So Bright is going to Le Mans???

WebberForWDC · 14 Feb 2006, 00:23 (Ref:1522224)

So the media says he might be driving a Prodrive Aston. That's nice, about time that recognized their local drivers aren't wallys.

champcarman · 14 Feb 2006, 01:30 (Ref:1522248)

Le Mans and Sebring I believe. He recently tested the Aston at Valellunga and showed good pace. Aston Martin have yet to confirm their 2006 driving line up however.

RotorFan · 14 Feb 2006, 01:36 (Ref:1522251)

So something good has come out him going to FPR. I misjudged him, maybe.

Vanilla Dice · 14 Feb 2006, 05:29 (Ref:1522307)

Guess this means he wont be a Britekkian in the coming seasons huh..

I would like to see Frosty get the same opportunity..

racer69 · 14 Feb 2006, 06:12 (Ref:1522312)

Good to see if it comes off.

Be the first 'resident' Australian (excluding the likes of Brabham, Webber and Gardner who've competed recently) since Ray Linttot a few years back, and Mark Skaife in 1997 in the Lister Storm.

cavvy · 14 Feb 2006, 06:20 (Ref:1522315)

Quote:

Originally Posted by WebberForWDC

So the media says he might be driving a Prodrive Aston. That's nice, about time that recognized their local drivers aren't wallys.

Used be a common occurence - like it or not V8SC has reduced the value of Aussie drivers in International racing.
As for the wallys comment, it applies to our premier category not our premier drivers.

mixxer · 14 Feb 2006, 07:49 (Ref:1522329)

Quote:

like it or not V8SC has reduced the value of Aussie drivers in International racing

Compared to what ?
Group A maybe but of course thats a formula that nobody uses so its irrelevant.

IMO unless you have bags of money or an unatural level of talent then you are destined to race close to home.

hoffy · 14 Feb 2006, 10:19 (Ref:1522442)

But are the Aussies actively seeking drives in these other races?

Rombles1 · 14 Feb 2006, 12:13 (Ref:1522510)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mixxer

....IMO unless you have bags of money or an unatural level of talent then you are destined to race close to home.

Ditto to get a drive in V8SC, though.

mixxer · 14 Feb 2006, 12:59 (Ref:1522545)

Quote:

Ditto to get a drive in V8SC, though

Who said staying home meant racing in the V8s ?

In todays environment motor racing at the top levels (which is the only level likely to be looking at overseas drivers) is very cost prohibitive no matter where you compete be it here, Europe or the States.

cavvy · 14 Feb 2006, 19:53 (Ref:1522858)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mixxer

Compared to what ?
Group A maybe but of course thats a formula that nobody uses so its irrelevant.

IMO unless you have bags of money or an unatural level of talent then you are destined to race close to home.

The money is a problem .... ask Alan Jones or Frank Gardner if it was easier in his day.

I refer to Bob Jane putting a Brit 3.8 on pole at the 1962 British Grand Prix meeting, then setting fastest lap.
Or Brock or Grice racing Group A in Europe.
Harry Firth racing Trans Am.
Charlie O'Brien co driving a Schitzer 635 to second in a 500km race at Fuji in Japan.
Gossy co driving the XJS at Bathurst.
Brad Jones career at Mitsubishi
Moffat in the works BMW.

Since V8SC, is it nil, nothing ... Aus drivers not valued internationally.

Vanilla Dice · 14 Feb 2006, 22:29 (Ref:1522975)

When was Moffart in a Works BMW??

mac · 14 Feb 2006, 23:08 (Ref:1523011)

Bright is a class act behind the wheel. He's proved it in junior formulae, IndyLights and even his Champ Car run. Leading the championship in that crappy old VX at Team Brock wasn't a bad effort either.

He'll do a top job in the Aston.

Dingo · 14 Feb 2006, 23:39 (Ref:1523034)

Could it be that V8SC drivers have a "No Other Racing" clause in their contracts?

BlueMax · 14 Feb 2006, 23:59 (Ref:1523045)

Moffat drove a BMW and won at the Sebring 12 hour in 1975 with Brian Redmen. The orginal driver was suppose to be F1 driver Ronnie Peterson, but Moffat was asked to substitute for Ronnie. The old Moff was held in pretty high regard.

