PDA

View Full Version : 888 announce 2004 endurance drivers



fpv_gtho
05-19-2004, 04:59 AM
Team Betta Electrical Names This Seasons Endurance Drivers

Release Date: 19/05/2004

Head of Triple Eight Race Engineering – ‘Team Betta Electrical’ Roland Dane today announced the appointment of Frenchman Yvan Muller and Aussie Dean Canto as the team’s two endurance drivers for 2004.

The drivers will pair with Paul Radisich and Max Wilson to contest both the ‘Betta Electrical Sandown 500’ – September 10-12, as well as the ‘Bob Jane T-Marts Bathurst 1000’ to be conducted at Mt Panorama October 7-10.

“We are extremely pleased with our choice of drivers for the up-coming endurance events this season and particularly look forward to reintroducing the current 2003 BTCC Champion, Yvan Muller to the Australian V8 Supercar Series, especially given that he has been a Triple Eight Team Driver in Europe for more than six seasons” – said Dane.

“Yvan is an extremely accomplished driver and is again contesting the 2004 BTCC Championship in Britain driving for Triple Eight Race Engineering, currently holding second position in the championship behind team mate James Thompson, with the team retaining the lead in the manufacturers championship”.

“Muller has a string of achievements to his racing career, having won the 2003 BTCC Drivers Championship, and attaining his eighth win of the Andros Trophy ice racing – Chaonix 24 hour ice race.

“2002 saw him finish second in the British Touring Car Championship for Triple Eight Race Engineering, achieving five pole positions, four second placing’s and one third placing, and again winning the Andros Trophy ice racing – Chamonix 24 hour ice race.

This same year was Muller’s second visit to Mt Panorama in the Bathurst 1000 - his entry not completing the race.

“Dean Canto needs no introduction, having driven for the team in last years series” – said Dane.

“The team has retained his services for the endurance events this year and we expect him to do very well, we have given Dean some very valuable practice time in the car recently and he has performed to expectations, so we look forward to seeing him perform well in the endurance events”.

“We have not decided on driver pairings at this stage, however an announcement will be made as the events draw closer” – Dane concluded


BIOGRAPHY
Yvan Muller
Nationality: French
Born: 16th August 1969, Altkirch, France
Lives: Seppois Le Bas, France
Status: Single, one daughter, Nina
Championship: British Touring Car Championship
Team: Triple Eight Race Engineering
Racing history
2003
Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Champion
Andros Trophy ice racing – champion
Chamonix 24 hour ice race

2002
Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship – second place
Andros Trophy ice racing – champion
Chamonix 24 hour ice race
1000kms of Bathurst, Australia – DNF
5 x wins, 4x 2nd, 1x 3rd.

2001
AA.com British Touring Car Championship - 2nd
Andros Trophy ice racing - Champion

2000
Andros Trophy ice racing - Champion
Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship – 4th
3x wins, 1x 2nd, 3x 3rd’.

1999
Andros Trophy ice racing - Champion
Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship - 6th
1x win, 1x 2nd, 3x 3rd.


1998
Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship - 7th
1x 2nd, 2x 3rd.
Andros Trophy ice racing - Champion

1997
German Touring Car Championship - 7th (Audi)
Andros Trophy ice racing - Champion (BMW)

1996
Italian Touring Car Championship - 4th (Audi)
Andros Trophy ice racing - Champion (BMW)

1995
French Touring Car Championship - Champion (BMW)
9x wins - 16 races
FIA Touring Car World Cup - 4th (BMW)

1994
French Touring Car Championship - 3rd (BMW)
FIA Touring car World Cup - 7th (BMW)

1993
FIA European Formula 3000 Championship

1992
British Formula 2 Championship - Champion
4x wins, 4x poles, 4x lap records

1990—91
French Formula 3 Championship

1989
French Formula 3 Championship - 3rd

1988
French Formula Renault Championship - 3rd

1987
Elf Winfield Racing School - 2nd

1980—86
Karting

Falcon500
05-19-2004, 07:07 AM
Hmm intresting....while the frenchman seems qualified...it has often been proven that an import is not as good as local.....it was one of allan moffats short commings putting alot of faith in euro drivers...who did cut it but didnt quite get it....we have ex BTCC championship winners (paul radasich) we have ex f1 testers and cart stars (max wilson who was aout to take mark webbers spot but didnt have as much money mind you) and while they fit in it took them quite a while to cope...max wilson first season comming to mind....itll be interesting to hear of the pace he belts out while tsting....

