" NASCAR'S Sponsors, Hit by Sticker Shock "

[Ron61]

Bill,

I would just like to see them at least use real cars, not those that they designed which don't in any way resemble a production car. Then Ford, GM, & etc pay a fortune to have their names painted on them. I used to really follow NASCAR close but haven't for several years for a couple of reasons. One is I like road racing more and there is more of it being shown on TV. Two is so many of the NASCAR races are just high speed parades and the only way to pass is wreck someone or manage to get out ahead of them from the pits. I am all for safety but the Le Mans series and other road races also have great safety and for the most part they don't take nearly as long to respond to an accident as NASCAR safety crews do. And the 1/4th of every race being ran under a yellow flag is another of my pet gripes. Half of those are to keep their stars from being lapped.

Ron

[Don]

Changes in F1 to reduce costs:

" The FIA World Motorsport Council agreed today in Monaco to introduce radical measures to reduce Formula One costs for the 2009 season. In-season testing is now banned completely, engine rules have been changed drastically, and aerodynamic development has been limited significantly, among the notable changes. "

" The FIA and teams estimate that the moves will reduce costs by 30 percent for manufacturer teams in 2009 while saving independent teams even more. A framework was also laid out for 2010 and beyond "

Article mentions a number of changes:

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20081212/FREE/812129990

[Ron61]

I see in the paper that NASCAR has lost their sponsor for the Watkins Glen Race. Quoting: " Watkins Glen needs a title sponsor for its NASCAR Sprint Cup Race after Centurian Boats opted out of the final year of its contract.
The boat company is trying to survive and can't afford to sponsor NASCAR any more at the present. And I think we will see more of this as they economy gets worse.

Ron

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by Ron61

Bill,

I would just like to see them at least use real cars, not those that they designed which don't in any way resemble a production car. Then Ford, GM, & etc pay a fortune to have their names painted on them. I used to really follow NASCAR close but haven't for several years for a couple of reasons. One is I like road racing more and there is more of it being shown on TV. Two is so many of the NASCAR races are just high speed parades and the only way to pass is wreck someone or manage to get out ahead of them from the pits. I am all for safety but the Le Mans series and other road races also have great safety and for the most part they don't take nearly as long to respond to an accident as NASCAR safety crews do. And the 1/4th of every race being ran under a yellow flag is another of my pet gripes. Half of those are to keep their stars from being lapped.

Ron

The good old "mystery debris" caution.

[Wayne Maybury]

Originally Posted by Silverback51

The good old "mystery debris" caution.

Yep, a small piece of something that takes 10 minutes to clean up. I cannot understand why they can't run 1 lap under caution, get the piece of material off the track, and then immediately go back to green.

While we're at it, get rid of the most stupid rule in all of motor racing; the lucky dog rule. That rule brings NASCAR very close to the WWE.

Wayne