Simviation Forums

Would this affect your view of Volkswagen?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news?slu ... &type=lgns

Driving a Volkswagen (ok, it's a van but it has a 5 cylinder, 2.5 litre turbodiesel engine with a 6 speed gearbox and 170 bhp) daily for work I know it's potential. Don't forget they also own several big sportscar brands so they can access the technology quite easily. I don't know anything about Nascar but if they are free in the choice of engine configuration, they will run circles around those bulky American cars. Same goes for Toyota.

Crash

With all the technology and funds that VW has access to, why would they want to recess in technology and race in Nascar? VAG (Volkswagen Auto Group) is now the worlds largest manufacturer, and owns quite a list of names including Porsche, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti, and more. With those manufacturers under the head of VW, you'd think they would go for F-1, or even one of the LeMans series. But if they just want to get their name out there in the US, Nascar is the only way to go... as much as I hate to say it. I very much dislike Nascar.

Nascar is more or less a spec race series, meaning all the cars and components are basically the same. Why not open it up like the old days and let them duke it out. Then Nascar might be interesting to me. Oh, and throw in some off camber chicanes and right hand turns too. Oh, and I drive a VW. 

VW was also looking into providing engines for the indycar series. 

VW would have to adapt to NASCAR, not the other way around.  Soooooo, there goes virtually any technological advantage(s)....Toyota "thought" they were gonna come in and show things up, but, such was not the case.

[quote]VW would have to adapt to NASCAR, not the other way around.

Cars that go fast in a straight line and can just about manage a corner...


...better run it under the Bentley umbrella then!

Not too bad considering they've only been racing here for less than a decade.

I take it you're talking in NASCAR circles?

Not too bad considering they've only been racing here for less than a decade.

I take it you're talking in NASCAR circles?

  Yes. 

I was quite surprised at Toyota's failure in F1, due to the success they've had in all other forms of racing.. 

[quote][quote]VW would have to adapt to NASCAR, not the other way around.

But, for the money that they spent, NASCAR gets to live a little longer.
I'm pretty sure NACAR wouldn't have lasted long through the crunch if Toyota hadn't have come in and employed a few hundred guys and attracted some big sponsor dollars.
Toyota is who has kept the Truck & NW series alive when our three automakers bailed on them.
Did you know there is only five engine suppliers in Nascar?
Chevy & Ford are not two of them. Because they don't think it's worth the expense anymore.

I'm not sure 'cause I haven't looked into it, but does VDub have a pushrod V-8?

When I first became a fan in the late 70s I was a little bit of a Mopar fan....liked the look of 'em.

I'm not sure 'cause I haven't looked into it, but does VDub have a pushrod V-8?

I'm sure they'll find one, somewhere.

It'd hafta be available in a street car to quailify for use in NASCAR.