motorsportnerd
05-19-2004, 07:17 AM
Radisich was on the pace in his first year of V8 Supercars in 1999 with DJR. He also drove with several teams in the enduros through the nineties. I remember he shared the Glen Seton Falcon at Bathurst in 1994. Seton put it on pole, but Radisich matched his times despite not being a regular in the car. Radisich did know all the circuits already in 1999 having competed in Formula Pacific cars in Australia in the 1980s. So he had that advantage over Wilson.
Also, Max Wilson was quick in 2002, just made some silly errors such as attempting a quick flick turn like he would in a CART car when he spun, only to create a smoke cloud and be t-boned by Ambrose. There has never been in doubt about Wilson's speed or car control though.

fpv_gtho
05-20-2004, 12:59 AM
Well also remember that Ambrose had a fairly solid F3 career and that got him the V8 Supercar title in his 3rd year, and he grabbed pole off Skaife in his first race so he got used to the machinery reasonably quickly, and remember he never got tested by Ross or Jimmy before they signed him up either.

I wouldnt be surprised to see Muller teamed with Radisich, i'd say that theyve got some common ground and they both come from similar touring car backgrounds so if they have pace on the day they should be something to look out for

motorsportnerd
05-20-2004, 06:15 AM
I'd suggest that if Triple 888 want to win, they put the two full time V8 Supercar drivers (Radisich/Wilson) in the lead car. The drivers are evenly matched on pace (noticed how they're often together on the grid this year?), are roughly the same height, have intimate of the traits of V8 Supercar. Also, Radisich is hungry for Bathurst success. If he has any say, I assume he'll prefer to partner Wilson. Now Radisich/Wilson. That's a combo that would have to be one of the fastest, most closely matched and experienced combo in the field. Rates alongside Lowndes/Seton or Richards/Richards.
Also, note that this will be Muller's third Bathurst start. He also drove in 2000 when he share the second HRT Commodore with Jason Plato. Qualified 19th, finished 10th. I think he'd make a good backup in the second car alongside Canto. Stong top 5 possibily a Muller/Canto combo.
I'd rate Lowndes/Seton and Richards/Richards as favourites given appopriate car speed for the 1000 this year. Purely on the strength of the driving combos. Also, Skaife/Kelly, Murphy/Kelly and Jones/Bowe will be strong again. I'm not sure that splitting Ambrose and Ingall up is a good idea, though I guess they have such different driving styles they compromise each other too much.
I'm not sure what the DJR combos will be. How does Johnson/Brabham sound. That would be a strong all round combo.
Also, Tander/McConville would be strong if GRM puts their two regulars together.
And there are rumours of a Morris/Baird combo. Presumably, Baird will be released from team Kiwi for the enduros. And Morris/Baird "won" the 1997 Bathurst 1000 for Super-tourers in a BMW 320i, before being disqualified (due to Baird spending too much time in the car). So, they may want revenge.
Also a Jason Richards/Alex Yoong combo looks likely. That could be interesting, especially if the Tasman VY is up to speed and if Yoong gets enough track time in a V8 beforehand.
Finally, any rumours on who will drive the second HRT car (since Richards, Mezera and Longhurst all have drives with LPR this year).

DasModell
05-20-2004, 07:13 AM
he;s a top driver . he will deliver :) if the car is good :)

Falcon500
05-21-2004, 04:23 AM
People to whatch out for...id be a fool if i didnt say Murphy/Kelly but im not overly worried about them...car development at the moment is crawling and with many months wasted trying to get more out of it will no doubt spend a lot of energy....

Ellery/Youlden whilei dont think theyll get a podium this year through reliability and good drivers i think theyll be a strong side for a top 10

Bowe/Jones so much potential so much bad luck...maybey this year?
Johnson/luff outside chance but i think its got potential (and this look like their driver lineup at the moment with many months to go....I would think that brabbam would compliment Johnson more...he is a better driver then his machinery i think...his talent was show in the 00,01 seasons.

Skaife/kelly with out comment.

Lowndes/Seton laowndes wants to leave FPR preahps a bthurst win may change his mind...seton one of the longest serving drivers with so many records and wins to his name....all except a bathurst win....

