Sydney 500 ..

[Oh Five]

Well. In 2 weeks time we'll have a new champion.
I have a site booked (same as last year) and have the time off, just a bit short on the $$$$$$ :o, So at this stage not sure what I'm doing.
Any of you guys going this year?

[tonynz]

Going all 3 days, fly over on the Thursday

[<Jonboy>]

i'm there on Sunday, possibly Friday as well but not sure yet...

Have a 3 day pit pass but only Sunday GA, from memory people were saying the best viewpoints for GA from last year was the chicane (turn 2/3/4?) correct? If so might find me down there

[tonynz]

i'm there on Sunday, possibly Friday as well but not sure yet...

Have a 3 day pit pass but only Sunday GA, from memory people were saying the best viewpoints for GA from last year was the chicane (turn 2/3/4?) correct? If so might find me down there

we are in the grand stand at turn 2/3/4 XXXX chicane, during practise last year I went and stood in the GA area by the wall as the cars are exiting the chicane you get a good view and they are close.

[whitlam]

I might be a bit too far away to go this year

[My Element]

id love to go but funds are low and my injuries are still with me, so GA would be a no no for me, id have to drive or fly over, and ive never been to sydney before too.

I would also love to see the Tony Hawk skateboarding demo they are going to have, couldnt give a toss about the music, but Tony Hawk is another one of my idols and is like the Peter Brock/Allan Moffat of skateboarding and would be a once if a lifetime experience id get to see him up close as he is from america, and i would never be able to afford to go there..

[commanderwhite]

Nah not going & I only live 30 mins from the track.

I went last year - too expensive, sh-t warm beer, no good spots to watch, too bloody hot (all concrete), over zealous security, shocking entertainment (pushbike race - is that the way the series is headed).

Me & my mates will sit at my bar drink good tasting beer, in air conditioned comfort.

[tonynz]

Must have been a different race I went to last year.

[edy]

I'll pass.

I went there last year and didnt enjoy it.

Too hot and got sunburnt.

Rather watch it on the tele with a nice cold drink and the aircon on!

[SS Mick]

Bring back Eastern Creek !!!!!!!

[HRT1]

I'll be there... Got a tonne of stuff to get signed too... Easy to harass drivers in the paddock at homebush

[nrma dave]

Bring back Eastern Creek !!!!!!!

yep my thoughts exactly, hadnt missed one for ages when it was there. good two day weekend away from newcastle.

[HRT1]

Eastern creek is back on January 29 next year... Full test day

[group C]

Will be interesting to see how the crowd numbers are this year in comparison to last year.
The only saving grace is that the championship is going down to the wire.

[stevanford]

Eastern creek is back on January 29 next year... Full test day

Open to the public ?

[FastRedCars]

I'm in the same boat as commanderwhite and edy - went for the first one last year, and not going back. Rather watch it in the comfort of home. So many things were disappointing. That's the short post. The longer version follows:


Day 1: Caught the Ferry to Olympic Wharf - no buses organised to meet the ferries to take us to the track. Caught a regular Sydney bus eventually (and the race-goers completely filled the bus), but the driver hadn't been briefed on the road closures for the Race, so couldn't follow his usual route, and got lost. After our third fly-by of the big "Olympic Park" sign, he gave up, pulled over, got us to alight where we were, and drove off.
We walked toward the closest Race infrastructure we could see - only to find that there was no way-in at that point. Roughly followed the boundary chain-wire fencing 'till we found an entrance. Had our bags checked, but when we asked the checkers if this was the entrance for our tickets, they didn't know - not their job, they were just to check for contraband. (No signs had been put up to direct patrons with particular grand stand tickets, to the correct entrances.) So we gave that entrance a try, but after the bag-checkers, there were no staff to check tickets and direct you to your Entry for seat - and it was the wrong access for our grandstand. So back out again, and along to the next entrance. More bag checkers checked our bags, but again their exclusive role, and most un-helpful otherwise. Continued on in, this time walking down the otherside of the chain-wire fence we had just followed in the other direction, then on through a bit of a serpentine path caused by the placement of a permanent fence, and then there they were - the people in the other uniforms, standing by a gate, to check our tickets (by now it's about one and a half since our ferry docked at Olympic Wharf !!). Mercifully, we could get to our 'stand through this Gate.
However, we were disappointed to see acres of uncovered bitumen car-park between our Grandstand and the beer tents and other amenities, with not a chair, nor table, nor umbrella in sight. We expressed hope that this would be rectified for the two race days, but it never was. The food and drink area was to remain a standing-only, shade free, hot black bitumen expanse for the whole event, in Sydney, in December (sorry, whose brains were they using to plan this event, and what else didn't they learn from their trip to Clipsal Adelaide earlier in the year ?).
So we went up to our seats, to check our view, and to see just what we bought for our $265 (plus booking fee) each. Given how bad things had gone so far, we expected the reality not to match the circuit plan that we studied, prior to buying tickets. Well, we got it half right - we were indeed just opposite the Pits where we wanted to be. Alas, we also got it half wrong - there was no big screen opposite the main stand, and the two shown on the map were so small, so far away, so angled flat, and so obscured by other infrastructure (and the ferris wheel base for when the Royal Show is on), that we effectively had NO big screen to see the rest of the track.
We had also missed the first on-track action by the main game cars - the session ended just as we sat down, and we had departed our digs in time to see it (had we been assisted to find our way in !). So we went for a beer, the standby saviour of every frustrated Aussie male. There were more security guards than either patrons or bar-staff ! We were gruffly told to follow the cattle races to the bar (necessary, I admit, when crowds are large), even though we were only 3 or 4 actually attempting to buy a beer at that time ! And guess what ? Not only was it overpriced (but you expect that at these things), it was bloody warm !
So we went for a walk to the merchandise area and Bathurst Legends display. Now, even though we could see the roof of this latter building from our grandstand, and probably hit it with a well struck tennis ball, the distance we had to walk to get into it was amazing - just ridiculous - and when we got there, it frankly wasn't worth the walk (you see more at the Bathurst Museum or a paddock at a race meeting). So we trudged back past the dull shops, and more bloody chain wire fencing, concrete and bitumen, and lamented that the whole venue falls well short of the (admittedly brilliant) venue for the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide. To have a break from the seats in the stand, our only option was to get a warm beer, and sit on the scaffolding under the stand - some party atmosphere.
When it was time to go home, we left our Gate, and sought directions for a bus that would take us to the Wharf - and were told they were up at the completely other end of the venue. So away we trudged, tired and emotional, muttering obscenities and wishing for decent signage. We arrived at the big, temporary, bus terminus - many buses and many uniforms with clip-boards. First clip-board, while friendly, only knew where her line of buses was headed, and none were going to the wharf: "Try over the other side, that queue over there". OK, we head across. "Stop" cries Security uniform, "you can't just cross the road, you have to go around that way (for safety)", so we go 'round the long way again ! Next clip-board has no idea where we get a wharf bus, so we move further along the queue of buses.
Next clip-board, a young bloke barely out of school, actually knows his stuff. Hooray ! "These buses are going here and there; those are going this and that; and yes they are all free if you have a Race Ticket, etc, etc " . Thank the stars for someone who listened at the briefing. However (you knew there would be one !), the bad news was that the wharf buses actually have their own stop, down the other end of the track, just near our original Gate and Grandstand !!! Loud Crow Calls all around, and thoughts of "Are we actually in a Python movie ? ". "Who can I kill ?"
"That's it, we're catching a cab, and I'm never coming back". Young, un-flustered, clip-board boy says calmly : "Arm, the cab rank is way over there, and there aren't many, but where do you want to get to?"; "Home!" ; "yeah, but where's that, where are you staying?" ; "Drummoyne, near the Gladesville Bridge" ; "OK, come with me" - takes us along a couple of buses, tells us to hop on, tells the driver were to let us off, and says he can go now (bus was nearly empty) "These blokes have had enough". He got that right too !
Day 2: No bus at the wharf again; When one came, we couldn't all fit on (what did they not learn from Day 1 ?), but he knew where to take us. They had made up some direction signs for the Grandstands/Gates (oh, and I know it was an after-thought, because the signs were from a desktop printer, laminated, and attached to the chain-wire with cable ties). Still no tables/chairs/shade in the beer garden (you've really gotta wonder). No fix for the big screen debacle. We just watched the racing from the stand, and drank warm beer on the scaffolding, and went home on young clip-board's bus. Day 3, ditto day 2.
The plus side was :1) we enjoyed the actual V8 races; 2) we had two young blokes sitting in front of us in the stand who both knew their V8SC stuff, and were funny; and 3), we had a couple of good nights out at a Thai restaurant and an Irish Pub. But the Homebush venue sucked so much, that we're not going back. Can't wait to go to Clipsal though (been to every one of them). Had we enjoyed ourselves at Homebush, as much as we do at Adelaide, we would have went back every year - but too many things "cheesed" us off. Glad that's off my chest now! Cheers, Jim.

