V8 supercars vs BTTC and DTM

[kingofthering]

Why does everyone always jump straight to NASCAR when spec chassis are mentioned?

NASCAR is a series where the cars quickly went from bone-stock with a rollcage to something resembling the stock model in name only.

[fpv_gtho]

But theyre not the only ones, that being my point. DTM are running the same formula but to a different degree. Theres other club level categories like Sports Sedans that run fake bodies on tubular chassis as well.

[clutch-monkey]

yeah i much prefer the race cars to have something in common with the road cars they supposedly resemble, cardboard cutout racing gets a bit old

[motorsportnerd]

I would prefer a production based formula as well - which incidentally is what V8 Supercars started out as. Back in 1993 when it replaced Group A, the formula was basically a continuation of Group A in terms of body, chassis, suspension, but with engines more suited to racing than modified production engines and front and rear wings. Since then the formula has changed somewhat to the point that the only production items on the cars are the roof and front doors.
However, one problem with a production based formula is that costs can get out of hand if manufacturers have to spend millions building road cars that can be successfully translated to the track. The fabulous Nissan Skyline GT-R from 1990-92 is one such example.
The current WTCC Super 2000 formula is production based and the cars are even more expensive to build and run than V8 Supercars. Huge development budgets are spent by BMW, Chevrolet and Seat to make incremental gains and ensure that the production based parts aren't too fragile.
So, some sort of mix of production (certainly bodies, maybe floorplan and chassis) and race parts (long life race engines, common suspension, control gearbox, etc).
To be honest, V8 Supercar in its current format is still very successful. The racing is still very close (the entire field tends to qualify within a 1 second on most tracks) and the cars can even pass.
All they rule makers have to do tweak the current rules. One thing they need to avoid is to make very expensive and competitive cars obsolete over night. So the current cars will need to be able to continue to race under the new rules.
I expect that what will happen is that the series will be opened up to all manufacturers. Those that don't have suitable RWD chassis will be allowed to convert from AWD (such as Audi) or FWD (such as the Nissan Maxima) to RWD. Either that or manufacturers may have the choice of using their own floorplan within set parameters OR using a spec chassis and dropping the body work of their model over the top.
Also, I expect that manufacturers will have the choice of using an off the shelf V8 race engine or developing their own engine within set parameters. I wouldn't be surprised if a smaller Quad Cam V8 either replaces or supplements the current 5.0-litre OHV V8 engines.
I would also expect that series will continue to be for large 4-door sedans.
Should the current rules be retained and tweaked, it would mean that the current Commodore VE and Falcon FG race cars could continue to be raced alongside the new generation cars.
I would expect most of the the following cars/body shells would be eligible: Holden Commodore VE/VF, Ford Falcon FG, Ford Mondeo, Chrysler 300C, Audi A6, BMW 5-series, Alfa Romeo 159, Honda Accord (the larger V6 body shape), Honda Legend, Nissan Maxima, Hyundai Genesis, Mazda6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Peugeot 607, Subaru Liberty/Legacy, Toyota Aurion/Camry, Lexus GS, Volvo S60, Citroen C6, Jaguar XF.
I would assume that the road version of any car that races in the series would have to be available for sale to the Australian public.

As to how many manufacturers would actually join Ford & Holden is anyone's guess. I suspect BMW and Nissan would be most likely considering their long history of involvement in Australian motorsport.

[group c n b man]

Seems like there is no real way to keep costs in check. It's never occurred to me that, with a production based formula, the makers still need to spend all that money just to ensure than the production based parts are strong enough. However purpose built cars are still more expensive. A S2000 car costs about £250,000. A WRC car costs about £500,000. A LMP car costs £1,000,000 or more. A F1 car costs more still. As Tim Harvey says "Racing will always consume as much money as you can throw at it"