2019 TCR Australia Silly Season

[Mixer]

Originally Posted by HDTVKSS

If TCR can pull off a somewhat decent FTA TV deal, esp with TCM on the bill, its going to be a game-changer.... and id say this is what has V8SC worried.

Big cost attached to a better TV coverage.

Originally Posted by HDTVKSS

the overheads for TCR are much smaller, they are not hamstrung by having to pay off the teams as much as a V8SC at this stage. the commercial options are much wider, esp if the main target is getting eyes on screens rather than collecting cash to hand back to teams....

Next 2 years could get interesting, as it seems TCR manufacturers are in an arms race at the moment and the organisers need to keep it under control.

Original cars were 85k Euro and when the Honda came in with the fancy gearbox all the DSG cars went out the window and the cap went up to 130k Euro.

Many saying the Honda and then the Hyundai are really pushing the cap and the Lynk & Co not for sale that the cap is going to get busted when the current 130k Euro cap expires, in 2020, so this is a clear and present danger that TCR could follow in the footsteps of Group A if the organisers don't get the manufacturers in line.

All of the VAG cars are going to get a refresh next year, so Aussie runners would want to be careful spending too much!

[mayhem]

Originally Posted by Mixer

Big cost attached to a better TV coverage.

Hmmm, I wonder if after just a few meetings there might be a FTA or even a PayTV network keen on a collaboration? They've got some decent support events at their disposal.

[S griffin]

TCR Australia IMHO is doing well because it's done things it's way, rather than trying to be a threat to Supercars. As well as that it's being promoted well and so it's getting plenty of interest as a result

[Mixer]

Originally Posted by mayhem

Hmmm, I wonder if after just a few meetings there might be a FTA or even a PayTV network keen on a collaboration? They've got some decent support events at their disposal.

Nobody is going to do anything for free. The production is expensive and either advertisers have to pay for it, or the category pays for it.

[E.B]

Well, having upset the applecart with their wish to be on the card at the Clipsal 500 (whatever they call it now) they have given up pursuing that event in favour of having scored themselves a confirmed gig on the support card of the Australian GP meeting.

https://www.speedcafe.com/2019/07/24...and-prix-bill/

[Compromised]

"It is, however, expected that the event could attract international competitors and could become part of a proposed Asia Pacific Series tabled by TCR global boss Marcello Lotti."

This to me, is the interesting part. International regulations allowing foreign teams to compete in certain events - GP, Bathurst etc is a HUGE plus.

Supercars "bespoke" regulations really stymie any chance of that unfortunately.

[chavez]

Originally Posted by Compromised

"It is, however, expected that the event could attract international competitors and could become part of a proposed Asia Pacific Series tabled by TCR global boss Marcello Lotti."

This to me, is the interesting part. International regulations allowing foreign teams to compete in certain events - GP, Bathurst etc is a HUGE plus.

Supercars "bespoke" regulations really stymie any chance of that unfortunately.

It stops teams, and has unfortunate in recent years seen a diminishing number of international drivers. (yes I am excluding kiwis.)

The peak of international involvement in terms of quality drivers driving uniquely Australian cars occurred 40 years ago.

Imagine if the international entry of the 1977 or 78 Hardie Ferodo was replicated today.

[Mark Petch]

Originally Posted by Mixer

Big cost attached to a better TV coverage.



Next 2 years could get interesting, as it seems TCR manufacturers are in an arms race at the moment and the organisers need to keep it under control.

Original cars were 85k Euro and when the Honda came in with the fancy gearbox all the DSG cars went out the window and the cap went up to 130k Euro.

Many saying the Honda and then the Hyundai are really pushing the cap and the Lynk & Co not for sale that the cap is going to get busted when the current 130k Euro cap expires, in 2020, so this is a clear and present danger that TCR could follow in the footsteps of Group A if the organisers don't get the manufacturers in line.

All of the VAG cars are going to get a refresh next year, so Aussie runners would want to be careful spending too much!

Mixer, a brand new Hyundai i30N TCR car costs 128,000 EURO, whilst a Audi S3 TCR car cost 130,000 EURO, as does the Renault Megane.

Cheers,

Mark.

[E.B]

Of interest is today I read of an increased Renault involvement and backing of GRM for their two car Renault TCR team.

https://www.speedcafe.com/2019/07/25...a-involvement/

[Umai Naa]

I'm guessing it was Renault Australia who paid for the ex-auction yard written-off road car the team cannibalised to fix the race cars.

