The I saw a Cool Chevette/Goodest Gemini thread

[mikuni]

haha thats a good idea. unfortunately my car is un drivable at the moment.

also, I'm not a fan of the v8's and I hardly support the way they have done the event. I think its going to be embarrasing. did you notice just how crappy that seal is along there? bumps and dips and changes in seal all over the show, its hardly up to race track quality.

still, atleast h-town stepped up so the country won't loose an international motorsports event.. atleast not yet..

Oh and I've never seen a white coupe here. Strange.

[jaygti]

The tron is an odd choice, but it's temporary and better than Puke, which is old, under-developed and dangerous, hence why it'll get the chop soon.

The V8s will most likely end up at Hampton Downs in '09 (which I've been involved in the development of in a very, very minor way... but it will be awesome!).

And anyways, how often does a place like Hamilton get so say 'hey, we've got a street race, makes us as cool as Monaco!'.

[mikuni]

True.

But yes, bring on Hampton Downs! Everytime I drive past there I get excited.

[jaygti]

Hampton Downs is going to be very, very cool. I've had the chance to look at the design plans, they are really putting in a lot of effort to make it a world-class circuit.

It will be F1 standard too, although unlikely to ever get an F1 race, due to the fact Mr Ecclestone wants $50M just for the permission to hold an F1 event there. Also (I never knew this), it's up to the circuit owners to ship each team to the track and cover all costs, which is another $50M or so. Expensive sport that F1 lark...

[mikuni]

Wow thats crazy. I can't imagine that the tourism generated and the income to the country would ever justify $50m (US?) spent on it.

I had heard that it was only going to be the level below F1 not the full quality track but its nice to know that they are going the whole hog. Taupo will be only a weekend type track after that! haha.

Do you think Hampton Downs will be too expensive to hire out, like we do taupo?

Just as a side note but kind of related to the track, I saw dannyboy had said there will be 3 SS2000 chevettes next year so I decided to look into that series. Its pretty awesome. Oneday I may even be able to compete in it but not for a good few years yet. I'm deffinately going to do my best to go along to the next pukekohe event though, which won't be for a while since its the end of the series.

[jaygti]

Yeah I think it was US$ I was being quoted. I asked about the F1 standard, really by just saying what you had heard, that they were going for 1 level below F1, but the guys I was with were clear it was going to be full F1 standard.

What I found surprising was not that they didn't think they could make money on an F1 event in NZ, they actually thought it would make money (how is beyond me) but the problem would be finding someone who could finance the event, with such high up-front costs.

I did ask about track days, there's going to be plenty of scope for private hire, as the owners are well aware that NZ tracks spend a lot of time either empty or running events that attract only a few thousand people at best. They didn't mention prices, but it is owned by the same group as Taupo (which again seems mad, as why spend all that $$ upgrading Taupo when it will become a weekend track as you say?), so it's possible it will be in the same ball park.

[mikuni]

That does seem mad alright. And all this is from a reputable inside source? Niiice... hehe. Thanks for the info anywhere. Makes me even more exciting about the completion!

[jaygti]

About as reputable as it gets, really. Basically I've helped work on the initial designs for the mobile comms and wireless data services that will be provided to the circuit, so have been talking to a couple of guys that are part of the overall circuit design team. They are comms guys as well, but have access to all the information about the general circuit design, building locations, long-term use, expected attendance for the events, what events will be held, etc., as it's all info we need for our design proposals.

One thing that made me laugh, they are trying to build 'the best corner in the world', which is essentially an off-camber, blind corner that crests over a small rise... designed specifically to scare the Barry White out of the average racing driver... ;D

[geminimad]

ive seen that white coupe i talked 2 the guy at the servo a couple of weeks bak i told him

about this site he said hes been on here b4. its pretty mint just had a paint job still 1600 and

auto tho its got 14" advanti aztechs on it it looks pretty gud

[mikuni]

mean it sounds cool

Spencer found a gemini coupe for sale in ohaupo today. Unfortunately its an old girl selling it and she wants $4000 for it and its not even that straight aparently.

[zep]

I haven't seen anything in ages. I thought I saw a cream hatch the other day with plastic bumpers :S but it was only at a glance.

LOL @ best corner in the world, sounds awesome

[crazytim]

I WANT THAT PURPLE COUPE!!!!
altho i would feel inferior next to the zepplegem

[mikuni]

Hell yeah that purple coupe is awesome. Obviously has nothing on the zepplegem but for that price its a very good starting point I think.

[ollie98]

just got back from a week in NSW. Saw a gem sedan in Blayney and holden piazza in Summer Hill, thought I would have seen more to be honest

[bulldog]

I heard on the news that Hamilton has a 7 year deal for the street race to justify the initial capital outlay? Kinda puts 09 Hampton into question? I also heard Superbikes will be at Hampton for 09! Can't wait for that!