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The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
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#1 | ||
Tickford
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Windsor
Posts: 3,964
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http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ascar_car_news
In a move sure to spark outrage, the White House announced today that GM and Chrysler must cease participation in NASCAR at the end of the 2009 season if they hope to receive any additional financial aid from the government. Companies around the globe—Honda and Audi, to name two—have drawn down racing operations, and NASCAR itself has already felt the pinch in the form of reduced team spending. A complete withdrawal from America’s premier racing series is expected to save more than $250 million between GM and Chrysler, a substantial amount considering the drastic measures being implemented elsewhere. “Automakers used to operate on the principle of ‘win on Sunday, sell on Monday,’ but the Auto Task Force’s research just doesn’t validate that as true,” said the statement from President Obama. While fans have decried the Car of Tomorrow for heavily limiting what little personalization the cookie-cutter series had previously allowed to participating manufacturers, and drivers have slammed its brick-like aerodynamics and unpredictable handling, even the governmental oversight committee sees that the full-scale regulation of the cars leaves the manufacturers very little space for research and development. “NASCAR is a racing series that regulates down to the smallest detail of the cars, where a car badged a Chevrolet or Dodge differs only marginally from a Ford or a Toyota. There’s no technological development to speak of.” The statement goes on further to say the same demand will be made of Ford if it asks for government assistance. “In order to receive this money, corporations must demonstrate they will spend it wisely. Racing has been said to improve on-road technology, but frankly, NASCAR almost flaunts its standing among the lowest-tech forms of motorsport. NASCAR is not proven to drive advancements that transfer from the racetrack to the road, and this nation’s way forward does not hinge on decades-old technology. We need new, and we need innovation.” The President realizes this will be an unpopular call, but stands behind the decision, saying, “This is an obvious cut to make, but it is not an easy one. This administration is not ignoring the tremendous sentimental value and emotional appeal NASCAR holds for so many Americans. But now is not the time for sentiment and nostalgia; now is a time for decisive financial action. If our automotive industry is to emerge from this recession intact, then these difficult decisions must be made.” Both Chevrolet and Dodge see the move as only temporary, and fully expect to resume racing in NASCAR as soon as they have stabilized and the government’s hand in their operations is minimized. “There is nothing really to say at this point,” said one representative, who wished to remain anonymous. “We’ve been doing this since the beginning, and we always assumed we’d be doing this until the end. Heck, nobody ever thought to think that there would be an end. But we ain’t done. As soon as this is over, we’re taking back our spot at the top.” NASCAR officials remain tight-lipped about the call, but sources say series president Mike Helton and team managers are exploring several options, including other manufacturers to fill Chevrolet and Dodge’s vacated positions. Given the company’s recent interest in motorsport and the steady cash-flow and V-8 engine provided by its new Genesis sedan, sources indicate that NASCAR is pinging Hyundai to gauge the Korean company’s interest in occupying a spot in NASCAR. “Toyota was not well-received their first year in the sport, nor was their first season an easy one,” the source says. “But they learned, they applied the lessons, and they have proven very competitive this year.” If Hyundai does indeed join the series, there will no doubt be a steep learning curve, and the move would leave Ford the lone domestic battling a pair of Asian makes in America’s most popular racing series. We wonder, however, how long NASCAR could hold that title without two of its most storied participants.
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ED XR8 Sprint - 306ci SBF, GT40, Comp XE270, T5, 3.45 LSD AU T3 TS50 - 345ci SBF, AFR 185, Comp XE274, 2800 stall, ESS LE97, 3.45 LSD BA XT SZ Territory TS RWD TDCi |
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#2 | ||
Built Ford Tough
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: State of Euphoria Mod: F-Series
Posts: 3,035
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Nice try ;) April Fools!
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Black on white '83 SWB F100 C6 auto 351C on gas and on the ground --> Project Thread '55 F100, just a roller at the moment, new project Silver MY12 Volkswagen Amarok |
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#3 | ||
Sales Representative
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Young
Posts: 5,314
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Good on Obama!
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Project InfernoSR - Back Burner Project FeralTerra - No longer Project Fairmont Prodigy - Sold Thanks go to: MY WIFE! Bathurst Brakepro Undacar eBay!! |
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#4 | ||
Compulsive Hobbiest
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ohio, USA
Posts: 1,032
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I posed this question to the top brass at Ford last year or the year before. I asked why Ford puts so much weight into participating in NASCAR when so little of the car is actually "Ford".