Radasich/wilson potential lots of potential....i think their similar height will be an advantage radasich being mid 5' and johnsons 6'4"+ really did reek havoc...rember thattime he flicked the booster seat intoJohnsons postion and nailed one of the pit crew because he couldent reach the brake pedel....Wilson is quick...just makes silly mistakes....Radasich has always been fast and i think Johnson made the wrong decision getting rid of him...even if radasich and his son had serious diffrences they both where equil pairings in driveing.

One you missed motorsport Wheel/Bright they will no doubt be a force not that i am happy to admit that....

Noske/Besnard good shot at a top 10 even in a fledgling team both young fit and quick drivers

Tander/McOnville has potential...but i do not want them to win...i really dislike Garry Rodger the team owner...also Garth has some real stupid mistakes on the track...Cam is rather a clean driver and is desperatly underrated...
Richards/Richards...with out saying...im wondering who Tony Longhurst will be partnering? I always liked Longhurst and wish him well....

Im open to any comments on team possiblitys...other then HRT the might do it but i hope they dont....

motorsportnerd
05-22-2004, 07:08 AM
My understanding is that the Richards/Richards combo is not a certainty. LP has reserved the right to play around with the combos. Though, other than LP himself partnering Steven Richards, there is no one more experienced than Jim at LPR. I've always been a Jim Richards fan. So, allowing for the fact that they're driving for LP (who I'm not a particular fan) and driving a Holden, a Richards/Richards combo will be one of my personal favorites for Bathurst this year (along with Lowndes/Seton, Radisich/Wilson and Murphy/Kelly). It would be great to see a father/son combo win. They finished 2nd together last time they shared a car in the 1997 Primus 1000 in a GRM car. And Jim won with Steve second in the Super Touring 1000 in 1998. There's only one thing left - for them to win together. And if the manage it would be Jim's 8th Bathurst victory (previously won '78, '79,'80, '91, '92, '98 and '02) and Steve's 3rd (previously won '98 & '99). Maybe Jim will finally get the recognition he richly deserves if he closes in on or even beats Brock's record tally of wins. I suspect Jim is slightly tainted by his association with the two wins in the Nissan GTRs, and many may not rate his win in the Volvo Super-tourer. Also, Jim has never had the superstar media attraction of Brock or Johnson. He's much less assuming. However, that doesn't take away Jim's outstanding abilities as a driver, or the fact that he comes across as one of the most likeable blokes in Australian motorsport. Sooner or later, either the NZ or Australian government will honour him for his services to motorsport. And he should be inducted into both the Australian motorsport hall of fame and the NZ Sports Hall of Fame. Sorry if it sounds like I'm promoting Jim, but I will continue to remind people of his talents until he gets some real recognition.

I assume the LPR combos will be Richards/Richards, Dumbrell/Perkins, Longhurst/Tratt. Or possibly Richards/Richards, Dumbrell/Longhurst, Tratt/Perkins? Or even S Richards/Perkins, J.Richards/Longhurst (as with last year) and Dumbrell/Tratt. Larry certainly has options on his driver combos.

Also, any rumours whether Crompton will suit up for the enduros (in the second FPR car maybe alongside his mates Lowndes and Seton?)
And HRT's drivers for its second car?

fpv_gtho
05-23-2004, 01:50 AM
i was under the impression Larry Perkins hung up his helmet for good after he couldnt even do a clean practise session last year, but i could be wrong. Normally, i'd say Crompton's been out of it for too long to be seriosuly considered by FPR or any other leading teams, but he did have a driving roll in the 24hr race last year. But then theres his position as expert commentator, with the level of publicity and coverage put into the Bathurst 4 day weekend, does Channel 10 really want to take their best commentator away from the camera's at a time when theyve even got their Australian Motorcycle Championship commentators going through the pits?

motorsportnerd
05-23-2004, 03:17 AM
When Perkins announced his endurance drivers at the start of the year he included himself. But I don't think that's set in concrete.

