RE: Tuscans at Thruxton

[Tuscan 29]

27

Rather you then me James, you'll be lucky if you have 15 still on the track after the first corner with the vast differences in performance.

You drive, I'll watch

[jamesc]

Hi Rod, ood to see you racing again at the weekend. When one make series finish; often the cars end up racing elsewhere. The Renault Spiders joined 750MC Roadsports series and where somewhat faster than some of the other cars. Putting the Tuscans with the TVRCC series would be exciting.

Graham said:

1)Any TVR 2)Power to weight limits 3)Control Tyres 4)weight penalty for bigger brakes. 5)suspension mounts and engine position must be in original location.

>> Edited by jamesc on Wednesday 1st September 23:25

[Graham]

Tuscan 29 said:

27 Rather you then me James, you'll be lucky if you have 15 still on the track after the first corner

That sounds like the Tuscan races of old... when 30 cars took the start

[griff2be]

jamesc said:

When one make series finish, often the cars end up racing elsewhere.

Yes of course of course they do. But not necessarily with the same drivers.

[PetrolTed]

James, stop banging on about the TVRCC series. The current Tuscan drivers are unlikely to move to that series and the TVRCC racers aren't keen on Tuscans in AJP guise.

Given that scenario there's unlikely to be any effort put into merging the series. End of story....

[daydreamer]

Graham said:

Tuscan 29 said: 27 Rather you then me James, you'll be lucky if you have 15 still on the track after the first corner That sounds like the Tuscan races of old... when 30 cars took the start

Martin Phaff who organises our championship once told me that he drove from Sheffield to Castle Combe just to see the first corner of the Tuscan race, watched it - then got back in his car and drove home again. He didn't drive home disappointed .

[jamesc]

PetrolTed said:

James, stop banging on about the TVRCC series. The current Tuscan drivers are unlikely to move to that series and the TVRCC racers aren't keen on Tuscans in AJP guise. Given that scenario there's unlikely to be any effort put into merging the series. End of story....

Ted - There are too many championships chasing very little money. What was needed was a new car for the series. B T came up with some really good ideas on here 2 months ago. The R400's are in a similar state and the SRO were considering putting them together. This has happened before with Ginettas and Protons! Without proper support from TVR the series cannot stand alone. If motorsport is to get people through the gate, we need 30 car plus grids and not just 12 cars!

I am sorry to "bang on" but its only one point of view!

James

>> Edited by jamesc on Thursday 2nd September 09:21

[PetrolTed]

I don't disagree with that, just that the chances of Tuscans joining the TVRCC series are small so stop going on about it!

[jamesc]

daydreamer said:

Graham said: Tuscan 29 said: 27 Rather you then me James, you'll be lucky if you have 15 still on the track after the first corner That sounds like the Tuscan races of old... when 30 cars took the start Martin Phaff who organises our championship once told me that he drove from Sheffield to Castle Combe just to see the first corner of the Tuscan race, watched it - then got back in his car and drove home again. He didn't drive home disappointed .

Hi Rich,

I rememeber that! Martin was a guest of JCW. Jamie did one lap and then went off at Camp!

[Graham]

Just got circuit driver and both the

Tuscan Challenge
and the
TVRCC Challenge

Get good writeups.

It will be intersting to see what happens in TVR racing this year. What we need to do is ensure that both series, competitors and spectators support all tvr racing to maintain the largest possible number of TVR's racing

G

>> Edited by Graham on Thursday 2nd September 10:00

[jam1et]

The Tuscan Challenge was the only reason I bought sky. It is probably one of the most exciting race series out there. I have watched over the years as the number of cars have sadly declined. Its hardly surprising though as the cars are now 16 years old!

Being supported by the factory, I was always surprised the series did not evolve as the newer models were developed. This would have been much better PR - it showcases the new car and keeps things fresh for the viewers/spectators.

Its also the only series I can think of off-hand where you cant buy a road going version of the car, which probably makes it much less effective as a PR exercise. The main objective of a manufacturer associating themselves with racing is to create a racing image for their road cars and thus increase sales.

I'd love to see the series continue and run by the teams, but as a factory financed event I think TVR are doing the right thing by moving to GT.

[V8 Archie]

I agree with all you say Jam1et except that I don't believe that moving the focus from Tuscans to GT is a good move.

TVR motorsport is going to go from being the entire focus of a series to being a small fish in a large pond. Granted, over time they will become more competetive which will help to raise the profile a bit. However, I can't see Porsche and Ferrari sitting idly by as TVR become a dominant force in the series and both of those companies have vastly greater funds which could be used to maintain their status.

IMHO the more sensible route for TVR would have been to evolve the Tuscan series as you suggest. This would not preclude a factory effort in GT (or more robust factory support of existing teams).

