2014 United Sports Car Championship

[Snaeper]

So I was having dinner at Red Robin, and I noticed that one of the TV's was tuned into the second race at Laguna.
"No way!", I said, surprised to see something I could actually watch at a restaurant chain.
My date looked over to see what I was staring at.
"I don't like NASCAR."

I've got a similar story to that:

Working at a Cafe, find out one of my co-workers is from Pikes Peak.
"Hey dude, have you ever been to the Hillclimb?"
"No, not really."
"You lived that close and never went to see it?"
At this time a female co-worker of mine who was a real ***** decided to chime in with a snide tone.
"Pffft NASCAR"

 

[RACECAR]

Stop +60 for 911,dropped to 9th place,62 up to 3rd.👍

Good, I would've been livid if they Penalized Auberlin for one bump into the last corner and not the car that ran not one but two cars off the road. Seems like Tandy has gotten abit of a big head now that he's in a Factory car.

 

[cnd01]

Good, I would've been livid if they Penalized Auberlin for one bump into the last corner and not the car that ran not one but two cars off the road. Seems like Tandy has gotten abit of a big head now that he's in a Factory car.

I thought the driving standard in GTLM was worse than P. The Risi Ferrari spun the 4 Corvette, Tandy sent 2 cars off, and Billy Aubs did his best NASCAR short track bump and run move in the last corner all in the last stint. Other than the Oak/Yacaman vs. SoD feud, P was very clean.

On another note: What do you guys think about the rule where the driver that qualifies the car doesn't have to start the car? It caused a crash in turn 1 at LB with the 60 car, and just about caused another one with the 2 car at Laguna

 

[RACECAR]

I thought the driving standard in GTLM was worse than P. The Risi Ferrari spun the 4 Corvette, Tandy sent 2 cars off, and Billy Aubs did his best NASCAR short track bump and run move in the last corner all in the last stint.

I think the Incident with the Corvette was accidental as it looked like the Ferrari washed up into it. to Remember that grip on the track has been difficult with the sand. Tandy's pass on the Ferrari was unnecessary as the car pretty much had no tires left so it wasn't even called for to shove him like that.

On another note: What do you guys think about the rule where the driver that qualifies the car doesn't have to start the car? It caused a crash in turn 1 at LB with the 60 car, and just about caused another one with the 2 car at Laguna

Wasn't even aware that rule was in effect until today and I really don't understand it. Both Grand-Am and ALMS had the driver that qualified starting the car so the decision to change is very strange and makes no sense to me.

 

[cnd01]

Wasn't even aware that rule was in effect until today and I really don't understand it. Both Grand-Am and ALMS had the driver that qualified starting the car so the decision to change is very strange and makes no sense to me.

That's what I'm saying. It causes the few am drivers to be right in the middle of the chaos at the start of the race. Pew ended up in the tires at LB and Brown was 3 wide also into T1 which could've gone very badly at Laguna

 

[Falcon787B]

I've got a similar story to that:

Working at a Cafe, find out one of my co-workers is from Pikes Peak.
"Hey dude, have you ever been to the Hillclimb?"
"No, not really."
"You lived that close and never went to see it?"
At this time a female co-worker of mine who was a real ***** decided to chime in with a snide tone.
"Pffft NASCAR"

I had something similar when I moved into university halls. I was saying how I love motorsport, and my flatmate was all like 'oh I just find it really boring, like no offence.'

When pressed, it turned out she'd only watched F1 before.

Three BTCC races later and she had changed her mind on motorsport being boring

 

[R0ssingt0n]

I had something similar when I moved into university halls. I was saying how I love motorsport, and my flatmate was all like 'oh I just find it really boring, like no offence.'

When pressed, it turned out she'd only watched F1 before.

Three BTCC races later and she had changed her mind on motorsport being boring

Another story similar to these...

I managed to convince my girlfriend of 3 months (who had never watched any motorsport other than a couple F1 races on the tele) to come to Silverstone and Le Mans with me this year for the WEC

 

[Organ-Donor]

I've been busy and haven't heard about the unnamed team (besides Muscle Milk) withdrawing from Tudor that was announced a while back. Most signs pointed to SRT Viper but they ran Laguna Seca and I haven't heard anything further so are they staying in the remainder of the season?

 

[cnd01]

I've been busy and haven't heard of the unnamed team (besides Muscle Milk) withdrawing from Tudor. Most signs pointed to SRT Viper so are they staying in the remainder of the season?

Technically SRT Viper withdrew, but the same team with the same cars will still be there as Dodge Viper. I think the cars will look a little like this. I've also heard they got a new spokesperson

 

[RACECAR]

I wonder if that withdrawal from Le Mans was part of that new restructuring that recently took place.

 

[cnd01]

I wonder if that withdrawal from Le Mans was part of that new restructuring that recently took place.

