Would Andy ever do the BTCC again?

[TCuns]

As andy P is not having such a good year in the wtcc, (not writing him off) would he ever think, lets have a new challenge and come home and have another go at the BTCC. It would be great if he was in a factory BMW, But then again seeing him in an Orange RAC car would be great too!!

[LiamM]

As andy P is not having such a good year in the wtcc, (not writing him off) would he ever think, lets have a new challenge and come home and have another go at the BTCC. It would be great if he was in a factory BMW, But then again seeing him in an Orange RAC car would be great too!!

I don't think you should write him off, looking at the championship he is still the quickest petrol car and is beating Gene in the diesel Leon. I don't think he will win it tbh, only due to SEATs tatics tho

[I am evil Homer]

Agreed..he's doing as well as he can in a car that's at a huge disadvantage. If he was in a Leon I think he'd be walking it so far.

[Iain]

Can't see that happening. He'll be a BMW works driver for life if he wants it. I can see him moving into GTs or sportscars with BMW if they go in that direction with the new M3. Peugeot were interested in getting him for Le Mans, but due to clashes with the WTCC, he couldn't do it.

[Les]

I think with most drivers - if they get paid to drive then who pays the most gets them, if they pay for a drive then the best they can get for the money.

[SEATFreak]

I don't think you should write him off, looking at the championship he is still the quickest petrol car and is beating Gene in the diesel Leon. I don't think he will win it tbh, only due to SEATs tatics tho

Exactly. Despite protestations from RML about the use of the TDi in the Leon nobody has said anything about BMW's proposed switch to diesel.

I say that because I just think with the power the 320si is known for having, if BMW were to bring it in before the end of the season it is very probable that BMW may actually go even faster than the Leons are now and Andy may actually go on to atleast get into the top 3 which at the mo is dominated by SEAT's.

[Martin-MC]

They should just ban the oil burners right now, racing engines are ment to be petrol!

Those Seat smokers go slow round the bends, then the turbo kicks in and they leave the rest standing, then at next corner the rest catch up and it goes on all race at most event.

Also the cost of developing turbos and smokers (which the FIA has no hard and fast rule to what boost pressure they can run) is very expensive compared to a limited rev petrol engine.

But thats all a whole different thread ! LOL

[Dave B]

Returning to the BTCC after 3 world championships (or 4 if you include the ETCC), Andy would have nothing to gain and everything to lose.

If he won, nobody would be particularly surprised. If he didn't then people would assume that he'd somehow "lost it".

The simple fact is that even if he never wins another race for the rest of his life, Andy is one of this country's top sportsmen. That said, I certainly wouldn't rule him out of contention for yet another title, maybe this year, maybe sometime in the future.

[Iain]

Exactly. Despite protestations from RML about the use of the TDi in the Leon nobody has said anything about BMW's proposed switch to diesel.


BMW have said they are reluctant to do so, because it would put Chevrolet at a disadvantage and discourage new manufacturers from entering, as it would near enough be a diesel championship.

Dave's right, Priaulx returning to the BTCC would be a risky move with his reputation.

[LiamM]

Exactly. Despite protestations from RML about the use of the TDi in the Leon nobody has said anything about BMW's proposed switch to diesel..

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=2425

[Jimmy Magnusson]

I don't think you'll see Andy back in the BTCC as long as it is a second level series to the WTCC. Far, far more likely he'll be in ALMS next year (if he doesn't stay in WTCC)...

[racer69]

Peugeot were interested in getting him for Le Mans, but due to clashes with the WTCC, he couldn't do it.

Would BMW have let him drive a Peugeot?

He was all set to drive for Triple 8 at Bathurst this year, but BMW wouldn't allow him to (Yvan Muller was meant to partner him, but Seat didn't let him either)

[Elmo]

I don't think you'll see Andy back in the BTCC as long as it is a second level series to the WTCC. Far, far more likely he'll be in ALMS next year (if he doesn't stay in WTCC)...

