[Bob Tanner]

Here is some disturbing news: Wonder how it might, or might not affect CTS?

Toyota Scales Back Production of Big Vehicles - Jul 11, 2008

With sales of pickups and big SUV’s tumbling, Toyota said it would shut down truck production at two United States plants for three months and consolidate ...


Auto news in brief | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

[Nevadastars]

There's no doubt this gas thing will put the hurt on their much-rumored diesel Tundra.

[loco4pablo]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

There's no doubt this gas thing will put the hurt on their much-rumored diesel Tundra.

No doubt.... last night I was watching the MOPAR nationals and they showed a few commercials for Dodge's new Challenger.... Not good timming to introduce that car

[BringBackWilkesboro]

If they're only stopping production for three months, I don't think they'd pull factory support, especially since NASCAR is one place they consistanly have financial success. I'm far from a financial expert though.

I'm more worried about a title sponsor for next year. You all know how big a fan I am of the truck series. It would be terrible for it go the way of IROC, because there's no way it could stay alive without sponsorship (obviously).

[Mindwarp]

To qualify a vehicle for NASCAR, don't manufacturers only need a production run of 500 vehicles available to the masses?

With the amount of money invested so far, I can't see them packing up and going home.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Mindwarp

To qualify a vehicle for NASCAR, don't manufacturers only need a production run of 500 vehicles available to the masses?
With the amount of money invested so far, I can't see them packing up and going home.

You really know how to strike a raw nerve, don't you?

Back when NA__AR was NASCAR, you are correct. A car maker had to show proof that it made available to the general public, and had sold, no less than 500 of any car model, or of any optional speed equipment it pushed. An example of this last which didn't sell enough to be NASCAR authorized was the 1962 MOPAR Long Tube Ram Induction manifold. Another was a Ford Galaxy version of the 1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt. (Never heard of a Thunderbolt? Interesting story about a car which caused the NHRA to revise their rules. NASCAR -probably rightly so?- never gave it a chance)

The "500 Rule" went out the window back in 1998 when NASCAR officially became NA__AR when it got deeply into the race car design business, with the "two-door" Ford Taurus.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

If they're only stopping production for three months, I don't think they'd pull factory support, especially since NASCAR is one place they consistanly have financial success. I'm far from a financial expert though.

I'm more worried about a title sponsor for next year. You all know how big a fan I am of the truck series. It would be terrible for it go the way of IROC, because there's no way it could stay alive without sponsorship (obviously).

You and me, Ol' Buddy. Even though it's a "temporary halt," it displays that the truck program might be in deep kimchee. I just don't like the sound of the whole thing.

I am not kidding when I say that I fear for the long term future of auto racing. I'm afraid that people using gasoline "for frivolous purposes" will become as big a social pariah as smokers have become.

Before you say, "It'll never happen!," did you ever envision paying $4/gallon for gasoline?

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I'm afraid that people using gasoline "for frivolous purposes" will become as big a social pariah as smokers have become.

Like it did in '74? When many people had to buy gas based on color coded flags?

I share your fears. They had to cut the Daytona 500 50 miles short and even then, we were still paying less than 70 cents for a gallon (well I wasn't cause I was only 13, but others). What's gonna happen now that we're paying over $4 and still climbing?

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

Like it did in '74? When many people had to buy gas based on color coded flags?

I share your fears. They had to cut the Daytona 500 50 miles short and even then, we were still paying less than 70 cents for a gallon (well I wasn't cause I was only 13, but others). What's gonna happen now that we're paying over $4 and still climbing?

Many here have no memory of those wonderful day of Jimmy Carter when we waiting for over an hour in line, just to fill our tanks. The days when you could only buy gasoline on odd or even days, depending on your license number? The days when things were so dismal that the media had a "Misery Index" which measured how unhappy the people were?

I am afraid... very afraid.

[WestCoast]

Up here it's $6.00 (plus) per gallon and life goes on, not to worry you will adjust, may have to cut back on certain leisure type hobbies.
Much bigger fish to fry ie: war, housing crisis etc..

[Mindwarp]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

You really know how to strike a raw nerve, don't you?

Thanks for the info, I am now a more enlightened fan. However I didn;t realize I was 'striking a raw nerve' Sorry.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

You and me, Ol' Buddy. Even though it's a "temporary halt," it displays that the truck program might be in deep kimchee. I just don't like the sound of the whole thing.

I am not kidding when I say that I fear for the long term future of auto racing. I'm afraid that people using gasoline "for frivolous purposes" will become as big a social pariah as smokers have become.

Before you say, "It'll never happen!," did you ever envision paying $4/gallon for gasoline?

I guess it's high-time NASCAR went electric! Either that or NASCAR starts emmission testing. Hey! They can even give out "carbon penalties"!

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Mindwarp

Thanks for the info, I am now a more enlightened fan. However I didn;t realize I was 'striking a raw nerve' Sorry.

Oh yeah. I am an absolute staunch advocate of NA__AR becoming NASCAR again. When they had the "500 Rule" you brought up, they were a whole lot more stock (and much more interesting) than today's NA__AR is. I have given up counting the numbers of new "fans" I've ☻☻☻☻ed off and by whom I have been put on <IGNORE>.

Originally Posted by Mindwarp

I guess it's high-time NASCAR went electric! Either that or NASCAR starts emmission testing. Hey! They can even give out "carbon penalties"!

I can hardly wait to hear the high pitched hum on a Prius going between the stands at Indy. With the same anticipation I'm waiting to see the revered "3" on the car in the following link:www.smart.com