The response I got was that NASCAR fans, no matter which brand they cheer for, are very loyal to that brand and are likely to own several vehicles from that brand, and will buy again from that brand. Whichever brand dominates the wins sees it's sales increase, not necessarily because more people want that brand, but those that are already loyal to it are proud to buy a new vehicle of that brand because of it's notoriety in NASCAR. I hope I explained that well enough. Steve
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My Filmmaking Career Website Latest Project: Musclin' My XB Interceptor project Wife's 1966 Mustang My Artworks and Creative Projects Site Oil Paintings, Airbrushing, Metal Sculpture, Custom Cars, Replica Movie Props, Videos, and more! |
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#5 | ||
Youth worker
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Ipswich QLD
Posts: 6,879
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Yeah that makes sence! Plug up some of GM's finacial leaks. I highly doubt that this is an April Fools joke!
I know you're not supposed to like politicians but this guy has a brain (which he uses, shock gasp horror), even if he does things that will not be popular. To be honest I cant care less if Nascar looses GM, Ford, Toyota etc and goes belly up. Its always been a 'hick' car racing series anyway. Just a shame that it could effect Marcus. But Im sure there will be room in the racing series back home?!
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2007 FPV F6 Typhoon BFII, Neo. Build Number 325 2011 SZ Territory Typhoon Thread: Mr Brooksy's BFII Typhoon Territory Thread: Mrs Brooksy's SZ Territory Resurrection Old Futura thread:
Brooksy's Ex Build |
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#6 | ||
The Vengeful One
![]() Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tazzy
Posts: 12,762
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Im sick of reading posts that ain't true!!
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#7 | |||
Regular Schmuck
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,640
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Quote:
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#8 | ||
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 688
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Another April fools joke done after 12pm..................................
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#9 | ||
Giddy up.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kramerica Industries.
Posts: 15,633
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I vote for no april fool post's and those that do, a week's or so ban, it's useless and wasting time, we come here to read good post's, not idiot's that want to waste time , time and time again just because other's have done so before them, get a life.
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#10 | |||
Oo\===/oO
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tamworth
Posts: 11,348
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Quote:
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#11 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 14,654
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Quote:
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335 S/C GT: The new KING of Australian made performance cars.. ![]() |
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#12 | |||
Oo\===/oO
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tamworth
Posts: 11,348
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Quote:
Happens once a year, and most of the titles gave it away... HSV buying prodrive ![]()
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#13 | |||
Afterburner + skids =
![]() Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Skidsville
Posts: 12,122
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Quote:
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Speed Kills. So buy an AU XR8 and live forever. Oo\===/oO |
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#14 | ||
LIKE A BOSS 351
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Gold Coast
Posts: 2,779
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DANG, I was on guard all day and nobody got me. I'm on this forums for 2mins and I get fooled.
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#15 | |||
Bear with a sore head
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 3,701
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Quote:
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#16 | ||
Formerly EL-351
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: bendigo
Posts: 2,400
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Oh well, theres an opening there now for a V8 round in the states!!!!!!!!!
I recon they would love em...............
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FORMALLY ORSM5L
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#17 | ||
Youth worker
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Ipswich QLD
Posts: 6,879
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Hey April fools joke 'rules' state that you it stops at 12am doesnt it?!
I was being careful, and checked the post time and everything!
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2007 FPV F6 Typhoon BFII, Neo. Build Number 325 2011 SZ Territory Typhoon Thread: Mr Brooksy's BFII Typhoon Territory Thread: Mrs Brooksy's SZ Territory Resurrection Old Futura thread:
Brooksy's Ex Build |
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#18 | |||
Afterburner + skids =
![]() Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Skidsville
Posts: 12,122
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Quote:
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Speed Kills. So buy an AU XR8 and live forever. Oo\===/oO |
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#19 | ||
3000 CCA STARTER MOTOR
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 165
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April fools joke? Dont you blokes take any notice of whats going on?
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#20 | |||
335 - STILL THE BOSS ...
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Melb East
Posts: 11,421
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Quote:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...fools_car_news | [/url] |
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'73 Landau - 10.82 @ 131mph '11 FG GT335 - 12.43 @ 116mph '95 XG ute - 3 minutes, 21.14 @ 64mph 101,436 MEMBERS ......... 101,436 OPINIONS ..... What could possibly go wrong! Clevo Mafia [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] |
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