fpv_gtho
05-23-2004, 03:24 AM
well i suppose if Perkins doesnt go for the drive, then theres an empty seat if they dont use Tratt's car (provided the 3rd castrol VY isnt ready, otherwise i guess Longhurst's VX wont be used) but ive only heard of Jim Richards as a confirmed endurance driver on top of the 4 regular drivers. It seemed pretty certain after Bathurst last year that Perkins wasnt going to try this year again either, after how much form he lost from only doing 2 of 13 rounds

motorsportnerd
05-23-2004, 03:40 AM
No, Thomas Mezera is definately confirmed as one of the Perkins Castrol endurance drivers (I forgot that earlier). Confirmed drivers are (Motorsport News Fed 25, 2004) S Richards, J Richards, Dumbrell, Longhurst, Tratt, Mezera and probably Perkins. Under the franchise system with AVESCO, Perkins has to run all four cars. So there are still at least one seat and possibily two if Larry doesn't drive to fill (only just refreshed my memory on that). There was a rumour that Fabien Coulthard could get a drive with the team in the enduros.
Also Tratt's car and Longhurst's car are run by Perkins as customer car's, so he may not have much say on Tratt's or Longhurst's co drivers.

Falcon500
05-23-2004, 04:13 AM
So thatmeans tratt could use his good friend paul stokell....Mezera and longhurst wouldent be a bad combo either....personally i think if larrys going to drive he should go with the young bloke again...and it seems a bit unfair that perkinas can do that...richards left on the proviso that he could race with his son....
And richards a good bloke....your streatching that a fair bit...he despises talking to a camra and avoids people in general...ive seen out takes where he tryed walking away from the camra not to talk to them!...if he really is that shy whats he doing being invovled with a sport the works from a camra lense...and then there is the your a pack of assholes incident...and the skyline incident...so that why he will never be as popular as brock,Johnson...hell even kids saying that skylines won bathurst cant even say jim richards was the driver! Also he accociated himselfwith super tourers which where quite rightly disliked here...they didnt refelct australian motoring at all!

motorsportnerd
05-23-2004, 08:29 PM
[QUOTE=Falcon500]OK, Richard's isn't a media person. But, from all accounts I've heard he is a nice guy. He just doesn't have a polished media persona and is a little shy. The Australian motoring/motorsport media has never had a bad word to say about him, even if he is camera shy. I'd suggest Seton is much the same - and I don't have any problems with that. Not everyone is an extrovert.
The pack of arseholes comment... Richard's mate Denis Hulme had passed away that day. Under international rules, the Skyline had won fair and square. You can't blame the drivers for the rules. And everyone (crowd included) was a bit emotional. It was a comment that just slipped out. He got a lot of praise in NZ for that comment (not surprisingly). And the Australian media tended to side with him as well. Sure, a Japanese car did win and it had crashed, but the second placed car was a English Ford. It was, as far as I'm concerned, one of those times where a bunch of drunken louts did futher damage to the reputation of Australian sports crowds as been very unsportsmanlike at times. Johnson also made some inappropriate comments on the same podium. Everyone concerned forgot they were professional sportsmen that day... And the same international rules Johnson criticised gave his team victory in the 2001 QLD 500 when Radisich was bogged.
As for Richard's been involved in Super Touring - so what? Brock was as well. So were Brad Jones, Greg Murphy, Paul Morris, Craig Baird and Paul Radisich. I don't see anyone criticising any of them for taking drives that could get them race wins. Its what racing drivers do - drive race cars. It was a legitimate, recognised catagory. Richard's had no drive in the V8s which were going through a rough patch in the mid 90s. He had effectively retired from full time V8 driving anyway. No different than Richards driving Porsches the last 5 years or so (which don't reflect Australian motorsport either if you want to look at it that way).

....i apologise sincerly motorsport inetead of clicking quite i clicked edit and put my message in :o

fpv_gtho
05-24-2004, 03:01 AM
At least he's not arrogant or rude when a camera is pushed in front of him (like, say, Garry Rogers...).


i think theres a big question mark in most peoples minds hanging over garry rogers head in regards to his attitudes towards things. back to jim richards though, i think he wins alot of acclaim for his versatility, being able to win races in a LHD Porsche then the next day go in and be competitive in a RHD V8 Supercar. its almost the opposites in touring cars

