Ditch the Spool!? Should Supercars move to Limited Slip Diffs? Ep.2

Supercars is the main focus in the second episode of Polarizer as Roland and Dude tackle a wide range of topics and issues facing the series in the short and medium term.
Among them is a campaign to ‘Ditch the Spool' and move to a limited slip diff in Supercars, something both experts believe will improve the racing.
Roland makes his case for a move to a container racing model as well as highlighting what he thinks is the dumbest decision Supercars has made in a year (hint, it has something to do with he weather).
The guys run through their ideal calendar for 2025 while there are some fascinating revelations about selling drivers to sponsors - including a current star that a sponsor initially rejected.
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[@grahamcarver6836]

Phillip Island needs to be back on the calender.

[@GRIFF351]

yeah thats right

[@sharp_tooter]

For the producers of the show; could you make sure the mic isn't in line-of-sight to a panellists mouth please? Those of us who are hard of hearing sometimes also rely on lip reading to assist with our comprehension. Cheers, great podcast!

[@gerardcrabb4556]

Captions are available on You Tube...

[@sharp_tooter]

@@gerardcrabb4556 absolutely, they're AI generated and often inaccurate too

[@johnhemingway5262]

Have to agree with you, I'm don't lip read but it just seems courteous NOT to cover a panelists face. Lots of good points brought to light. Cheers

[@speedcafeTV]

Duly noted

[@ChristopherWHerbert]

Does anyone use headphones in listening to the videos, because that may also be an option worth thinking about

[@ChristopherWHerbert]

The very first on track test of the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen 7 car. Was performed at Richmond Raceway in October 2019. With the car fitted out with an Xtrac Supercars 6 speed transaxle on the prototype built by Richard Childress Racing. With the driver Austin Dillon. Including a spool differential.

[@Maddog00427]

I love this series. When these two guys speak, I prop in my seat and pay attention.

[@lauriekibblewhite]

I think PM is on the money. I for one used to go to all Perth races, but have only been a couple of times since the pit complex was built. It should drfinitely have been on the outside. As a matter of interest, the original pits were on top of the hill just before the bowl.

[@GRIFF351]

back in the 80s tassie was always the first round or second round of the championship when the weather was good

[@aaronpaull580]

Uncle Roland, Dude and Cocko to run Supercars

[@gerardcrabb4556]

QR Winton PI should be used combined with testing early in season save cost of test days and they are test tracks anyway... If they tested before weekend just go qualify and race...

[@secretsquirrel9722]

Hilarious asking RD for an objection view on gen3. Equally Hilarious watching PM dance around his friendship with RD when he spent 3 years absolutely rubbishing the gen3 on enforcer and the dude. RD made his money and ran after gen3. Outside the anomaly of eribus last year, the entire sport hasn't changed at all. Multi-million dollar "upgrades" for more of the same.

[@bigcarle]

I believe there was a plan for QR a few years ago to have a a bridge, idea was to bring turn 3 closer to turn 2 have a bridge over the track and then do a reverse of turn 3 under the bridge and reconnect before turn 4. Idea being making it more interesting and have an elevation change. I think this idea turned up when Oran Park closed as it was the only track to have a bridge

[@rosspierce6614]

Love the show but can you lower Paul's mic so we can see his face. Cheers.

[@GRIFF351]

should still have a live rear axle and H pattern gearbox like the old days

[@ChristopherWHerbert]

I certainly am one of the few who have this interest in that the NASCAR Cup Series Gen 7 car is using a Limited Slip Differential, over that of the Spool Differential arrangement of Supercars Gen 3. When until hearing this talked about in this video. I may have thought the opposite. Or at the least. This concept in discussing that Supercars also are in need of a LSD, is news to me. That has changed some element of my own thought and interest on the topic. While it may nor be understood and because of the different track multitudes of NASCAR. It is that in nASCAR the transaxles are sealed and can only be worked on in the internals by representatives from Xtrac. NASCAR use a combination of three different transaxle combinations of gear ratios, known as the A,B, and C, transaxles. Where the different race tracks require these differences internally. Where as in some cases an optional cluster is available for certain specified race tracks. (There is not just one transaxle that is set up for all the races of the series in any given season). In some cases NASCAR will use the same gear combination and drop gear on an oval, that is also in use on a road course. But this is all a compromise as the which version of the transaxle internals suits certain race tracks.

