Community Question Time - ATR

[ATR DAN]

Hello one and all.
Whether this will catch on or not, I have no idea. But it's a basic experiment to see another side to TORA media. Basically instead of myself making up the interview, I'm gonna leave the questions to you guys in the community. You can ask me anything you like about the races I've taken part in, the re-formation of ATR or just TORA championships in general. Think of this as a different version of the "FOTA Fans Forum".

If you have any questions, fire away! I'll be more than happy to answer them. Please make sure that your questions are sensible and relevant.

Dan, how do you feel your new signing will fair in a hard fought LMP1 class?

And is the Aston still up for the fight?

@Chaddy:

I feel that iZGunDaM could produce a good performance for us in the remaining races in this seasons ISCC. Obviously, it's difficult for a driver to make the transition from one car to another, particularly if your previous car was a diesel. I remember at the start of the ISCC Asian leg and we signed JohhnyBoy3600 a few days before the 1st round, it took him a race to finally get up to speed after using the Acura during pre-season testing.
It might take Ben a race or two but he will be quick. He's proven his potential already in the Peugeot. But of course, we can't predict how people are gonna do until the green flag drops on lap 1 of each race meeting.

I still think the Lola Aston is still a competitve car. Its just a question of luck sometimes and we haven't had that much this season. Its obviously been very exceptional that I've managed to get four podiums this season, but we do need to make that final step onto the top of the podium.
I know that the Jaguar team have won a couple of races, but I do question the legality of that car, in terms of the amount of horsepower the engine produces. Under normal conditions without handicaps, we're 65bhp down which is a huge chunk in sports car racing.
Despite some of these issues, I still feel that the Lola Aston Martin is competitive enough to win at least 1 race in the remainder of this season. I'm still hopeful and determined thats gonna happen.

How did the reformation of Austins Team Hunter Racing come by?

@Ben:

Basically, myself and Matt dicussed the re-union of Austins Motorsport and THR a few months ago. The original plan was to reform Austins Team Hunter Racing when we start to use forza motorsport 4. However, since Matt announced that he wasn't going to be racing for a while, I thought it would be a good idea to bring that plan forward immediately and hense why now we are now known as ATR.

Have you ever thought about setting up a 'sister' team, much like Red Bull & Toro Rosso in F1 to field in another class?

@Kilroy:

It's our intention to be fielding two teams in the TORA championships which will be held on Forza 4. So far in the ATR group, there are five drivers; myself, Mark (Rollin InAn STi), Connor (Stonewall458), John (JohnnyBoy3600) and Matt (jenson09). Given the number of drivers we've recruited, it will obviously make sense to be running two teams in the same organisation. So the answer to your question is yes we will.

Hello one and all.
I thought it would be a good time again to set-up the community question time once again. Whether you want to ask a question about the team, drivers or any TORA related subjects including the championships that are running at this present time, please fire away and I'll be delighted to answer them.

Given a chance, would you switch from the Virage to the Aston V12 Vantage?

@Ben:

Thats a really interesting question. But I don't think it would make much difference because I feel that the V12 Vantage and the Virage are about the same in terms of overall performance. So the answer is that I wouldn't change our car for the GT24 series.

Might be a touchy subject, but will you ever return to the Touring Car Championship?

@Kilroy8:

Don't worry about asking that kind of question. You have every right to ask.

The answer to that question is no! I won't be entering the touring car championship anymore. This is mainly due to the controversy that happened last season that has put me off from entering the series in the future.

Have you ever thought about setting up a 'sister' team, much like Red Bull & Toro Rosso in F1 to field in another class?

This has actually happened for us in the past.
In 2009 or 10 Dan took a team of pros under the ATR banner while I headed a team made up of 'the old guard' in SMRC Honda NSXR's. Suffice to say, Dan went on to win the championship (the first for THR) and SMRC.....didn't lol.

