{"id":1002,"date":"2017-02-26T13:00:03","date_gmt":"2017-02-26T18:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonmotorsport.com\/?p=1002"},"modified":"2018-03-28T13:15:47","modified_gmt":"2018-03-28T17:15:47","slug":"australian-fans-rev-engines-2017-v8-supercars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2017\/02\/26\/australian-fans-rev-engines-2017-v8-supercars\/","title":{"rendered":"Australian Fans Rev Their Engines for 2017 V8 Supercars"},"content":{"rendered":"

2016 was an outstanding season, with a new driver crowned<\/a> as Champion. While the teams at the top seemed to stay constant, as technology and tyres advance, so too will our expected 2017 V8 Supercars.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With testing all but complete, the Sydney Motorsport Park<\/em> was ‘thrashed’ last week, as the drivers all tested the new Dunlop series tyre selection. With a firmer<\/em> tyre-wall, it will be different to the softer 2016 edition–so drivers\u00a0must adapt by the opening round. And with many teams building new chassis, they all had a chance to ‘shake loose any cobwebs’ in Sydney last week.<\/p>\n

Australian Fans ‘Rev Their Engines’ for 2017 V8 Supercars<\/h2>\n

As engineers and teams warm-up, so do the fans. On hiatus since early December, it feels like an eternity for the touring car fans. Not all petrol heads<\/em> either, as the series is considered to be popular with families and with more women then ever before. They will all have one weekend circled: March 2-5<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/Clipsal500\/status\/780615108288389120<\/p>\n

Round One: Clipsal 500 Adelaide<\/h2>\n

The streets of Adelaide are a harsh landscape for V8 Supercars. Concrete on either side, load bearing corners, split-second decisions needed\u00a0and a high-speed corner that has taken many a driver out. It is all designed to bring exciting racing, so what a better way to begin the 2017 V8 Supercars season this weekend.<\/p>\n

Since 1999<\/a>, the opening round [officially] has been Adelaide. Sure, there have been Melbourne Grand Prix meets prior to that, but they do no count for the Championship. So the South Australian touring car event is a brilliant start to the 15 event calendar<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Warm too. Temperatures here can climb up to the mid thirties…hitting 40 degrees centigrade. So that equates to a mix of high track and cabin temperatures; extremely testing for all drivers. So again,\u00a0what a better (and tougher)\u00a0way to begin the 2017 V8 Supercars season this weekend.<\/p>\n

Drivers Fitness Tested from Round One<\/h3>\n

The two race format is demanding on man and machine. In 2017 it reverts back to 250 kilometers on each of the race days [Saturday\/Sunday] so driver fitness will be tested. Add in temperature, and the conditions are at their most<\/em> demanding. So fitness is paramount–explaining why drivers will have been in ‘training’ since January. It is no longer a leisure sport, as the extremes can be deadly when not respected.<\/p>\n

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#Clipsal<\/a> 500 #Adelaide<\/a> just gets bigger and badder https:\/\/t.co\/Vi5AVL4F9q<\/a> via @TravellerAU<\/a><\/p>\n

— Mark Soo (@StMark1) February 21, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n