[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Ahh!! A clazy man. No, that's not a spelling error, nor even some weak attempt at language spoofin'.

You clazy. A fine attribute portrayed most clearly within your intentions for the day. But wait now, we (yeah I know "the voices") would like to claim clazier. We'd like to, but we don't have too, 'cept of course should we decide upon some form of Hatfields/McCoys relationship. But they ain't fightin' no more cause their all working down at the Toyo plant, singing Mikey Wartrip praise songs (yup that IS some weak attempt at language spoofin), and typically seeing a future by some would say a "Large Margin" greater than ole "four tooth" down at the Ford plant. Figured I better get that in just to keep us on subject.

We did Breyers All Natural Black Raspberry Chocolate. Got this bad feeling that Breyers is a "regional" brand making it perhaps impossible for you to come to know. Regardless, it was unbelieveable good. Dripped on the skivvies we did, wrung it out back into the bowl. I didn't say that. You made me. It's your fault Hatfield.

got me on that one .. unless, of course it's a typographical representation of an oriental mispronounciation of "crazy" in which case I accept.

the 'yota guys opened their Texas Camry production facility down San Antonio way last year. lots of bubbas and drug store cowboys off the streets now. local Fords "hecho en Mexico", Chevy's come with Canadian Maple Leaf decals. don't think the 'yota folks mind the "foreign" vehicles in their parking lot...at least they haven't said anything... (my attempt at keeping us on subject.)

yep, know Breyers. it's my 2nd choice .. we got a local called Blue Belle that's captured my taste buds, however. then my sister gets "Rasberry Rumble" from the Schwans truck (regional?) and it's mighty good too .. in my top 5 favorite tastes.

know you know, but will pass on this bit of truthful trivia for the lurkers: ice cream is healthy, happy food - ice cream makes you happy; happy people are healthier and I've never seen anyone cry while partaking o' th' cream! with that in mind, I try to live by this motto: an ice cream a day keeps the doctor away .. unless, of course he's buying....

just saw the weather report .. this rain is supposed to go on all the way into Sunday afternoon. dunno if I can last THAT long .. might have to get the feathers wet - luckily it rolls right off

[beth]

TRD is building complete engines. Toyota engineering is developing power steering systems that use less horsepower. TRD is taking complete running cars from teams, disassembling them and making improvements. TRD is testing complete cars.

GM, Ford or Dodge haven't done these types of things since the early seventies. All of these types of things are done by the non toyota teams themselves with sponsor funds.

TRD is another whole layer of spending that didn't exist prior to Toyota's entry. Yes GM, Ford and Dodge engineered or paid to have engineered their respective engine blocks and head castings at considerable cost but nothing compared to what is going on at Toyota.

I expect they will dominate in 2 years and look for Dodge and possibly Ford to drop out when they do.

Just my opinion.

beth

[Racer Duck]

Hi beth, welcome to GTG. hope your stay with us is long and enjoyable. also, don't forget to add your predictions for the upcoming race to the predictions thread.

while TRD level spending may be new to NASCAR, TRD itself existed long before Toyota entered Cup racing. the fact that they use a familiar process to get up to speed (take it apart and figure out how it works, then make it better) is why they are way ahead of where they're expected to be (by the NASCAR crowd.)

don't know about Ford, but Dodge is as good as gone .. unless they can find another gullible auto giant with deep pockets to fund their racing effort - it didn't take the Germans long to figure out it was a loosing proposition...

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Hi beth, welcome to GTG. hope your stay with us is long and enjoyable. also, don't forget to add your predictions for the upcoming race to the predictions thread.

while TRD level spending may be new to NASCAR, TRD itself existed long before Toyota entered Cup racing. the fact that they use a familiar process to get up to speed (take it apart and figure out how it works, then make it better) is why they are way ahead of where they're expected to be (by the NASCAR crowd.)

don't know about Ford, but Dodge is as good as gone .. unless they can find another gullible auto giant with deep pockets to fund their racing effort - it didn't take the Germans long to figure out it was a loosing proposition...