[malscar]

Jim

I would not go back after your experience.

I would though, add to your plus side that young bloke at the buses that helped you out. He sounds like someone you should have praised to his boss.

[Willofan]

Last year I was offered a Sunday pass to sit in the corporate suite above pit lane and thought this should be a great day out.

Caught the bus from home and arrived at the gate, made my way through to find the pits on the far side and got up to the corporate suite, found my hosts and had a cold drink, tried to get out on the verandah and I got the best view from the big screen opposite. :( You could not see anymore than the track directly in front of you from them coming around the last turn then into the chicane at the end of pit lane then all you could hear was noise as they disappeared, this was if you were lucky enough to get a spot to see at all. The suites were built on temporary scaffolding and wrapped in pastic clears all around.

It was stinking hot, the grounds were not set up for a motor sport track, you could not see the track from anywhere around the circuit and the crowds were all standing about 12 deep against the barriers and fences trying to get a glimps. In my opinion Oran Park was a much better venue for watching all the action and Eastern Creek has the better facilities.

I even remember the drivers at all levels were complaining about the track and there was way too much carnage for my liking. :mad:

The good things were, I had a free lunch with John Bowe and Jason Richards, got up close to some of the cars in the compound inside the super dome and watched most of the races on the TV's in the box.

This year, I will sit at home to watch it on the plasma with the family and enjoy the coverage free tickets or not.

My big tip if you do go is; Do not buy any merchandise till the end of the day when all the vans and vendors are slashing prices and offering 2 for 1. 2009 Sydney 500 hats and shirts for $5, knowing they would be out of date in a few weeks time. :D

[halbster]

So Jim...tell us how you "really" feel..... haha, an entertaining read. Thanks.

I went last year as well, just in case the event got canned and never ran again.
I had general admin tickets and vowed that they were not worth the money, as the viewing was limited. Decided this year would rather watch it in the comfort of home with air con and save a couple of hundred $$.

Although I'm spewing I'll miss out on Guns n Roses.

Have not checked, but is there anyway to attend the concert without buying full day tickets to the racing?

[Pug205]

Open to the public ?

It sure is and I will be there enjoying V8's in Sydney at a proper race track again. This thread has helped me make my mind up not to attend Homebush. It seems to represent everything that is wrong with the direction the series is heading.

[edy]

One thing I was disappointed in was the NSW State Government clearly didnt support the race from the fan perspective.

In Brisbane, where there are major sporting events, travel to and from the event is FREE OF CHARGE.

Well I arrived at the airport and was told that I had to pay $8 each way to get to and from the Homebush track. (something about Airport being a restricted station).

Very disappointed. It was a great start to the day. NOT!

[HRT1]

Open to the public ?
i'm guessing so... i think its doubling as a season launch etc aswell so why wouldnt they want the public there? im planning on going

[HRT1]

One thing I was disappointed in was the NSW State Government clearly didnt support the race from the fan perspective.

In Brisbane, where there are major sporting events, travel to and from the event is FREE OF CHARGE.

Well I arrived at the airport and was told that I had to pay $8 each way to get to and from the Homebush track. (something about Airport being a restricted station).

Very disappointed. It was a great start to the day. NOT!
all transport was free to & from except the airport im guessing? there is always more charge from the airport because the government isnt making as much money as they expected from it i guess??

[edy]

all transport was free to & from except the airport im guessing? there is always more charge from the airport because the government isnt making as much money as they expected from it i guess??

I figured that, but Miss Christina Keneally aint going to get any tourist dollars from me this year or my mates.

[Oh Five]

When I went last year, i had mixed emotions about going again. having been spoilt at Clipsal for 11 years its hard to compare anything that comes close.
I was impressed by the transport from the west, where we were staying, AND it was free!
We had a grandstand seat but the usher didnt care that 20 "blow ins" were happily standing in the aisle's blocking OUR view!
I cant comment on the warm beer or food, as I dont buy alcohol or food at ANY circuit/footy match.
Yep GA is pretty ordinary but then most street circuits are!
Even at this point Im not sure if I am going, scouring eBay ATM trying to find cheaper GA or seating....no luck :(
On the plus side, i enjoy the trip up/back, the "camping", the paddock is just brilliant (undercover) and if i have to sit on the
(small) grassy patch near the couldron and watch the screen, then so be it I guess.
Bring on Clipsal :)

[fatty]

all transport was free to & from except the airport im guessing? there is always more charge from the airport because the government isnt making as much money as they expected from it i guess??Airport line stations aren't owned by the state government they are owned by Sydney Airport Corp which is owned by Macquarie Bank who partly funded the construction. Thats why there is the extra charge on fares for those 4 stations. Cant blame Kristina for that one.

[the_goldie]

When I went last year, i had mixed emotions about going again. having been spoilt at Clipsal for 11 years its hard to compare anything that comes close.
I was impressed by the transport from the west, where we were staying, AND it was free!
We had a grandstand seat but the usher didnt care that 20 "blow ins" were happily standing in the aisle's blocking OUR view!
I cant comment on the warm beer or food, as I dont buy alcohol or food at ANY circuit/footy match.
Yep GA is pretty ordinary but then most street circuits are!
Even at this point Im not sure if I am going, scouring eBay ATM trying to find cheaper GA or seating....no luck :(
On the plus side, i enjoy the trip up/back, the "camping", the paddock is just brilliant (undercover) and if i have to sit on the
(small) grassy patch near the couldron and watch the screen, then so be it I guess.
Bring on Clipsal :)

Ahh Clipsal, the best event I ever attended!!! Although street circuits in general aren't very good for what you can see on track... That's when I miss Oran Park where you could see the entire track!

I have tickets for this year and since it is the first race of the year for me I am looking forward to just hearing them roar around and see them flash past...

[HRT1]

Airport line stations aren't owned by the state government they are owned by Sydney Airport Corp which is owned by Macquarie Bank who partly funded the construction. Thats why there is the extra charge on fares for those 4 stations. Cant blame Kristina for that one.

That is true sorry for my oversight. I went GA last year as I was given free tix by v8 supercars because they dudded me with the Bahrain fiasco that year... But I wouldn't pay to go GA. You stand in 40 degree heat all day, no shade, no mounds, they don't even let u stand on the upper levels of the empty acet arena carpark... No tables & umbrellas... So this year I've gone grandstand ticket, will see how that goes

[David Towe]

Got in for free last year and still felt I was ripped off! Poor track, poor facilities, poor race, left just 15 laps in. I'd rather go to Clipsal or any purpose built track. Not to mention the unfare penalties that have been handed out recently (and in one case rescinded) that have contrived a final round showdown.
If I was in for free again this year I'd pass. I hope those who go manage to enjoy themselves though.

[Oh Five]

Hopefully they have listened to the fans about last years criticisms and improved on it.
Ive decided to go now, more for the "holiday" than the event, so we'll see what (IF) any changes are made.

[HRT1]

well i got surveyed by some dude last year while i was there & i put the harsh truths foward to him & he said a fair few people were saying the same thing... hopefully it got back to Mr Cochrane & co & it is an improved event this year

[whitlam]

I went to both Townsville and Sydney last year and out of those 2 new street races I have to say that Townsville was a much better event by a long way

[MOTIV8]

well i got surveyed by some dude last year while i was there & i put the harsh truths foward to him & he said a fair few people were saying the same thing... hopefully it got back to Mr Cochrane & co & it is an improved event this year
Unfortunately I think that the group doing the surveying were from the NSW Tourism dept or something to that affect IIRC. Anyway V8Supertaxi's dont need to do surveys as they think that they have the formula right and it is an entertainment package and offer great value for money.

[HRT1]

Na he was working for cochrane... But the reality is there is 1000 things they needed to impove this year, let's hope they get at least 500 of those improvements in

[Peugeot_908]

Most of the problems are minor teething problems it sounds like

The worst aspect of the whole event is the ridiculously ignorant behaviour of the organisers and the lack of overall preparation that they took last year. On TV, it doesn't look too bad, about the same as Clipsal.

[eddie2190]

The forecast for this weekend here in Sydney doesn't look too flash
The rain could throw a spanner in the works this year!

[<Jonboy>]

The rain could throw a spanner in the works this year!it could definately throw a spanner in my thoughts of taking COA's down to get signed, not sure i want to risk them getting wet in my backpack...

forecast at the moment is 28 and rain, going to be humid under the poncho if thats the case!

