The World Of Open-Wheel Racing Unveils A New Player
#1
Posted 13 May 2008 - 01:54
base the next generation of a racing series starting sometime around September
2008.
The new chassis and engine combination was designed by Farrari for
the international team racing series, A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, and will
have its first shakedown run later this week.
The 600bhp V8 is due to be given its first shakedown, by former grand prix driver, and A1GP commentator, John Watson on Friday, May 16, 2008.
Go figure ... The Panoz DP01 has plenty of chassis available for teams to race at 750+bhp since the unification of AOWR ... even though the Panoz does not have the name cachet of Farrari, wouldn't this be a better option?
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#2
Posted 13 May 2008 - 02:16
It's a shame that all those chassis are going to collect dust.
#3
Posted 13 May 2008 - 02:21
#4
Posted 13 May 2008 - 02:40
Now, if A1GP were to run its Mexico race 1 week before or after Nascar and GrandAm race there ...
shaggy
#6
Posted 13 May 2008 - 08:12
Originally posted by EDJE
Go figure ... The Panoz DP01 has plenty of chassis available for teams to race at 750+bhp since the unification of AOWR ... even though the Panoz does not have the name cachet of Farrari, wouldn't this be a better option?
A1GP made the deal with Ferrari already in October last year: http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/63200
Champ Car imploded just this year.
You can't expect A1GP to break a deal that was already made with Ferrari, which in fact meant an order of a few dozen cars.
#7
Posted 13 May 2008 - 08:25
#8
Posted 13 May 2008 - 10:53
Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld
Given the choice of buying a Panoz, or buying a Ferrari; why would I go with the Panoz?
Because you would get the same bang for less buck.
Given that there are about ten more types of formula cars than neccessary, I guess it's no biggy that there is one more from Ferrari.
#9
Posted 13 May 2008 - 12:16
Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld
Given the choice of buying a Panoz, or buying a Ferrari; why would I go with the Panoz?
This would be only a small reason the A1GP would choose a proven Panoz DP01 ... the series would lower costs (a series objective) and be truly international with a "colonies" built, non F1 DNA, chassis and engine combination.
In A1GP's own words:
It is a series where technology and innovation are deliberately equalized, making success dependent on human bravery and pure driving skill.
If they did use the Panoz, I would guess ... Push-To-Pass and "Reds" (the softer compound, one-stint strategy tire) would be off the table.
One could suggest that the IRL already conforms to the above A1GP objective statement ... there is nothing that can be done to bring technology or innovation to the current Dallara chassis that would improve its performance.
#11
Posted 13 May 2008 - 12:36
Powered by Ferrari
or
Powered by Panoz
One has much less bang (commerical and fan appeal) for much less buck...
#12
Posted 13 May 2008 - 13:54
Originally posted by RedBaron
What's going to get more interest?
Powered by Ferrari
or
Powered by Panoz
One has much less bang (commerical and fan appeal) for much less buck...
Panoz didn't supply the engines. Therefore, it wouldn't be "powered by Panoz".
...which brings up a few other issues: The Panoz was designed to run with a turbo Cosworth engine. Therefore, anybody wishing to use the Panoz chassis would need to make a separate deal for engines. And AFAIK, there aren't any European-based OW series that are running turbos. This might not fit into the A1GP-as-a-feeder-series model.
But, somebody somewhere should be able to figure out a use for 20-something Panoz chassis.