[@Gravy123-kp5ou]

I’d be at QR with bells on!

[@JakeMartin94]

Add QR, Winton, PI, The Bend. QR under lights to start the season would be awesome.

[@gerardcrabb4556]

Wannaroo has an update plan for a longer circuit and development of race complex...

[@gerardcrabb4556]

Need to get Adderton as special guest... He bit on dig at him from The Dude...

[@markdouglas3865]

Watch ‘apex hunters’

[@gerardcrabb4556]

@@markdouglas3865 Would like to see him with Roland and Morris... Apparently he only wanted Pye in his interview on Apex Hunters...

[@Gravy123-kp5ou]

Where Episode 3?

[@nathanainger3916]

I'd love to see Paul Roland And Larry Perkins run supercars.

[@Steve-jo3cl]

i Could be wrong, but i dont think Roland and Larry would see eye to eye

[@tturi2]

electronic diff controlled by the driver like a swaybar, but make it so its not programmed unfairly, the driver sets it up with the engineer

[@Simsy5861]

I'm not sure about Paul's suggestion to demolish the pit lane from the infield but, Barbagallo certainly needs to open up more spectator access. Spectators can't see any of the action down at the bowl (turn 6) There was no access to the back straight area last time I was there either. From there, one could see most of Turns 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7. If it was opened up to spectators to the top of the hill between turns 6 and 7, it would be great. As it stands now it's better to watch it on TV as you see far more.

[@gerardcrabb4556]

Looking at it opening up the final turn and widening the start/ finish straight looks better... There is expansion plan for longer circuit at complex...

[@gerardcrabb4556]

Street race around Tasmania Stadium would be interesting...

[@ChristopherWHerbert]

I am waiting for the Supercars race that does laps around the Sydney Opera House !!!

[@gerardcrabb4556]

@@ChristopherWHerbert Maybe if they ever host F1 after 2036...

[@braydnnash3640]

so here you have 2 guys that 1. know what the sport needs 2. Have the fans support/trust 3. Obviously love the sport and don’t like its current state. Why do they not put their hand up to get directly involved to help “fix” the current situation and if they have put their hand up why would Supercars not take them onboard to “fix” where Supercars is right now.

[@gerardcrabb4556]

Morris was part of failed bid to buy Supercars...Roland semi retired doing GT and advisor to 888...

[@dallascowboy23]

These 2 should be in charge of supercars.

[@Primer292]

What would it take to get Phillip island back on the calendar

[@sharp_tooter]

money. lot's of money. Lindsey Fox charges more than what Supercars think they can make from a weekend (ticket sales).

[@Primer292]

@@sharp_tooter such a shame it’s such a beautiful track and provides great racing

[@gerardcrabb4556]

Closure of Sandown probably Avalon not progressing atm...

[@rodneypurbrick7899]

No much polarising going on gents?? Can't find anything much to argue with. The Dude, RD, PA and MD conglomerate should have won the Supercars sale, those lads know what they're talking about.

[@gerardcrabb4556]

They are driving trucks to Perth container and plane would be easier quicker after NZ...

[@secretsquirrel9722]

Side note, I've watched all 3 of these and they're pretty weak sauce. Constant push of the same, not even close to "polarising" agendas . . . 1, They want QR BACK to line their mates pocket. 2, There should be more events. Ideally running at an independent profit without government hand outs. The single difference in the 1+hour = Finally touched on something juicey, made one comment on brodie and pete adderton but wouldn't explain or expand at all.

