• Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.

    Post 16 Update

    Post 17 Warning old domain name stealing credentials

  • Special Server Maintenance

    Just when you think you have everything running some what better...

    You get a message from the Hosting company. Short story they need to move us to a new server. I have been working with them to plan a good date for all concerned. Here is what we have come up with as a schedule.

    1. November 4th 17:00 -5UTC shut off the forums and start backup proceedures. During this time there will be no access to the forums or the Resource Section.
    2. November 5th Continue with Backups and download same until complete.
    3. November 6th 7:00 turn over server to hosting company to move system to new server
    4. November 7th - 8th restore backups and upgrade forum software.

    If all goes well we should be back online on November 8th.

    To keep you updated we will post updates on AVSIM forums.

    Thank you for your support.

Barrichello To Aussie S5000 Series

Sadly I think this will be another dud.
The cars have gone so far from the original concept they really have nothing in common with 'F5000'.
Last time I looked they resemble an F3 Dallara on steroids, unsurprising as the chassis is (apparently) built by Dallara.
Looks as if the CAMS muppets have decreed the F1 fashion should be followed, so the 'Halo' adds to the inherent ugliness.
As for a proposed (unconfirmed at this point) 14 car grid, pathetic.
Way back in the mid 1980s some idiot came up with 'Formula Brabham', essentially an F3000 fitted with the awful GMH iron V6.
Several domestic build cars performed well, but eventually dropped out as people imported Reynard, March and Lola F3000 chassis rather than stand by the locals.
We always were baffled as why CAMS sanctioned such a strange 'Australia only' series, especially when F3000 was run in Europe, the UK and Japan.
And the Cosworth or Mugen engines sounded so much better than the Holden V6 drone.

This is what the revived F5000 cars looked like over 2 years ago.
At least the engines should sound good provided they aren't emasculated!

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Did some in depth digging and the cars are constructed around an Onroak-Ligier tub en route from the USA by Gary Rogers Motorsport (Gary Rogers being one of the oldest V8 team owners).
Apparently the Australian Racing Group, which is backed by a consortium of wealthy businessmen/enthusiasts, attempted to hook up with the Supercars and AGP people, who expressed no interest.
ARG run the TCR Australia series so it's a given that the Supercars mob do not want them on the same bill, which nobbles the S5000 lot as well.
Too add to the unknown factor, 'S5000' is just a working title, the official series 'name' is yet to be released.

TCR Australia is linked to the international 2 litre tourers, which actually provides some really competitive racing in cars that are readily recogniseable to the average motorist, but lack the V8 series appeal.

Another really stupid series has appeared this year, 'TransAm 2' or something like that, inspired (if one can use the word!) by a similar US series.
A group of muppets running current generation Mustangs, Challengers and Camaros, with a 24 car grid (or thereabouts) at circuits with little or no spectator attendance.
I say 'stupid' as this is another example of diluting an already over crowded racing calendar and diverting a shrinking financial pool away from more attractive series.
The drivers in the TA2 field are either old (very old!) former V8 operatives or no talent weall off amateurs, hardly draw cards.

Must be time for my medication!
:redfire:
 
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