SVG on Facebook

[mite5255]

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=...38694974278725

Shane van Gisbergen
repootsndS5h88ggu4ui25att3u6ha94t5cum07098atf008259a91m4454h ·
Sorry for this long post, I thought I'd share some thoughts seeing as I kept most things to myself yesterday.
Most people probably have noticed I have been pretty quiet publicly over the past couple of months. My purpose of writing this is not to 'explain myself' nor to expect sympathy for the public bashing that some of us drivers get, I guess I’ve always been told like most of us as kids ‘If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.’ I will never forget I’m in an extremely fortunate position of being a V8 Supercar driver, my dream job.
It’s not a secret I haven’t been a fan of the way the Gen3 car feels and drives, and behind closed doors I’ve been pretty critical of things and tried to make it better, firstly with feedback to the category in the prototype testing and now with my team trying to make the race spec car to my liking.
The category seems to think our complaints and gripes with the car will ‘make better racing’ if we are struggling and we are told to be positive and show the sport in a good light, which of course I understand the last part. I try to be as neutral as I can with my critiques of the car, I act with the intention of representing the drivers trying to make the car better for everyone.
As much as I don’t have a good feeling with the car at the moment it drops perfectly into my strengths - Hard to drive, on edge, hard on tyres. Perfect for me! So what am I complaining about? I guess I want not only myself, but all drivers to be getting out of the car raving about how awesome and fun it is to drive. Which is something that’s not really happening now.
Over the weekend I probably said a bit too much publicly on Friday about the heat of the cars, although it did prove fruitful getting extra cooling for the drivers. Many still struggled, including myself with the heat. Unfortunately that upset some of the top brass and hence my adopted media strategy for Sunday ‘if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say it at all’. I just knuckled down and drove my arse off on track.
I understand it’s my duty to represent the sport in a good light as Champion, I will do that to the best of my ability by being myself off track, racing hard on track for my team members, team partners and our fans. It was a real kick in the teeth hearing those comments from a 5 time champion – someone I look up to and respect. I am not going to pretend it’s all roses when it is not.
The messages I have received today from fans, friends, colleagues and media members has been surprising and amazing. I was pretty down last night so to have such support today from the people that matter is a great feeling.
I love my team, they have been awesome this last couple of months helping me prepare and be at my best at Newcastle. I can’t thank them enough.
See you at the GP
SVG

[Kingair]

For those unable to understand Kiwi, he says Skaife is a ***t and he will likewise give Skaife the finger when he wins the 2023 championship.

[Ares]

There was also a driver's collective that was putting drivers views to Supercars around the spec of the Gen 3 car, Supercars supported the feedback. Or though driver's opinions and concerns have largely been ignored and Supercars have pretty much just done what they wanted with no consideration. It's sounding very much like there is the car drive it and shut up and do it with a smile on your face. Turn up to our run press conference and say want we want you to say and look happy about it. If you don't toe the line MS will bag you live on air.

[E.B]

Surely it is not right for MS to wear so many hats and be part of the media presentation. To do what he has done this last round is just unethical. As a kingpin in Supercars and the Gen 3 development he seems to now be mandating he is the only one in the paddock with freedom of speach.
He, it seems, can say what he likes about any driver yet they have to say only nice things about the car (that Skaife is so personally invested in) Saying nothing is not an option for drivers.

He is an arrogant dick.

I just think his position is untenable and he should stand down from the commentary / media side. I wouldnt miss him one iota. There are others more suitable for the job.

I realise this is a personal opinion.... and there are no doubt others that, as he seems to, thinks the sun shines out of his behind.

[mayhem]

Nailed it.

Originally Posted by E.B

Surely it is not right for MS to wear so many hats and be part of the media presentation. To do what he has done this last round is just unethical. As a kingpin in Supercars and the Gen 3 development he seems to now be mandating he is the only one in the paddock with freedom of speach.
He, it seems, can say what he likes about any driver yet they have to say only nice things about the car (that Skaife is so personally invested in) Saying nothing is not an option for drivers.

He is an arrogant dick.

I just think his position is untenable and he should stand down from the commentary / media side. I wouldnt miss him one iota. There are others more suitable for the job.

I realise this is a personal opinion.... and there are no doubt others that, as he seems to, thinks the sun shines out of his behind.

[Alan52]

Originally Posted by E.B

Surely it is not right for MS to wear so many hats and be part of the media presentation. To do what he has done this last round is just unethical. As a kingpin in Supercars and the Gen 3 development he seems to now be mandating he is the only one in the paddock with freedom of speach.
He, it seems, can say what he likes about any driver yet they have to say only nice things about the car (that Skaife is so personally invested in) Saying nothing is not an option for drivers.

He is an arrogant dick.