Falcon500
05-24-2004, 05:17 AM
Seton doesnt doesnt run from the camrea...hes actually quite good to the people....but hes not in the medias eyes as often...
Slight technicality intornatinal group a rules stipulated that red flags go back 2 laps not one like ATCC rules of the past actually used so dick leading one lap under safety car its quite understandable to understand why he was so upset also you can see why he thought he won.....so the exact same rule didnt help him :)
Australian crouds...cant argue with that but everyone concerned was throwing beer cans at him...it wasnt his fault but the chances are if i was there i would of been throwing some too....
Super touring cars where a european thing not australian...notice how most of the ex super tourers are shunned? and how the super tourers are dead...they done increasingly deeper lines in between them and the people chose they stopped whatching the buzz boxes....
And in general that why most people dont like the carrera cup....id rather whatch formula ford...thats mostly parity based....if it wasnt a v8 side show no one would care.....
But also that said nations cup doesnt...but its run by australians and has mostly australians driveing in it...and GT-p which has the same rules for everyone which essentially was group As problems who where attemtping and failing F#$%ing dismally at makeing it fair

motorsportnerd
05-24-2004, 05:28 AM
No problems, Falc. I assume you were about to deliver a decisive rebuttal of my arguments...
Could have left the best part about Rogers in though. :) I think we all love Garry here. Perhaps someone should invite him onto the forum to tear apart our arguments?

motorsportnerd
05-24-2004, 06:02 AM
Seton doesnt doesnt run from the camrea...hes actually quite good to the people....but hes not in the medias eyes as often...
Slight technicality intornatinal group a rules stipulated that red flags go back 2 laps not one like ATCC rules of the past actually used so dick leading one lap under safety car its quite understandable to understand why he was so upset also you can see why he thought he won.....so the exact same rule didnt help him :)

Seton is a nice bloke from what I've seen. No argument. He is a little shy and introverted though. Also, I've never seen Jimmy running from the camera and that pack of arseholes comment is the worst thing I ever heard him say. He's always pleasant to interviewers and perhaps more tellingly other drivers respect him greatly. He's always first chosen for the enduros. Perhaps you're been a little harsh?? :) Motorsports is allowed its quiet introverts.
And the fans love Perkins despite despite the fact hes arrogant, rude, argumentative and extremely dismissive of rival drivers. Whereas Richards isn't so loved despite been the opposite of Perkins? Maybe I'm missing something, but seems to me Perkins is forgiven a lot while no one forgets one comment that Richard's makes. Or does the fact Jimmy still has an NZ passport have something to do with it (showing my inferiority complex here...) :)
And the technicality over the rules? We can't award the win to Johnson retrospectively...


Super touring cars where a european thing not australian...notice how most of the ex super tourers are shunned? and how the super tourers are dead...they done increasingly deeper lines in between them and the people chose they stopped whatching the buzz boxes....
And in general that why most people dont like the carrera cup....id rather whatch formula ford...thats mostly parity based....if it wasnt a v8 side show no one would care.....
But also that said nations cup doesnt...but its run by australians and has mostly australians driveing in it...and GT-p which has the same rules for everyone which essentially was group As problems who where attemtping and failing F#$%ing dismally at makeing it fair

Brock wasn't crucified for driving the Volvo.... The fans love Murph, despite the fact he started out in an (gasp) Audi in Australia. And Radisich wouldn't have the rat nickname if he didn't have a lot of fans. Bradly Jones has his share of fans. And Baird. And, yes, even Morris has a couple of fans. Sure, the top ex-Super Tourer drivers are shunned.... I agree that the second and third rate ex-Super Tourer drivers are shunned, but then so are second and third rate V8 drivers.
And, hey, leave those Porsches alone. They sound great. Look good. And they are a true parity formula - the driver (or the organic component as Lowndes is refered to by FPR) is the most important element.
Guess what I'm saying here is there's room for more than one top catagory in Australia. Super-Tourers never set out to topple V8s. Just to provide an outlet for other manufacturers. And you can't blame the Super Tourer management (one Kevin O'Rielly who now works for AVESCO) for going to Bathurst when invited. Not to do so would have ended the class even sooner. Nations Cup and GTP currently fill the role that Super Tourers used to, but costs are more controlled.
Just a reminder on Jimmys stats - Bathurst victories - 7. Australian Touring Car Championships -4 (2 for BMW, 2 for Nissan - the cheek of the man not to win in a Holden or Ford). Nations Cup/GTP - 4. Porsche Cup - 1. Targa - 7 (from memory - correct me if I'm wrong).
And, just a pointer, four of his Bathurst victories were in Holdens, putting him third behind Brock (9) and Perkins (6) on the list of Holden winners...

