2018 Virgin Australia Supercars ChampionshipTouring Cars 

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05XR8
I believe in the Commodore/Camaro thread, there is mention of the ZB being discontinued, because of the Opel/Peugeot thing.
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What exactly is this thing? Does it mean that Holden won't have a model to race in the future?
 
First look at the Red Bull livery.

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White roof looks a bit out of place but much better than the previous years.
 
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CLowndes888
What exactly is this thing? Does it mean that Holden won't have a model to race in the future?
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With GM selling Opel to Peugeot/PSA Group, the imported Commodore may be gone in about 5-6 years. Could happen sooner. Reason being, the Commodore was to be a long running car on GM architecture. However, the Opel cars are to switch to PSA architecture. So, either Holden are figuring out where the next platform will come from or they'll just drop the Commodore for SUVs. We'll see.

By the way, *yawn*(on the reveal), should look better in the flesh. Unless someone wants to push it in the water for me. :sly:
 
05XR8
First test will be the Adelaide chicane.
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Can't imagine too many front splitters will survive a trip into the kitty litter at high speed.
 
R1600Turbo
Matches the biggest wing ever.
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I remember Whincup "complaining"(read, performance gains) about the overhang and sizes of the Nissan, S60 and FG X wings. Now, shoe on the other foot and all that jazz.
 
05XR8
First test will be the Adelaide chicane.
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That better not be the first test & they better have done their homework on it or, egg all over the face locked in for the duration of 2018.
R1600Turbo
Matches the biggest wing ever.
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Nissan started it by mounting their rear wing further back than any other Supercar previously.
Spacegoat
Can't imagine too many front splitters will survive a trip into the kitty litter at high speed.
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See my reply to @05XR8 above.
 
I wouldn't mind seeing a DJRTP Shell V-Power M3 or M4 w/2.0 Turbo, on the grid for next year.

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05XR8
I wouldn't mind seeing a DJRTP Shell V-Power M3 or M4 w/2.0 Turbo, on the grid for next year.

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Why would an even more tight wad group than Ford who already said "not on your life sport", join even if it is Penske? Other than history and being pretty cool, I just can't see it happening. I get it's a wish or hope by you, but let's just see who the interested people are first and then hype.
 
LMSCorvetteGT2
Why would an even more tight wad group than Ford who already said "not on your life sport", join even if it is Penske? Other than history and being pretty cool, I just can't see it happening. I get it's a wish or hope by you, but let's just see who the interested people are first and then hype.
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We've been waiting 20+ years already. :mad::)
 
With Audi & BMW from the DTM joining Honda, Lexus & Nissan from SuperGT from 2019, why couldn't Supercars embrace those regulations so that we end up with an International formula?

If someone was to ask me will Supercars grow or shrink in the next five years, I can't see the positive answer being the truth.

Ford don't give a damn, Nissan are probably gone at the end of this year so, that leaves Holden.
I'll bet even they don't know what's happening post ZB.

Penske is on the hunt for a partner at DJRTP & I'm left wondering which manufacturer is licking their lips at that proposal? What do they have gain from spending a small fortune on an extremely limited exposure category?
 
Pete05
With Audi & BMW from the DTM joining Honda, Lexus & Nissan from SuperGT from 2019, why couldn't Supercars embrace those regulations so that we end up with an International formula?

If someone was to ask me will Supercars grow or shrink in the next five years, I can't see the positive answer being the truth.

Ford don't give a damn, Nissan are probably gone at the end of this year so, that leaves Holden.
I'll bet even they don't know what's happening post ZB.

Penske is on the hunt for a partner at DJRTP & I'm left wondering which manufacturer is licking their lips at that proposal? What do they have gain from spending a small fortune on an extremely limited exposure category?
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This is hype right here. Super GT reg cars, on the mountain. :drool:
 
Pete05
With Audi & BMW from the DTM joining Honda, Lexus & Nissan from SuperGT from 2019, why couldn't Supercars embrace those regulations so that we end up with an International formula?

If someone was to ask me will Supercars grow or shrink in the next five years, I can't see the positive answer being the truth.

Ford don't give a damn, Nissan are probably gone at the end of this year so, that leaves Holden.
I'll bet even they don't know what's happening post ZB.

Penske is on the hunt for a partner at DJRTP & I'm left wondering which manufacturer is licking their lips at that proposal? What do they have gain from spending a small fortune on an extremely limited exposure category?
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Exactly what I was saying 👍

I feel if VASC and the new President of the group want to get ahead of this, they'll go to the teams and make this proposal or variation...

