Is V8 Supercars Losing Fans?

[disco man]

There's a slippery slope ahead for V8 Supercars,and i'm not talking about the long haul up Mountain Straight on a wet track. V8 Supercar fans,the lifeblood of the sport,are starting to feel disenfranchised in increasing numbers. Forget about the end of the Ford/Holden duopoly. Nissan,Mercedes and now Volvo have come to play in the V8 sandpit and the sport is,I believe is better for it. But the real concern is that fans are feeling increasingly alienated from the sport they have followed,fostered and underpinned for the last 20 years or so since the V8 formula as we know it was born. First,the news that only Foxtel subscribers will be able to watch EVERY race live from 2015. That is seen as a kick in the teeth by a large number of fans,many of whom,faced with increasing financial pressures at home,simply won't be able to afford Foxtel,no matter how cheap the pay TV provider ultimately makes the required package.

Ticket prices at events also seem to be increasingly on the nose. AA receive a lot of mail in our Flatchat inbox and more and more the message seems to be that the sport is becoming to expensive for the average fan to follow. Just this week,one reader wrote of his disillusionment at V8 ticket pricing. "V8 Supercars has really lost touch with the fans and are pricing themselves out of existence," wrote longtime V8 fan and AA reader Neil Stratton. "The prices at Sydney Motorsport Park were a rip-off. The entry fee was okay,but an extra $35 for pit entry,extra $30 for grandstand seat and an extra $30 to stand on the pit roof area! Are you kidding? I am 54 years old and have been a motor racing fan for 48 of those years. Next year i won't be watching the V8's!"

His is not an isolated case. There are many more messages like Neil's in our inbox,clear signs that a trend is emerging amongst some of the sports most diehard and faithful fans. Of course,V8 Supercars is no longer just a sport. Like any mainstream sport,it's a business. And,as a business,it needs to make a profit to ensure its sustainability. That requires a delicate balance between making enough money to stay in business while at the same time ensuring the sport remains within reach of the average punter. I'm not privy to V8's business modelling,nor should i be. But i believe the sport's powerbrokers need to start listening to Neil Stratton and people like him. Otherwise there won't be any Neil Strattons left.

I fully understand where this bloke is coming from,the V8 race up here was not cheap when you add in a couple of kids and food and drink for the day. The move to have it on Foxtel is a BIG mistake in my opinion,that will lose many fans.

[Pickles2]

Yes, I believe the Foxtel deal was a BIG mistake.
Lots of fans don't have it, can't afford it, so they won't be watching, which means less exposure for sponsors, who will NOT be happy, so therefore may opt out of sponsorship.
V8 Supercars, as far as sponsors are concerned, is all about the TV coverage,.....forget the actual race meetings for that, attendances there are a very small fraction of TV audiences & without them (TV audiences)there ain't no value for sponsors.
Pickles.

[Slunnie]

Will the V8 Supercars still be aired on Free to air TV?

[scarry]

Will the V8 Supercars still be aired on Free to air TV?

Some may be,but i bet they will be on when we are normally asleep:mad:

[sdt463]

Been Watching the V8's for 30 years and would like to keep watching
but I have no intention of paying for foxtel. :mad:

[Bytemrk]

I think you are right Discoman,

I went to Sandown a couple of weekends ago for the first time in many years - the crowd definitely didn't seem as large as I remembered it used to be.

I went on a corporate pass, thanks to a supplier, which was pretty cool with full access, meals and booze thrown in. But I found out later..that 2 day pass cost $900 :eek::eek:

Like so many sports now days.... the grass roots supporters are being slowly pushed away by the dollars.

I spent a lot of the time messing around with my camera..

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/10/1164.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/10/1165.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/10/1166.jpg

[Evad]

amen to the man above...

Ditched the v8's a while ago, crap cars, crap racing, crap coverage and crap people running it these days.

When do the production cars race there again?

[1950landy]

It's not worth getting Foxtel put back on just to watch the V8's. :mad: i'll just keep going to the historic race meetings , there on every month either at Morgan Park, Qld Raceway or Lakeside , much more interesting with all the different touring cars racing , Holdens , Fords, Chargers , Toranas ,Escorts & anything that raced back in the touring car days & they don't hold back either:D. The transam's are always good to watch. Cost for the 2 days is around $50 & free pit entery:D & the drivers are alwaye happy to talk to you & let you have a good look at there cars.:D

[LandyAndy]

Mark.
I get a new CAT grader from Westrac next week.I got a corporate pass at Barbagallo with the my current CAT grader,will be asking for the same again.
Was an awesome day out;););););)
Andrew

[Pickles2]

I think you are right Discoman,

I went to Sandown a couple of weekends ago for the first time in many years - the crowd definitely didn't seem as large as I remembered it used to be.

