[iV8SC12R01&02] Clipsal 500 Adelaide -1-4 March 2012

[formerf1champ]

Originally Posted by osrg

Look up a few posts..... He got lucky in 2010 (let's be real here, the pitcrew at DJR won that title for pretty boy), and the Jap F3 title is open wheel. OUTSIDE of those anomalies...... In the last decade.....What has he done? His career in tintops has been massively underwhelming.

I think you're being a bit harsh on him, Bud. DJR have been ordinary since Paul Radisich carried them in 00-01. If you compare him to Garth who, in 13-14 seasons, has only one title and been close only 2 other years, I'm not sure about "massively underwhelming." is fair. What do you expect Courtney to have done so far?

[osrg]

Originally Posted by peckstar

raging success no, but he still won a championship, not many have done it and its not like the field was weak.

i dont think there is anyone on here that think he is going to suddenly catch fire and reem the field, but he has finished top ten every year except the first year

Valid points Peck...... but he just really rolls around and grabs the odd podium here and there, and suddenly in 2010 he's kissed on the dick and had a title land in his lap. It's the most annoying thing in motorsport that. I was annoyed about it then just like i was in '06 when Nicky Hayden got giftwrapped his title in MotoGP.

I just feel the reward points wise for going out and winning has been diluted so much over the last decade in the points systems used in many top level championships..... that these results end up happening due to that very problem.

[osrg]

Originally Posted by formerf1champ

I think you're being a bit harsh on him, Bud. DJR have been ordinary since Paul Radisich carried them in 00-01. If you compare him to Garth who, in 13-14 seasons, has only one title and been close only 2 other years, I'm not sure about "massively underwhelming." is fair. What do you expect Courtney to have done so far?

I don't expect anything of him........ but to blow smoke up his skirt here like some do is ridiculous.

Taking titles out of the equation...... Garths record in terms of podiums/race wins is supreme, and i'd argue that Courtney has had better equipment over his career than what Garth had at GRM in the early days for example.

[formerf1champ]

Originally Posted by osrg

I was annoyed about it then just like i was in '06 when Nicky Hayden got giftwrapped his title in MotoGP.

Fair enough if this is between you and peckstar and I'm just chipping in but, Nicky Hayden was the best rider in 06. I know the stats for that season (Rossi, 6 wins, Hayden 2 and so forth), he may not have been a dominant champ, but I have no problem with him winning that season. Not his fault Rossi dropped it in Valencia, avoiding/not crashes/crashing is part of being a good driver/rider. Rick Kelly on the other hand...

[DV_08]

Tekno's pace on the weekend was quite impressive. If this continues those white spaces should be reduced quickly. How Tim Slade didn't get a penalty is a mystery to me I guess the in car says otherwise. Premat did okay brought the car home, I'm sure his pace will improve throughout the year. Taz Douglas didn't go too badly I guess the 888 chassis is already helping LDM. DJR were probably the worst performers in terms of outright speed. I was hoping for a few Dick Johnson one liners. Channel 7 didn't appear too have many ads during the last part of the race and it was live into Melbourne at least so I will give them a pat of the back for that effort.

[osrg]

Originally Posted by formerf1champ

Fair enough if this is between you and peckstar and I'm just chipping in but, Nicky Hayden was the best rider in 06. I know the stats for that season (Rossi, 6 wins, Hayden 2 and so forth), he may not have been a dominant champ, but I have no problem with him winning that season. Not his fault Rossi dropped it in Valencia, avoiding/not crashes/crashing is part of being a good driver/rider. Rick Kelly on the other hand...

I accept your points of view... no probs here, it's just a pet hate of mine. And my opinion only obviously....

And Ricko........ geez we'll leave that be hey

Ohand in all of my to and fro'ing i forgot to say that was a stellar drive from Wilbo today, Frosty also....... good to see the SBR cars all in the Top 10 also. My heavy Ford bias showing now.

[formerf1champ]

Originally Posted by osrg

I don't expect anything of him........ but to blow smoke up his skirt here like some do is ridiculous.

Yeah, I don't like how he became a media "personality" as well. I don't like his prissy/pretty boy exterior too. Personally, you win the V8SC title, then you go on DWTS. I would say his career before V8SC was different to most other newcomers and it took longer for him to adjust and that wasn't expected, don't doubt him as a quality driver, though. I'll point out too, since joing HRT, Tander hasn't come close to winning a title. Can't say he's missing out at HRT.

[osrg]

Originally Posted by formerf1champ

Yeah, I don't like how he became a media "personality" as well. I don't like his prissy/pretty boy exterior too. Personally, you win the V8SC title, then you go on DWTS. I would say his career before V8SC was different to most other newcomers and it took longer for him to adjust and that wasn't expected, don't doubt him as a quality driver, though. I'll point out too, since joing HRT, Tander hasn't come close to winning a title. Can't say he's missing out at HRT.

