If you thought NASCAR was "bad", check out the new DTM

Re: If you thought NASCAR was "bad", check out the new DTM (Crazyquik)

Motor Specs:
Displacement 3.998 ccm

Bore & Stroke 93 mm x 73,6 mm

Compression 13,6:1

Power Output: ca. 331 kW (450 hp) at 6,800 rpm, Air intake restrictor 2x28 mm diameter

Max. torque ca. 500 Nm at 6000 rpm
I wasn't knocking the technology at all, I was just comparing the race cars to NASCAR since many people say that the "Stock cars" in NASCAR are from off the shelf "stock" in comparison to the road-going models they represent.
BTW- I'm amazaed the fit a V8 in there! I thought a 1.8T took up enough room as it was!

Re: If you thought NASCAR was "bad", check out the new DTM (PhilHVW)

I can deal with the ovals, because like the Roman chariot races in the Coliseum (and other similar events of the day) the spectator is the focus, and it's easier for the spectator to see the event on an oval (especially the smaller ones). It's also easier to set up at fairgrounds and smaller venues around the country, so amateurs can easily get involved and move up the ranks.
As far as Stock Car, the term is to differentiate production looking vehicles from modifieds and sprint cars. Since the term goes down through the classes to include Foreign Stock racing (where you'll find many Rabbits and Sciroccos, as well as Toyotas, Nissans, Volvos, non-rotary Mazdas, and more...), it has nothing to do with whether Ford offers a RWD Taurus.

Re: If you thought NASCAR was "bad", check out the new DTM (TLP)

The new DTM rules are a result of the failings of the series in the past. In 1993 FIA regulated the different touring car classes, to make it easier for the manufacturers to build a car that could be used in different countries. There was a close to production series with 2 litres displacement and no bodykits or electronics and there was the class 1 with AWD, bodykits, etc. The DTM up to this year was something in between, so they opted for Class 1, while everyone else was opting for the other class.
After a few years, both series got problems. The cost in class 1 aka the DTM got out of hands and in 1996 the manufacturers opted out.
The class2 (2 litre cars) never caught on with the public, because the cars were very unspectactular and improvements also came at high costs, due to the strict rules.
So when the DTM was reinaugurated in 1999, the manufacturers wanted something spectacular and yet at low costs. They voted for a V8 (sound) and lots of common parts (like the gearbox).
When the last DTM got busted, the cars were far from production cars, made mostly from carbon fiber.
The DTM IMHO was best around 1989 with the Audi V8, BMW M3, Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo and the (highly unsuccesful) Opel Omega and a privately engaged Ford Mustang.

Re: If you thought NASCAR was "bad", check out the new DTM (TLP)

hehe. i didnt mean to knock NASCAR in any way. I was just relating the rules of DTM to NASCAR.
I understand the philosophy of "stock car" racing and agree with it wholeheartedly. I just read many threads on here about how NASCAR cars aren't "[factory] stock" and "primitive" for using carbs, etc... All the while the famed DTM is doing the same thing
On the other hand, I would like to see more "/slightly/ modified prodcution vehicles" in the popular race series. While I do enjoy the spectacle of both NASCAR and DTM, I believe it would be both equally exciting AND lucrative for sponsors, if these types of vehicles made it into mainstream motorsports.
For example, after watching a NASCAR race, how easy/applicable is it for you to run to an auto parts store and buy the same parts the race teams use for your late model Contour SVT? Aside from spark plugs and batteries, maybe eibach springs/dampners, what else is there?
And if you are a NASCAR fan who drives an Accord to work, you're already hopeless...
On the other hand, imagine watching a race team using Nuespeed and Autotech parts on a production vehicle "exactly" like the one in your driveway. I dunno, i just think there is soo much possibility there for an increased base of motorsports fans. Part of what makes touring car racing popular is that the cars look so much like the everyday cars we drive. People can relate to these cars much easier.
That can only mean more $ being put into the industry and (hopefully) better products coming out.
I'll use the R/C Industry as an example. Touring car racing is probably becoming as popular (or more popular in some regions) as off-road racing. The reason being that people can buy kits which look similar to the cars they drive in real life. NASCAR-style oval racing has all but dissapeared as the drivers moved to Touring car classes. Even begginers in the hobby gravitate towards to familiar shapes of the touring car kits. This class has practically single-handedly revitalized ALL classes of the R/C industry in the past 5 years. This has led to incredible amounts of funding being able to go into ALL classes for researcha nd development which in turn led to the production of kits with standard features, lower costs, and less steep learning curves. This benefits both the consumers AND the manufacturers.
While I don't wish any ill-fate to the BUSCH/WINSTON CUP Nascar series or DTM, I see a market of fans and consumers who could all benefit from the "mainstreaming" of "'slighty' modified production vehicles instead of only making purpose built specialty vehicles the only choice in mainstream motorsports.
It's a vicious cycle, but once it's broken I gaurantee the motorsports world will prosper like never before, both in the aftermarket and in-house. NASCAR gets priority because it's most popular. NASCAR is most popular because it gets the most coverage (and priority).
The media is a sneaky bastid, but I gaurantee it is not the slave. That is all reverse psychology. If a media station truly wants a product to succed, it will make it happen. The job is that much easier when you have a winning formula to begin with. In our case, the American Le Mans Series is right here, right now. Trans-AM. Even Speedvision GT. Now that FOX is in cahoots with SV, lets see some Speedvision GT, World Challenge Rally, etc.. on the local FOX stations. Make it happen!
As for that comment about RWD V8 Taurus's
I vote we conquer Australia once we're done with Canada