OT Racing

[RACER X #99]

Was watching some racing from Australia on Speed Channel. V-8 powered Falcons with rear drive. Also some type of GM car.Made for some exciting road racing. Do they make those Falcons down there or are they similar to Nascar stock cars (name only). I think they called it the V-8 touring series???

Anybody know what I am talking about?

Cranky

[750hp]

The production XR8 Falcons are sold nationwide, but the race cars really are just that. While the body shape remains true to the production cars, the 630hp 5.0L motors with Yates heads, 6 speed Holinger dog box, camber adjustable sheet metal 9" rears, 15" rotors, 15 milion point chrome-moly roll cage and 17x11 magnesium wheels won't make the production car's option list for quite a while!

The cars are restricted to running a local Shell pump gas, rated at 98 octane, and there's a 7500rpm rev limit, so those power numbers are pretty impressive.

http://www.00motorsport.com.au/cars.asp

Sorry to say it, but the Chev powered Holden Commodores are dominating the series. A VERY reliable source claims that the best Fords are making up to 20hp more than the Chevs, but the suspension and aero package aren't up to the Commodore.

[RACER X #99]

Thanks Craig,
I don't think those Falcons are sold here in the USA unless they go by a different name.

If only the Cobras could handle like those cars.

Cranky

[750hp]

Oh, if you had your own suspension engineers working full time on shock absorber dynos with hundreds of Penske and Ohlins shocks, your car might also pick up a tenth or two in lap times!!! Suspension is everything to these cars.

The Falcon an Aussie special! Holden have released a 2 door version of their car, called the Monaro. It's heading to the US next year as the new Pontiac GTO. LS1 Chev, 6 speed, rear wheel drive, 18" wheels. I think the US spec car will be available in 340hp and 400hp configuration.

http://www.autoweb.com.au/A_1381/newcartest.html

[Satanpez]

The falcons are NOT sold here.

-steve in nj-

And interesting enough, they're coming out with falcons either this year or next with the DOHC Straight 6, 320 hp.

Same ::basic:: engine as the ones found in 1960's Falcons and Mustangs.

[750hp]

Same in the fact that's an inline 6, but the latest turbocharged 24 valve motor is just fantastic to drive - a big improvement on last year's motor, let alone 30 years ago.


The high performance model is getting a quad cam 5.4 motor. Ford Australia had to build their own after Ford USA couldn't help!

[Excaliber]

And if it's typical of an Aussie build it will be better than a US build! Well,,,,,even if it has a "wheel" on the wrong side, not to mention upside down. LOL

Ernie

[Bathrone]

Yer the race series is just a "glamour" thing - the Holdens and Fords racing are a very big departure from the production vehicles.

The race vehicles themselves are pretty archiac. The fans like the current series but personally I preferred the older series.

The Turbo Falcon is getting rave reviews and a mate of mine is looking at swapping his 304 EFI commy for one. A year ago he would have laughed at the idea of owning a Ford!

The GEN III LS1 motored Holdens have had alot of problems from three big issues with the engine package in Australia. The 2002 spec LS1 has fixes, but I was hoping we'd swiitch the 2002 LS6 motor instead. The Tremec T56 is a just a gem of a box, but the race shifters are a must IMHO the factory shift is mushy.

The problem with the commys and Falcons is they just weigh too much. It affects everything, cornering, braking, acceleration. Family sedans will always be that, even if they have a 300KW motor.

[ac andy]

i have already ordered an XR8 ute when they come out next year. Should help the landscaping business, or maybe help me work less and drive more!

[750hp]

The "Blues Brothers" style TV ad was enough for me to want to place an order for one.... Love that bonnet bulge. If only my Cobra bonnet could have been somewhere near as subtle...