Just the weather/pit lane speeding or is Blueprint actually working?

[Mattracer]

At PI, Skaife was running away with it, then the speeding drive-thru then the rain.

Lowndes wins and the scoreboard says Holden 1 round, Ford 1 round.

Lowndes first in the corrected points with Skaife second.

Even so far, with arguably the top 2 drivers in the category in recent years.

Blueprint or just circumstance?

[Buckshot]

We also face this conundrum for F1 this year. Is it the rule changes that have brought about different results or unforseen coincidences ?

[Dazz]

Skaife is clearly consistantly the best performer, and no amount of Blueprinting will stop him from being at the front.

But I don't see any difference in speed between the top six or eight guys. At Phillip Island Kelly, Ambrose, Bright and Lowndes seemed to be pretty equal on race pace.

I think so far the best drivers are at the front regardless of what badge they are behind.

[jetsetter]

I think you'll find all the better drivers are going to have good days & bad days this year & the driver that has more good & less bad will be the champion but i still see Skaife being too consistent for everyone else.

[RaceTime]

The question has to be asked - what do you honestly expect Project Blueprint to achieve?

(One relatively short para answers preferred - but a serious question...)

[Acj 428]

Don't forget that over half the top commodores are still Vy's and the top Fords teams seem to have more BA so how can blueprint work if you only have two or three holden teams running new spec cars? Compared to ford teams! No wonder the Fords haven't really stood out!

[Mark Webber]

I don't think its working at all . Its almost static from last year Skafie and Ambrose are to two to beat and until the VY's do surface nothing will change and then still maybe not . PI was a boring as Bat $hit until it rained
more it changes the more it stays the same .

I think its disgraceful that HRT/HRO are running VX/VY car a factory team should have the lastest spec cars from day 1
they should put a time limit on how long the VX/VY type car can run

[Mattracer]

Racetime,

A Ford supporter would want (expect!) Blueprint to achieve a Ford winning the championship and Bathurst.

A Holden supporter would expect a Holden to win the championship and Bathurst.

One side is going to be disappointed.

If Ford don't win one of the two prizes going, then public opinion will generally be that Blueprint didn't work.

One round win each, so far- it's contrived but the system is being seen to be fair atm.

[Crash Test]

What the series needs is for Skaifey to have some bad luck... I suppose he has had a bit, but at least at this point in time, he hasn't already piddled off into the distance with a massive points lead...

[Mattracer]

I also agree that VY spec cars should be running to full specs from day 1, but apparently there are some problems with getting parts for the Aurora engines for HRT. Only GRM and Dynamik are running full-spec VY cars atm. This is a strange situation.

Surely HRT, as good and well-organised as they are, could get their engines together a bit more quickly?

Having said that, the biggest change for any Holden team is the TEGA suspension, and HRT have got that happening almost straight away, with obvious results.

[rocket]

my perception of blueprint was that it was ment to give each brand an even chance of winning at least on paper, we all know that HRT are the best team both in budget & technical ability, because of their technical capabilities & the links with KMART & TB we have a situation where there are 6 holdens that are much better than the other holdens & better than all the fords except SBR, considering that HRT build all the cars for the 'symbol' group & the regularity that they have turned out new cars in the past it seems a bit strange that they havent at least had a new VY up and running & that both KMART & TB havent had their cars upgraded.

[racer69]

Project Blueprint doesn't create better racing, it creates an artificial spectacle.

Everyone will now run around saying "look how close the grid is, 1 second covering 25 cars" or whatever. When it comes to the race all Blueprint achieves is processional racing with no passing.

All that supposed excitement during race 2 at Adelaide, all those supposed passing manouvres. All that looked to me was desperate lunges under breaking after a safety car period, because they drivers knew they had bugger all chance of another go when everything settled down.

All Blueprint has done is that it means it no longer matters if a manufacturer can't do a good enough job, what we have is a silouette class, same except for the bodies, effectively one make.

In my opinion this isn't racing

[StuiE]

Yep, I'm with racer69, but I think only VERY relaxed contact rules (unless a move was genuinely dangerous, no penalty) and rain can make the races better.....maybe some more reverse grids (yes, artificial I know, but it's better than every car being the same and NO overtaking)