Goldcoast GP

[msadyno]

Is the embarrassment of the Goldcoast GP a time to get a foot back in the door on the calander for next years race ( if it happens) at a realistic price ? Also giving the locals up here a home round back ?

[FalconEL]

It's a good idea msadyno, BUT:

The organisers should be paying us to be there I reckon.................... although V8 Supercars wouldn't want to be made to look SLOW by the likes of Tony, Darren, Des, Kerry etc. !!! B)

Racing at Indy was very cool. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity in 1996/1997 but unfortunately our category at National Level features a few "loose cannons" (putting it nicely) that have a distinct lack of "Spatial Awareness", so we'd probably be driving around behind the Safety Car for most of the duration whilst cars were being extricated from concrete walls......... Hey, I'm guilty of looping it occasionally myself, but there's some guys in our category that are just magnets for getting in trouble! I'd love to have another crack around the streets of Surfers, but I find driving around behind the Safety Car a bit boring really....... When that happens, the category becomes a "laughing stock" and little more than a parade. :(

If we competed there again we'd need to make a pact that:

a) No one tries a bonehead passing move until at least Lap 2.
b) We give each other some racing room (this one some blokes will struggle with).
c) We drive within ourselves and PUT ON A GOOD SHOW!

OT - Late last week I heard rumours of various local categories (not Sports Sedans) up here in QLD attempting to get a spot on the Gold Coast programme for this weekend, with some guys desperately trying to gain CAMS Licences........ 5 days notice to rally enough troops for a race and to prepare a vehicle to race at such an event is not quite enough me thinks :o

The "realistic price" is also a bit of a sticking point, good old VESA don't mind sticking it to the support categories and giving them a race at sunrise and sunset when there is no spectators there to watch them......

Anyway, like I said it'd be nice to get back to Indy and have a true showcase event in front of a large crowd, but we've got a home round next year at the Shannons Nationals at Morgan Park in August, so it's looking good for 2010 regardless!

[msadyno]

The "realistic price" was mentioned due to knowing what the last minute offer was for this years "naming rights" sponsor offer put on the table only last week. The figure has dropped to 40k from an original 500k.
Saying this i'd say support categories that weren't going to be there are getting a free ride.


As far as the "bonehead" drivers........ Do the Sports Sedans have a "code of conduct" signed agreement ? I know Barnes made mention of a "driving standards" delegate in another topic.

[FalconEL]

The "realistic price" was mentioned due to knowing what the last minute offer was for this years "naming rights" sponsor offer put on the table only last week. The figure has dropped to 40k from an original 500k.
Saying this i'd say support categories that weren't going to be there are getting a free ride.

As far as the "bonehead" drivers........ Do the Sports Sedans have a "code of conduct" signed agreement ? I know Barnes made mention of a "driving standards" delegate in another topic.

I'd say you're spot on with the free ride for this years supports.

A "Code of Conduct" is a brilliant idea actually, it might make a few guys think about what they are doing for a change.

Despite my reservations about our category going back there, the experience of racing at Indy was truly awesome - flinging the little Escort Rotary around was the BEST fun I've had :)

34 gearchanges a lap (I still don't know how the C/R Mazda Gearbox survived this!)

The salt seaspray blowing in off the ocean as the glittering field rumbles around on the pace lap......

The atmosphere, the crowd, the bikinis.....

The first full throttle run past the pits and threshhold braking into the Turn 1 chicane...

Par'ing down the lap times with confidence gaining each lap....

That lonely feeling of being left alone in Pandanus Avenue (marshalling area) after your crew leaves before you in the Tender Vehicles to head around to pit lane...

Fanging down the beachfront and being surprised by a sudden rainshower as we all arrived at the North end of the track on slicks.... HAHA

I'd recommend it to anyone :)

[msadyno]

I'd be happy to post, email whatever a copy of a "code of conduct" i have here written in plain english as an example.

[FalconEL]

I'd be happy to post, email whatever a copy of a "code of conduct" i have here written in plain english as an example.

I don't know if other categories have such an arrangement, but anything would help I believe! It's just frustrating when you can race close and hard at State Level for years and you step up to a supposedly higher standard at National Level and get crashed into.........

I was talking to someone the other day about the potential of Sports Sedans running at Bathurst and to be honest, I would be genuinely concerned about the safety and well-being of some blokes attempting to wheel their rocket around Mt. Panorama.

I'd be keen to hear others thoughts about racing at Indy though, we're building some great numbers and momentum at National Level at the moment, so I'm sure we could put on a good show!

[msadyno]

[FalconEL]

[Phast Phil]

I think a version of the Code of Conduct to be signed will be in the entry form package for 2010.
Best idea to come out of this forum in awhile...thanks for the idea and initial draft MSA Dyno.

I like the idea of getting another race (on top of the 5 Nationals events) as part of the series or a stand alone non series event at a big ticket event, but not if it dilutes the other rounds.

Personally I always had crap luck at Surfers after 3 visits there. I broken engine, 1 broken gearbox and a crashed car. My crew said I was slow at the second chicane and I should do it in 3rd gear so I gave it a go for them......bang. One goo thing about crashing a sports sedan; you get to make improvements when you rebuild it.
Gees, maybe thats why Elvis Barnes is getting quicker!!! Hahaha