The Roland Dane Download! Supercars, NASCAR & more

Roland Dane joins the KTM Summer Grill to chat all things Supercars, NASCAR and more. The ex-Triple Eight boss is now semi-retired but keeps a keen eye on the Supercars scene, including his former team.
Dane also spent a chunk of 2024 in the United States visiting daughter Jess and her partner Shane van Gisbergen, giving RD a unique behind the scenes look at NASCAR. He explains what Supercars should learn from the US series, as well as giving an overall health check on the Aussie category, its media rights talks and new Finals system.
There’s also discussion of the evolving Australian GT racing scene and Dane’s own plans to get back on the race track.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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[@Maddog00427]

I got to admit. I admire RD. When he speaks, he chooses his words carfully and always speaks with authority. He never speculates on things he knows nothing about and uses facts as his chosen weapon. What a role model for anyone who is trying to better themselves. Thanks for the upload Speedcafe.

[@rjblue1119]

I think there is only one word to describe Roland Dane, Leader.

[@BobJamison5660]

I’m a US citizen and have been an SVG fan for many years. I think a couple things that set him apart is his humor and his honesty. I’ll watch a full interview with Shane, I can’t sat that for any other driver, except maybe John Force. 😊

[@Louie2309]

SVG always had a bit of a rough go from fans in Australia. He arrived here as a 16 year old from NZ and many felt it should b3 an Australian in the seat. Then he retired from the sport, but was bought back into it before the next season, and he copped a lot of shit and haters from that four years. Then he went to Red Bull where he was an instant winner and a driver that drove hard to win. For a lot of fans, it wouldn’t matter who was driving for Red Bull, they just hate them because Triple 8 are hands down the most professional team in the country, and win the majority of the races.

[@mikespencer9913]

Same here, Mate! I live in NC, the “back yard” of NASCAR, but I still prefer to stream Supercars from the other side of the World! Part of my bias is probably that I’ve been doing (amateur) Road Racing, and Supercars is a LOT closer to that than NASCAR.

[@richardbartczak9175]

I enjoy RD's incite into motorsport. Very knowledgeable man.

[@andrewbonhomme8069]

Always got the time to listen to RD. You get answers that aren’t the usual cardboard cutout answers

[@geoffsingleton9248]

I have a suspicion that the 'finals' format will result in so much explanation about eligibility, bonus points, placings and knock-outs in addition to permutations and combinations that the race commentators will spend more time on that than the actual racing.

[@kevfartt]

More night races/events is a must

[@tturi2]

the diff is a good tuning device, maybe limit the diffs to a clutch and ramp style diff and have 3 ramp rates for acceleration and deceleration and then let the teams mix and match clutch plate stacks

[@burnerog]

At long last… another ACCOLADE for ADELAIDE ! The best Supercars event in Australia

[@DavidLeane-cp2lz]

Nice interview. No hype or talking over a each other.

[@petebarter27]

With GM ending production of the Camaro, what if any will be the replacement? It will be great to see Toyota compete, and obviously Ford are I for the long game, what will GM do?

[@mtl-ss1538]

Will be - 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Edition V8 668 hp or - Cadillac CT4-V Rear Wheel Drive Sedan

[@gerardcrabb4556]

Probably stick with Camaro for Aero 2 doors...

[@DirtySlapper99]

​@mtl-ss1538 oh you mean the cadi commy built on Aussie homework and they haven't continued development so that great car and the actual final Aussie car is arriving at its dead end

[@beyondcitylimits]

They'll wait it out and see what NASCAR does and then copy them.

[@OldmanGamer9999]

GM has a replacement incoming for NASCAR and it’s well known they will just have a Supercar version.

[@tobystent]

Don’t xfinity cars run a spool diff? Only the cup cars have a limited slip in their new transaxle

[@JSRacing61]

