2016 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship - Results and TalkTouring Cars 

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R1600Turbo
Before Sandown, yeah.
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Could the two be linked? Seems interesting timing for the Courtney announcement, considering the rumours lately of him moving to Nissan.
 
R1600Turbo
4 hours? More like 4 months! :lol:
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Haha(Japan 4hours. I think. :D )
Spacegoat
Isn't the Nissan announcement supposed to be in the next week or so too?
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Nissan say Sandown. On Inside Supercars, they were saying today. They are in talks right now.

Hoping this is a sign:
http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/55368B2126904F13CA2580250007ABF8
NISSAN’S performance division Nismo is confirmed for an Australian launch and is set to inject some more personality into the brand from early next year with an initial three-model line-up.

The Nismo brand has been rumoured as a showroom halo division for years in Australia and, according to Nissan Australia managing director and CEO Richard Emery, it is now close to launch.

“This has been a work in process for a while and we’ve spoken about it many times before,” he said at the launch of the updated GT-R supercar at Phillip Island last week.

“We’re quite advanced with our discussions (with Japan) on Nismo and I believe Australia is a good market for a brand like Nismo.

“There’s a generation of people who know what Nismo is and we’ve been investing a bit in the last couple of years in branding it and with our involvement in the 12-hour race.

“We’ve been slowing drip feeding the Nismo message into the marketplace. And we wouldn’t be doing that unless something was down the track.”

Mr Emery would not give a date but indicated that product would be ready by the end of the year with sales starting early in 2017. It is likely the GT-R Nismo will make its appearance at the 12-Hour at Bathurst in February.

As previously reported by GoAuto, the first Nismo models are likely to be the GT-R, 370Z and Juke.

“It has to be a broad offering and up to this point there has only been a few vehicles available for us – GT-R, 370Z and Juke – so it’s important that when we do it and all the stars align, it has to be authentic,” he said.

“Just putting Nismo badges on a car isn’t what it’s all about.”

Mr Emery said he was aware that buyers were losing patience with Nissan Australia.

“I’m prepared to wait until we get products that reflect what Nismo is all about,” he said.

“If we got impatient and jumped the gun we would probably do the brand some damage so we’re working with Japan to ensure we do it at the right time,” he said.

“Nothing is in concrete yet about timing.”

Nissan has already shown its Nismo version of the 2017 GT-R at a preview at Germany’s Nurburgring racing circuit earlier this year.

The Nismo model is lighter, thanks to extensive use of carbon-fibre, and quicker with a 441kW output, up from the model year 2017 version that pumps out 419kW.

It will be followed by a 370Z Nismo – now with 260kW, up from the standard model’s 245kW output – and the Juke Nismo RS with 160kW, a rise from 140kW.

Globally, Nismo is available as a performance and image upgrade for three Nissan models but the company is reportedly looking for more.

While there is a Micra Nismo in Japan – albeit only with visual tweaks rather than any mechanical changes, it is unlikely for Australia, as is a Pulsar version given Nissan will axe the Pulsar hatch at the end of this year.
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http://www.supercars.com/news/championship/simona-de-silvestro-signs-with-supercars/?sf35168916=1

With who though?

And....

Edit: Smaller photos.

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If this means Wood is gone, awesome.

Edit:
http://www.nissanmotorsport.com.au/…/588-nissan-motorsport-
The announcement comes at a time when the Nissan outfit has taken on responsibility for running Nissan GT-R’s in the Australian GT Championship. However, the added workload should not impact the team’s ability to compete.
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Another thing is who will be driving this car?
Would Todd step down as well?
 
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05XR8
Another thing is who will be driving this car?
Would Todd step down as well?
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In passing I saw someone on a facebook article say that Todd would step aside for Courtney. I'll believe that when I see it.
 
According to Speedcafe, the de Silvestro deal is for three years.

That's a pretty big coup.
 
Well, then, Nissan/Kelly Racing(if a deal for her to sign with them happens) are guaranteed 3years sponsorship. That has to be a deal sweetener in Nissan Australia's favor. Imagine she gets that and a drive with Caruso at the Bathurst 12H. Anything is possible.

Edit: Running that Harvey Norman livery, the colours are pretty close to NISMO colours. :sly:
 
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05XR8
Well, then, Nissan/Kelly Racing(if a deal for her to sign with them happens) are guaranteed 3years sponsorship.
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I honestly can't see her going anywhere else, especially if the Supergirls wildcard is a Nissan. Maybe it's a double standard, but in order for a female driver to make it, it has to be the right move. Going to Walkinshaw, Erebus or LDM isn't really an option because they're massively under-performing, and GRM hasn't put any post-Volvo plans in place.
 
05XR8
Nissan say Sandown. On Inside Supercars, they were saying today.
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"Inside Supercars" didn't reveal much of anything. Aside from the de Silvestro news, it might as well have been a repeat of last week's episode.
 
True.
I will be surprised if in 2017, she is not with Nissan. Nissan Australia are doing this big marketing push for their road cars. Starting with the GT-R, NISMO in Australia, the GT-R GT3 program. This all puts focus on Nissan.

When Darren Cox was on board, he mentioned even if Nissan. kept the Altima in V8s, Nissan would want to use a different engine than the V8. He was hoping V8SC would change rules to be in line with the market. VASC have done this. They(and SA) have also put guaranteed money up front for a driver. Nissan have to jump on that. Talk about merchandise flying off the shelf. Also, I did notice much more GT-R labelled merchandise at the last race.

