S2000 SEATs aren't cheap.
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S2000 SEATs aren't cheap.
A number of people seem pretty sure GR will be thier with Toledos.
The only things around linking GR Asia to the BTCC are on online forums. So I don't think anyone can be sure until GR confirm or deny the rumour.Quote:
Originally Posted by racingdad
My thought exactly.Quote:
Originally Posted by VkmSpouge
I know that but as they have such a good relationship with SEAT, they could easily get a discount.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iain
i think you can put the GR Asia rumour in with Clyde Valley, all hearsay, little substance, i've not seen anyone doing anything other than speculating and linking them an entry - does anyone have anything more concrete?
i'm now also seeing more posts saying Kartworld wil run the MG(s) again this year (although they apprently definatley had S2000 cars at some point)
glad the Erkut thing has come off and i hope Paul O'Neill gets the 2nd drive, he should be able to show well in the BTC pack and hopefully get a chace back at the pointy end next year.
i'm still anxiously waiting for news on Adam Jones drive, wondering who will be in the 3 open Lexus drives and is pondering if the Pinkney/Marsh S2000 thing is really going to happen, as again it all seems to be rumour at the moment, i've not seen anyone come out with anything much more concrete than that.
Does anyone have any new news on how Rick Kerry's BMW is coming on?
In an interview with crash.net around Christmas, Marsh said it was up to their PR team to decide when to announce it. Pinkney said in Motorsport News he hoped to announce something in mid-January.
But you're right nothing but posts on forums has linked them as team mates with a brace of Alfa Romeo 156s.
re Kartworld: I do like how this has gone from the team definitely having two Super 2000 cars probably Alfa Romeos, to that they are considering buying two Super 2000 cars probably SEATs, to they'll be using the MG again.
As I posted earlier...Quote:
Originally Posted by Robinho
Quote:
Originally Posted by PDS
Again, possible news on this project some time next week. All I know is that it is going ahead!Quote:
Originally Posted by Robinho
thanks PDS, i forget who has posted what, and therefore what to belive, but i take your post as a positive sign that its more than pure speculation on some peoples part. we've all seen rumours of a pair of Alfa 156's, is this the rumour in pole position?Quote:
Originally Posted by PDS
good news about the BMW's, i know Rick posted some early photos of the project, i don't think i am the only one who would love an update if possible
I am reliably informed that at least one toledo has not gone back to spain.Quote:
Originally Posted by VkmSpouge
If i driver comes up with the funds to drive the car, then i'm sure Paul would not turn them away.
Running racing cars is GR Asia's bussiness afterall!
Is GR Asia derived from the GR who raced in the 2001 BTCC? I have a feeling they are but can't remember the details...
Yes. GR Motorsport ran Ford Focus' in the NSC in 2000 and then in the Production class of the BTCC in 2001.
They then purchased an Alfa Romeo 147 from JSM at the end of 2001 to run in the 2002 championship for Gordon Shedden.
Due to a lack of finance this program never got of the ground, and GR Motorsport went into liquidation.
Paul Ridigiway, with the help of the Noble Group in 2004, reformed the team as GR Asia, running a pair of Honda Civic Type-Rs in the ETCC.
The team then switched to SEAT in 2005 and have run a number of Toldeos and Leons since.
Damn it - I was beaten to it
tdb is correct GR's Toledo's where leased from Barcelona and where both due to go back to spain in addition to one that GR where doing some repair work on for Seat.one car (a 2005/6 build) less engine is still in the UK Paul would love to do the BTCC with 2 cars but only with properly funded drivers as he wouldn't want a poorly supported project to have an adverse effect on the wtcc programme.Quote:
Originally Posted by tdb
so at the moment its very much a maybe. the age old problem being getting a well funded driver to appear at their door with a fat cheques to run the car.
does anyone know how actively GR are pursuing a possible entry in the BTCC, its all very well having a car ready if someone turns up with the cash, or are they out they talking to drivers, sponsors, managers in an attempt to make it happen?
i would imagine that the WTCC programme is very much their priority, anything coming off in the BTCC would be a bonus
There's plenty of rich touring car racers like Gavin Smith or James Kaye (He runs the UK arm of Spoon Sports, a prominent Japanese Honda specialist tuning company)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain VXR
so if we've got rich drivers and decent teams with drives waiting for rich drivers why isn't the entry list sorted already?
are they not rich enough or are the teams waiting for more money, better drivers (no disrespect to those mentioned).
or could it be that the reason they are rich is because they are tight? ;)
although given James Kayes work i'd imagine it would be sacrilige for him to be in anything but a Honda
I think it might more of, Teams that have drivers they want, just waiting to secure the budget they need!Quote:
Originally Posted by Robinho
Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain VXR
The only business that Kaye now runs is SVA Uk a not very succesful logistics company. He has nothing to do with spoon sports any more.
hence why he is not confirmed for a drive this year.
Because the teams need to make sure that the driver(s) in question are the right choice. A lot of considering and negotiating is needed, rather than:Quote:
Originally Posted by Robinho
Race Driver X: Hi, Mr X, Team principle at X Motorsport, I have £X as sponsorship budget, can I drive one of your X touring cars please?
Team Principle X: Why sure, you're rich and we don't even know who you are. See you 13 March at Rockingham for the BTCC Media day.
That is true in quite a few teams.Quote:
Originally Posted by PDS
Sounds like the dream scenario for Any team owner to me!Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain VXR
If figure £X is large enough driver X would be spoilt for choice!
What I was saying is that although a driver's budget is important to a team, they wouldn't want some rich guy at the back of the grid instead of a less rich guy at the front, explaining to Robinho (no offence) why my post does work but also why the teams are not just taking on a driver they have never met before who has money. Team bosses never rush into things unless it's testing the water like Motorbase at Silverstone (which had been planned).
I think a driver with enough money would be taken on by anyteam. They are busnisess after all! Remember the Turkish gentleman vauxhall ran this year Erkuiz
Unfortunately the one deciding factor is money fact of life not how good you are when it comes to motor racing there are not enough superstar drivers out there with big budgets ! You got the money you will get a drive even if you have only ever come last in Venezuelan Formula Whatever but teams need to pay there bills better to be out there and coming last than going into receivership.
There is no doubt that Money Talks especially with the teams towards the rear of the field,however to get a drive at Team Dynamics or WSR for instance a fair amount of talent is also required.The teams such as Xero or Techspeed are a place for both drivers with ambition and the well heeled amatuer,In general though the cream still comes to the topQuote:
Originally Posted by racer77
Yes i didnt mean teams like WSR or TD as they already have considerable backing and an ideal driver for them is someone who has talent and cash in equal amounts but most of all the talent. What i meant was the teams who are struggling sponsorship wise I no for a fact if you have around £150,000 in the bank and a intnernational C you could be there on media day in an astra or like. You might not be very competitive on that sort of budget but thats why all the good one make guys dont do it because they want a competitive drive but for midfield or tail end drivers they can at least tug a round at the pinnacle of uk motorsport.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain VXR
fair enough, but i was replying (somewhat sarcasticly admittedly) in response to you naming the likes of Gavin smith and James Kaye. these guys aren't unknown. i would have thought that if they have sufficient budget most teams would jump at the chance of employing their services.
of course if a random driver with wads of cash turned up they would not walk into a drive, but team bosses will be well aware of the majority of available drivers out there, especially the ones with stacks of cash, but still the drives are not filled.
i would assume, therefore, that maybe there aren't that many drivers looking at the BTCC with enough money behind them burning a hole in their pockets, or that the drivers are holding out for a better seat, that they probably can't afford, or their talent does not match.
in reality its a complex mix of money, talent, the right sponsor, personal history, favourites and sheer luck in getting the right driver/team combo and if you have one of these in spades you perhaps do not need so much of the others
Totaly right it is a mix of cash,talent,luck that is what being successful in motorsport is all about just take a look at Mr Sheddon last year. For the last few years he had struggled trying to sort things and now he is one of the countries top touring car drivers already had the talent got lucky with the cash at the right time.
Flip side look at James Pickford unlucky in 05 did a superb job (arguably fastest SEAT) got dropped wrongly no cash for 06 then came back blew a very competitive field away in the porsches with very little seat time reminded everyone how good he is.
If motorsport was about being worthy of drives think hed be at the top of a BTCC list on that one with mr adam/hodgetts etc just behind. sadly it is not and there is a lot of talent going to waste on the sidelines in the UK at the moment from all formulas.
Heard today that Adam Jones plans for the new season have gone backwards a bit - they still hope to be at media day but are working overtime to make it happen, bit of shame the "big" deal neevr cam off I think he deserves a good shot at the title in a decent car!
Also that Mark Smith has said he wont be returing to the series - but he's said that four times now so maybe he will return, its guys like this that make the BTCC what it is.
The BMW 1 series project may not be out for the first meeting had a few sponsors problems but plans to be out at the second or at some point.
Havent heard from CVR so I suspect that Colin hasnt any cars as yet - I also think that this will be a 1 car outfit untill that last few meetings.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dwracing23
That's not what Rick told me today!
Yes, he will struggle to make Brands Hatch. It's not because of Sponsorship. Everyone could do with more sponsors!
Fair enough just what I was told by a person close to him, I totally agree that you cant have too many sponsors!Quote:
Originally Posted by PDS
Sorry to spoil the party, but it don't matter how good you are, you will need to bring considerably more than £150k if you wan't to join WSR or TD.Quote:
Originally Posted by racer77
That is not correctQuote:
Originally Posted by racingdad
reference to Robinho and Racer77 they are correct it is a mix of what a driver has to offer the team/sponsor.
Sorry tyre man but racing dad is correct.
Sorry Edenrace/racingdad but to get a "drive" for WSR isnt as much as you think and I think that tyreman would know.
Any idea how the BMW is going since you sold it?
Also racingdad I hear its looking good for a certain driver both me and you know well?!
if my memory is right someone i use to work with was in line for vxr drive but was asked to bring 750 .000. to 1 million
dwracing23 - hopefully it is sorted, but you know, still a couple of minor things to sort out (or so I have been told).
as for the costs - it's like all these things, a mix of who you are, what you bring, what the team want, etc., etc. I do have a very good idea how much TD are getting for Sheddon and believe me it is a lot of money - but there again, a year in GP2 is around £750k + so its all relative.
racingdad are you from scotland ? and maybe your boy is in banbury ? if not don t worry
No and No - sorry.Quote:
Originally Posted by captin 1 VXR
Sorry DW as I work with a top BTCC team I can assure you that £250000 is an average figure for a good team who has sponsors of their own.