Chuck!

TV ratings have been up, fan attendance has been down.

http://www.jayski.com/pages/tvratings2008.htm

Tokuzumi

Why does anybody waste money on Nascar? It's a bunch of cars that go in a circle. Nothing changes. The only cool thing is when a huge accident happens. In the 60's-80's, Nascar meant something. Now, like in an earlier post, it's all about the drivers, and the Tampax/Enzyte/Viagra/Tide stickers on the cars. Besides, the Toyota looks identical to the Ford, which looks identical to the Chevy.

AdioSS

The part in bold made me think about something. How close are the ever tightening rules making NASCAR more like the old IROC series? In that series it really was all about the driver since each had "identical" racecars.


Being a long time Impala fan, I don't mind that Chevy is using the Impala name on the cars now. But the current Impala is nothing like the racecar, but it is time to evolve.

Just like everybody else, I would like to see more differentiation and more modern technology. Electronic fuel injection and independant rear suspension would be nice.

I wish there were a way to bring back Trans-AM racing with production-based racecars. There is stupid money going into NASCAR. There has to be some to spare to go toward a different more modern series. Maybe put more of an emphasis on fuel economy along with the racing?

Here is what I would like to see:

• Limit the quantity of fuel that a team can use during a race.
• Limit the tire size to width and height of tire used in actual production model.
• Race on tracks with more turns so that aerodynamics don't matter near as much.
• Must begin with a production body-in-white.
• Limit raceweight.
• Engine must be the same displacement as production model +/- X%.
• Drivetrain must be of similar design of production model.
• Production version must make up at least 10% of actual vehicle production.

I have to get to class. I'll expand later, but this is a good start.

DAKMOR

i stayed outta this thread for awhile, but ima **** off a few people anyway since im bored.

why does chevy waste money on building the camaro? apprently sub30mpg sports cars are selling better than 40+mpg small cars.

guionM

Because they actually make money with Camaro?

Because Camaro is a real car?

Because any good press Camaro gets directly affects sales because it's press over a real car?

Because it's a vehicle you can actually buy?

I dunno. Because NASCAR is none of the above?

Chuck!

FYI ... a pretty good read from the Peter.

http://www.autoextremist.com/fumes1/

1fastdog - you happen to know if anything he's saying is true?

Everyone else --

Just for a debatable point, what if Nascar was able to all the safety benefits of the COT, and put them under a stock-dimensioned (not stock bodied though) Camaro, Mustang, Challenger?

Thanks
Chuck

mdenz3

Fixed that for ya.

I'm just waiting for Tony, Jeff and junior to get fed up and start their own racing series.

detltu

Sounds like some winning ideas for changing the series. I would like to see some production related cars with modern technology and a few more road races. Then I might watch the series. 4 road races isn't enough but I know that will be a tough pill to swallow for Nascar officials.

AdioSS

Wow, I like those ideas! It would definitely get my interest up a lot.

I like taking the Cup drivers out of the Busch/Nationwide Series. It has basically turned into a practice race for Cup.

I don't like getting rid of the truck series. Of course I drive a truck and live in Texas.

Honestly I don't see the big issue about the CoT all looking alike. Their production counterparts all look the same also...

bossco

Have you checked out GAC? its actually a France Family thing, but is somewhat similar to what you propose.

bossco

Still not interested. I like the body in white idea using production based configuration/components. I dont even care for the speed. I'd be just as happy watching a race at 100 as I would 200.

What I really want to see is stuff in my car taking on stuff i n the other guys car then reading about MY <insert year and make here> benefiting from a bunch of guys going around in a circle beating the hell out of production based components.

Chuck!

So then you're not really interested in series like the Rolex Cup? Only really the Speed series and, to a lesser extent, LeMans?

AdioSS

GAC? http://www.acronymfinder.com/GAC.html ???

I'm interested, but there just isn't much coverage of those series...

bossco

Somewhat, I like the Koni Challenge Series better, would really like to see Camaro, G8 and Challenger mix it up with Mustang, BMW, Porsche (among others) - although I think for GM to make a real splash they would need something along the lines of this. After reading C&D's 350Z effort, it needs some decent factory backing, a private zeta effort wouldn't fair well at all and IMO wouldn't do something like the Camaro justice (but how bad *** would it be if somebody did run a private F5 effort and racked up a wining season - talk about EPIC WIN!)

bossco

Grand Am Cup the Rolex series is one facet of the program, The Koni Challenge series seems to be along your line of thinking.