If the teams put in an effort to court manufactures and bring to VASC details of what said manufactures want to join, they (VASC) will do that with in competitive reason. While that is being worked on, VASC would also ideally be setting up a means to make the series more international so that manufactures would feel more enticed to join thus helping teams secure deals. Essentially both groups doing separate jobs that mutually help in the end keep the sport alive and perhaps give it growth.

That's the easy/simple way I see the series being saved.
 
While the Super GT And DTM cars are very cool. Having Supercars turn into them would lose all identity the category has, not to the mention that a large amount of fans would likely jump ship. The racing would be entirely different and wouldn’t suit the majority of our tracks either.

I don’t know for certain, but I can only assume that a DTM is quite a fair bit more expensive than a current NG Supercar too.
 
LumpiestFish
While the Super GT And DTM cars are very cool. Having Supercars turn into them would lose all identity the category has, not to the mention that a large amount of fans would likely jump ship. The racing would be entirely different and wouldn’t suit the majority of our tracks either.

I don’t know for certain, but I can only assume that a DTM is quite a fair bit more expensive than a current NG Supercar too.
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Sugo is probably the most awkward, backyard track Super GT race at. Wouldn't be that far off tracks here. DTM race at some pretty bumpy venues. Tracks here really aren't bad to accommodate Super GT. Being that VASC being an international series, some tracks have been upgraded as per FIA standards. I don't know if the tracks conform to JAF=GT Association(?).

Adelaide- F1 & GT3, would be good for SGT
Albert Park- F1 & GT3
Simmons Plains- is a bit like Norisring
Phillip Island- GT3
Perth- GT3
Winton- GT3
Darwin- no problem
Townsville- GT3
Ipswich- no problem
SMP- GT3
The Bend- GT3
Sandown- GT3
Bathurst- F1 demo, GT3
Gold Coast- open wheelers raced here, SGT could work
Pukekohe- resurfaced
Newcastle- probably the most out of place on the calendar for SGT

I'd say lap times at the shorter circuits, Simmons Plains, Perth, Ipswich, Pukekohe and Newcastle, would probably have to be reworked to timed races. 100+ laps at Newcastle, might be a bit much.

With more downforce, lighter weight, bigger tyres, the racing could be just as exciting. Maybe true about the fan base, ticket sales would be something watch. However much some complained about Nissan and AMG came in, many warmed up to new manufacturers and were receptive to Volvo joining(even more angry when they left).

Anyway, can't wait to see how the MARC IIs go on the mountain. A MARC V8 is already 1230kgs. The new one is supposedly lighter, with more power at 625hp(up from 500hp). I don't know if Skaife is coming up with ideas for the cars, but as some very good points were made in the above posts, I wonder what the teams would want, moving forward.
 
LumpiestFish
While the Super GT And DTM cars are very cool. Having Supercars turn into them would lose all identity the category has, not to the mention that a large amount of fans would likely jump ship. The racing would be entirely different and wouldn’t suit the majority of our tracks either.

I don’t know for certain, but I can only assume that a DTM is quite a fair bit more expensive than a current NG Supercar too.
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This. I enjoy VASC because it's pretty different from everything else. Would be leaps and bounds less interesting if they just turned it into something that is already out there.
 
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05XR8
Sugo is probably the most awkward, backyard track Super GT race at. Wouldn't be that far off tracks here. DTM race at some pretty bumpy venues. Tracks here really aren't bad to accommodate Super GT. Being that VASC being an international series, some tracks have been upgraded as per FIA standards. I don't know if the tracks conform to JAF=GT Association(?).

Adelaide- F1 & GT3, would be good for SGT
Albert Park- F1 & GT3
Simmons Plains- is a bit like Norisring
Phillip Island- GT3
Perth- GT3
Winton- GT3
Darwin- no problem
Townsville- GT3
Ipswich- no problem
SMP- GT3
The Bend- GT3
Sandown- GT3
Bathurst- F1 demo, GT3
Gold Coast- open wheelers raced here, SGT could work
Pukekohe- resurfaced
Newcastle- probably the most out of place on the calendar for SGT

I'd say lap times at the shorter circuits, Simmons Plains, Perth, Ipswich, Pukekohe and Newcastle, would probably have to be reworked to timed races. 100+ laps at Newcastle, might be a bit much.

With more downforce, lighter weight, bigger tyres, the racing could be just as exciting. Maybe true about the fan base, ticket sales would be something watch. However much some complained about Nissan and AMG came in, many warmed up to new manufacturers and were receptive to Volvo joining(even more angry when they left).

