Crompton comments...

Given that the Seven Network now has the V8 Supercar Championship, I read with interest in V8X #37 that Neil Crompton will be staying with the series. I can only hope he will still be what I consider to be an important and professional part of the V8 series. His expert opinions and pitlane comments are part of what makes the series what it is – a growing, highly professional sport.
Fred

Moral champ?

I’m a big V8 supporter. Caterpillar gets my nod in the Blue corner, while Rick Kelly would have to be my favourite Holden driver – and at Phillip Island last year Rick won the crown, right or wrong.

The crash between Rick and Craig was just another Supercar crash; one got out okay and the other one ended up damaged. Anyway, it’s happened now so Lowndesy, you need to get over it. Rick won and that’s that. Well done Rick – keep it up through this year, too.

But hell’s bells, what a year for Lowndsey! Firstly, at Surfers Paradise, he seemingly wasn’t allowed the time to fulfil a penalty after being persuaded onto the wrong side of a chicane, resulting in a drive-thru. Then he copped a poor grid position due to spinning up in the wrong spot prior to the race.

At Bathurst Craig had to win not once, but three times. When that last safety car came out, the ‘dangerous’ obstacle was so far off the track you would have needed a rally car to go and hit it, which gave Rick Kelly the chance he needed to catch up.

Then the safety car didn’t come out when there was a dead car on the circuit, eliminating the win under the safety car. In view of what happened at Phillip Island, who know what may have happened in those last couple of laps... and then, after all that, he still wins it.

Finally, we have Phillip Island, where Craig is absolutely belted up in the first two races but somehow still manages to equal championship points. Going for the championship win in race three he’s shunted where the sun don’t shine and sees it all go up in smoke!

Lowndesy, apart from being the moral champ of 2006 you’re a hero through and through, and as for the powers that be, boys – you’ve got to lift your game. Remember what happened when you tried to make us watch chainsaw racing (the two litres) – we voted with our feet.
Balacalva Trev

Bahrain bitter

Regarding Andrew Clarke’s article Arabian knights in the last issue, I couldn’t help but be disappointed. How could this venue, Bahrain, be "exciting" through the eyes of Andrew Clarke. After all, why would you spend a lot of time and money to travel more than halfway around the world to see the same thing you could see in Australia or New Zealand?

Well, let me tell you. Firstly, I was there – and the track is magnificent. The people want you there in Bahrain, and what a melting pot of people they are.

Andrew’s article made no mention of a trip to the border of Saudi Arabia, the 7500 mosques, the camel farms, the grand old fort (that has painstakingly been restored to its former glory), the wonderful food, the amazing belly dancing and so on.

Nor was there mention of the fact that Bahrain is only a couple of hours away from Europe, next door to Africa and has a great stopping off point en-route in the form of Singapore. Why didn’t he encourage not just more men to go but their wives and kids too? For goodness’ sake, whet the appetites of your readers!

I’m female and I went with my son, and I enjoyed every minute of it. We live in Cairns and so we don’t get to go to many races, but we hope to get back to Bahrain in 2008.

V8X is generally a great read, but I was disappointed that Bahrain wasn’t given a better rap.
Sylvia

Fine-tuned coverage

Me and a few of the boys like to get together over a few beers to watch the V8 Supercars, and I have to agree with Graeme (Mailbag, V8X, #37) that the TV coverage isn’t the best. For a start, why can’t we have the coverage start earlier? I’d much rather watch the racing live than late at night.

In any case, good luck to the drivers in the new season. Keep it on the track and let’s hope the racing action is better than ever in 2007.
Rob

P.S. I’m trying to find a copy of the Wellington street race on DVD. Could anyone out there in V8X land point me in the right direction?

Get over it

When I read Mailbag last issue (V8X, #37) I would have expected to have found more letters about what went down at Phillip Island. Now I’m a Holden fan so I was supporting Rick, but I try and look at things in the V8 Supercar Series from both sides of the fence, as most incidents looked upon by us fans are very one-sided.

My take on the matter is this: whether Rick or Craig was at fault, Rick got the penalty and served it fair and square – and I don’t think there is anything in the rule book that says that drivers in the running for the championship in the last round are to be treated any differently to anyone else.

I think the stewards did the right thing, but I also think they should refine the rule book for the sake of the drivers, the teams and the fans, because last season some valid points were raised – like Garth’s blocking, and what happened with Rick and Craig.

Not that I think it was an intentional shove; I reckon he went for the gap and the gap closed – and if you were Craig you would have closed it, too!

I bet Rick felt sick in his stomach standing on that podium – we’ve all done the odd thing that in our heart and in hindsight we know wasn’t the best thing to do – but he can’t turn back time now, and everyone reading this knows that if they were in Rick’s shoes they wouldn’t give that crown back either.