I went on a corporate pass, thanks to a supplier, which was pretty cool with full access, meals and booze thrown in. But I found out later..that 2 day pass cost $900 :eek::eek:

Like so many sports now days.... the grass roots supporters are being slowly pushed away by the dollars.

I spent a lot of the time messing around with my camera..

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/10/1164.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/10/1165.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/10/1166.jpg
"Corporate Pass", you're a lucky man, the only way to go,..I've done it only a few times myself, but not for a long time....but I enjoyed it,...food, wine, good company, Cars,..ya can't beat it.
I've heard all this nonsense for years, about "the racing's no good" etc etc etc,...I heard it in the eighties during Group C days, & I heard it in Group A, so it's no different. True followers of Aussie motorsport will enjoy it, because simply, it's what we've got. Thinking about it, ya hear the same sort of stuff about F1,...computerised, cars are run from the pits, same with Nascar,..cars going around in circles etc,...yeah right, I'd like to see a few of these "critical" people "pushing" at 200 MILES AN HOUR.
Me, I just enjoy,...as I'm REALLY going to enjoy Bathurst.
Pickles.

[CraigE]

Yep the whole supercar circus is turning into a joke with the WA leg being the most sub standard or the lot.

[Disco Muppet]

Doesn't seem as busy in Bathurst as the last couple of years. Still lotsa people here though :)

[disco man]

Yep the whole supercar circus is turning into a joke with the WA leg being the most sub standard or the lot.

Queensland raceway at Ipswich would be have to be right up there with it.

[1950landy]

I don't know how Qld Raceway keeps getting the V8 there , there pits are not very goog & they don't catter for the public very well & the track is not very interesting .:mad:

[disco man]

I don't know how Qld Raceway keeps getting the V8 there , there pits are not very goog & they don't catter for the public very well & the track is not very interesting .:mad:

Spot on mate,I think they would be better off spending some money on Lakeside to bring that up to standard,Brock,Johnson,Grice have all said it was a track they loved to race at. It is a bloody good track.

[1950landy]

Spot on mate,I think they would be better off spending some money on Lakeside to bring that up to standard,Brock,Johnson,Grice have all said it was a track they loved to race at. It is a bloody good track.



And still is , at least it has character & some rises & falls unlike Qld Raceway dead flat . Morgan Park at Warwick is another very interesting track like Lakeside

[disco man]

And still is , at least it has character & some rises & falls unlike Qld Raceway dead flat . Morgan Park at Warwick is another very interesting track like Lakeside

Elevation is what makes the great race tracks of the world stand out.

[disco man]

Yes, I believe the Foxtel deal was a BIG mistake.
Lots of fans don't have it, can't afford it, so they won't be watching, which means less exposure for sponsors, who will NOT be happy, so therefore may opt out of sponsorship.
V8 Supercars, as far as sponsors are concerned, is all about the TV coverage,.....forget the actual race meetings for that, attendances there are a very small fraction of TV audiences & without them (TV audiences)there ain't no value for sponsors.
Pickles.

Well said mate, I think Foxtel has only around the 15% subscription rate,so very poor value for money for the sponsors. And a major mistake by V8 supercars in terms of maintaining a decent fan base.

[nismine01]

When these races started it was production cars, slightly modified, but still a car you could buy from the dealer.

I think having a category of 3.5litre V6 would give very exciting racing with cars that you can actually buy, 3.5 seems to be available with most manufacturers, Volvo, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, Holden (and I believe soon to be Ford), Peugeot etc.

Bring back different, all the current cars are the same chassis, same transaxle, all you get is a company engine and looks the same as body panels (Nissan had to produce larger looks the same panels to fit the chassis available).

No matter what people think about car racing, it does improve safety and performance and fuel economy etc.

It just ain't going to be the same any more.:(

Mike

[Homestar]

Well said mate, I think Foxtel has only around the 15% subscription rate,so very poor value for money for the sponsors. And a major mistake by V8 supercars in terms of maintaining a decent fan base.

At least it will be in HD. Something that channel 7 have been dragging their heels on for ages in all forms of Sport.