All speculation here, but I bet SRT was going to die with all it's cars. I think Chrysler/Fiat decided at the last second to save it for some reason

 

[ProjectWHaT]

Laguna Seca gallery
http://halstonmsm.kinja.com/monterey-grand-prix-photo-gallery-1572793273/1573382997/+matthardigree

 

[Snaeper]

All speculation here, but I bet SRT was going to die with all it's cars. I think Chrysler/Fiat decided at the last second to save it for some reason

I believe it was more a case of identity crisis. With it's only unique car not selling well (and even then it wasn't like it was that unique of a car), and Dodge already being the sporty/excitement brand, not to mention not having any independent SRT dealers anyways, they probably just combined them to clear everything up.

Can you imagine a poor dealer trying to describe to some car-noob customer how SRT was it's own brand?

 

[cnd01]

I believe it was more a case of identity crisis. With it's only unique car not selling well (and even then it wasn't like it was that unique of a car), and Dodge already being the sporty/excitement brand, not to mention not having any independent SRT dealers anyways, they probably just combined them to clear everything up.

Can you imagine a poor dealer trying to describe to some car-noob customer how SRT was it's own brand?

I think it has to do with dealer space in addition to confusing branding like you're saying. If you're a Chrysler/Dodge/SRT/Jeep dealer, what would you rather have on your lot? A truck/sedan/SUV that sells plenty of units a year or a sports car that costs roughly $50,000 more than a Corvette. I think it's a simple decision for dealers not to carry them to save the space and money.

Unfortunately, the Viper doesn't have the history the Corvette does. Any old rich person(the target buyers generally) had to have seen a Corvette on the streets when he/she was young whereas the Viper wasn't born until the late 80s or early 90s

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I think it has to do with dealer space in addition to confusing branding like you're saying. If you're a Chrysler/Dodge/SRT/Jeep dealer, what would you rather have on your lot? A truck/sedan/SUV that sells plenty of units a year or a sports car that costs roughly $50,000 more than a Corvette. I think it's a simple decision for dealers not to carry them to save the space and money.

I've seen plenty of dealers carry them, more so than the ZR1 and to be honest it was the same deal with the GT500, dealerships unless in a small town usually have there major sports car on display. The nissan dealership I go to for my newer car to get serviced has two GTR one V Spec the other not sure, and I know of one they have in the back lot. Those cars are worth as much as a Viper so...

Point is a Dealership is going to show case all of its cars because that's how you sell them not every joe with tons of money is going to call in a car to be delivered.

Unfortunately, the Viper doesn't have the history the Corvette does. Any old rich person(the target buyers generally) had to have seen a Corvette on the streets when he/she was young whereas the Viper wasn't born until the late 80s or early 90s

That hardly has anything to do with why it doesn't sell, the base corvette that you compare the Viper to aren't even in the same grouping of cars. And your argument is of a narrow scope, because you seem to have it set that most rich people are old, or people that have saved for decades to afford such nice cars. There are plenty of mid aged and younger people in their late 20s that have that kind of money to spend. All of which are probably aware of what a viper is if their in the market for a Super Car.

Also it has been my experience at car shows and car events in general that older people with money buy are cars they wanted as kids. So instead of a Corvette from today they'd rather buy one from their childhood. Just like many of us probably would do.

What it comes down to is a Chrysler marketing issue, and how to sell the car. Dodge has always been a big user of media even in the 90s to sell its more sporty products, and since the revival of the Viper from hiatus I haven't seen as much of that. Though the other fast cars do.

 

[cnd01]

I've seen plenty of dealers carry them, more so than the ZR1 and to be honest it was the same deal with the GT500, dealerships unless in a small town usually have there major sports car on display. The nissan dealership I go to for my newer car to get serviced has two GTR one V Spec the other not sure, and I know of one they have in the back lot. Those cars are worth as much as a Viper so...

Point is a Dealership is going to show case all of its cars because that's how you sell them not every joe with tons of money is going to call in a car to be delivered.



That hardly has anything to do with why it doesn't sell, the base corvette that you compare the Viper to aren't even in the same grouping of cars. And your argument is of a narrow scope, because you seem to have it set that most rich people are old, or people that have saved for decades to afford such nice cars. There are plenty of mid aged and younger people in their late 20s that have that kind of money to spend. All of which are probably aware of what a viper is if their in the market for a Super Car.

Also it has been my experience at car shows and car events in general that older people with money buy are cars they wanted as kids. So instead of a Corvette from today they'd rather buy one from their childhood. Just like many of us probably would do.

What it comes down to is a Chrysler marketing issue, and how to sell the car. Dodge has always been a big user of media even in the 90s to sell its more sporty products, and since the revival of the Viper from hiatus I haven't seen as much of that. Though the other fast cars do.

What I'm saying is that unless it's a huge Chrysler dealership, there's never going to be a huge stock of Vipers. I lived in a small town for a while and the Chrysler dealership never carried more than one Viper while the GM dealership always had a handful of Corvettes with different models. Where I live now, there are big dealerships for both. I've still never seen more than two Vipers (one of which being the older R/T 10 model) there while the GM dealership has a whole row of Corvettes with 3 being the ZR-1 model C6 and a handful of C7s

You're spot on with the marketing though. I don't remember the last time I've seen a commercial for any SRT car other than during a TUSCC broadcast.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

What I'm saying is that unless it's a huge Chrysler dealership, there's never going to be a huge stock of Vipers. I lived in a small town for a while and the Chrysler dealership never carried more than one Viper while the GM dealership always had a handful of Corvettes with different models. Where I live now, there are big dealerships for both. I've still never seen more than two Vipers (one of which being the older R/T 10 model) there while the GM dealership has a whole row of Corvettes with 3 being the ZR-1 model C6 and a handful of C7s

You're spot on with the marketing though. I don't remember the last time I've seen a commercial for any SRT car other than during a TUSCC broadcast.