I think everyone in the field is just hanging around, picking up the odd race and round win here and there waiting for the 888 bubble to burst...... whenever the hell that will be

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by osrg

I don't expect anything of him........ but to blow smoke up his skirt here like some do is ridiculous.

Who is blowing smoke where? If you don't like him because of his the colour of his hair thats fine but to belittle and ignore his achievements based on your own prejudices is not ideal.

No one is suggesting is the second coming despite your insistence, but credit where credit is due - he is a championship holder.

Originally Posted by osrg

Taking titles out of the equation......

Yeah because thats how motorsport works

[osrg]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Yeah because thats how motorsport works

Way to select part of a sentence to suit your side of the fence.

I couldn't care less whether you're on his knob or not, the bloke is not top shelf...... and never will be.

In my opinion he got lucky in 2010, has had an average career here in Oz, has done nothing to warrant the adulation from many in V8SC circles and will continue to slop around at the bottom end of the Top 10 at best........

[Woolley]

OK, I think we've established some people like Courtney and some don't. Now can we move on, and without the personal insults? Thank you.

[TerryK]

It seems to me whoever is the No2 driver at HRT is doomed, the team seem to be totally involved in GT..am I the only one to think so or am I reading something into it.

[osrg]

Originally Posted by TerryK

It seems to me whoever is the No2 driver at HRT is doomed, the team seem to be totally involved in GT..am I the only one to think so or am I reading something into it.

100% in agreement.

[Mixer]

Originally Posted by TerryK

It seems to me whoever is the No2 driver at HRT is doomed, the team seem to be totally involved in GT..am I the only one to think so or am I reading something into it.

No team on that grid is going to build a car to fail. This weekend's lack of reliability comes down to the driver. The only way you can overrev a current V8 is by bad downchanges. Engine could easily just be bad luck but more likely JC hurt the thing, he was clearly flustered early in the race and maybe he was a bit keen on the downchanges.

Good way to break tailshafts is by using kerbs too aggressively. If anything HRT seems to be more fragile than 888 or FPR.

It is rather interesting that Courtney can be so bad in quali next to Tander, its one thing to break your car in a kerb mad track like Adelaide but JC would want to find some pace, or Alan Gow might be buying a drive next year. Although considering that neither SBR or FPR will have him, I wonder where he'd go anyway...

Overall comments:

FPR were on the money today and no mistakes. Can they keep it up? If they can they might just bag a title, especially if Dave Reynolds can keep taking points off others. 3 cars in the top 10 is very good. Is it fair to say they are flattered by a bumpy track and we might not see this consistency continue? We have 10 soft tyre rounds this year...

888 were a bit anonymous today, it seemed they mucked around with fuel mappings and hurt their pace. That moment where Jamie lost 3 spots was a bit wierd. Still 4th and 5th many teams would kill for.

SBR also very good to get all 3 drivers in the top 10. If they can be more consistent they will also be dangerous with 3 good drivers. Slade is growing in stature (haha), and Holdsworth will only get faster.

TKR seemed to be basically nowhere the whole weekend, I personally was happy to see Dave Reynolds towel the Kelly's up... Seeing Reindler in the TRK car seems to show that those cars are a long way behind the BJR cars, plus they seem to be hard on tyres and have bad fuel economy to boot.

BJR were pretty average except for Fabian Coulthard who had a great weekend with 2 top 10 finishes and a very clean weekend. Brighty had a bit of a shocker. David Wall kept out of trouble which I guess is probably just the right thing to do.

LDM I'd say the same of Taz Douglas, he managed to get a bit more TV time than David Wall, but apart from spinning on JC's oil, he did well to circulate and finish today. Pity he couldn't beat the Kelly car home though. I'd say finishing the race was a good reward for the crew who no doubt worked their butts off.

Tekno showed some serious speed, Jono Webb clearly has some serious talent, I'm not sure I agree with the previous poster giving Patrizi a rap but time will tell. Big shame for Webbo to be taken out by Murf, hope a good sponsor comes along soon.

Last but not least, DJR. Honestly since the split at the end of 2010 they have been an abject embarrassment. All 4 cars effectively qualified in the 20s and by comparison Tekno with 888 Commodores spanked them. How can a group with equal parts experience and talent perform so poorly in cars that are almost universally praised for their speed? Is Junior over the hill? Is Moffatt the new Dean Canto? Is Dean Fiore good enough for the JB drive? its a worry when Steve Owen is effectively your lead driver.

Today was a bit processional but a straightforward and strong statement by FPR. We're all used to their pronouncements and predictions but could they finally live up to it?

[nickyf1]

Finally got to sit down and watch both the races on a warm (10 celcius sound warm?) sunny Sunday afternoon and I thoroughly enjoyed both races. I normally miss the Clipsal.

I was impressed with Jonathon Webb in the Tekno car in qualifying, it's odd to see a car without sponsors in Aussie V8's.

I'm not a massive fan of Whincup, but that final stint run to the flag by JW was simply outstanding. I'd have felt a little more sorry for Davison if he hadn't won the second race, but he looked (understandably) absolutely gutted.