V8Star Series
The V8 -Star from 2001 to 2003 German Touring Car Championship with silhouette cars.
Similar to the DTM these vehicles had no technical specifications to a production vehicle. There were different bodies - so-called silhouettes of glass fiber reinforced plastic, which were inspired by the appearance of various middle-class models - but underneath all touring cars were technically identical.
History
The V8 -Star was unveiled in 2000 at the Essen Motor Show. As of 2001, she went under the Beru Top 10 Here she served as second highlight next to the German Touring Car Challenge ( DTC). To make the weekend more attractive, their race was the DTC as usual on Sundays, while the V8 -Star drove Saturdays. With the DSF you also had a TV partner.
After the first very successful year in 2001 was a further increase in 2002: There were new silhouettes, more power, a Top 12 - Top 8 instead of a - qualifying, Rainer Braun as a TV commentator and many new drivers as well as a driver. The V8 -Star was very popular with the fans. Also for 2003, a further increase was planned: The intention was to drive as far as part of the Beru Top 10, but they wanted to provide a few specialties. They wanted to start at the Nürburgring at the German GP 500 and the Truck. In addition, an oval race at the Euro Speedway Lausitz was planned.
Instead, however, was announced on 3 February 2003 that it separates from the Beru Top 10 and was presented a poorly organized race calendar: 3x Nürburgring, 3 x Euro Speedway (2 x oval, 1 × GP circuit ), 2 × Zandvoort and 1 × Sachsenring. An ailing starter box with little prominent pilots, poor TV coverage, wrong decisions of the racing line and a Zakspeed dominance ushered in the end of the V8 -Star. As the situation for the 2004 season could not be improved, it was decided to skip it and continue with the V8 -Star in 2005. This comeback was planned, but not ultimately took place.
Nowadays you can still find old V8 -Star touring car in other racing series such as the VLN, the Dutch Supercar Challenge, the Britcar and Divinol Cup. In the last season of Davinol Cup 2007 Team Swiss Racing was the overall winner with its V8 -Star race car. The Team Zakspeed is still in possession of these vehicles and organizes training courses and schools racers at the Nurburgring and also on the oval of the Euro Speedway Lausitz with them.
Technology
The V8 -Star was a manufacturer unbound series to create for teams and drivers an opportunity to put on an equal footing their skills. Technically, all vehicles had a tubular space frame with an imported from USA 5.7 liter V8 engine with 365 kW/500 hp approx (2001: 330 kW/450 hp) and 600 Nm of torque, which his force to a sequential 6 speed gearbox gave. Electronic driver aids were banned. For safety, the driver sat in a monocoque, which is technically possible formula of vehicles. In addition to touring car carbon fiber crash boxes were installed.
In order to offer the fans a visually varied field, different silhouettes were constructed in which emphasis on spectacular appearance - was laid and wide wheel arches - with big spoilers and wings. The bodies various family cars were modeled. However, there were problems here: the manufacturer did not want to see you lose a car of their brand to have no influence on its success. They watched therefore their image jeopardized. This meant that the silhouettes, especially the BMW 5 Series and the Audi A6 had to be modified. Due to the different bodies a uniform aerodynamics of different silhouettes was developed in the wind tunnel.
2002, two new silhouettes were added to the V8 -Star. This time, the two manufacturers Volkswagen and Ford known for V8 star, so that the bodies had not be modified, but corresponded above the wheel hub to the original Passat and Mondeo.
Sporting sequence
The sporty end of the V8 -Star introduced a small revolution in German and also in European motorsport since. Because unlike many other European racing series is not oriented themselves at the V8 -Star in Formula 1, but on the American NASCAR series, where one already was inspired by the technical regulations. About the starting lineup opted for a first time a normal workout. But in addition there was a Top 12 Qualifying (2001 only a top 8 qualifying ), in which three groups of four vehicles, a two- lap race was extended with an integrated pit stop.
The usual race day there was not at the V8 - Star for the first two years as part of Beru Top 10. The races were started standing on Saturdays. About half of the race, all vehicles had the mandatory pit stop and had to completion only a narrow time window. After the race was short on until the pace car went on the track to anchor the field. At this point of the race now points were awarded for the team title, but not for the drivers' championship. In addition, there were points for the pit stop scoring. The pace car had the task zusammenzubremsen the field for the second half of the race and prepare for the flying start. At the end of the second half of the race, the checkered flag was waved and the race was over. Well received for the result of both the team as well as the driver points.
Silhouettes
- Audi A6
- BMW 5 Series
- Ford Mondeo
- Jaguar S-Type
- Lexus GS
- Opel Omega
- VW Passat