BTCC is not second level to the WTCC at all, The BTCC has far more crediibililty in history that it has been astained over the past 50 years. Also the BTCC is knocking on the door to be back to the level it was at in the 90's.. It may cost more to compete in the WTCC but the BTCC is just as competetive if not more so.... this year especially..

The FIA control whom they want to win in the WTCC with their constantly changing so called equalisation rules!! The best drivers in the WTCC are no better than the best we have here..

[TCuns]

I was just wondering because Gio did the BTCC despite being a multiple champion in Europe, I know Alfa were cutting back, but was it just a case that there wasn't a competitive car in the WTCC and that VXR was the best option?

[Iain]

Would BMW have let him drive a Peugeot?

He was all set to drive for Triple 8 at Bathurst this year, but BMW wouldn't allow him to (Yvan Muller was meant to partner him, but Seat didn't let him either)

Probably not, but Serge Saulnier, his old team manager from Promatecme F3 runs Peugeot Sport now and said he would have liked to have had him in a car. I suppose that makes sense to refuse them because of the injury risk, but it's a shame.

[wedge]

Returning to the BTCC after 3 world championships (or 4 if you include the ETCC), Andy would have nothing to gain and everything to lose.

If he won, nobody would be particularly surprised. If he didn't then people would assume that he'd somehow "lost it".

The simple fact is that even if he never wins another race for the rest of his life, Andy is one of this country's top sportsmen. That said, I certainly wouldn't rule him out of contention for yet another title, maybe this year, maybe sometime in the future.

The BTCC is unfinished business as far I'm concerned. I do agree with your point that there wouldn't be much surpise if he did win but I think people want to see it done and classified especially with the nature motorsport there's too many 'what ifs' and speculation!


I was just wondering because Gio did the BTCC despite being a multiple champion in Europe, I know Alfa were cutting back, but was it just a case that there wasn't a competitive car in the WTCC and that VXR was the best option?

Because VXR were after a big name driver against Plato/Seat. Ian Harrison admitted it on the Pistonheads forum.

[racer69]

Probably not, but Serge Saulnier, his old team manager from Promatecme F3 runs Peugeot Sport now and said he would have liked to have had him in a car. I suppose that makes sense to refuse them because of the injury risk, but it's a shame.

A shame in both cases, would have been good to see him at Le Mans and at Bathurst.

Le Mans was out of the question due to the date clash obviously, but the Bathurst no-go was a shame, particularly as its not as if he'd have been competing against any BMWs!



BTCC is not second level to the WTCC at all, The BTCC has far more crediibililty in history that it has been astained over the past 50 years. Also the BTCC is knocking on the door to be back to the level it was at in the 90's.. It may cost more to compete in the WTCC but the BTCC is just as competetive if not more so.... this year especially..

It is second level in terms of comparing a world series against a national series.

[SEATFreak]

Has anyone mentioned anything abount Andy being under any kind of contract with RBM?

I know factory drivers in the BTCC get paid to race and one assume have to sign some contract, but is it the same with the fatory teams in the WTCC?

It is just I don't see how Andy can race for another team and/or in a whole new motorsport series if he is under a contract binding him to RBM till whenever the contract expires.

[racer69]

Isn't his contract with BMW Motorsport, who places him at RBM with BMW UK backing?

Either way he was driving for RBM in the ETCC in 2003 when he made his last appearance at Bathurst.

The funniest one was 2005, when Alain Menu (in his first season with Chevrolet in the WTCC) came to Bathurst and drove a Ford.....

[Iain]

And this year we have Vauxhall-contracted Giovanardi driving for 888 Ford, as Yvan Muller did in 2005.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I'd love to see Priaulx do the BTCC again. You can't really claim to be the Michael Schumacher of Touring Cars if you have never won the BTCC.

Would he win it? I don't think he would in his first season, but perhaps his consistency would suit the 3race format more.