Team Halfords remain [Archive]

Northern Monkey

14th October 2007, 20:14

No Matt Neal (http://www.crash.net/news_view.asp?cid=10&id=155938&news=y) but Team Halfords and Shedden continue in 2008 - http://www.crash.net/news_view.asp?cid=10&id=155939&news=y

Dave B

14th October 2007, 20:30

Here's VX's release on the subject:
http://www.btccinfo.co.uk/2007/thruxton2/vx_matt_neal.html

nicemms

14th October 2007, 20:49

Up untill today I wouldn't have thought he would go to VXR! He should do well with them - he will certainly make a good team mate as he demonstrated today! However I do feel that both Fabrizio and matt will want to win championship!

Allyc85

14th October 2007, 22:16

Really didnt see this one coming, but you cant blame him for leaving. Hopefully we will get less moaning from Matts dad now his son isnt with his team!

Ian McC

14th October 2007, 22:45

Well it should make VXR a stronger team next year.

I guess I can hope that Owy gets the second seat at Dynamics.

DazzlaF1

14th October 2007, 23:29

Well it should make VXR a stronger team next year.

I guess I can hope that Owy gets the second seat at Dynamics.

Seconded.

Where does all of this leave poor Tom Chilton though, i would'nt be surprised if he was in the frame for either a Dynamics or WSR seat for next year

Alfa Fan

14th October 2007, 23:32

Why would any front-line team want Chilton based on the last 2 years performances? From what I've read over at btcc.net, Chilton's going to be back, in a brand new S2000 car in 2008.

DazzlaF1

14th October 2007, 23:47

Why would any front-line team want Chilton based on the last 2 years performances? From what I've read over at btcc.net, Chilton's going to be back, in a brand new S2000 car in 2008.

Might be the case if the Arena rumours are true, what with him already driving their car in the le mans series

LiamM

15th October 2007, 00:15

VkmSpouge

15th October 2007, 00:52

It is an undoubtedly great line up for Vauxhall to have Giovanardi and Neal. Glad to hear Team Dynamics are continuing with Shedden.

BTCC Fan#1

15th October 2007, 01:37

Because of the massive focus on the Giovanardi/Plato battle it's easy to overlook the fact that Gordon Shedden actually finished 3rd in the drivers championship, which is pretty impressive when you think about it. :up: Good news that Team Halfords are comitted to the championship.

kmchow

15th October 2007, 03:34

So Neal gets a 2nd chance to race for a Works team? (if you consider his previous short stint as a Works Mazda driver).

CroftPilgrim

15th October 2007, 09:15

So Neal gets a 2nd chance to race for a Works team? (if you consider his previous short stint as a Works Mazda driver).

3rd chance, as he drove for Vauxhall in 2002. Satellite team I know (Egg Sport), but works nonetheless.

Interestingly, his team mate was Paul O'Neill, who must be in the frame to get the vacant TD seat....

VkmSpouge

15th October 2007, 11:15

So Neal gets a 2nd chance to race for a Works team? (if you consider his previous short stint as a Works Mazda driver).

Actually this will be his 5th stint as a works driver. As well as Mazda in 1994, he drove briefly for Peugeot in 2001, Vauxhall (the works Egg Sport team as mentioned above) in 2002 and Honda in 2003.

Captain VXR

15th October 2007, 17:09

can see chilton in td altho if arena enter then it will be obvious who he will drive for

VkmSpouge

15th October 2007, 18:12

I would like Arena to enter but there hasn't been any news about them has there?

Rover V8

15th October 2007, 18:30

What will be Halfords status be in 2008? With them continuing with the Civic could they still deemed to have had significant manufacturer backing, and as such still be without championship to fight for - barring the Drivers Championship of course

Maybe they'll run Vectras as a Vauxhall 'B' team- their No1 driver certainly acted like they were one yesterday....

15th October 2007, 21:47

peewhee

15th October 2007, 22:12

I would like Arena to enter but there hasn't been any news about them has there?

You obviously have not been looking hard enough!

thompp

15th October 2007, 22:17

Be interesting to see who will partner Flash at TD. My fave would be Dan eaves, but I know that isnt going to happen...or have stranger things happened?

Who will partner Jason Plato at SEAT? Wtih two multi-championship wnners facing them at Vauxhall - which means next year is lining up to be almighty in the manufacturers championship - would that hang on to Darren Turner, or look towards a championship winning driver possibly with SEAT pedigree..for example as mentioned above Thommo?

Which also leaves me with a dilemna.....do I keep my TD jacket, or (wash it and) sell it on ebay, and put a VXR jacket on my christmas shopping list?

Iain

15th October 2007, 23:34

Just don't buy team merchandise full stop. It's never in date for very long. ;) Mind you I bought a VXR shirt in 2005 and sold it last year on ebay and only lost £5 on it...... :p :

VkmSpouge

16th October 2007, 01:11

You obviously have not been looking hard enough!

I know I haven't as I rarely buy Autosport or Motorsport News. So what news has there been?

ATF

16th October 2007, 09:35

no offecne to o'neil but Halfords will need a number 1 driver whois consistant, fast and will bring the car home so they have a chance at the champiionship.

What about Thommo? he hasnt got a drive has he for next year!

I think Shedden could easily be Halfords' lead driver in 2008 - after all, he did beat Neal (double champion) in his own team and really showed him up this year!

James Thompson has always said his intention is WTCC so I would expect him to stay there, unless he can't get a top seat.

Also, I have read any news about Arena! However there have been many rumours over the past few years which have never materialised anyway!!

