The state of the world of motorsports

[QuietChaos]

2008 has not been a walk in the park for the automotive industry, and in turn, the world of motorsports..many of you may already be aware of this, but for those who aren't, this is a list of some of the effects the economy has had on motorsports.

First off, Honda F1 has pulled out of Formula 1. Still looking for a buyer.

Chrysler reduces funding for their NASCAR teams, not that I care, but it will be mentioned for you NASCAR fans anyway. The NASCAR truck series has also lost longtime sponser Craftsman. New sponser is Camping World.(LOL)
Also, Dodge will be leaving the series in 09'.
Take that, NASCAR.


Detroit Grand Prix has been cancelled for 09'.

ALMS schedule is reduced to 10 races.

Porsche and Audi has pulled out of the ALMS.

Tata motors has purchased the advertising rights for the Ferrari F1 factory team. This means you will be seeing TATA emblazoned on the Ferrari F1 cars starting 09'. What has the world come to?!

Oh, and the GT-R can sleep a little more sound, as Honda has confirmed the NSX successor has been cancelled.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/17/banzai-burned-honda-reportedly-kills-nsx/

Cosworth will be providing all the engines for F1, starting 2010.

This next one is particularly painful for me..Subaru is leaving WRC. Not kidding.

Suzuki is also pulling out of WRC. Thanks a lot, economy.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/16/officially-official-subaru-leaving-world-rally-championship/

Did I miss anything?

[Wolfattak]

Subaru leaving the wrc... 19 year's of rallying is over.:hit_head: :hit_head:


I nearly cried when i heard that. Subaru virtually made the wrc what it is today.

[JD74]

Chrysler reduces funding for their NASCAR teams, not that anyone cares.
...........
Did I miss anything?

Yes.....'The Boat', so to speak.

Considering NASCAR has the following that the every Sports/Entertainment Organization WISHES that they could have in North America, your comment is a little 'off' ..... Geographically/Demographically speaking.

That is, unless....."Lower Rainland" (your 'locale') is actually somewhere in Europe or on another Continent, otherwise, every point you just made could be followed up with "..but who cares" with NASCAR being he only valid one.

That is about as funny as the select people on this forum that post "....but Drag Racing is not REAL Racing" .....

With Toyota's NASCAR entry, you would think that all the 'JDM Fanbois' would have someone to cheer for....in a sport that is not REALLY a sport .....LOL

[FormerVDubber]

I also read that F1 will be making other changes including:

-shorter races
-rpm limited to 18000
-no tire changes
- and something else that I can't remember

Now Porsche and Audi are pulling out of ALMS. This will take away the two current most successful teams in the P1 and P2 classes. Whats the point when the best arn't being represented.

And Subaru was a huge shock for me yesterday. It just doesn't seem right.

It unfortunate that engines will be all the same in F1. One more dynamic of the sport gone. These are definatly sad times.

[FormerVDubber]

Yes.....'The Boat', so to speak.

Considering NASCAR has the following that the every Sports/Entertainment Organization WISHES that they could have in North America, your comment is a little 'off' ..... Geographically/Demographically speaking.

That is, unless....."Lower Rainland" (your 'locale') is actually somewhere in Europe or on another Continent, otherwise, every point you just made could be followed up with "..but who cares" with NASCAR being he only valid one.

That is about as funny as the select people on this forum that post "....but Drag Racing is not REAL Racing" .....

With Toyota's NASCAR entry, you would think that all the 'JDM Fanbois' would have someone to cheer for....in a sport that is not REALLY a sport .....LOL

A valid point but I think he meant does anyone on GTRC care. I know there is a skill set involved in Nascar but it's just not my thing and I'm sure many others feel the same way. Toyota's only reason for being there is to establish more of a customer base there. I sure their success in NASCAR has to have helped in making them almost as big (in sales) to GM.

As far as Drag is concerned...How many professional sports can you get away with being fat and still being succesful:

Golf
Baseball
Bowling
And of course Drag Racing

I think drag racing has a required skill but is mostly about how fat your (or your sponsors) wallet is.

[QuietChaos]

Yes.....'The Boat', so to speak.

Considering NASCAR has the following that the every Sports/Entertainment Organization WISHES that they could have in North America, your comment is a little 'off' ..... Geographically/Demographically speaking.

That is, unless....."Lower Rainland" (your 'locale') is actually somewhere in Europe or on another Continent, otherwise, every point you just made could be followed up with "..but who cares" with NASCAR being he only valid one.

That is about as funny as the select people on this forum that post "....but Drag Racing is not REAL Racing" .....

With Toyota's NASCAR entry, you would think that all the 'JDM Fanbois' would have someone to cheer for....in a sport that is not REALLY a sport .....LOL

You're right. I should have worded it differently. I also agree with what FormerVDubber said. Let me just go back and edit my first post..