[HRT1]

gonna be a long 3 days if it rains all weekend

[HRT-222]

gonna be a long 3 days if it rains all weekend

That would help Courtney dramatically because Whincup's car is terrible in the rain i believe from previous races, he struggled at Symmons

[<Jonboy>]

That would help Courtney dramatically because Whincup's car is terrible in the rain i believe from previous races, he struggled at Symmons
ah but if wet there won't be Soft Tyres, which Courtney also seems to thrive on...

[eddie2190]

There aren't gonna be soft tires used at Sydney?

[monarocveightz]

it could definately throw a spanner in my thoughts of taking COA's down to get signed, not sure i want to risk them getting wet in my backpack...

forecast at the moment is 28 and rain, going to be humid under the poncho if thats the case!

Get some Zip lock bags....and the COA's should be fine;):)

[<Jonboy>]

There aren't gonna be soft tires used at Sydney?well if it rains they will use wets instead of the softs. If its dry the softs will come out to play (i think - on Sunday?)

Get some Zip lock bags....and the COA's should be fine;):)yeah but still worried about my backpack as well, all it will take is a little drip of water to get in... in any case if the 2010 DJR cars don't make it to the shop by Friday i'll only have 1x Cert to get signed

[eddie2190]

well if it rains they will use wets instead of the softs. If its dry the softs will come out to play (i think - on Sunday?)

Nope.
http://www.v8supercars.com.au/more-soft-tyre-racing/tabid/70/newsid/10109/default.aspx

[HRT1]

There aren't gonna be soft tires used at Sydney?
no soft tyres will be used on the weekend...

[<Jonboy>]

bummer... hope it rains then :D as long as i can find a good spot in GA to watch without getting wet :rolleyes:

[spiderken17]

Drys'a'bone and akubra for me if its raining.
Ought to be some interesting racing (crashing?) if it does rain.
Could also throw a huge curveball at the championship.

[Peugeot_908]

Is the track going to be the same as it was last year or have they changed a few corners?

[brchi17]

I hope they've fixed that Camberra-esk chicane thingy that was around the back of the circuit & launched the cars into walls, for mine when you see them complaining about some circuits being way too small, it made me wonder why they created such a tight complex :eek:

[MJHsurfin]

Can only echo the other comments on this crap "motorsport" venue...
Let me put it this way, I have a free weekend GA ticket which I won't be using....

If you can get (afford) a decent Grandstand spot, it might be different....personally I can't stand being stuck in one spot all day.
We walked the entire length of the track, couldn't find 1 decent GA viewing spot...closest was on the 1st chicane stuck between all the Grandstands & 10,000 other GA people :( All the good action 90 degree corners on the 2nd half of the track had double height billboards - couldn't see anything !! Waited for an hour in a queue to get into the inside paddock - still didn't get in before race started....

The Free Buses were fantastic though, when my 2 kids begged me to take them home halfway thru the race because they couldn't see a thing & they were stinking hot from standing in the sun all day, we got home in time to watch the finish on TV !! Great service indeed !! - & the TV is where I will be this year.....

RIP Oran Park - you are sorely missed....

[eddie2190]

I have a hunch that a black flag will screw up the chances of either Courtney or Whincup.
And in the ultimate kick in the balls, Tander will go onto win the race; maybe even get a black flag and have it withdrawn. Again.

[Oh Five]

At our destination now (Far west Syd) after a trip that rained ALL the way. Dropped into Oran Park for a squiz..what a sad sight :(
Has rained here all day and looks like most of the following 4 or 5 days.
Only going GA this year (yes I know its crap) but Im happy to wander around the indoor carpark with my 28 1:64s and 4 x 1:18s to get signed.
Cheers.

[Peugeot_908]

Dropped into Oran Park for a squiz..what a sad sight :(

Did you get any pictures or video?

[Maq]

http://www.speedcafe.com.au/2010/12/02/first-pics-pink-livery-for-tim-slade-in-homebush/

[Numark83]

Dropped into the Alley today. Nothing much open yet, although Sheriff's already had their tent open for business.

[Oh Five]

Did you get any pictures or video?

yes i got a few snaps, but wont be able to post till back home.
I'm sure some of our Sydney based members have some and may post beforehand, otherwise i will.:)

[Oh Five]

dont suppose those (few) of you that are going, want to catch up somewhere/sometime?

[pitcrew]

I heard that they are going to name it the Sydney 500mm after all the rain we getting at the moment.

In saying that, the track should be very interesting if it is a wet day.

[SS Commodore]

On the way to Homebush now. Hope weather holds out a bit. This is the problem with buying your tickets so far in advance. If it was Oran Park I would only go if the weather was ok.
Well hopefully we will get some dry time. But the wet would make for interesting racing. Taking a few extra clothes I think.

[Nivicious]

Just checked out the pink Tim Slade photos.

Maybe we'll finally see his car done in 1/18? Hope bloody so

[AmonFan]

A couple of minutes into the Fujitsu Session and its already a Red Flag...

[david5]

I heard that they are going to name it the Sydney 500mm after all the rain we getting at the moment.

In saying that, the track should be very interesting if it is a wet day.

Hey at least it should run off alright, the place is basically one big stormwater drain.

[the_goldie]

On the way to Homebush now. Hope weather holds out a bit. This is the problem with buying your tickets so far in advance. If it was Oran Park I would only go if the weather was ok.
Well hopefully we will get some dry time. But the wet would make for interesting racing. Taking a few extra clothes I think.

I would go to Oran Park rain, hail or shine! Certainly froze my butt off a few times there and also melted in the heat!!! RIP Oran Park :(

Hopefully the weather stays like it is at the moment for the weekend. Looking forward to seeing the V8s live for the first time this year...

[Numark83]

Just got back from a 2 hour visit (I work at Sydney Olympic Park and my office looks opposite Turn 9). The men's toilet has a fantastic view of the corner!

The Biante tent was good, spoke to William and saw all the new BFs. Look okay from a distant glance.

Paddock signings will probably be after 3pm today or thereabouts, no-one could tell me exactly, but that's what one of the helpful FPR mechs advised.

Fabian put #24 in the tyres today I think - front left was smashed in and being worked on in the Paddock when I saw it.

Ford have the Trading Post #6 from yesterday's launch at their stand today.

[david5]

Red flag session 4, live timing shows the cars on track as Murph & Andrew Jones.

[Oh Five]

Spent majority of the day in the undercover carpark, spoke to and got many drivers siggys. Weather was good (I think!) has been raining last few hours though.

[SDK]

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/SDK2008/I MG_86881.jpg

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/SDK2008/I MG_86171.jpg

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/SDK2008/I MG_86651.jpg

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/SDK2008/I MG_85941.jpg

[My Element]

http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab82/modelsinc0 5/162748_133522763371344_100001408625349_213789_80 08262_n.jpg

[wrxwrc]

Sponsors, Drivers & Race Fans who have paid good $$$ must be so happy when the V8 Utes get half a lap of a Race then Chequered Flag due to a crash!! Thats value for money....

[HDT337]

On the way to Homebush now. Hope weather holds out a bit. This is the problem with buying your tickets so far in advance. If it was Oran Park I would only go if the weather was ok.
Well hopefully we will get some dry time. But the wet would make for interesting racing. Taking a few extra clothes I think.

Hows your ankle/foot, must be all healed if you are on your way up there.

HDT337

[Boogs]

Race stopped. Smash up derbies in the end.
Awesome stuff!

[barnart]

If this is GLOBAL WARMING RACING, I say "BRING IT ON"

[vywgn]

hating this channel 7 coverage adelaide is still on lap 56 and the race is already finish why cant we get live races all year round

[minh427]

I missed it what happened to whincup and courtney?

[bortall]

WHAT A JOKE - why call it early??

[domstrama]

Did whincup get classified?

[minh427]

no, james has a 113 point lead now

[daggy]

Wow. What an amazing race.

[Peugeot_908]

I'd still rather be in 37 degree heat watching cricket than go to the Sydney 500

[Pug205]

What drama having all the teams working like crazy to get their cars back out again. The tension of who would get out first or at all was great to watch and showed how much it is a team sport. It was almost like they were trying to drag their cars over the line.

Hearing the crowd cheer as Courtney pulled out into the pit lane was a sweet sound as was hearing that Whincup is a DNF, so now maybe just maybe I can get a result in motorsport this year that goes my way :)

[GLENN L]

i wonder if jamie is going to sook about it. as long as james finishes no lower than 20th he has won it, dont want to see a ford win but i think its better than jamie.

[domstrama]

Yeeeehaaaa if JC wins the title that model I will purchase for sure

[GLENN L]

even if its the same quality as the just released ones?

[david5]

Well at least it wasn't dull. Ironic that the best team effort in a long time is DJR in the midst of a crisis.