VkmSpouge

16th October 2007, 12:55

Ah! I have just found a rumour about Arena on Touring Car Times.com about them building Fords. Unfortunately nothing concrete at all.

Robinho

17th October 2007, 13:34

i was hoping to see Adam Jones step up to the VX drive, maybe he can get the TD drive instead, unless VX plan on running 3 cars?

i'd like to see Chillton keep a good drive, he hasn't been stellar this year, but he is still very quick and i think is still improving. i don't think he was beaten worse than Turks was by Muller at VX and we all know how good a driver Colin is despite that year.

as for Seat, i'd think they'd want consistency, unless they can get one of the WTCC guys in to drive the diesel (they'll surely try at least one next year won't they?)

Perdita_X

17th October 2007, 17:27

How fab would it be to see Owy in the second seat at TD!!! Or Gareth Howell must be another strong contender, and it would be great to see either or both of them! I guess it will come down to Sponsorship!

Alfa Fan

17th October 2007, 19:32

Jones will probabily lead a GR SEAT Leon squad I would have thought, maybe with the demolision man alongside him...

cookingfat

17th October 2007, 19:46

Ah! I have just found a rumour about Arena on Touring Car Times.com about them building Fords. Unfortunately nothing concrete at all.

Right, just steel and fibreglass! It would be a bit overweight in concrete!

Ian McC

18th October 2007, 11:04

I guess it will come down to Sponsorship!

That it will, hopefully Owy will have some good backing for next year.

Robinho

24th October 2007, 13:02

That it will, hopefully Owy will have some good backing for next year.

i guess we'll just have to see how successful the Spice Girls comeback is ;)

MBailey06

24th October 2007, 13:12

That it will, hopefully Owy will have some good backing for next year.

Perhaps he and Allison could be team mates at Motorbase next year?

Pilfp

26th October 2007, 19:49

What about Rydell in a SEAT next year. He's not got a touring car drive next year and he knows both the BTCC and the SEAT Leon.

PDS

26th October 2007, 21:45

i guess we'll just have to see how successful the Spice Girls comeback is ;)

Despite what people may think, Paul does not go to his sister for money!

Respect for that!

tyreman2

27th October 2007, 21:04

Jones will probabily lead a GR SEAT Leon squad I would have thought, maybe with the demolision man alongside him...

Not neccessarily so!
GR Asia are at the moment commited to WTCC and their will be more clashes with BTCC races next year(5) than this year,making it difficult to give Adam a chance of winning the drivers championship and that must be his target for next year.

tyreman2

27th October 2007, 21:05

Despite what people may think, Paul does not go to his sister for money!

Respect for that!
In that case maybe he should!

27th October 2007, 22:14

well to be honest Howell didnt impress this year in the Seat did he, everyone is going to say that the car is old but Jones showed what he could do with the car. I hope Jones get the TD car

FIA

29th October 2007, 13:47

Tom Onslow-Cole could do well at Team Dynamics, Emmet O' Brien would be interesting or Alain Menu dosen't look so safe in WTCC???

As for SEAT Darren Turner is good, but I would like to see Rickard Rydell race for SEAT, that would be cool.

cookingfat

29th October 2007, 14:22

Alain Menu dosen't look so safe in WTCC???

As he has apparently already re-signed for Chevrolet in 2008, I can't see how he dosen't look safe?

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=1543

FIA

29th October 2007, 15:13

As he has apparently already re-signed for Chevrolet in 2008, I can't see how he dosen't look safe?

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=1543

Trust me contracts don't mean nothing in motorsport.

cookingfat

29th October 2007, 15:44

Trust me contracts don't mean nothing in motorsport.

??????

tisme

29th October 2007, 16:28

Trust me contracts don't mean nothing in motorsport.

WOW!!! Let's tell all those race drivers that their contracts aren't worth the paper they are written on!!!

the king

3rd November 2007, 17:15

well to be honest Howell didnt impress this year in the Seat did he, everyone is going to say that the car is old but Jones showed what he could do with the car. I hope Jones get the TD car

If he didn't impress you then maybe Ferrier did? I think you will find that Motorbase were running different set-ups, different dampers and a different suspension to GR Asia, who also had the advantage of far more experience with the car. Motorbase only changed to the superior dampers at Thruxton.

I think the performance of Ferrier (no slouch) and O'neill (no slouch either) in the car later in the season shows just how much Gareth was giving in that car and how he was wringing it's neck at every meeting just to qualify in the top 10. When you think about it, with 2 Vectras, 2 Seats, 2 Civics, 2 WSR BMWS, Mat Jackson and Jones' Toledo, getting into the top 10 in qualifying or the race was pretty good.

BDunnell

3rd November 2007, 18:15

When you think about it, with 2 Vectras, 2 Seats, 2 Civics, 2 WSR BMWS, Mat Jackson and Jones' Toledo, getting into the top 10 in qualifying or the race was pretty good.

Very good point. You could add Mike Jordan to that list too, of course, so in a race of low attrition there were 11 cars effectively quicker than the Motorbase SEATs.

WSRfan82

4th November 2007, 04:50

tdb

4th November 2007, 12:18

im with FIA on this one.

just look at alonso in f1 he had 2-3 years left on his contract and he left mclaren after only one year and look at indy cars i remember 3 drivers were replaced after only 3 races and 1 was a top driver, nascar 3 drivers were replaced after only two races. so yeah i think FIA is right about contracts dont mean a thing

The Alonso contract situation is a pretty unusual one!

And as i very much doubt you know the details of ANY of the indy car or Nascar driver's contracts (which are very often, race by race and performance related)

I see no Validity in your reasoning.