Open Letter from Al Oppenhieser to the Camaro Nation and Ford.

[a_Username]

I think we should have a CEO vs. CEO fist-fight to death after the race, of course!

[SSBUSDRVR]

People are quick to shout ridiculous things like "Chevy dropped the ball" without thinking very much at all before they say things like that.

What fbodfather is equally quick to point out is that we're looking at two large automotive companies...

One with one high-performance car, and one solid brand.

The other with three high performance cars, an equally-but-opposite advanced electric car, and four brands that are undergoing an aggressive reinvention that is proving successful in the marketplace.

It's hard to argue they "dropped the ball" on anything. They're just playing a different, arguable more important, game.

Well said.

[den318]

I don't think Chevy dropped the ball. I think they are just being lazy/comfortable right now. The Camaro is the best selling muscle/pony car for the last 3 years. You see them everywhere. There are almost no upgrades at all to the Camaro since 2010 because it is in 1st place.
Look at the Mustang, it's already a faster car. They could have leave good enough alone. For 2013, they have upgraded again. New front and rear end, Hid is now standard, recaro seats options, 420HP, and the new track package with upgraded brakes and suspension. If the 2012 Gt already beats the Camaro at the drag and track, how do you think the 2013 will do?
Maybe it's better if the Camaro sales were lower than the Mustang or Challenger. This way, the Camaro might finally get some much needed upgrade/updates.

[svttim]

Originally Posted by Bad70supreme

Why do you think they added all that power, if they had the same 580hp they would get smoked! Seems to me that ford rushed this car out, all pumped up on roids because the Gt500 now had no chance in hell to compete!

Youre assumption would be wrong. The car was well tested and yes, even at the ring. Kudo's to Chevrolet for this PR move, Brilliant! Not sure what Jim's response meant but have to admit, I was a bit surprised. I however dont believe there was any point to the comparison. Both would be hotshoes and I doubt either car would be stock. I like the idea someone put out of having 5 drivers from the Camaro forums and five from the Mustang forums .

If you take a car on a long course like Road America for example, that 70 HP will be a huge difference. Someplace like Mid-Ohio, not so much. Its all relative fellers. Enjoy your new hot rod!

[Shurenuff]

Originally Posted by Deki

You take the cages out of these cars and you'll probably add 8-12 seconds to their lap times. It adds a lot to the stiffness of the car, and the negative factor of the added 100lbs. or so if more than worth it. Look at how much more improved the Laguna Seca Boss is over the standard ones when equipped with same tires and only having the rear cross brace installed. It's about 1 second per lap quicker. Caged cars run approximately 2.5-3 faster on average around 3 mile tracks, so on a 13 mile course, it's an exponentially larger gap, especially considering how many turns there are on the 'Ring.

I'll go out on a limb (a very short one) and say the benefits of a cage would favor the Mustang much more that the Camaro. People complain all the time about the Camaro's weight, but one real benefit is a noticeably stiffer chassis than the Mustang.

[tomsws6]

Originally Posted by SnoopyAce7

Ford GT (much higher limit)

The GT hasnt been in production for yrs. I believe 2006 was the last yr?? Ford doesnt have a halo car like GM so there really insnt any limits for them.

[2cnd chance]

That is true. The Camaro chassis is much more rigid.

[1BADZL1]

Originally Posted by den318

This way, the Camaro might finally get some much needed upgrade/updates.

What upgrade/updates does your camaro need?

[assasinator]

i'll bet you anything chevy buys one of their own 2013 GT500's and races the cars with professional drivers for times. it doesnt take Ford to get a time.

[kbui]

Originally Posted by Deki

They make a pretty big difference. Hell a strut tower brace makes a pretty noticeable difference on a road course. A whole cage makes the whole car stiffer.

Good read here

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/p...n/viewall.html

Actually, the roll cage is only inside the occupants' compartment and DO NOT stiffen up the front or rear structures, hence DO NOT have an effect on the shock towers. If you look at the deformation modes with and without the roll cage, the mode that shows the twisting of the front structure (front shock towers) these would not change. The modes that would change are the lower bending modes of the whole vehicle about the occupants' compartment. For an already stiff structure, the vehicle would probably be faster without the added mass.

[ffrcobra_65]

Originally Posted by MY68RS

What upgrade/updates does your camaro need?

he doesn't own one.

[fbodfather]

Originally Posted by bobby35ny

What?? LOL
I have to watch what I type because we arent allowed to mention another car name besides a Chevy.
The cars you mention by that other brand in no way compares to a Vette.
2 seater now compares to a 2+2?
That other car company dont have an answer to the Corvette.
They compete with the Camaro.
-Bobby

[fbodfather]

Originally Posted by kbui

Actually, the roll cage is only inside the occupants' compartment and DO NOT stiffen up the front or rear structures, hence DO NOT have an effect on the shock towers. If you look at the deformation modes with and without the roll cage, the mode that shows the twisting of the front structure (front shock towers) these would not change. The modes that would change are the lower bending modes of the whole vehicle about the occupants' compartment. For an already stiff structure, the vehicle would probably be faster without the added mass.

Correct.

[assasinator]

one last comment. IF and i say If the gt500 has integrated stability control and traction/launch control, the s197 chasis has already proven to dominate the camaro in racing.


if the new gt500 launches its 650hp the race is over before it starts.