Prius / Nascar Dilemma

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Nov 5 2007, 06:47 AM) [snapback]534870[/snapback]</div>

They have a couple of races a year on tracks that are not ovals and that is much better racing IMHO. I think they use the Ford 9" rear end because it is considered bullet proof in other words it doesn't break! Doesn't make sense but once again they don't ask my opinion. I personally would love to see more Road course (not an oval) races during the season and that you could use whatever the best equipment from the manufacturer. FI / 4 cams / whatever! That way the manufacturer could use these cars to test new ideas for us "the consumer". That is the way it was way back when NASCAR meant "Win on Sunday Sell on Monday" Brian France seems to have different ideas than his father (Bill Jr.) and grandfather ( Bill Sr.) had. I don't know what engine they are using in the camry? Does the Tundra have a pushrod V8? Any engine in Toyotas lineup can be used as far as I know. I should just go over there and find out. When they are racing I can hear them outside my back door and watch the fireworks when it is over. It is also a nice place to watch the night launches of the Space Shuttle.

 

Your solution is here.

 

Toyota had to develop a push-rod V8 for the Tundra when they started in NASCAR (never had one in a street vehicle). Also, they had to "invent" a two-door, rear-wheel drive Camry to race.

Marv

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ Oct 20 2007, 10:55 AM) [snapback]528163[/snapback]</div>

Yes, and for decades the France family were the ones who courted the manufacturer dollars and called the shots in every way...again, like Wrestling. Or, come to think of it, like Bernie, in F1.

NASCAR and F1 are so different, and yet it's confounding why F1, with all of its technology, star drivers, fancy European roots, etc., is pretty much just a motorized flea circus.

On the other hand, NASCAR struggles to penetrate the Blue states, at least with significance...for my taste, their events can be a bit...oh, how can I say...commercial and gaudy, and the cars are so similar and really, boring, from an engineering standpoint, that there's just not that much 'depth' to the NASCAR story.

Also, IMHO, the more stickers and logos are applied to race cars, the further the sport wanders from its simple, horse-racing inspired roots. And NASCAR is an egregious violator in this area...the cars are just plain ugly.

Andy Granatelli used to call his cars by their name...and then, in reference to the driver, he'd say, "and so-and-so is up"...just like a jockey!

 

Another example

From the Netherlands:

 

whats wrong w racing ? Toyota races in NASCAR, F1, Baja, Indy etc

 

Nothing my favorite Nascar driver is now in a Toyota. Now I can have a # 20 sticker in my window of my 1 week old Prius. I hated having a Tony Stewart sticker driving a Ford. Now I can have a my matching team/sticker/car brand!