Konica and PROCAR Idea

[jiminee]

Having been to both the Konica and PROCAR days at Mallala recently I felt like something was missing from each day, this could of been because I have been a little spoilt by the Clipsal 500, which is such a full on event, or it also could of been because each of the support races seemed longer this year. Instead of 8-10 laps they were 14-16 laps, this meant there were very few close battles by the end of the race as the field was pretty strung out by the end. So last night I had an idea, since AVESCO are struggling to find popular, quality support events for the V8 Supercars and given PROCAR's problems, why not combine them?

For example, a typical Konica Series/PROCAR meet could have the Konica cars, Nations Cup, Formula Ford, GTP, Production Cars, Commodore Cup or Saloon Cars and possibly a local event such as Formula Vee.

A V8 Supercar round could then have the main series, Brutes (a logical fit), Aussie Racing Cars, F3, a one make series and Historic Touring Cars, or you could get really radical and have a slot for a drifting competition. They had a one lap drifting demo at Mallala last weekend and it was very popular from what I could see and since drifitng is now run by CAMS, why not? Maybe this would be better with the Koinca series but it could certainly be a great attraction. It would only be for D1 level cars though, also dont dismiss Drifting as something purely for Japanese cars, have a look in the latest Street Machine for the CAPA utes and of course there is the Rhys Millen GTO and factory Viper teams in the USA.

Maybe some events from the Power Tour, such as Sports Sedans, could also be included somewhere. If it could be made to work then Australia could go from having 1 very successful series and 3 that are struggling to having 2 well run, profitable events. The best thing is, that there is no real reason why it couldn't work, especially if the right people approached it in the right way and were prepared to work together.

Except for the Clipsal 500 and maybe Bathurst the 2 series would not come together. This lets TC take the Supercars where ever he wants to take them and still have a quality show to put on at places such as Winton, Mallala, Barbagello and Symons Plains. Not only that but since it would be on different weekends, live (or at least the same day) TV could also happen for the Konica and Nations Cup races at least, hopefully on Ch 10 or at least on Fox Sports.

Doing this might also help get rid of some of the duplication of catergories that exists in Australia, for example why is it necessary to have Nations Cup, Carrera Cup and Porsche Cup? Aren't they all competing against each other? So why not have a strong GT series run to N-GT spec, this could still be a great series and provide some much needed variety among all the V8 and one make events. A similar case could be put forward for Aussie Racing Cars and Future Racers.

This all seems pretty logical to me, it is also the perfect time to do it. I can see things changing over the summer and as much as I love V8 Supercars, we need some variety on our race tracks. So am I missing something or could this actually happen?

Jiminee

[mountainstar]

I'd agree with most of it. Nations Cup I think is toast and I don't believe it will be seen again. However some of the other Procar categories would help round out the Konica and V8 weekends. I suspect this will happen in one form or another.

[laser]

since AVESCO are struggling to find popular, quality support events for the V8 Supercars and given PROCAR's problems, why not combine them?

And have AVESCO control all the major categories in Australia ?? no thanks !

[cavvy]

TC tried giving Barbagallo the flick & failed - problem with sponsorship funding for Shell, KMart, Castrol, Ford, Holden & a few others. No WA, reduction in budget for all teams above. The main game will continue to go to Wanneroo.

I agree with laser, Avesco, no thanks.

[rdmdog]

I stopped reading when I got to the word Drift.

Dont be offended, just my opinion

[pete55]

I have a real problem with AVESCO being given more control over motorsport in this country. They have much too much now.

[pete55]

Originally posted by rdmdog
I stopped reading when I got to the word Drift.

Dont be offended, just my opinion

First it's jet powered vans and VB challenge cars, Now it's drifting. Some people have funny ideas about what motor racing is all about.

[Mattracer]

Free ice creams, jumping castles too..

[TCR-028]

I like the idea of the Procar categories continuing, but as others have said the less categories AVESCO gets it's hands on the better...

Boppa

[Aquarius]

Originally posted by laser
And have AVESCO control all the major categories in Australia ?? no thanks !

Don't AVESCO do that now in one form or another.

[Harves]

If you want to see REAL drifters go and watch Sprintcars.

[mixxer]

seems the former Procar people were happy to have them on-board, not my cup of tea though

[Harves]

I think they were trying anything, I agree not my cup of tea at all.

[D.R.T.]

I love them. Very entertaining. throws something new into the mix

[jiminee]

Good point about AVESCO guys, I hadn't considered that, all I can say is that I dont think there is much choice anymore unfortunately. As for the drifting, it was only an idea, trying to broaden the horizon, I'm woried that one day soon the V8 Supercar bubble will burst and where will we be then?

[rdmdog]

Still racing at State level, having fun and in my case nto drifting

[mixxer]

Originally posted by jiminee
Good point about AVESCO guys, I hadn't considered that, all I can say is that I dont think there is much choice anymore unfortunately. As for the drifting, it was only an idea, trying to broaden the horizon, I'm woried that one day soon the V8 Supercar bubble will burst and where will we be then?

this is just my opinion but I rather watch paint dry than watch drifting

[nsxr]

yeah more drifting the global sport of drivers with skill. no more parade races.just fast side by side action. wow that's great to hear. what's the level of skill and professionalism in australia? it's cool to see this sport grow.

[pete55]

Originally posted by nsxr
yeah more drifting the global sport of drivers with skill. no more parade races.just fast side by side action. wow that's great to hear. what's the level of skill and professionalism in australia? it's cool to see this sport grow.

Hire the local Coles carpark and do it there. Keep it off the racetracks, or at least off them while there's a proper race meeting on.

[iconic]

i remember watching a dodgy USA produced promo for the JGTC race to be held at california at the end of the year.. the hardcore D1 drifters (japan's cream of the crop) actually graduate into JGTC and not the other way around

i got the clip from http://www.jgtcusa.net/jgtc_movies.html (the spike tv one)

they call road racing, grip driving

[nsxr]

hey the first d1 champ drives a gt300 car. and the grip thing is taken from what the japanese call it. Pete55 that's a first normally it's get into tracks and off the parking lots. it's cool to hear how this sport has spread. Hey maybe next year it will be USA Vs Japan Vs Aus cool.

[Amonfan]

Didnt Stormin Norman and Big Pete invent drifting?