[JD74]

As far as Drag is concerned...How many professional sports can you get away with being fat and still being succesful:

Golf
Baseball
Bowling
And of course Drag Racing

I think drag racing has a required skill but is mostly about how fat your (or your sponsors) wallet is.

LOL...that I can agree with

[FormerVDubber]

LOL...that I can agree with

Wow, I honestly didn't think I'd ge this response. I thought your were going to give me flaming sarcastic comment. I'll try harder next time.

Drag Racing Sucks!
Nascar Sucks!
I having trouble deciding which sucks more!:-P

Is that better.

[QuietChaos]

Wow, I honestly didn't think I'd ge this response. I thought your were going to give me flaming sarcastic comment. I'll try harder next time.

Drag Racing Sucks!
Nascar Sucks!
I having trouble deciding which sucks more!:-P

Is that better.

You know what, I prefer drag racing over stock car racing. I don't see drag racing so much as a sport, but a way to compare a car's performance. It's like the 0-60, or slalom. I probably hate the "culture", or lifestyle behind the two more than the actual sport. Both probably exist just to promote American companies.

[FormerVDubber]

You know what, I prefer drag racing over stock car racing. I don't see drag racing so much as a sport, but a way to compare a car's performance. It's like the 0-60, or slalom. I probably hate the "culture", or lifestyle behind the two more than the actual sport. Both probably exist just to promote American companies.

I'd pick drag racing over Nascar too. But for a different reason. The entire "tuner" scene we have is because of post WW2 hot rods. And what did these hot rodders do...drag race. It all grew from there. I still dream of building a 1932 ford model A coupe. It changes spec all the time but Old Skool hot rod on the outside with modern drivetrain underneath.

Oh yeah what was the topic again. I wonder if it would be worth while putting some of these racing series on hold for a year or two? I realize that thousands of jobs would be hurt by this but I wonder if the damage could be worse funding expensive events with a sudden lack of interest. I know for me watching F1 now sounds less apealing. And the only reason I paid attention to ALMS was to see Audi destroy the compitition with the Diesels.

[JD74]

I know for me watching F1 now sounds less apealing. And the only reason I paid attention to ALMS was to see Audi destroy the compitition with the Diesels.

Another thing 'JDM fanbois' are famous for is, when saying Drag Racing isn't a real sport, it's because it's due to 'who has the bigger wallet' and it's HP and not a Driver's competition.

Wouldn't the exact thing above add to this and make it MORe interesteing to watch since it will be even closer to becoming a DRIVER'S SPORT ? by removing the engine from the equation ?

It might be better than you think

[FormerVDubber]

Another thing 'JDM fanbois' are famous for is, when saying Drag Racing isn't a real sport, it's because it's due to 'who has the bigger wallet' and it's HP and not a Driver's competition.

Wouldn't the exact thing above add to this and make it MORe interesteing to watch since it will be even closer to becoming a DRIVER'S SPORT ? by removing the engine from the equation ?

It might be better than you think

It could be...It's not really the engine equation alone that bothers me. It's the combined changes that make me wonder if the sport will have alot less strategy involved. I found the "mind" games being played by Ferrari and Merc to be pretty interesting.

And I am not a JDM fanboi...more Like a EuroTrash Fanbois.
I still stand by my words. Besides...I didn't say drag racing isn't a real sport. I said its a sport for fat people!
I still miss my VW some days.

[Skym]

Interesting.

I think they are reducing practice sessions to save fuel in F1. Also alot of sports teams are in trouble.

[Insta_AxE_Toast]

The only reason Audi was able to do good in ALMS is because they are allowed to have a 5.5 liter turbo charged diesel engine where as gasoline engines are limited to 4 liters if turbo charged and 6 liters if NA. As far as Audi and Porche dropping out this is supprising, was a reason given?

As far as F1 goes I think going to all engines being produced by the same manufacturer will improve the sport greatly. Right now F1 is a competition on who can spend more money on R&D ... This will cut costs greatly and allow for better competition from the 2nd tier teams. This works out well for Ferrari, maybe they will have an engine that lasts the whole race. While they are at it maybe they should source out the fuel rigs too.

The Subaru thing is quite shocking, have they released a reason for this?

[Turismo]

With Toyota's NASCAR entry, you would think that all the 'JDM Fanbois' would have someone to cheer for....in a sport that is not REALLY a sport .....LOL

this just goes to show that even though there is now a "JDM" brand to cheer for, it's so bad that not even the "Fanbois" care enough to be interested.

as far as subaru is concerned, is it just the factory team that will be gone? I thought for the most part it was a 3rd party that actually built the rally spec cars, could be wrong, i don't follow it.