Jono Webb has done a brilliant job this year. 100% finishing record, I reckon he might have learnt a thing or two from that.

[Pug205]

IF he wins I would like two Courtney models. One for Sunday's race and one for todays last race with the wheel hanging off and alot of race tape.

[HRT1]

Who saw that result coming... Absolute carnage in the rain there...

[barnart]

Well I DJR have no $$$, but they out smarted 888 today "GO JAMES"

[VE II]

If JC wins the championship I'd like to see Biante release it with a 1:18 championship trophy ;) It'd make it more desirable and novel + the livery is the same as bathurst - so it'd encourage sales.

[Pug205]

even if its the same quality as the just released ones?

A championship winner would be released around the 2nd quarter of next year, so Biante would have enough time to review their decalling system and fix it (well I hope so anyway)

[malscar]

I wonder what that result did for Matt in the tipping comp?

[Holdennumber1]

Wow, what a race. Thats the wierdest finish i've ever seen to any race ever!

Well done to DJR for getting Courtney out in time. I reckon Team Vodafone might have wasted a bit of time doing a better repair than DJR and I suppose it will cost them. At the end of the race, Courtneys wheel looked like it was going to fall off and the LHS had zero camber while the RHS had heaps of negative camber.


It was a pity for Bright too. I reckon 1 more lap and he would have had Webb.

[wrxwrc]

Hhhmm yep seemed that the DJR Car was going to be good for 1 Lap & thats about it, where Whincup caught up to JC quickly and seemed to be 'too' well put back together...if that makes sense!!
Another DNF for Will Davison, what a season of mis-adventure for him. Tander qualify 22 then a drve penalty...go HRT..bet they cant wait for this season to be done & dusted!!

[VE II]

I wonder what that result did for Matt in the tipping comp?

Had frosty pole and holdsworth for the win. I figured the guys closest to me would have tipped whicup so I had to do something different. I doubt anyone would have got points-I should have tipped holdsworth pole-ahwell
I have whincup for tomorrows win. We'll see what happens :)

[eddie2190]

Omg The Two Bundy Cars Actually Finished A Race!!!
They Actually Did!!!!!

[daggy]

lol... Hrt tried their best to make them not finish though

[awawaw]

Who saw that result coming... Absolute carnage in the rain there...

I did!!! I knew something was going to happen, i just didnt know to who or what.

[eddie2190]

lol... Hrt tried their best to make them not finish though

I would've put all my money on the Bundy cars catching fire, smashing into the wall or smashing into each other but damn they proved me wrong. :rolleyes:

[Tumbo]

well davison tried to take out one of the bundy cars LOL

[HRT-222]

WOW what a race!!!!

Well done to Jono Webb, awsome to see a new driver win a race and great for the DJR boys considering the effort they put in to get Courtney's car going :)

The accident was one of the biggest i've ever seen...i saw Whincup going into the wall and then all of a sudden James went staight in as well

Again, time for HRT to get the check book out, two damaged cars GT and Will, what a bummer :( I guess it's fair to say that HRT have the worst luck out there atm where most of these accidents wern't there fault besides Will at Bathurst and GT and GC600

Hopefully Courtney has a big enough lead now to win the Championship :D

Cheers Josh

[ratster70]

Well as far as im concerned all the knockers who have bagged out this series should eat your words ;) todays race on a so called hated street circuit was probably one of the best races evere witnessed, It had everything from pit strategies, penalties, wet/dry weather, crashes, potential championship changing results and up until the final safety car it was anybody's race with the ensuing carnage a rookie in Johnno webb has created 2 pieces of history 1 being the first rookie driver to win a race in his maiden year and 2 starting in 21st to victory the furthest down the order to win a race. Great job to Webb and his crew what a great season to finish the highest rookie in his maiden year in a championship. Hard luck to brighty on his pit strategy almost made it for the win. Top marks to DJR for getting courtney back out to gain valuable points and hard luck to triple 8 great work to get whingecup out there but couldnt manage a viable lap to be in the points. Absolutely waiting for the race tomorrow now. Hard luck story goes to Frosty if only he managed to avoid the carnage we would of had a 3 way struggle tomorrow. What a great finish to a great year;):D

[vywgn]

webb actually has another piece of history being the 60th different race winner in the history of v8s from what i heard

[mick xu1]

Great day of racing today i thought very entertaining, the rain does make it interesting well done to the DJR boys and Webb, James is looking the goods so far but we still have another race tomorrow

What has happen to the mighty HRT, they are imploding at the moment, some basic stuff with the release of Will into Fab???? Not what i would call a smart move......HRT will never get back to the top in IMO until they get back to one whole team instead of half HRT Half Walkinshaw they just don't fit....Craig Wilson has made a lot of changers over the past few years, maybe he needs to go

Also that wonderful statment from Simon Mcnamara indicating the Holden would win the Championship 1,2,3 & 4 at the start of the year....So far it's not looking to good, I think he will be the offical Goose of the year tommorow if Courtney wins the title........Pack your bags Simon.... Craigs waiting

[AussieRyan]

What has happen to the mighty HRT, they are imploding at the moment, some basic stuff with the release of Will into Fab???? Not what i would call a smart move......HRT will never get back to the top in IMO until they get back to one whole team instead of half HRT Half Walkinshaw they just don't fit....Craig Wilson has made a lot of changers over the past few years, maybe he needs to go

Also that wonderful statment from Simon Mcnamara indicating the Holden would win the Championship 1,2,3 & 4 at the start of the year....So far it's not looking to good, I think he will be the offical Goose of the year tommorow if Courtney wins the title........Pack your bags Simon.... Craigs waiting

I agree. Whatever HRT done last year worked for them, but it hasn't transferred into this year.

IMHO I think the budget cut they received that got 888 over to Holden has had a negative effect on them. Alot of the blame is on the engineer swap, but honestly I don't think it would've made a difference had the engineers stayed the same.

Apparently BRR will be a one car team next year, and 3 car teams have done typically well. I don't expect them to come out, and blow everyone away, but it's not far fetched to think there should be an improvement compared to this year.

The thing about a team like HRT is they wont stay down for very long. I doubt we'll ever see HRT go back to where they were 10 years ago. Not a chance, but they've been around long enough, and like all teams aren't immune from crappy seasons.

HRT will find their mojo again.

[infinity]

Is Simon Macmara still shouting from the rooftops about Holden winning the championship 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,(you get the idea) and every thing else in sight this year or has he gone strangley quiet.He needs to win Clown of the year.

[AussieRyan]

Hopefully he's left the country. Embarrassment to every Holden fan.:mad:

[GLENN L]

Well as far as im concerned all the knockers who have bagged out this series should eat your words ;) todays race on a so called hated street circuit was probably one of the best races evere witnessed, It had everything from pit strategies, penalties, wet/dry weather, crashes, potential championship changing results and up until the final safety car it was anybody's race with the ensuing carnage a rookie in Johnno webb has created 2 pieces of history 1 being the first rookie driver to win a race in his maiden year and 2 starting in 21st to victory the furthest down the order to win a race. Great job to Webb and his crew what a great season to finish the highest rookie in his maiden year in a championship. Hard luck to brighty on his pit strategy almost made it for the win. Top marks to DJR for getting courtney back out to gain valuable points and hard luck to triple 8 great work to get whingecup out there but couldnt manage a viable lap to be in the points. Absolutely waiting for the race tomorrow now. Hard luck story goes to Frosty if only he managed to avoid the carnage we would of had a 3 way struggle tomorrow. What a great finish to a great year;):D
didnt skaife and lowndes win from the back of the grid at adelaide or surfers? years ago

[Maq]

Holden were bound to get smashed when someone makes cocky, pig headed statements

[GLENN L]

Holden were bound to get smashed when someone makes cocky, pig headed statements
well i guess the beatles were right, money cant by love.:D

[kts350]

Quite enjoyed the end of todays race good on Web for taking out a win, I bag street cricuits all the time and while I really enjoyed the finish my opinion of street circuits havent changed.. I thought the race was kinda boring and the old man and I were flicking between the V8's and the train wreck at the adelaide oval.
The old man put the radio on to listen to a race and heard them going on about it bucketing down at Rosehill so we left it on the V8's then and waited for the rain..

[Kashmir]

Holden were bound to get smashed when someone makes cocky, pig headed statements

Yep the guy is a total tosser, even all us Holden fans hate him:mad:

[Bones]

Has any one from the event taken any pics :-)

[Nator05]

Amazing race, never seen anything else like it in a championship decider! History is littered with championship decider tangles between the competing drivers: Richo & Seto, Schuey & Hill, Senna & Prost come to mind but all three going into the same wall at the same time? And then the race to get them back out, it was pretty intense viewing.