Any advice for a mid pack running amateur looking for their first race win? And what series would you recommend new drivers get involved in once established in the stock spec series to enhance their racing level and get spotted/signed by one of the bigger teams?

If the right car came along, would ATR leave Aston Martin in the ISCC/GTs?/ Or would you move to the new Aston P1 car if it comes to FM4?

New backers coming?

New Drivers? johnnyboy left just lately and surely that seat needs filled?

Sorry it's taken me a while to answer back. Just had a really busy day.

@Driftollie:

I think for a mid pack amateur to gain their first win really can take three requirements.
One is persistance. If you trully believe that you can perform really well, then it requires a lot of practice in order to improve your skills. I feel that I'm a much better driver now than I was back when I joined TORA back in 2008 because I was eager to prove that I could perform well in a racing environment.
The second and probably most important requirement is experience. It would be great, but it's virtually impossible to win first time out! It takes a few races to get into your stride. You can learn about where your weaknesses are and with more racing experience under your belt, the first win won't be that far away. You can also gain experience from other racers; gain some hints and tips about set-ups etc.
The third requirement is making the right choices. I was fortunate back in 2009 with the TORA GT3's because the Maserati Gransport wasn't considered to be the best car in the field. But, I proved that wasn't the case and it was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made in my TORA racing career. Obviously, if you are rich enough to purchase all of the cars on a championship list and test them, then you will have no issues whats so ever. However, if budget is an issue, then sometimes you have to rely on your own instinct and hope that it's the correct decision for you.
However lately, TORA have introduced the brilliant idea of running a suppliers championship where you can ask such teams like M&M, STORM, ATR etc about developing a car for privateers or other teams which is exellent.

I feel that the best way for new drivers to be spotted out by the larger teams is to compete in stock championship. That way, everyones in the same car so they are on an even playing field and you can see how each driver copes in the same machinery. Thats the best way of finding new talent in TORA.

@Chaddy (FranchittiFan):

ATR has a strong history of using Aston Martin so it would be right to keep the strong relationship going by sticking with the Lola Aston Martin. Obviously, if a new Aston P1 car was to be released on Forza 4, then it's worth considering. But only if we approve of it by testing the new machine. But for now, there isn't gonna be a change at this present time.

If you've spotted our GT24 livery, we certainly have a new sponsor with Hiscox insurance. Our livery is basically similar to the Jota Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT2 machine from the Le Mans Series. And Many thanks to Matt for creating such a beautiful livery. Just watching it on TORA TV makes my mouth water.
But for the ISCC, we shall be sticking with our longest serving partner which is Gulf.

There hasn't been any new drivers sadly, although we are always on the lookout for new talent. Problem nowerdays is that it's hard to find someone who's willing to drive for us. When ATR re-formed a few months ago, I wanted to race with my old team mate Duncan but I think he's much happier with M&M and STORM. Pitty!

[Adrian In Obvious Disguise of Big Hat, Big Mullet Wig and Sunglasses, and fake american overaccent]

"Yum Yeyahh, Youve uh been seen uhhhh doing laps at Indy in an open uhh top prowh-tow-tie-yuhp, does the uhhh Indeyy Prohw Seyreeez interest you attaaahhl?"

[/Adrian In Obvious Disguise of Big Hat, Big Mullet Wig and Sunglasses, and fake american overaccent]

@Adrian:

Is this a hint or a way of trying to persuade me of entering your series? lol

After testing certain cars for the series, I could see a lot of potential in the Indy Pro Series. Certainly the awesome event that was the Wheldon 500 has got me more interested in flat-out oval style racing. The decision isn't certain yet but it's defernately worth considering. It all boils down of course as to what day the series is run. I was tempted to enter the Formula 500 championship but because it's run on a Thursday, it's not viable for me to enter.

Any room left in ATR?

@JohnnyBoy360:

As long as you've learnt your lesson, then YES! You are more than welcome back with ATR. I have a spare seat available for the ISCC if you so wish to participate in the championship.