[RingMeister01]

Originally Posted by five_timer

We need to make a distinction between participating in a motor sport vs. viewing. Because sports car racing is exciting and challenging to participate in, and some may also find viewing it to be "relateable", but I think the extreme dynamics of F1 translate better to TV viewing than any other motorsport. You just can't beat qualifying at Monaco, or racing through eau-rouge at Spa. And the very "openness" of F1 cars makes the in-car shots more tactile to the viewer than the inside of a closed cockpit.

I couldn't agree with you more. The outright speed and technology behind F1is unsurpassable. This along with the drama and politics create one of the worlds highest viewing sport. Bernie Eccelstone has every intent of F1 being a traveling circus (as he calls it) and they do it well. Though as good Formula 1 is, its just to distant from reality. I enjoy sports car racing not only because I honestly think the actually racing is better, but it is possible to enter and have a blast doing so.

[NewZee]

I've loved sports cars for 40 years, but you gotta admit...nothing sounds like a Formula One racecar

[hellrotm]

I follow both very closely, including motorcycle racing. My weekends during race season are very busy.

What I find more interesting, is the lack of interest in racing in general by majority of forum members. They spend tons of money modifying their cars and could give too sh*ts about watching/following racing of any kind. Guess they don't care where the technology comes from.

[Silver E90]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

I follow both very closely, including motorcycle racing. My weekends during race season are very busy.

What I find more interesting, is the lack of interest in racing in general by majority of forum members. They spend tons of money modifying their cars and could give too sh*ts about watching/following racing of any kind. Guess they don't care where the technology comes from.

+1000

I can't believe lack of interest that there is in BMW motorsports on this forum. It's a shame really, but I put part of the blame on BMW. They never use their motorsport program in any type of advertisement. When is the last time you've heard about a M3 GTE car make an appearance at a dealership?

Look at Audi, they used the R18 in a major commercial campaign talking about lightweight technologies.

[RingMeister01]

Originally Posted by Silver E90

+1000

I can't believe lack of interest that there is in BMW motorsports on this forum. It's a shame really, but I put part of the blame on BMW. They never use their motorsport program in any type of advertisement. When is the last time you've heard about a M3 GTE car make an appearance at a dealership?

Look at Audi, they used the R18 in a major commercial campaign talking about lightweight technologies.

So true. I usually fall in love with my cars due to their involvement in racing. BMW made a great move joining DTM, espcially by winning the championship. IMHO nothing related to cars is more important than racing. Unfortunetly in these uncertain economic circumstances, factories look to cut costs and in many cases its racing that gets the axe. Lets hope this success and involvement continues and becomes incorporated into the brand image.

[six_timer]

Originally Posted by PR3CI5N

Quite the difference...

Very illustrative video!

In all fairness, I should also mention that, at times when I'm rooting for a particular F1 driver or team that's not in the "top tier", it can be pretty frustrating and boring to see your guy finish 15th week after week. I think that's where the "evenness" of NASCAR pays-off for the fans.

[Silver E90]

Originally Posted by PR3CI5N

Quite the difference...

Not really a fair comparison since the "GT" cars don't look to be GTE/GT3 spec. but I think we get the idea.

I'd love to see that video with LMP1 Audis & Toyotas vs. F1 cars.

[Silver E90]

Originally Posted by RingMeister01

So true. I usually fall in love with my cars due to their involvement in racing. BMW made a great move joining DTM, espcially by winning the championship. IMHO nothing related to cars is more important than racing. Unfortunetly in these uncertain economic circumstances, factories look to cut costs and in many cases its racing that gets the axe. Lets hope this success and involvement continues and becomes incorporated into the brand image.

I see your point but again look at Audi and Mercedes. BMW sells more cars then both of them. But Audi has a LMP1 program that is damn near the cost of an F1 team, they have a GT3 version of the R8 that won the N24 last year and a version of it won the Daytona 24 this year plus they are in the DTM as well. Even Mercedes has an F1 team, DTM and has a SLS GT3 car.

BMW has the Z4 GT car and DTM. That's it. Keep in mind BMW sells the most cars. I'd like to know the motorsport budgets for each manufacturer.

Sorry rant over.

[RingMeister01]

Originally Posted by Silver E90

+1000

I can't believe lack of interest that there is in BMW motorsports on this forum. It's a shame really, but I put part of the blame on BMW. They never use their motorsport program in any type of advertisement. When is the last time you've heard about a M3 GTE car make an appearance at a dealership?

Look at Audi, they used the R18 in a major commercial campaign talking about lightweight technologies.

