Car of Tomorrow

[falcon325]

ESPN is reporting that J.D. Gibbs has said that the COT is five inches wider than the existing Cup cars and won't fit in the JGR haulers.  They'll have to buy new ones.  See the bottom of this artice:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=blount_terry#20061221

Well, maybe HRH Price Brian can trot out another gaggle of toadies to explain how much money the COT is going to save the teams.  Sure looks like the COT is just IROC done stupidly.

[flamehothead]

It sound's like another one of B.France's bright idea's. I agree with ya falcon, I thought these cars were supposed to cut down on the cost but instead it is costing more. I'm kinda sitting on the fence right now between liking and not liking the COT. I know they need to do something to make the car's different but I'm not 100% sure that this will fix the problem. Of course the ideal finishing order would be Chevy, Ford, Dodge, And Toyota every week but we all know that will never happen. I just don't see how the COT will save money now or in the long run.

[paulfan]

Aren't the cars hauled on the top deck.  What kind of cabinets do the JGR haulers have on the top deck?  I would suggest reviising the cabinetry before going out and replacing the haulers.  Duh

[AfterShock]

Tis almost the night before Christmas, and I ain't feelin' no love here.
Where's the love?
God Rest Ye Merry Gentle people.

Let the parties begin!

And, when it comes to parties, the Brian is waaaayyyy ahead of the game. There are many advantages to being born with a silver spoon inserted in the oral cavity. Some folks are capable of partaking only finger food, leaving the bulk of the banquet table for those with the proper eating utensils.

There are teaspoons, soup spoons, and tablespoons. And for a few, there are serving spoons, of which, the Brian has been blessed with the latter. But the Brian isn't any different than common folks
Nope.

One of life's truisms is, garbage in ---- garbage out. The more garbage in, obviously, the more potential for garbage out. Good thing our Creator was aware of how important the exit of garbage from our bodies is. How else could it be explained why there's one way in and two ways out? One way is two way, while the other is reserved for one way traffic to exit only. Do Not Enter from the south. That might be detremental to stock car racing.

I'm sure I don't have to explain how detremental entering the pit area from the wrong direction could be. If one driver tries, and gets away with it, more are sure to follow. If no one asks, will anybody tell?
Nextel thing you know, there'd have to be another rule invented just for addressing alternative driving styles as demonstrated by Adam and Steve from San Francisco. With a few wins under their belts, a new trend could emerge. No more smokey burn outs after a win. In it's place instead, we'd be treated to a gay parade. The cheering fans would go wild clapping with limp wrists.

Closets would be empty, race track grandstands would fill up, --- especially when the former closet inhabitants learn about Adam and Steve's new found acceptance. Diversity programs would flourish. Might even see, for the first time, NA$CAR Trophy Guys handing out trophies in the winner's circle, --- complete with a kiss for the winner from the trophy guy. if that ain't an incentive to win, I don't know what is.

The times, they are a-changin'.
Now-a-daze, Daddy has a room mate, and Heather has two mommies. It Takes A Village, ---- doncha know. Teach Your Children Well.

Words have meaning, and sometimes those meanings change without too much notice. Phrases too. For example, when the Powers That Be NA$CAR announce changes that they will be implementing to save the team's money, it shouldn't be taken litterally. Actually, to be more politically correct, the "team" that will save the most, is the "team" at the top, ---- up there in a luxury suite.
Actually, the race teams would be spending record amounts of their sponsor's hard(ly) earned big bucks, with the major change being that the windfall would trickle UP, rather than down, as it has in the past.
The modern era has arrived.

Now well diversified, NA$CAR has risen to new heights under the leadership of the guy in the Lexus. Owner of race tracks, consessions, collectables toy factories, and the name "NASCAR", which can be used for a high price. And now, the latest ploy by the guy on high, is to insure all men are created equally. Let not mere men be given any advantages above and/or beyond that of their creator, who exists to own and control all things desirable.

By rite of birth, the creation of rules has been bestowed upon the one, the only,..... the Brian. Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely. Expect an announcement soon of a name change. In the future, the Brian will be known as, Brian the Absolute.