[david5]

Well as far as im concerned all the knockers who have bagged out this series should eat your words ;) todays race on a so called hated street circuit was probably one of the best races evere witnessed, It had everything from pit strategies, penalties, wet/dry weather, crashes, potential championship changing results and up until the final safety car it was anybody's race with the ensuing carnage a rookie in Johnno webb has created 2 pieces of history 1 being the first rookie driver to win a race in his maiden year and 2 starting in 21st to victory the furthest down the order to win a race. Great job to Webb and his crew what a great season to finish the highest rookie in his maiden year in a championship. Hard luck to brighty on his pit strategy almost made it for the win. Top marks to DJR for getting courtney back out to gain valuable points and hard luck to triple 8 great work to get whingecup out there but couldnt manage a viable lap to be in the points. Absolutely waiting for the race tomorrow now. Hard luck story goes to Frosty if only he managed to avoid the carnage we would of had a 3 way struggle tomorrow. What a great finish to a great year;):D

But what if todays race had been at Eastern Creek ? The three contenders would have rejoined the circuit & actually raced to the finish. Wasn't boring though.

[inter]

I went to todays race, I will not attend the race at Homebush again unless I have a grandstand.
Viewiing is really bad, in some cases worse than last year.

And last year the has some cafe with TV next to them , no more sitting space now.
Got there at 8 am and left at 5.30pm with out sitting down.

Racing was good and the finish was weird, but could only see it via a big screen 50m away

[ratster70]

But what if todays race had been at Eastern Creek ? The three contenders would have rejoined the circuit & actually raced to the finish. Wasn't boring though.


Its racing tho David you race to the track and conditions thought thats what its all about isnt it?? example Will Davison Bathurst didnt see him come back on track and agreed definetly not boring;)

lol or tander, davison, holdsworth at last round for that matter

[HRT1]

Has any one from the event taken any pics :-)

Taken heaps from XXXX chicane but prob won't get them up till Monday arvo sorry... Not staying at home this weekend

[brchi17]

As a life long DJR fan, today has been oh so wonderful and sad for so many reasons. First of all it's disappointing that it looks like today's championship has been decided by the weather and not door to door on the track. From what I saw of the race it looked like Wincup had the fastest car of the title contenders, but I'm also so over the moon about how the DJR team were able to get James car back onto the track and score which could very well be championship winning points!

Plus to see how Webby's gable on wets pay fruit was fantastic. It's so nice to see this up and coming driver win today and so nice to see the DJR team take an unexpected victory., but dam disappointing that all the DJR ownership **** means what we've lost him to Triple 8.

That said I do wonder what might have been if they had put #18 on the wets instead of #17 which almost netted a DJR double podium. Got to admit after reading Roland's grumble on speedcafe (about James being classified as a finisher) tonight makes it even sweeter that Jamie was DNF'ed. It appears that Triple 8 dropped the ball on that one and of all teams I really thought they would have got their car out 1st, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the #18 emerge first!

Finally, what were FPR thinking trying to fix Frosty's car in pit lane ??? Don't they know that if it's in the garage the whole team can fix it :eek: !!!

[Sandman77]

I think Triple 8's perfection-ism cost them the race, Jamies car although clearly far from its best, looked like it could of done another 10 laps, whereas DJR just made Courtneys car driveable, the extra time used by triple 8 to get the car fixed relatively well took too long.
Another senario-if the race didn't finish by time, and went the whole race distance (74 laps I think) instead of 65, I think it could have been a very different story. What does everyone else think?
Also I thought that Whincups cars was the least damaged of the top 3 after the big crash.

[Pug205]

First of all it's disappointing that it looks like today's championship has been decided by the weather and not door to door on the track.

I don't know, it seemed pretty door to door to me when it got wet. Plus front and back to the wall! I can see where you are coming from but to me it was decided both on the track and in the pits. Both cars had their moments. Whincup was faster but not by much, Courtney's qualifying held him back but when both cars were together there was not much in it. Watching them in the greasy conditions and not hitting each other was great driving. Maybe not a standard race to the flag but better then one of them DNFing right at the start.

[gab73]

I enjoyed todays race, Mathew White does my head in big time, can't he move to the US and join Leigh Diffey.

[HRT1]

Pity Darrel Eastlake isn't well... Cos he'd be a great man to have back in the comm box

[barnart]

Pity Darrel Eastlake isn't well... Cos he'd be a great man to have back in the comm box

Man, Darrel would off gone rite off yesterday

[cooper1117]

What does everyone else think?
Also I thought that Whincups cars was the least damaged of the top 3 after the big crash.

I watched the replay this morning and DJR definately pushed the car backwards up pit lane, so there should have been a penality for that one, considering the same was dished out at the gold coast, also the vision of Courtneys car on the warm down lap, the front tyre was moving all around inside (and outside) the guard, they definately had it on a string LOL. Jamies repair was definately 'too good' for what was required, so DJR did a good job. So well done DJR, did what was required.

[cooper1117]

Man, Darrel would off gone rite off yesterday

It would have been a 'huuuuuuge hit"

[david5]

What about the number of DJR team members which pushed #18 out into plane after the repairs pitstop ?

[Sandman77]

Yeah, also half of them wern't wearing the fire proof suits, itn't that required for all members accross 'the line'?

[VE II]

Roland said that it wouldnt have really changed the result if DJR got penalised as Whincups lap still wouldnt have been counted and Courtney would still have been 15th. It's a shame they didnt let the race run until time - i hate timed races! I doubt courtney would have lasted 1 more lap.

[Holdennumber1]

If the full laps were raced, it would most likely have ended as Bright to win race, Whincup 15th, Courtney 16th (after having to go back to the pits for more repairs) and the championship would still be alive and close.

[david5]

I had a quick look ath the replay on Big pond this morning & I think Courtneys wobbly wheel was made to look worse by the composite guard moving back & forth on the tyre as he put steering on. I was ironing though at the time.

[tigerpete]

did this happen yesterday?? Tony Hawk to ride V8-powered skateboard
http://www.caradvice.com.au/93057/vi...ard-in-sydney/ (http://www.caradvice.com.au/93057/video-tony-hawk-to-ride-v8-powered-skateboard-in-sydney/)

[My Element]

did this happen yesterday?? Tony Hawk to ride V8-powered skateboard http://www.caradvice.com.au/93057/vi...ard-in-sydney/ (http://www.caradvice.com.au/93057/video-tony-hawk-to-ride-v8-powered-skateboard-in-sydney/)

yes full V8 Supercar spec engine on a larger baord. More demo than trick. But on the ramp he's the king.

[Pug205]

WELL DONE JAMES COURTNEY AND DJR

2010 SUPERCAR / ATCC CHAMPIONS


DJR : 7 TIMES TOURING CAR CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[GOBBO]

wooohooooo well done courtney and djr good stuff guys
wheres that total domination mcnamara ya tool

[skaifeyfan2]

I'm sad for Gisbergen but at the same time I'm glad I'm spared the rampant man love that would have occurred from Shaun Summerfield had he have won. Go Lee, go Courtney, go DJR.

[El Cheapo]

What an end :D

Stoked for Lee, but also shattered for Shane. Great finish to the season, with two of the most interesting races of the year (just goes to show that adding rain and championship pressure to any track will up the spectacle, though I do like the track a bit more with the changes employed over the course of the year). Awesome for Lee to finally have some luck go his way. He's been really close to a win several times over the last few years.

Also, how cool is it to have a couple of supposedly rubbish drivers who the public are leading to the glue factory factor in the top 4. I can honestly say that I'd be glad to give Steven Richards a 1 year run at DJR, at least to see if he can gell with a T8 chassis. As I've said, one of thhe nicest guys in pitlane. David Russell hasn't had much of a year, neither has James Moffat (who imo needs another year in Fujitsu to polish his craft), and Steve Owen should be at PMM, so Richo would probably be a more solid bet than anyone else in the picture. As for Steven Johnson, 10th in the championship sounds good to me :)

But good on you JC :D :D :D The move to HRT is probably going to put a negative spin on the win, but personally I don't give a rats about it. A win for Dick and the crew more than makes up for any bad blood over a move in my eyes. Their performance on saturday was the stuff of Hollywood too. I tip my hat.

Hmmm time for some silly season shenanigans then.

[El Cheapo]

I'm sad for Gisbergen but at the same time I'm glad I'm spared the rampant man love that would have occurred from Shaun Summerfield had he have won. Go Lee, go Courtney, go DJR.

Too bloody right :laugh4:

[VE II]

Congrats DJR. If Courtney walks out I'll be really disapointed.

