Reaper
Tells it like it is.
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2004
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- SE Suburbs, Melbourne
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- RG Z71 Colorado, 120 Prado , VDJ200, Vantage
I just read the COTF concept. I hadn't heard much about it to be honest. As I understood the prerequisites were that entrants had to manufacture a road going version of the same car also with a V8, at least as an option, which is why Toyota got turned away a couple of yrs ago when they tried to enter a V8 camry, about the same time they stepped into the nascar world.
Rest assured, if Toyota were serious with the Camry V8SC concept, the rules would have been changed quick smart to get them in. The decisions of Nascar and V8SC were un-related. From what I understand any manufacturer can run pretty much any 4 door sedan in V8SC regardless what drivetrain the road going version has. They all share the same chassis/rollcage etc and have the various panels tacked onto them.
I like the way they say V8 supercar commodores will still have the same DNA as the street version. What a load of crap. They haven't been anything like the street version for yrs besides the 4 opening doors & the badges. The chassis are completely different to start with, let alone the engine, trans, brakes & susp. They'rs basically a full blown racer in commodore clothing, which is fine, just nothing like a street commodore. They should say it will still "LOOK" like a commodore.
They don't even share the doors .
I think COTF could be a bad thing too. I see their point with the concept but I think they should restrict it to race versions of cars that are released for general sale as V8's, then we'll see more competition in the market too. But then what about that rumours that ford are considering stopping production of the falcon? Maybe this is why the V8 supercar series had to restructure? Personally I doubt ford will do that, although now with COTF they could enter a V8 mondeo lol.
As a race car to drive they will be simply awesome. As a spectacle to watch - I'm not convinced. The problem with the current cars is that once they are off line overtaking under brakes and the like is very difficult if not impossible. COTF will be more so. My personal preference would be to wind back the aero and brakes which will lessen the advantage of the front car. Probably not all that fair on the lead car but would make for better racing on the box IMO.
Reaper