BTCC 2013 news and rumours

[Alex1911]

so anything to add or remove gentlomen to my list

[def123]

Originally Posted by Alex1911

so anything to add or remove gentlomen to my list

Not yet I think. The commentators talked about today's third race being Tony Hughes' last ever BTCC race. Was this confirmed in the buildup to the race?

[Alex1911]

confirmed Hughes retires but he mentions he hopes to get Paul O'Neil for next year

I'm retired now. Hopefully we'll get Paul O'Neill in the car

[KindaUnstuck]

AMD would like to run Ollie Jackson in their NGTC car, and are open to running the Golf if someone wanted to pay them to run it for them.

Also just seen that STCC and TTA are to combine, with the TTA cars being used so there's another wave of S2000 cars on the market.

[Alex1911]

well STCC is truly dead then , Silouttes = NO touring cars

for me the most interesting roumor is that Team ES Racing might fold cos Dave Newsham is a really fast driver AND has some sponsors so hopefully he can end up with a top team like Motorbase or WSR !!!! (can't see him going to MG with Plato around)

also just wishful thinkig but if Honda can afford to enter a 3rd car wish to be Giovanardi

[jsmee]

Newsham won't be at Motorbase, they're only planning one more NGTC Focus (for Aron Smith) and then the S2000 Focuses will be sold off.

WSR have pretty much confirmed Nick Foster for 2013 as he has always stated it's a 3 year plan with the team, and i can't see TOC or Collard moving either.

However, I seem to remember an article stating that Jeff Smith will be leaving for V8 Superstars in 2013 leaving his #55 Civic free for 2013. Would be great to see Newsham in that!

James

[Alex1911]

James does it mean that Liam Griffin will depart Motorbase ? (so perhaps one mediocre driver less on the grid, along with Chris James and the gentlomen Hughes)

well Newsham did have a conflict with Jordan at Doninigton if you remember but I do hope they settled their differences, Newsham in the second Pirtek Honda would make this team a formidable force in the Indy championship and also in the overal Teams championship

Plus I think the Civic would look nice in YELLOW


and Nick Foster is indeed also pay driver but IMO FAR from the mediocrity of the likes of Neate...

[Alex1911]

the TCT website modes are more comunist and censorhip oriented than the chinese

[jsmee]

Originally Posted by Alex1911

James does it mean that Liam Griffin will depart Motorbase ? (so perhaps one mediocre driver less on the grid, along with Chris James and the gentlomen Hughes)

It is heavily reported that he may be off to do some GT racing, presumably in British GT.

James

[Alex1911]

BTW James who was Ginetta winner this year ? we may have that guy to Speedworks perhaps to replace Morgan as part of the winning prize?

EDIT nevermind found it, its Carl Breeze, so I add him to Speedworks temporarly

[Alex1911]

hmm this is interesting

Carl Breeze did race in the BTCC back in 2002, 2003 and 2004 for Team Dynamics and GA Motorsport

best finish 5th at Silverstone with Alfa 156

[jsmee]

Originally Posted by Alex1911

BTW James who was Ginetta winner this year ? we may have that guy to Speedworks perhaps to replace Morgan as part of the winning prize?

EDIT nevermind found it, its Carl Breeze, so I add him to Speedworks temporarly

The prize for Ginetta GT Supercup in 2012 was not a prize drive with a BTCC team - there is no guarantee he will be in the BTCC at all (though I want him to!). If he does he is just as likely to be with Speedworks as any other team. I'd take him off the list completely for now.

James

[Alex1911]

Adam Morgan on Twitter..

seems Neate is becoming a universal symbol of pay driver mediocrety

I've just spoken to @AndyNeate and received a genuine apology. Happy to now draw a line under it and focus on trying to get out next season!


Thanks to @AndyNeate and the damaged caused this weekend we will struggle to find the budget to race again next year! Didnt even apologise

Not sure how @AndyNeate managed to get away without any endorsments on his license after dispalying horrific driving standards!

