2017 Australian GT Championship

[Goat Boy]

Originally Posted by peckstar

do you think the late announcment of the TV package might have cancelled any benefit. I imagine all the cars were already in NZ when we heard there would be TV.

Last eyar there was no tv at all hampton downs, havent heard if there will be at the coming event

from a spectator point of view, Hampton downs and Pukekohe are almost the same price $

I reckon that the V8SC next weekend probably did take a good number of the crowds away - it's the last year of the V8's too, but Puke is definitely more expensive, and the venue is sh*te is has to be said.

I am curious as to why the GT championship is only 4 rounds? I had heard there was talk of V8SC buying the series, anyone heard about that?

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by Goat Boy

I reckon that the V8SC next weekend probably did take a good number of the crowds away - it's the last year of the V8's too, but Puke is definitely more expensive, and the venue is sh*te is has to be said.

I am curious as to why the GT championship is only 4 rounds? I had heard there was talk of V8SC buying the series, anyone heard about that?

3 day ticket to Puke is $119 AUD $133 NZD. 3 day pass to highlands is $119 NZD. i understand hampton downs was around 100 for a 3 day pass. im happy that is pretty similar

the gt championship is split in 2, The Aust Gt championshp - 5 rounds (all in Australia) and The Aust endurance championship - 4 rounds (of which 2 are in NZ in 2017)

the Supercars buy-out was rejected by CAMS and is not currently going ahead, which leaves Aust Gt is a bit of a weird spot

[mayhem]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

What is the alternative offered by CAMS to run an AGT series next year?

This is still the elephant in the room.

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by mayhem

This is still the elephant in the room.

just giving this quote, Locks nothing in, but it would appear supercars may stay involved

Supercars/Aus GT takeover blocked by CAMS

Supercars CEO James Warburton says competitors are upset by the decision but affirmed that support will be given to Australian GT in the future.
“There is such overwhelming support from the competitors and they are very disappointed that CAMS didn’t approve it,” Warburton told Speedcafe.com.
“It is what it is. I personally really feel for Tony (Quinn) and now we will do everything we can to support him from 2018 and beyond.”

2018 calendar was meant to be released by now, however i assume the sale rejection has put a hold on that

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by mayhem

This is still the elephant in the room.

The Shannons Nationals would have to be the favourite from a CAMS point of view.

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

The Shannons Nationals would have to be the favourite from a CAMS point of view.

you mean run it themselves? would make their decision look poor and a massive conflict of interest then

[D.R.T.]

Why a conflict of interest?

They own the rights to the category and in light of todays announcement from Benalla - a strong Shannons Nationals is important

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Why a conflict of interest?

They own the rights to the category and in light of todays announcement from Benalla - a strong Shannons Nationals is important

Because Shannons nationals are a CAMS Run event. for CAMS to stop someone else running Aust GT so that it has to run on their calendar is a conflict of interest.

also i would have thought that in light of today's announcment from winton then a strong Shannons Nationals is less important

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by peckstar

Because Shannons nationals are a CAMS Run event. for CAMS to stop someone else running Aust GT so that it has to run on their calendar is a conflict of interest.

Cams run event and a Cams owned category - do they not hold the right to make a decision?

Originally Posted by peckstar

also i would have thought that in light of today's announcment from winton then a strong Shannons Nationals is less important

Please elaborate as I am confused. Why would CAMS be happy for a weak Shannons Nationals when there is a alternative and competing National series run with AASA?

[Goat Boy]

Originally Posted by peckstar

Because Shannons nationals are a CAMS Run event. for CAMS to stop someone else running Aust GT so that it has to run on their calendar is a conflict of interest.

also i would have thought that in light of today's announcment from winton then a strong Shannons Nationals is less important

Well there you are - seems you guys have very similar issues over there with CAMS as we did with MSNZ when SuperTourers were a new series.

Why can't governing bodies just put the best interests of the sport first?!

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Cams run event and a Cams owned category - do they not hold the right to make a decision?



Please elaborate as I am confused. Why would CAMS be happy for a weak Shannons Nationals when there is a alternative and competing National series run with AASA?

Q1 So conflict of interest then. Cant be any clearer.

Q2. I guess it would depend if your interest was motorsport, in which case this is a good thing (more opportunities for categories to run on a national stage) or if your interest is CAMS in which case this is a bad thing - a competitor competing against your interest of Event management. (Which some would say you should not be involved in)

[Goat Boy]

Originally Posted by peckstar

Q1 So conflict of interest then. Cant be any clearer.

Q2. I guess it would depend if your interest was motorsport, in which case this is a good thing (more opportunities for categories to run on a national stage) or if your interest is CAMS in which case this is a bad thing - a competitor competing against your interest of Event management. (Which some would say you should not be involved in

Yes! Exactly! (Thinks, MSNZ and TMC...)

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by peckstar

Q2. I guess it would depend if your interest was motorsport, in which case this is a good thing (more opportunities for categories to run on a national stage) or if your interest is CAMS in which case this is a bad thing - a competitor competing against your interest of Event management. (Which some would say you should not be involved in)

We were talking about a CAMS perspective here Peckstar - and that why this mornings announcement through their eyes places a greater important on a strong Shannons Nationals.

Its not event management that CAMS are worried about Peckstar - its where the competitors choose to race that is the concern.

I think you are placing to much emphasis on CAMS running the Nationals series in the overall scheme of Australian motorsport.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by mayhem

This is still the elephant in the room.

Logical answer would be to clear deskpace at SupercarHQ, offer all assistance to create a calendar, technical support to competitors, marketing support to the rounds, and anythibg else required, via contract, until CAMS gets an offer they are comfortable with..

[one five five]

Some of the comments from some members here are laughable.

How dare an organisation disagree with something Supercars wants to do. Sounds like Supercars were perhaps trying to bully CAMS into something they weren't comfortable with. They own the category, it's up to them. Full stop.

Originally Posted by peckstar

even now there is no mention of results on the Aust GT website (guess they were busy getting back to australia)

Given the ownership debate, is there anyone who's currently has the job of updating the website?

Originally Posted by Goat Boy

Well there you are - seems you guys have very similar issues over there with CAMS as we did with MSNZ when SuperTourers were a new series.

Why can't governing bodies just put the best interests of the sport first?!

COMPLETELY different scenario, not even similiar

SuperTourers were not aligned to MSNZ, it would be like the AASA starting a category in Australia and asking CAMS to support it...

Originally Posted by peckstar

Because Shannons nationals are a CAMS Run event. for CAMS to stop someone else running Aust GT so that it has to run on their calendar is a conflict of interest.

Given CAMS own AusGT ultimately, isn't it their choice? If you own a business, isn't it your right to contract it out or run it yourself?

CAMS ran every national championship for over 40 years until the mid-90s, was that a conflict of interest??

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Logical answer would be to clear deskpace at SupercarHQ, offer all assistance to create a calendar, technical support to competitors, marketing support to the rounds, and anythibg else required, via contract, until CAMS gets an offer they are comfortable with..

Or another category manager/ promoter steps up.

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Or another category manager/ promoter steps up.

you keep saying that. Who?

[D.R.T.]

Could be anyone Peckstar. For example - one or multiple competitors. Or SRO potentially as they are investing in the Asia Pacific region currently.

Its an option. 1 of 3 real options currently facing the category.

1) Cams run it.
2) V8SC make a competitive bid and gain the management lease rights
3) Another category manager / promoter is found

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Could be anyone Peckstar. For example - one or multiple competitors. Or SRO potentially as they are investing in the Asia Pacific region currently.

Its an option.

1) Cams run it.
2) V8SC make a competitive bid and gain the management lease rights
3) Another category manager / promoter is found

great theory, whos putting their hands up apart from Supercars?

[D.R.T.]

No idea. We were talking options here. Only time will tell Peckstar but its great to see your enthusiasm for GT racing in Australia

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

No idea. We were talking options here. Only time will tell Peckstar but its great to see your enthusiasm for GT racing in Australia

so then we need to add the next option. no one. cars just run at local events and maybe on the poorly attended CAMS shannons series. With CAMS also having a significantly reduced category managment fee,

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Could be anyone Peckstar. For example - one or multiple competitors. Or SRO potentially as they are investing in the Asia Pacific region currently.

Its an option. 1 of 3 real options currently facing the category.

1) Cams run it.
2) V8SC make a competitive bid and gain the management lease rights
3) Another category manager / promoter is found

It is almost November...

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by peckstar

so then we need to add the next option. no one.

I don't see that as a likely outcome Peckstar. As has been discussed - as 2 of only 4 Australian Championships, CAMS would run the championship.

So your prediction is extremely unrealistic.

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

I don't see that as a likely outcome Peckstar. As has been discussed - as 2 of only 4 Australian Championships - CAMS would run the championship.

So your prediction is extremely unrealistic.

Got to run them somewhere though, are they going to beg supercars for help?

and just because they have 2 of the 4 championships doesnt force competitors to turn up (is that what they were attempting to do a few months ago)

and as GTR said here we are November, whats there plan?

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by peckstar

Got to run them somewhere though, are they going to beg supercars for help?

and just because they have 2 of the 4 championships doesnt force competitors to turn up (is that what they were attempting to do a few months ago)

and as GTR said here we are November, whats there plan?

Considering the v8sc proposal was only rejected 10 days ago - you would imagine the plan is currently evolving.

In terms of where they could run - the shannons nationals would be the obvious choice. I'm unsure of the contracts in place with the AGP and SA Gov but considering the history of Australian GT racing at both events there may be an existing agreement in place.

No need to force competitor to show up - just give them a platform to race