[@stephenhartstonge5826]

Where is Russell Ingallthses days him and the dude started thus format why is he jot involved. Anyone know.

[@sirepaulos]

What can be done to make super 2 & 3 to be better? The racing is great but I feel like they're left to defend themselves with minimal support from supercars. Can these categories survive?

[@rossi0nsx]

Why not go something similar to NASCAR and have more emphasis on super 2/3 on Saturday and then more on supercars on Sunday. More exposure for super 2 on Saturday could possibly have more opportunity for sponsors and drivers if there is a market for it.

[@sirepaulos]

@@rossi0nsx that's a great concept!

[@Alex-tu9bh]

After Tony has done so much to QR you have to go back. Relying so much on council backing is a sad look on the category

[@gerardcrabb4556]

More people go to permanent tracks with camping...

[@michaelcrane2475]

Here's a problem I have with Supercars. I don't watch it anymore. Nascar is on free TV in New Zealand now and like everyone I know I can't afford a Sky subscription to watch Supercars anymore. I couldn't justify the cost of going to Taupo and even that wasn't on free TV here. It was awesome watching SVG in the Xfinity and Cup races on free TV though.

[@ConnorL-bp3fl]

Hate to say it mate, but if you can’t afford a sky subscription or to goto your local race meeting in Taupo then you’re not Supercars’ target audience. It sounds harsh but motorsport is an expensive sport that requires money to put on events. If you’re not a paying punter either in person or paying to watch on tv, then Supercars isn’t trying to appeal to you.

[@michaelcrane2475]

@ConnorL-bp3fl Yeah I know but accommodation in Taupo sold out fast and things are tight. Sky subscription not priority. Pity, a lot of people like me have invested plenty in the sport over the years going to Pukekohe, even flag marshalled in the 80s, been to Bathurst, spent loads on merch etc. Oh well, Nascar is free, exciting, something different and every weekend and the merch is cool. Just saying Supercars. Guess I'll be getting a case of coke instead of Red Bull next shop.

[@gerardcrabb4556]

Nascar is on You Tube full replay after highlights and full highlights...

[@gerardcrabb4556]

@@ConnorL-bp3fl Govt pays for events and sponsors pay for teams if you buy their products not a subscription you pay for the sport anyway... Still FTA rounds You Tube and Kayo Freebies and ways to follow sport on a budget...

[@michaelcrane2475]

@@gerardcrabb4556 It's on free TV live every Sunday and Monday morning in NZ.

[@Gravy123-kp5ou]

What could they do to toughen up/ make more durable Supercars. Seems any slight impact turns into a terminal failure compared to NASCAR.

[@gerardcrabb4556]

Nascar are made to survive ovals more weight... Gen 3 were made lighter than Gen 2... Added bracing would strengthen them but they designed front and rear clips to be removable...

[@aaronpaull580]

Everyone knows it but I’ll just support it, we have great permanent tracks, QR, Winton, PI and we don’t use them. PI is good enough for the most entertaining motorsport category in MotoGP but our “work class touring car class” dosent

[@cptvane3439]

Courtney needs to go imo, he's just taking up a race car seat atp

[@ConnorL-bp3fl]

Courtney, Davison, Slade, Winterbottom and Reynolds all need to move on.

[@briantrevethan1940]

The only thing people want to know about is what happened at Erebus and Brodie and these 2 blokes are the ones that can tell us stop talking crap get to the good stuff.

[@gerardcrabb4556]

It's all with lawyers so they won't touch it Morris made deal with Betty and Brodie and he dropped his Boost sponsorship...

[@gerardcrabb4556]

People don't want GT cars paddle shift and diff makes it unique with floor shift and bring back roll bar adjusters more driver input...

[@Alex-tu9bh]

I agree, another tool that made the best drivers stand out

[@dynomiterecords4348]

Supercars have managed to engineer themselves into a cul de sac. There is no market relevance and the racing is pretty boring frankly. The quicker "supercars" are scrapped and convert to GT3 the better off everyone will be.