[KindaUnstuck]

Contrary to rumours from reliable sources, seems like ES Racing may be back next year, possibly with NGTC and S2000 cars:

http://www.btcccrazy.co.uk/2012/10/2...ccess-in-2013/

[Alex1911]

hmm, so it seems its all down to budget... I'm a bit shocked that such small teams like ES and Gilham have such megalomanic plans to run up to 4 cars!!!

regarding NGTC machinery , IMO one of the cleverst plan for any such small team would be to buy the NGTC Civic BUT if rules stay the same put the TOCA Swindon unit in them so they get separate boost from the works cars !!!!! that means they wouldn't be "punished" for the succes of the works cars

for Team Dynamics its now problematic to sell them outside of BTCC since nobody else runs to NGTC rules yet so maybe they will charge less money for them

[-=Prodrive=-]

Yep, for better or for worse, the BTCC is heading down a one way alley again with rules just like in 2001 when it ran the BTC rules all by itself. I'm not suggesting it can't work, but it will be harder and would probably deter more works efforts if manufacturers know that they can't use their cars elsewhere in the world.

I've said it before, but the sheer number of different rulesets now is becoming a joke. There should be 1 ruleset for regular touring cars, 1 for grand touring cars (TTA, DTM) and then that would solve a lot of the issues.

I kinda always knew in the back of my mind that the STCC was never going to really adopt the NGTC rules, when the split happened that was it. Over with, done. It was dead.

[ivaneurope]

Originally Posted by jsmee

Newsham won't be at Motorbase, they're only planning one more NGTC Focus (for Aron Smith) and then the S2000 Focuses will be sold off.

WSR have pretty much confirmed Nick Foster for 2013 as he has always stated it's a 3 year plan with the team, and i can't see TOC or Collard moving either.

However, I seem to remember an article stating that Jeff Smith will be leaving for V8 Superstars in 2013 leaving his #55 Civic free for 2013. Would be great to see Newsham in that!

James

Even the win at Brands won't help Aaron Smith. Griffin(if he stays) has sponsorship package and this will give him advantage over Smith and clearly Jackson doesn't want competition in the team(Much like Plato and Neate in MG). This will force Motorbase to look for paid driver. Smith needs to look for other teams like ES, WSR etc.. Other option(highly unlikely) will be IF Plato retires(which he will probobly not) and Aaron Smith would have a great chance even for a title contention.
Regarding to Speedworks O'Neil will not race for the team. If Adam Morgan wasn't won the Ginetta G50/G55 Cup(the prize was BTCC drive) he wouldn't be even in BTCC. Speedworks are looking for sponsors and they will likely replace Hughes and Morgan with pay drivers.
The WSR case is very interesting. They are closer to secure deal with eBay(despite losing both independents titles) and they may convince none other than Colin Turkington to race in one of their at least 2 NGTC cars. The problem is that 3 other drivers are fighting for the spots.
I can't see competitve drivers like A Smith and Newsham to race in the Andrew Jordan centered Pirtek. So the option Newsham to race for them is zero.

[KindaUnstuck]

I'm struglling to see where all these NGTC cars will come from for next year.

Realistically Motorbase and WSR are going to need most the winter to build enough cars for themselves, I know Motorbase are half way through their second car but Dave Bartrum has said he could open to running 3 cars if the funding is there. According to rumours the MGs will probably stay within 888, the Honda won't be cheap, I can't see Thorney getting 4 cars built over the winter, so unless the smaller teams go it alone, that either leaves the Toyota or buying existing cars from the likes of Welch or Rob Austin.

I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the smaller teams (if they return) at least starting the year with S2000 machinery whilst NGTC cars become available, or others holding off until 2014, as although the rules allow for smaller teams to do their own cars, it does seem rather expensive at the moment.

[jsmee]

Originally Posted by ivaneurope

Even the win at Brands won't help Aaron Smith. Griffin(if he stays) has sponsorship package and this will give him advantage over Smith and clearly Jackson doesn't want competition in the team(Much like Plato and Neate in MG). This will force Motorbase to look for paid driver. Smith needs to look for other teams like ES, WSR etc.. Other option(highly unlikely) will be IF Plato retires(which he will probobly not) and Aaron Smith would have a great chance even for a title contention.
Regarding to Speedworks O'Neil will not race for the team. If Adam Morgan wasn't won the Ginetta G50/G55 Cup(the prize was BTCC drive) he wouldn't be even in BTCC. Speedworks are looking for sponsors and they will likely replace Hughes and Morgan with pay drivers.
The WSR case is very interesting. They are closer to secure deal with eBay(despite losing both independents titles) and they may convince none other than Colin Turkington to race in one of their at least 2 NGTC cars. The problem is that 3 other drivers are fighting for the spots.
I can't see competitve drivers like A Smith and Newsham to race in the Andrew Jordan centered Pirtek. So the option Newsham to race for them is zero.

