World Challenge no longer on SpeedTV?
01-06-2010, 05:48 PM
#16
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The writing has been on the wall for a while IMO. Lots of talk about turning things around in the last couple of years only resulting in multiple holes in feet.
01-06-2010, 07:14 PM
#17
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Yep they're having issues. Versus is probably the only network they could afford to pay for the races to be aired. Speed was too expensive, especially if not a series sponsor any longer.
01-06-2010, 07:18 PM
#18
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I'm not sure what touring will be this year - the first two new body style TSXs Realtime built they went with the existing engine and the XTrac, so they'll have to run GTS, maybe the new ones they build this year will be true touring cars.
I didn't go to Laguna Seca, so I didn't get a chance to check out Tri Point's new Mazda3, I don't know if that would run TC or GTS this year.
We're building a new old TSX to run TC, but I don't know how many races we'll enter - we want to do Long Beach but they're limiting car count, probably won't go to St. Pete or any of the Canada races, so that leaves Watkins Glen, Mid Ohio, VIR and the season finale in [Can't Say].
01-06-2010, 08:29 PM
#19
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01-06-2010, 08:50 PM
#20
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It'll be a combined race at Long Beach - GT, GTS, and TC all on the track at the same time. Every guy with a Viper Comp Coupe or Cup car will want to run. Then you get a lot of NASA racers like Graham Downey with his K24 Civic, and you'll get a full field. There were 18 touring cars at Laguna Seca last year.
01-06-2010, 10:00 PM
#21
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It'll be a combined race at Long Beach - GT, GTS, and TC all on the track at the same time. Every guy with a Viper Comp Coupe or Cup car will want to run. Then you get a lot of NASA racers like Graham Downey with his K24 Civic, and you'll get a full field. There were 18 touring cars at Laguna Seca last year.
I think that will end up being a great looking race with three classes going. US needs a major racing series that is headlined by GT cars. No DP's, no LMP's. Kind of like an FIA GT series race.
I'm looking forward to that...... Wait, no I'm not, I have direct TV.
01-06-2010, 11:10 PM
#22
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Besides, a 50 minute sprint race with 3 different classes is just a bad idea. TC and GTS traffic will most definitely play a factor in the outcome of the GT race.
01-06-2010, 11:40 PM
#23
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If GT raced with them I would start to agree, but the fastest class in GS is still pretty tame in terms of what is allowed on the cars. I'd like to see some major machinery go at it, and WC has that potential. I'd like to see them ditch the R888's too and go for some R6's at least.
01-07-2010, 09:44 AM
#24
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The tameness and stability of the rules is what has kept teams interested IMO...especially in this economy. I'll take tame cars with better racing, better teams, and better drivers. The machinery in WC is exactly the reason why it's on a course towards implosion. A team like Bimmerword had ~$120K worth of transmissions on their trailer (3 in the cars, 1 spare) alone, before you even start talking about the motors, 4-way dampers, etc, etc.
01-07-2010, 10:15 AM
#25
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WC is dying because they kept on upping the stuff allowed on the cars instead of sticking to their roots. Then the budgets, like you mentioned, ended up huge and the TV coverage dwindled leaving teams with large bills and no sponsors. That won't work. All that while running on a tire that's not even remotely on the same level as the cars.
IMO less mods (like the originals) and more tire would have allowed smaller budgets and similar speeds.
Koni is still second fiddle to GA so it's hard to consider them as a headline series though I like the direction they are headed and like watching the races. But the cars are rather docile, I think more flare is needed for a headline series. Don't they have to run factory aero? I don't think that would cut it. Somewhere right between Koni and WC rules would be perfect.
IMO less mods (like the originals) and more tire would have allowed smaller budgets and similar speeds.
Koni is still second fiddle to GA so it's hard to consider them as a headline series though I like the direction they are headed and like watching the races. But the cars are rather docile, I think more flare is needed for a headline series. Don't they have to run factory aero? I don't think that would cut it. Somewhere right between Koni and WC rules would be perfect.
01-07-2010, 10:24 AM
#26
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WC is dying because they kept on upping the stuff allowed on the cars instead of sticking to their roots. Then the budgets, like you mentioned, ended up huge and the TV coverage dwindled leaving teams with large bills and no sponsors. That won't work. All that while running on a tire that's not even remotely on the same level as the cars.
IMO less mods (like the originals) and more tire would have allowed smaller budgets and similar speeds.
Koni is still second fiddle to GA so it's hard to consider them as a headline series though I like the direction they are headed and like watching the races. But the cars are rather docile, I think more flare is needed for a headline series. Don't they have to run factory aero? I don't think that would cut it. Somewhere right between Koni and WC rules would be perfect.
IMO less mods (like the originals) and more tire would have allowed smaller budgets and similar speeds.
Koni is still second fiddle to GA so it's hard to consider them as a headline series though I like the direction they are headed and like watching the races. But the cars are rather docile, I think more flare is needed for a headline series. Don't they have to run factory aero? I don't think that would cut it. Somewhere right between Koni and WC rules would be perfect.
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01-07-2010, 11:40 AM
#27
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The races will be televised on weekends in 2010 - 90 minute shows. Set your DVR now. They're going to try to schedule them to run either right before or right after IRL programming, usually qualifying.
HTML Code:
Race Date Time Streets of St. Petersburg Sunday, April 18 2 p.m. Streets of Long Beach Saturday, May 1 4:30 p.m. Watkins Glen International Saturday, July 17 11 p.m. Toronto / Mosport Saturday, July 31 3 p.m. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Saturday, Aug. 28 4:30 p.m. VIRginia International Raceway Sunday, Sept. 26 4:30 p.m. TBA Sunday, Oct. 17 4:30 p.m. Schedule subject to change. All times Eastern.
