2018 Australian GT Championship

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by peckstar

by definition the survey is of random punters and in this case it completed through an internet based survey or people who engaged with the 2017 clipsal. It was quite intense and asked people what the thought of each of the support categories and a number of other event related things both general and focused.

So there is no evidence or source of information released by the SA Government regarding the criteria or reasons for the change in support category.

It may have been easier just to have said that from the start Peckstar.

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

So there is no evidence or source of information released by the SA Government regarding the criteria or reasons for the change in support category.

It may have been easier just to have said that from the start Peckstar.

you never asked that, so why would i have said that

Audi R8 series series will be great, at least as a one off

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Very interesting move by the South Australian government. I wonder what was their criteria for the decision.

There's probably a few things that have added to the decision. My best guess would be a list something along the lines of:

• Uncertainty over AGT management in 2018
• Need to publish full list of supports soon for event promotion
• Small AGT fields in 2017 leading to some concern for 2018
• Dollars on offer & "prestige" of an "international" series
• Corporate support from Audi

This is definitely not an AGT bash but the current uncertainty re who is running it etc would in my view be a big factor - I see this impacting on more and more 2018 plans the longer it takes to resolve.

[mayhem]

Originally Posted by Tourer

There's probably a few things that have added to the decision. My best guess would be a list something along the lines of:

• Uncertainty over AGT management in 2018
• Need to publish full list of supports soon for event promotion
• Small AGT fields in 2017 leading to some concern for 2018
• Dollars on offer & "prestige" of an "international" series
• Corporate support from Audi

This is definitely not an AGT bash but the current uncertainty re who is running it etc would in my view be a big factor - I see this impacting on more and more 2018 plans the longer it takes to resolve.

Most sensible post here in some time.

[old fart]

Originally Posted by peckstar

by definition the survey is of random punters and in this case it completed through an internet based survey or people who engaged with the 2017 clipsal. It was quite intense and asked people what the thought of each of the support categories and a number of other event related things both general and focused.

However why do you care if aust Gt start at Adelaide or Melbourne or some other track. the Audi R8 cup will be great to watch, close racing, allowing the best of Australia to compete against professional (including an ex F1 driver) and amateur drivers from overseas while attracting an Asian audience to the event. surely thats all that should matter.

And why didnt the Australian Audi teams travel to NZ on the weekend, the cars were ready

Perhaps the potential for costly and time consuming repairs prior to Challenge Bathurst.

It seems that the 2 days here getting useful data and seat time for the 12 hour which is only 3 months away is possibly more cost effective than going across the ditch. Unfortunately NZ has not been kind to cars of late.

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by old fart

Perhaps the potential for costly and time consuming repairs prior to Challenge Bathurst.

It seems that the 2 days here getting useful data and seat time for the 12 hour which is only 3 months away is possibly more cost effective than going across the ditch. Unfortunately NZ has not been kind to cars of late.

so then we have a problem dont we. Cars would rather run timed laps and compete at the non Aust GT championship, than run at the Aust Gt championship.

[one five five]

Originally Posted by Tourer

Dollars on offer & "prestige" of an "international" series

A one-make Asian series is hardly International prestige

It is something different though, and probably what the organisers are looking for

Originally Posted by peckstar

so then we have a problem dont we. Cars would rather run timed laps and compete at the non Aust GT championship, than run at the Aust Gt championship.

Teams putting racing at Bathurst over other things, only been happening on two and four wheels since what, 1938?

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by peckstar

so then we have a problem dont we. Cars would rather run timed laps and compete at the non Aust GT championship, than run at the Aust Gt championship.

Is it a surprise that the Bathurst 12 Hour and its preparation is valued that highly by Australian teams?

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Is it a surprise that the Bathurst 12 Hour and its preparation is valued that highly by Australian teams?

Well according to yourself, yes it is a surprise People would rather run in an SRO event as opposed to Aust GT sprint or Enduro!

Will be interesting to see how many run at challenge bathurst, last year there were only a few GT3 cars

[one five five]

Originally Posted by peckstar

Well according to yourself, yes it is a surprise People would rather run in an SRO event as opposed to Aust GT sprint or Enduro!

