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EA have done a magnificent job too. You can almost see me sitting at the fence on the top of the mountain at Bathurst, just after the radio tower. :D

The sport has on occasion been dominated by the team that has the most money to throw at development. But there has been intervention to level the playing field in that regard. This was called "operation blueprint" and it gave guidelines and limitations on all the equipment. The cars are based on the the production sports car made by each manufacturer The ford specs Engine: Stone Bros. developed 5.0 litre V8 Ford with SVO cylinder iron block and aluminium heads. Estimated Power: 635 BHP & 455 ft. lbs. Torque. Limited to maximum 7,500 RPM & 10:1 compression ratio. Gearbox: 6-speed Holinger H6S - Australian made Differential: Ford 9 inch crownwheel & pinion. Ratio per regulations & circuits 3:7, 3:5, 3:25. Suspension: Stone Bros. developed double wishbone suspension with adjustable damper and cockpit adjustable front anti roll bar. Stone Bros. Racing 4 link rear suspension with adjustable watts link, coil over adjustable rear anti roll bar. Brakes: Brembo Monobloc 6 piston front calipers with Brembo disc 360 x 35mm. Brembo Monobloc 4 piston calipers with Brembo disc 330 x 28mm. Wheels: O.Z. wheels 17 inch by 12 inch Tyres: Dunlop SP Sport 680/280 R17 control tyre Vehicle Weight: 1350kg (category minimum) Top Speed: 298kph (185mph), 0-100kph: 4.0 seconds The holden specs Engine: Holden Motorsport 5.0 litre fuel injected V8, Holden Racing Team developed cylinder heads, fuel injection, intake and exhaust system, Category control MoTec engine management control system Estimated Power: 600 + BHP limited to maximum 7,500 RPM Gearbox: 6-speed Holinger gearbox – Australian made Differential: Motive 9†Suspension: Front: Holden Racing Team developed double wishbone designed for racing with adjustable camber. Cockpit adjustable front roll bar Rear: Holden Racing Team developed. Location by four-link parallel arms and Watts link. Cockpit adjustable rear anti roll bar Brakes: Front: 6-piston front calipers with 375mm ventilated discs. Rear: 6-piston rear calipers with 340mm ventilated discs. Wheels: O.Z wheels 17 inch by 11-inch magnesium alloy Tyres: Dunlop control tyre Fuel Capacity: 120Litre Vehicle Weight: 1350kg (category minimum) Top Speed: 298kph (185mph) 0-100kph: 4.0 seconds Car-to-Pit: Optus digital service to Pi Research software through Telemetry Transfer Dell computer Seat: Racetech Steering Wheel: Momo Hope this answers the question. The link to the supercars website is in the original post for more technical info... I have to admit, Im not the biggest petrol head :D facts be known I am far from it :rolleyes:

Hi all, If you love your ford theres a good chance you follow motorsports. I am getting more interested in Nascar etc now that we get more coverage on cable here in Australia. I will also be keen on seeing how our champion Marcus Ambrose goes over there. A 2 time champion in V8 supercars, he has signed on to drive trucks for Wood Brothers in the #20 entry. Anyhow I just thought I'd share info about the Supercars Championship that runs down here. V8 Supercars started off in 1960 and has evolved to the race we have today where there is a feirce rivalry between the supporters of the two manufacturers. FORD and HOLDEN. The blue oval Vs team red :D A quick history of the event and last years awards and championship standings... List of Australian Touring Car