BTCC 2011 Rumours

[Alfa Fan]

Arena plan to run 3. Chilton + Neate + AN Other
Expect Collard at WSR, probably joined by Nick Jones
Plato & McDowall back at Chevvy
Breeze & Houseman expected alongside Boardman at Special Tuning
Chris James is entering a Lacetti (not Bamboo)
Rob Hedley expected to join Hughes at Speedworks

[VkmSpouge]

Chris James, he's done the Mini Challenge like Martin Depper, right? And Nick Jones is from the Welsh Sports & Saloon Car Championship? Big steps up for both drivers if those rumours run true.

[m0rk]

But is it a high-quality one? I'm not altogether sure.

You've summed it up here. It'll be like amateur hour I fear

I hope not, but rapidly turning into budget silhouette racing, which I can't see the manufacturers really buying into.

[DazzlaF1]

You've summed it up here. It'll be like amateur hour I fear

I hope not, but rapidly turning into budget silhouette racing, which I can't see the manufacturers really buying into.

Well if the new rules provide more great racing, that will mean more bums on seats at the tracks, higher viewing numbers and more exposure for their product.

Thats what the Manufacturers will likely buy into most of all especially in the current financial climate, and with the cheaper rules package, then hell, they could even afford to run 2 top drivers on a salary and still turn a profit from it all.

Sure the criticisms of "too many amateur drivers" will crop up but didnt people have the same argument when the Supertouring regulations were implemented in 1991? Plus these so called "amateur drivers" are no slouches, as Martin Johnson has proven in antiquated machinery over the last 2 years.

[BDunnell]

Sure the criticisms of "too many amateur drivers" will crop up but didnt people have the same argument when the Supertouring regulations were implemented in 1991?

I agree with that — and, in what many would consider to have been the 'golden age' prior to that, namely the days of the Sierra Cosworths, the majority of drivers on the grid were probably non-professionals.

[Alfa Fan]

Expect Collard at WSR, probably joined by Nick Jones

I did of course mean Nick Foster here, which has now been confirmed!

[RMLCruzeing82]

any one know what going on with Silverline Chevrolet and plato and McDowell?

[Allyc85]

Geoff Steel Racing will return to the BTCC with 2 BMWs and may use a turbo charged engine!

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89623

[jackmarsh]

Another Lacetti for Chris James!!

Big old grid!!

[VkmSpouge]

I wish Chris James and Team ES Racing good luck, it is a heck of a set-up from the Mini Challenge http://www.btcccrazy.co.uk/2011/02/2...-with-lacetti/

And I hope Geoff Steel and Martyn Bell are able to fill the two BMWs they have, shame Bell won't be in one.