I don't know why anyone bothers....but anyway

the SRO event you are talking is at Bathurst, a track that Australian two & four wheel teams have sacrificed national title events at other places to be ready for Bathurst for over 75 years, it even happened in the early days of your beloved Supercars era when competing in the full series wasn't a requirement

When Australian teams actually withdraw from AGT rounds and enter & participate in next years Hampton Downs 12hr and Sepang 12hr, then we will know how appealing those SRO events are over an AGT event

But keep pushing your barrow anyhow...

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by one five five

I don't know why anyone bothers....but anyway

the SRO event you are talking is at Bathurst, a track that Australian two & four wheel teams have sacrificed national title events at other places to be ready for Bathurst for over 75 years, it even happened in the early days of your beloved Supercars era when competing in the full series wasn't a requirement

When Australian teams actually withdraw from AGT rounds and enter & participate in next years Hampton Downs 12hr and Sepang 12hr, then we will know how appealing those SRO events are over an AGT event

Of course the inter-continental challenge is built around not having to compete at each event so that cars from each of the 4 countries can compete. thus, they only have to run the one event.

But yes we will know next year, we already have one team suggesting who has been a constant competitor suggesting that is what they are going to do. Would suggest the one pushing the barrow is the one in denial about that

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by one five five

A one-make Asian series is hardly International prestige

It is something different though, and probably what the organisers are looking for

Agree completely on your first point, that is why I used inverted commas when using those terms.

Does seem that the organisers may be looking for change and they probably feel that they can secure the class with some certainty of who is running it etc.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by Tourer

Agree completely on your first point, that is why I used inverted commas when using those terms.

Does seem that the organisers may be looking for change and they probably feel that they can secure the class with some certainty of who is running it etc.

Audi factory support brings massive corporate hospitality along... so the event gets paid for the cars showing up, and to entertain the guests.

I thought the ‘Cup’ Audi ran to a different spec to the full house GT3 cars, having me wonder how the cars will be able to run together...

[D.R.T.]

Tony Quinn was interviewed on the Inside Supercars podcast on Tuesday evening and shed some light on the current position and developments.
http://www.insidesupercars.com.au/

Quinn's comments showed that it all isn't doom & gloom - citing amongst many things that the 2018 calendar is pretty much finalised - inclusive of the Australian Grand Prix, Tailem Bend, Hampton Downs, Phillip Island etc. Roughly 5 sprints and 3 Endurance events.

He also suggested that losing Clipsal wasn't a big loss from his point of view.

Confirmed that he is still running the series in 2018 and that CAMS, VASC and Australian GT were still friends but said he wasn't fussed now that Australian GT and VASC would not be joining together.

[Axeman444]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Tony Quinn was interviewed on the Inside Supercars podcast on Tuesday evening and shed some light on the current position and developments.
http://www.insidesupercars.com.au/

Quinn's comments showed that it all isn't doom & gloom - citing amongst many things that the 2018 calendar is pretty much finalised - inclusive of the Australian Grand Prix, Tailem Bend, Hampton Downs, Phillip Island etc. Roughly 5 sprints and 3 Endurance events.

He also suggested that losing Clipsal wasn't a big loss from his point of view.

Confirmed that he is still running the series in 2018 and that CAMS, VASC and Australian GT were still friends but said he wasn't fussed now that Australian GT and VASC would not be joining together.

With B12Hr and Hampton 12Hr being part of the SRO APac 36 along with Sepang 12Hr, i'm not sure if there is that much of a reason to have an AEC encompassing fly away races in NZ, and even less a sprint round when you consider the carnage that can (and has) developed, OR, doing what some have done and avoid the rounds altogether to focus on CB or just stay at home/focus on daytime job.

I think if they are to do an AEC next year outside of the APac 36, keep it in Aus with PI and others (why don't they include the B12Hr in this - I know its not an AusGT event but they all turn up anyway), and those that want to/can afford to venture to NZ can do the APac 36 event.