Audi + NASCAR

[Twoblackmarks...]

I have heard from several, or 2 people actually at work that Audi is CONFIRMED to be in NASCAR in, dont remember year, but 2015-2017 or something.

I have tried to search the internet, I cant find anything at all.

I work at an VW/Audi dealer, so we do have some inside "intel" on some stuff a few times.. But... Hmm..

It is said they want to join NASCAR to increase their market share in the US since Audis are not so big sellers there.

Is there any truth to this? I find it weird that I dont find any news of it anywhere on the net.. And Audi in NASCAR? That is not very Audi-ish in my eyes.. HeHe :P

[LS7 Z/28]

There have been rumors of Audi being in NASCAR for the past few years, but there is no truth to it. Maybe that will change, but there has been talk for a while about someone from the VW group getting into NASCAR.

Where did they get their information from? If it's from a website it may have been satire, and the writer was just joking. There have been similar articles about Honda.

I would welcome Audi with open arms. At least they are a respected name in Motorsports and have a legacy of building cool cars and racing. Where as Toyota bought their way in and the coolest thing they have ever made is a f$&@?!g family sedan.

[ArisESQ]

I would welcome Audi with open arms. At least they are a respected name in Motorsports and have a legacy of building cool cars and racing. Where as Toyota bought their way in and the coolest thing they have ever made is a f$&@?!g family sedan.

Not sure what you mean by that. Toyota definitely has a strong presence and history in motorsports... and don't forget that they built the Supra and the Lexus LFA.

http://globalcarslist.com/data_images/models/toyota-gt1/toyota-gt1-06.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Jarno_Trulli_2007_Bahrain_%28crop%29.jpg

[LS7 Z/28]

Not sure what you mean by that. Toyota definitely has a strong presence and history in motorsports... and don't forget that they built the Supra and the Lexus LFA

I don't really agree that TOYOTA has a strong presence in the history of Motorsports, some presence yes. You can't tell me that Toyota has a rich history like Chevrolet does with Championships in NASCAR, NHRA, Trans Am, TUDOR/IMSA, INDY etc.

I just don't have any respect for what they accomplish in NASCAR because of how they entered the series. Creating a V8 engine package out of thin air, copying Chevrolet's bell housing etc. I just don't respect them for basically buying their way in. They had no history of rear wheel drive V8 Powered cars in their past whatsoever and they entered the series as a way to appeal to a broader audience and plaster their name everywhere they can. If anyone thinks a Toyota Camry is cool, then I think they have some serious issues.

I understand that Audi would basically be doing the same thing, I just think that at this point if Toyota is here to stay, what's one more obscure manufacturer that has never had anything to do with stock car racing, but wants in on the potential for a new fan base and their money.

I can understand how some people might find the Supra to be a cool car but I guess I'm just not one of them. Lexus I don't consider to have anything to do with Toyota. I understand that Toyota owns them, but that's kind of like Chevrolet and Cadillac both being owned by GM.

It's just my opinion, I understand there are Toyota fans out there. I'm still bitter that Dodge backed out all together.

[Rick D]

I don't really agree that TOYOTA has a strong presence in the history of Motorsports, some presence yes. You can't tell me that Toyota has a rich history like Chevrolet does with Championships in NASCAR, NHRA, Trans Am, TUDOR/IMSA, INDY etc.

I just don't have any respect for what they accomplish in NASCAR because of how they entered the series. Creating a V8 engine package out of thin air, copying Chevrolet's bell housing etc. I just don't respect them for basically buying their way in. They had no history of rear wheel drive V8 Powered cars in their past whatsoever and they entered the series as a way to appeal to a broader audience and plaster their name everywhere they can. If anyone thinks a Toyota Camry is cool, then I think they have some serious issues.

I understand that Audi would basically be doing the same thing, I just think that at this point if Toyota is here to stay, what's one more obscure manufacturer that has never had anything to do with stock car racing, but wants in on the potential for a new fan base and their money.

I can understand how some people might find the Supra to be a cool car but I guess I'm just not one of them. Lexus I don't consider to have anything to do with Toyota. I understand that Toyota owns them, but that's kind of like Chevrolet and Cadillac both being owned by GM.

It's just my opinion, I understand there are Toyota fans out there. I'm still bitter that Dodge backed out all together.

Casey,

I'm not a Toyota lover but you have one of your statements incorrect. Lexus IS Toyota! The U.S. market is the only place where they are called Lexus. Everywhere else they are TOYOTAS.