Falcon500
05-24-2004, 06:02 AM
Well perosnally i would to love him to answer my queastions on jamie whincup...."i know hes not doing great now and i expect him to try and find his feet...if he doesnt show any form next year hell have to find other work" if there was a next year.....
Allour other comment he has fobbed of in the media...like the nations cup monaro...i wonder how he will justify it now all considering there is no road going varient....

motorsportnerd
05-24-2004, 06:17 AM
Well perosnally i would to love him to answer my queastions on jamie whincup...."i know hes not doing great now and i expect him to try and find his feet...if he doesnt show any form next year hell have to find other work" if there was a next year.....
Allour other comment he has fobbed of in the media...like the nations cup monaro...i wonder how he will justify it now all considering there is no road going varient....

Shall we leave a message on the GRM website inviting Garry to come on over and abuse us/answer our questions?
And does Whincup have an enduro drive? Hell, even a Porsche Carrera Cup drive? Or a Konica drive?

Falcon500
05-24-2004, 06:25 AM
Seton is a nice bloke from what I've seen. No argument. He is a little shy and introverted though. Also, I've never seen Jimmy running from the camera and that pack of arseholes comment is the worst thing I ever heard him say. He's always pleasant to interviewers and perhaps more tellingly other drivers respect him greatly. He's always first chosen for the enduros. Perhaps you're been a little harsh?? :) Motorsports is allowed its quiet introverts.
And the fans love Perkins despite despite the fact hes arrogant, rude, argumentative and extremely dismissive of rival drivers. Whereas Richards isn't so loved despite been the opposite of Perkins? Maybe I'm missing something, but seems to me Perkins is forgiven a lot while no one forgets one comment that Richard's makes. Or does the fact Jimmy still has an NZ passport have something to do with it (showing my inferiority complex here...) :)
And the technicality over the rules? We can't award the win to Johnson retrospectively...
Yes seto is...hes also not the kind to have a go and share his feeling with the croud like skaife (hidden valleys hissy fit) and perkins (just him in general) althoughyou get seto on the pannel show and he says a fair bit most remberd was him reflecting his skyline days when during a practise session his car caught fire and skaife stopped and pulled him out...skaife was dressed in red and he thought right at that moment "I am in hell" :D the courd loved that re mark...skaife also said "well thats the last timei pull you out of a burning nissan" im not saying he isnt a bad bloke but his aversion to the camera really makes that hard to judge...and i never once made a stab at him as a driver...other then bad taste in catigorys :p



[/QUOTE]Brock wasn't crucified for driving the Volvo.... The fans love Murp, despite the fact he started out in an (gasp) Audi in Australia. And Radisich wouldn't have the rat nickname if he didn't have a lot of fans. Bradly Jones has his share of fans. And Baird. And, yes, even Morris has a couple of fans. Sure, the top ex-Super Tourer drivers are shunned.... I agree that the second and third rate ex-Super Tourer drivers are shunned, but then so are second and third rate V8 drivers. [/QUOTE]

Brock drovea sierra and a BMW...and he got drilled by the public but a bathurst win later he was totally forguiven by the holden fans...whatch the dick johnson dvd and you see alotof brockys sierra footage :D also murphs biggest dream was to race Indy in america but he ran out of money in the indy lights....radashich worked for dick Johnson and focused every other effort on the v8s....bradly will always be best remberd for his v8 bathurst gos and also his "silly" move in 1986 when he bought the factory mitsubishi starion which was no longer competative in group a form...Baird has kiwi fans and is likend because of his stint with team brock...the fans went mental when he came 2nd last at bathurst with brock...and it wasnt jeering either....morris...we as i said good driver silly mistakes...well some 2nd rate drivers are poorly labeled...camron mclean comes to mind wayne wakefiel...both sufferd from small budgets and after a few poor results they where forgotten and shunned (like the au falcon v8 super car)

[/QUOTE]And, hey, leave those Porsches alone. They sound great. Look good. And they are a true parity formula - the driver (or the organic component as Lowndes is refered to by FPR) is the most important element. [/QUOTE]
Umm no i will poke and prod them all i like...the sound is dodgey...they look ok...and yes true parity...but i still like formula ford better...also if you want just as much parity go aussie racers....

