RE: Snetterton Tuscans
Sunday 20th April 2003
Snetterton Tuscans
Just fourteen cars, but plenty of entertainment
Discussion
Small entry but a great race, well done to all at Insane Racing and Caroline Racing.
James
Many thanks James... glad you enjoyed it.
It certainly was fun out there. Plenty of oil on the track (that's my excuse!) which made for great watching. Snetterton certainly took it's toll for me... 1 x diff, 1 x gearbox, 1 x engine..... oh.. and my throttle was sticking due to a broken spring.
Still overall.. a great weekend.
C U at Croft?
well the field would have been alot bigger if TVR would have realised that in order for the series to prosper they have to HELP the drivers get on the grid, there is no point in wanting the series to become as good as previouse years if TVR arnt prepared to get there hand in there pockets or at least be flexible! Until this is realised the series is just going to be a "fun Championship" and not the high profile series it should be!
rocketrob said: well the field would have been alot bigger if TVR would have realised that in order for the series to prosper they have to HELP the drivers get on the grid, there is no point in wanting the series to become as good as previouse years if TVR arnt prepared to get there hand in there pockets or at least be flexible! Until this is realised the series is just going to be a "fun Championship" and not the high profile series it should be!
Rob can't see TVR doing this, when the Tuscan came out they offered the cars at 50% off if teams commited to the first 8 races, now the cars are so old and do not represent the current line up etc. they are not really a marketing tool, they might try to something with the T350C when the race version of that appears.
It is a shame that TVR don't promote the series in the way that it could be, so limiting it to a the role of "fun Championship"
Personally I love the cars and would love to see more cars on the grid and bigger crowds but can't see it happening
29 You guy's shouldn't get to disheartened by the current grid levels in Tuscans, as there are several reasons for the present low turnout.
(1) The general, bloody awful state of British Motorsport, circuit ownership,and the infighting between the various controlling bodies, all wanting to extract money from the sport, to no doubt spend in the wrong way!!
(2) The total lack of even the smallest of sponsorship support deals compared with last season, which wasn't that clever!!, come back 1999/2000, all is forgiven
(3) Tvr's need to revamp the series to bring it up to date, hence the T350's, which might!!! over time, (quite a long time), replace the old Tuscan racer that we all love, dependent on if it's good enough!!!
Tuscan racing is much better then most, as teams and drivers are only to happy to spend time with race fans, and we do our best to put on a good show, which at times,can be at a considerable risk to body and wallet!!! we need your support in order to continue and improve the quality of the race meetings we attend and we need positive vibes, not negitive. Yes there were only 14 of us at Snetterton, and we could go lower yet, but us 14 where putting our time, and hard earned money where our mouths are to participate and enjoy the exciting and wonderful experience that Tuscan's provide. The original Tuscan racers will be around for many years yet, let's face it, the T350's have got to at least be competitive and in real terms need to out perform the "old beasts", and that's by no means a forgone conclusion. Have faith, and give encouragement to those drivers currently unable to race because of a lack of funds, they need to find a way to get out there even if it's just for one or two races. Tvr won't do any more then they do, which is a hell of a lot more then most, it's down to the drivers and the fans to make it happen, how much do you want it??????
As someone was saying in the paddock the other day, why don't TVR build a T350 silhouette (damn that's hard to spell!) skin to bolt over the existing chassis?
If they were feeling brave they could introduce the 6 cylinder engine (presumably the bay could be modified to accept it?).
It wouldn't in itself help the sponsorship situation, but TVR may feel more inclined to make an effort with a race series featuring something that looks like the one a punter can buy. It would avoid the horrendous cost of teams having to buy a new car (which would reduce the field still further?).
Sky coverage was pretty good the other night. Its so good to have a race to watch where there is plenty of overtaking, incidents etc...
If they were feeling brave they could introduce the 6 cylinder engine (presumably the bay could be modified to accept it?).
It wouldn't in itself help the sponsorship situation, but TVR may feel more inclined to make an effort with a race series featuring something that looks like the one a punter can buy. It would avoid the horrendous cost of teams having to buy a new car (which would reduce the field still further?).
Sky coverage was pretty good the other night. Its so good to have a race to watch where there is plenty of overtaking, incidents etc...
