10 Predictions for 2013

[Alfa Fan]

1. 50% or less of Tony Gilham's proposed entries will turn up.
2. Andy Neate will not score a single point all season
3. The AmD Astra will be the best "non WSR, non Motorbase" privately built NGTC car
4. Gordon Shedden will be champions again
5. At least 5 entries won't see out the season
6. A Vauxhall Insignia won't be in the top 10.
7. Motorbase will win the Jack Sears Trophy
8. ITV4 won't renew the TV deal for 2014.
9. A new manufacturer will announce a faux-works entry to the series before the conclusion of the season.
10. No team that has extra drives to be filled as of the first race will actually fill them.

[BDunnell]

1. 50% or less of Tony Gilham's proposed entries will turn up.

Were it just the two Passats and two Insignias we were talking about, I'd have been positive about at least three appearing. Now he's supposedly running four Passats, two Insignias and perhaps the Civic, I'm inclined to agree. I have no wish to be over-critical, but six cars, four of them new-built, for what is still a new BTCC team? The word 'overstretch' springs to mind.

2. Andy Neate will not score a single point all season

If the Cruze is reliable, I think he will.

3. The AmD Astra will be the best "non WSR, non Motorbase" privately built NGTC car

Which would you define as the others, the Gilham Passats aside?

4. Gordon Shedden will be champions again

I agree.

5. At least 5 entries won't see out the season

Possibly.

6. A Vauxhall Insignia won't be in the top 10.

Of a race or the championship?

7. Motorbase will win the Jack Sears Trophy

Are they definitely going to enter an S2000 car?

8. ITV4 won't renew the TV deal for 2014.

Don't know about that.

9. A new manufacturer will announce a faux-works entry to the series before the conclusion of the season.

Any suggestions?

10. No team that has extra drives to be filled as of the first race will actually fill them.

Generally the way.

A few predictions from me:

Nick Foster will win a race. So will Rob Austin. Biggest grid of the year: 24 cars. Chris Stockton's NGTC Cruze to outperform Andy Neate's. Just one Passat to be ready for the first round, barely run beforehand. Mat Jackson to be a title contender.

[Alfa Fan]

Which would you define as the others, the Gilham Passats aside?

BTC Cruze, HARD Passat, Thorney Insignia




Of a race or the championship?

Any race

Are they definitely going to enter an S2000 car?

Not definite, no, but they want to run a pair of them.

Don't know about that.



Any suggestions?

Proton!

Generally the way.

A few predictions from me:

Nick Foster will win a race. So will Rob Austin. Biggest grid of the year: 24 cars. Chris Stockton's NGTC Cruze to outperform Andy Neate's. Just one Passat to be ready for the first round, barely run beforehand. Mat Jackson to be a title contender.

.

[Mp3 Astra]

8. ITV4 won't renew the TV deal for 2014.

BTCC :: Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship

"Having broadcast the BTCC since 2002, Britain’s premier commercial television network, ITV, is committed to covering the championship until 2014 at least."

What makes you think that ITV will pull the plug relatively soon though?

[Mp3 Astra]

1. 50% or less of Tony Gilham's proposed entries will turn up.

I disagree - I think a number of the cars will arrive after the season begins, but I think they will be there at some point during the season.

2. Andy Neate will not score a single point all season
Assuming this one is more of a jokey one - it shouldn't be hard for Andy to make it into the top 15 in a few races.

3. The AmD Astra will be the best "non WSR, non Motorbase" privately built NGTC car
Perhaps

4. Gordon Shedden will be champions again
I disagree - I think if 888 have made sufficient progress, this season will be Plato's.

5. At least 5 entries won't see out the season
Perhaps

6. A Vauxhall Insignia won't be in the top 10.
Gilham says the Insignias have potential - the previous owners just didn't have enough resources to improve them.

7. Motorbase will win the Jack Sears Trophy
No S2000 car announced yet - but if they do, yes.

8. ITV4 won't renew the TV deal for 2014.
See above

9. A new manufacturer will announce a faux-works entry to the series before the conclusion of the season.
I'd like to see that happen.

10. No team that has extra drives to be filled as of the first race will actually fill them.
Unlikely. I think at least one will.

[BDunnell]

Surely, at some point, an Insignia will get into the top 15?

[Mp3 Astra]

Surely, at some point, an Insignia will get into the top 15?

I will film myself eating a hat if that does not happen.

[Alfa Fan]

Surely, at some point, an Insignia will get into the top 15?

Of course they will. Who said they wouldn't?

[BDunnell]

Of course they will. Who said they wouldn't?

Sorry, I didn't read your post again, and recalled wrongly that it said 'in the points'. I think an Insignia will get a top 10 finish as well, though.

[Eurotech]

Sorry, I didn't read your post again, and recalled wrongly that it said 'in the points'. I think an Insignia will get a top 10 finish as well, though.

Maybe only in the high attrition wet races though...