[Bush Animal]

I personally think they use the safety car to much .Like when a car is stuck in the kitty litter 200 meters of the track no chance of ever being hit by another car out comes the safety car.Yet at tracks like the Gold Coast there,s concrete barriers everywhere they can slam into causing untold damage

[CraigE]

Maybe, but look what happened in F1 to Bianchi.

[LandyAndy]

Yep the whole supercar circus is turning into a joke with the WA leg being the most sub standard or the lot.

A bit harsh Craig.
They have done heaps to improve the place since loosing the round due to sub standard pits.
Andrew

[CraigE]

A bit harsh Craig.
They have done heaps to improve the place since loosing the round due to sub standard pits.
Andrew

Not Really Andy, go to a few other events and you will see why. At every other event I know of there is so much more to do not just for you and me but for the family.
Not saying i would not go to the WA round again as I would as it is ultimately about the V8 Supercars.
Go to any other event maybe excluding maybe the Ipswich round that a few have commented on and you will see.
Possibly the worst thing WA did was not go forward with the Perth street circuit. As it is the current location is a fairly boring track, with less than half actually accessible, still very poor pit facilities, no camping facilities anymore and nothing close by to camp (yes granted many more do not camp either, but usually much better access).
It just seems the WA event is the poor cousin and there is no real reason for it as Darwin is as far if not further and gets a much better event.
You only have to look at attendance numbers.
Then there is the recovery crews and fire marshal's that are nothing short of a joke. The way these guys were not dressed stunned me.
It had the potential to be a premier event and we missed the boat.
Even keeping it at the current location, so much more could easily be done.
Not even a concert in Perth.
Go to the Clipsal, this is probably the premier event other than Bathurst with the SA govt and people getting right behind it. We could learn so much from this event.

[disco man]

At least it will be in HD. Something that channel 7 have been dragging their heels on for ages in all forms of Sport.

I have said i am against the Foxtel move,i still am but after channel 7's effort today i am not so sure. And it seems Crompton and Skaife have not been locked in for commentary by channel 10 or Foxtel,very strange move i think. Neil crompton is the best in the game. Greg Rust and Matt White just don't have the background in motorsport to give the detailed answers that Crompton can. And spot on about the no HD.

[Homestar]

I have said i am against the Foxtel move,i still am but after channel 7's effort today i am not so sure. And it seems Crompton and Skaife have not been locked in for commentary by channel 10 or Foxtel,very strange move i think. Neil crompton is the best in the game. Greg Rust and Matt White just don't have the background in motorsport to give the detailed answers that Crompton can. And spot on about the no HD.

Agreed. I thought the whole commentary team was very good. Crompton is by far the most insightful, but Skaife was better than I expected. Larko in the pits also worked very well IMO. Having actual V8 racers form the core of the team is the only way to do it.

I can only hope that Foxtel take them on.

[disco man]

Agreed. I thought the whole commentary team was very good. Crompton is by far the most insightful, but Skaife was better than I expected. Larko in the pits also worked very well IMO. Having actual V8 racers form the core of the team is the only way to do it.

I can only hope that Foxtel take them on.

The team is great and Riana and Larko do a great job also the many camera angles is very good.My whinge about channel 7 is the amount of ads and they could be showing a lot more than they do about the teams,cars,drivers. Today during the many safety cars it was just bloody ads.

[1950landy]

I find the channel 7 tean is very one sided except for Larko but then he is a Ford man:cool:

[LandyAndy]

I see they were stirring Tander up today about being a V8 reporter.May as well,Tanders wife can drive better,and she has a better choice in steeds:p:p:p:p:p:p.
Andrew

[Pickles2]

The team is great and Riana and Larko do a great job also the many camera angles is very good.My whinge about channel 7 is the amount of ads and they could be showing a lot more than they do about the teams,cars,drivers. Today during the many safety cars it was just bloody ads.
Agree, especially Riana who I thought was a bit of a joke initially, but I've now changed my mind,..she does a great job, and it's obvious that she's been "accepted" by the drivers & teams.
Ads?, ya can't do much about them,...although of course I'd like to. It'll be interesting to see how Ch 10 compare,...pretty much the same I'll bet.
Crompo & Larko?...brilliant,...especially Larko's technical stuff, & his pit info.
BIG challenges for V8 Supercars in the immediate future, but this race had everything & I enjoyed it immensely.
Pickles.