I maintain that running the Tuscan series (or an evolved version thereof) would probably be cheaper than getting heavily involved in GT and would provide as high a profile with none of the risks that go along with taking on the big boys.

That said, I wish them luck and will be there to give my support .

[v8tvr]

Personally i think this thread should be closed and then moved to a drivers only forum as it really only concerns them at this moment, As "THEY" are the ones who are going to be running the new series, and all this unhelpfull speculation only deters the parties who are really interested from helping.
So i think we should really try to stay Stum on this until they can think about what to do, in good time i'm sure they will make an anouncment as to the future.



>> Edited by v8tvr on Thursday 2nd September 11:51

[V8 Archie]

Sorry to disagree with you v8tvr, but I don't see much speculation in this thread.

More importantly I think it concerns all those who support the series as well as those who race.

I would also suggest that it does not have to be the drivers or the teams that run the series. Anyone* could do it providing they have the support of the teams.

* I'm not saying that it would be easy.

[v8tvr]

V8 Archie said:

Sorry to disagree with you v8tvr, but I don't see much speculation in this thread. More importantly I think it concerns all those who support the series as well as those who race. I would also suggest that it does not have to be the drivers or the teams that run the series. Anyone* could do it providing they have the support of the teams. ??? anyone This point is very correct,it does concern those who support the series, but my point is that i think that as its the drivers (teams) who have to consider what to do, So really they should be left at the moment to dicuss which way forward they want to go, until then surely anything else is speculation. So, i do agree with you, but i just think that time should be left for them to ponder the given Circumstances. * I'm not saying that it would be easy.

[v8tvr]

V8 Archie said:

Sorry to disagree with you v8tvr, but I don't see much speculation in this thread. More importantly I think it concerns all those who support the series as well as those who race. I would also suggest that it does not have to be the drivers or the teams that run the series. Anyone* could do it providing they have the support of the teams. ??? anyone This point is very correct,it does concern those who support the series, but my point is that i think that as its the drivers (teams) who have to consider what to do, So really they should be left at the moment to dicuss which way forward they want to go, until then surely anything else is speculation. So, i do agree with you, but i just think that time should be left for them to ponder the given Circumstances. * I'm not saying that it would be easy.

[V8 Archie]

v8tvr said:

So, i do agree with you, but i just think that time should be left for them to ponder the given Circumstances.

Fair enough, but unless the drivers or teams are feeling brow-beaten by the discussion I don't think the thread needs to go.

After all, having an open discussion may bring the situation to the attention of a white knight who would be able to help the teams to keep the series alive.

I agree that idle speculation is pretty pointless but discussion based on facts cannot do any harm and may even throw up some workable ideas.

[jam1et]

I dont realy understand what harm our discussion would do. All I can see are positive comments and concerns from genuine Tuscan Challenge fans. It just confirms that people do care about the series and want it to remain in some form or other. If no one wanted to discuss the article, I'd see that as much more worrying indication for the future of the series.
Besides, this is a discussion forum afterall .

[jamesc]

V8 Archie said:

Sorry to disagree with you v8tvr, but I don't see much speculation in this thread. More importantly I think it concerns all those who support the series as well as those who race. I would also suggest that it does not have to be the drivers or the teams that run the series. Anyone* could do it providing they have the support of the teams. * I'm not saying that it would be easy.

I have to agree with Archie here! Running Tuscans is back breaking work! I do think however that the factory should give at least 2 engines each to the teams that have supported the series this year and sell the rest at a subsidised rate to anyone wanting to race a Tuscan next year where ever they may race.

I think I stated before that when Rover canned the 220 turbo cup they sold the parts off with a 90% discount. Also to save cost there are a few companies that make Tuscan body panels (so you can keep on destroying them No 6!) Someone needs to track down all the cars and start a register. I believe there must be 70 odd out there.

[v8tvr]

jamesc said:

V8 Archie said: Sorry to disagree with you v8tvr, but I don't see much speculation in this thread. More importantly I think it concerns all those who support the series as well as those who race. I would also suggest that it does not have to be the drivers or the teams that run the series. Anyone* could do it providing they have the support of the teams. * I'm not saying that it would be easy. I have to agree with Archie here! Running Tuscans is back breaking work! I do think however that the factory should give at least 2 engines each to the teams that have supported the series this year and sell the rest at a subsidised rate to anyone wanting to race a Tuscan next year where ever they may race. I think I stated before that when Rover canned the 220 turbo cup they sold the parts off with a 90% discount. Also to save cost there are a few companies that make Tuscan body panels (so you can keep on destroying them No 6!) Someone needs to track down all the cars and start a register. I believe there must be 70 odd out there.

That is exactly what i am talking about