Just remembered, Nissan were in the Top 10 each race bar Sandown. 3 cars were in top 10 at Surfers. 2 top 10 at Bathurst.
 
I still think that Nissan's biggest problem is the Kellys. Sure, it's their name over the front door of the factory, but the whole team revolves around them. It doesn't matter how much money Nissan throw at them, how much development they do, or how far VESA bend over backwards to encourage them to stay - so long as the Kellys continue to believe their own cult of personality and buy into their idea that they are still relevant, Nissan won't get the drivers they need to make the most of their investment.

Like I said, Nissan should be running Caruso, Courtney, Coulthard and Percat. It would be an awesome line-up, capable of winning titles - as opposed to their current line-up, which can occasionally get one car in the top five.
 
QR considering an Oran Park (/Suzuka)-style crossover as part of its redevelopment, with elevation touted as a way to reinvigorate the venue:

http://www.speedcafe.com/2016/09/07/crossover-bridge-mooted-for-revamped-ipswich/

I would send the cars left at Turn 2, then left again, over a bridge to rejoin the circuit at Turn 4. Then I would send them back up to Turn 3, back to Turn 2, then under the bridge again to rejoin the circuit at Turn 5, at which point they complete the lap as is.
 
For some that don't know what Oran Park looked like.
 
It's a shame that Oran Park was bulldozed. The cross-over was a bit fiddly, but it had some brilliant corners elsewhere.

If only someone could merge Oran Park and Amaroo together ...
 
Highlands Motorsport Park. ;)

Edit: Supercars Life was alright with the Nissan boys. Rick seemed to be struggling with should he have had a go at passing Todd. He made fair points but, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. On th flip, Caruso had no qualms about passing Rick to get P10.

LowndesRetroSandown.jpg

Craig Lowndes unveils retro livery
The covers today come off Craig Lowndes’ special edition livery ahead of the Wilson Security Sandown 500 Retro Round, as the TeamVortex Holden hits the track at Queensland Raceway for testing.

Trading in its familiar ocean green colours for an early ‘90s-inspired, red and white livery, the no. 888 Commodore is getting into the spirit of the retro theme at the first of this year’s Pirtek Enduro Cup events.

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Co-driver Steven Richards will be joining Lowndes at today’s pre-endurance season test day, the pair hoping to continue the success of their Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 win last year. Both drivers are excited to be getting behind the theme, having grown up watching the racing and idolising the heroes of the eras being celebrated.

“It’s great to be sporting a new livery ahead of the retro round at Sandown Raceway,” said Lowndes.

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“This year is the 47th time Sandown Raceway has hosted a touring car or Supercars event, which is more than any other venue and, from what I hear, it seems that everyone is really getting into the spirit of it and it is a great way to celebrate the raceway and its heritage.

“I’m really looking forward to Richo [Steven Richards] getting back into the car and seeing what we can do at the enduros this year. Our Bathurst win last year definitely gives us a bit of confidence, but you never know what’s going to happen in these long races.”

Richards is excited to be back for the 2016 season, this time with a new team in the Caltex-backed TeamVortex.

888SandownRetro3.jpg


“Craig is on fire at the moment, so naturally I’m eager to slide into the co-driver’s seat and do my bit for the endurance season. It is great to be on board with TeamVortex this year.

"The retro round is an excellent opportunity to relive some of the great moments from Australian motorsport. I know our car is looking great, as Caltex have a great history with our sport over the past 30 years."

To match the new paint job, the TeamVortex crew will be donning special edition t-shirts for the duration of the event, which are available to buy now from the team’s online shop and will be for sale at Sandown Raceway.

Triple Eight Race Engineering team owner Roland Dane is a big supporter of the themed Supercars event: “It's important to embrace this initiative as remembering our history is paramount.

“Remember the quote ‘We are not makers of history. We are made by history,’ and this is a celebration of the history of our sport.”

The Wilson Security Sandown 500 is the first of three events in the endurance season and the retro round will kick off the two-month-long mini-championship.

“This is what differentiates us from every other motor racing championship in the world – the fact that we have a season full of format variety, including the season of endurance,” said Dane


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05XR8
Highlands Motorsport Park. ;)

Edit: Supercars Life was alright with the Nissan boys. Rick seemed to be struggling with should he have had a go at passing Todd. He made fair points but, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. On th flip, Caruso had no qualms about passing Rick to get P10.
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The retro Caltex livery should've been Colin Bond's '89 look.
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I was hoping DJRTP would do the Shell livery from that era. Looks great, as does Lowndes' livery, it's simple but pleasing to the eye.
 
Pye's, DJR has the best retro livery it even has the Sponser as well.
 
R1600Turbo
In passing I saw someone on a facebook article say that Todd would step aside for Courtney. I'll believe that when I see it.
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I can see it, Todd is much more involved with the background of the team then Rick is, when we did the GT Academy Final in 2014 at their HQ Todd actually drove us to Phillip island in the Team Bus, where as Rick was basically invisible most of the time, like the other drivers.
 
Spacegoat
If the rumours are to be believed. GRM will be running Holden's in 2017 and beyond.
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They probably don't have much choice. But there are still questions about what they will use, which makes them unappealing to someone entering the sport like de Silvestro. Even if they do have a history of bringing international drivers in.
 
This year's Sandown event looks as though it's going to be an absolute hit. You know what the good news is? I'm going! Never in my 11 visits to Sandown for the V8 Supercars have I been so excited.
 
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