How many clashes of WTCC and BTCC rounds are there next year for Andy to do both? Would Plato be a possible for a 2nd BMW seat?
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How many clashes of WTCC and BTCC rounds are there next year for Andy to do both? Would Plato be a possible for a 2nd BMW seat?
But where did the Nissan rumour come from? Beating BMW in touring cars would be great for Infinti, as it seems like they aspire to be a sporting luxury brand.Quote:
Originally Posted by BDunnell
I expect to see Plato in a WTCC SEAT next year.Quote:
Originally Posted by c8nay
He's won the WTCC enough times already. The BTCC would certainly be a nice addition to his CV.Quote:
Originally Posted by VkmSpouge
Anyway Andy Priaulx will go wherever he gets paid to!
who else moved from WTCC to BTCC?
GIOVANARDI - Im sure Priaulx will want to follow in Gio's footsteps and win the BTCC twice if he can!
That's the key.Quote:
Originally Posted by touringlegend
Why would Infiniti(Nissan?) join the British Touring Cars? Surely they'd be better off in a country's championship where they actually sell their cars, i.e. not the UK.
Same for the Focus saloon idea, the reason they don't sell many in the UK (and the rest of Europe) is surely because the market prefers the hatchback? The Focus hatch, like the Vectra, is one of the biggest sellers in the UK, along with Clios, Astras etc.
I know the BTCC is shown around the world but the main viewing areas are in the UK, so it doesn't make sense for a manufacturer to enter the BTCC if they don't even sell cars in the UK!
Or am I missing something here?
Not at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by christophulus
That Honda representative in the ITV view certainly didn't rule out them giving full works backing to Team Dynamics for next year.
I reckon Andrew Jordan in a works Honda next year
Quote:
Originally Posted by VkmSpouge
Sounded quite promising but just a shame they'd probably use the civic and not the accord.
Particularly as James Thompson took Honda's first WTCC win today in the Accord.
I would hope they continue with the Civic, it's a lovely looking little car, I prefer it to the Accord. Great that Thompson won in the Accord, quite an upset considering the Accord hasn't been all that good this year.
OK so based on what we've heard so far, it looks like the following won't be back next year: Arkas Racing & Erkut Kizilirmak (Bell back at GSR?) SEAT Sport UK Team Eurotech & Mike Jordan
Confirmed (or near as) as being back Triple Eight Giovanardi & Neal WSR Turkington Dynamics Shedden Motorbase 3 Drivers Matt Jackson Anyone else?
The commentators mentioned a meeting between BMW and TOCA during the race coverage. It would be great to see a full works team, especially if Priaux made the jump.
What happened to the rumour of James Thompson in a third team Halfords car? And they were looking to move to biofuel/diesel?
I wasn't paying attention to the Cupra races. But the winner was promised a SEAT sponsored drive for 2009. Is that still the case?
And who is going to get the two ex-works SEATS?
If i win the euromillions on Friday, i'll get Ford, Volvo, Honda, Chevrolet and BMW to enter for you.
Watching the ITV commentary today:Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfa Fan
Colin said that he had no contract signed for next year with WSR and as it stood at the moment today was his last race with them, but hoped to be back with them next year.
Mat Jackson was even less certain to me - he said he wasn't sure what he was doing, but he would like to be back in the BTCC next year ;)
Another manufacturer name mentioned on the BTCC forum recently has been Volvo... I can see sense in that considering the took the C30 to Brands Hatch for the WTCC event, where they were trying to demonstrate the car's capabilities. Would probably be more likely than Ford I guess considering the C30 is already built and running in Swden - where as Ford would have to start from scratch?
He made a few comments today that to me anyway, sounded as though he was on his way out of the BTCC.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brown, Jon Brow
Re Volvo remember at the Brands WTCC event John Cleland said the Volvo dealers should club together to get a team in the BTCC. Perhaps John's been busy recently! (considering he has a Volvo dealership).
(this is just 2+2 probably equaling 5 stuff and I expect it to be shot down in flames soon!)
Where did you hear that? I heard Harvey and Edwards mentioning Jordan might retire but nothing about Eurotech going anywhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfa Fan
Well six months to go, lots of things will be up in the air ;) I mean we don't even know what grid girls they're going to have yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon411
That could well change though (and a few other articles via google):Quote:
Originally Posted by christophulus
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/229327/
but looking at the Infiniti Europe website the only model that looks near suitable is the G37, but its 3.7 litre engine might be pushing the S2000 rules a bit so I can't see them on the grid next year.
so rumours: so I hear young jordan to Team Honda, old jordan to retire - BMW team with AP+MJ - an alfa with a surprise - maybe even a ford? cant see it but would be good - 5 leons with a twist (not sure from where though) - the championship less one red integra - who knows this is the rumour page?! anyone heard anythinig else?
Hmm, the series really needs another manufacturer really now SEAT have gone, I can't see Vauxhall sticking around if they're the only one. Very interesting to see Honda at the finale (And with a Honda win too!) although I reckon they'll just make Team Dynamics the 'works' Hondas rather than develop new cars to compete with them. Same with BMW. WSR have won the indie championship twice in a row, it makes sense to team up with them than run a brand new team. Can't see Ford joining, not with all the financial fun they're having...can't see them justifying the cost. I think it's more likely Volvo will enter WTCC rather than BTCC, more brand exposure on the world stage.
Clyde Valley seem to have the cars, the sponsor, the drivers...they might actually make it yet! I like the announcements and intentions from people like WSR already, looks promising for next year. Would love to see who'll get their hands on the SEAT diesels though, I can see a scrap forming for those!