1) I chatted to Aron (HIS NAME IS SPELT ARON, not Aaron) at Brands and said, subject to sponsors, he is hopeful of a drive in the NGTC car in 2013.
2) It was even reported in the programme that Griffin will probably leave. Programmes are generally pretty neutral on rumours like that, so there must be some base behind it to be mentioned.
3) How do you say Jackson doesn't want a good teammate?! Never has there been a hint of that... Aron even said to me that he thinks himself and Jackson would have a proper fight for the Independant Teams title for 2013 if they were able to, with Mat going for the main title. He didn't even put himself in the frame!
4) Plato won't retire for many years yet.
5) O'Neill is fairly likely to race for Speedworks as Hughes will use all his sponsorship and funding to fund O'Neill and not himself, so it'll be a free drive for O'Neill, effectively. They're not short of sponsors on one car, though the second will have to be a pay driver. Maybe Newsham could end up there...

[KindaUnstuck]

Just been pointed to this on the Motorbase website, which is a comment from Oly Collins, looks like Liam Griffin is not going to be back next year:

"We had a couple of issues with the new car which is to be expected at this stage. Everything we've done this year with that car helps us for next year. Liam had a solid couple of races to end his BTCC career as well, which was nice."

I know he isn't the fastest driver but he seemed to get involved caught up in less accidents this year so it's a shame to see people like him and Tony Hughes go when others appear as if they will be back causing carnage next year.

[DoMw94]

Originally Posted by ivaneurope

Even the win at Brands won't help Aaron Smith. Griffin(if he stays) has sponsorship package and this will give him advantage over Smith and clearly Jackson doesn't want competition in the team(Much like Plato and Neate in MG). This will force Motorbase to look for paid driver. Smith needs to look for other teams like ES, WSR etc.. Other option(highly unlikely) will be IF Plato retires(which he will probobly not) and Aaron Smith would have a great chance even for a title contention.
Regarding to Speedworks O'Neil will not race for the team. If Adam Morgan wasn't won the Ginetta G50/G55 Cup(the prize was BTCC drive) he wouldn't be even in BTCC. Speedworks are looking for sponsors and they will likely replace Hughes and Morgan with pay drivers.
The WSR case is very interesting. They are closer to secure deal with eBay(despite losing both independents titles) and they may convince none other than Colin Turkington to race in one of their at least 2 NGTC cars. The problem is that 3 other drivers are fighting for the spots.
I can't see competitve drivers like A Smith and Newsham to race in the Andrew Jordan centered Pirtek. So the option Newsham to race for them is zero.

Again, you're just assuming you are 100% right without knowing the facts! Be tentative! Unless you know the drivers and/or teams personally, don't make sweeping comments assuming you are right!

It's likely Hughes will sponsor Owy as he's hinted at it. Plus, who's to say Aron Smith and Adam Morgan wont secure their own sponsorship? Wrathall did after he lost his Ginetta backing.

Smith will probably return for Motorbase as the team has strong sponsorship, they already have the second car (albeit not assembled) and they managed to run Jackson and Smith this year! Jackson probably would want a good team mate as he's had them before (Plato, Kane, Smith).

Why is Newsham's chance at Pirtek 'zero'? He's already hogged the limelight from his current team owner so there's no reason why he wouldn't drive for Pirtek. You could make the same comment about Shedden at the Neal's Team Dynamics, and we all know how that ended!

Plato hasn't even hinted at retiring so that doesn't even need to be mentioned at all.

Turkington doesn't need 'convincing' to return!!! I've no idea what gave you that idea! The only reason he ever left was funding.

You really need to look and the facts and what is obvious before making ridiculous sweeping statements

[Andy81]

Jackson has driven in teams with Plato and Neal. The idea that he couldn't cope with competition when he had little trouble with either is just farsicle.
And the Plato/MG/Tesco/888 partnership are all contracted for 3 years. So a minimum of another 2 season with them together.
Laim Griffin not being back can only be a good thing, ok he wasn't as accident prone this year. But they are unlikely to have a 3rd car and if motorbase get a second good driver then that Focus looks like it could be competition for MG and Honda. If Aron Smith gets the nod and he drives at the start of next year how he finished this then they could be real teams aswell as drivers title contenders. I hope so as i'll be backing them

[burnout01]

Originally Posted by KindaUnstuck

Also just seen that STCC and TTA are to combine, with the TTA cars being used so there's another wave of S2000 cars on the market.

That's a shame, I've always liked the STCC.

But regarding seeing the S2000 STCC cars on the market, this could mean we could see Scirocco's in the BTCC next year.

