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17 Aug 2002, 07:12 (Ref:359596) | #1 | ||
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Join Date: Jan 1999
Posts: 3,919
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1996--the beginning or the end of a Era??
1996 marked the arrival of ST in North America, South America and Central Europe. Back then, in my opinion, it looked like ST could become the premiere global racing series, the "F3000 of touring cars". The beginning of 1997 looked even better. But by the end of '97, the North American ST series was in trouble, despite the increasing interest in it in '98. Part of me still stubbornly thinks what could have been. The French ST series started having trouble.
But what did you guys see in Europe during '96 and '97?? The beginning of the decline (of competitivenes) ST?? In other words, a bright future or a dark one? Could things have been handled better to make it last longer or even perhaps grow? |
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17 Aug 2002, 09:57 (Ref:359641) | #2 | ||
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Join Date: May 2001
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1996 and 1997 were the start of an era which lasted until 1999. 2000 was the beginning of the end of ST in Europe.
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17 Aug 2002, 13:50 (Ref:359728) | #3 | ||
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Join Date: Jan 1999
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So were you upbeat and looking forward to even better times in 96/97? Or were you thinking, ST won't last much longer?
Part of me always thinks that if the NATCC was allowed to continue in '98, perhaps ST would have lasted longer past 2000. Toyota was ready to race in '98. I believe Audi was just getting ready to enter in late '98 or '99 I would have bet. They now basically race a downgraded ST A4 in our national touring car series! Back in '97, they were rumored to be interested in making a race or two in a spare A4 from Australia! Last edited by kmchow; 17 Aug 2002 at 13:51. |
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Supertouring Forever and Ever... |
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