Devo'd for gizzy! At least he got a podium. Congrats to Holdsworth and Steve Richards as well

[Designer]

I enjoyed todays race, Mathew White does my head in big time, can't he move to the US and join Leigh Diffey.

+1 Terrible. over the top. He must go, surely ?

Congrats to DJR and Courtney though ... good job in the end.
Would have liked JDub to get up being a Holden bloke....but not to be.

The 2010 season just re-iterates we have the best touring car series in the world. The drama, the spectacle, the characters, the presentation of the cars and series. Untouchable world wide.

Yes we all complain about the telecasts, debate the silly points system and rules at times....but really, we have it pretty good.

Bring on 2011...

[Peugeot_908]

The only two things that annoy me are delayed telecasts and Mark Beretta

Congrats to Courtney he showed that the you don't have to dominate every race to be champion :-)

And V8's is definetely the best touring car series in the world, if not the best national motorsport series in the world, certainly beats NASCAR and other things

[HRT-222]

Well Done to James Courtney, very very happy to see him win the Championship :D Will be bitter sweet to see 88 back on Whincups car next year :D

I felt so sorry for Gizzy, he had the win in the bag and ofcourse it had to run out of fuel on the last lap so really dissapointed for him :(

Honestly, HRT are a pack of ****heads. This weekend, they got 3 Black Flags (2xGT 1xWD) for realeasing the car into the path of another vehicle, absolute stupididty and they still don't learn, they stuffed up a good thing today, GT could have been on the podium even gunning for the win :(

Good Luck to Will, Steven Richards in 2011, hopefully it brings much better results for you both :)

Cheers Josh

[ratster70]

Huge congrats to DJR and James Courtney for the win long time coming for the team and made even better with Webbs win yesterday great weekend for them:D. Now waits for all the whingers and sooks about JC being a traitor and how the team should keep the number 1 next year. :rolleyes: rant over about that ;)
Congrats to Lee on a pole and 1st place win today and huge unlucky for the Giz but they played the gamble it almost payed off, Richo's podium was a good reward also been a tough time for him of late.

I wont lie im a HRT fan first, holden second, V8 supercars third and to say this year has been a major disappointment from my teams view is an understatement. I wish Will the best for the future (wish he had stayed but im not going to bag him out and call him a traitor) Im hoping next year provides much more cheer for my team but cant win all the time just like fotty teams i guess they need to rebuild and get back up the front much the same way DJR has this year;).

And as for the knockers of our great series enough said, right down to the final laps it wasnt a certainty but its been a great year of racing with multiple winners, crashes, records and new ventures and I for one cannot wait for the new season to start:D:D

[Kashmir]

Well just got back from the race, went both days and I was in a stand this year so it was alot better than last year.

Congrats to DJR and Courtney, really wanted JW to win it but it wasn't meant to be oh well, but it was funny in the race this arvo when the Fordies were cheering on the gis when he went past on the last lap and then next thing on the TV we see he's out of fuel and all us Holden fans started cheering, was very very happy to see SVG run out of fuel cause I wanted to see Holdsworth win badly so congrats to him on the win:D

Also got a Grille and a front brake rotor off GRM and signed by both drivers and Garry himself so I'm happy:D

[Pug205]

Now waits for all the whingers and sooks about JC being a traitor and how the team should keep the number 1 next year. :rolleyes: .

As a DJR fan I for one will not see him as a traitor even though HRT are my most hated team. The Davison signing was alot harder to take but that has worked out well a lot sooner then expected!

I think Courtney was in a tough spot as the team crumbled around him and with no idea of how it would be resolved or if a team would even be there to race for in 2011. His management just went after the most competitive seat that was on offer after the FPR/Pepsi deal became a no go for reason unknown still.

Actually I look forward to him beating and unsettling Tander next year, it will be great viewing ;)

[Kashmir]

Actually I look forward to him beating and unsettling Tander next year, it will be great viewing ;)

Hmmm that remains to be seen.

[tigerpete]

congrats to the top http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e77/madge_015/l_ 761e320bf8f6277603247d646d2d4213.gif

[edy]

Congratulations to Courtney.

Quite disappointed for Jamie to be honest.

I think he has had the most wins this year. It seems that for his championships in 2008 and 2009 were relatively mechanical failure free.

But for 2010 T8 had a fair few which crippled him and the fatal fuel filler issue at Sandown recently.

T8 should have a good look at themselves for 2011.

But with Adrian Burgess on board, it seems positive for the future.

[Sandman77]

Well done to DJR and courtney, also best part best part of the telecast, Courtney and Johnson doing synchronized burnouts.
Would of really liked to see Whincup win but, theres always next year
Shame to see the Giz run out of fuel, but I'm always happy to see Holdsworth win
And Please James Courtney stay with DJR

[ratster70]

Im sorry but i disagree sandy i thought it was a bit selfish on Stevens part and i know several people will disagree with me. While Steve is part of the team he didnt win the championship at all and i thought he should have just pulled up beside JC and waved a congrats and kept on going it was JC's and his side of the teams win to celebrate not Steve's. I will say tho was a great burnout celebration by James tho ;):D

[edy]

Well JC can take the cash and run to HRT for 2011.

Unfortunately there wont be people in his "corner"such as Charlie or Adrian.

It will be sad to see DJR revert back to mediocrity. :(

[mick xu1]

Congratulations to Courtney.

Quite disappointed for Jamie to be honest.

I think he has had the most wins this year. It seems that for his championships in 2008 and 2009 were relatively mechanical failure free.

But for 2010 T8 had a fair few which crippled him and the fatal fuel filler issue at Sandown recently.

T8 should have a good look at themselves for 2011.

But with Adrian Burgess on board, it seems positive for the future.

Gee Ed, i think T8 did a fantastic job Phillip Island 1st and should have been 2nd......1 & 2 at Bathurst...... 2 & 4 in the Championship, most polls..... 1st 4 race wins in a New Car....not a bad year i will trade you the HRT results for your T8, HRT are the one's that need a tune up.there not even the 3rd best team out there.......T8 have been the bench mark for the past 3 years by far bring AB from DJR will only make gap between the best and second team greater

1 888
2 DJR
3 FPR
4 GRM

you could argue who is 1st but i would say T8

[spolyhronidis]

i'm so glad James won and kept the natural order of things intact. it is a shame though that Jamie couldn't pull off the hatrick. just proves that the team made the wrong decision to change sides.

[domstrama]

I celebrated by buying 2 cases of Beam.... Big night tonight

[edy]

Gee Ed, i think T8 did a fantastic job Phillip Island 1st and should have been 2nd......1 & 2 at Bathurst...... 2 & 4 in the Championship, most polls..... 1st 4 race wins in a New Car....not a bad year i will trade you the HRT results for your T8, HRT are the one's that need a tune up.there not even the 3rd best team out there.......T8 have been the bench mark for the past 3 years by far bring AB from DJR will only make gap between the best and second team greater

1 888
2 DJR
3 FPR
4 GRM

you could argue who is 1st but i would say T8

Hahaha! I am sure you would swap T8's results for HRT.

I guess what I meant by them having a hard look at themselves were in terms of mechanical/engineering as the team pride themselves on engineering.

Also when teams at the peak of their prowesses, other teams want to copy them and they invariably catch up to them. So T8 needs to reinvent themselves to stay at the forefront.

But each team has their day - eg HRT, SBR, HSVDT and now T8. Whether they can do this at the high level for a long time remains to be seen.

[edy]

just proves that the team made the wrong decision to change sides.

T8 in 2010 won

1. Team Championship
2. PI Enduro
3. Bathurst.

They only missed the Driver's Championship.

[group C]

i'm so glad James won and kept the natural order of things intact. it is a shame though that Jamie couldn't pull off the hatrick. just proves that the team made the wrong decision to change sides.
wrong decision??? JW won more races than courtney cant say it was the wrong decision!!!
Well done to Courtney and DJR they needed this..
Bring on 2011:)

[tonynz]

Got a few bottles of the teamvodafone aftershave they were giving away it smells horrible
Add it to my racing collection that is if they allow it back into NZ

[domstrama]

Got a few bottles of the teamvodafone aftershave they were giving away it smells horrible
Add it to my racing collection that is if they allow it back into NZ

Is it brut....e ?

[AussieRyan]

T8 in 2010 won

1. Team Championship
2. PI Enduro
3. Bathurst.

They only missed the Driver's Championship.

I agree. Look I'm not a 888 fan, but to say it was a mistake is a bit harsh. Infact they done this year what HRT done last year. Won everything that was important except the driver's championship.

I just hope from now until the start of 2011 HRT can sort themselves out. I'm not giving up on them, but good god this weekend they were woeful. 2 unsafe releases? For a team with so much experience it certainly was bloody stupid of them.

[skaifeyfan2]

Got to laugh at how many times HRT hit Bundy Red.

