So tell me about this template system? Am I correct in understanding that your typical NASCAR racing vehicle now resembles a road vehicle about as much as the “reformed” Doors resembles the original band?
Somebody mentioned international credibility earlier? Look, here’s the thing about international credibility… just like with Rugby evolving into American Football 100 years ago, American motor racing has gone it’s own way, and the rest of the world has gone the other. It’s no big deal - I wouldn’t be too concerned about what us non American’s think.
However, I WILL say this… almost every racing category in the world now has some form of speed restriction implemented. In 1983, F1 banned venturi skirts which ran the length of the cars - and to this day, apparently the skirted F1 cars of 1978-82 pulled the highest G’s of all time - such was their downforce. And a shitload of other restrictions and various technology bans have been implemented ever since. As Max Mosely pointed out a few years ago, “If we allowed every bit of technology that has been banned in F1 to come back into force, we’d easily end up with a 700 kilometer per hour race car and we’d have 10 deaths a year, minimum.” And he’s got a point there.
Same in NASCAR. Who cares if carbies are still used. It’s just a formula now which packs bums on seats. I know that the word “FORMULA” is one which sits most uncomfortably with my American friends when used in the same sentence as Formula One - but it is. Even the concept of an inlet restrictor plate is a form “FORMULA” racing, and what I’m saying here is that NASCAR long, long ago started implementing rule changes (aka formulas) into the mix with a goal of ensuring maximum close racing. And it’s worked too - the crowds are huge.
I remember a few years back some smartass on another messageboard was waxing lyrical about NASCAR and I made the foolish mistake of daring to mention Formula One in some capacity. This guy decided to try and ridicule me by saying “Formula One? Don’t you mean ‘Follow the Leader?’” And I thought to myself, you incredibly silly man! If there’s one category of motor racing which enshrines slipstreaming more than any other, it has to be NASCAR above all else. But you know, like music, we tend to identify who we are by the “major acts” that we choose to be a fan of - and motor racing has long identified that aspect of marketing it seems to me.
But I tell ya what needs to be done. Somehow, the world needs to settle on a formula of some sort - and I don’t give a shit which formula - whether it be pointy cars, or template NASCARS or 1300kg street cars - whatever… but after settling on that formula, a world championship needs to be set up where each country can only enter 3 cars per race, and every single employee in the pit crew of each team has to be from that country. And further, some parts have to be made in each country - maybe the engines - maybe the chassis (I don’t care) - but what I’m getting at is that you’d find yourself with a remarkably international and nationalistic category of motor racing. And it’d be killer.
And mark my words - if it was a form of NASCAR on road courses? We Aussies would give you Americans a right royal fright, let me tell ya.
And weren’t they talking about making the “greenhouse” bigger? Would that help? Again, 