"WindTunnel with Dave Despain" Topic Discussions

[JohnBM01]

GTPlanet, I'm coming up with this WindTunnel discussion deal. A lot of the many points regarding racing on this wildly popular show are what I'm willing to offer for discussion on GTPlanet. This thread is not about the show, but what is mentioned ON the show. Usually conceived as mostly a NASCAR show, there are a good number of F1, sportscar, and whatever else is mentioned. People call up and offer some of their mind in talking about racing. Some of the stuff that's mentioned can be quite interesting. And since I've been unable to come up with a thread first on "On the Edge" on the Speed Channel, I'm doing one better.

This is a WindTunnel thread for our own discussion of some of the topics mentioned on the show. Here are some highlights from this week's show:
* Bristol + new repaving = a "pansy" track?
* what makes a race a "good" one?

This and more. Care to kick off this deal I've put together? I won't update this deal often, but I will contribute to whatever I can.

 

[toyota_gt1]

GTPlanet, I'm coming up with this WindTunnel discussion deal. A lot of the many points regarding racing on this wildly popular show are what I'm willing to offer for discussion on GTPlanet. This thread is not about the show, but what is mentioned ON the show. Usually conceived as mostly a NASCAR show, there are a good number of F1, sportscar, and whatever else is mentioned. People call up and offer some of their mind in talking about racing. Some of the stuff that's mentioned can be quite interesting. And since I've been unable to come up with a thread first on "On the Edge" on the Speed Channel, I'm doing one better.

This is a WindTunnel thread for our own discussion of some of the topics mentioned on the show. Here are some highlights from this week's show:
* Bristol + new repaving = a "pansy" track?
* what makes a race a "good" one?

This and more. Care to kick off this deal I've put together? I won't update this deal often, but I will contribute to whatever I can.

as far as the the new, repaved bristol goes. it has it's up and downs.

pros
progressive banking - i really like this new feature of bristol. it adds character.

multi-grove racing - a very nice addition due to the proggressive banking. now cars can be seen on the bottom, the middle, or right around the wall grooves.


cons
multi-grove - yes, this is both good and bad. now that bristol has several grooves, it will be rare to see the "bump and run" because now you can just go in another lane and pass someone. i went to the nascar busch race back in march at the old concrete bristol and man was they rough. i didn't see a car out there that didn't have some sort of damage.

car of tomorrow - this just adds to the rarity of the bump and run. since the front and rear bumper line up evenly in the COT, it is harder to nudge someone out of the way, much less wreck them.

overall, i really prefer the old bristol. as they say "rubbin's racin" and they wasn't rubbin' saturday night.

 

[DavidRoy90]

In my view, the progressive banking and repaving of Bristol in general, has robbed it of its character. However, that doesn't mean I hate the new track. Quite the opposite, I prefer it over the old Bristol. Stock Car racing has to have wild tracks to aid the cars in providing wild racing. At Mosport this weekend diving down the extrodinarily steep and blind turn two an RS Spyder or Audi R10 could thread the needle between a GT2 car and make a pass for position! Stock cars are incapable of that. Stock cars are heavy, unmaneuverable hunks of steel where the only thing that matters is horsepower (at least in short track racing - I know aero is important at other tracks) and providing these cars with more space to race side-by-side is the only way to satisfy the new NASCAR fans who don't have the knowledge, patience, or appreciation for the sport at a one groove track like the old Bristol. Unfortunate in my mind, but the new Bristol will, and has, put on a great show!

Dave

 

[JohnBM01]

Some of the topics of mention:

* What makes a good race?
* Did Scott Dixon Intentionally Crash Out Dario Franchitti?
* Fans Go to Racing to See Wrecks
* Joe Gibbs Racing Tries Motocross
* John Force Not in the U.S. Supernationals


--- A Good Race ---
The following are statements people made about what makes good races:

* close competition and rivalies are good
* dirt
* any race to say "Wow!"
* passing
* ...Porsche 917 at Spa in 1970 in the rain
* Jeff Gordon wins
* fast cars, passing, Jeff Gordon DNF.
* USAC stars on dirt
* braking, shifting, and right turns
* Springfield Mile on dirt is AMA Flat Track

Care to key in or talk about some of the other topics?