Official: V8 Supercars to Austin

[tim wood]

Aussie V8 Supercars to Austin


It's official boys.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/racing/entries/2011/06/30/australian_v8_supercars_to_rac.html#comments

Holy ****.

[Muzza]

Dang, didn't see that one coming......................so soon.

Mite be going to the US eirlier then i thought, I hope they run it in May or June that way i could take it in while there for Indy...

Here is the story on Speedcafe: http://www.speedcafe.com/2011/07/01/v8-supercars-confirm-historic-usa-event/

[bradk12fan]

Can't wait to see the V8s tear it up here in the US

[JohnMarine]

I am somewhat rare here on AMF, but as a native of Texas, I am actually surprised that (1) the V8 Supercar Series was considering an American round, and (2) that it would be right here in my home state of Texas.  I have actually never been to Austin, the state capital of Texas.  I once did a YouTube video and a blog post about what if the Australian V8 Supercars had a round in the United States.

It is so surreal this is actually going to happen.  We have a good deal of V8 Supercar fans here in the United States, so this will be a treat to see these cars mix it up here in the United States and here in Texas.  Feel free to enjoy our barbeque and all else Texas has to offer. 

[bpratt]

When I heard of the Austin round, I was thinking about you our Stateside AMF mates, and thought that now you'll be able to see them racing up close, rather than watching delayed telecasts.

Personally, I don't like the idea that they are just out there for the money, regardless of the local fans.

I think it'd almost be like having most of your Nascar rounds being run outside of North America.

[bradk12fan]

When I heard of the Austin round, I was thinking about you our Stateside AMF mates, and thought that now you'll be able to see them racing up close, rather than watching delayed telecasts.

Personally, I don't like the idea that they are just out there for the money, regardless of the local fans.

I think it'd almost be like having most of your Nascar rounds being run outside of North America.

Well, NASCAR used to run exhibition races overseas. In Japan they ran at Suzuka and Motegi from 1994-2000, and they also ran a few times at the Thunderdome at Calder Park. NASCAR is actually considering running an exhibition race in the next decade at Brands Hatch or Silverstone in England. Also, Indycar is not returning to Japan after this season due to the costs.

[Oldtony]

The Calder Thunderdome events as I recall were not official NASCAR events.
They were promoted by Bob Jane and while on occasions American drivers would bring out a car from the States to run off season the majority of the competition was Australians in either imported ex NASCAR machinery, or locally built units.
The Thunderdome now is a sad and decrepit mess which has deteriorated probably past the point of revival.
Pity.

[holdensince68]

Glad I am not the only one concerned about this.....

V8 Supercars melding into NASCAR, COTF sillouette series.  I can only hope it turns into car sales of both Holden and Ford RWD platforms in the US, badged as whatever as long as it helps save our car industry.

I will be interested to see how popular it is, perhaps it might fill the stands like the middle east 

The more I see of V8s the more I think I will go and watch F3 or some other form of motor racing here in Oz and it hurts me to say that after all of these years.

[bradk12fan]

Glad I am not the only one concerned about this.....

V8 Supercars melding into NASCAR, COTF sillouette series.  I can only hope it turns into car sales of both Holden and Ford RWD platforms in the US, badged as whatever as long as it helps save our car industry.

I will be interested to see how popular it is, perhaps it might fill the stands like the middle east 

The more I see of V8s the more I think I will go and watch F3 or some other form of motor racing here in Oz and it hurts me to say that after all of these years.

Honestly, until I started following V8 Supercars 3 years ago, I had NEVER heard of Holden before. I don't think there are ANY Holden car dealerships on the East Coast of the US. (I don't know about the rest of the country).

[holdensince68]

Pontiac re-born GTO - Holden Monaro
Chevrolet Caprice/PPV - Holden Statesman/Caprice
Pontiac G8 - Holden Commodore SS

[bradk12fan]

Pontiac re-born GTO - Holden Monaro
Chevrolet Caprice/PPV - Holden Statesman/Caprice
Pontiac G8 - Holden Commodore SS

Ok, so in that case, Holden would only have 1 car to compare to here in the US since Pontiac no longer exists (brand is no longer made).

[Jiji_the_cat]

Holden are part of General Motors, really they are rebadged, locally built chevrolet. With some local design.

[Oldtony]

I think you underestimate the level of design work undertaken here in Aus Jiji.
My understanding is that a significant amount of the large RWD platform design work for GM is carried out here.
No longer a common platform world wide but an important niche item in a manufacturers catalogue'
Rumour is that there are some fairly large orders in the wind for local build cars for export to the US as Police cars.
Will be rebadged as Chevs and fitted with US style Law Enforcement kits.

[Jiji_the_cat]

didn't mean to sound like i was underselling Holden, just putting it as simply as i could. no disrespect intended.

[bradk12fan]

Oh, I didn't know that they basically rebranded cars overseas...I take back my earlier statement of Holden only having 1 car, and since I'm a Chevy fan, I guess that makes me a Holden fan then.

[holdensince68]

I guess that makes me a Holden fan then.

Welcome aboard mate, the more the merrier 

Well said OT....   It is a pity the opposition dont get the recognition they deserve also..

[JohnMarine]

V8 Supercars to my home country and in my home state.  It was you all who saw my old YouTube videos long ago who wondered if the V8s would come to the United States.  Not only am I jacked, I'm also... actually pretty doggone spooked that they'd race here in Texas.  I know I mentioned long ago what would be the dream V8 Supercar weekend.  Now, we have that weekend.  Couldn't be any more proud as a general fan of motorsport than to see the Australian V8 Supercar Series put on a show like this on USA soil.  I think us American fans who just love hard-nosed racing will love this.  And except for the Trans-Am series here, there's NOTHING like hearing the roar of a Holden or an Australian Ford.  That weekend at the Circuit of the Americas is going to be great!

[bpratt]

I assume you'll be at the very front of the queue lined up to buy tickets to that event. 

It could be very interesting, and I'm guessing they'll do a similar thing to the GC600, but this time the co-drivers will be USA based drivers to attract more locals to the event.