2019 TCR Australia Silly Season

[Umai Naa]

Heimgartner Subaru receives Kangan Institute branding.

Expect to see Ms Whitley's Golf to be emblazoned with Actron Air branding.

[S griffin]

I think this series has a very good chance of doing well, just a long as it doesn't try and compete itself against V8 Supercars. Because there is no reason for both series to not exist together.

[Terry S]

I see on Channel Seven’s Sunrise show this morning their Weather man Sam Mac is out at Eastern Creek promoting the TCR series.

Great publicity

[Umai Naa]

Lots of big brands on cars, but not much in the way of second or third tier sponsors...

Methinks some of these teams are paying lip service to existing brands used in their other programs.

[chavez]

Of course the biggest mistake Supercars made was losing control of the costs to such a degree that no single sponsor could cover the operational costs of a single team.

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I think this series has a very good chance of doing well, just a long as it doesn't try and compete itself against V8 Supercars. Because there is no reason for both series to not exist together.

It stands a better chance in Aus than it did here because there's a bigger difference between TCR and V8s than there is TCR and BTCC. The Uk version is now just 4 cars running alongside another hopeful category which as far as I'm aware consists of 2 cars.

However, I'm still not a fan of TCR in any of it's national variants.

[Umai Naa]

The promotor here is allegedly propping up half the field, buying cars, hired guns...

Not sure Mr Lines has the wherewithal to do that for TCRUK.

[one five five]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Just waiting for a justification of the series being related to "cars you can buy from the dealer" when in at least 2 of the cases, you just cant...

GTR is very right in this comparison with Supercars.... but I think Audi's and Subaru's with the drive removed from the rear wheels is a little more relatable than V8's in cars not sold with V8's and driving from wheels that the road car doesn't use.

Originally Posted by Terry S

I see on Channel Seven’s Sunrise show this morning their Weather man Sam Mac is out at Eastern Creek promoting the TCR series.

Great publicity

Great publicity, but when you're just about to start a TV deal with SBS tomorrow, why are you having a big appearance on another FTA network?

Originally Posted by Umai Naa

The promotor here is allegedly propping up half the field, buying cars, hired guns...

Have we got a list on how many cars aren't owned/imported or assisted financially by the organisers?

[Umai Naa]

The Hyundais, the Bright Golfs, and the MPC Audi and Golf.

[chavez]

Originally Posted by one five five

Great publicity, but when you're just about to start a TV deal with SBS tomorrow, why are you having a big appearance on another FTA network?

Once upon a time ALL TV networks showed an interest in touring car racing in this country.

[Mixer]

Originally Posted by one five five

GTR is very right in this comparison with Supercars.... but I think Audi's and Subaru's with the drive removed from the rear wheels is a little more relatable than V8's in cars not sold with V8's and driving from wheels that the road car doesn't use.

Also being pedantic the Audi uses an engine that also doesn't belong in the homologated model.

Originally Posted by Umai Naa

The Hyundais, the Bright Golfs, and the MPC Audi and Golf.

Not sure about the Golf but MPC don't own the Audi, so very few of the cars are really owned by competitors at this stage, BUT I have to give credit to the promoter - they are not mucking around - they are putting on the sizzle.

The worst possible case for this would be if 6 cars showed up and they ran round in the back of another class.

These guys have clearly put their money where their mouth is and want to put on a show, and they are betting that it is going to pay off for them, and I hope they are right.

[Umai Naa]

Wall Racing are considering a third Civic. Potentially on track before season's end.

[Sandgroper]

TARGETTING 20 cars by 2020, WOW
People or teams need to find more coin. Great catagory but do people pull out of divisions to join this one and will the costs get out of control if it becomes popular.

I watched on TV last weekend, wasnt bad at all and will only get better with more teams and development Im guessing.

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by Sandgroper

will the costs get out of control if it becomes popular.

It shouldn't. There is nothing to spend money on as such (you could do lots of testing I guess), everything must be run as supplied AFAIK.

Originally Posted by Mark Petch

Operating cost's, excluding entry fee, were basically two set of Hankook TCR tyre's, [NZ$4,000] 300 litres of 98 Octane BP ultimate, [NZ$850] Brembo 340 compound brake pads, [NZ$750 per car set] Crew costs, [NZ$2,000] so all up about NZ$10,000 for a 2 day 3 hour endurance race including all of the practise session etc.

You also have to factor in wear and tear plus lifeing on all the mechanical components etc, so say NZ$20,000 per race weekend.

FYI. new crate engine cost's NZ$8,000, and a complete rebuild on the Xtrac gearbox and differential is NZ$12,000.

[Umai Naa]

Originally Posted by Sandgroper

TARGETTING 20 cars by 2020, WOW
People or teams need to find more coin. Great catagory but do people pull out of divisions to join this one and will the costs get out of control if it becomes popular.

I watched on TV last weekend, wasnt bad at all and will only get better with more teams and development Im guessing.

Only when big-budget teams start short-lifing everything to gain a perceived edge.

[mayhem]

Well well well.

TCR Aus eyeing Bathurst WTCR event

[Mixer]

If they did twin Bathurst and an NZ round and got world teams down here it could be amazing and a huge shot in the arm for the local series.

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[S griffin]

Well they did have the Great Race as part of the 87 WTCC. I did sometimes think about how the cars from the mid 00s could go there, so it should be good if TCR cars run at the circuit, as I think that could be a great sight to see

[gtcapri]

What would be the best date for a Bathurst to work in with the Euro's? Take over the Easter event, the first weekend in October, sometime in Dec/Jan when its off season over there?

[chavez]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Well they did have the Great Race as part of the 87 WTCC. I did sometimes think about how the cars from the mid 00s could go there, so it should be good if TCR cars run at the circuit, as I think that could be a great sight to see

For three 8 lap races?

Would be great to see WTCR at Bathurst but not with the current race format.

[Umai Naa]

Yeah, you'd be lucky to get a dozen green flag laps in.

As the cars are fairly even, there's only 3 real passing spots on the whole track, maybe 1 or 2 more places that are 50/50.

[S griffin]

Maybe they could make it a one long standalone race instead of the usual three sprint races. Don’t forget though that the Nurburgring races had only three lap races

[GTRMagic]

Four Civics For Wall Racing

[one five five]

WTCC races on the Nordschleife in the last few years have been 4 lappers, nothing wrong with some 8 or 9 lappers at Bathurst.

Would fit the Easter 6hr weekend perfectly

[S griffin]

Yeah, those Nordschleife races were great while the lasted. The question is whether the Bathurst organisers are that keen. Then again I see no reason why not, it’s a nice filler