[Mixer]

Originally Posted by Mark Petch

Mixer, a brand new Hyundai i30N TCR car costs 128,000 EURO, whilst a Audi S3 TCR car cost 130,000 EURO, as does the Renault Megane.

I know that Mark, but the 130k Euro cap expires in 2020 and each new car is increasing in cost, and it is mooted that with the new VAG cars next year the cap will be raised again, as happened in 2015 with the Honda - rendering the current crop uncompetitive. Granted, this was a technology shift which may not apply as much to future changes but there's no doubt each new car raises the bar.

I for one hope that the cap isn't raised much, but you could also fairly suggest that everything goes up in cost over time, but I just hope that the jump isn't so large as when the Honda landed.

This is where the teams can't do what is good for themselves, and the organisers need to stamp that out.

The rumours about Lynk and Co's spending are obviously clear, but if the new rules are any more than say 150k Euro cap, then the "cost effective" moniker gets less and less credible.

Originally Posted by Umai Naa

I'm guessing it was Renault Australia who paid for the ex-auction yard written-off road car the team cannibalised to fix the race cars.

Great news, and smart play by GRM.

I'm not the world's biggest fan of Moffat but he seems to have settled down a bit and I think his performance and candour have been an asset to Renault. Great to see a name with such a proud racing heritage supporting racing on your soil.

[mayhem]

After a great debut at the Bend in the Honda, nice to see Jordan Cox get a gig at GRM/Alfa, unfortunately at the expense of Jimmy Vernon.

[Umai Naa]

Perhaps Mr Vernon will take his budget to Wall Racing, and lease the Civic Mr Cox used?

[bludvl_x19]

Probably won't see Jimmy till next year. Saving up the €€€€'s for a purchase.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Vernon FB

By now the word is out, I am sitting out of this weekend’s TCR Australia round at Queensland Raceway.

Despite being a paying customer of GRM, I respect their decision to put me on the sidelines regardless of how disappointed I am. While not all information making its way onto websites is completely true around the reasons I am sitting out the event, I will openly put my hand up and admit I have made some critical racing errors while competing in the GRM Alfa Romeo. This year has been a big learning curve... Learning to drive a front-wheel drive car and also joining a team who is also new to the world of TCR.

My dream is to become a professional race car driver and despite winning a national championship and racing a variety of national and state level championships, I do need to work full-time as a sign writer to assist in funding my dream. In my personal opinion, this does not hinder my racing career or my performance on the track.

I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supports me, and in particular my sponsors. They not only support me, but have helped fund my position in the GRM outfit.
My personal team is working hard on securing a plan for me in the future. I'm looking forward to getting behind the wheel again and challenging for podiums in 2020.

Interesting...

[JAFA851]

Wow. So now you can't even buy a seat? Or someone else with more money came along?

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by JAFA851

Wow. So now you can't even buy a seat? Or someone else with more money came along?

Cox = fast
Vernon = not fast

It's that simple, isn't it?

It's a big loss for Wall Racing and Honda to not have Cox in one of the cars IMO.

[HDTVKSS]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Interesting...

Any real surprise from the team that also brought you GT sitting on the sidelines?

Its good for Cox, but to be fair hes going to be fast in near anything.

[HDTVKSS]

double post...

[Mixer]

Rusty had a good time in TCR:
https://www.speedcafe.com/2019/08/05...wvinxtoN1Epx3o

I just wonder if someone might have been more willing to fund his drive if he didn't rag on the Honda on his podcast....

[Umai Naa]

Third Renault en route to GRM.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by Umai Naa

Third Renault en route to GRM.

A spare long engine, including turbo, exhaust, ancillaries, alternator, power steering system etc. might have been a better get...

[HDTVKSS]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

A spare long engine, including turbo, exhaust, ancillaries, alternator, power steering system etc. might have been a better get...

Given the whole car is around the same price as running and maintaining a V8SC engine, i think they will be ok....

[Umai Naa]

The point is, there wasn't a spare turbo to replace the dud one, and the new engine wasn't ready to go, requiring several hours work to swap numerous key components off the dud engine to make it complete.

[Mixer]

Originally Posted by HDTVKSS

Given the whole car is around the same price as running and maintaining a V8SC engine, i think they will be ok....

How long does $220k (car without spares) get you Supercar engine maintenance for?

Also if these parts are so cheap and in constant supply, why doesn't anybody have said spares then....