I get why Roland is talking about spools versus LSD - but I rather see a Detroit Locker used if V8's were to change, like what NASCAR ran for decades. Sure it's older tech, but just because it might looks like it's outta the stone age doesn't mean it wouldn't produce a very good racing product (look at NASCAR on road courses prior to tapered spacers being introduced on the CoT/Gen6 car, or how the Xfinity car currently is for that matter). honestly wish NASCAR would switch back to that or do a spool (like V8's now) on the oval side for the terrible NextGen car (it has it's positives don't get me wrong - but I feel it took the worst from GT3 & CoTF with it's development, and that's also not factoring the safety debate with how rigid they were at the start imo) also I hope Roland realizes how good Supercars has done for overseas viewing over the last handful of years while maintaining it as a subscription platform. Their monthly option with KZbin makes it incredibly easy for us overseas fans to stream (given relative access on just about every platform - compared to others which might not have apps for every streaming box or phone, while keeping it optimized for those viewing on a computer as well). For a single series, it's incredibly reasonable cost wise as well (like $8 for 1 to 2 rounds a month) & it includes all of the support classes just like the FOX AU broadcasts. Adelaide has to be one of best promoted race weekends globally imo

[@jamesdeamer6360]

Positive Locking Differentials (Detroit Type) hmmm these units are locked under acceleration and overrun (gearing down) no different to a Spool, most driver pick the throttle up way before the apex, even if only feathering etc. The Detroit is no better than or Faster than a Spool

[@tsport100]

Seriously, if RD doesn't know why they're still running spools..... who does ??

[@burnerog]

For goodness sake… SUPERCARS NEEDS TO BE OFFICIALLY BRANDED AS: “V8 SUPERCARS” It’s what everyone wants… Why doesn’t Shane Howard fess up and JUST DO IT..!!?

[@markbrophy4331]

Absolutely! The elephant in the room.

[@tturi2]

I think Supercars is nicer to have as a sticker, even if called v8 supercars by everyone and will only have v8 engines approx 5-6L displacement

[@jagreen2009]

Roland is a brillant guy but is largely why supercars is in the wilderness. Even he admitted he went too far at times and it hurt the sport on that apex hunters united. Then you still get blokes saying it's the best thing, one dominant team that is better funded and absolutely the biggest whingers have taken the sport down to the level it is with a win at all costs mentality. Thats why we have parity and all engineering is out of the cars. Winning this year and still pulled the ford had more power and pissed and moaned so bad about co driver weights its a joke now they are looking at it. But 888 will be happy and thats all that matters, apparently.

[@gerardcrabb4556]

Need to sell cars to NZ as a series more on grid in NZ series races if they go to two...

[@Robvdk69]

Nz doesn't have the money

[@CrusaderFan]

NZ struggles to field a decent grid of TA2 cars, so a more expensive Supercar would be a hard sell in NZ.

[@gerardcrabb4556]

Could run a few as wildcards if they get 2 rounds sure few can afford a couple...

[@CrusaderFan]

@@gerardcrabb4556 That's a lot of money for a car, that only races twice a year.

[@gerardcrabb4556]

@@CrusaderFan Some wildcards only do few rounds maybe kiwi team Tony Quin has 888 car...

[@DennisGoodayle]

they defently need to go bk to the old style diff

[@blairo15]

They've always ran a spooled diff. Even in the live rear ends. The lsd is definitely needed.

[@Greg-k4j]

I never watch supercars anymore, same with wrc, i find the basic regulations complicated, the fun aspect has disappeared.

[@amraceway]

The cars all look the same and are as far from road cars as you could possibly get plus the TA2s outperform them on both appearance and bang for the buck.They turned Bathurst into a why bother event which should have been a hanging offence by itself. Australia's greatest race no more.

[@readie10145]

You don't air on free tv so what makes you think we watch. Only ones who get pay tv are fools only to watch US cars in Australia and then watch U.S. cars in U.S 😂 Go get lost Roland and supercars. Followed v8 Supercars since the 80s until 2016. It over now.

[@gerardcrabb4556]

Half races on FTA and You Tube Kayo Freebies...

[@scytheshandarkone2506]

Dont want Toyota shitbox!!

[@dilligaf2818]

Redbullshit have ruined motoracing in Aus at the top level..

[@jagreen2009]

100 percent, even roland admitted he went to far at times and it hurt the sport on that apex hunntees united. Then you still get blokes saying it's the best thing, one dominant team that is better funded and absolutely the biggest whingers have taken the sport down to the level it is with a win at all costs mentality. Thats why we have parity and all engineering is out of the cars. Winning this year and still pulled the ford had more power and pissed and moaned so bad about co driver weights its a joke now they are looking at it. But 888 will be happy and thats all that matters apparently

[@paulholubecki6386]

Didn't they sook when penske came along 😂

[@crunchytheclown9694]

KTM and Roland a match made in heavan, both full of shit

[@peterschaefer2946]

does it matter