Geez some of you lot are tough. I completely understand the rawness of the past vehicles, but you got to move with the times.
Last years Bathurst, an amazing finish after just over 6 hours of racing. 1/2 to 1 car length splits first and second. With 3rd and 4th about 6 car lengths behind and 3/4 of the field still on the lead lap. Effin great finish. Especially being there.
This year at Clipsal a 19 year old odd Bloke in his 2nd full time season of V8 Supercar racing, a brand new manufacturer beats and simply out pressure's a 5-time Series Champion in more than well established Team. McLaughlin single handily put Volvo ahead 5 years in fan base and notoriety in that single weekend with his Practice, Qualifying and Race speed. 180,000 people were up standing on Saturday because of him. I've never seen or been a part of that in the sport before.
There's been numerous, fantastic races over the past 20 years whether it be at the front, middle or back of the pack. Some fantastic drives all round.
Not sure how you can imply technology as factor for bringing the sport into the boring, you very much have to drive the car. There's no traction control, no ABS, no launch control, sure have brake bias but you still have to adjust to suit your driving and that's only a little factor. They are all the way a Driver's car. Sequential shift - yup. But road cars have it. Rev - limiter - yup, but that keeps the cost down. Look at the number of Drivers in the series that bog it down at the start. Ingall did it last weekend and he's the most experienced out there!
The Bathurst 12 hour is an even better example of Motorsport moving with the times. 12 hours of racing and the first 4 finish within 4 seconds odd of each other. That was a fantastic finish.
The Touring Car Masters aren't really the original engines or vehicles like they were from era of the individual vehicle. Shape - yes. Sound - most definitely (although I'm really old enough to know) They are a fully race engineered ie cams, springs etc bigger brakes, rev limited to a certain number depending on the vehicle.
For the price to buy a car to run in the Touring Car Masters, you could get your hands on a V8 Supercar and run in the Kuhmo V8 Series with change left over. Why wouldn't you? You'd more than likely have a car with more history than the Touring Car Master would.
And for those that compare the coverage and series to NASCAR - don't bother. Speaking to several Crew members of Teams last year at Bathurst and friends that been to NASCAR races, they have said NASCAR and even the round last year at the Circuit of America's has nothing on the V8's due to the accessibility for fans and On-Track Action - unless you know people or have the $$$'s. Walk into most tracks if not all the day before the race weekend starts of V8's and you'll be right at the front of the Garages and be able to see the drivers, teams and cars get themselves sorted. They're always up for a chat. On a Race weekend, pay $10 - $30 and grab a Pit Pass to walk at the back of the Garages and see all the people you know from the sport. For free you can walk through the Support Paddock. Good luck with doing that with ease at NASCAR. And at F1 - forget it unless you **** **** **** ***.
Again....bring on Foxtel next year. I'll even get to see the TCM's races, Aussie Cars, GT Production, Dunlop Series etc. Apart from being there, it will certainly be the next best thing.