Toyota new when they went into the luxury car market no one in the US would by a "luxury Toyota" so they called them Lexus!!

[Twoblackmarks...]

I will ask tomorrow where they got the info from.

While I am no Toyota fan, they do have made much racing stuff.

While Audi have made much racing stuff it is mostly the old Quattro stuff that people remember, and in LeMans they have (in my opinion) won so much just because they have basically not had any competition and when they have had (real) competition they have even lost. They have raced LeMans every year, but the competitors just "now and then" so to speak.

In rally they first won because they where the only with 4x4, when the others made 4x4s they did not win anymore.

To me it seems they only wanted to race where they had the advantage over the others with their 4x4, if the rules changed, they rather found another race class than adapt to the rules and compete on "equal terms".

And they where not so competitive in the new DTM before HONDA redesigned their V8...

But this just my own opinion though, it could be I see things as I want and not as they are.. HeHe :D

[Twoblackmarks...]

The rules in every race class should be that if it is RWD and V8, the street car must have RWD and V8 too.

Like in the olds days when they had to homologate cars, instead of just taking and weasly 1.3 liter FWD car and make an widebody 4x4 2.0 turbo edition just for racing that is awesome looking, that has no similarities with the "real" car.

[renegade6]

The rules in every race class should be that if it is RWD and V8, the street car must have RWD and V8 too.

Like in the olds days when they had to homologate cars, instead of just taking and weasly 1.3 liter FWD car and make an widebody 4x4 2.0 turbo edition just for racing that is awesome looking, that has no similarities with the "real" car.

I couldn't agree more!

[Vegas69]

No way, I just don't see Nascar and Audi jiving. The fans just don't fit the mold for the investment.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

No way, I just don't see Nascar and Audi jiving. The fans just don't fit the mold for the investment.

until they come up with Tea in a can I don't see it either.

BUT, it would be a generic body, on a NASCAR standard RWD chassis, an Audi V8 and Audi look alike vinyl wrapping.

[Dscott]

until they come up with Tea in a can I don't see it either.

BUT, it would be a generic body, on a NASCAR standard RWD chassis, an Audi V8 and Audi look alike vinyl wrapping.


Audi will suddenly create an OHV V8 and the same good old boys will just change shirts and put a different sign outside the shop.

[BMR Sales]

I don't see Audi & Nascar happening! It's not their Market and certainly not when Nascar TV ratings are sinking (ESPN admitted that the Ratings dive signaled their move out).

More likely to happen is Audi in Formula One! Their LeMans Cars are State of the Art so they have the Engineering Factor and the VW Group does not want to battling each other with Audi & Porsche in the same War. Also Luca Montezemolo quit Ferrari in September and joined Audi. He was CEO of Ferrari, but his emphasis was F-1. There is no reason for him to be at Audi besides forging a road to F-1.

[BMR Sales]

I don't really agree that TOYOTA has a strong presence in the history of Motorsports, some presence yes. You can't tell me that Toyota has a rich history like Chevrolet does with Championships in NASCAR, NHRA, Trans Am, TUDOR/IMSA, INDY etc.



Toyota has won Races in Nascar, IMSA, WEC, IndyCar, and were competitive in F-1. They Won Championships in IndyCar, IMSA, WEC (LeMans), & Off-Road (BAJA - Ivan Stewart)

Not a Big Toyota Fan, but when they want to throw money at Racing, they do well!

[chetly]

I don't really agree that TOYOTA has a strong presence in the history of Motorsports, some presence yes. You can't tell me that Toyota has a rich history like Chevrolet does with Championships in NASCAR, NHRA, Trans Am, TUDOR/IMSA, INDY etc.

I just don't have any respect for what they accomplish in NASCAR because of how they entered the series. Creating a V8 engine package out of thin air, copying Chevrolet's bell housing etc. I just don't respect them for basically buying their way in. They had no history of rear wheel drive V8 Powered cars in their past whatsoever and they entered the series as a way to appeal to a broader audience and plaster their name everywhere they can. If anyone thinks a Toyota Camry is cool, then I think they have some serious issues.

I understand that Audi would basically be doing the same thing, I just think that at this point if Toyota is here to stay, what's one more obscure manufacturer that has never had anything to do with stock car racing, but wants in on the potential for a new fan base and their money.