Het RD, I've been hearin through the rumor pipeline that the blue-oval bunch may be pullin out. I'm tryin to confirm through some contacts that this is true.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

That's something I've heard about on and off for a year now. I don't see any reason for why that would happen, other than the fact that Chevy has become hip in the last 20 years (there's that word again) and the everybody who's anybody in this sport drives one. But if that were means to pull out then there would be no Pontiac, Buick or Oldsmob- Oh right, there isn't... Well who knows then.

[LSC9901]

We've had the discussions a few times but realistically there are no brands in racing anymore. Maybe the sooner the brands go away the better off we'll be. The car doesn't really look like one that we buy. The chassis is made to NASCAR specs as is the engine and just about every other part.

I'm sure for sometime to come we'll still hear Chevy, Toyota and Ford but there is a real possibility that the vehicles will become Yates, Rousch, HMS and so on. Who are we kidding or more importantly ... why are we allowing ourselves to believe they are manufacturers cars.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

We've had the discussions a few times but realistically there are no brands in racing anymore. Maybe the sooner the brands go away the better off we'll be. The car doesn't really look like one that we buy. The chassis is made to NASCAR specs as is the engine and just about every other part.

I'm sure for sometime to come we'll still hear Chevy, Toyota and Ford but there is a real possibility that the vehicles will become Yates, Rousch, HMS and so on. Who are we kidding or more importantly ... why are we allowing ourselves to believe they are manufacturers cars.

Damn... your puttin a damper on the discussion LSC..... Come on... nothin wrong with Discussin

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Damn... your puttin a damper on the discussion LSC..... Come on... nothin wrong with Discussin

I had no intent of trying to squash the discussion. I was just pointing out that we've had discussions before about where the manufacturer issue is going. I just feel like at some point in the future we'll just be looking at cars by Rousch, Yates, RCR and so on.

I enjoy discussion and opinions. Bring 'em on people !!!

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Het RD, I've been hearin through the rumor pipeline that the blue-oval bunch may be pullin out. I'm tryin to confirm through some contacts that this is true.

well, ya have to look beyond the cars at the track. all the way back to Detroit. then do some simple math (addition and subtraction - mostly subtraction) and it becomes obvious to even the most uninterested among us that the writing is on the proverbial wall.

it's no secret that the Big 3 (American, that is) are having financial problems. when things like that start happening, the frills start getting cut, then there are lay-offs followed by plant closings. then sales start dropping, a mad scramble ensues to find a new design that'll "grab" the buyers. but the feds are cranking down the screws on gas mileage .. costs more to develop cars that'll meet the new standards, both mileage and safety .. prices go up, fewer buyers .. downward spiral. what once were essential programs (racing in all forms) get a hard look .. cut-back are made .. and so it goes.

the blue oval has been hurt the most 'cause they didn't have Benz's deep pockets nor GM's total sales numbers to carry them thru the rough times. with Benz pulling the plug on Chrysler, they're done unless they can convince the feds to "protect" them (again.) GM has sheer numbers on their side, but Honda has taken the #1 away from them and I seem to remember a month or so ago that Chevy quietly announced they'd be "scaling back" on their support of NASCAR teams. Ford hasn't said anything, but I gotta believe it's hectic in Ford's upper echelons nowadays.

last year Roush/Yates ruled .. this year they can hardly buy a break. even the lowly Toyota is starting to shine brighter than anyone ever thought, Jack's complaining not withstanding. there have been 19 races this year, Ford's won 3, Dodge has 1, all the rest belong to Chevy. If the blue oval boys can't start putting something together to brag on - Matt and Carl in the Chase is good, but all the rest of the 12 are Chevys and there's 2 Dodges between Jamie, Greg and the Chase - doesn't look good for Ford right now...or for American manufacturer support next year...

of course, all this is speculation on my part according to the deductions I've made from things I've heard and seen. that and a 5-spot might get you a cup of java at Starbucks...if it doesn't get you thrown out!