Anyway, can't wait to see how the MARC IIs go on the mountain. A MARC V8 is already 1230kgs. The new one is supposedly lighter, with more power at 625hp(up from 500hp). I don't know if Skaife is coming up with ideas for the cars, but as some very good points were made in the above posts, I wonder what the teams would want, moving forward.
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There’s a pretty large difference between GT3 and DTM/Super GT cars though. The smallest track that DTM race at is Norisring, which is mainly just a couple of straights connected by some hairpins and simple 90 degree corners. Nothing really like any of Australia’s street circuits. DTM and Super GT cars are basically tin top F1’s, so the racing would be terrible around tracks like Winton and Symmons Plains. The only tracks in Aus that I’d find somewhat suitable would be Phillip Island and Sydney Motorsport Park, And even then, the racing wouldn’t be that flash.

The DTM/Super GT cars might have more downforce, better tyres and a lighter weight, but they simply aren’t suited to our circuits, which have been made, or remade, for our brawler like V8 Supercars. DTMs work great on the larger European layouts, but I don’t want to imagine how average a race would be around Hidden Valley in one of those. Supercars have a bit of leeway for some contact here and there while the carbon fibre bodies just turn to shreds after the slightest contact, and to be honest, a lot of people watch Supercars for the contact.

Nothing against the DTM/Super GT cars, I find them actually to be properly awesome, I just don’t see a place for them here.
 
05XR8
With GM selling Opel to Peugeot/PSA Group, the imported Commodore may be gone in about 5-6 years. Could happen sooner. Reason being, the Commodore was to be a long running car on GM architecture. However, the Opel cars are to switch to PSA architecture. So, either Holden are figuring out where the next platform will come from or they'll just drop the Commodore for SUVs. We'll see.
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Yeah, long running car my arse. Come on, the VE platform lasted for ten years. This could screw things up for Holden, a brand I've loved so dearly for my entire life. I don't understand why the architecture has to be changed.

Pete05
Biggest front splitter EVER :eek:
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How is it even being allowed? It's much larger than the other cars in the field. Hopefully there isn't an advantage...
 
CLowndes888
Yeah, long running car my arse. Come on, the VE platform lasted for ten years. This could screw things up for Holden, a brand I've loved so dearly for my entire life. I don't understand why the architecture has to be changed.


How is it even being allowed? It's much larger than the other cars in the field. Hopefully there isn't an advantage...
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It's been approved & signed off by Supercars following all the testing for parity purposes so, it gets the green light.

I suspect the rear wing, combined with the hunchback aerodynamics, is creating really clean aero & they had to go the big front splitter to aero balance the car.

Personally, I think that thing will be a disadvantage & easy to damage.
They'll also have to run stiff springs/shocks to stop it being ground away every time the cars are at max braking.

Too bad if they don't like it. It's locked in for the season & I'll bet very good money it's revised for 2019.
 
I didn't know Penske sold Aplinas. http://www.penskeautomotive.com/
Since 1983 ALPINA is officially registered as an automobile manufacturer by the German Ministry of Transport, the “Kraftfahrtbundesamt“.
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Being they are a manufacturer, and Alpina also recently beginning to sell cars here, it's a possibility for them to join. Leaves BMW out. Would be similar to how Alpina joined GT3 before factory BMWs.

I also wonder if Alfa Romeo have talked to Penske during last season. They showed interest at Homebush and early 2017, mentioning the Giulia and sprint Coupe could work in VASC. A DJRTP/Alfa/Shell partnership would be fantastic. Volvo came in(and switched up names/operations), were successful(also sold S60s) and left, after joining with the right team. Hope there is word on who has been talking with Penske. Waiting for news is killing me before the season starts.
 
05XR8
I didn't know Penske sold Aplinas. http://www.penskeautomotive.com/
Being they are a manufacturer, and Alpina also recently beginning to sell cars here, it's a possibility for them to join. Leaves BMW out. Would be similar to how Alpina joined GT3 before factory BMWs.

I also wonder if Alfa Romeo have talked to Penske during last season. They showed interest at Homebush and early 2017, mentioning the Giulia and sprint Coupe could work in VASC. A DJRTP/Alfa/Shell partnership would be fantastic. Volvo came in(and switched up names/operations), were successful(also sold S60s) and left, after joining with the right team. Hope there is word on who has been talking with Penske. Waiting for news is killing me before the season starts.
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I think I speak for everyone that participates here, when I say that we can tell it's killing you. Other than bringing up new tracks and their build path which I appreciate, the flip side is your wanton quest for who will be the next manufacture to join the sport.

Auto Action didn't help with the teaser of a potential Alfa Supercar either.
 
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