Failures

[Alfa Fan]

As we gear up towards the start of the 2013 series, I thought it would be interesting to look back at some of the failed entries of the past few years (add more if I've missed anyone!).

First up:

TH Motorsport Skoda Octavia vRS

What was the plan?

Matt Hamilton announced during the 2011 Summer break that he would return to the series in 2012 in a TH Motorsport Skoda Octavia vRS.

What happened?

Apparently sponsors backed out and the car has been on hiatus ever since. There is significant doubt as to whether anything was ever built in the first place.

Chance of revival?

Very little

IF Motorsport Fiat Punto Arbarth

What was the plan?

IF Motorsport intended to build a pair of the cars for the 2011 series, run by ex-BTCC Class B runner Bryce Wilson.

What happened?

Not a lot. Quickly shot down by Alan Gow who stated that the team had not been in contact with TOCA and the car was not eligible. Seems to have been entirely "pie-in-the-sky".

Chance of revival?

None

Team 48 Motorsport Alfa Romeo 156

What was the plan?

Headed by the footballer Luthar Blissett, the team was to enter a pair of Alfa Romeo's in the BTCC in 2008 for Darrelle Wilson and Matthew Gore.

What happened?

The team never owned any of the ex-Pinkney Alfas, nor did Matthew Gore even possess a valid racing licence for the UK. The showed a painted-up shell at media day, with no running gear - and later announced they would be forced to miss the first round as they were still "fine-tuning" the organisation. Time passed and they were never heard of again.

Chance of revival?

As much as Jamaica winning Gold in the bobsleigh.

Xero Competition Lexus IS200

What was the plan?

Announced plans to bring a pair of Dutch Lexus S2000 cars into the BTCC for the 2006 season, and tested with a number of drivers.

What happened?

Put together a deal to run Adam Jones from the 3rd meeting onwards, with Air Cool sponsorship. Car ran competently if unspectacularly throughout the season, with a second car under the Team Forward Racing banner being entered for the final two rounds for Mark Jones (no relation). The team were supposed to return mid-way through the next season with an "exciting, new driver" according to posts from one of their employees, tbd, on this very forum. Never returned to the grid and Xero continued running in sportscars.

Chance of revival?

Team is still active - but will never return with the Lexus.

Clyde Valley Racing Chevrolet Lacetti

What was the plan?

Announced to much fan-fare in Autosport in the Summer of 2006, Clyde Valley Racing were to enter a pair of Chevrolet Lacetti's powered by biofuel for Dan Eaves and team boss Colin Neill in 2007.

What happened?

This has to be one of the ultimate dreamer attempts, with the shock twist that something did actually materialise eventually. The team had no money, no sponsor, no Chevrolet's were even built and there were doubts as to whether they'd even be available. The team failed to turn up in either 2007 or 2008. In 2009, the team acquired a SEAT Leon, and Dan Eaves signed up to drive it alongside Adam Jones who brought his own car to the team. Half a season later and Eaves was gone, no explanation given, replaced by Gordon Shedden, until a couple of meetings later the entire time folded. Phiroze Bilimoria who was originally due to be racing one of the cars was, as of 2010 at least, in the process of suing Colin Neill. I do not know the outcome.

Chance of revival?

From what I've heard, the further Colin Neill is kept from running a business again, the better. [So that's a NO]

TTR Motorsport

What was the plan?

To run a BTCC car of some description, maybe a Peugeot 307

What happened?

This is maybe my favourite of all the dreamers. Toby Weeks, founder and sole-employee of TTR Motorsport posted on Ten Tenths forums in the Summer of 2004 enquiring as to whether people thought the Peugeot 307 would be a good investment as a BTCC car. He claimed not to have followed the 2003 season closely, and wanted forum members opinions as to whether it would be a good choice. He had been given numbers to all the top teams of the time, apart from RMLs number was wrong and he couldn't get through to the others. A couple of questions later on the forum and suddenly he was going to be running MGs instead, "my drivers prefer it" but he was "not a liberty" to tell us who they were. They later opened up a scholarship scheme at a grand an entry.

Chance of revival?

If a probability of less than 0 is ever discovered, it's probably because it's trying to be applied to this.

JSM Alfa Romeo 147

What was the plan?

Initially? To run as many as SIX BTC-Touring specification and FOUR BTC-Production specification Alfa Romeo 147s in the 2001 BTCC. This was later scaled back to just four touring-class cars, which eventually became two. Darren Malkin and David Pinkney were signed up to be the drivers.

What happened?

The team did turn up. At the first round at Brands they just about finished the first of their 147s, but it was in no fit state to be entered. David Pinkney completed a few slow laps in one of the races. Darren Malkin's deal had already fallen through due to "sponsorship issues" at this point. The team plowed on through the season, with a summer switch to a new engine supplier at least helping reliability somewhat. Tim Harvey scored a remarkable podium in the car at Oulton Park, albeit in a race only 4 cars finished. The team made it to the end of the season, with intentions of returning in 2002. The team entered administration in November 2001, with almost the entire season having been run on credit [allegedly]

Chance of revival?

NONE! Which was a shame, as it was a nice looking car.

More if and when I remember them, I'm sure there's loads. Would be great to see other contributions.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Apologies for the resurrection.

This was before the start of the 2013 Season so, without further ado, here's some failed entries from that season:

AMD Racing's NGTC Astra and Super 2000 Focus.
Chris Stockton in the BTC Racing Chevrolet Cruze although that entry did race in 2014.
Lea Wood, Richard Hawken, Chris Jones and Ian Loggie all tested the Speedworks Toyota but Dave Newsham and Ollie Jackson got the seats.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Shouldn't this thread be in the History Section?