4 into 888 - does it go ?

**Craig** · 5 Mar 2001, 20:23 (Ref:68568)

hmmm... so Triple Eight have two teams signed up for next year:

Vauxhall works team - Pluto and Muller
Team Egg (!) - Bennett and Thompson

The question remains though, they were seemingly unable to run three works cars last season - how do you think they'll get on this year with running a total of four brand new cars ?

And how will the 'inter team' thing work ? I mean if Phil B is about to take a win, will he have to move over and let the works boys through ? Unfair ? Certainly. But then so was making Jason move over for Yvan last year...

redshoes · 5 Mar 2001, 20:41 (Ref:68582)

Lets hope we've seen enough of Vauxhall's team orders. After Thruxton they were certainly left with egg on their face.

(sorry, but if I didn't say it someone else would have)

Bring Back The Cavaliers · 5 Mar 2001, 20:49 (Ref:68588)

Boom boom! Redshoes.

hunttheshunt · 5 Mar 2001, 21:32 (Ref:68608)

Ditto for redshoes! The 888 thing is interesting. Muller and Plato (Vauxhall MSport) are the official works Vauxhall team. Bennett and Thompson (Team Egg Racing) is a 888 enterprise-nothing to do with Vauxhall? Also, they are seperate teams and therefore will be competing AGAINST each other in the teams championship. I wonder?!

Phil Bennett · 5 Mar 2001, 21:53 (Ref:68612)

I can tell you now that there are positively NO team orders and that we ALL (that's all 4 cars) get the same kit.

As to can 888 run 4 cars - of course they can - and at the moment have 2 cars up and running, which seems to be 2 more than anyone else!!

fudge · 5 Mar 2001, 21:56 (Ref:68614)

I hope there won't be a repeat of last year when drivers were ordered to let others overtake, even if it is for a No. 1 driver ( supposedly). It is a race after all and lets hope they let the best man win, whoever it is!

hunttheshunt · 5 Mar 2001, 22:00 (Ref:68617)

That's good to know, Phil!

**Craig** · 5 Mar 2001, 22:01 (Ref:68620)

That is *very* true, Phil! So, have you had a play in one yet ? And, if not, when do you get a go ?

Excellent news that you all get the same kit and there are no team orders... it'll be great to see you all racing each other. It'll be fascinating to see how this season pans out... can't wait!

Phil Bennett · 5 Mar 2001, 22:07 (Ref:68623)

No I haven't had a go yet!!! I'm really looking forward to it - we are due to test next week and then after that at the first TOCA test at Silverstone March 21st - not long now!

It should be a fantastic season - hey I wonder if John Cleland would pay me to take Steve Soper out in revenge for 1992???!!!!!

**Craig** · 5 Mar 2001, 22:15 (Ref:68629)

I bet you are looking forward to it! Lucky sod! We were lucky enough to be driven round Snett in Rick Pearson's Clio 172 at the end of last year - can only imagine the fun to be had in a touring car!

Make that *very* lucky sod!

As for Steve - i'd not even say it in jest if I were you... imagine if he were reading this and you later did biff him off the track...

vauxhall · 5 Mar 2001, 22:19 (Ref:68633)

Phil, is your astra's the same colour as the Vauxhall motorsport one's? if not any photographs or colour scemes?
..and good luck this season mate!

kmchow · 6 Mar 2001, 05:53 (Ref:68758)

I thought team orders were banned by the FIA after the '99 F1 incident with Mclaren team mates Coulthhard and Hakkinen?? Or does the ruling only apply to F1?

Les · 6 Mar 2001, 06:31 (Ref:68763)

If you are getting the same car and the same team orders (that is none)- what are the differences between you and Thommo and Muller & Plato?
I suppose one must be Egg splattered across the front and sides of the Astra (a picture would be nice).

Phil Bennett · 6 Mar 2001, 08:25 (Ref:68798)

The Team Egg cars will look to all intents and purposes like they are in a totally different team. All the trucks, team gear, pit crew, cars, etc, etc will all be in branded in Egg colours.

It's going to look nice and also it's been done properly - as you'd expect!

marc bishop · 6 Mar 2001, 11:33 (Ref:68830)

i hope your team doesnt put a egg on the side of the car cos its gonna make me hungry! lets hope its fast food.(sorry)!

hunttheshunt · 6 Mar 2001, 17:13 (Ref:68893)

Marc! Anyway, i think Soper doesn't need anyone's help to get into a collision!

GT2001 · 6 Mar 2001, 17:40 (Ref:68895)

Phil , how tough do you think it will be this year trying to win over the publics affections in a team with three established BTCC drivers?

Good luck Phil , if you're half as good as you were in Spiders you'll go far...

redshoes · 6 Mar 2001, 18:37 (Ref:68913)

Quote:

Originally posted by Phil Bennett
No I haven't had a go yet!!! I'm really looking forward to it - we are due to test next week and then after that at the first TOCA test at Silverstone March 21st - not long now!

Where and when ? I fancy a day or 2 off work next week.

Eddie_harasym · 6 Mar 2001, 18:52 (Ref:68917)

"I can tell you now that there are positively NO team orders and that we ALL (that's all 4 cars) get the same kit."

mmm where have I heard that before.

No, I ain't havin a go at you phil, but I just carn't see a statalite team runing ahead without Vauxhall givin team orders to pull back and let Mr Muller through.

We'll just wait an see.

kristof14 · 6 Mar 2001, 19:48 (Ref:68949)

never mind all this can vauxhall run 4 cars stuff it would appear that GR Motorsport are runnin 5 CARS!!!!!! in the btc-p no that'll be impressive if it comes off

oh and good luck phil

hunttheshunt · 6 Mar 2001, 21:17 (Ref:68986)

Your right Kristof-if they pull that one off they'll be team of the year!

Bring Back The Cavaliers · 6 Mar 2001, 21:46 (Ref:68997)

Easy for GR, they've run 4 cars in the NSC for the past few years. And look at Fiestas. Stancombe and Goodliffe etc. have multi car teams and they cope.

Invader · 6 Mar 2001, 21:50 (Ref:68998)

Erm....I think it's 222 Craig.....do I win anything?

kmchow · 7 Mar 2001, 07:13 (Ref:69110)

I think 888 will have a lot of explaining to do if the Egg Astras ever race in front of the official works cars. What's "Egg" anyways? A sponsor? Nickname? Short for Eggenberger??

RickP:Clio51 · 7 Mar 2001, 11:48 (Ref:69135)

Having had the pleasure to race with Mr Bennett, (for those of you who have seen the infamous video of my Renault 5 Turbo being destroyed at Castle Coombe, Phil is in the Telewest Rover I am dicing with at the time) I can assure you that he will not be letting anyone in the same equipment beat him and I doubt Egg (internet bank KMChow) will have stumped up the thick-end of £1 million (at my guess) to have a team that is not allowed to win...
All I can say is Good Work Fella! Total massive congratulations on getting the drive and sorry I didn't have a chance to congratulate you personally at Silverstone yesterday.
RickP