Originally Posted by Silver E90

I see your point but again look at Audi and Mercedes. BMW sells more cars then both of them. But Audi has a LMP1 program that is damn near the cost of an F1 team, they have a GT3 version of the R8 that won the N24 last year and a version of it won the Daytona 24 this year plus they are in the DTM as well. Even Mercedes has an F1 team, DTM and has a SLS GT3 car.

BMW has the Z4 GT car and DTM. That's it. Keep in mind BMW sells the most cars. I'd like to know the motorsport budgets for each manufacturer.

Sorry rant over.

lmao. The N24 was a great race and if the Z4 didn't experience mechanial trouble, it would have won and simular scenario with the 24 hrs Dubai. I think BMW's reentry into F1 was a great idea but poorly executed. Both Williams and BMW (namely Patrick Head and Dr. Mario Theissen) blamed each other for losing races, which caused bad press for BMW. If they had stayed in the game just as an engine builder and stayed out of trying to control the entire team, they could have built a reputation of being the must have engine in the paddock.
Though BMW sells the most cars, they do have 2 major factors fighting against them. 1 the current CEO is very open about his dislike of sports cars and racing. 2 BMW is still an independant firm that just doesnt have the financial strenght that Volkswagen or Dailmer Benz do to fuel so many projects and races and no Martin Winterkorn .

Then again, what do I know?

[eric@helix]

Once in every car enthusiast's life, they should go to a F1 race for the sheer spectacle and sounds. Then they should go to every sports car race they can make. The best about pro sports car racing is the access to the paddocks and cars/drivers. That ain't happening in F1.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by eric@helix

Once in every car enthusiast's life, they should go to a F1 race for the sheer spectacle and sounds. Then they should go to every sports car race they can make. The best about pro sports car racing is the access to the paddocks and cars/drivers. That ain't happening in F1.

+1 F1 sound and speed needs to be seen in person. TV just doesn't give it justice.

Grand Am weekends are great for fan access. Rolex and Continental Tire series open pit lane pre race for a fan walk.

[djr1126]

Originally Posted by M3_WC

+1 F1 sound and speed needs to be seen in person. TV just doesn't give it justice.

Grand Am weekends are great for fan access. Rolex and Continental Tire series open pit lane pre race for a fan walk.

Gotta love grand am! Check out the cars! That's me in the 08!

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by djr1126

Gotta love grand am! Check out the cars! That's me in the 08!

Nice!

I will be at COTA in a couple weeks.

[MrClean335i]

Prototypes FTW

[thill0722]

it is good news.

[RingMeister01]

Originally Posted by djr1126

Gotta love grand am! Check out the cars! That's me in the 08!

Awesome! Saw a race at Lime Rock last season. Access to the cars and teams makes the experience that much more fun. Will def be catching an North East Coast race this season.

[RingMeister01]

Originally Posted by MrClean335i

Prototypes FTW

Sex

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by MrClean335i

Prototypes FTW

Seriously

[631twentyeighteye]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Ohh you just kpened up a big can of worms.


For the record Audi when asked about a possible F1 jump similar to BMWs in the early 2000s from le mans racing released a statement where they said something along the lines of...

"We think that endurance racing is a greater engineering challenge than F1 and we want to stay in the series thats at the forefront of technology"


And ive caught a lot of flack over the years because I'm inclined to agree with them.


Sportscar racing is just better racing too.

This sums it up nicely for me. And another thing, i never will have the opportunity to drive an f1 car, at least with sports car racing i can have a chance at sitting in the street model version and being able to experience a sliver of what its like to have a race car version of it. Plus f1 cars look plain awkward and ugly IMHO, they have awkward proportions.

[RingMeister01]

Originally Posted by 631twentyeighteye

This sums it up nicely for me. And another thing, i never will have the opportunity to drive an f1 car, at least with sports car racing i can have a chance at sitting in the street model version and being able to experience a sliver of what its like to have a race car version of it. Plus f1 cars look plain awkward and ugly IMHO, they have awkward proportions.

+1 Amen brother

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by 631twentyeighteye

This sums it up nicely for me. And another thing, i never will have the opportunity to drive an f1 car, at least with sports car racing i can have a chance at sitting in the street model version and being able to experience a sliver of what its like to have a race car version of it. Plus f1 cars look plain awkward and ugly IMHO, they have awkward proportions.

Exactly! F1 cars sound amazing however. Nothing else sounds as exotic IMO.

[RingMeister01]

Originally Posted by Alpine F31

Exactly! F1 cars sound amazing however. Nothing else sounds as exotic IMO.

I went to the Candian GP back when the cars still ran V10's. The sounds the cars made were unbelievable and distinct. You could easily call out what engine was passing by while eyes closed. Very cool, must visit a race soon.