[/QUOTE]Guess what I'm saying here is there's room for more than one top catagory in Australia. Super-Tourers never set out to topple V8s. Just to provide an outlet for other manufacturers. And you can't blame the Super Tourer management (one Kevin O'Rielly who now works for AVESCO) for going to Bathurst when invited. Not to do so would have ended the class even sooner. Nations Cup and GTP currently fill the role that Super Tourers used to, but costs are more controlled.
Just a reminder on Jimmys stats - Bathurst victories - 7. Australian Touring Car Championships -4 (2 for BMW, 2 for Nissan - the check of the man not to win in a Holden or Ford). Nations Cup/GTP - 4. Porsche Cup - 1. Targa - 7 (from memory - correct me if I'm wrong).
And, just a pointer, four of his Bathurst victories were in Holdens, putting him third behind Brock (9) and Perkins (6) on the list of Holden winners... [/QUOTE]
Costs aremore contolled...the thing i like is its more like groupC and more importantly it holds more intrest as in unhomliglated cars dont suffer as much...look at the gt...oh so its fuel tank stops side exit exaust...a v8 super car style fuel tank will increse safety and allow for this....ohits seriously heavy which is hobbling it....also it puts them up against cars that have a similar scrutenering system and this catigory allows cars to exploit their strentghts and other their weaknesses....the touers still used homliglation...very unlikeable...
As for his stas what can i say...i never did make a dig at him as a driver....

fpv_gtho
05-24-2004, 06:30 AM
most remberd was him reflecting his skyline days when during a practise session his car caught fire and skaife stopped and pulled him out...skaife was dressed in red and he thought right at that moment "I am in hell" :D the courd loved that re mark...skaife also said "well thats the last timei pull you out of a burning nissan"


well i guess as long as Seto stays out of Nissans, then he should be safe dont u reckon :p

motorsportnerd
05-24-2004, 06:54 AM
Yes seto is...hes also not the kind to have a go and share his feeling with the croud like skaife (hidden valleys hissy fit) and perkins (just him in general) althoughyou get seto on the pannel show and he says a fair bit most remberd was him reflecting his skyline days when during a practise session his car caught fire and skaife stopped and pulled him out...skaife was dressed in red and he thought right at that moment "I am in hell" :D the courd loved that re mark...skaife also said "well thats the last timei pull you out of a burning nissan" im not saying he isnt a bad bloke but his aversion to the camera really makes that hard to judge...and i never once made a stab at him as a driver...other then bad taste in catigorys :p....

Interesting. Didn't see that show... And are you and I watching the same TV channel? I've seen Jim interviewed hundred's of times.. I'll admit he doesn't have a reputation for sitting around signing autographs like Brock though... And true, you didn't make a stab at him as a driver. Guess in my case, I'm defending Jimmy because I've always been a fan of his.


Brock drovea sierra and a BMW...and he got drilled by the public but a bathurst win later he was totally forguiven by the holden fans...whatch the dick johnson dvd and you see alotof brockys sierra footage :D

Watch highlights of the 1989 Bathurst 1000 on tape. On the last lap, John Bowe is talking to Mike Raymond over the in car camera. As he went across Skyline he said something like..."blimey, would you look at that. Even the Brock fans are cheering for us now". Brock's fans followed him through all the highs and lows of his career (just as Lownde's now). You'll never fault Brock as a professional. Even the Ford/BMW/Volvo stints did absolutely no harm to his following because Brock always remained fan focussed. And yes, Richard's and many other drivers could've learned something from Brock in this regard. Also, Brock's last Bathurst victory in 1987 was before he went off to drive BMWs and Fords. But, he did return to the fold in 91 as a Holden privateer, and to the factory in '94 as an HRT driver.


radashich worked for dick Johnson and focused every other effort on the v8s..

Super Touring was always more popular in NZ, primarily because Radisich was one of the top drivers in the BTCC, and kiwis love it just as much as Aussies when one of their own does well. That's also one of the reasons Jim Richards has a much greater fan base in NZ than in Aust. Also, NZ car culture is slightly different. Yes, there is a very strong V8 following. But the mass influx of Japanese second hand imports into NZ from the late 80s on meant that NZ enthusiasts were exposed to the best 16 valvers, turbos and AWDs out of Japan. The high tech image of Super Touring thus caught the imagination of NZ fans more so than Aust fans. A cut down version of Super Touring was popular in NZ for a while in the mid 90s.


