[Doggie 1]

I'm no expert here, so I may stand corrected.
But I do believe that the race cars have live rear axles, not independent rear end.
I don't think that independent rears are suitable for high speed racing.

[rustynutz]

Remember when Nissan won the big race, the bogans nearly started a riot!

Wasn't that more to do with the Nissan crashing out and causing the race to be stopped and then being awarded the win? 

[Surferdude]

Remember when Nissan won the big race, the bogans nearly started a riot!

Wasn't that more to do with the Nissan crashing out and causing the race to be stopped and then being awarded the win? 

Yes...and no.
The Nissan wasn't the first to crash. There were several cars already crashed (I think at Forest Elbow) and the Nissan joined them. His crash wasn't what stopped the race. It was the treacherous conditions and the fact that there were literally cars off the track everywhere.

But the result was as you say. The Nissan was declared the winner as the rules state that in the event of a red flag the race will be declared at the end of the previous lap.

[rustynutz]

Thanks for clarifying that, Trev.... 

My final word on this (hooray i hear some say!) the cars definitely have live rear axels, they are overall a low tech approach to racing, big simple (primitive) engines with modern injection and management systems coupled with basic suspensions.  In the hands of a good driverr they go pretty fast with 600bhp.  I think as a television spectacle this stuff is losing its appeal, I was in a small town, Morgan in SA on Sunday, there are two pubs adjacent to each other  in times gone by one was a Ford pub and one a Holden pub on the Bathurst  day. It was a big event, both front bars were packed, not any more, it was on the telly but no one was watching. On the otherhand the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide is very well attended and popular as an event to attend, but I leave town for it
Finally why would any other makers enter this competition? Any technological advantage you might have means nothing because of the strict rules forcing them into these basic cars. Socialism eventually failed as a system of government, socialism applied to car racing may also have a limited future.

[Surferdude]

Interesting comments Mick
Why do you think the Clipsal is still popular if Bathurst isn't? Same cars and drivers. Same championship.

Also it's not a matter of other manufacturers necessarily running teams. But by allowing other makes you open up the sponsorship options for existing teams and spread the cost of running the circus more widely. There would have to be some involvement by vehicle  manufacturers but they wouldn't have to stump up for the whole operation.

I'm no expert here, so I may stand corrected.
But I do believe that the race cars have live rear axles, not independent rear end.
I don't think that independent rears are suitable for high speed racing.

I don't understand this. Don't F1 cars and WRC cars have independent rear ends?

[FatBoy]

Sorry for the late post, but I have just been to the Great Race and watched it live for the second year.  I take my boys up and we camp on the track for the week.  This year was even better than last as our campsite was right next to The Chase, which meant only a 2 minute walk, instead of 30 minutes.  We make sure we get a place with a view of the "big screen" as after the first pit stop, you can't tell who is winning!!!

All in all, an awesome experience, and I will keep going back.

And the right car won (well, it starts with H).

FatBoy

[Lakes]

My final word on this (hooray i hear some say!) the cars definitely have live rear axels, they are overall a low tech approach to racing, big simple (primitive) engines with modern injection and management systems coupled with basic suspensions.  In the hands of a good driverr they go pretty fast with 600bhp.  I think as a television spectacle this stuff is losing its appeal, I was in a small town, Morgan in SA on Sunday, there are two pubs adjacent to each other  in times gone by one was a Ford pub and one a Holden pub on the Bathurst  day. It was a big event, both front bars were packed, not any more, it was on the telly but no one was watching. On the otherhand the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide is very well attended and popular as an event to attend, but I leave town for it
Finally why would any other makers enter this competition? Any technological advantage you might have means nothing because of the strict rules forcing them into these basic cars. Socialism eventually failed as a system of government, socialism applied to car racing may also have a limited future.

Mick, it's like the Melbourne Cup M8, very basic primitive, but they come from all over the world to compeat as good prize money. i don't know about SA but pubs here are not as packed as they used to be as we have random breath testing & 0.05 limit. in days gone by there was a lot of drunks on the road & a lot would go to pubs drink a lot watch sport then drive home. not now.
Cheers

Fatboy, that is great you & your boys have been for the past two years & camped at the track. i would have liked to have gone down to Phillip Island & camped to watch the bike GP. maybe next year. thats another great spectical.

[Dazzler]

Hey Mick I think John (Lakes) might have hit the nail on the head .. Plus, many people now have 42" LCD's or bigger at home so no need to go to the local pub to watch one....

I know the cars are low tech but still had a cracker of a finish this year...

[rustynutz]

These fancy electronic aids fitted to cars & motorcycles these days seem to have turned most racing in to a bit of a procession. 

[Dazzler]

Good promo for the next race....Got a lot of attention around the traps apparently 

[2i30s]

I'm surprised they allowed that in such a public place without any safety barriers.    not so long ago an Aussie drag racer had an accident in America doing a very similar display on a public street.    his car went out of control while doing a take off burn out,he went into the crowd and killed several spectators.    but dazz,that was an excellent video buddy. 

[Dazzler]

Yeah, Steve I thought the same thing about the safety 

[2i30s]

ah,she'll be right!    I've seen billy cart races with barriers and hay bales,and they are lite and slow.  does anyone remember that drag racers crash that i mentioned,the town wanted him lynched for their safety mistakes. 

[Dazzler]

Yeah, I remember it .. I can't recall if he was charged in the end though?

[2i30s]

he was found to be not at fault,the organisers and local council were found negligent but not charged. 

[Eyethirty]

Yeah, I remember it .. I can't recall if he was charged in the end though?

He did 18 months probation and suspended 1 year prison term after pleading guilty to 28 charges of reckless assault.
Troy Critchley is his name and was also from Brisbane (where this video was shot).