You won't see Thompson in BTCC, like it or not, it's a step down from WTCC and they've only just developed the car into a race winner. Althhhhhhhough...I have heard a wee rumour from someone that worls within the WTCC that SEAT are looking very dodgy for next year, as are Chevy (Although RML want to carry on with the project as indies). So with only BMW, Lada, and semi-works Honda the WTCC would be as good as dead? Drivers to BTCC? Long shot.
On the BTCC website it says that John George is hoping to be out in a car in October so hopefully he will b back next year.
Seat diesels will be going back to Spain can't see anyone wanting them anyway as the still need lots more development.
George is racing in an amateur sportscar race at Brands Hatch in six weeks time, I know that for sure. Not sure about him being out in a BTCC Car though.Quote:
Originally Posted by VXRDartford
Also, considering that to win the independents title you have to be super-consistent (Turkington finished every race this year!) I can't see teams scrabbling too hard to buy SEAT diesels with patchy reliability...
Bo you think we will see the likes of KWR and BTC racing next year if so in what??? Also will Robertshaw be out there again and will they be in newer cars?
Just seen the BTC seats and the Robertshaw Chevys up for sale.
If BMW enter a works team it will almost certainly be with Mat Jackson and BMW Dealer Team UK. WSR is completely independent, but BMW Dealer Team UK is almost like a semi-works team with the input that BMW and RBM put in. Two works RBM BMW's in 2009 for Mat Jackson and Andy Priaulx is a big rumour.Quote:
Originally Posted by David_Hill
If Team Dynamics becomes the works Honda team will it be the end of Team Halfords? Surely Honda would want their cars in a red and white Honda livery rather than an orange Halfords one.
The Chevys have been up for sale since the mid-season though, and since they're 2006-spec perhaps Robertshaw are looking for something a little newer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrism
Halfords have so far been an excellent sponsor in the BTCC haven't they? Every year since 2002. If that happened, I'd imagine they might switch teams as they did in 2004.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brown, Jon Brow
Well BTC according to one site are contemplating running a Leon next year, which I think would be very interesting, as Stockton has often outperformed in machinery that shouldn't be that quick, similiar to Adam Jones.
Also WSR to try run a 3rd car, i think Plato should evaluate a move to partner Turkington
I'm not convinced, one car family run team becoming a works team over larger ex-works WSR? I'd like to see Jackson in a works BMW, that'd definitely give Gio something to worry about then, and I see your point about the RBM input, but I feel WSR would be a better bet. And Priaulx back to BTCC? Only if WTCC falls over, why would he want to take a step down/back? And with Plato a free agent...Quote:
Originally Posted by Brown, Jon Brow
Doubt even works Honda would turn down sponsorship from Halfords, livery might just be 'tweaked' hah. Or just more Honda logos, remember Nissan being a bit peeved Team Dynamics wasn't displaying Nissan all over the red Primera when they were assisting the indie team?
BTC wanting Leons...I bet lots of people want Leons but it's all down to raising the money. Would be great to see the team with something a little more competitive and reliable, I really rate Stockton. And I hope Mike Jordan doesn't retire but the article on Crash.net seems to show he'll sacrifice his seat for a competitive one car team for Andrew. John Guest BMW or SEAT next year perhaps if he sticks with the family team?
One more thing, as the Vectra is now extinct, I assume Vauxhall will be racing the new Insignia? That'll look mega!
Vauxhall confirmed a while ago that they will continue to race the Vectra next year (either on autosport or crash.net)Quote:
Originally Posted by David_Hill
Vectra may be extinct but the Insignia VXR had not quite been born yet...
Doesn't mean to say they can't become a manufacturer team. Afterall they have had plenty of experience when running the Ford Mondeo and MG ZS works teams.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brown, Jon Brow
Some people think that BMW Dealer Team UK was not the true family run independent team this year that we are led to believe, due to the amount of backing they received from BMW and RBM. They were the only BMW's this year with a BMW endorsed 'Efficient Dynamics' branding, similar to what the works BMW's have in the WTCC. Plus they had BMW engineer Chris Tee as team principle.Quote:
Originally Posted by David_Hill
Chances are that if BMW decide to enter, RMB will just incorporate BMW Dealer Team UK.
Andy Priaulx is under contract by BMW UK and will have to race where he is told to. Giovanardi made the same switch and Andy seems unhappy at the moment in the WTCC.
As I already said, BMW Dealer Team UK already has stronger links to BMW than what WSR has.Quote:
Originally Posted by mattie007
From a marketing point of view, it might sound better to say 'Andy Priaulx and BMW - 3 times World, European and British Touring Car Champion' rather than just rack up more WTCC titles? Especially if BMW want to target higher sales in the UK at the moment.
And because the FIA are doing all they can to stop BMW winning the WTCC again. BMW themselves are also probably sick of a Brit winning too, they'd much prefer a German driver to win for them.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndySpeed
If it does happen I can't see the BMW contract going anywhere else now other than RBM/ Jacksons now as I couldn't see BMW wanting to support 3 cars - so with Motorbase and WSR both looking at 3 car teams and more sponsors - I can't see them getting any works backing (I know if was fairly obvious which team was most likely to get it anyway).
Apparently a German motorsports website is reporting that a well known British driver is looking to do a deal to race with Wiechers sport for Japan and Macau - anyone heard anything?
The initial names that spring to mind to me were Mat Jackson or Colin Turkington? Jackson because of RBM and BMW and Turkington as WSR were not sure if they would be doing another race this year.
I think that either of those options would be better than the much-touted Team Dynamics Civic.Quote:
Originally Posted by David_Hill
I hope it isn't a SEAT or BMW for Andy Jordan, I'm sure we would have enough of them already.