There is always something going on in the world of Supercar racing. Whether it’s the latest development of vehicles, champions switching teams, or the most recent drama about the Holden vs. Ford rivalry, there is always something interesting to talk about. Keeping up with the latest developments in the racing world is a great way to stay in the know when a discussion strikes up among friends. Knowing the drivers and tracks is essential to having an informed discussion, as is keeping up with the latest supercars.
Meet Some of the Drivers
James Courtney is the 2010 V8 Supercar racing Champion. He switched from the Jim Beam Racing Team where he drove a Ford BF Falcon to the Holden Racing Team just after winning the championship. He is now racing with team mate Garth Tander. Tander was the supercar champion in 2007. Jamie Whincup is another big name in the race, having won the championship himself in 2008 and 2009, and placing 2nd in 2010. His team switched to the Holden VE Commodore just after winning the 2009 championship.
Visit the Tracks
Making sure to tune into the top races during the season is the only way to stay in the know. Many people love the Desert 400 which has been held at the Bahrain International Circuit. The Bathurst 1000 is one of the most exciting endurance runs and is held at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales. The Clipsal 500 is a sprint race that keeps fans glued to the scene and is held in Adelaide on the Grand Prix Circuit. The Phillip Island 500 is an endurance race held a the Philip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria.
Experience the Supercars
The cars are either the Ford BF Falcon or the Holden VE Commodore. They are based off of the production cars, but have been modified to reach outrageous speeds and take a beating on the road. Each team has the opportunity to make a few slight modifications to their car to suit their needs. However, the strict contest rules do not allow for major differences between the vehicles. The supercar racing officials require that the vehicles have similar speed, weight, aerodynamics, and much more to ensure a close race.
What’s in Store for the Future of Supercar Racing?
There has been some talk among the officials to try to open the competition up to other manufacturers. But, for the near future, it will remain a strict competition between Ford and Holden. Many fans prefer this because it makes the race more interesting and gives them more to debate about. There have also been plans to try to limit the cost involved in the vehicles as well, but every time something like this comes out, it ends up being abandoned due to impracticality. Time will tell if a lasting solution has been found.
Being a fan of racing can be a full time job. Keeping up with the drivers, races, and cars is one thing, but staying apprised of who is switching to which team and the latest drama on the Ford and Holden front is another thing entirely. However, this drama adds excitement to the races and gives fans something to talk about and look forward to. This is part of what makes V8 supercar racing so entertaining.