[edy]

Got to laugh at how many times HRT hit Bundy Red.

I believe Tander and Davison were 'allocated' specific Team Bundy drivers to hit!

:idea3:

[louieate8ate]

Got to laugh at how many times HRT hit Bundy Red.
One can only smile and shake one's head,just how good are they?!!

[Sandman77]

Im sorry but i disagree sandy i thought it was a bit selfish on Stevens part and i know several people will disagree with me. While Steve is part of the team he didnt win the championship at all and i thought he should have just pulled up beside JC and waved a congrats and kept on going it was JC's and his side of the teams win to celebrate not Steve's. I will say tho was a great burnout celebration by James tho ;):D
I agree with you on that, but it did look cool though. I also wouldn't be suprised if he gets into a bit of trouble for it as well as its thats the only time drivers are alllowed to do burnouts and its just supposed to be the championship winner doing it.

[Holdennumber1]

Congrats to James Courtney. You can't say he din't deserve it.
It was up to Whincup and T8 to win the championship and they failed when they needed it.

It will be good to see #1 at HRT next year but they'll have to change dramatically to retain it after next year. Even with JC.

Bring on 2011!

[brchi17]

As a DJR fan I for one will not see him as a traitor even though HRT are my most hated team. The Davison signing was alot harder to take but that has worked out well a lot sooner then expected!

I think Courtney was in a tough spot as the team crumbled around him and with no idea of how it would be resolved or if a team would even be there to race for in 2011. His management just went after the most competitive seat that was on offer after the FPR/Pepsi deal became a no go for reason unknown still.

Actually I look forward to him beating and unsettling Tander next year, it will be great viewing ;)


Agreed mate, IF James has left DJR then you can't blame him because at the time of his decision it was quite possible that there wasn't going to be a DJR in 2011. That said, I just hope we're not waiting until December 31st to find out where the #1 will be seen next season as the fact that we've heard nothing from anyone still makes me wonder if nothing going to change....

[Pug205]

Stay or go we will still have this picture Brad :D

http://plixi.com/p/61094029

http://c0013569.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/ x2_3a4388d

[brchi17]

ah I love it, reminds me of 1995 when they crossed out the #8 on Bowe's car :cool:

[infinity]

Stay or go we will still have this picture Brad :D

http://plixi.com/p/61094029

http://c0013569.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/ x2_3a4388d
That is one beautiful picture with number one in its rightful place

[HRT1]

here's some pics

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/tristo_13/ IMG_2121.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/tristo_13/ IMG_2119.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/tristo_13/ IMG_2116.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/tristo_13/ IMG_2102.jpg

[HRT1]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/tristo_13/ IMG_2047.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/tristo_13/ IMG_1978.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/tristo_13/ IMG_2038.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/tristo_13/ IMG_1954.jpg

[HRT1]

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/tristo_13/ IMG_2390a.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/tristo_13/ IMG_2313.jpg



http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/tristo_13/ IMG_2147.jpg


http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w225/tristo_13/ IMG_2167.jpg

[edy]

Stay or go we will still have this picture Brad :D

http://plixi.com/p/61094029

http://c0013569.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/ x2_3a4388d

Wow - I guess this is the only time you will see #1 on a DJR car cos in 2011, it aint going to be the case!

[wayno]

Well done to JC. A nice guy and glad to see him succeed.

[<Jonboy>]

had a fairly good day out, better than i was anticpating yesterday. Congrats to JC and DJR, and who gives a stuff if Johnson joined in on the burnouts, cheering on the efforts of the team and his colleague, i'd probably do the same!

Speaking of which, as i was at turn 7 at the time, if anyone got a really good pic of the twin burnout that i could "have" for non commercial reasons (ie my computer wallpaper) would be well appreciated...

[Maq]

header page www.djrclub17.com.au

[<Jonboy>]

if it was there Maq, its gone now

[Maq]

Sorry Forum page
http://www.djrclub17.com.au/forums/index.php

[<Jonboy>]

cheers thanks

[spiderken17]

i have only just got home after the weekend. I have no voice from cheering so much. What a freakin awesom result. I freaked out all the people around me when JC crossed the line because i was going off my nana! I have not had a high like that in a long time. Absolutely awesome.

[commanderwhite]

I'm stoked - my team with "The Gun" kicking everyone's backside over the weekend by claiming both poles & winning the final race. Lee made 3 unforced errors in R1 but yesterday he had pace, strategy & patience & deserved to win.

I felt sorry for The Gis who gambled & lost but he was being pushed by Lee thus he ran out of juice but he shouldn't be disappointed he drove well.

As for the championship Courtney deserved his win but he will have everyone hunting him in 2011 so look regardless who he drives for.

[firemansam]

Well my favourite driver won. I was sure knowing my luck that after the 3 into the wall crash on Saturday that Courtney would be out and Whincup would only end up with minor damage. Also a shame for the Gis. They better have a heap of footage of the burnouts on the highlights DVD!

[FastRedCars]

Just when I start to think I may have had enough of V8SC racing (bar Clipsal and Bathurst, of course), they go and turn on a weekend of racing like that ! What a ripper end to the Season.
Nail biter on Sunday; the Teams' repair race on Saturday; some beautiful passing (particularly by JDub); Lee's win; JC deserving to be Champ; and lots of other stuff. Most enjoyable (from the comfort from my lounge, with nice cold beer). Now for a bit of end of year fun, then off to the Adelaide 500 grandstands in the new season. Life's good !!

[extremevalet]

webb actually has another piece of history being the 60th different race winner in the history of v8s from what i heard

And set another record being the highest TAB payout at 750 / 1:D:D:D:D with a min of a 3.00 bet, not a bad payday for some:D:D:D

[SWRT]

That is one beautiful picture with number one in its rightful place

How did you get into the paddock after Sunday's race?
Security blocks out anyone with a paddock pass after Sunday's race? Why don't the orginisers just leave a warning on the paddock pass or put out signs saying you can't come back in after Sunday's race, rather than raising hope you can come inside than block you.
If the originisers want to keep the Oran Park finale feel of the event, they should let people in, they let you in the paddock after Saturdays race fine, so why is ther a big No No on Sunday???
Not happy, orginisers.

[whitlam]

So they still weren't letting anyone in again this year? That was one of my biggest gripes from last year.

[Pug205]

I think that is a standard thing at all events now as they do the same at Bathurst. That picture was taken by Courtney or a DJR crew member and posted up.

[cooper1117]

So they still weren't letting anyone in again this year? That was one of my biggest gripes from last year.

wrong post

[grease]

It is so the teams can pack up without things getting stolen, happened at Sandown as well. Dumb security guys wanted to kick me out (an official) that was until one of the other officials came along that they new and said to them not to kick me out.

[skaifeyfan2]

That picture was taken by James Courtney

[SS Commodore]

Surrounding the poddock were signs all race weekend stating the paddock would be closed 30 minutes prior to the end of the last race. Sundays V8 race was the last for the day, but on Saturday there were another two races after the V8 race.

[gab73]

Congrats to Courtney and DJR, thoroughly deserved.
Roland Dane and Whinecup are both tossers, Sundays telecast Dane questions the safety of car 18 in Saturday's race. Selective memmory Mr Dane, how was it anymore unsafe than Lowndes 2006 Philips Island on Australia's fastest track with bent steering and massive negative camber.
And Whingecup still at it http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/motor-sport/whincup-fuming-after-v8-supercars-championship-loss/story-e6frepn6-1225966022818
Can't these 2 just be gracious in defeat.

[fatty]

So are there any Sydney 500 1/10 bonnets anyone will be chasing?

[group C]

Congrats to Courtney and DJR, thoroughly deserved.
Roland Dane and Whinecup are both tossers, Sundays telecast Dane questions the safety of car 18 in Saturday's race. Selective memory Mr Dane, how was it anymore unsafe than Lowndes 2006 Philips Island on Australia's fastest track with bent steering and massive negative camber.
And Whingecup still at it http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/motor-sport/whincup-fuming-after-v8-supercars-championship-loss/story-e6frepn6-1225966022818
Can't these 2 just be gracious in defeat.
Dunno what ya mean by tosser gab??
I am not really a 888 whincup fan but i feel for him and agree with what he has said,th title was his and he lost it(true)
they won more races than DJR and feel for him as it was lost in car reliability and pit stops that 888 lost the ball on this year,so his statement that they had the title and they lost it doesn't sound like a sore loser or tosser to me
:D

[Numark83]

I think the offending comment is this one:

In 2007 I lost the championship by two points but at least then it felt like we lost to a better team on the day.

DJR fixed Courtney's damage faster then 888 fixed Whincup's damage to earn Courtney 60 points. That makes them the better team on the day IMO.

