2020 Virgin Australia Supercars ChampionshipTouring Cars

[ScottPuss20]

Here's some fun trivia that I just thought about this morning. Chaz Mostert won his first race at Queensland Raceway in 2013 on Sunday whilst driving for DJR. He was the last driver to win a race for them before Scott McLaughlin did it in 2017. Who won the race on Saturday? Scott McLaughlin.

 

[FPV MIC]

 

[mwoodski]

SuperUtes will switch to LS3s. I guess SuperUtes fit in this thread, at least until the Opel disappears.

Anyway, they should have just started off with those cinitial concept sketches, to look like the Ranger below:

Look to Argentina instead.

 

[FPV MIC]

This (to me) shows what a sad state of affairs the past season was in when 6-10 of the top ten moments are all negative points. I really don't see the top 1-5 being much more positive... except the return of the Mustang may be in there (but that could be seen as a negative too ). Parity and the two Bathurst controversies will most likely be in there so it really doesn't leave much left.

https://www.speedcafe.com/2019/12/30/top-10-moments-of-supercars-in-2019-part-1/

 

[mwoodski]

This (to me) shows what a sad state of affairs the past season was in when 6-10 of the top ten moments are all negative points. I really don't see the top 1-5 being much more positive... except the return of the Mustang may be in there (but that could be seen as a negative too ). Parity and the two Bathurst controversies will most likely be in there so it really doesn't leave much left.

https://www.speedcafe.com/2019/12/30/top-10-moments-of-supercars-in-2019-part-1/

Not every season can be a ripper.

 

[FPV MIC]

Not every season can be a ripper.

It had nothing at all to do with whether it was a ripper or not.... which was my point.

The racing should never be secondary imo, which it was in 2019, and last season was one of the most controversial in Supercar history and will be remembered for all of the wrong reasons.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

I was right about four of the top five, and the other one (number three) doesn't make much sense... but anyone who watched the season could easily guess the other ones .

5. Introduction of the Mustang.

4. Parity.

3. Some BS filler that's just been thrown in.

2. Bathurst controversy.

1. The other Bathurst controversy.

https://www.speedcafe.com/2019/12/31/top-10-moments-of-supercars-in-2019-part-2/


Also..... Happy New Year to you all

 

[05XR8]

Good-bye to that mess of a year. Though, it might be more of the same if/when KR start stealing points from RBHRT.

 

[Spacegoat]

I was right about four of the top five, and the other one (number three) doesn't make much sense... but anyone who watched the season could easily guess the other ones .

You can tell they were clutching at straws when they put the preseason test in the top five. Couldn't really come up anything better?

All the best for the year new everyone.

 

[ScottPuss20]

Good-bye to that mess of a year. Though, it might be more of the same if/when KR start stealing points from RBHRT.

Yeah, "stealing"

I genuinely believe that the championship will be really close this year. I don't think Scott McLaughlin will have it easy with soo many competitive cars. At least half the field has a chance of winning!

 

[Spacegoat]

At least half the field has a chance of winning!

Most definitely but being the cynical person I am. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if T8 and DJRTP are the only teams to win anything.

 

[Spacegoat]

Going off of this classified ad. It appears despite the rumors, Tekno will be a two car team this season after all. I'm eager to see what bit of news comes first. Tekno's second REC and relocation or WAU's second driver. Only what. five weeks until the preseason test?

 

[05XR8]

 

[noshog]

Is this for the V8's ?
Hope its not true as I love Pukekohe, its such an awesome little track. Why cant they race both ?

 

[Kowhai]

Is this for the V8's ?
Hope its not true as I love Pukekohe, its such an awesome little track. Why cant they race both ?

The Auckland Council says you can’t race on ANZAC Day. Why Supercars decided to schedule their race for ANZAC Day when this has apparently been a rule since 2016 I don’t know.

 

[FPV MIC]

The Auckland Council says you can’t race on ANZAC Day. Why Supercars decided to schedule their race for ANZAC Day when this has apparently been a rule since 2016 I don’t know.

From the article:

“We’d obviously been proceeding and had set the date and the plans for Anzac weekend on the basis that we had precedent from racing there in 2014,” said Supercars CEO Sean Seamer to speedcafe.com.

“Unknown to us and the folks at Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development at the time was that there’d been changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan that required an extended period of consultation, public consultation, in order for us to run on Anzac weekend at Pukekohe.

Even Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development didn't know

 

[noshog]

Wow we have some muppets here in Auckland.
Is it just me...I see things like this as a good chance to show respect to the ANZAC's, and put on an event to give us something to do on a long weekend.

 

[Pete05]

ANZAC Day is a a day to remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

If we can’t all take a pause to honor & respect those that died in unimaginable conditions, I think that’s scraping the barrel.

 

[noshog]

ANZAC Day is a a day to remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

If we can’t all take a pause to honor & respect those that died in unimaginable conditions, I think that’s scraping the barrel.

That's what I mean though, what better way to do it than have a massive crowd all pay their respects at once.

I haven't looked in to it, but isnt the race just swapping from Pukekohe to Hampton on the same dates ? If holding a race on ANZAC day is disrespectful then isn't it disrespectful wherever its held ?

I think I remember that event from 2014, weren't the cars done up in some ANZAC paint schemes ? I thought that was a good idea, cars looked good, and probably helped the younger audience appreciate a bit of ANZAC history too.

Don't take me as being disrespectful, I am a kiwi so I am fully aware of the importance of honouring our ANZAC's... Its just this whole thing confuses me a little bit (pointing finger at those in charge of these things in Auckland).

 

[05XR8]

Memorial Day weekend is race weekend in the USA. I didn't find it disrespectful all those years, as a moment of silence is taken.
It's the same as going to work or even having a family gathering on the day. Knowing why we all some freedoms, is the main reason.

