Ford to BTCC? (rumour)

[Neil Adams]

i think that with ford pulling their wrc and f1 campaigns the btcc would be a very good idea for them to promote their brand on a more even basis for much less dough.

[BootsOntheSide]

I'd like to think so, but will the US top brass at Ford see the relevance of a local championship? WTCC could be the way to go now - although hoepfully some privateers could run the car in the BTCC.

[rustyfan]

Ford is already racing in the ETCC, so the logical step would be - as Boots suggests - to continue in the WTCC for next year.

They haven't been very successful in this years' ETCC, but I reckon that shouldn't be much of a surprise considering it's a first-year privateer effort.

[John Winter]

There are also rumours going round that they're about to enter the DTM. I suppose their car would something like this:

[JohnMiller]

looks more like an ASCAR.
So, from the thread - it isn't a rumor at all - just someone here thinks it a good idea. If so, perhaps a change of thread name is called for?

[rustyfan]

What series are those pics from anyway? The now-defunct V8 Star series, or something else?

[touringcarnut]

I can't see this happening, they've just sacked 1,200 in Coventry, why would Ford decide to splash out on a BTCC campaign?

[Neil Adams]

rumour
"an unofficial interesting story or piece of news that might be true or invented"

therefore i think the thread title is apt

mondeos are from BRL V6 championship
http://www.brl-v6.com/

[John Winter]

BRL stands for Benelux Racing League by the way. Used to be MWV6-series.

[rustyfan]

Thanks for the info - never heard of it.

The cars look nice though

[Neil Adams]

look very similar to the jonathan palmers t1 car dont they?

http://www.girlracer.co.uk/review_t1.htm
never seen the side profile before that rear wing is ridiculous

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=31128

"The decision is part of a major rethink of Ford's motorsport strategy. The company's WRC team is also under threat."

btcc or wtcc would be ideal

[John Winter]

Originally posted by btcc-thunder
btcc or wtcc would be ideal

Depends on what they want to achieve. DTM gets more media attention then BTCC and WTCC together (world-wide that is). In addition the WTCC will have high transportation costs because of the variety of places there racing (geographically).

[rustyfan]

Originally posted by John Winter
Depends on what they want to achieve. DTM gets more media attention then BTCC and WTCC together (world-wide that is). In addition the WTCC will have high transportation costs because of the variety of places there racing (geographically).

Surely the development costs are higher in the DTM though? And correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't the DTM been pondering overseas races to be added in the future (enforced by the exhibition race they did in Shanghai)?

[John Winter]

I'll have to correct you ITR-chairman Aufrecht indeed was over the moon after the exhibition race in Shanghai, wanting to sign a five year deal with the Chinese. However, some manufacturers (mainly Opel) aren't to happy with that, so it now looks like they wont return to China.

About the development costs: I've got no idea. I don't think you can say the dev.costs in the DTM are higher than in BTCC/WTCC, just because the cars are faster or bigger. DTM has many standard parts, like brakes, rear wing and electronic units, so they wont have to develop all of the car. But I have to admit i'm not realy familiar with the regulations in the BTCC/WTCC.

[rustyfan]

Originally posted by John Winter
I'll have to correct you ITR-chairman Aufrecht indeed was over the moon after the exhibition race in Shanghai, wanting to sign a five year deal with the Chinese. However, some manufacturers (mainly Opel) aren't to happy with that, so it now looks like they wont return to China.

Hm ok - I guess time will tell

Originally posted by John Winter
About the development costs: I've got no idea. I don't think you can say the dev.costs in the DTM are higher than in BTCC/WTCC, just because the cars are faster or bigger. DTM has many standard parts, like brakes, rear wing and electronic units, so they wont have to develop all of the car. But I have to admit i'm not realy familiar with the regulations in the BTCC/WTCC.

Me neither, but it just feels like DTM would be a bit more expensive since the cars are faster (thus requiring more advanced engine components, err.. right?), have more advanced aerodynamics and such.

Either that or I'm completely out to lunch

[John Winter]

Not necessarily.

Opel uses a Oldsmobile V8 tuned by Spiess, which they already used in 2000. Audi uses either a Mader-tuned BMW-engine or a Mugen/Honda-engine (not quit sure). If it's the BMW they also already used it in 2000. If it's the Mugen/Honda they started using it in 2002.

The only manufacturer that designed their own engine is Mercedes, and ofcourse that engine is tuned by AMG/HWA. Ofcourse the engine get developed more every year, but it's not like they build a new one every year.

Besides, there are very much restrictions in DTM in the engine-department, so theres not that much that can be developed.

[John Winter]

O yeah... aerodynamically DTM-cars are absolutely more advanced. However, Opel, Mercedes and Abt were working together last year in the windtunnel, so they would be more equal to eachother.

Although I don't think they're still doing that after the return of Audi. On a different note: I think Audi made their car too aerodynamical. When the flaps behind the rear wheels are damaged the handling of the car is terrible. And those flaps often get damaged, we've seen that enough this year.

[touringlegend]

No way is the DTM less expensive than the BTCC - the BTCC uses many common parts (brakes, wheels, suspension etc) and the aerodynamics have very little scope for development.

Pretty certain that DTM cars are fibreglass replicas of their road going metal counterparts - did you see Dumbrecks crash not a panel left..

[John Winter]

Ok, thanks for clearing that up. However (don't get angry ), but BTCC is nothing outside the UK, whereas DTM has a very high repuation all over Europe and Asia.

BTCC will first have to lose those dinkytoys Hondas. A touringcar has to have a back-end. A bit dissapointing from Honda as well, because the Honda Accord back in the 90s was the ultimate touringcar.

[John Winter]

Nothing but good about the spectacle BTCC is bringing though

[Neil Adams]

Originally posted by John Winter
Ok, thanks for clearing that up. However (don't get angry ), but BTCC is nothing outside the UK, whereas DTM has a very high repuation all over Europe and Asia.

BTCC will first have to lose those dinkytoys Hondas. A touringcar has to have a back-end. A bit dissapointing from Honda as well, because the Honda Accord back in the 90s was the ultimate touringcar.

thats fair enough i dont think the btcc does have a massive following outside of the btcc.

as for the dinky toys i think what a everyday family car is has moved on, hatchbacks like the civic and focus are what sells by the bucket load so i think it makes more sense to have those sort of cars represented

[Alfa Fan]

BTCC has a big following outside of UK. It is particually popular in Holland and China.

[John Winter]

That also used to be the argument in WRC, but you can't realy say the 307cc is the Peugeots best selling car.

Hatchbacks are, just like coupes (thank god DTM switched back to saloons), typical cup racing cars. Touringcars are supposed to have a rear end and four doors. If Honda wants to promote the Civic, that's ok, but at least race the saloon version than...

[Alfa Fan]

The hatchback version is better I think.

[John Winter]

Originally posted by Alfa Fan
BTCC has a big following outside of UK. It is particually popular in Holland and China.

As a Dutchman I can tell you, BTCC is not popular in Holland. It used to be, back in the days Peter Kox was driving for Honda and it was broadcasted in Holland. The only possibility to see BTCC is MotorsTV, and most people over here never even heard of MotorsTV.