Tuscan 29 makes some very valid points.
To be fair, I think is has been a very good championship in the past. We can all remember 40+ cars a few years ago. It's a fact that most businesses are feeling under pressure financially at the moment so naturally that will be reflected in the lack of sponsorship available. It would be better with more cars but lets be positive about what we have.
Compared to most championships it seems to be very good and it has been going many years now - 14?. I know it is expensive but we need to remember this is the top one make sportscar championship in the country. Maybe TVR's focus is on other things at the moment. But what do I know.
For me nothing beats the sights & sounds of a pack of Tuscans.
Maybe I should join in, I am not that quick but with 14 entries, a few DNF's, I could cruise round(relatively) and my results could look quite respectable
To be fair, I think is has been a very good championship in the past. We can all remember 40+ cars a few years ago. It's a fact that most businesses are feeling under pressure financially at the moment so naturally that will be reflected in the lack of sponsorship available. It would be better with more cars but lets be positive about what we have.
Compared to most championships it seems to be very good and it has been going many years now - 14?. I know it is expensive but we need to remember this is the top one make sportscar championship in the country. Maybe TVR's focus is on other things at the moment. But what do I know.
For me nothing beats the sights & sounds of a pack of Tuscans.
Maybe I should join in, I am not that quick but with 14 entries, a few DNF's, I could cruise round(relatively) and my results could look quite respectable
PetrolTed said: Rod,
Where's the bulk of the cost in running a Tuscan during the season. Figures of £50-£60K are banded about for a season's racing. How does that break down?
I've been told its possible for £35-40k if you go cheap on everything and you're lucky with accidents and mechanical failures. You won't be competitive for this though.
This excludes buying the car and major damage, but includes engine lease.
Tyres: about £1,000 a meeting depending on whether you you use all 6. Or it rains for part of the meeting, so you part use a set of wets and slicks.
Entry fees: £360
Accomodation £xx?
Race fuel: £100+
Transport to/from circuit, you, car mechanics, equipment: £xx
Burgers, beer, pies, bottomless cup of coffee: £xxxxxxx
So you're up to not far off 2k a weekend without engine, repairs and mechanic's expenses.
About £3k a meeting, allowing for the odd gear box etc - does that sound about right, Rod?
29 What does it cost, and how does it breakdown? Tricky question!!! First of all to keep things simple, lets deal with this on 3 levels, front runner, arrive and drive, and diy. Dealing with the cheapest option first, circa £40k gets you out there, provided you have a car, which you can now buy for an average £15k, but belive me, you'll spend more on it before it's ready to race. You do your own spannering, or get some mates to help out FOC, use 2nd hand parts where you can, and beg, borrow, or steal the rest. You tow the car to the meets behind the family estate car, and pitch camp under a surplus ex army cookhouse tent and use a piece of old lino to cover the stinging nettles and old bricks which is now your home for the next two days. B and B is an option, but then you might not be able to buy those 2nd hand tyres!!!!! The race fee is £360, fuel and oils say £80 and the burger van man will take any loose change you have left.There is nothing wrong with this approuch, provided you are young, fit and totally dedicated, and don't expect to win races, and there is the big issues of set up" know-how", safety,and the ability to repair accident damage
Arrive and drive, as it sounds, the car is transported to the meet, all work is done for you, by a fully trained "race" team, all set ups are done, based on the teams vast expirence, new parts, and full safety checks are carried out after each session or race. As a driver, this is great, as all you have to do is to be in the right place at the right time, in between you can relax or if you are really keen work on minor set up ajustments with the team. This costs you circa £60k + race fees + tyres + travel + accom etc, furthermore, any accident damage is on top.
Front runner, same as above, but with added costs for extra tyres, special fuel, parts replacement, x-ray costs, body weight reduction, the cars, not yours!! etc,etc. This could cost another £20/£40k, depends on how far you go, one driver a few years back spent £120k, he must of lived in it!!! Both the latter options include the hire of the race car+ engine lease from TVR.
That's about it, I'll try to find time to do a breakdown of costs later but I'm out for a blast tonite, so I'll see how things go, sorry Ted, run out of time!!
(see new topic, Pistonheads race tuscan)
>> Edited by hawthorns on Saturday 26th April 15:41
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff