Relevance of Dunlop Series from 2013

[SouthAussie94]

With the COTF coming into effect for the main game in 2013 and the new platform expected to have a major impact on the way the cars are driven, how relevant will the Dunlop Series be? Under the current regulations, many teams use the Dunlop series as a way to give co-drivers seat time for the enduros and it is advantageous for them to do so.

Will this continue in 2013 to the same extent seen currently? Will Dunlop Series drivers be disadvantaged compared to drivers in other series with technical specifications closer to those of the COTF?

Your thoughts?

[FAS33]

Originally Posted by SouthAussie94

Will this continue in 2013 to the same extent seen currently? Will Dunlop Series drivers be disadvantaged compared to drivers in other series with technical specifications closer to those of the COTF?

Your thoughts?

not sure what you meant in the 2nd question there, but aren't the DVS guys running COTF next year aswell?

[Langers]

I've certainly never heard any suggestion of DVS running CoTF spec next year. Most teams simply couldn't afford it, nor could the chassis be built quick enough given demand from the main game teams.

[Langers]

If CoTF really is more 'Porsche like' perhaps Carrera Cup will experience a resurgence?

[bludvl_x19]

The Dunlop/Fujitsu/Konica/V8 Lites has only ever been a dumping ground for old V8 Supercars, so that the 'main game' teams can balance the losses from having constructed a car that they no longer have use for. The fact that some teams can use it to develop up and coming racers is purely a happy coincidence.

There will be (and is) a glut of cars coming onto the market that aren't going to be eligible for the new regulations, these will mostly get sold onto DVS teams, then when they get older V8 Touring Car teams, and then they will eventually find their way into museums, collectors and club racer hands.

[rich07]

Originally Posted by bludvl_x19

The Dunlop/Fujitsu/Konica/V8 Lites has only ever been a dumping ground for old V8 Supercars, so that the 'main game' teams can balance the losses from having constructed a car that they no longer have use for. The fact that some teams can use it to develop up and coming racers is purely a happy coincidence.

This. So true. It's not a bad thing either as has been stated and up and comers get to strutt their stuff in front of main game teams who might employ them one day-if they're already not part of a main game team .

One wonders when the main game teams old COTF chassis will be allowed in the DVS, maybe 2015?

[Rachel Richards]

Originally Posted by rich07

This. So true. It's not a bad thing either as has been stated and up and comers get to strutt their stuff in front of main game teams who might employ them one day-if they're already not part of a main game team .

One wonders when the main game teams old COTF chassis will be allowed in the DVS, maybe 2015?

If only Rob Kurkpatrick can hold on for three more years......

Imagine the feed stock available for the Kuhmo Series in the future.

How amazing would it be to see 32 - 36 (old) V8 Supercars on a grid
Remember, TC & TS will be but a distant memory by then, thus leaving tracks & promoters able to actually fill grids with cars, not stop counting when they get to 29...

[Umai Naa]

Mr Curkpatrick will need to make his series a bit more lucrative.

These cars aren't cheap to run, regardless of how old or new they are.

[SouthAussie94]

I was thinking more in regards to driving experience. Currently the main thing for enduro co-drivers is to get as much seat time as possible, with this usually in the Dunlop Series.

However the COTF is expected to have a completely different driving style, while in 2013, the Dunlop Series will continue with the current spec car. Effectively the 'training/junior" series won't be preparing younger drivers for V8 Supercars to the same degree as it currently does.

Do people think this will have an impact of co-driver selection for the enduros? As suggested above will Carrera Cup drivers be better suited rather than Dunlop Series drivers? Or will the impact be negligible?

[rik]

Originally Posted by SouthAussie94

However the COTF is expected to have a completely different driving style, while in 2013, the Dunlop Series will continue with the current spec car. Effectively the 'training/junior" series won't be preparing younger drivers for V8 Supercars to the same degree as it currently does.

Good point, what should Casey Stoner do if he wants to try for a main game ride in 2014 or 2015... Carrera Cup or Dunlop Series? Or GT?

[Axeman444]

Nationwide cars are completely different to NASCAR Cup Cars
World series by Renault or whatever incarnation it is called now is different to F1, as is GP2
Moto2 are different to MotoGP

I fail to see the issue what they are driving. It is seat time on the same tracks as the maingame runs in, in a more intense environment with better opposition than lesser series. Whether that be DV8s or Porkers, the teams will pick based on their thoughts on ability and chequebook as they always do

[Crash Test]

Originally Posted by Axeman444

Nationwide cars are completely different to NASCAR Cup Cars

They are the same chassis, slightly different aero and a little less horsepower.

Are there any junior categories that are identical to the senior category, anywhere in the world?

[eduardo1]

It's an interesting question because it could have a big effect on how many teams run a DVS car next year.

Since the co-driver rule came in 3 years ago teams (that can afford to - both in cost and resource capacity) have run cars to prepare co-drivers for the enduros, specifically because these cars are unique to drive.

If driving the DVS car no longer equips you specifically for a COTF V8 then the motivation to do so might be reduced.

The feedback so far is the COTF is an easier, 'less unique' car to drive. One team manager said that if it performs the way they think it might, they may see a return of international co-drivers to the enduros as the cars won't be as steep a learning curve.

Pay maybe $100K for an accomplished international co-driver, or $300K for a DVS program? If they reckon the import can do the job, why not.

[peckstar]

V8 Supercars releases 2013 Dunlop Series calendar

Next season is expected to see capacity grids for the Dunlop Series thanks to the introduction of the Car of the Future into the main championship and the resulting flood of current specification cars.

Looking forward to seeing the field at Clipsal

[RedZedMikey]

Dunlop Series wheels and tyres ...
Given this information http://www.speedcafe.com/2012/10/26/...oast-cruncher/ I'm wondering whether the Dunlop series will have to move to 18" COTF wheels and tyres next year, or whether they think existing V8SC teams will have enough stock to cover them for a while? Will Dunlop even continue making tyres in 17" for them???

[Umai Naa]

I think they'll be fine. They're not restricted to control wheels, so they can utilise existing stocks of Speedline, OZ, A-Tek, etc.

[GTRMagic]

For sale... 6x Holden Commodore VE V8Supercars...

[T-star]

mind blank...Braeside is Walkinshaw?

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by T-star

mind blank...Braeside is Walkinshaw?

Kelly Racing...

[Umai Naa]

Fire sale!

What are they going to do with the other Holden-badged vehicles they have on display in the workshop?

I also think it's a fair stretch to say that the PE4* chassis are 2012-spec cars.