..bradly will always be best remberd for his v8 bathurst gos and also his "silly" move in 1986 when he bought the factory mitsubishi starion which was no longer competative in group a form..

And put the car into the top 10 shoot out in qualifying. Amazing what a couple of Japanese technicians, super sticky Yokohama qualifying tyres and turbo boost wound off the clock could do. Then, the turbo prompt expired during Bradley's top ten shoot out lap....
Brad had a very big crash in a Starion in Japan in 1986 as well. Rolled it several times. Was pretty shaken up. I've heard suggestions that it took a little of the edge off his driving. He was young at the time. That crash may have stopped him making it the very top of Australian motorsport.

[/QUOTE]Umm no i will poke and prod them all i like...the sound is dodgey...they look ok...and yes true parity...but i still like formula ford better...also if you want just as much parity go aussie racers......[/QUOTE]


I was been a little tongue in check. But, yes, I do like the Porsches. For me, they sound great. And those little Aussie racers just look weird :p

Falcon500
05-24-2004, 06:57 AM
Shall we leave a message on the GRM website inviting Garry to come on over and abuse us/answer our questions?
And does Whincup have an enduro drive? Hell, even a Porsche Carrera Cup drive? Or a Konica drive?
Well prehaps i am reading him wrong the media while not slanerding him makes himlook really unlikeable...and i do take back about myprevious comment about him being an unsucessful driver...while not terribly well rembers done quite well in group a and various other catigorys...my previous knowlage of him only refelcted his super sedan days....and my father while didnt like the group a that mcuh still whatched the ATCC and needed a jog to his memory to actually rember who he was :rolleyes: "oh him? yeah he done ok....seriously over shawdowed by the factory efforts but there wernt many that out done them"
Dont know about the enduro...but it seems hes not even partof the team anymore....i wouldent be snearing at him if he didnt say he would stand by him...and i have found respect for him as a driver (given new information) and he always had it as an engieneer but as it seems as a person he seems quite unlikeable....
Your more then welcome to invite him or you could send him queastions and post answers...i think the latter is more likly :) if you wish me to do this i will :)
Well skaife wouldent leave a mate burning in anything so i think even if he was driveing a nissan he wouldpull him out a second time :) If setostays out of nissans not only will he not have to fear fires but he also wont have to worriy about stray beer cans :p

motorsportnerd
05-24-2004, 07:18 AM
Your more then welcome to invite him or you could send him queastions and post answers...i think the latter is more likly :) if you wish me to do this i will :)
Well skaife wouldent leave a mate burning in anything so i think even if he was driveing a nissan he wouldpull him out a second time :) If setostays out of nissans not only will he not have to fear fires but he also wont have to worriy about stray beer cans :p

I'll think about it. I was half in jest. We really should invite all the V8 team managers plus Tony Cochrane. Also a few drivers. Start up our own little V8 Superstars. In all honesty, I expect they all have better things to do. And I suspect Larry Perkins would be just as rude online as on TV.
Just never invite Mark Coffey (owner of the Coopers Ferrari) to this site. His comments on the Procar website really put me off him.

Falcon500
05-24-2004, 07:29 AM
They probly would have better things to do but it cant hurt to asked...the worst youll get is the nices get F***ed letter you would of ever read...any worse then that and id sell it too the media...
But i think some of the konica teams may be willing....prehaps this is a prime oppertunity to get into contact with my great uncle richard mork (who i have never met btw) also prehaps i could get the website some exposure by haveing a chat too morky (who btw owns one of the top 10 motorsport websites in australia http://www.v8racing.com/) never know your luck in the big city eh? :)

motorsportnerd
05-24-2004, 05:09 PM
That's not a bad website. I think some team mechanics and drivers post on the forum there. Maybe an owner of two from Konica? Some of them certainly seem to talk with inside knowledge.

fpv_gtho
05-25-2004, 02:54 AM
getting the team officials and Cochrane onto the site could be one of the best things to come to the sport i reckon. it would certainly give Perkins and Rogers a taste of their own medicine and hopefully make them rethink their approach to situations they often engage in. Might even make Cochrane rethink going to china above other places like Laguna Seca, the Nurburgring or any other European tracks (maybe Matra knows some good UK tracks ;) )