'Return of the Thunder' Sandown - Nov 7-8

[Bullett]

Originally Posted by 275 GTB-4

Looks like a terrific event,,,anyone know how mant F5000s are turning up??

Andrew Robson
D'arcy Russell
Brian Sala in Bill Hemmings Elfin
Paul Trevethan
Robert Harborow

[johnh875]

Looking forward to a great event, planning to go Sunday only though

[TOOTHFAIRY]

275 GTB, I don't really think you understand historic touring cars, as Biante is high end chase the V8 circus stuff, that's what it was originated as. It was originally started to show case HTC, to a larger audience, at big events, and give the everyday competitor a chance to run in big time events, and widen his or her horizons. We started out at the V8's in 2002, as log booked HTC, and ran that way until 2006 I think .The current batch of Biante cars are logbooked as NON historic cars and run a BLUE logbook, meaning a HTC car can't run in Biante, and a Biante logged car can;t run as a HTC. I do have a little knowledge of the series as I was the first national administrator for the series, and up until the changes ran in many of the races all over Australia. And am in constant touch with the current board. It is a great series, and the guys who run it and race in it are all passionate about the sport, but it is much more expensive to run than a HTC, in all areas. And just a bit of tongue in cheek, there is no other historic catagory that floats peoples boats more than a HTC or a Biante Muscle Car !!!!!

[Bullett]

Originally Posted by TOOTHFAIRY

275 GTB, I don't really think you understand historic touring cars, as Biante is high end chase the V8 circus stuff, that's what it was originated as. It was originally started to show case HTC, to a larger audience, at big events, and give the everyday competitor a chance to run in big time events, and widen his or her horizons. We started out at the V8's in 2002, as log booked HTC, and ran that way until 2006 I think .The current batch of Biante cars are logbooked as NON historic cars and run a BLUE logbook, meaning a HTC car can't run in Biante, and a Biante logged car can;t run as a HTC. I do have a little knowledge of the series as I was the first national administrator for the series, and up until the changes ran in many of the races all over Australia. And am in constant touch with the current board. It is a great series, and the guys who run it and race in it are all passionate about the sport, but it is much more expensive to run than a HTC, in all areas. And just a bit of tongue in cheek, there is no other historic catagory that floats peoples boats more than a HTC or a Biante Muscle Car !!!!!

Back in '06 or whatever it was they were log booked 3D werent they?

[Rob Bailey]

Originally Posted by 275 GTB-4

Looks like a terrific event,,,anyone know how mant F5000s are turning up??

and TF, whilst I sort of get where you are coming from,,,I have to disagree with "Biante is high end, big dollar, main game stuff"

Just because a few people have enough dosh to take cars around following the V8 Supercars and have lobbied to be able to spend even more dollars on unfettered mechanical mods does not mean they have suddenly become the main game!! Its sort of an insult to all the other drivers and fine machinery out there all around Australia. Don't get me wrong...I used to admire the likes of Brad Tilley for his car prep and driving ability long ago when he was an Nc regular and he and Bug Jum etc put on a good show.

The wider historic movement (to me) has a much bigger appeal than a few show ponies (joking) from a narrow era of Tin Top racing.

IMO if the HCC goon's (pass the port) crowd had allowed certain mods to the cars,a break away group would never have happened.

[billybanana]

Went out to Sandown today for a look and to take some snaps. I've uploaded some shots here if anyone's interested. Not brilliant quality as it was my first day out with a new lens. But you get the idea.

[inpitlane]

A great day, topped off by a walk to the end of the grandstand tonight for the night market, lemongrass pork wrapped in beetal leaves, great.
Good sized crowd, promoters delighted, small numbers of F5000 but great to see and hear. A huge turnout of Formula Fords and Group S Sportscars, the Biante series was very popular with the crowd, not as much with some of the chaps. "The thin end of the wedge you know old boy!"
If you're in Melbourne come out tomorrow 32 degrees brilliant sunshine, a great day for taking photos.

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by TOOTHFAIRY

275 GTB, I don't really think you understand historic touring cars, as Biante is high end chase the V8 circus stuff, that's what it was originated as. It was originally started to show case HTC, to a larger audience, at big events, and give the everyday competitor a chance to run in big time events, and widen his or her horizons. We started out at the V8's in 2002, as log booked HTC, and ran that way until 2006 I think .The current batch of Biante cars are logbooked as NON historic cars and run a BLUE logbook, meaning a HTC car can't run in Biante, and a Biante logged car can;t run as a HTC. I do have a little knowledge of the series as I was the first national administrator for the series, and up until the changes ran in many of the races all over Australia. And am in constant touch with the current board. It is a great series, and the guys who run it and race in it are all passionate about the sport, but it is much more expensive to run than a HTC, in all areas. And just a bit of tongue in cheek, there is no other historic catagory that floats peoples boats more than a HTC or a Biante Muscle Car !!!!!