I just think his position is untenable and he should stand down from the commentary / media side. I wouldnt miss him one iota. There are others more suitable for the job.

I realise this is a personal opinion.... and there are no doubt others that, as he seems to, thinks the sun shines out of his behind.

It’s the opinion of nearly anyone that has to listen to his 10 cliche vocabulary.A few years ago Speedcafe ran of poll of favourite Supercar TV commentators.Skaife was down near the bottom with pit reporters like Andrew Jones.
Both him and Crompton are hopelessly conflicted and need to decide whether they want to be commentators or Supercar office holders.

[AnnoyedMoose]

" all drivers to be getting out of the car raving about how awesome and fun it is to drive"

That's where SVG doesn't get it. It's not about how much fun it is for the drivers it's about how good it is for the spectators. Cars that are fun to drive don't necessarily translate to cars that are fun to watch.

[Alan52]

Originally Posted by AnnoyedMoose

" all drivers to be getting out of the car raving about how awesome and fun it is to drive"

That's where SVG doesn't get it. It's not about how much fun it is for the drivers it's about how good it is for the spectators. Cars that are fun to drive don't necessarily translate to cars that are fun to watch.

The cockpit and driver cooling is a WHS issue that transcends whether it is fun to drive and watch.The drivers have been on about this since the initial Gen 3 prototype broke cover and still its not right.Not that hard to do either.Copy the GT3 seating position and install air conditioning like GT3 has.Those macho fans that want to see drivers collapsing should find another blood sport.
A lot of the driver comments are about the quality of racing the cars will allow.That’s how they have their fun.
I like the look of the cars and it is too early to tell how good the racing will be.Anyone on the outside needs to wait 3-4 rounds.

[Compromised]

I don't think it's too early to say the racing will be good - it won't.

Even after all the changes it's still a tire management game. IMO this does not generate good racing. Good racing is you catch someone then try and pass them. Currently, you catch someone, have a chat with the data engineer, analyze wether or not a overtake is worth it, probably not, give a gap and hold station until the end (or maybe try for a pitstop overtake!!!).

Riveting stuff.

[AnnoyedMoose]

Originally Posted by Alan52

The cockpit and driver cooling is a WHS issue that transcends whether it is fun to drive and watch.The drivers have been on about this since the initial Gen 3 prototype broke cover and still its not right.Not that hard to do either.Copy the GT3 seating position and install air conditioning like GT3 has.Those macho fans that want to see drivers collapsing should find another blood sport.
A lot of the driver comments are about the quality of racing the cars will allow.That’s how they have their fun.
I like the look of the cars and it is too early to tell how good the racing will be.Anyone on the outside needs to wait 3-4 rounds.

If the only thing concerning him is how hot it is then he should say that only rather than saying "raving about how awesome and fun it is to drive".

[kittle]

Everyone is always very critical of Mark Skaife and how much media coverage they give SVG and the support he gives him.

The first time Skaife is critical of SVG, everyone turns on Skaife. Doesn't matter what he says, everyone turns on him.

I am not a Skaife fan at all, but don't you think there is double standards here??

[Compromised]

Under normal conditions, yes, there is a double standard.

However, Skaife is deeply involved in Supercars media AND Supercars itself.

The question then is, was Skaife admonishing SVG whilst wearing his commentating hat, or, was it more a semi official rebuke from Supercars itself?

You can see how messy the situation can become.

[bluesport]

Skaife backs down?

https://www.news.com.au/sport/motors...c86947ec6b2bb6

[chavez]

Originally Posted by Compromised

I don't think it's too early to say the racing will be good - it won't.

Even after all the changes it's still a tire management game. IMO this does not generate good racing. Good racing is you catch someone then try and pass them. Currently, you catch someone, have a chat with the data engineer, analyze wether or not a overtake is worth it, probably not, give a gap and hold station until the end (or maybe try for a pitstop overtake!!!).

Riveting stuff.

Overall, the sport has not benefited from the greater role played by engineers, strategists and other advisors, especially in their ability to communicate with the drivers in real-time.

We might recall the F1 tried to limit what could be discussed between driver and engineer in the race, but the team claimed that such a limit was a safety issue and the restrictions fell away.

[Compromised]

Originally Posted by chavez

Overall, the sport has not benefited from the greater role played by engineers, strategists and other advisors, especially in their ability to communicate with the drivers in real-time.

We might recall the F1 tried to limit what could be discussed between driver and engineer in the race, but the team claimed that such a limit was a safety issue and the restrictions fell away.

Spot on.

The tire issue is only secondary to the "engineering" issue. I want a driver to decide for himself if an overtake is worth it, can he catch the guy in front without cooking his tires etc. At the moment though it's almost like every decision goes through a risk analysis algorithm, which is great for safe, consistent, low risk driving, but I don't think that's what most people want