[Jimmy Magnusson]

Originally Posted by FIRE

After 15 years of Super Touring and S2000 (was there a STCC before?)

Well, there's been a touring car series in Sweden for as long as I can remember. Not that it was ever anything remarkable, a handful of Class C/D and Group N-ish cars and maybe a stray Class A wagon (usually a 240) from time to time. Half a dozen of Golfs with two 240's out front a show does not make. It did become a LOT better once the smaller cars were split off, and the amount of proper Group A cars (as opposed to Turbo Cup field fillers) increased consierably. 89-90-91 were all good years thanks to the M3 v Cossie battles. Did sort of peter out after that once they started messing with the Nordic championship, but at least we got a few good national seasons. Most of the other time there were better and more interesting racing in other classes, though.

Originally Posted by rustyfan

Fingers crossed Ring Knutstorp won't turn out to be either TBA. It's too slow, too twisty and too Mickey Mouse.

Personally I'm dreaming that they somehow, someway, will make it possible to run at either configuration at Gotland Ring. I expect that it will remain a dream, however.

Bah, Knutstorp is a staple of Swedish touring car racing. It doesn't need two events but the autumn Newsrace is a must.

Originally Posted by rustyfan

Personally I'm dreaming that they somehow, someway, will make it possible to run at either configuration at Gotland Ring. I expect that it will remain a dream, however.

Hey, at least they finished the barriers. Now there's just everything else (paddock, spectating) left.

Originally Posted by rustyfan

Whatever network they end up on, I hope they start showing everything from the support races - right now we get better, more complete coverage of club racing and other smaller regional championships in Europe than most of the support races to the STCC where only the second race is shown for whatever odd reason. And it's been that way for years and only here in Sweden.

To be fair it's been the same in Britain for as long as I can remember watching the live raceday coverage. I don't even think the weekly highlights show any of the Saturday races. If you're broadcasting live it makes sense to focus on just that day - F3/GT only do highlights and doesn't have to bother with producing all the down time on their weekends. But they've been moving more and more support races to race day only in Sweden this year, and there's no excuse for not showing that.

Originally Posted by Pettersson

Actually, that's being discussed within Camaro Cup (allowing Mustang and Challenger bodies). But I don't see the point now with TTA.

I can't really say I do either. But hey, it's been an open class before. Might make it easier to set up a series stateside. They've already expanded to Finland and when you really start crunching numbers this is a series and a car that should appeal to a lot of markets. Provided you've got someone to sell the concept.

Originally Posted by Pettersson

No more new Polestar Racing or Brovallen companies that develops their own cars through racing in TTA. Such new companies have to develop through other disciplines.

Not that Brovallen are building their own car right now. And Polestar are probably banking on WTCC to keep the development arm going. The point does still stand, of course.

Originally Posted by Pettersson

No manufacturer has shown any support for TTA so far (officially), and from what I heard in the pits at Karlskoga they still haven't got the rights from any manufacturer to use the silhuettes of Volvo's S60, BMW's 3-Series etc.

You really would expect them to get the Volvo at least. I mean, the same car is racing in Belgium. No need to look further than that series to see unbranded silhouettes racing though!

Originally Posted by Pettersson

Rumors says the Carl-Philip Bernadotte will drive in TTA, but there goes the "elite" from that championship

Yeah, that's a weird one. They've really been talking up the "elite" part more than they should, mentioned it at the press conference too. Truth be told you really wouldn't define either Engström or Öhlin as a part of "the elite" either, despite them clearly having some talent. Going back a decade, would a guy like Brunstedt have been allowed to take part? Calling him a better driver than Bernadotte is not exactly clear cut. You're just giving yourself a lot of additional problems.

Of course there is logic in Bernadotte racing - he's decent enough, these cars seems to be of the more forgiving and accessible type (similiar to Grand Am), and as Flash will have to find grid fillers somewhere any he won't have to pay for is great. You really would expect to see Lindland in one of the cars. But of course they can't use Bernadotte unless he starts contending for wins in CC, they'd be shooting themselves massively in the foot. Put him in the GT's with a pro co-driver, he'd be very useful there. I actually would quite like to see him in a GT-Am entry at Le Mans - would be a real contender there.

Originally Posted by Rustyfan

No argument there, but then again, the same can be said for STCC and WTCC as well. I hope TTA is looking at longer races that perhaps include pit stops rather than this silly "sprint race craze" we've had to suffer for years now just because some TV networks decided it.

To an extent, yes, but the problem is a lot more prevalent with the Camaros. The races are even shorter than STCC, barely two thirds the length, and the racing there much more likely to produce safety cars. The Camaros should be given a lot more room on the race weekends, that's the one ace in the sleeve STCC does have. Not that they will realize it. As an aside, they've really been going over board with the SC usage in Europe the last 6-8 years. I'm fine with it in America but here yellow flags are preferable. Look at the N24, they know how to handle it.

Originally Posted by rustyfan

So name one single championship that consists of only "elite" drivers?

Not even Formula 1 or MotoGP qualify.

MotoGP gets close since they've only really got Abraham, and he's a very talented kid as well. F1, true. But we're speaking in context of the Swedish racing scene here, so I guess everyone down to Ebbesson qualify in their eyes? Since he was allowed to test the car. Ahlberg would be out of luck presumably. But the only way you can properly define it as an "elite" championship is if you only have paid, professional drivers. I mean, they said they'd got a lot of submissions from teams but wanted to make sure the spots were secured by ones coming from the "elite". Sooo... does Engström, Mattias, Stureson et al qualify? They go out and find sponsorship to fund themselves. This part is what I predict will become the real laughing stock.