Anyway, my advice to everyone is get over it and bring on 2007 – and the new VE. Congratulations to Rick, and thanks to the whole series for a great year.
Steve

Unhappy camper

I’ve just read your last issue, and I have to say I was quite upset that such a magazine could be so biased. What is it these days with everyone sticking like glue with Ford? What a load of bull; take a closer look at the footage and think before you make your comments.

It’s pathetic that such a good magazine can’t record all the details and evidence supporting the stuff you’re writing. At least have a balanced point of view on each topic you touch on – the issue before the last was just as bad.

It’s a real shame – you should be bringing the term ‘V8 Supercars’ alive. It’s a rival of the two badges, not a sook fest for those who think the crown is morally theirs.
Jess

Can’t get enough

I’m a 16-year-old girl, and I am totally obsessed with V8 Supercars. Holden all the way, I say, and I absolutely love Rick Kelly!

I live way down on New South Wales’ south coast, about one-and-a-half hours north of the Victorian border. The closest V8 Supercars’ circuit to my home town is either Oran Park or Winton Raceway, which are both about five hour’s drive away. I’m on my L-plates so I can’t drive to the races myself, and my parents won’t take me!

Because V8X is such a great magazine with all the latest and up-to-date info on what’s going on in the V8 Supercar world, I was wondering if you would be able to do a big feature article on 2006 V8 Supercar Champion, Rick Kelly.

Would you please be able to throw in a big poster of Rick and his Toll HSV car, too? I can’t find any good pictures on the Net, so I would be forever grateful.

Thank you for being my number-one magazine; the effort you put into each edition is truly appreciated. Looking forward to the next issue and another fabulous year of V8 racing!
Amy

Ed: I can’t be 100 per cent sure Amy, but I’ve got a funny feeling you might have sent this letter in before our last issue came out! I hope you liked the interview we ran with Rick in that one, and no doubt that Ricky Kelly pull-out poster now has pride of place on your bedroom wall.

Pick of the mailbag

Aaron receives a copy of Test Drive Unlimited from our friends at Atari

Winton warrior

Get stuffed with your comments about Winton (Editorial, V8X, #36)! Winton is a great track, which adds an important flavour to the series. The only ones complaining about the facilities are the toffs and the knobs like you - the real fans love the track.

What other track can you take your own food and drinks to, have a barbecue and see almost the whole circuit?

I go to all the Victorian rounds, as well as Adelaide, and I find Winton is just as good, if not better, than all the other tracks I visit. Every single person I talk to loves Winton and wants it part of the series; the only ones whinging are knobs and Cochrane!
Aaron

Ed: I grew up in the area so I also have a soft spot for the north-east circuit but not everybody can take a BBQ. Sure you can see the whole track if you get a spot near the fence, but what about when it's packed and you're standing at the back struggling to hear the PA. The Winton V8 crowds are BIG but they could be bigger if you could fit them in.

ArmcHair As I sit in my empty hotel room after sparkle and fizz of the launch of the 2007 V8 Supercar championship, I'm reminded of two things. One, after the lights of the show are turned down, it's all back to basics and, two, the basics are about racing and fans at the track. In fact, if there wasn't those 'bums on seats' then there wouldn't be a V8 Supercars series, no Channel Seven telecasts, no sponsors, no corporate entertainment and, dare I say it, no V8X Magazine. If you haven't figured it out by now I'm saying the fan is king. Not a new statement as most of us have heard it before but in all the hype of 'the show' and in the hunt for that corporate deal it can be easy to forget. It's hard to see the Supercars ever heading into a downward spiral that leads to support-paddock status at a state championship round but it has happened overseas and, to a lesser extent, here in Australia. If you are a 'V8 Supercar fan' (e.g. potential spectator and consumer) remember how important you are. I'm not saying run around with a big head and act like a prat thinking you own the show. What I'm getting at is that it's important to let the powers that be know what you think and want in the sport. This also applies when you head off to the venues and pay your own cold, hard cash to watch the racing. If you are not happy let them know. Don't rant and rave but give some constructive feedback. If they don't fix it then stop spending the dollars. Also, if they deserve it give some positive feedback as well. But moving forward, it doesn't matter which TV network you are being telecast on if the fans don't fill the grandstands. Then it is a matter of time before everything and everyone else decides not to show up. In fact, it's the competitors who are the last to leave and they are left with nowhere to race and equipment they can't sell. The list includes the Australian Super Touring Series (two litre) and the Australian NASCAR/AUSCAR Championship, while others series like rallying are struggling to keep their head above water. So while it's fun to be involved in gala dinners and zappy team launches I believe there is real work also being done to cater for the paying race fan. Some of us may feel that it could progress a bit quicker but on the whole I am happy with the direction the rule makers are headed in respect to spectators. The qualifying is a good example and you will see a total turnaround as to how it is viewed. Apart from the expected excitement, qualifying will have a whole new intensity of its own and that can only be good for the fans. Another example is the superscreens at the track. Fans were not content just to watch there bit of track, they also wanted to keep up with all the action. Keep in mind fans and spectators have a voice and together you have the power to make the sports administrators take notice and change things if need be.