Champions 1960 - David McKay (Jaguar 3.4) 1961 - Bill Pitt (Jaguar 3.4) 1962 - Bob Jane (Jaguar 3.8 MkII) 1963 - Bob Jane (Jaguar 4.1 MkII) 1964 - Ian Geoghegan (Ford Cortina GT) 1965 - Norm Beechey (Ford Mustang) 1966 - Ian Geoghegan (Ford Mustang) 1967 - Ian Geoghegan (Ford Mustang) 1968 - Ian Geoghegan (Ford Mustang) 1969 - Ian Geoghegan (Ford Mustang) 1970 - Norm Beechey (Holden Monaro 350 GTS) 1971 - Bob Jane (Chevrolet Camaro) 1972 - Bob Jane (Chevrolet Camaro) 1973 - Allan Moffat (Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III) 1974 - Peter Brock (Holden Torana LJ XU1) 1975 - Colin Bond (Holden Torana LH L34) 1976 - Allan Moffat (Ford Falcon XB GT) 1977 - Allan Moffat (Ford Falcon XB GT / XC) 1978 - Peter Brock (Holden Torana LX A9X) 1979 - Bob Morris (Holden Torana LX A9X) 1980 - Peter Brock (Holden Commodore VB) 1981 - Dick Johnson (Ford Falcon XD) 1982 - Dick Johnson (Ford Falcon XD) 1983 - Allan Moffat (Mazda RX-7) 1984 - Dick Johnson (Ford Falcon XE) 1985 - Jim Richards (BMW 635 CSi) 1986 - Robbie Francevic (Volvo 240 Turbo) 1987 - Jim Richards (BMW M3) 1988 - Dick Johnson (Ford Sierra RS500) 1989 - Dick Johnson (Ford Sierra RS500) 1990 - Jim Richards (Nissan Skyline HR31 GTS-R) 1991 - Jim Richards (Nissan Skyline BNR32 GT-R) 1992 - Mark Skaife (Nissan Skyline BNR32 GT-R) 1993 - Glenn Seton (Ford Falcon EB) 1994 - Mark Skaife (Holden Commodore VP) 1995 - John Bowe (Ford Falcon EF) 1996 - Craig Lowndes (Holden Commodore VR) 1997 - Glenn Seton (Ford Falcon EL) 1998 - Craig Lowndes (Holden Commodore VS) 1999 - Craig Lowndes (Holden Commodore VT) 2000 - Mark Skaife (Holden Commodore VT) 2001 - Mark Skaife (Holden Commodore VX) 2002 - Mark Skaife (Holden Commodore VX) 2003 - Marcos Ambrose (Ford Falcon BA) 2004 - Marcos Ambrose (Ford Falcon BA) 2005 - Russell Ingall (Ford Falcon BA) In summary... Fords - 20 Championship Wins Holdens - 13 Jaguar - 4 Nissan - 3 BMW - 2 Chevrolet - 2 Mazda - 1 Volvo - 1 The 2005 Championship 1 Russell Ingall - FORD 2 Craig Lowndes - FORD 3 Marcos Ambrose - FORD V8 Supercar Championship Series Awards Champion Manufacturer of the Year: Ford 2005 Champion: Russell Ingall Caltex Racing (Ford) 2005 runner-up: Craig Lowndes Team Betta Electrical (Ford) 2005 second runner-up: Marcos Ambrose Pirtek Racing (Ford) Champion Pole Award: Craig Lowndes Team Betta Electrical (Ford) Champion Team of the Year: Stone Brothers Racing (Ford) Barry Sheene Medal: Craig Lowndes Team Betta Electrical (Ford) RPM Viewer’s Most Popular Driver: Craig Lowndes Team Betta Electrical (Ford) HPDC V8 Supercar Series Champion Dean Canto Gatorz Racing (Ford) Mike Kable Rookie of the Year: Grant Denyer Summit/Jax Racing (Ford) Privateers Cup Champion Gary MacDonald Kanga Loaders Racing (Ford) Bathurst Champions: Mark Skaife and Todd Kelly Best Presented Team: Holden Racing Team V8 Supercars Australia Media Award Bruce Newton Best Volunteer Group: Super Cheap Auto 1000 Hall of Fame – Special Category: Clipsal 500 Adelaide As you can see the Fords have made a come back after a few years where there was no factory team. So a big thank you for all the support from the ford motor company because it has been great to see the blue oval in the winners circle and number 1 for the past 3 years. The new season kicks off in March with the Clipsal Adelaide 500. Hope to keep you informed and entertained. Should you find your way Downunder, especially around Bathurst time, go to the race and have a beer with me on the top of Mount Panorama while we watch the race Cheers Al