 

[Northstar]

If we can’t all take a pause to honor & respect those that died in unimaginable conditions, I think that’s scraping the barrel.

You can easily race and pay tribute. In the U.S. there's usually a moment to do just that prior to pretty much every major sporting event. The 2 major races held on Memorial Day weekend (Indy 500 & Coca-Cola 600) also usually have special pre-race segments dedicated to paying tribute to military.

 

[Pete05]

Maybe it’s because I have over a dozen extended family that served in war I always attend the Dawn Service & have done so since a teenager.

I’d rather spend the day in rememberance than entertaining myself elsewhere.

 

[FPV MIC]

HRT (as it was back in 2014) have always done ANZAC races best:

And I don't find it disrespectful either when drivers are fully supportive like this:

Shell V-Power Racing driver Fabian Coulthard has encouraged teams to get creative with their liveries as part of making a distinctive Anzac Supercars tradition at Pukekohe.

https://www.supercars.com/news/championship/coulthards-call-for-anzac-colours/

Maybe it’s because I have over a dozen extended family that served in war I always attend the Dawn Service & have done so since a teenager.

I’d rather spend the day in rememberance than entertaining myself elsewhere.

I too attend the dawn service, and having many friends that have served the local RSL is my main watering hole, but we can still sit down with a beer and watch the ANZAC AFL game

 

[Spacegoat]

I just hope that this leads to having two NZ rounds in future. The fans over there deserve as much. Forget about trying to get into Asia or wherever else.

 

[FPV MIC]

I just hope that this leads to having two NZ rounds in future. The fans over there deserve as much. Forget about trying to get into Asia or wherever else.

It would be great if they could but I think the logistics of it would be too prohibitive unfortunately. They'd have to be back to back events from the cost perspective for transport, but that wouldn't work for the amount of spare parts needed. We've already seen teams struggle to complete just one weekend on the parts they're allowed to take over there. I'm not sure how they could pull it off.

 

[Pete05]

HRT (as it was back in 2014) have always done ANZAC races best:

View attachment 881302

And I don't find it disrespectful either when drivers are fully supportive like this:
https://www.supercars.com/news/championship/coulthards-call-for-anzac-colours/

I too attend the dawn service, and having many friends that have served the local RSL is my main watering hole, but we can still sit down with a beer and watch the ANZAC AFL game

Yes, I've seen some of the older WW II veterans enjoy the AFL game too but at least the AFL game is played much later in the afternoon. It leaves the morning for doing what the day was intended.

HRT, Coulthard & the like need to be applauded for their efforts to show remembrance via something more significant than the one minute silence.
Some teams can't even be bothered with a livery!

I just hope that this leads to having two NZ rounds in future. The fans over there deserve as much. Forget about trying to get into Asia or wherever else.

It would be great if they could but I think the logistics of it would be too prohibitive unfortunately. They'd have to be back to back events from the cost perspective for transport, but that wouldn't work for the amount of spare parts needed. We've already seen teams struggle to complete just one weekend on the parts they're allowed to take over there. I'm not sure how they could pull it off.

I'm with you @Spacegoat & would rather see dual rounds in NZ than chasing dollars in far-flung places. I have to agree with @FPV MIC though on the scheduling/parts dilemma.

With Pukekohe & Hampton Downs being so geographically close, unless you put one far away from the other in the calendar, they'd be robbing Peter to pay Paul, so to speak. The answer may be in one round on the north island & another on the south island? Tony Quinn also owns Highlands Motorsport Park. It would also largely depend on the facilities at any track & its capacity for hosting a major series. Pitlane, corporates, etc...

 

[noshog]

Maybe it’s because I have over a dozen extended family that served in war I always attend the Dawn Service & have done so since a teenager.

I’d rather spend the day in rememberance than entertaining myself elsewhere.

I too have family that were in the war. I may not always go to the Dawn parades here, but that doesn't mean I dont spare a moment to reflect. I have even told my kids (3 & 5) why we have that day off...Not that they probably understand, but its important to me to start getting the message across.

I dont know, I just think my granddad wouldn't want me moping all day, sure he would want me out and about enjoying myself, its kinda what he fought for ?

It would be great if they could but I think the logistics of it would be too prohibitive unfortunately. They'd have to be back to back events from the cost perspective for transport, but that wouldn't work for the amount of spare parts needed. We've already seen teams struggle to complete just one weekend on the parts they're allowed to take over there. I'm not sure how they could pull it off.

My cousins down in the South Island wont like what I'm about to say but.... To me this is why a back to back Puke and Hampton would work, they are in close proximity to each other (maybe 1.5 hour drive from each other), and I'm sure you could get spare parts sent from Aussie within a couple of days to prepare for a back to back weekend. In theory it should be easy as.

 

[FPV MIC]

My cousins down in the South Island wont like what I'm about to say but.... To me this is why a back to back Puke and Hampton would work, they are in close proximity to each other (maybe 1.5 hour drive from each other), and I'm sure you could get spare parts sent from Aussie within a couple of days to prepare for a back to back weekend. In theory it should be easy as.

It's not just the parts they may need access to, it's all the specialised equipment they have back at their workshops as well (jigs and the like).

 

[FPV MIC]

SM living the dream 👍

https://www.speedcafe.com/2020/01/14/mclaughlin-indycar-test-a-dream-come-true/

 

[noshog]

I'm going to guess this will be Scotties last year in Supercars .... Pretty sure he'll be racing in the states next year.
As for Indy Cars, they look kinda strange with that screen on them, kinda like a ugly offspring of a prototype and open wheeler. Hope they grow on me, otherwise I might find them a bit difficult to watch this year.

 

[05XR8]

VASC finally utilising YouTube