888 were in more winning positions than DJR. However, they squandered some of those chances, whereas DJR were the great accumulators of points and Courtney won the championship because of that. I can understand why 888 feel they lost the title, but Courtney and DJR are worthy champions.

[gab73]

Dunno what ya mean by tosser gab??
I am not really a 888 whincup fan but i feel for him and agree with what he has said,th title was his and he lost it(true)
they won more races than DJR and feel for him as it was lost in car reliability and pit stops that 888 lost the ball on this year,so his statement that they had the title and they lost it doesn't sound like a sore loser or tosser to me
:D

Heres some more, coulda woulda shoulda, http://www.speedcafe.com.au/2010/12/01/roland-dane/

http://www.speedcafe.com.au/2010/12/01/courtney-still-has-a-lot-to-prove-dane/

[edy]

Yes T8 squandered opportunities and made mistakes.

They will learn from this and be a better team for it.

The Whincup domination is not over yet..... Let's see how Courtney is in a WP car?

[Oh Five]

So are there any Sydney 500 1/10 bonnets anyone will be chasing?

I will if there is...Still chasing the 09 one !

[the_goldie]

Did they do a bonnet for this years race?

[Oh Five]

Anybody hear what the crowd was like compared to last year?
Just been watching the dvd and the overhead shots show alot of empty seats in the grandstands.
Also where we were sitting (GA) didnt seem as full as last year !

[Masterblaster]

I've just been reading about how Triple8 feel like they lost this years title, but no one has mentioned team orders?

Whilst I appreciate and respect the value of a Bathurst 1000 win (I been going to Mt.Panorama for 22 years straight) what might have happened had Lowndsey been instructed to let Whingecup past during those final 3 laps at "The Mount"

Triple8 would've been leading the championship for at least the last 3 rounds and with that extra pressure it would've been interesting to see how Courtney would've handled it.

As a Ford Fan, it's great to see a Mighty Ford Falcon win it's 6th Championship in 8 years, and now that Courtney is heading to HRT, here's hoping that FPR will show itself as a title winner in TwentyEleven.

[Sandman77]

I think T8 would be smart enough not to do it, we saw what happened with Ferrari and I don't really think any team would say this and take a win away from a driver at Bathurst. Theres not really many ways to do it discretely and there would be harsh penalties.

[Kashmir]

Are Team order's banned in the V8's like they are/were in F1?

Plus imagine the all the backlash from everyone if T8 took the win from the Lowndes/Skaife car (probably the most popular car there this year) and gave it to Whincup/Owen!

[Masterblaster]

Are Team order's banned in the V8's like they are/were in F1?

Plus imagine the all the backlash from everyone if T8 took the win from the Lowndes/Skaife car (probably the most popular car there this year) and gave it to Whincup/Owen!

Agreed, I'm not saying it would've been popular (Lowndes is certainly the fan favorite) but I'm sure team orders have been used in the past.

I remember JB once saying that he was asked to stay behind Dick in 1988 and 1989 during the dominant Sierra years, and what about Moffat ordering Colin Bond to "respect the Boss" during the closing stages of Bathurst 1977?

F1 have decided to remove the rule banning team orders because it's not policeable and secondly Motorsport IS a team sport with sponsors and supporters expecting a team to do what it takes to win a Championship.

As far as Team Orders being banned in V8's, I have never heard the issue raised in 40 years of watching the sport

[malscar]

Didn't Brock break a couple of cars only to takeover the second car? No one seems to be upset about that other than the guys who lost their seat.

[Masterblaster]

Didn't Brock break a couple of cars only to takeover the second car? No one seems to be upset about that other than the guys who lost their seat.

Yeah, geez how could I forget that, both in '83 and '87 and he won Bathurst's in those years!

So team orders have been a regular feature of the ATCC, so why isn't this mentioned regularly?

[El Cheapo]

Didn't Brock break a couple of cars only to takeover the second car? No one seems to be upset about that other than the guys who lost their seat.

Though those were the rules, so you can't imagine too many people would be fussed. Dick Johnson tried to do the same with his 2nd DJR Sierra (Radisich/Allam), but he was too portly to fit in the seat, and he had to let it go.

Ironically the car would've nearly won if he hadn't tried to insert himself. It came 2nd on the day, and the deficit between it and the 1st placed Walkinshaw was the amount of time Dick stuffed around trying to get in.

[Pug205]

Allam actually broke the seat on the way back to the pits as he was angry about Johnson getting in and riding on the hard work that him and Radisich had done all day. He saw it as if they won only Johnson would receive the credit and attention. Maybe not the right thing to do as it did cost them the win but I can see his point of view. He was clearly not a fan of car swapping ;)

Their was quite the backlash after the 1983 win. It was mostly from the non motorsport media/public who viewed it as unsportsman like. It was alot like how the German GP was reported and viewed this year. No such issues with him doing it in 1987 again though as I guess that made for too much of a nice fairytale story!

If the something similar with team orders was to have happen at Bathurst this year, the outrage would have been huge and further damaged the image of the race in the eyes of the people who want it to be more then just another round.

[edy]

Remember Todd Kelly was not allowed to past Mark Skaife at HRT!

[Masterblaster]

Their was quite the backlash after the 1983 win. It was mostly from the non motorsport media/public who viewed it as unsportsman like. It was alot like how the German GP was reported and viewed this year. No such issues with him doing it in 1987 again though as I guess that made for too much of a nice fairytale story!

If the something similar with team orders was to have happen at Bathurst this year, the outrage would have been huge and further damaged the image of the race in the eyes of the people who want it to be more then just another round.

I think you'll agree that the reason nobody had issues in 1987 was that Brock wasn't in contention for the win (with the disqualification of the Texaco Sierras occurring two months later . . . The fairytale took place around December '87)

The Germen GP was an illustration of how stupid Ferrari can be. "Fernando is Faster than You!" will be the quote of the 2010 season, with other teams using code like, "go to setting G3" as an example to switch teammates.

Those who listen to their Scanners on race weekends can clearly hear deals done between teams during nearly every race, it's a part of our sport and I think the best thing we can all do is accept it for what it is, and enjoy the entertainment value (although our passion for one team or driver is an understandable reason for getting uptight!)

Bring on 2011, with a resurgent FPR, a disappointed Triple8, a new look HRT, SVG looking for his first win, DJR trying to orove they do it without JC, a Murphy racing at KR (which sounds like "lipstick on a pig" to me), it should be an awesome TwentyEleven!

[El Cheapo]

a Murphy racing at KR (which sounds like "lipstick on a pig" to me)

Ahahahahahah :laugh4:

[skaifeyfan2]

Remember Todd Kelly was not allowed to past Mark Skaife at HRT!

when?

[DVR8]

Dick Johnson trying to get in the car at Bathurst in 1990 did not cost the #18 car the race. On that pitstop they put grooved slicks on the car. They had to come back in under safety car to put full slicks on, which dropped them down the order.

[david5]

Dick Johnson trying to get in the car at Bathurst in 1990 did not cost the #18 car the race. On that pitstop they put grooved slicks on the car. They had to come back in under safety car to put full slicks on, which dropped them down the order.

That's right. As for the 1987 Brock Fairytale, TV viewers were made very much aware of his chance of winning during the telecast, however it was more the Sierras fuel issues at the time than the coachwork that they finally got pinged for.

[Oh Five]

Anybody hear what the crowd was like compared to last year?
Just been watching the dvd and the overhead shots show alot of empty seats in the grandstands.
Also where we were sitting (GA) didnt seem as full as last year !


I'll try again ;)

[Pug205]

Pretty sure it was around 20000 less for the entire weekend with Saturday being a busier day then Sunday.

[Masterblaster]

I'll try again ;)

Hijacked ya thread! :cool:

[monarocveightz]

Are Team order's banned in the V8's like they are/were in F1?

Plus imagine the all the backlash from everyone if T8 took the win from the Lowndes/Skaife car (probably the most popular car there this year) and gave it to Whincup/Owen!

I'm currently reading Lowndesy's book 'The Inside Line'.....and I'm pretty sure it was mentioned that team orders are allowed.....just that they're not as common or as obvious as other forms of motorsport eg in F1, Ferrari's 'Alonso is faster than you, do you understand' one...)

[Oh Five]

Pretty sure it was around 20000 less for the entire weekend with Saturday being a busier day then Sunday.

Thanks Pug Obvious that people went for the concert and not
the championship result (sun)

Hijacked ya thread! :cool:
No prob Michael, I'll share :)

Cheers.

[spiderken17]

DJR have a pic of JC holding the trophy on their homepage. i just found myself in the crowd. hooray!

[Maq]

cudos on stuffing a great pic :p :D