This year is shaping up to be fantastic - we could just do with a couple of top drivers in the Motorbase BMWs and we could have up to a dozen different winners...in theory!!
Printable View
This year is shaping up to be fantastic - we could just do with a couple of top drivers in the Motorbase BMWs and we could have up to a dozen different winners...in theory!!
I knew the Jelley news would cause a big surprise!
Seems to be a decent driver from what I've seen, I remember watching him in Junior FFord in 2002. Switching to the BMW from a single seater won't be as difficult than if he was moving to a front wheel drive car.
i think Jelley could be a great signing, you are no mug to have won multiple British F3 races (and race GP2) and with his experience he could be a great asset as long as he is able to adapt quicky to the tourers, although going straight to RWD will make it easier - he could well be one to watch next season if not this
I think there's some real quality drivers in the BTCC this year through and through. Lots of good cars too which means a very tight season I think!
Really surprised myself when i heard the news about Jelley joining WSR same goes for Allison in one of the Robertshaw Chevy's, i for one thought Collard would get one of the Chevy drives after testing one recently
CONFIRMED SO FAR
VAUXHALL: Giovanardi, Neal, Onslow-Cole
SEAT: Plato, Turner
DYNAMICS: Shedden, Chilton
WEST SURREY: Turkington, Jelley
ROBERTSHAW: Vaulkhard, Allison, Taylor
EUROTECH: M.Jordan, A.Jordan
ARKAS: Kizilirmak, Bell
BTC: Stockton, Oliver
AFM RACING: Kerry, Leason
MOTORBASE: ?,?
JACKSONS: Jackson
TH: George
IN-LINE: Doyle
25 cars so far, and still the likes of GR Asia, Xero and Kartworld still to confirm their plans, good grid so far and good quality as well.
And the best thing about it in my opinion, more teams are fielding 2 car efforts
This is not totally cofirmed cos its not on the btcc web site, but if you look on Xero Competition they quote
"The Xero Lexus competing in this years British Touring Car Championship, is well under way. It will benefit from all of the development that the team has worked on for the last year."
and see the pic the car is yellow!!
All will be revealed the end of next week!
Can't wait for it. Hope the liveries will be striking.
I see Kartworld have been advertising for drives this year in Autosport. Not a popular destination then for budding 2008 drivers?
After watching Fiona Leggate gracefully roll into some tyres at Goddard at a wet Donnington last year, it wouldnt be hard at getting better drivers, and the team must be good at quick repairs now after those awful MGs.Quote:
Originally Posted by thompp
Surely they will have someone?
The reason she hit the tyres were because her wipers had failed (leaving her with zero visibility) after not being connected properly in the first place when the car had last been worked on.Quote:
Originally Posted by VX_Rules
Haha, I just remembered the time that the Kartworld forgot to refuel both the cars and the both ran out of fuel half way round the race! :D
Another one for the list, Adam Jones has confirmed for 2008 again run by GR Asia and with sponsorship for Aircool engineering, which hasn't gone under as some people have been saying;
http://www.adam-jones.co.uk/
No car for media day though as it's not built yet!
What it doesnt say is the amount of rounds hes gonna be doing, but one more to the list is good!
They need to do something about line spacing in that article. Anyway great news to have Adam Jones back and in a Léon too. He could be challenging for victories.
@ Liam, it does say how many rounds:
Quote:
Originally Posted by adam-jones.co.uk
All of them, as GR Asia have left the WTCC this season.Quote:
Originally Posted by LiamM
Confirmed entries according only to press releases on the official btcc.net website.
Fabrizio Giovanardi Triple Eight Vauxhall Vectra
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=750
Matt Neal Triple Eight Vauxhall Vectra
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=778
Tom Onslow-Cole Triple Eight Vauxhall Vectra
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=836
Jason Plato Northern South SEAT Leon TDi
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=815
Darren Turner Northern South SEAT Leon TDi
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=815
Gordon Shedden Team Dynamics Honda Civic
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=802
Tom Chilton Team Dynamics Honda Civic
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=802
Colin Turkington West Surrey Racing BMW 320SI E90
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=817
Stephen Jelley West Surrey Racing BMW 320SI E90
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=856
Mike Jordan Team Eurotech Honda Integra
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=789
Andy Jordan Team Eurotech Honda Integra
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=789
Harry Vaulkhard Robertshaw Racing Chevrolet Lacetti
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=813
Matt Allison Robertshaw Racing Chevrolet Lacetti
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=857
Alan Taylor Robertshaw Racing Honda Integra
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=813
Michael Doyle In-Tune Racing Honda Civic Type-R
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=813
Matt Jackson Jackson Motorsport BMW 320SI E90
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=821
TBA Motorbase Performance BMW 320SI E90
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=820
TBA Motorbase Performance BMW 320SI E90
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=820
Rick Kerry Team AFM with NJL Racing BMW 120d
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=829
Nick Leason Team AFM with NJL Racing BMW 120d
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=829
Chris Stockton BTC Racing Lexus IS200
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=840
Stuart Oliver BTC Racing Lexus IS200
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=852
John George TH Motorsport Honda Integra
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=841
Erkut Kizilirmak Arkas Racing Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=850
Martyn Bell Arkas Racing Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=850
Updated list. 25 entries confirmed on btcc.net, Jason Hughes' and Adam Jones' entries still awaiting an official press release.
Surely an announcement on the driver's own website is as good as?
