Australia's V8 Supercars shame NASCAR yet again...

[ApexOversteer]

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:




Ford Falcon:




Mercedes Benz E63 AMG:




Nissan Altima:




Once again, we see what NASCAR could have been, once upon a time...

[DAB]

if nascar was run for the benefit of the fans, the drivers/teams, and bill france inc....you might have a chance.

as long as bill france, inc. is calling all the shots, it's gonna be tough. mfrs need to speak up more, and if needed, prepare to go elsewhere with their racing $$. or just return it to shareholders.

[NeedSpeed]

Originally Posted by ApexOversteer

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.

Sounds like the Car of Tomorrow with the ability to style it a little. Kinda like Gen 6. Not sure I see much difference.

[ApexOversteer]

Originally Posted by NeedSpeed

Sounds like the Car of Tomorrow with the ability to style it a little. Kinda like Gen 6. Not sure I see much difference.

Exactly my point. They've done the same thing, but the V8SC is doing it better. The cars actually look like a real car you can buy, giving the manufacturers an identity, unlike NASCAR, where the manufacturer is totally lost, reduced to being just another sponsor sticker on the side.

[NeedSpeed]

Of course, the stock manufacturer cars barely have identity. That could be more of the problem.

[Nemesis]

If anyone is interested in actually learning about the cars: 2013 V8 Supercar Operations Manual

There isn't much to compare it to. I can't find the Sprint Cup rulebook online. If anyone finds it, post it.

[Nemesis]

Originally Posted by NeedSpeed

Of course, the stock manufacturer cars barely have identity. That could be more of the problem.

The Altima is an FWD car in stock form!

[NeedSpeed]

LiveLeak.com - NASCAR Legend Takes First Ride In A V8 Supercar

[Doug28450]

Originally Posted by Drew M

I can't find the Sprint Cup rulebook online.

Only Bill France has one. He writes it as he goes.

[boracayjohnny]

Once again, we see what NASCAR could have been, once upon a time...

[Nemesis]

Originally Posted by Doug28450

Only Bill France has one. He writes it as he goes.

Funny, but every sanctioning body changes rules on a regular basis.

[VetteBoy1979]

Nice! They are coming to Austin in a few months to Circuit of the Americas! Whoop!

[Tinkerbell in Texas]

We'll be there too! Can't wait!

[bsmith]

What kind of tv coverage do they get in the U.S. now?

[...Whitepower...]

Originally Posted by bsmith

What kind of tv coverage do they get in the U.S. now?

Well now that Speed is going to be part of Fox Sports due to F1 going to NBC it very well may be nonexistent moving forward.

They actually show it a fair amount now.

[Burnt C6]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbell in Texas

We'll be there too! Can't wait!

bet we see you there.