[jsmee]

Originally Posted by burnout01

That's a shame, I've always liked the STCC.

But regarding seeing the S2000 STCC cars on the market, this could mean we could see Scirocco's in the BTCC next year.

Unlikely as Sciroccos are nationally homologated in Sweden so are not actually eligible in the BTCC.

[burnout01]

Originally Posted by jsmee

Unlikely as Sciroccos are nationally homologated in Sweden so are not actually eligible in the BTCC.

Ahhh that's a shame....

[-=Prodrive=-]

Are 888 / MG actually building "new" cars for 2013 or will they just simply upgrade the current cars?

[Alex1911]

Originally Posted by jsmee

Unlikely as Sciroccos are nationally homologated in Sweden so are not actually eligible in the BTCC.

wasn't there the agreement that STCC cars can race in BTCC and vice versa ??


and you really think Alan Gow would turn a Scirocco entry down ?

[jsmee]

Originally Posted by Alex1911

wasn't there the agreement that STCC cars can race in BTCC and vice versa ??


and you really think Alan Gow would turn a Scirocco entry down ?

Only for NGTC cars - they were planning to use the same rules so they could swap cars between themselves technically.

Alan Gow would turn it down yes, the Scirocco is a 3 door car.

James

[ivaneurope]

Originally Posted by jsmee

Only for NGTC cars - they were planning to use the same rules so they could swap cars between themselves technically.

Alan Gow would turn it down yes, the Scirocco is a 3 door car.

James

Volvo also planed to enter BTCC with 3 door car(the C30), but it was only plan. Besides the C30 entered WTCC with no problems at all.
The NGTC rules clearly stated that 3 door cars within the minimal 4.4m length are eligible to enter as long as they share the same profile as the 5 door model.
IMO Mr. Gow won't turn it down. But this is only my prediction.

Regarding to the rude comments about my oppinions. These are only my oppinions and no one can judge me about it. And besides we must wait until the media day in March 2014 for the final driver lineup. For now we can only predict and anything can happen. The driver roulette will still turn. Who knows - we may see Renault works team, returning drivers like Gio and Turkington or A Smith in works MG seat. But until the official statements from drivers and teams come we can only suggest.

[jsmee]

Originally Posted by ivaneurope

Volvo also planed to enter BTCC with 3 door car(the C30), but it was only plan. Besides the C30 entered WTCC with no problems at all.
The NGTC rules clearly stated that 3 door cars within the minimal 4.4m length are eligible to enter as long as they share the same profile as the 5 door model.
IMO Mr. Gow won't turn it down. But this is only my prediction.

The Volvo thing was only a rumour, it was never confirmed.

James

[Alex1911]

Originally Posted by jsmee

Only for NGTC cars - they were planning to use the same rules so they could swap cars between themselves technically.

Alan Gow would turn it down yes, the Scirocco is a 3 door car.
James

but the current AMD Golf also 3 door car...

[Alex1911]

seems Newsham may switch teams...

there's a few teams that want me on board, so we'll see what drive we can land. Hopefully it'll be a good NGTC package that we can do some damage with

[Heidfeld]

Originally Posted by Alex1911

but the current AMD Golf also 3 door car...

Ivaneurope's post above answers it, so long as the 5-door shares the same profile as the 3-door. The Scirocco is only 3-door.

[Heidfeld]

Originally Posted by Alex1911

seems Newsham may switch teams...

Must be an MG then, Andy Neate's proven you can do loads of damage in one of those!

[-=Prodrive=-]

I think we may well be a few cars down on 2012. I guess it depends on how much stock people put into the S2000 cup and what kind of entry that attracts.

[def123]

Originally Posted by jsmee

Only for NGTC cars - they were planning to use the same rules so they could swap cars between themselves technically.

Alan Gow would turn it down yes, the Scirocco is a 3 door car.

James

I'm pretty sure the agreement was made before NGTC was introduced, although it was never really an issue as before 2012, no nationally homologated cars from Sweden we're ever raced in Britain or the other way round. Engström's Honda is an ex-BTCC car remember, and that was allowed to race in the STCC, too.

Is the '3-door-rule' also applied on S2000 cars? I know it's in the NGTC rules, but it shouldn't be in the S2000 rule book

[ivaneurope]

Originally Posted by def123

I'm pretty sure the agreement was made before NGTC was introduced, although it was never really an issue as before 2012, no nationally homologated cars from Sweden we're ever raced in Britain or the other way round. Engström's Honda is an ex-BTCC car remember, and that was allowed to race in the STCC, too.

