Toyota introduces the Camry to NASCAR

[Brett_Henderson]

I'm curious about what a NASCAR Camry would be powered by ?

We all know that NASCAR morphed (bastardized) itslef a LONG time ago to be anything BUT stock car racing. A NASCAR race car is pretty much huge go-cart. There are NO carburetor fueled, push-rod, V-8, real-wheel drive (rigid axel) cars on the road by Ford, Chevy or Chrysler. The chassis are all pretty much the same (go carts with roll cages) and the sheet metal is a "rough" facsimile resembling the actual model... mutated to keep the aerodynamics equal.

The only thing close to stock are the engines. As far as I know, a Chevy has a Chevrolet engine.. a Ford a Ford and a Chrsler a Chrysler.. BUT they are small-block V-8s that more closely resemble the engines in cars from 30 years ago. I don't think Toyota EVER made a 5.9 liter, push-rod, carbureted V-8. So, to me, that part will be interesting.

ANYWAY.. NASCAR is about the Drivers, Sponsors and a little bit of brand loyalty and there are WAY more Camry owners than umm.. you know ?

[Mobius]

It will definitely be interesting to see how they do.  But I doubt it will really impact the sport that much.  All the aero-packages and engines for the cars are pretty much the same anyways, and if one manufacturer makes a change that benefits them, the others complain until NASCAR changes a rule to make them all the same.  NASCAR seems to be turning into the WWF of the racing sport.  They are trying to change the rules so racing is more exciting, and hopefully they will attract more fans, but in doing so, they are alienating the original fan base from 5-10+ years ago.  I personally don't know what I think of adding Toyota to the list, but we'll just see how it goes.

[C]

Can't see a problem really. Takes me back to the good old days of CART. Penske, Lola and Reynard, all with one thing in common...

Made in GB! Home of motor racing...

[Brett_Henderson]

What we need is some sort of international stock car racing sanctioning body where the old, "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday" really means something. In NASCAR.. a fan is more likely to shop at Home Depot, buy Viagara and choose Budweiser because a certain car wins, than they are to buy that particular car.

Wouldn't you love to see REAL, race-prepared versions of the Camry, Altima, Accord, Taurus, Monte Carlo, Sebring, Passat, MazdaA6, etc..... going at it ?

Maybe a second class for: Accura, Infiniti, Lexus, Jaguar, Saab, Volvo, BMW and Audi

[Craig.]

They have those. They just drive round proper circuits instead of going round in circles for 3 hours

[C]

They have those. They just drive round proper circuits instead of going round in circles for 3 hours

Lol!

[Brett_Henderson]

[quote]They have those. They just drive round proper circuits instead of going round in circles for 3 hours

[Craig.]

I was on about your second class, Jaguars BMW and so on. They having racing leagues in Europe for just about everything. from souped up vauxhalls to standard astons and jags.

[C]

Things such as the BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) used to do just that (ok, no US manufacturers), although in the last few years it has migrated down in size to what we know as "hot hatches". Back in the day though, that was a really good championship. Volvo even entered an 850 estate for a year or two...

[Craig.]

Things such as the BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) used to do just that (ok, no US manufacturers), although in the last few years it has migrated down in size to what we know as "hot hatches". Back in the day though, that was a really good championship. Volvo even entered an 850 estate for a year or two...

I must admit I really lost interest in touring cars right about the time Audi came into the sport. They absolutly destroyed the competition with their 4 wheel drive system. Soon as they made Audi put a ballast weight in I had, had enough. I really am surprised it is being run the way it is. But I suppose with hot hatch's being the flavour right now, they were bound to take over the BTCC.

[Brett_Henderson]

The  OLD IMSA was some of the best racing ever.. I went to a few events at Mid-Ohio..  There were some great battles between Nissan, Jaguar and Toyota and there was no mistaking that the Factories were there, supporting if not outright funding the teams.

Back in the 1970s.. The SCCA was my favorite. Same deal.. Datsun (now Nissan), Toyota, Triumph, Jaguar, Chevrolet, Porsche would put cars on the track that were pretty much the same car you'd buy. GREAT RACING !

[C]

But I suppose with hot hatch's being the flavour right now, they were bound to take over the BTCC.

...and that's what appeals to the 18-25 year olds. You're more likely to see a 22yr old in a Civic Type R than a Volvo!