How good was the Sandown 500?

Yes agree, and while the Indy 500, NASCAR,the formula 1,Moto GP, and the fabulous Rally's etc are great sports Australia's V8 Supercars are unique, and there is nothing anywhere else in the world like Bathurst,

The old Rev Head
Doug

I'm not much of a petrol head, but it is a great series and great cars. Aparently (been told this by people who have witnessed it) when the F1 and Indy cars are in aust. The mechanics etc run to the fence when the V8's first go out and practice - dropping comments like "now thats what a race car is supposed to sound like" etc. Most of the meets they go to probably have turbo 4's and 6's in touring car form for support races.

to quote an oldish ad (Ithink it was by GMH when Ford stopped putting them in XE's - "there's nothing quite like a V8"

Cheers Andrew

PS didn't see the second race From Assen last night - but racing a 'bike in that kind of weather would be near on impossible in my book. When I had a bike, if it rained Grandma's would overtake me!

Skaife has been doing a few things the right way recently, good on him; although he still has a long way to go before he wins the respect he once had back.
I'm looking forward to seeing how Lowndes and Whinicup go at Bathurst, I think they are Fords best chance to stop Holden making it 8 years in a row...

It was awesome. That a race can go for 161 laps and have such a duel at the end for first is brilliant.

The commentators point out how the pace car helped Lowndes, but the first pace car period helped lots of people too.

It was a great race alright Jimbo. My son was at track but I watched it on TV
and I think I got more out of it as trackside commentary was non-existant
near corner 9 and he got a lot out of watching the replay.

I also enjoyed the lead duel with Tander holding under pressure hanging on every turn.

But I just have to tell you a little story though as it was only hours
before when we got even more excitment out of our own little local Knox
motocross race day event.

My son has just turned 16 and hence got kicked up to race against the seniors for
the first time and was put into B grade (there are a,b,c grades in motocross).

Nervous and tensed up as all hell he was, and so were the parents as big boys can be rough.

Insufficent riders meant that they then combined the "A" and "B" graders and
all of a sudden my 4th former was lined up next to a full race prepared factory
team KTM with big name rider on our stock yz250, in his first senoir race.

Flag dropped and by end of main straight factory bike was so much faster
it was lengths ahead. The kid isn't to bad though and by mid race, had all his
own class behind him and most of "A" grade as well, but factory bike was
almost out of sight and the length of the main straight ahead.

Then something intermittant seemed to happen to factory bike and it slowed right
down for few seconds and my son passed him.
Then it going again and did we see some seriously expert riding.

I mean, you can't have 4th former on his first play with the big kids
on stock bike in front of factory team.
Onto last lap now and factory bike hammered down straight gaining heavily on
our bike and he put it into full lockup under brakes in an attempt to slide in
and block pass the kid by force.
But he was about 2 meters short.
We were nearly having a heart attack, but then realised that our son
would simply be passed now and not pushed out.
As factory bike was recovering from its full lock slide, something happened
and it just stopped. Apparently the stress and frame twist under the effort
pulled the ignition wire off ,leaving my son to cross finish line in front
to the amazement of many there.

And all this was free entertainment, or maybe that was free stress.

Robin Miller

If Lowndes had stayed with HRT, what a domination Holden would have been on V8 Supercars!

Skaife could have quite a few Bathurst victories by the time he reitres, not to the same level as Brock, but probably the second most decorated driver.

On the weekend I watch some nostaligic footage on a DVD - The Holden Dealer Team. Going cheap at KMart. Next weekend I've got another DVD lined up The Commoderes of 1979 to 1983.

Been a fan for many years & reckon Lowndes's drive was almost the equal of his drive in Adelaide some years back when he came from back of grid to win race, (driving for HRT).

Team made a bad call call re pit stop, but wanted Craig to do the double stint so had to keep Jamie out there to complete the minimum laps. Thought they were going to get out of jail when the Garry Rogers car hit the fence on back straight, but no pace car ?

Yes the HRT car was quick, & I dont believe Skaiffe can shoulder any of the blame for its mechanical failure. Tander was going 10/10ths, jumping kerbs etc 1stly to catch the betta electrical car then get a good lead. No doubt the kerb hopping contributed to the problem.

Anyway, Bathurst is going to be a great race. GO LOWNDSIE!

The Betta Electrical may not be the quickest car out there, but is probably the most reliable one.

Was in Melb over the weekend for work, was close enoung to hear the V8`s, but unfortunately didnt see a single second of any of the racing either live or on TV :(

Was a great day from what I hear.

Bring on Bathurst....GO THE HOLDENS.