"The Great Race" -- Bathurst History

[Mischief007]

Oh my god

Volvos, Alfas, BMW 635s, Jags, Camaros, Mustangs, Holdens, Torranas, Escorts, Minis, etc...

Seriously. Amazing racing. I'm watching part 3 currently which is from 1975 to 1985. Why can't they go back to this format and allow ANY manufacturer to compete. Such amazing racing. This is a must watch for any racing fan.

Just inspiring. I love it.

[SL65]

Originally Posted by Mischief007

Why can't they go back to this format and allow ANY manufacturer to compete.

Because it's an Australian thing - you either like Holden or Ford. And if you were to incorperate all brands of cars into the championship today, it'll simply be a race between electronic wizardry whereas back then, it was the talent behind the wheel taming his mechine.

Our touring car championship is just awesome as it is and I really mean it. And it's growing at a huge rate!

But the racing back in the day was truely unique. There are some cool DVDs out there like the one your watching which show racing back then with all the manufacturers involved. Much watch!

[Blind_Io]

This is the first thing I thought of:



/Push the button, Max!

[fbc]

Originally Posted by SL65AMG~V12~612BHP!!!!!!!

Because it's an Australian thing - you either like Holden or Ford. And if you were to incorperate all brands of cars into the championship today, it'll simply be a race between electronic wizardry whereas back then, it was the talent behind the wheel taming his mechine.

Our touring car championship is just awesome as it is and I really mean it. And it's growing at a huge rate!

But the racing back in the day was truely unique. There are some cool DVDs out there like the one your watching which show racing back then with all the manufacturers involved. Much watch!

Hmm, I think the Holden v Ford is actually tailing off a bit (thank christ), it's still present of course, but less so than it was 20 - 30 years ago. As for the championship - I wouldn't mind seeing other makes competing, but having said that it's a great series as it is, and if it ain't broke - don't fix it. Also Holden & Ford have invested quite a lot in the series which has played a part in getting it to the point it's at now - so I can totally understand their reluctance to allow other brands in.

[flyingfridge]

What I think you need to remember, is that the reason the Touring Car Series in Australia is now based on V8 Supercar, is the Nissan Skyline. Back in those days, you could enter anything based on the FIA touring car classes. Bloody good it was too. But in 1991, Nissan introduced the R32 Skyline GT-R into Group B. It was the only car ever to win Bathurst on all attempts (1991 and 1992) and was so dominant within the championship, that in 1993, they changed the rules completely to only allow local V8 cars based on their showroom counterparts with aero mods. Which then evolved into V8 Supercar.

In terms of V8 supercar, Holden and Ford have invested a lot in the series to bring it up to the stature it enjoys today. Why should Toyota or Mitusbishi be able to weigh in on a championship that has been built from the ground up by the other two, when they don't even have a rear-drive V8 product to base their race cars on?

[Hazardous]

Originally Posted by flyingfridge

In terms of V8 supercar, Holden and Ford have invested a lot in the series to bring it up to the stature it enjoys today. Why should Toyota or Mitusbishi be able to weigh in on a championship that has been built from the ground up by the other two, when they don't even have a rear-drive V8 product to base their race cars on?

Matter of opinion, really. I had a chance to watch the 1986 ATCC season reveiw, and the variety of cars was fantastic. There were Volvo Turbos, Nissan Skylines, Jaguar XJS', several different BMW models, Alfa Romeos, Toyota Corollas, and much more. Making the series a two-make affair does take this aspect away from the sport. Of course the plus side is a guaranteed level field as far as machinery goes and thus much tighter racing. And since the spec happens to be big and powerful(and loud!) V8 with RWD, it's spectacular as well.

Mischief, there wouldn't be any chance of these appearing in, say, one of the FTP's in the near future, would there?

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Yeah, not to put too fine of a point on it, but...

Torrent or ban.

[Mischief007]

I know what you guys are saying about the current V8 Supercars series. I absolutely love the racing. It is just amazing that so many manufacturers took part in this touring series and it is an amazing history of Bathurst as well.

Hmmm, I choose ban.

It is available on diwana.org if you really want to get it.

[SL65]

Originally Posted by fbc

Hmm, I think the Holden v Ford is actually tailing off a bit (thank christ), it's still present of course, but less so than it was 20 - 30 years ago. As for the championship - I wouldn't mind seeing other makes competing, but having said that it's a great series as it is, and if it ain't broke - don't fix it. Also Holden & Ford have invested quite a lot in the series which has played a part in getting it to the point it's at now - so I can totally understand their reluctance to allow other brands in.

Well Tony Cochrane (guy in charge) said other brands won't be let into the series Not into the short term anyway.

[Mischief007]

^ It is understandable. It still provides one of the most exciting racing from any racing series.

[Magnet]

Australia/Procar established Production Car racing again 10 years ago and held 3 hour races at Bathurst on the Saturday. There was a championship as well. All production cars with minimum mods could race. However, lack of crowd interests meant that it fizzled away quickly. Also, it didn't provide very close racing, until penalties were introduced.