Two on Three Ain't Bad (cite REM)

[skaifeman]

Some older V8 Central residents would remember back in 2010 or so, REM started a topic on the chances of the Blue sides Championship.
Back then it was Frosty and Courtney (2) against Whincup, Lowndes and either Tander/Davo (3).
...we all know how that ended .

It was shaping up to be a similar year this year, with Kostecki, Brown and Feeney against Chaz and Waters.
Seems to be 2 on 2 now, with Kostecki an early out. I wouldn't count on him a round (at least) down.
I'd even go as far to say, that it may still be 2 on 3, with AdP potentially joining the list.

Assuming (...yeah) that we're all even, I think Chaz and Waters are serious contenders. Waters particularly had a hot finish to the year. He'd be my favourite, being a betting man.
Brown still feels a little mistake prone. They do say it's better to be fast and figure out the crashes, than slow and straight.
Feeney is about a year away I think. He'll be taking wins for sure though.

AdP as a smokey. There's no argument that DJR have been on a slide since Penske left, but they do have the pieces and the driver. Davo just lacks that X-factor.

Heimgartner will lead BJR, but it'll be hot and cold. Maybe a win?

Grove's? Payne was seriously fast and was probably the form driver for the back half of the year. The Bend onwards certainly opened some eyes. Stanaway a big unknown.

So who have we got as our favourites?

[AlbertM]

I'll echo your picks. I'll add Reynolds with Team 18 to jag a podium or two. I wish he stayed at Grove.

[djr18fan]

I predict race lap speeds will be so close this year that the championship will be decided by qualifying well throughout the year.
So Waters, Feeney, Brown, Stanaway, Mostert, Payne, Anton, Davison, Le Broc, in that order.
Stanaway jumps a few places due to assumption of wet weather at a couple of rounds. Mostert a little higher for the same reason. I hope the DJR lads do better than I predict but they need to improve a lot on last year & be consistent all season  and I'm not confident of that.
Co drivers at the enduros could have an impact though and I haven't factored that in.

[mikeamerica84]

I think you all are on the right track with who will be at the pointy end this year.  The only exception is I would soft pedal on Reynolds and Team 18 (sorry Albert).  I mean, it was not like Scott Pye set the world on fire last year and now the Camaros should be reeled in a bit more.  But we'll see.

My eye will be on DJR.  If they can hit the setups like in years' past, this could put two more horses in the race.  Don't count Will Davison out just yet.

I also want to see what Jaxon Evans can accomplish for BJR.  He is a good wheelman.

[AlbertM]

Reynolds doing alright. My mistake was thinking the Fords were going to have a chance.

[Yamarocket630]

Im gunna take the safe bet and say Macca will be P-nowhere all year.

[Dasha]

I am not too concerned with the championship but more focused on making 100 % sure that the Mustangs are on an equal performance level as the the Camaros.
It does look look the earo is sorted but I an not fully convinced the Mustangs will be on the same level as the Camoros in the horse power area.
Call me paranoid or having a conspiracy mind set, i honestly dont care, all i can do is look at the last 20 odd years of Supercar races at Bathurst where GM have had the advantage & the Ford teams have had to rely on the front running GM cars having trouble. I dont want to reignite any parity wars but as a Ford fan I am just so sick of seeing GM basically having the race handed to them.
Yes there has been a couple of times where the blue oval has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory but as a rule the last 20 plus years have been where GM have had the advantage.

So after saying after getting that off my chest, i would like to know what is going on with the transient dyno testing to ensure horse power parity, is there any further testing scheduled ?
All I want is to watch a Bathurst where the Blue Oval has a 50 / 50 % chance of winning.

Might have to get Dick Johnson out of retirement & strap him in the # 17 Mustang     
     

[Sonic]

All I want is to watch a Bathurst where the Blue Oval has a 50 / 50 % chance of winning.
 
     

Never going to happen simply on the basis of numbers.

You want a 50/50 shot then on top of equal aero and equal power you need equal opportunities. 10 out of 24 gives the red brigade a better than 50/50 even when some stumble.

Have always thought if it is a 2 manufacturer championship then it should be equal numbers for each.

Think TCR does this? (or did at one point) having a max of 5 cars of the one make on the grid.

[hsv8fan]

All I want is to watch a Bathurst where the Blue Oval has a 50 / 50 % chance of winning.
 
     

Never going to happen simply on the basis of numbers.

You want a 50/50 shot then on top of equal aero and equal power you need equal opportunities. 10 out of 24 gives the red brigade a better than 50/50 even when some stumble.

Have always thought if it is a 2 manufacturer championship then it should be equal numbers for each.

Think TCR does this? (or did at one point) having a max of 5 cars of the one make on the grid.

It will never be that due to the variables of teams, engineers and drivers with different mindset, ability and budgets

[Trevor]

Chev will win, Supercars will make sure of it

[mikeamerica84]

Chev will win, Supercars will make sure of it

You know, Trev, with your track record at Bathurst wherein the blue ovals come up short every time you are there, should you sit out this year it could be the springboard us Fordies need to get back into the thick of things.

You could take one for the team, so to speak.