ApexOversteer
03-02-2013, 3:18pm
The V8 Supercars series started their 2013 season this weekend, with the debut of their new "Car Of The Future". The new car is intended to bring with it improvements in safety, some cost reductions and *deep breath* a move towards parity.
What they've done is work with manufacturers to come up with a system wherein the resulting car conforms to a set of parameters. The cars all generate the same downforce, fighting the same drag, with the same suspension and 5 liter, DOHC V8 engines within 1% of each other, power-wise.
Amazingly, they've managed to all that, and still end up with cars that *gasp* actually look like cars the manufacturers actually sell!
The reward for taking the care to move the sport forward, in terms of safety and leveling the playing field without mandating everything to a spec? Two new manufacturers have joined the series, Mercedes Benz and Nissan, both returning to the series for the first time in decades.
Holden Commodore:
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/ApexOversteer/2013_holden_racing_team_v8_supercar_01_1-0211.jpg
Ford Falcon:
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/ApexOversteer/p1428130798-5.jpg
Mercedes Benz E63 AMG:
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/ApexOversteer/2013-mercedes-benz-e63-amg-v8-supercars-race-car--image-erebus-motorsport_100419222_m.jpg
Nissan Altima:
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/ApexOversteer/2013-Nissan-Altima-V-8-Supercar-front-three-quarter-623x389.jpg
Once again, we see what NASCAR could have been, once upon a time...
What they've done is work with manufacturers to come up with a system wherein the resulting car conforms to a set of parameters. The cars all generate the same downforce, fighting the same drag, with the same suspension and 5 liter, DOHC V8 engines within 1% of each other, power-wise.
Amazingly, they've managed to all that, and still end up with cars that *gasp* actually look like cars the manufacturers actually sell!
The reward for taking the care to move the sport forward, in terms of safety and leveling the playing field without mandating everything to a spec? Two new manufacturers have joined the series, Mercedes Benz and Nissan, both returning to the series for the first time in decades.
Holden Commodore:
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/ApexOversteer/2013_holden_racing_team_v8_supercar_01_1-0211.jpg
Ford Falcon:
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/ApexOversteer/p1428130798-5.jpg
Mercedes Benz E63 AMG:
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/ApexOversteer/2013-mercedes-benz-e63-amg-v8-supercars-race-car--image-erebus-motorsport_100419222_m.jpg
Nissan Altima:
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/ApexOversteer/2013-Nissan-Altima-V-8-Supercar-front-three-quarter-623x389.jpg
Once again, we see what NASCAR could have been, once upon a time...