Casey and the Supercars.

I thought I might have a go at getting a thread of ideas from motorsport fans (that's you guys), not necessarily MotoGP fans, but certainly familiar with bike racing - how do you think Casey Stoner might fare in the rough and tumble of Touring Car racing? He follows in some large footsteps, not the least of whose are John Surtees, as a rider and World Champion (dual?), and Our Wayne - though he suffered the bad timing to be part of an era in V8SC where bif and barge were not strictly controlled enough, and suffered as a consequence (yes, he created enough of his own chaos, but more than a few impressive races from Gardener were brought to a premature end by stupid good ol' boy driving). Anyway, I digress...

Q&A: Casey Stoner on his new career in V8 Supercars


PS. Please, no fanboi's and crash.net type discourse, the whole Valentino/Casey thing is done to death.

:vader:

I think he has done a savvy thing by signing the one year contract. As many others have noted, It would be as low-key as possible as a former motorcycling World Champ having a red-hot go at racing cars can be in this country. I will probably go to the Clipsal 500 this year and I know several other bike racing fans, who are not necessarily V8SC fans that are planning to attend so to see Stoner have his first gallop in a race situation. Cross-over interest? Looks like it to me.

Agostini keeps eye on Stoner

A little old news-wise, but an interesting perspective none the less, from a former Motorcycle WC who had a tilt at cars.

The timing of several announcements lead me to believe that 888 have picked up Stoner in the hope of maybe finding a faster co-driver than Warren Luff for Craig Lowndes. If the gamble works, they'd have got him on the cheap.

I suspect that the reason why they wanted Stoner at all was because they couldn't lure Greg Murphy who had more lucrative offer at HRT. Lowndes/Murphy would be a pretty safe sort of bet for Bathurst and Sandown.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rollo

The timing of several announcements lead me to believe that 888 have picked up Stoner in the hope of maybe finding a faster co-driver than Warren Luff for Craig Lowndes. If the gamble works, they'd have got him on the cheap..

---

You are likely bang-on there, Rollo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...=lQEdM7jGNQw#!

The publicity and media attention he brings to 888 in particular and V8SC in general would probably outstrip any outlay they would have paid to get him on board. Allied with Red Bull, things are looking interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fSkdBe_frWM

And some more news - the hospital where I work is practically on the Wakefield St corner - We will certainly be able to hear them in theatre!

Casey Stoner nervous ahead of V8 Supercar debut - Speedcafe

Some stuff about CS27 and his first real hit-out in racing conditions in a V8SC - 8th fastest after 2nd practice ain't too bad for a newby.

Casey Stoner impresses in first V8 Supercar sessions | News.com.au

And another little snippet from Speedcafe, this time from team principle Roland Dane

Dane tipping Stoner to surprise in Dunlop Series - Speedcafe

I am impressed! A rookie mistake on friday, finishing deep in the mid-field from last position today.

IMO, the crowd at the track on thursday was substantially down to CS27. 43,000 people attended a race day where the main-game cars weren't even heard, much less seen. This is apparently a record for the Clipsal.

He has been inundated with media this weekend, the Dunlop Series, the feeder series for the V8SC (as you all probably know) has never had such a profile. Seriously, no-one knows about the Dunlop Series outside of us anoraks. They have suddenly assumed a profile they might not have anticipated.

CS27 drove a good meeting for his first ever on four wheels, given everything. :vader:

Casey Stoner: Jury still out on my V8 career chances - Speedcafe

Interesting, and disappointing, that a thread about a bike rider in the feeder series has more interest than the actual Championship ....

WT

More news on our intrepid former world MotoGP champ;

More V8 Supercar miles for Casey Stoner - Speedcafe

have to say he should have stayed on two wheels and continued to thrill his loyal fans

A dispatch from Waneroo (Barbagallo for you younger 'uns), our intrepid 2x MotoGP WC is having setting up difficulties. It's a tricky track and very short and bumpy, with a sub 1 minute lap time and some interesting camber corners. Still, get at 'em, Boyo!

Casey Stoner downbeat after difficult practice - Speedcafe

More news from the CS27 front...

Casey Stoner considering racing sabbatical for 2014 - Speedcafe

Some words from Roland Dane, team principle of the Red Bull V8SC team, who run CS27's Dunlop Series car.

Dane: Stoner's potential already proven - Speedcafe

Some interview vision post last weekend's Dunlop Series races in QLD at the worst racetrack in the world - Ipswich! Seriously, how a supposedly top level race series could stage a race at this "paper clip" paved motocross track is beyond me...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEXF86XecmQ

Third Triple Eight Commodore For Bathurst
Triple Eight Race Engineering today confirmed that it will enter a third, stand-alone VF Commodore in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 to be held at Mount Panorama on October 10-13, as part of the PIRTEK Endurance Cup.
The entry will be supported by Holden and will run independently from Red Bull Racing Australia. It will be located at the opposite end of the Bathurst pit lane.

What's the bet that someone like Sam Tordoff would be given the second spot in that third car alongside Stoner?

It seems likely that Dumbrell and Luff would again join Whincup and Lowndes in the two regular cars, like last year.

It will be a much sought after ride! I guess it will be Stoner and someone else, though I am not personally sure Stoner has done enough to warrant the gig. There are lots of fast young drivers itching for this kind of chance.

I am probably wrong though. Casey has shown speed - mixed with ****ty luck - but Mt Panorama is something else, even for a former 2x WC.

My jealousy is seeping through now, I would love an opportunity for a serious gallop around that track, in anything!

Well, it seems CS27 has had enough.

http://www.speedcafe.com/2013/09/13/sto ... abbatical/