This is today, but it will soon be tomorrow. What better time to introduce the ultimate equalizer? Who would pay big bucks to see the car of yesterday? Or even the car of today, --- when the fans could be part of the new era Car of Tomorrow, today? Call it a jump start, if you will. Or, call it the C.O.T. The Car of Tomorrow will become the vehicle by which mass quantities of profits will be delivered to the luxury box at the top. Says so on page five of the Master Plan. It also says that there shall be a hatch in the roof of the over-sized interior to prevent the stress created during over-stuffed conditions, to adjust for intrest rates. Money doesn't grow on trees, but the Brian expects money to grow just the same, or faster, within the introduction of the next phase in the game of Monopoly. Do Not pass Go under caution, sign the check for $200 over to accounts payable, net due in 90 days.
Hit a parked palm tree, and go directly to jail, unless there exists a past chumpions provisional. In which case, presenting a "get out of jail --- for a fee" card, along with the proper monitary funds, will result in an exception to a rule. Ultimately, the number one rule is creation. The creation of great wealth at any cost. Race teams are expected to pass any savings on to the creator of entertainment. No amount is too large, nor can those huge amounts be passed on too often.

Remember, it's better to give than to receive. Lucky for NASCAR fans that the Brian is so willing to make that sacrifice as a wide receiver. Keeping in mind that a fool and his money are soon parted, how long can it last?
Sooner or later, there's a caution flag out there, --- waiting to be thrown for debris on the track. Could be the Car of Tomorrow today, or an engine block, or something as small as a quarter. It's all about safety. And there's safety in numbers.
I think it's safe to say those quarters add up real quick.
Before y'all know it, those same quarters become dollars. Or pesos.

NA$CAR is an American sport.
North America.
South America.
Little America.
And Middle America inbetwixt.

C.O.T. is permitted.
But, sorry, No C.O.D.

Make checks payable to The Power Who Be On High(way) to riches.
Fast track it ----- overnight.
Don't be late, or the Brian will lock the gate.
From the inside.

Pay to exit.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm

Now THERE'S a thought to ponder.

DAD BLAST IT!
Pondering that thought has caused my Coke to spill, and I almost hit (another) parked palm tree.
However, as an added bonus, dates bring in big bucks.
Who says money don't grow on trees?

If you doubt it, just ask Eve.
She's into apples.
One bite, and you'll want another.
And another.
For eternity.

The Eternal Order Of NA$CAR.
The modern era of the Fountain of Youth.
Forever young.
From the Diaper Series to the Depends Series.
Y'all will be covered.
Always a good idea to embrace change.

As driver Jerry Atricks so wisely recommends,...............
Keep your powder dry.


This news flash is just in from ScreamDaily, the Brian is so concerned with driver safety that he has instructed that the C.O.Tomorrow be equiped with safer cup holders to prevent spilling beverages in driver's laps. Race laps or caution laps. Pre-race and post-race inspectors have been instructed to pay very close attention to the installation of said devices.
Unlike the Brian, spilled beverages WILL be subjected to big fines.
Maybe even In-Car Ceration.

No loss of points though. The "point" was lost long ago.
No big deal though. The Powers That Be NA$CAR haven't made a good point in a long time.
So, what's the point?

The "point" of no return?

And now, for the most exciting words in stock car entertainment,......................
EVERYbody, ENTER YOUR PIN NUMBERS!
Then press "YES".
To complete the transfer of fun(ds) to Brian the Absolute.
Probably somewhere in France.

For sure it won't be in Hungary, Turkey, or Grease.
And Irac and pinion isn't allowed for steering.
Iran won't walk.
Bummers.

I can't Afghanistan(d) the thought of no NA$CAR.
So, I'll bend over and pick up the soap.
What could happen?
A parade?

Race teams are allowed to have multiple partners in the spirit of better, more exciting racing. No way we can say we can't see it coming.
You know,...............
In the,..............................................
future.

ROOMS TO RENT ----- OR SHARE.
Adorable closet, furnished.
All utilities paid --- in one end or the other.
By the month or lease options available.

Prefer non-smoker.
Social drinkers welcome to apply.
We'll leave the light on for y'all.
Electricity split equally.
Just remember, walls have eyes and they've been known to talk,......
out both sides of their mouth.
There's an image to protect.
Doncha know.

[falcon325]

Dang it!  I THOUGHT we had a COT thread going already, but couldn't find it, so I started a new one. 

Just to try to keep the good stuff together, here's Amy Henderson's and Tommy Thompson's thoughts on the COT: http://www.frontstretch.com/wtc/5871/

And here is some other stuff:

http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/headlines/cup/01/12/car_of_tomorrow_test/index.html

This is another NA$CAR propaganda piece, but it does include a list of the significant changes.  I love the part at the bottom on “other benefits” where it claims “Improved manufacturer's identity.”
 
http://www.nascar.com/news/headlines/cup/car.of.tomorrow/index.html

Granted, the cars on the track last season din’t use don’t look much like Monte Carlos or Fusions or whatever-it-is-the-Dodge-teams-were-running.  But telling me the COT will change THAT for the better is like peeing in my Cornflakes and telling me it’s milk.