I can understand how some people might find the Supra to be a cool car but I guess I'm just not one of them. Lexus I don't consider to have anything to do with Toyota. I understand that Toyota owns them, but that's kind of like Chevrolet and Cadillac both being owned by GM.

It's just my opinion, I understand there are Toyota fans out there. I'm still bitter that Dodge backed out all together.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_in_motorsports
Looks like someone needs to do some reading. Toyota has been around major motorsports since the 70's.

[LS7 Z/28]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_in_motorsports
Looks like someone needs to do some reading. Toyota has been around major motorsports since the 70's.

Hey Chetly, why don't you read what I wrote one more time. I never said that they weren't around.

I regret ever saying anything. I can't believe on a website geared toward American muscle cars I am getting lectured on Toyota and their prowess in Motorsports. It's perplexing to me.

When I think about performance and motorsports the last manufacture that comes to mind is Toyota. I'll withhold my opinions going forward. So please spare me you're wisdom.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

don't take it personal Casey. Its only the interwebs. I knew what you meant and Im half dense.

:knokwood:

[BMR Sales]

Casey, don't back down from commenting, that's what Forums are all about - we all have opinions. Think about it this way - you've gotten a whole different conversation going!

[Sieg]

Audi in F1 would be very interesting. They appear to have serious internal drive in any form of competition they choose to engage. Audi's competitive sophistication and finite manipulation of regulations would compliment F1 and their customer demographic well, NASCAR not so much.

[Twoblackmarks...]

I found it, this is where it is from, so I dont think it is anything behind it.

I personaly can not se what Audi has to do wit NASCAR either, where I live, people who drive Audis drinks champagne for breakfast and put their nose up in the air when they drive past my Golf or Firebird.. :D HeHe.. :D

51519

[Twoblackmarks...]

One of the first names I think of in Motorsport is Ford, mainly because of the "Ford" Cosworth DFV V8 in the Lotus, was it not used up in the 90`s?

The SBC of Formula 1! When I think of Toyota I think more of stolen ideas from Europe and the US in both design of cars and copying of engines, cheating in Rally, simple technology (But bullet proof) and fixing customers cars without them knowing to keep their quality reputation.

But to be honest, Toyota quality once was Super!

[Vegas69]

I read it on the internet, it must be true.

[Che70velle]

I read it on the internet, it must be true.

^^^^^^^this!

Audi in Nascar? Nah.......

[Twoblackmarks...]

I read it on the internet, it must be true.

HaHa.. I could not believe my ears when I heard it, the thing is that the one that said it first actually works with Volkswagen Motorsport.. But what I did not know, HE had just seen it "twittered" and then it grew.. And when I heard it I started searching for it on the net, found nothing, made a post here, digged some more, and when I saw the "Audi Fan" post that started it all.. Well yeah..

I was first told that it was Audi Motorsport themself who was where the VW Motorsport dude got it from.

Oh well, life is now back to normal again :)

[TheJDMan]

My wife's Lexus hybrid is most definately manufactured by Toyota. It has Toyota logo parts all over it. I'm not a toyota fan by any means and the TuRD logo makes me laugh.

[Vegas69]

http://www.off-road.com/blog/2014/11/19/2015-toyota-tundra-trd-pro-wins-class-at-tecate-score-baja-1000/ Pretty good turd.

As a die hard chevy fan most of my life, I've owned more cars and trucks than I care to count. The most reliable and well engineered of them all, Toyotas. Favorite to drive, BMW's.

[JB400]

I have a hard time seeing Audi in Nascar, not only from the marketing standpoint, but also the team standpoint. I just don't see any of the current teams that would be willing to switch manufacturers. All of them with good drivers are successful with what they have now. Having top drivers would be a problem as well. Most of them are already spoken for, for the rest of the decade.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

I have a hard time seeing Audi in Nascar, not only from the marketing standpoint, but also the team standpoint. I just don't see any of the current teams that would be willing to switch manufacturers. All of them with good drivers are successful with what they have now. Having top drivers would be a problem as well. Most of them are already spoken for, for the rest of the decade.

I remember reading the same thing when Toyota was coming on.

[JB400]

In your mind, which teams do you think would switch? Toyota switched only one team, all the others were start ups, if I remember correctly. Dodge, on the other hand, converted 3 teams over to them, and started one.

[Dscott]

In your mind, which teams do you think would switch? Toyota switched only one team, all the others were start ups, if I remember correctly. Dodge, on the other hand, converted 3 teams over to them, and started one.

Gannasi maybe?