Could it work?

[Danielsun]

Here's something I pulled off the Wheels website - it's something we've all covered before, but...
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>The FIA is reportedly considering a proposal for new global touring car regulations which are remarkably close to those suggested by Wheels back in 1997.

A well placed source said regulations stipulating BMW 5-series sized vehicles powered by three litre engines were discussed in Paris in late April.

In our November 97 issue Wheels proposed a World Touring Car series for similar sized vehicles, arguing such cars - 5-series, E-class Benz, Commodore, Falcon, S-Type Jaguar, etc - were sold globally and could be engineered using a high degree of common components in terms of suspensions, transmissions and brakes to keep costs down.

Main difference was we proposed using 4.0 or 4.5 litre V8 engines, as these were commonly available and could deliver 500bhp with ease.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Whaddya think?

[Super Tourer]

I've always thought that some type of European/Global Touring Car series would be a good route to pursue.

I see the advantages as.

1. Budgets can come from a manufacturers european budgets - therefore better value.
(Incidentally The Nissan BTCC budget was made up of over 60% of Nissan Europe money)

2. More makes and models are available throughout europe than recent years.

3. Manufacturers are into designing 'european' cars as opposed to models designed for specific marketplaces.

4. Would attract different crowds in each country.

5. Common components looks a good idea to me, things like gearboxes, wheels,etc..

[Dan Friel]

Don't think it would get manufacturer support somehow.... The reason for big companies to go racing is to sell more cars on the Monday... which the old BTCC fitted the bill perfectly, ie you could see your Mondeo win a race (rarely) and then drive yours to work..... etc..

The cars listed are the top end of the market and expensive (very expensive in the UK!!), and not for the general market (ie me or you).. Therefore it's not worth the companies bunging loads of money at it for little or no perceived return..

[Green_man4421]

Good theroy, Could be good for world cupz and that

but each country changing to fit the formula I don't think fans would want to comprimise their current series for another diffrent one.

[kmchow]

I tried suggesting to our country's (NA) top touring car organization (World Challenge) about joining a FIA governed set of TC rules and they are adamantly against it. I guess they feel that would take all their power away? I disagree with that statement but that's the NA opinion. So I guess we're out. I guess the problem is the same with all the other organizations? UK, South Africa, NZ, Germany and Belgium all have their own TC series and now they don't want to give up their control?

[KC]

In some ways I don't blame any of the TC racing formats not wanting to get involved with the FIA because they seem to always cut the throat of any series that might be suspected of being 1/2 as popular as F1. DTM/ITC for example.

[DAVID PATERSON]

Exactly the same thing happened to the 1987 WTCC.

[Falcadore]

and with the change of engine regs in World Sportscars in 1991.