Vauxhall "regret" BTCC exit

[Alfa Fan]

According to Matt James' MN column Vauxhall are regretting their decision to not participate in this years British Touring Car Championship.

He also suggests they are already working towards a possible comeback, maybe as soon as next year.

Might help explain why Triple Eight have entered a pair of Vectra's this year, could we yet see them represented in the Constructors championship, and possibly some VX Racing branding retained?

I hear there's an Italian driver who would like a break from his renovation work in Modena who might be on the market :)

[UltimateDanGTR]

I hear there's an Italian driver who would like a break from his renovation work in Modena who might be on the market :)

well, Luca Badoer has got to go somewhere :p

jokes aside, very interesting, but I doubt Vauxhall would want to compete as a manufacturer against parents Cheverolet. IMO, something would have to give there.

[Alfa Fan]

Whilst both are under the umbrella of GM (but in Vauxhall's case for how much longer?) I don't see it being a catastrophic conflict of interest. Both are marketed quite independently in this country.

I don't think the expectation is of any form of manufacturer entry, but maybe an entry to the Constructors cup with the cars carrying VX Racing branding (as opposed to Vauxhall).

Plus any big-name Vauxhall representation would only raise the profile of the series which would benefit both. Chevrolet's entry is significantly funded by their commercial sponsors, and any Vauxhall entry will be too.

[mattie007]

Thats pretty much what I guessed could/would happen in another thread.
Is it too late for them to come back this season?

I remember in 2004 when MG pulled the plug, they still had MG Xpower branding along with Xpart and Powertrain.
I suppose VXR could do a similar thing?

http://i40.tinypic.com/ndvok0.jpg

[Eurotech]

Thats pretty much what I guessed could/would happen in another thread.
Is it too late for them to come back this season?

I remember in 2004 when MG pulled the plug, they still had MG Xpower branding along with Xpart and Powertrain.
I suppose VXR could do a similar thing?

http://i40.tinypic.com/ndvok0.jpg

Yeah you could have VXR and GMAC logos on the car as opposed to Vauxhall ones, because then its still advertising Vauxhall's VXR Brand without it being directly linked to Vauxhall...

[racer69]

Whilst both are under the umbrella of GM (but in Vauxhall's case for how much longer?) I don't see it being a catastrophic conflict of interest. Both are marketed quite independently in this country.

I don't either.

In the early 80s Vauxhall & Opel both competed seperatly with works entries in the British Open Rally Championship without too much trouble.

[Mark]

Both brands have an image problem. Vauxhall is seen as being downmarket and somewhat crap and Chevrolet is seen as being American, downmarket and even more crap. They both need motorsport to boost their image!

[mattie007]

Very true! I still think of Chevvy as Daewoo!

http://i39.tinypic.com/2i7vmlu.jpg

Didnt Ford own Volvo when they raced together in 97/98?

[wedge]

Very true! I still think of Chevvy as Daewoo!

http://i39.tinypic.com/2i7vmlu.jpg

Didnt Ford own Volvo when they raced together in 97/98?

Yes but then Volvo pulled out later leaving the Ford Mondeos.

Do the Silverline Chevys have backing from GM/Chevy UK?

[Alfa Fan]

Yes.

[daz90]

In the past ten years or so Vauxhall have upped their game, and can hardly be regarded as truly downmarket anymore, they now build some very desirable models. However they still have some way to go to be regarded as top notch as the Germans.

Chevy are a cheap brand though. As for the two brands competing against each other, surely it wouldn't be a problem, Ford and Volvo competed against each other not so long ago for example.

The BTCC frankly needs a few manufacturers to come back, Vauxhall have been the stalwart for so many years now, and its a shame they pulled out, it would be very good for the championship if they were to return, we might even see a brand spanking new Insignia on the grid soon.

[Rollo]

Both brands have an image problem. Vauxhall is seen as being downmarket and somewhat crap and Chevrolet is seen as being American, downmarket and even more crap. They both need motorsport to boost their image!

This is the crux of the argument as I see it. Vauxhall by virtue of leaving the BTCC now have nothing to back up their "halo" cars with. Currently, Vauxhall in the UK has about the same street cred as Opel in Germany.

VXR may as well mean the same thing as GTI and those three letters have appeared on everything from the VW Golf to the Suzuki Swift. Without a national TV audience then there's not really any credence to the brand, and as such the rest of the lineup doesn't bask in that glow.

[jonv]

Do Chevrolet even have performance variants on sale? At least Vauxhaul had the VXR range.

[Rollo]

http://www.corvette-europe.com
The Chevrolet Corvette is seemingly sold through Europe under its own "branding" I guess.

http://www.chevrolet.co.uk
Just to add futher confusion to all of this, the Camaro is listed as a concept car on the UK Chevrolet website, despite it being developed by Holden in Australia, who build the VXR8.

We even get in Australia a car called an HSV VXR, which is a VXR Astra.
http://www.hsv.com.au/vxr/index.asp
The weird thing is finding HSV, VXR and OPC logos on components under the bonnet. They may as well call the car the OMFGWTFBBQ.

[DazzlaF1]

Regretting their decision eh? Could that have soemthing to do with Chevy comign in as a Manufacturer entry and Honda returning after a 6 year absence.

That was a big factor in them pulling out wasnt it, lack of manufacturer teams?

[m.lowe]

I honestly thought Vauxhall would of gone rallying again with MSD and their Corsa S2000.
Would be good to see a 2.0T Astra in BTCC if they come back

[Eurotech]

I'd personally like to see a BTCC Insignia - The VXR version looks immense!