Yes you can take that as 100% that he will be in the Championship, the car is currently getting built in spain and will be a petrol car. I think with Mr Ridgeway behind him he will push for race wins, Paul's experience with Seat Toledos and Leons will really help Adam push very hard at the front, I would expect him to be like M.Jackson last year, with him doing all 10 he will push Jackson hard.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iain
And even though Adam told me at the recent GT media day.... It still doesn't count!?!
Perhaps he was lying?
Given that Mr Jones is not doing a full season in GTs, and unless he has some other deal up his sleeve elsewhere, I took it that the 'other commitments' that are referred to by Modena are that he is playing in BTCC during those clashes. (Adam misses 3 GT dates because of the 'other commitments' and there are 3 GT / BTCC date clashes at my last count).
great news lets hope he can take it to the big guns :)
I'm hoping the Léon will have the same livery as the Toledo.
To be fair to Alfa Fan it is at least a consistent standard for announcements.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iain
First comments from Adam here:
http://www.crash.net/news_view.asp?i...&cid=10&news=y
Also no AFM Racing, for now:
http://www.crash.net/news_view.asp?i...&cid=10&news=y
Sad to hear AFM are missing the start of the season but it sounds like the right decision to me.
Well hopefully AFM will join the championship soon.
it is sad Nick & Rick won't be there but the 'register and stop testing' is too much of a restriction
http://www.btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=864
i believe this is the news we were all waiting for. 27 registered, hopefully 10 or more with realistic winning potential.
Richard.
Why doesn't it surprise me that there is no Xero competition on the entry list!!!
Great news about the 27 confirmed drivers. Hopefully that will grow with AFM later in the year. No MG's this year tho
Team 48 Motorsport with 2 Alfa Romeos for Darele Wilson and Matthew Gore
That one's a suprise
Some extra details on todays announcements here:
Jackson gets BMW backing:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65638
Collard and Kane join Motorbase:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65633
Football stars set up Team 48:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65635
Collard a slight surprise, nice to see him back, despite some peoples misgivings.
the Alfa's are a massive surprise, nice to see a good bit of diversity on the grid, and a lime green car is one way to get noticed, i wish them the best of luck.
the entry list has Jason Hughes in an Integra, but Touring car times mentions he's still using the MG, whats the story, i assume he has the Integra?
if AFM and Xero turn up with 2 cars each we're at 31 cars. TDB, when can we expect the big announcement - its been on the cards for a couple of weeks now and you said it would be announced on Touring Car Times
I've read somewhere that the Alfas won't be out at Brands but a field of 25 is still pretty good going!
As for Hughes, I doubt the official site would get it wrong, but a member on another forum suggests that an MG has turned up today?! Surely not!!
Nice grid size! Should be even better then last year. I dont expect Xero to be out at all this year, but could be suprised if they find the right driver with the bucks
offical 2008 list of drivers and look as well have an alfa yay!!!!!!!!!
1. Fabrizio Giovanardi VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra M
4. Matt Neal VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra M
5. Colin Turkington Team RAC BMW 320si I
7. Mat Jackson BMW Dealer Team UK BMW 320si I
9. Tom Chilton Team Halfords Honda Civic
10. Tom Onslow-Cole VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra M
11. Jason Plato SEAT Sport UK SEAT Leon TDi M
12. Darren Turner SEAT Sport UK SEAT Leon TDi M
15. Martyn Bell Arkas Racing with Sunshine.co.uk Vauxhall Astra I B
16. Harry Vaulkhard Robertshaw Racing Chevrolet Lacetti I
19 Darrell Wilson Team 48 Motorsport Alfa Romeo 156 I
21. Adam Jones Team AirCool SEAT Leon TFSi I
24. Steven Kane Motorbase Performance BMW 320si I
25. Rob Collard Motorbase Performance BMW 320si I
26. Matt Allison Robertshaw Racing Chevrolet Lacetti I
28. Jason Hughes Kartworld Racing Honda Integra I
32. Alan Taylor Robertshaw Racing Honda Integra I B
33. Michael Doyle InTune Racing Honda Civic Type-R I B
42. Stuart Oliver BTC Racing Lexus IS200 I
43. Chris Stockton BTC Racing Lexus IS200 I
48 Matthew Gore Team 48 Motorsport Alfa Romeo 156 I
50. Stephen Jelley Team RAC BMW 320si I
52. Gordon Shedden Team Halfords Honda Civic
55. John George TH Motorsport Racing with JAG Honda Integra I B
77. Mike Jordan John Guest Racing Honda Integra I B
78. Andrew Jordan John Guest Racing Honda Integra I B
90. Erkut Kizilirmak Arkas Racing with Sunshine.co.uk Vauxhall Astra I B
o and way does plato have #11 and not #2 and turner #12
Those finishing in the top 10 in the previous year are entitled to those numbers if they want them, but they don't have to! SEAT have always gone for #11 and #12 recently, Gore and Wilson are #48 and #19 for obvious reasons, BTC like #42 and 43#, Shedden's lucky number is #52...
Plato like number 11 it appears. He's used it quite a few times before (although I don't remember which years). Anyway, if you add the digits in 11 together you get 2, so he is sort of carrying the number 2. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by WSRfan82
And Gordon Shedden has gone back to the number 52, which seems to be his favourite number too.
2006 has been the only year Seat didn't use #11 and #12. They were #4 (Plato), #14 (Thompson), and #24 (Turner).
Well your expectations are incorrect and we have 2 drivers signed and both of them have the bucks!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mcp138