THE GRMers REINVENT NASCAR THREAD!

So instead of griping about why NASCAR sucks, why don't we talk about what we think would make it better?

Let's reinvent modern stockcar racing with a clean sheet of paper.

I'll go first.

1. Must use a production line engine block. Maximum displacement of 5.0l (NA) for a V8. Heads, valve train and rotating assembly are free. Restriction, if needed, could be done through injectors or throttle valve. I'd like so see rules allowing 6,5 and 4 cyl engines as well.

2. Tube frame chassis, AWD, FWD and RWD all permitted. The silhouette of the car must match the production car that it's based on from (a to be determined) number of inches above the ground. Below that point is unrestricted so that splitters and underbody aero and be incorporated. Wings, spoilers and wickers are permitted, but size may be limited.

3. A few more road courses thrown into the schedule. I'd also like to see a clay or dirt track, if there are any left that could accommodate a large event like NASCAR.

What's the equivalent to the old American Le Mans Series? Just make that as popular and as prevalent as NASCAR.

Install passenger seats and have a lottery at each race for spectators to ride along throughout the race.

Ultimate front row seat!

Austrailan V8 Supercars

Change the accents to North Carolina.

Soup.

1) Engine/driveline limited to the production car it is based on. If dodge/GM brings a V8 RWD and toyota brings a V6, so be it. Displacement based on the model. Some will work better than others on different tracks.

2) Qualifying based on merit.

3) More road couses. A moonshine run (rally race for our european friends who belive they invented racing on dirt roads).

4) Looks like a production car, see driveline.

5) Brand must produce cars in USA. (Ford, Benz,Toyota, etc)

6) More road races....

See DTM

How about using actual stock cars and handicapping them as necessary to create good racing?

Actual stock cars. No handicapping. If you get your ass handed to you one season, you build a faster car.

Cars off the showroom floor.

Ensure a proper cage.

Spec wheel and tire.

The onus to produce a competitive car is put in the manufacturer.

Done

Two short races instead of one long race. 2nd race is reverse grid based on finishing order of the first race.

About the only thing I'd change is the race and the track length. I'd want a mile and a half to be the longest tracks with no more Plate races. Run 2-4 races a year on dirt. Oh and figure out a way to reduce the number of debris cautions. Either in the form of stronger tires or something.

No one is going to let "stock" cars happen and I wouldn't want it to happen on ovals. Too many chances to hit things and injuries to result. At the speeds they run, It would be a huge step back.

There is already a bunch of great racing on US road courses in "stock" cars in the form of PWC and IMSA so no need to really go there.

Spoolpigeon wrote: Two short races instead of one long race. 2nd race is reverse grid based on finishing order of the first race.

Novel idea but would it pass muster w/ the fan base? Be more interesting for sure.

bludroptop wrote: Austrailan V8 Supercars Change the accents to North Carolina.

This.

Run 2 Dayton races. Second time on the Road Course.

PushrodRWD wrote: A moonshine run (rally race for our european friends who belive they invented racing on dirt roads).

My favorite suggestion so far.

In reply to Spoolpigeon: I am on the fence with that one.

That format wasn't as fun in person when V8 Supercars raced in Austin. Then again a full race is not anywhere as long as a NASCAR race. On the other hand the WEC race was cool because you had enough time to walk to different parts of the track and get a different perspective.

They would need to be close, not on different days. The crowd logistics would be unreasonable. Then again changing the format to something a bunch of fans would dislike may cut down on the crowds.

Have the Lemons guys run it.

Give the crowd paintball guns

As I watched Daytona I started to wonder how to make it appeal to those that hate it.

I think the easiest way is to have a separate series specifically on road courses. Keep the ovals in one series and road courses in another. Run the road courses on Saturdays and ovals on Sundays for those drivers who might want to run both. Try to keep them in the same general area. Texas Motor Speedway and COTA for example.

Change nothing with the current cars other than what they already allow for road course racing. See how it turns out after the first year.

If there are teams (NOT drivers) that dominate more than others, start looking into the handicapping. ALL series run professionally (i.e. NOT SCCA/NASA) have to have that to some degree so you don't get someone outspending everyone else to win.
The BTCC has a decent one with adding weight to the top drivers to slow them down. Something like that for handicapping would work well.

-Rob

I forget which race series does this, but they have a fairly simple formula for weight per cubic inch. If you want to run a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder, you get to run lighter vs someone using a 5.7 liter V-8. Formula can be adjusted for turbo vs non turbo as well.

A lot of these sounds like Pirelli or Trans Am to me. I don't know why those aren't more popular.

bruceman wrote: See DTM

This

kazoospec wrote: Run 2 Dayton races. Second time on the Road Course.

And this.

Also go back to actual racing. Championship decided by actually racing in every event and ban the yellow flag.

LOVE the Moonshine Run idea!!!

I would have to go with: Real world OEM stock body templates from axle centerline up, and must utilize OEM wheelbase for all race tracks,

1/3 road courses,

1/3 1.0 mile to 1.5 mile ovals,

1/3 superspeedways,

one or two stage rally events,

A plain old straight-up season cumulative points total to determine season champion.

Must use solid-fuel rocket engines, and must use the Official Rocket Fuel Of NASCAR

Minimum pit entry speed of 120mph

Drivers who get black flag penalties must race for X amount of laps with tire chains on.

I'm just getting started here, folks.

DTM has the same main issue that NASCAR does IMHO. They are not based on anything production. They are all spec cars at this point with the same chassis underneath. The body work is major difference with some various engine tweaks.

My vote:

Tube frame is fine.

Maximum fuel usage on the engines (displacement / power adders are up for grabs)

Cars must have similar / same dimensions as factory car.

Drive wheels are open.

Maximum weight.

Have various aero packages to choose from... (for example, splitter or air dam? Wing or spoiler? Air dam with spoiler? etc...)

Shorten the races.

Have less races.

Go back to the traditional way of determining a champion.

NASCAR fans like ovals--- they think road courses are boring because you can only see the cars for a fraction of the time. So...I'd keep the ovals.

NASCAR has succeeded in making their drivers "heroes". Most of their fans don't care if the car is a Chevy, Ford or Toyota, they only care who is driving the car. This is where most racing series have failed (marketing wise). They focus on the cars, instead of who is driving them.

I'd keep it mostly the same--- to insure that the bulk of the fans remained interested. What I would do is require a harder compound tire, and less aero--- to make the cars more "loose". Restrictor plate racing is boring because they are at WOT all the time. Make the cars less stable at speed--- the true talent will shine, and the racing will be more entertaining. (lots of slip angles + heroic saves)

I'd also add 2 or 3 dirt ovals to the schedule--- and be sure to keep historic tracks like Darlington as staples-- never to be replaced by "cookie cutter" tracks.