interesting news today which will surprize people on media day, looking forward to it, who's going to media day from here?
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interesting news today which will surprize people on media day, looking forward to it, who's going to media day from here?
I am strugling with Neates reasons for only wanting to be in a top car. yea sure it is more likely to bring success, but also it could make him look stupid. I would have thought that Turkington would have wiped the floor with him all year long anyway. I dont see why he is not prepared to start at a smaller team not so close to the front of the grid. Many of the best drivers have started that way.
Hi.....To clear a few things up.
Nobody is more disappointed than I to miss out on the second RAC seat so it would be easy for me to selfishly say “let’s just go somewhere else so I can realise my ambition to compete in the BTCC no matter with whom”. It’s not just a matter of having an adequate level of funding in place with the freedom to dispose of it as I wish, the package I have in place was only to be aligned with a team carrying a suitable profile capable of delivering sustained success fitting to the level of my sponsor’s investment.
Obviously my negotiations with the team will remain confidential so I will not go into the proposed contractual agreement that was in place, but to quote the chap tdb “Surely if the funding is in place to meet Dick Bennett’s price, the options are limitless?” this statement is simply inaccurate in my particular circumstance. Additional funding is required from the second driver to meet the shortfall of WSR’s own resources to maintain the BTCC programme to the level they operate, but contrary to some perception there are contracts in place significantly more costly to the paying driver along the pit lane. Although there are quite clearly three other teams in the BTCC capable of delivering equal levels of profile and performance as WSR the costs associated in these teams as a clear number three driver do not fall within my budget, hence why the top two seats in the big four are the most sought after in the BTCC.
Yes, tbd is correct a driver such a Matt Jackson has proved race’s can be won by the smaller teams but this is more down to the BTCC’s format of reverse grids and success ballast etc. Not taking anything away from Matt as he’s obviously a fantastic racing driver with huge talent but with respect he’s never going to consistently challenge the big four with the resources he currently operates with. It’s not ‘all ‘ about the car but you need a really good one to run at the front all the time not just occasionally, the leading pack is where the sponsors I’ve worked so hard to attract expect and want to be. I don’t need to run round in the midfield hoping for the odd giant killing with the aim to impress a team boss to give me a better drive in 09, motorsport does not work like that, if that was simply the case Matt Jackson would be a WSR or similar driver today. My good relationship with the team will continue and my BTCC plans for 09 are already in hand so I’m now just looking forward to an enjoyful full season of racing in 08 as I originally promised to my sponsors albeit now outside the BTCC.
It was originally planned a third chassis would be available for the seasons opening round at Brands but due to unforeseen circumstances outside the control of the team this became apparent very late on the 08 BMW kit would not be available, with only one car available it was I that would miss out. I must say on reflection to my disappointment I do take some comfort to be aware of how close I was to be the number two at WSR and the reasons I was not chosen. I must also stress without my biased head on I respect the commercial decision made by RAC completely. My failure to secure the drive was not down to any lack of pace or technical aptitude but simply a profile thing, indeed Stephen and my own performance during testing was nigh on identical and was nothing to separate us on the stopwatch. Bottom line is I’m 33 & Stephen in 25, I’m a Fiesta Champion and seasoned national racer, Stephen is the leading English driver in the British F3 championship also racing in GP2 with Raikkonen’s management team behind him. Bit of a no brainer. After dealing with the disappointment my sponsors and I did contemplate the part season proposed once we finally knew of the confirmed availability of the third chassis and kit, plus the time Dick needed to put it all together. However after spending a best part of seven months putting the deal together and thinking it was to be a full programme a half baked effort was not the way to go for anyone concerned.
Good luck for getting a good drive in the BTCC in 2009, Andy.
What is it? Arnold Schwarznegger starting his own team? Jackie Stewart coming out of retirement to drive for Xero Competition? A two car team of Super 2000 Reliant Robins being entered? What is it? :p :Quote:
Originally Posted by dwracing23
It would be great to see that I must say, it's not 100% confirmed yet but its great news for the championship - trust me. The BTCC picture is well and truly taking shape now, just waiting for Motorbase - Xero - and a few one car teams now, should be a good day at the rock and an even better one at Brands, I for one cant wait! see you all there.Quote:
Originally Posted by VkmSpouge
I'll be there cant wait. and Dan Don't put statements like great news that will surprise you all media day and then just leave it at that.....lol
When is the official BTCC testday?
Week today
Thanks for the update Andy, i must say i was reading the situation pretty much as you have described - it makes perfect sense that the backing is tied in with the drive you were aiming for, and the work taken to get to the stage you have couldn't be replicated with your backers and another team in the short time before the start of the season.
i hope for your sake your pace in testing is remembered by the team or noticed by others and you get your drive next year - in the meantime enjoy your racing wherever you do end up for this season, best of luck, and please do pop in here to keep us informed if you can
Perhaps Clyde Valley's Dacia Logans are ready? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Rusty