[Bush Animal]

Sorry guys I am going to cop a lot of flack for this but Riana maybe a loverly lady but I don,t think chicks incluiding the cheer squad girls a needed in motor raceing I just want to watch motor raceing ... Now I am ducking for cover

[disco man]

Sorry guys I am going to cop a lot of flack for this but Riana maybe a loverly lady but I don,t think chicks incluiding the cheer squad girls a needed in motor raceing I just want to watch motor raceing ... Now I am ducking for cover

Nah mate what you have said is something many fans have said. I think she does a good job though.

[disco man]

Story by Josh Alston.

There is hope Ford fans will not be short changed at future Townsville 500 events despite reports the car maker is set to abandon the V8 Supercars tour. News Corp has reveled Ford plans to axe the V8 Supercars from its $60 million sponsorship package with the FGX the last ever Falcon to represent the final year for Ford in 2015. A V8 Supercars spokesman said nothing was confirmed. "We have another 13 months for them to make a decision to back FPR or not," he said. "The suggestion that this is a disaster for the sport is a bit of a push." Last year Ford Australia confirmed it will end production in October 2016. The V8 Supercars has also expanded with Volvo returning after a 16 year absence while Nissan and Mercedes entered teams in 2013. FPR team principal Tim Edwards declared the team was focused on returning in 2015. "Public reaction to the FGX Falcon has been incredibly strong and its obvious just how much passion there is for the brand so it has been a pleasure to develop the final Falcon V8 Supercar," he said.

The absence of Ford would be certain to put a dent in ticket sales,with the Townsville 500 a major money spinner for the local economy. But Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said that was unlikely to happen. "There will still be rivalry," she said. "It may not be Fords from Australia,but there will be Fords coming from overseas." "The V8's are moving towards cars other than Holdens and Fords," she said. "You can see that in the way people purchase their cars these days."

If there is not a replacement for the Falcon after 2015 what are Ford fans supposed to support? Ticket sales at races around the country will take a MASSIVE hit. If V8 Supercars think this will not effect the sport they are kidding themselves. Brock Vs Moffat, Holden Vs Ford is the very foundation this sport was made on. IMO Ford has to be there in some form.

[1950landy]

Pensky is looking at buying DJR & selling parts in Australia & they have just changed from Dodge To Ford , I recon they will race Mustang's, which will be selling here soon I don't know what GM is going to replace the Holden's with may be what ever they are running in Nascar'. I read there were a couple of manufactures looking at running cars also.

[disco man]

Pensky is looking at buying DJR & selling parts in Australia & they have just changed from Dodge To Ford , I recon they will race Mustang's, which will be selling here soon I don't know what GM is going to replace the Holden's with may be what ever they are running in Nascar'. I read there were a couple of manufactures looking at running cars also.

I would be leaning more towards the Mondeo as the replacement as it has four doors. But that is just a guess.

[Homestar]

Pensky is looking at buying DJR & selling parts in Australia & they have just changed from Dodge To Ford , I recon they will race Mustang's, which will be selling here soon I don't know what GM is going to replace the Holden's with may be what ever they are running in Nascar'. I read there were a couple of manufactures looking at running cars also.

I thought it was a done deal? DJR will be owned and run by Penske next year - that's what I thought they said during the race at least.

[disco man]

I thought it was a done deal? DJR will be owned and run by Penske next year - that's what I thought they said during the race at least.

Yep done deal,it will be called:DJR Team Penske.

[scarry]

I don't know what GM is going to replace the Holden's with

Toranas:D:p

Hopefull they will have them sorted,and do better than low 2 min 20's at Bathurst that they used to do:o

It will be really interesting to see how Ambrose goes next year.

[LandyAndy]

I would be leaning more towards the Mondeo as the replacement as it has four doors. But that is just a guess.

Mustang!!!!
Now there are no Falcoons and Dunnydoores into the future there is no need for a 4 door rule.
I bet Holden teams could go Camaro.
They are already running shrunk Mustangs and Comaros in Auscars;);););););););););)
Andrew

[Yorkie]

Sorry guys I am going to cop a lot of flack for this but Riana maybe a loverly lady but I don,t think chicks incluiding the cheer squad girls a needed in motor raceing I just want to watch motor raceing ... Now I am ducking for cover


Disagree, she adds a nice balance to commentary, F1 have a girl in the pits on occasion.