I generally work trackside so not across the stuff that happens at boardroom level, however, I stand by my stated opinions....I recall the very very shabby treatment meted out to the Nc boys only a few years back by your V8Supercar mate...for example...Bathurst, unpowered, poorly watered campsites in a brambles infested paddock...and competitors paying $1500 for the privelege. Only to have their races cut to ribbons for no good reason except ineptitude.

Thats good that you are having your 15 minutes of fame...and I hope your little circus continues to be sucessful...just not at the expense of the wider Historic community.

[cavvy]

Originally Posted by TOOTHFAIRY

275 GTB, I don't really think you understand historic touring cars, as Biante is high end chase the V8 circus stuff, that's what it was originated as. It was originally started to show case HTC, to a larger audience, at big events, and give the everyday competitor a chance to run in big time events, and widen his or her horizons. We started out at the V8's in 2002, as log booked HTC, and ran that way until 2006 I think .The current batch of Biante cars are logbooked as NON historic cars and run a BLUE logbook, meaning a HTC car can't run in Biante, and a Biante logged car can;t run as a HTC. I do have a little knowledge of the series as I was the first national administrator for the series, and up until the changes ran in many of the races all over Australia. And am in constant touch with the current board. It is a great series, and the guys who run it and race in it are all passionate about the sport, but it is much more expensive to run than a HTC, in all areas. And just a bit of tongue in cheek, there is no other historic catagory that floats peoples boats more than a HTC or a Biante Muscle Car !!!!!

I enjoy both Group N & the Biante series for what they are .. great to watch. I'm even keen to see Historic sports sedans (that will give purists a nightmare as Sports Sedans are truly a work in progress, meeting to meeting).

A couple of questions though, who are the main players off track.

Can I suggest there is a time line:
Biante sponsorship of Paul Stubber & his Camaro initially in WA, when Biante was owned by the Young family.
The fiasco of Stubber hauling his car across the country only to be refused a run at Bathurst.
After this the Biante series in its current form appeared.
Was it before the death of Mr Young?
The sale of the majority interest in Biante in April 2007.

Am I right in concluding the attitude of the Group N powers at Bathurst were central to the formation of the current Biante series?

[smarm]

I had a great time today at Sandown

Big formula ford crash down the straight, drivers left, and a torana coming off at turn 9, thanks to some oil, with a big fuel tank fire.

[TOOTHFAIRY]

275GTB 4 Get it right buddy, not looking for 15 minutes of fame, no one has or does put in more or promote historic racing than my self and my club members, and commitees, all for no pats on the back cause we don't need it. V8SC, ain't my mates, nor my foes, might join em in 2010, Biante in its current form has got nothing to do with me, but unlike the uneducated, I don't knock anybody who is involved in the sport, each to their own. SOME OF US DO IT, others KNOCK IT. Thats what makes the world go round.

[Green Hornet]

Originally Posted by cavvy

The fiasco of Stubber hauling his car across the country only to be refused a run at Bathurst.

Did it not comply with Group N Historic Touring Car regulations and was no he also given a holiday for presenting an illegal vehicle?

[johnh875]

Originally Posted by smarm

I had a great time today at Sandown

Big formula ford crash down the straight, drivers left, and a torana coming off at turn 9, thanks to some oil, with a big fuel tank fire.

I could have written this post! I saw the FFord crash - the car suddenly turned hard left into the armco. I wonder what caused it - it was when the SC was out so perhaps the driver was surprised by the car in front slowing (not my first impression) or a mechanical failure.

Also something I half-heard over the PA, was the Robson F5000 excluded from the final race for noise? What a shame if that is the case.

[smarm]

Originally Posted by johnh875

I could have written this post! I saw the FFord crash - the car suddenly turned hard left into the armco. I wonder what caused it - it was when the SC was out so perhaps the driver was surprised by the car in front slowing (not my first impression) or a mechanical failure.

Also something I half-heard over the PA, was the Robson F5000 excluded from the final race for noise? What a shame if that is the case.

Yeah the car was meatballed in the second race, over comms it said it was for noise. He'd already bent his pipes from memory to try and get around the ?96db limit.

Shame, that car was the quickest thing all weekend.

[Bullett]

Originally Posted by johnh875

Also something I half-heard over the PA, was the Robson F5000 excluded from the final race for noise? What a shame if that is the case.

Yes, he was given a warning to fix the issue and they pointed the exhaust pipes down to 'fix' the noise but it didnt work and he was out...however it wasnt the event organisers who pinged him, it was the council who were sitting up the back straight I believe...!!!