Words Of Wisdom From John Bowe...

[bluesport]

Originally Posted by FAS33

Still more exciting then GT racing

Lol........nice try.

[Forda]

Mr Bowe has a habit of subtly talking up the efforts of current and past employers.

Not sure exactly how to read into his insights here?

[Mixer]

Well the main points are factual so you don't need to read into them at all.

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by Forda

Mr Bowe has a habit of subtly talking up the efforts of current and past employers.

Not sure exactly how to read into his insights here?

Yeah it's a puff piece by the v8sc PR department to try and defend the v8 brand. Bowe as an employee of v8sc falls into line.

[Mark Petch]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Yeah it's a puff piece by the v8sc PR department to try and defend the v8 brand. Bowe as an employee of v8sc falls into line.

Gee, not very nice DRT, are you really sure of your facts here?

[dsg]

Originally Posted by Mark Petch

Gee, not very nice DRT, are you really sure of your facts here?

Facts? Meh, any other point of view goes against the predetermined agenda.

[Mark Petch]

Originally Posted by dsg

Facts? Meh, any other point of view goes against the predetermined agenda.

Thanks for reminding me dsg, I know that JB does a hell of a job for his sponsors which is why they keep backing him, but to write his opinion off is such a way fails to recognise the contribution he makes to the sport we all love.

[Beages]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Yeah it's a puff piece by the v8sc PR department to try and defend the v8 brand. Bowe as an employee of v8sc falls into line.

You bag him because he is supporting V8 Supercars. End of story.

[Alan52]

Disappointed with the JB bashing.If you think he is a V8SA synchophant you have very short memories.He was highly critical of V8SA's "greed"(his words not mine) on Facebook last year after the Phillip Island TCM fiasco.He genuinely really likes V8 racing regardless of commercial considerations.
I agree with him that GT3 will never be able to take over as Australia's professional tin top category(I hesitate to say touring car because they are really sports cars).Where I disagree with him is the long term(5 years +) future of the existing structure.A big part of the current fan base is rusted on to a type of car that is past history.There is no Australian automotive industry to support racing.Despite the playing with numbers that V8SA do and is parroted here crowds at most events have been significantly falling and viewing numbers at the non FTA live rounds have crashed and this is hurting teams retaining and chasing sponsors.
I can see a future where the sport returns to a pre 1997 structure because that is all that will be sustainable for most stakeholders.

[velly4]

Simple fact is GT3 cars are closer to the touring car foundations of what V8 Supercars cashes in on than they are.

[Oldtony]

Originally Posted by Alan52

.A big part of the current fan base is rusted on to a type of car that is past history.There is no Australian automotive industry to support racing.Despite the playing with numbers that V8SA do and is parroted here crowds at most events have been significantly falling and viewing numbers at the non FTA live rounds have crashed and this is hurting teams retaining and chasing sponsors.
I can see a future where the sport returns to a pre 1997 structure because that is all that will be sustainable for most stakeholders.

That is a very good summation of the problem Alan.
There just doesn't seem to be any research as to what proportion of the fan base is attracted by which feature of V8SC racing, and more importantly what is required to attract new young fans.
a) Let's arbitrarily divide up the existing fan base 3 ways.
The event, spectacle, excitement crowd who are there purely for an entertaining exciting day out. Not really affected by the type of cars, team or driver loyalty etc. so long as it is close, preferably loud and supported by plenty of hoopla and promotion. No particular loyalty to motorsport, would go to any sports event that provides a good show.
b) The driver, team or marque loyalty crowd. These are the parity at all costs people provide their driver, team or marque has just a little advantage. Tend, like soccer crowds, to be vocal and dedicated. Will probably be last to stop turning up.
c) The car or motorsport crowd who are interested in the technical challenge, while enjoying close racing they want to see both car, team engineers and driver given the ability to demonstrate their relevant superiority. We have just about parity checked or BOP'd these fans out of any further interest in V8SC and risk doing so with GT3.
JB sums up the good things about V8SC pretty well but I think he ignores the fact that many of us have reached the stage that we think that the racing, while close, is being "Paritied" and manipulated to the stage where it is just another circus with no real "motorsport" content.
And at my age I'm not going to get into how we attract the new generation of teenagers to our events, and onto our screens, without some very imaginative and creative new engineering and technical breakthroughs.

[Mixer]

How much does it cost for you to have a complete spare GT3-R in your truck?

http://autoaction.com.au/clipsals-ca...04021419653102

The guys going racing in GT-land obviously not short of a quid.

[old fart]

Originally Posted by Mixer

How much does it cost for you to have a complete spare GT3-R in your truck?

http://autoaction.com.au/clipsals-ca...04021419653102

The guys going racing in GT-land obviously not short of a quid.

As soon as I saw this comment I just knew deep down that it had to be that car/driver.
Andrew should be top of the pops as he has had so many hits over the last few years--it is lucky that he has a frequent user card with Porsche Spare Parts. Must be getting a fair discount now because of the regular purchases.
I had seen some glimpses of an improved driver last year with some great results with his young protégé Brad Shiels.
Now there is a young driver with a huge talent and a very suitable demeanour and he must be absolutely biting his tongue at the moment.

[Compromised]

Yeah young Brad is all class. Dealt with him and his family a lot in sports sedans and I can't speak highly enough of them

[bludvl_x19]

Originally Posted by Mixer

How much does it cost for you to have a complete spare GT3-R in your truck?

http://autoaction.com.au/clipsals-ca...04021419653102

The guys going racing in GT-land obviously not short of a quid.

Andrew is a very successful businessman. There is a running joke around the traps I frequent that IMAK stands for I Make A Killing; doubly funny when you know how he makes his money.

[old fart]

Originally Posted by bludvl_x19

Andrew is a very successful businessman. There is a running joke around the traps I frequent that IMAK stands for I Make A Killing; doubly funny when you know how he makes his money.

Guess the import price of meat and other foods has just risen for our friends in PNG.
Andrew has worked very hard through all sorts of political and logistical issues to now have a highly successful meat and food distribution operation.
It's a pity he has not had the same degree of success overall in his motor sport activities despite having some exceptional vehicles.

I saw Brad doing driver coaching at the v8Race drivedays immediately after the 12 hour and talking to some of those he coached as well as a couple of 'mature age' coaches I know there is high regard for his ability and maturity. Let's hope he doesn't end up in Supercars.
I can see him heading off o/s some time down the track to further his career.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by old fart

Guess the import price of meat and other foods has just risen for our friends in PNG.
Andrew has worked very hard through all sorts of political and logistical issues to now have a highly successful meat and food distribution operation.
It's a pity he has not had the same degree of success overall in his motor sport activities despite having some exceptional vehicles.

I saw Brad doing driver coaching at the v8Race drivedays immediately after the 12 hour and talking to some of those he coached as well as a couple of 'mature age' coaches I know there is high regard for his ability and maturity. Let's hope he doesn't end up in Supercars.
I can see him heading off o/s some time down the track to further his career.

Why is there an aversion to accepting driving a V8Supercar as a career choice?

A full time professional, paid drive in your home country in the top level category in that market sounds pretty sweet to me..

[Mixer]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Why is there an aversion to accepting driving a V8Supercar as a career choice?

Look at Scott Pye, Marcos Ambrose, Jason Bright, Craig Lowndes, even Russell Ingall.

They had a go overseas, not everybody can make a go of it - plenty of time to have a V8Supercar career.

[mayhem]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Why is there an aversion to accepting driving a V8Supercar as a career choice?

A full time professional, paid drive in your home country in the top level category in that market sounds pretty sweet to me..

No doubt its a sweet gig but it's like saying Adam Scott is content to be the best golfer in Australia and will only be playing here. If the kid has talent, I'd hope he'd at least try and crack the world stage somewhere, as Mixer says, nothing wrong with coming back to V8 Supercars if/when it didn't work out.

[Umai Naa]

Originally Posted by Mixer

Look at Scott Pye, Marcos Ambrose, Jason Bright, Craig Lowndes, even Russell Ingall.

They had a go overseas, not everybody can make a go of it - plenty of time to have a V8Supercar career.

You can add James Courtney and the Davison brothers to that list, too.

[Mixer]

Originally Posted by Umai Naa

You can add James Courtney and the Davison brothers to that list, too.

Yeah duh forgot the guy who really did nearly make it to f1 until that suspension failure...

[old fart]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Why is there an aversion to accepting driving a V8Supercar as a career choice?

A full time professional, paid drive in your home country in the top level category in that market sounds pretty sweet to me..

Your emphasis GTR Magic.
My emphasis in respect of Brad was his versatility and the fact that he should go oversees to hone his skills in the numerous series that really provide weekly bum in seat time amongst other top talent from around the globe - you never know we may have a future world champion in the making.
Whether or not he ends up in Supercars is a matter of choice but exposure to numerous types and classes of vehicles can only be of benefit.
To be awarded the Colin Bond Trophy for the most versatile driver in NSW in 2016 indicates that he has the potential to do great things.