This link includes the roll-out schedule.  I didn’t realize NA$CAR plans on phasing it in over two seasons.  Now THAT'll save money.  Not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_of_Tomorrow

P.S.:  Shocky!  Time to take your Ritalin, boy.   

[flamehothead]

Well, Forget EVERYTHING I said about me liking the COT cause after what I read I don't see it working, At least not very well. I see 2 problem that I think will be HUGE.

1. The Driveshaft is now going to be in a Tunnel which means that if they need to change on then  A WHOLELOTTA EXTRA TIME on Pit Road to get it out of it's Tunnel. And just when I thought I had heard it all.

2. The Exhaust is now going to Run Thru the Rights side Frame Rail. I CANNOT believe I am SPEECHLESS. I thought this COT was supposed to make thing's better, Not harder. I'm not 100% sure but if you start putting thing's in the Frame Rail's won't that change the handling of the car at least somewhat. The engine has to move from the Torqu of the engine but if it's attached to a solid structure then I don't see how it will work. I think we might see alot of broken exhaust pipes in 2007.

[Chris]

Aren't the cars hauled on the top deck.  What kind of cabinets do the JGR haulers have on the top deck?  I would suggest reviising the cabinetry before going out and replacing the haulers.  Duh

All the hualers I have saw have all the cabinetry downstairs... Only thing that is upstairs is a big void just for the cars.
The impression I get is that the hauler "itself" physically isn't wide enough to haul the cars... And if the JGR cars won't fit,.. it's quite possible there are other teams who will run up against this problem,.. they just haven't realized it yet.....

[AfterShock]

Well, I took Falcon's advice and took my Ritalin.
Actually, I had forgotten to take my meds for a couple of days,
soooo, I made up for lost time, all at once.
Thanx Falcon.

My cars won't fit in the transporter.
Bummers!

Huston, we have a problem.

Up there in the penthouse of a transporter, there is usually nothing on the sides that would cause it to be narrower than any other semi-trailer. Down stairs is another story, with cabinets and tools arranged along the sides with a walk way up to the dance floor where there's usually an area for drivers and crew to kick back and relax.

I doubt it would be practicle to narrow the top at all. When rolling a car into the trailer, it's nice if the people putting it there have room to move around too. That may be inches, but without those inches, people couldn't get in very easily, and once in, how would they get back out?
Hmmmmmmmm

Did the Brian not check D.O.T. regulations when designing the C.O.T.?

Generally, semi-trailers are limited in length, height, and width. Also, overall vehicle length must be taken into consideration.

Semi-trailers have grown in length over the years. Not too long ago, 45 feet was popular, then came 48 feet, along with about a 70 feet overall length limit. Then, the trailers were stretched to 53 feet, and Cab-Over-Engine tractors became very popular because they were able to pull a 53 footer without exceeding the overall length limit.
Now-a-daze, those overall length restrictions have been relaxed, so a conventional tractor, with a nose, is able to legally pull a 53 footer. And I think most teams have gone for the 53 footers with spread axle tandems. The reason fot the spread axle is a weight distribution thing. Standard tandems are limited to 34,000 pounds. With a spread axle, each set of tandems are allowed 20,000 pounds, so, it's possible to legally put 40,000 pounds back there rather than 34,000 lbs. Six thousand pounds more is convienient and less likely to be over axle weight.
Freight trailers usually have tandems that slide, not so for transporters.

Different states have differing ideas as to what the max trailer length can be. But one thing they all agree on is the width. That being 102 inches. Anything wider would require a special permit and would be limited in highway choices.

So, If the C.O.T. is too wide,....... too bad.
Too wide won't ride.

[sugar]

P.S.:  Shocky!  Time to take your Ritalin, boy.   

Nah, I think it's just Christmas Cheer!!! - I know I've had mine!

[falcon325]

LOL.  My "Christmas Cheer mellows me out.

I love it when shocky gets hyper.   