I think the mustang/camero Aussie race cars could be a good lead on what's coming. :D

[d2dave]

Been Watching the V8's for 30 years and would like to keep watching
but I have no intention of paying for foxtel. :mad:

Same. It looks like the end for me.:mad:

[Pickles2]

Same. It looks like the end for me.:mad:
Foxtel?, ....I wasn't going to go down that track either, but unlike some on here, I do like watching V8 Supercars, & in overall terms of my budget, whilst I don't want to have to pay, I think I will be able to.
So, I went to Telstra yesterday to get a bit of info, & was informed by a most informative young man that Foxtel will be releasing new "packages" in a couple of months, one of them involving a cheaper "sporting" channel, which is where V8 Supercars will be.
So, I shall wait for a few months, then see what these new packages are, which should be available well before Clipsal.
Pickles.

[disco man]

Foxtel?, ....I wasn't going to go down that track either, but unlike some on here, I do like watching V8 Supercars, & in overall terms of my budget, whilst I don't want to have to pay, I think I will be able to.
So, I went to Telstra yesterday to get a bit of info, & was informed by a most informative young man that Foxtel will be releasing new "packages" in a couple of months, one of them involving a cheaper "sporting" channel, which is where V8 Supercars will be.
So, I shall wait for a few months, then see what these new packages are, which should be available well before Clipsal.
Pickles.

I still think its a huge mistake by V8 Supercars,and i am not happy to have to pay to watch the racing next year. But i love the V8's and i will get Foxtel. But i just hope they sign up the entire channel 7 commentary team.

[Homestar]

Foxtel?, ....I wasn't going to go down that track either, but unlike some on here, I do like watching V8 Supercars, & in overall terms of my budget, whilst I don't want to have to pay, I think I will be able to.
So, I went to Telstra yesterday to get a bit of info, & was informed by a most informative young man that Foxtel will be releasing new "packages" in a couple of months, one of them involving a cheaper "sporting" channel, which is where V8 Supercars will be.
So, I shall wait for a few months, then see what these new packages are, which should be available well before Clipsal.
Pickles.

November 3 is when all the packages change. I'll be able to reduce my bill by $45 per month and keep what I currently watch, without having 100 channels of **** I don't watch. (I think I'll only have 70 channels of ****...:D)

[discovery39]

The only thing I didn't like about Foxtel when I had it, was the fact that if you didn't have all the channels, you could still see the other channels in the channel list, and you could see the programs you were missing out on.
Probably deliberate.........

Anyway, as you were...........:)

[Pickles2]

November 3 is when all the packages change. I'll be able to reduce my bill by $45 per month and keep what I currently watch, without having 100 channels of **** I don't watch. (I think I'll only have 70 channels of ****...:D)
Thanks Gav.
I couldn't remember exactly when. The Telstra man said I could do it now, & get a specail "Deal", free installation or something, free 3 months or whatever, but I said I'd wait until the new packages are introduced so I could see exactly what suits me best.
Pickles.

[disco man]

The only thing I didn't like about Foxtel when I had it, was the fact that if you didn't have all the channels, you could still see the other channels in the channel list, and you could see the programs you were missing out on.
Probably deliberate.........

Anyway, as you were...........:)

What killed it for me was the constant repeats.

[disco man]

Found this article that puts the deal in a different light. Story by Mark Fogerty.

Hardcore fans still aren't happy about the prospect of having to pay to view just about every V8 supercar event from next season. It's been a sore point since the announcment that pay TV would be the primary platform from 2015-2020. A sizeable and certainly vocal proportion of V8 Supercars most faithful followers regard as betrayal the fact that they will be forced to shell out if they want to see every race from the comfort of their home. V8's new media rights deal,which is worth $241 million over 6 years,is lucrative for the sport-providing much needed revenue after a dud two year renewal with channel 7 -but extremely divisive out in fanland. At its core is a broadcast partnership between Fox sports and channel ten. But unlike the shared arrangments in AFL and NRL,where free-to-air networks Seven and Nine are dominant,pay TV's Fox Sports is the lead V8 telecaster. It pays the biggest chunk of the V8 broadcast rights-believed to be $30 million a year and gets to show every track session live. The six biggest races-including the Bathurst 1000 will be live on Ten,with the rest aired as delayed highlights.

On the surface,it looks like a bad deal for committed followers who tune in to watch every race as it happens. They either pay extra or wait for the free highlights later in the day. But it may not be as bad as it seems. While the cost of subscribing for the season is going to be a source of angst,the level and quality of the coverage could assuage a lot of the indignation and financial pain. From what i am hearing,both Fox sports and Ten will be throwing significant resources at their V8 coverage and,perhaps more importantly,giving V8's much more prominence than Seven. There was a fear that Fox sports would relegate V8's to its niche Speed channel,which would also be home to additional V8 content like news,analysis and interview shows. But i have learned that the main coverage,at least,will be on one of Fox sport's three main channels and that V8 Supercars will be accorded the status and on-air promotion of a prime property. In other words,Fox sports is planning to take V8's as seriously as AFL and NRL. That will mean prominent scheduling of comment and review shows featuring top-line talent.

Current V8 heroes,former stars,other legendary figures and pundits will comment on and dissect the sport as never before. Fox sports and Ten are likely to share the race commentary team-which i hear is in for a major and welcome shake up-with their own hosts and guests,much as happens with the Seven/Fox sports split on their AFL simulcasts. Ten sport too,is planning a big return as the free-to-air home of V8 Supercars. I'm told it will also treat V8's as featured programming and back up its live and delayed race coverage with a V8 show-a heavily revamped RPM-every weekend during the season. If what i'm hearing about Fox sports and Ten's commitment to V8's is true,the new media rights deal will be much better value all round. Once the details unfold,the holdouts might even be convinced that its worth paying to watch wall-to-wall coverage.


Me personally i see some positives in this deal,it seems coverage will be improved,we will see far more of the entire race weekend,if they plan on doing what they do with the NRL in terms of the viewer being able to switch camera views and sound options then maybe its not so bad. NRL on Fox sports is far better than channel Nine. I think not signing up Skaife,Crompton,Larko and Riana is a BIG mistake. Maybe Fox/Ten will elevate the sport with better coverage? But it is still a kick in the balls to fans who can't afford it. Any thoughts guys.

[CraigE]

Only positive for those that can afford or even want Foxtel. For everyone else that has supported it over the years it is pretty much saying "Bugger you all we are now only going to cater for the well off".
Foxtel overcharge to start with.
Heading down the American path once again. This plan with Foxtel already failed once.
I would say we are heading down the path the ATCC went down before Supercars were started. Look what happened there. The knobs in charge cannot see this. The main problem is the CEO etc are no longer race car fans with some business expertise, but business men with some passing car racing interest.
I think it will be the end of the large fan base, especially when Ford and Holden have pulled out.
Just look at how unpopular the Touring Cars became when the V8s split. Yet the organizers believed that this was the way to go by pandering to the elitist fan base. This proved to be their folly.
A bit like the knob head that sat at our camp site at Bathurst and raved about his Lotus Elise and spent the whole weekend raving about how good it was and how much it cost, while not a bad car, no one cared but start talking about classic Muscle Cars and everyone was interested.
I think Channel Seven have actually done a much better job this year with the Telecasts, their downfall is bringing in sports media or media personalities that have not come through motor sport as either long term commentators or competitors. Seven needed to drop Berretta and that useless Rhianna. Bring in people that actually have real knowledge. Mark Larkham could be one to take a lead role.

[shanegtr]

Im disappointed in the foxtel deal for V8s. It's only saving grace is that we'll at least get a half decent highlights show from the rounds that are not shown live. Still won't be the same as watching the full race, but I'm going to have to live with it as there's no chance in hell I'll be getting foxtel just for the v8's. I just had a quick look on the foxtel website, $74per month for sports package - you have to be ****ting me, what a rip off. I've got some friends who have fox and I can't stand the fact you pay for the channels and the double dipping foxtel clowns then have the nerve to put commercial adverts on as well. Plus the v8 don't race regularly enough to justify paying to watch it, bring out a round every week or at least every second week then we are getting closer.

I think the V8 crew have really lost the plot of scheduling in the first test round next year to the same weekend as the Bathurst 12hr just so they can try and prevent the main series drivers racing in the 12hr. Just seems like a bunch of school kids having a dummy spit to me.

In saying all that I won't stop watching where I can as it's still fantastic racing when red bull isn't winning

[harry]

I think the point is missed here somewhere,
the Australian racing scene went bad when we accepted that the race would just be the v8's, holden - ford.
there was a lot of good competition when we the race was for all comers.
sure, it took some rule changes to stop the 4wd cars running away with it, but it was far more interesting when we had mini's, Camaro's, galaxies and all the other classes.


Bathurst is the big finale for this class of racing and what won the first Bathurst?
or should we remember that back then it was the Armstrong 500.
yep, a Vauxhall, a car that most people, that could afford a car, could buy. remember, lots of people couldn't afford a car back then as buyers needed real money, not 'cheap as chips' finance as happens now, and they say they own a car with a huge repayment plan.


please put real cars back on the tracks, cars that are modified enough to be safe on the track.
not racing cars dressed up in a holden ford or whatever skin, these aren't real cars and have nothing to do with what you can buy in the showroom.

[WhiteD3]

What Harry said...............

V8 Super Cars is a business, not a sport so the Foxtel thing is not surprising.



I think the point is missed here somewhere,
the Australian racing scene went bad when we accepted that the race would just be the v8's, holden - ford.
there was a lot of good competition when we the race was for all comers.
sure, it took some rule changes to stop the 4wd cars running away with it, but it was far more interesting when we had mini's, Camaro's, galaxies and all the other classes.


Bathurst is the big finale for this class of racing and what won the first Bathurst?
or should we remember that back then it was the Armstrong 500.
yep, a Vauxhall, a car that most people, that could afford a car, could buy. remember, lots of people couldn't afford a car back then as buyers needed real money, not 'cheap as chips' finance as happens now, and they say they own a car with a huge repayment plan.


please put real cars back on the tracks, cars that are modified enough to be safe on the track.
not racing cars dressed up in a holden ford or whatever skin, these aren't real cars and have nothing to do with what you can buy in the showroom.

[1950landy]

I think the point is missed here somewhere,
the Australian racing scene went bad when we accepted that the race would just be the v8's, holden - ford.
there was a lot of good competition when we the race was for all comers.
sure, it took some rule changes to stop the 4wd cars running away with it, but it was far more interesting when we had mini's, Camaro's, galaxies and all the other classes.


Bathurst is the big finale for this class of racing and what won the first Bathurst?
or should we remember that back then it was the Armstrong 500.
yep, a Vauxhall, a car that most people, that could afford a car, could buy. remember, lots of people couldn't afford a car back then as buyers needed real money, not 'cheap as chips' finance as happens now, and they say they own a car with a huge repayment plan.


please put real cars back on the tracks, cars that are modified enough to be safe on the track.
not racing cars dressed up in a holden ford or whatever skin, these aren't real cars and have nothing to do with what you can buy in the showroom.
Thats why I like going to watch Hiatoric Racing , its all the old touring cars from the 50's , 60's & 70's all racing door to door . Holden's , Falcon's , Cortina's , Mini's , Torana's, Jaguar, Austin A30's & Simca ect .
And on were the cost of going to watch the V8's & they run every month at Lakeside , Qld Raceway Or morgan Park ( Warwick):D They may not be as quick as the V8"s but are faster than they were in there day & very close competive racing , .:D And they still have to run with what they were allowed to race with in there day weather it be drum brakes 16"x 6"
wheels, even have to run all the trim including polished wood dash if they had them in there day.:o They are required to have safty equipment like roll cage , Race seats & window net.:cool: WELL WORTH A LOOK & beats V8,s anyday.

[disco man]

Mustang!!!!
Now there are no Falcoons and Dunnydoores into the future there is no need for a 4 door rule.
I bet Holden teams could go Camaro.
They are already running shrunk Mustangs and Comaros in Auscars;);););););););););)
Andrew

This is a older article before Ford pulled the pin,but shows the Mustang could be the answer.


FPR investigates Mustang racer (http://www.v8supercars.com.au/news/championship/fpr-investigates-mustang-racer)

[pop058]

Maybe old news but the first I have heard of it. It looks like the door is definitely being opened for V6's and 2 doors in the future with the dropping of "V8" from the V8 Supercars name.

Just going to be " The Virgin Australia Supercars Championship ".

Home | Live Scores & Latest News | Fox Sports (http://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/v8-supercars/v8-to-be-dropped-from-supercars-name-as-sport-signs-rich-new-sponsorship-deal-with-virgin/news-story/3e6a9188aaba2539c5e2d12cbf7f9f6f)

[Homestar]

They have to do something to keep the punters coming back, because they certainly aren't at the moment. Viewer numbers are way down - as you'd exoect with the switch to Foxtel, and there's less people going to the races themselves.

I used to enjoy watching it, but since it's switch, I haven't seen a single minute. :(

[rangieman]

They have to do something to keep the punters coming back, because they certainly aren't at the moment. Viewer numbers are way down - as you'd exoect with the switch to Foxtel, and there's less people going to the races themselves.

I used to enjoy watching it, but since it's switch, I haven't seen a single minute. :(

X2 :twisted:

[d2dave]

X2 :twisted:

X3.

[strangy]

X3.
X4.

