What’s a racecar without someone to drive it? A very slow one. For this reason, race drivers are an integral part of any race team. You can have the best hardware available, but a poor driver could easily ruin it all (cough Helfrich at Alfa /gb/forum/ViewTopic.asp?TopicId=28374). Its even more important in a series like the V8 Supercars, where the cars are practically identical.
Without doubt the Greatest of All Time Driver is Peter Brock. 3 Touring Car Championships and 9 Victories at the Mountain earned him the name ‘Peter Perfect’. However, he retired at the end of 1997, leaving big shoes to fill at the Holden Racing Team. The role would be filled by young hopeful Craig Lowndes.
In his first Bathurst in 1994, Lowndes made a name for himself after he passed John Bowe on the outside at Griffins Bend for the lead, with just 11 laps to go, although he lost the lead just a lap later. In 1997 he would go to Europe to pursue a career in open wheel racing, but not before he would become the youngest winner of the ATCC in 1996. His European career was a disaster, so he returned for the 1998 season, which he would dominate. Now, his aims are to defend his title.
There is, however, a whole host of drivers who could be the one to stop him. Whilst they may be aging, Bowe, Johnson and Perkins all have the experience and knowhow to win. They all finished in the top ten last year, and they have a quite sizeable fan group following them. Alternatively, it could be one of the chasing pack.
Russel Ingall came second last year, and third the year before. He’s an aggressive racer who will not take no for an answer. His talent has been displayed across Europe in the years prior, but money held him back and brought him to focus on the touring cars. He may be older than a lot of the rookies, his pace is superb. Skaife came third last year as a teammate to Lowndes, and will want to prove that he is the better driver.
One thing which the new series has brought out is young talent. They may not be well known yet, but names like Tander, Bright, Bargwanna and McConville could be ones to watch for the future. Plus, the second generation of Johnson and Richards could also show some promise.
One thing is for sure. Someone will win the championship, and forge their name in history.
Drivers Market is open. DM me your bids. Joining for the game is still open.
Trivia Question – Brocks win at Bathurst in 1987 saw his car only complete 158 laps of the scheduled 161. Why did this occur? Last Trivia answer – Phillip Island (1928-1935), Bathurst (1938, 1947, 1952, 1958) Sandown (1964, 1968, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1978), Oran Park (1977), Barbagello (1979), Calder (1980-1984), Adelaide (1985-1995) (I miscounted, there are 7).
Quote ( Bálint Turi-Kováts @ February 14th 2019,23:42:04 )
First place was later disqualified?
Correct! Well, actually the leading two cars were DQ'd.
For 1987, the 1000 was a part of the World Touring Car Championship. This was being dominated by the Texaco Sierras (who crossed the line first and second). It was found though that their cars were not legal, and thus had a load of results thrown out, including the 1000, which fell into the hands of the third place getting car, of Peter Brock.
Quote ( Mairo Toom @ February 17th 2019,19:48:35 )
Did I get my driver I want already ?
This sunday coming. I'll send a reminder out later today for those yet to submit. If they do it early I'll process early.
Also its GPRO Oscars time! Somehow this game was nominated as best of the season, so vote, I guess? Also I'm up for best forum user and best Alter Ego pic, so yeah, vote for me.
The grid for the 1999 season for the V8 Supercars is beginning to take shape, with the first wave of contracts being signed.
These are headlined by the big money splashed out by Estonian Holden Racing. In a deal worth over $1 million, Craig Lowndes will join the team until the end of 2001, earning $31,000 each race weekend.
At Tiger Racing, Garth Tander will race with the team this year, with the second seat unconfirmed as yet. Both Lowndes and Tander were wanted men, and as such teams had to pay top dollar to get them.
Mark Skaife will drive for Frosty KOTM, whilst Greg Murphy will join Team Dinoco, and the Paul Radisich will be at CM-Tech Racing.
The teams who fared well were Arpeggi Autosport and Aqua Motorsport, both getting 2 drivers and getting band for their buck. The highly talented Russell Ingall and Glenn Seton will make up the crew at Aqua, whilst Steven Richards teams up with Rodney Forbes at Arpeggi.
Dániel Vankó is our first Driver-Manager, although his second seat is still empty. Gareth Griffiths will be shaking his head after he missed out on all his offers for drivers to join Longhurst Racing, although he gets another shot at the board, as does everyone else.
Teams will have until 2CET Saturday 2nd of March for the second Driver Market, as well as for Car Point assignment. This is also the best time to tell me which drivers you want on which number, and car liveries.
These are the two Aqua Motorsport cars, which will be driven by Russell Ingall and Glenn Seton respectively.
Reminder that the Drivers Market is open, liveries can be designed, and this week is also car point allocation week. Details for that are on the spreadsheet, but you all have 50 points to split up amongst the twelve races this season. You can spend a max of 10 CP per race.
I still have two teams left to submit and the deadline is 24 hours away. I am PMing them right now. If they do not submit their Car Points, they get a pure random allocation.
No one really has a consensus on what the best strategy is. A few teams are focusing on certain events, whilst others are spread out. I think the key events will be Calder, with the lowest spend, and the first endurance race, at Queensland Raceway, with the highest spend.
Larry Perkins will join Greg Murphy at Team Dinoco on a two year deal, whilst Jason Bright has a similar contract at Longhurst Racing. Tiger Racing welcomes Paul Weel, whilst one asks if too many cooks will spill the broth at Carrenglossy Motorsport, with 4 drivers signing a year long deal. It will be interesting to see who drives and when at that squad.
The Eastern Creek Circuit has 11 main corners. The first is almost flat out, and leads to a tight hairpin. The following 90 degree corners require perfect driving to complete quickly. The hairpin at turn 8 is tight and could spark some action. The final complex also provides a good spot to dive up the inside. The pit lane is rather long, and as such drivers will look to minimize time spent there. Cars should last about 5 laps before needing to pit.
Yes this will be the Race 1 deadline week. For this week I need you to tell me which drivers will race this week and what number car (mostly for if you have many drivers and few cars) and how much driver skill you want to use. If I don't receive this info, I assume that you are not racing this week.
Extra drivers can always be signed, so if you need more *cough* endurance races *cough* this will be useful.
I'm not sure when I will have time to record this weekend, although I have an idea. I'll set the deadline for 2CET on Saturday, although I may extend it if I don't think I will record on Saturday
Right this weekend doesn't look fantastic for me so I will likely have to delay this a week. I've been so busy this week i haven't had time to send reminders.
I will however finalize that we will use the Green point structure this season.
What I mean by the driver numbers is that you get to choose which number goes to each driver. So, if you have two cars you can choose which driver goes in which car.
I didn't have time to run the race yesterday but I had very little turn out anyway. Remember that even if you don't have any drivers (or very few) you can drive yourself for this race or until you get more drivers. Check the spreadsheet to see your available drivers. If you submit nothing you don't arrive at the event! Everyone is saved by the fact I don't quite have time to record just yet.
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