[smyler]

The Car Of Tomorrow has quickly become the Catastrophe of Today.  How are folks like Woods and BAM going to stay in NASCAR if their budgets keep going up?  It's hard enough as it is.  At some point it just doesn't pencil, no matter how deep your pockets are.  Do they (France family) really want this to be just about who has the deepest pockets?  Used to be at least kind of about the competition.  They have already priced it in such a way that only the top 4 or 5 teams can win on any given Sunday.   As recently as 10 years ago just about anybody had at least a glimmer of a shot at a win.

I think NASCAR is going to wish it had made some other decisions than those made of late.  Wouldn't surprise me at all if I heard that the big 3 auto makers decided to withdraw support and start their own league.  Why in the world do they want to sponsor a car that has absolutely NOTHING to do with the cars we see on the street.  At least there is some similarity (visually) with the factory cars, the way it is (or was). 

Ford is hemorrhaging cash right now.  It seems to me that they would do better (and see a better return on their advertising dollars) by having a series where they could race a Fusion next to a Mustang next to a 500.  I'm not saying they should race true stock cars, but the exterior should at least look like the car it is named after.  As it is now Ford no longer has ANY marque drivers.  Yeah, I know Matt K. and Greg B. drive Fords, but they don't have the charisma of the top Chevy guys.

Imagine a new series where it's possible to participate for 1/2 of what it costs now.  Can you imagine how exciting the racing might be again?  I'm not sure if I like the COT or the Chase the least, but any series that does not have them has to be better than one that does.

[flamehothead]

I thought Nascar was TRYING to bring the cost of racing down, Not up? It won't be long before their are only 4 or 5 Owners that own all of the cars. The low budget teams are going to go broke if Nascar keeps this up. It's hard enough for them to show up every weekend let alone build the COT'S and have to do all of the testing with it. I'll be the first person to say that Nascar needs to make some changes on the Nose of the cars but not the Whole car. A team like BAM racing can't afford to go to a track and pay to rent the track then the cost of Tires, Fuel and so on. Then you have the cost of getting the car to the track and you have to pay everyone who goes to the test. It's tough enough for these teams just to do the basic testing let alone the EXTRA testing for the COT which in my opinion is going to be nothing more than a BIG ASS JOKE anyway.

[AfterShock]

Does anybody know exactly how wide the C.O.T. really is?

If the C.O.T. won't fit within 102 inches, it would be considered an over dimensional load which would create different needs. Not having hauled such loads myself, I asked a person more knowledgable than I.

Here's what Big Joe told me,........

The costs and restriction vary by state. In California, I believe the cost to be $20, plus you are required to secure any county or city permits at an additional cost. In California you would be required to have lights on the front and side projuctions. Ditto for Utah, Nevada, Colorado and Iowa. Other states have similiar requirements. The lights are for night time running and would not be required for daytime running.

In Arizona, under 10' wide, grants you continuous running 24/7 with no lighting requirements. Permits are available at the Port of Entry for $15. New Mexico is also $15, but no night time running at all.
In Texas, you may run with no additional lights provided you are on the Interstate only. Cost $30. Texas is 24/7, while New Mexico will shut you down on Sunday.

Out east requirements are even more stringent. Some states will not allow any weekend or night running PERIOD. Some will allow half days on Saturday or Sunday.

Using a permit service is strongly suggested, who will charge a modest fee for ordering permits. They keep up to date with all the ever changing restrictions.

The permits usually physically route the trucks and detour them around construction and bridges that would be too adverse to the load and the welfare of the public.

One more thing,... there are usually curfews in the larger cities. Usually from 7 -- 9 am and 4 -- 6 pm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, there you have it.

Major headache!

For the transporter drivers who are already on a tight schedule to get to the races as well as getting to testing, etc., this could pose a major stumbling block. Not to mention additional costs as well as scheduling problems.

In some states they may not be allowed to leave the track until after 9:am on Monday. And then, be required to shut down between certain hours in certain areas. Try to keep track of all that while on a deadline.

Maybe the best way would be to fly the cars to the races etc. Like that wouldn't be fun. Then, figure out how to get them from the airport to the track.

So much for saving the teams money and additional headaches.

Many thanks to Big Joe for his prompt reply to my questions. I only wish he was a NASCAR fan.

[nascarbabe2U]

Ya know Shockey I think if we drug old Big Joe to a track, sat him down with a cold brew he'd have a blast!

[paulfan]

Since the COT has been to many tracks and they have all arrived in transports, it seems that JGR has a problem that is unique to his trailers.

Back in my youth I worked for a moving company and we hauled many a full sized car in a 93 wide trailer.