Vanilla Dice · 15 Feb 2006, 02:24 (Ref:1523073)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dingo

Could it be that V8SC drivers have a "No Other Racing" clause in their contracts?

You cant race anything other than the brand you drive for

Aston is a Ford business now, so no sweat

How Marcos got to drive that 911 shytheap at Daytona is interesting in itself

cavvy · 15 Feb 2006, 02:52 (Ref:1523077)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla Dice

You cant race anything other than the brand you drive for

Aston is a Ford business now, so no sweat

How Marcos got to drive that 911 shytheap at Daytona is interesting in itself

Think the Ambrose drive demonstrates your claim 'cant race anything other than the brand you drive for' is an excuse for not facing up to the reality of V8SC as a class - it is a dead end for the drivers involved if they want move on, or showcase their talents overseas.
Is Wayne Gardner the only driver to have an international life after?

Vanilla Dice · 15 Feb 2006, 04:05 (Ref:1523095)

Gotta Love Captain Chaos!

Caltex loves ya baby! Destroying a 2 race old baby by forgetting to twiddle a knob and completely demolishing the car was top work. Couldnt have been dont by anyone else.

Banzai! Banzai! Banzai!

Fiorentina 1 · 15 Feb 2006, 04:57 (Ref:1523116)

Does this have any thing to do with the Aussie Assult deal that ran last year at Daytona? Those guys were leading in their Porsche at hour 12 I believe before the gearbox went. They rented a Racer Group 996.

Vanilla Dice · 15 Feb 2006, 05:07 (Ref:1523118)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiorentina 1

Does this have any thing to do with the Aussie Assult deal that ran last year at Daytona? Those guys were leading in their Porsche at hour 12 I believe before the gearbox went. They rented a Racer Group 996.

They got to hour 8 then the gearbox blew. A gearbox that already had over 36 hours running on it. Well ahead in their class. Ambrose and Morris were flying in that thing. Unfamiliar Hoosiers. Unfamiliar, poorly prepared car.

Would have been quicker in the Teulan 24H Carrera Cup car advertised for sale recently.

Robert Ryan · 17 Feb 2006, 09:02 (Ref:1524872)

vanilla, True that Porsche was a total dog. It is amazing Ambrose qualified so well.

monaroCountry · 17 Feb 2006, 09:23 (Ref:1524883)

Quote:

Who said staying home meant racing in the V8s ?

Who said money isnt an issue. European and South American drivers have huge companies and/or family fortunes bank rolling them, the Japanese have their manufacturers bankrolling them..............Australia has uuuummmmmm?????????????

monaroCountry · 17 Feb 2006, 09:33 (Ref:1524890)

The talent level in V8 is alot higher than many racing categories around the world. But like in most cases (esp motorsport) Aussies simply gets overlooked. Maybe because of our population, $$$$$, isolation or even our laid back nature I simply dont know. What I do know is that Australia has the talents.

pete55 · 17 Feb 2006, 11:49 (Ref:1524968)

Seeing there is no clashing of dates, it is a wonder more V8 Supercar drivers are not having a go. Maybe Craig Lowndes will end up having a go too. Of course some V8 Supercar drivers may not want to show their talent on the world stage in case they are not as good as they think they are.

mixxer · 17 Feb 2006, 12:34 (Ref:1524995)

Quote:

I refer to Bob Jane putting a Brit 3.8 on pole at the 1962 British Grand Prix meeting, then setting fastest lap.
Or Brock or Grice racing Group A in Europe.
Harry Firth racing Trans Am.
Charlie O'Brien co driving a Schitzer 635 to second in a 500km race at Fuji in Japan.
Gossy co driving the XJS at Bathurst.
Brad Jones career at Mitsubishi
Moffat in the works BMW.

Lets see now that list includes what ..............more than 30 years of Australian motorsport and you've managed to come up with less than ..........lets see..............10 names (I could name a few more but thats your job), not a very convincing argument IMO.

Good on Brighty anyway, hopefully it may lead on to something more permanent.

MonaroCountry I said it was due to money too, read my first post

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