Is the '3-door-rule' also applied on S2000 cars? I know it's in the NGTC rules, but it shouldn't be in the S2000 rule book

In the S2000 rules 3-door cars are only eligible as national homologation. The VW Golf was built first for the Baltic championship. 3-door S2000 cars aren't eligible in the FIA homologations(though in 2011 N2000 cars were eligible to score points in WTCC). The Volvo entered in WTCC last year as STCC homologated car.

[Alex1911]

hope Rob Austin changes other race number , 13 didn't bring him luck

[Andy81]

Originally Posted by Alex1911

hope Rob Austin changes other race number , 13 didn't bring him luck

I think 666 is available......

[CX650]

Originally Posted by Andy81

I think 666 is available......

Very droll.

[Street Racer 77]

Originally Posted by Andy81

I think 666 is available......

Yeah, then Rob's Audi would be a hell of a ride next year

[KindaUnstuck]

Page 26 of tomorrow's Autosport magazine, there is an article about Alan Gow open to suggestions from the teams as to what adjustments to make to the boost system for next year, and has a soundbite from Dick Bennetts, but it also mentions in the article:

"WSR boss Dick Bennetts, who is planning to switch his BMWs from Super 2000 to new-spec NGTC...."

There is also an article from Shedden on the Autosport website where he mentions expecting strong competition from MG, the Fords and BMWs next year... then again that could just be because he's been so used to racing the BMWs this year.

It also mentions Gilham running 3 Insignias on anothere page but don't know if that is a typing error or not, but it mentions the 2 he has already so not too sure.

[CX650]

Originally Posted by KindaUnstuck

Page 26 of tomorrow's Autosport magazine, there is an article about Alan Gow open to suggestions from the teams as to what adjustments to make to the boost system for next year

Easy, either do away with it or give everyone the same. That is parity. If one team or another can get better performance it's due to talent and/or skill.

[-=Prodrive=-]

Originally Posted by Street Racer 77

Yeah, then Rob's Audi would be a hell of a ride next year

Is Austin's Wix deal just for one race (Brands) or was it a deal to carry over into next year (2013)?

[jsmee]

Originally Posted by -=Prodrive=-

Is Austin's Wix deal just for one race (Brands) or was it a deal to carry over into next year (2013)?

The deal was for one race with a view to possibly full-year sponsorship in 2013.

[Callum King]

Lots of teams will be back. These are MG KX Momentum, Redstone Racing, Pirtek Racing, Team HARD, Speedworks Motorsport, Thorney Motorsport, Dynojet, Honda YUASA Team, and AmDTuning.com. 1 team is returning to BTCC. That's the BTC Racing with the Chevrolet Cruze. Drivers. Jason Plato, Andy Neate, Mat Jackson, Aron Smith, Andy Jordan, Jeff Smith, nothing from HARD yet, neither Speedworks Motorsport, Neither from Thorney Motorsport, Frank Wrathall, Nothing from Honda YUASA, Ollie Jackson.

KEEPING YOU UPDATEDhttp://www.nogripracing.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

[Trebor901]

i'd like to see 3 works hondas next year they will need to if MG are gonna run a sister team

[def123]

Originally Posted by Trebor901

i'd like to see 3 works hondas next year they will need to if MG are gonna run a sister team

Honda pretty much have 3 works cars. Pirtek and Honda exchange data and they help each other. That's all the benefit you'd get from a third car, but without spending a lot of if not any money on the car. MG on the other hand wouldn't have more than 3 'usefull' cars either. Andy Neate is already confirmed as one of their drivers and we all know, how much he can help his team...
Where does this MG rumour come from anyways? MG would have to put a lot more money into the project than they have this year.

[KindaUnstuck]

The MG thing was in an interview Ian Harrison did with Motorsport News magazine where he said if the right deal could be done they could run 2 cars as an independent entry called Triple Eight Race Engineering. Money wise MG put very little into the 2012 project, 650,000 came from Neate supposedly and most of the rest from Tesco.

In other news ES Racing have started a game of 'guess what car we are racing next year' again' seems terribly quick to suddenly have cars lined up.

Jeff Smith seems likely to be back with Pirtek as well I read the other day, Motorsport News again.

[-=Prodrive=-]

Are MG/888 basically keeping their 2012 cars for 2013 or will they sell the 2012 cars and build brand new cars for 2013?