Once again I explained that though...and you actually did yourself. More people are going to be able to buy Corvette because they are cheaper, I guarantee that the small town you lived in probably didn't have a ZR1 and a the most had a Z06. And if they did have one it's more than my small town did, because we only ever had a Z06 while the dodge dealership at the same time had two SRT10s on display and an older GTS.

It's simple economics it's easier to store 50-60k sports cars vs a 110k sports car because their is more market in the area for those things over that latter.

Hell the Infiniti dealership across the street last year had a 2010 SRT10 Viper for sale due to trade in and I've yet to see a ZR1.

 

[cnd01]

Once again I explained that though...and you actually did yourself. More people are going to be able to buy Corvette because they are cheaper, I guarantee that the small town you lived in probably didn't have a ZR1 and a the most had a Z06. And if they did have one it's more than my small town did, because we only ever had a Z06 while the dodge dealership at the same time had two SRT10s on display and an older GTS.

It's simple economics it's easier to store 50-60k sports cars vs a 110k sports car because their is more market in the area for those things over that latter.

Hell the Infiniti dealership across the street last year had a 2010 SRT10 Viper for sale due to trade in and I've yet to see a ZR1.

It had to be the Z06 because the C6 ZR-1 didn't exist when I lived there

I want the Viper sales to get better so the car is continued. The V-10 is awesome to the ears on the street and on the track.

 

[Müle]

If I had 100k to spare, I'd already have one.

But I'm poor. Viper is not a car for the poor.

 

[cnd01]

Joao Barbosa speaks on IMSA
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20140509/unitedsportscar/140509848

 

[RACECAR]

Well now, look what we have here

Just a small bit of the full thing:

Now, Reuters reveals, “AMG Services Inc. was subpoenaed as part of a criminal probe conducted by the office of Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. The grand jury is looking at possible violations of statutes covering wire fraud, money laundering and racketeering,” according to a source.

 

[cnd01]

That's more than just coincidence there. ST's brother, Blaine, committed suicide recently as well in the midst of this investigation. Looks like justice may finally be served cold if indeed illegal activities have been taking place

 

[RACECAR]

That's more than just coincidence there. ST's brother, Blaine, committed suicide recently as well in the midst of this investigation. Looks like justice may finally be served cold if indeed illegal activities have been taking place

Wait, where did I say that?

 

[cnd01]

Wait, where did I say that?

I'm in agreement 👍 I was merely adding onto what you were saying lol

Good to see AIM taking that team and car and having success with it without using loan payments as funding

 

[AMPMROCKETFANN]

I've been busy and haven't heard about the unnamed team (besides Muscle Milk) withdrawing from Tudor that was announced a while back. Most signs pointed to SRT Viper but they ran Laguna Seca and I haven't heard anything further so are they staying in the remainder of the season?

I wonder if that withdrawal from Le Mans was part of that new restructuring that recently took place.

I believe it was more a case of identity crisis. With it's only unique car not selling well (and even then it wasn't like it was that unique of a car), and Dodge already being the sporty/excitement brand, not to mention not having any independent SRT dealers anyways, they probably just combined them to clear everything up.

Can you imagine a poor dealer trying to describe to some car-noob customer how SRT was it's own brand?

Ha, I was about to say, now that SRT is no more, Will the Viper team continue under a (tweaked, like Dodge/SRT Viper or simply Dodge Racing etc.) new name, or could they be on the verge of a hiatus? any clues?

 

[cnd01]

Ha, I was about to say, now that SRT is no more, Will the Viper team continue under a (tweaked, like Dodge/SRT Viper or simply Dodge Racing etc.) new name, or could they be on the verge of a hiatus? any clues?

I assume they will be Viper racing now, but who really knows. With the restructuring process going on at Chrysler, I'm not sure a factory racing team is top priority.

 

[Mirado_7]

Can some one point me to where it is said that SRT is no more?

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Can some one point me to where it is said that SRT is no more?

Yeah it's in the automotive news subforum, it's one of the two threads with SRT in the title and not that one talking about the SRT4 Dart.

 

[GTPorsche]

http://racer.com/imsa/item/103616-imsa-muscle-milk-pickett-racing-closes-its-doors

 

[cnd01]

http://racer.com/imsa/item/103616-imsa-muscle-milk-pickett-racing-closes-its-doors

Sounds like it wasn't IMSA's fault for "BoP problems" causing the team to leave. They're in the same boat as L5. Outside issues happen, blame the sanctioning body/NASCAR, claim to be "evaluating other options", legal/financial issues surface, and they're gone for good