar type oval tracks are foot down the whole lap, some throttle off approaching turns, and some have braking points ???
roughly how many of each type ?