Returning former champ in BTCC?

[Bro Mo]

In Autosport's coverage of Autosport International I noticed the following:


Champion Andrew Jordan alludes to the very juicy gossip sweeping AUTOSPORT International 2014 when he mentions that given rumours about who might appear in the series, it could be "one of the best in history."

Motorbase is the team at the centre of this talk. AUTOSPORT understands that it has been in touch with some former champions

Anyone any idea who the rumours are about?

[Robinho]

It's Anthony Reid isn't it? It's always Anthony Reid! On a serious note, I would assume Rydell, Thompson or Muller, but all 3 are contracted elsewhere aren't they? Who else is there in the relatively recent past?

[poulsonabean]

Thompson is at Lada, Muller at Citroen. No word on Rydell for next year yet, so possibly (I hope so!) or Menu? Gio?

[BDunnell]

Whatever the outcome of this, I'm just glad there's a bit of a buzz around the BTCC driver line-up again.

[Robinho]

Menu or Gio are good shouts, I would have thought Gio is likely to have to most contacts still in the BTCC and is obviously the most recent ex-champ of out hastily assembled short list.

[JasonPotato]

Would guess it Gio but could be thommo or menu. Cleland to make a come back? :D

[Alfa Fan]

Motorsport News report today Menu is coming back.

[BDunnell]

Well, if it is Menu, what a surprise. Would he be the oldest driver in the series?

[JasonPotato]

Good to hear, hope he's given the machinery to challenge for title.

[MrJan]

Only just seen this, great news. Remember being at Thruxton a few years back when he did a one off race in a Vectra. Menu is one of those drivers from my childhood and I was a big fan of the series when he was in his prime, so it's nice to see him coming back.

[Alfa Fan]

Alain Menu confirmed in a Volkswagen Passat CC for Team BMR.

Aron Smith, Warren Scott & Jack Goff make up remainder of line-up.

[JasonPotato]

Not really news. Saw that coming a while back.

[Alfa Fan]

Not really news. Saw that coming a while back.

12 days ago you said you thought it was Giovanardi...

[JasonPotato]

I actually said 1 of 3 previous champions. 1 of which was Menu. If your going tell me what i said, please do so correctly.

Quoting myself 'not really news' well it wasn't, seen as it was said above 12 days ago that it was Menu.

Nice to hear confirmation though, will be good to see him back in the championship.

[BDunnell]

Wasn't expecting him to be in that team! Very impressive. Aron Smith will be a good yardstick.

[Alfa Fan]

I actually said 1 of 3 previous champions. 1 of which was Menu. If your going tell me what i said, please do so correctly.

Quoting myself 'not really news' well it wasn't, seen as it was said above 12 days ago that it was Menu.

Nice to hear confirmation though, will be good to see him back in the championship.

You covered every feasible option unless Jack Sears was returning!

[Bro Mo]

Great news to have Menu back - when was the last time we had 6 BTCC champs on the grid?

And according to Autosport there could yet be a 7th!

[christophulus]

And indeed, there is - Gio's back:

http://www.btcc.net/2014/02/04/airwaves-racing-confirms-two-time-btcc-champion-fabrizio-giovanardi/

[JasonPotato]

That's 2 of 3 i mentioned.... turns out my prediction wasn't so stupid. Nice to have some big names returning!

[Alfa Fan]

That's 2 of 3 i mentioned.... turns out my prediction wasn't so stupid. Nice to have some big names returning!

It was a prediction that could not fail - that was my point.

Giovanardi, Menu & Rydell are the only 3 possible.

Aiello is retired, Thompson is doing WTCC with Lada, Muller WTCC with Citroen, Biela & Cleland retired, Tarquini WTCC with Honda, all previous champions retired.

[JasonPotato]

If it was a prediction that could not fail, it was a good prediction :)

I didn't really work it out like that, just picked 3 names which it would be most likely.