[Pickles2]

I've been a Motorsport fan all of my life, particularly tin-tops, & I've always loved V8s in road cars, & V8s in racing, sinse the introduction of the XR GT in 1967, and Monaro 327s in 1968. I was working part time in a servo then when a customer bought an XR GT, and how I lusted after it, with it's 289, lovely gear shifter, Stewart Warner guages etc etc. Another customer had a 327 Monaro. Never did own either, but over the years I've owned my share of V8s. So yes, I love the V8s, and I look forward to the Foxtel coverage for every event.
I initially jacked up about Foxtel,..."Why should I pay for something that I previosly got for nothing"?...So I refused it,...but not for long,...1 hr "highlights" just didn't do it for me, & I had a friend involved with one of the teams who told me that Foxtel would be way better than FTA,...which it was, & is. Got a good deal, free instal, free equipment, and I adjusted our Telstra deal to omit some stuff we didn't want,...so net cost to me $5 p.m.!!...3 days of coverage with more on major rounds,..top stuff.
People watching? Actually, I thought crowd numbers were up,...I heard that spectator numbers were up, the last Winton round being a prime example,...there was a HUGE crowd there. Winton Raceway quoted 90,000 over the three days, a record for them. Tassie was also up, although I read that one of the days in Barbagallo was slightly down. But in general, I think actual attendance are up, anyone of you guys could check the upcoming Darwin round to check?...Should be a good indication.
TV coverage,...For sponsors?.....Can't see how sponsors would be happy with Foxtel. I don't have viewing figures for FTA V Foxtel, but I would've thought that more would watch FTA, therefore more sponsorship viewing?
The next few years will be challenging,..VERY challenging, particularly locating the appropriate level of team sponsorship, but also with what cars will run. Me?,...I'd prefer V8s, but if Virgin SC decide to include V6 Turbos etc, then Ok, but parity here will be an issue, so that neither V8 or V6T gains an advantage. In addition, who's going to pay the development costs for V6T, which will be HUGE. can't see where that money will come from.
I absolutely love the racing, which is REALLY close, Craig Lowndes coming from the back of the field in a race recently, the win created by a brilliant pit/tyre strategy.
Can't wait for Darwin, I will see if I can ascertain ACCURATE comparison of attendees, 16 V 15!
Pickles.

[Outback 1]

Stopped watching it around the time 888 swapped manufacturers no brand loyalty or driver loyalty anymore

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

[s7000]

X4.

X5

Same with F1... Sure, they might be getting more $'s out of Foxtel in the short term, however the loss of viewership will have some long term damage to re-build. And although the coverage might be better, it isn't worth my time, effort or $'s to get Foxtel.

I didn't always have the V8's on when it was on FTA however I at least had some idea of what was going on... I'm not wasting my time on a 1hr highlight program to keep in touch...

Quite simply, they lost a viewer.

[Homestar]

Pickles - Yeah, the highlights package is crap but unlike you I'm not getting the sport channels just to watch it, so I simply don't.

The company I work for supplies equipment to every V8 round and overall numbers for the equipment we supply is down this year and they are trying to squeeze us even more on price which they pay bugger all for anyway as we also have a sponsorship deal with them, so my evidence is purely circumstantial.

Not sure what the company is planning regarding the sponsorship, that ones out of my league but with every dollar spent being scrutinised more than ever I wouldn't be surprised if we drop out soon, we have done on quite a few deals recently that have come up for renewal.

Overall viewer numbers of Foxtel are around 5% of the population so m guessing numbers are way down for the V8's. On FTA you hit 1,000,000 viewers for s program that's considered very good - for pay TV that number is 50,000 - and that only happens once in a while.

My biggest gripe with Foxtel is the inflexibility of what they offer and compared to the streaming services they are waaaay overpriced. They need to move with the times. Their subscription rates have dropped dramatically in the last 12 months - probably why you were offered such a ripper deal.

When I cancelled my Foxtel the bloke that came around to pick the boxes up said he's never been busier - his van was full of old boxes from cancelled services... They really need to wake up to themselves.

[Pickles2]

Homestar,...I agree with you in that things are getting "tighter", and the deals "skinnier" everywhere.
Actually, I don't know how James Warburton & his crew sleep at nights,....it must be SUPER tough trying to be positive & make the ends "meet".
Still love my V8 Supercars though!!
Pickles.
NB: Symmons Plains, crowd=55000, the biggest in 5yrs. I think crowds are Ok, lets see what the attendance is in Darwin. I predict record crowds!!