RML/CHEVY 2010

Spanner monkey · 28 Sep 2009, 19:01 (Ref:2549983)

Heard today that Alan Menu may be joining the team & that talks had been held with Fabrizo Giovanardi(already a GM driver)

**touringlegend** · 28 Sep 2009, 19:21 (Ref:2549995)

Assume you mean stay with the team in WTCC?

Autosport say Yvan Muller is in with a shout too as there is uncertainty over SEAT next year.

redshoes · 28 Sep 2009, 19:35 (Ref:2550003)

Is this BTCC, WTCC or a combination of both?

Menu is already with Chevrolet so not sure what you mean when you say he "may be joining the team". Do you mean he might be in the third RML car at Brands?

The Chevrolet/Giovanardi story was in Autosport a few weeks ago. Both sides have openly admitted that there have been preliminary talks, although nothing more than that. When the story was reported it was suggested that Gio may be a replacement for Menu.

werner · 29 Sep 2009, 08:55 (Ref:2550331)

If Chevy is able to sign Muller or Giovanardi for next year, they will even more become a titlecandidate. Will this mean the end at Chevy for Larini?

medius · 29 Sep 2009, 18:00 (Ref:2550702)

I think with a big name signing like Yvan or Fab, Chevrolet would be inclined to field more than three cars.

Icebaby · 30 Sep 2009, 17:46 (Ref:2551409)

Im not so sure on more than three cars for Chevy but this may depend on Seat/ BMW/Lada particiaption, I would think Larini is out and Menu on the edge, both being inconsistant, Giovanardi in with Muller a possible but don't rule out Plato or Jackson or Thompson if he has not signed for 2010.

duke_toaster · 30 Sep 2009, 21:14 (Ref:2551509)

Would Plato want to do WTCC though? Sounds like a lot of travelling when he does TV work, has a family et al et al. Thommo I could see in the WTCC, but I think Mat Jackson is probably somewhat under the radar there. Then again if the WTCC talent scouts were looking hard at the BTCC I feel sure Colin Turkington would be in a factory BMW.

Icebaby · 1 Oct 2009, 06:35 (Ref:2551681)

I don't doubt Turkington will be in a BMW program next year either BTCC or WTCC, Plato will go where the money is.

nickyf1 · 4 Oct 2009, 22:00 (Ref:2554160)

To be honest I think that the BTCC is overlooked by the WTCC, however with the top 5 qualifying times at Brands this weekend being faster than Menu's qualifying time at the WTCC event, you never know.

But the general feeling is that BTCC drivers are in the BTCC because thats where they want to be, Plato has always said he wants to continue racing in the BTCC, Turkington will want to retain his title, and Jackson is still hungry for title success. Plus the WTCC seems a bit puny in comparison to the frantic BTCC races.

Alfa Fan · 5 Oct 2009, 01:37 (Ref:2554223)

Plato doesn't want to do WTCC. He's said on numerous occasions that he wouldn't be able to fit the travelling in with his TV work.

medius · 5 Oct 2009, 11:37 (Ref:2554451)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfa Fan

Plato doesn't want to do WTCC. He's said on numerous occasions that he wouldn't be able to fit the travelling in with his TV work.

And that his personal sponsors require him to compete in the UK.

crmalcolm · 5 Oct 2009, 12:30 (Ref:2554489)

Quote:

Originally Posted by medius

And that his personal sponsors require him to compete in the UK.

Who are his personal sponsors?

I have noticed the Sun, who would be happy to support a WTCC driver I would suggest?

brucelok2003 · 5 Oct 2009, 05:12 (Ref:2554256)

What about an one-off race in Brands Hatch? Can he make it?

**touringlegend** · 5 Oct 2009, 12:48 (Ref:2554515)

I'd imagine Silverline, Match the Deal, Tesco 99 Octane are Platos personal sponsors. None of them will get major UK coverage in the WTCC.

duke_toaster · 5 Oct 2009, 16:06 (Ref:2554622)

Unless they were to somehow wangle WTCC off Eurosport and on to ITV4 or something (then again perhaps the contract with the BTCC stops them airing WTCC live?).

Ed Peters · 5 Oct 2009, 21:14 (Ref:2554777)

I only hope that if RML return to the BTCC next year they use a legal engine and give the teams that play by the rules a chance!

**touringlegend** · 5 Oct 2009, 21:20 (Ref:2554782)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Peters

I only hope that if RML return to the BTCC next year they use a legal engine and give the teams that play by the rules a chance!

Mountune have done a stonking job on that Focus engine then!

**touringlegend** · 5 Oct 2009, 18:07 (Ref:2554633)

And stump up more money! How much more does the WTCC cost to compete in with the extra travelling & accomodation expenses?

duke_toaster · 5 Oct 2009, 21:17 (Ref:2554779)

Ed, practically all the cars have some sort of technical waiver (before we start getting on to the old rules cars!) - at least initially weren't the 888 Vectras running the BTC-T gearbox? Or have I had a massive brainfart, there certainly was something about their gearboxes though.

Ed Peters · 5 Oct 2009, 21:37 (Ref:2554796)

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

Ed, practically all the cars have some sort of technical waiver (before we start getting on to the old rules cars!) - at least initially weren't the 888 Vectras running the BTC-T gearbox? Or have I had a massive brainfart, there certainly was something about their gearboxes though.

All due respect, I don't think the advantage 888 gained by using the old gearbox is on the same lines as the work that has been done on the chevrolets engine that has made it the fastest car in a straight line. From, lets face it, an engine that is twenty years old.

nickyf1 · 5 Oct 2009, 21:26 (Ref:2554787)

I'd much rather have the BTCC live rather than the WTCC anyday.

Icebaby · 6 Oct 2009, 06:53 (Ref:2554935)

Can someone shed any light on Bob Kettlebourgh the clark of the course, who actually employs him and does he attend all the races in the year?

mattt · 6 Oct 2009, 08:19 (Ref:2554975)

Bob Kettleborough is there at all meetings

I would suspect he is appointed to the meeting by BARC maybe with some influence by toca but im not sure on that.

werner · 6 Oct 2009, 08:24 (Ref:2554980)

Don't the Vuxhalls and the Lacetti's more or less have the same engine?

Ed Peters · 6 Oct 2009, 21:31 (Ref:2555476)

Quote:

Originally Posted by werner

Don't the Vuxhalls and the Lacetti's more or less have the same engine?

NO..

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