Might as well get the off season thread started, with only a round to go and a lot of speculation for 2006 already around.
So what sort of grid are we realistically looking at next year?
They have all but confirmed there participation next year. I think the only think left is for it to be officially announced.
Drivers wise it looks like there may be some changes, with the return of James Thompson possibly? And the possibilility of Muller leaving to join the WTCC.
The third car seems to change season to season, so I think its far from certain Gavin Smith will retain his drive, although he has improved in recent meetings.
I personally think they will return to the series next year. Northern South have made progress a team this year, and it would be disappointing not to see what they can deliver in 2006.
SEAT have been huge supporters of the series, and has gained huge publicity from it, greater than reigning champions Vauxhall IMO.
The Leon looks very promising, and it would be great to see it in the series next year.
They seem likely to be dropping the Integra after just one season, albeit a very successful one.
As far as I'm aware they haven't categorically confirmed they will race in the BTCC, but it seems the most likely option.
They could run in the World series, but I think they'll decide that it makes comercial sense to run in the BTCC, a series they can compete in with a reasonable budget.
If I'm not mistaken, Steve Neal hinted at a continuation in the BTCC at the weekend after Howell's win.
Surprisingly they are still keen to remain in the BTCC. I had thought continued particaption into 06 was unlikely with Chilton planning to move on from touring cars.
Admittedly, they have a history of over promising and under delivering, so it will be interesting to see what happens with this team over the winter. Maybe they will finally run Alan Morrison again??
Have recently annouced plans to return to Formula 3, as well as running one of the A1GP teams. Have been a stalwart of the series for many years, although just running one car this year has been disappointing.
They are currently looking for a manufacturer deal to continue there participation in the series, although haven't ruled out running as a privateer entry.
I would guess they will be around again, with James Kaye behind the wheel.
Will they ever run there 156? I would like to think so, but this team, under Mark Thompson has really disappointed me. I can't really see them running next year, however much I would like to.
Pretty likely to be out again next year, through Mark Proctor. The team have learned a lot this year, and Mark always said this would be a learning season. Would be nice to see them get hold of more modern machinery, maybe a 2004 Astra Coupe?
John Batchelor has threatened to run a Civic at some point this year, but it never materalised. I don't expect to see them next year. A shame really, they appeared to make so much progress in 2003 when running 307s in the production class.
Jason Hughes's Kartworld Racing has appeared at selected meetings so far this season, and will do so again at the final round. The team hope for a full time return to the series, and Jason is certainly enthusiastic to do so.
Initially I had feared they had bitten off more than could chew with the BTCC effort this year, but they have developed into a pleasant surprise during the season. Entered at the start of the year with a long term plan, and with backing from Friends Reunited and HPI, I expect to see them back with the two IS 200s next year.
Made there return to the series mid-season with Fiona Leggate in a Bio-ethanol Astra. Leggate appears to be well funded, as is planning a full season in 2006. The team are still working to get Paul O'Neill out at some point.
Will make there debut in the series next weekend with a Nuts sponsored Astra Coupe for Andy Neate, ahead of a 2006 campaign.
Seriously looking at a BTCC campaign, possibly run by Richard Lloyd's Apex Motorsport. Will be interesting to see how this one develops over the winter.
EX-GA Motorsport boss Gary Ayles is hoping to make a return to the series after Mark Thompson took over his own team. They plan to run two Alfa Romeo 156s, and hopefully the deal will see them reunite with Gavin Pyper, who seriously deserves a drive.
Have run a Mitsubishi Carisma in the series before for Steve Wood. Looking at the possibility of running a team next year, with an Astra Coupe seeming to be there most likely choice of car.
Want to run a BTCC campaign alongst their British GT Monaro. Vauxhall would seem to be the obvious choice of car, and maybe even their latest Astra Sport Hatch.
Jonathan France's team was rumoured to be planning to run a Civic Type-R at some point this season, but it never materalised. Could be interested in entering for the full season in 2006?
Seems pretty certain this one. The British GT team plan to get hold of a pair of Lexus from the Netherlands to convert into Super 2000-Spec. Mark Jones and Ricky Cole are favourites for the drives.
Hope to get a hold of two SEAT Toledos from Northern South at the end of the year. Current SCC drivers Carl Breeze and Alan Blencowe, would seem sensible choices for the drives.
Likely winner of this years SCC. Would win a free SEAT for next year, which could be run by his own team, Boardman Racing, who he raced for in 2001 in a BTCP Peugeot 306 (the pink one!)
Attempting to find the finance to run Jonathan Adam in a Vauxhall Astra Coupe in 2005.
Stepping up from the Porsche Carrera Cup to run Mike Jordan in an ex-Team Dynamics Honda Integra.
Could run Peugeot 307s for Mark Symmonds and Julian Griffin
John George hopes to return to the series, after his plan to run with VLR was aborted when Vic got arrest for drug smuggling.
Note, most of these are just rumours, and I don't expect that more than half of them will appear next year.
22 Sep 2005, 16:01 (Ref:1414118)
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