BTCC 2006 News, Rumours, Entries...

[touringlegend]

Well the idea would be good, but why recruit either of them when theres umpteen 1st class Touring Car drivers available, Giovanardi as mentioned, Shaun Watson-Smith, Anthony Reid etc etc..

[kmchow]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Well the idea would be good, but why recruit either of them when theres umpteen 1st class Touring Car drivers available, Giovanardi as mentioned, Shaun Watson-Smith, Anthony Reid etc etc..

I think open wheel/F1 theory sometimes maybe very tempting to consider? Do younger drivers take more risks and are more willing to drive their very limits versus the older/established/experienced drivers like Reid or Watson-Smith? Do the older drivers compete just hard enough to keep their seat/paycheque coming? Do they want a championship as badly as the younger drivers?

[davyboy]

Well that's it really. Reidy and the other touring car specialists are superb at their game but its only when you get a really hot single seater driver, who has transitioned to tin-tops AND adapted well to them, that you actually seem the envelope pushed that bit further. Its a pity that the BTCC hasn't managed to court that type of talent to the same extent as the DTM. Many hot-shots have gone in there and on to F1 afterwards and [hopefully] Gary Paffett will be able to follow them. It would be interesting to see Vauxhall try that out wouldn't it.

[touringlegend]

Many view DTM as single - seaters with roofs anyway. Plus they are rear wheel drive and ample powered like F1 cars. It'd be a shock to me if anyone raced in the BTCC and progressed to F1 as the cars have nothing in common.

[Alfa Fan]

I'd say the fact Jason Plato is not in the SEAT WTCC team is a huge indication that he will remain in the BTCC with SEAT into 2006.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by davyboy

... or potentially look to attract fresh blood in the form of a seasoned single seater like Nicolas Minassian or Robbie Kerr who are stellar single seater drivers who's careers have drifted a little. I know, I know, both are doing well in Sportscars and A1 at the moment, but its the principle/idea, I'm trying to get across.

Is former Opel/Mercedes DTM driver Peter Dumbreck an option?

[Alfa Fan]

Originally Posted by Alfa Fan

I'd say the fact Jason Plato is not in the SEAT WTCC team is a huge indication that he will remain in the BTCC with SEAT into 2006.

Plato will remain in the BTCC, alongside Pickford and maybe A.N.OTHER

[cos]

MN suggests SEAT could slim back down to just 2 cars for 2006. There was also something about slightly different points rules for next season - the first two cars home in any team score points for the manufacturer (i.e. no more nominating any particular driver for manufacturer points)

[Alfa Fan]

James Thompson hopes to make several appearances in the BTCC in a SEAT Leon, as well as his full WTCC programme.

[touringlegend]

Vauxhall and TOCA have agreed ( I don't know if they consult anyone else) that two cars will be point scoring next year, but I assume the two nominated cars are fixed for the season.

SEAT however are wanting to be able to nominate points scoring cars ahead of each race day. Suggest to me, as Alfa Fan's post that they are looking to have the likes of Thompson guest appear in some races.


Also, how many names down for the VX drives. Giovanardi seems to be favourite for "no. 1" seat, with Peter Dumbreck, Darren Turner, Colin Turkington all possible for the 2nd seat. Smith / TIm ? Bridgman for the 3rd seat.

[redshoes]

That's not the way I read it. Each manufacturer nominates 3 cars ahead of each raceday, usually during the Sat afternoon team briefing (i.e. after qualifying). That's no change from this year. The difference next year is that only the first 2 of those 3 cars will actually score points, previously it was all three.

SEAT wanted to only nominate 2 drivers rather than scoring the best 2 from 3 because chances are SEAT will only run 2 cars. Vauxhall can nominate their third 'pay' driver in the knowledge that if one of their 2 'works' drivers fails to finish there's a chance Johny Chequebook can still earn them some points.

[Super Tourer]

Chilton will drive the 2nd Astra at VXR alongside Giovanardi, so we won't be losing him from the BTCC.

[N I Tram]

Is that fact or rumour ST? A good line-up if true - will Trukington pay for the third car with his substantial funding?

[Super Tourer]

Will be announced at the BTCC dinner at the weekend according to autosport, but I have also heard that elsewhere.

Smith will have the 3rd car again I would imagine as he brings a big budget. Turkington I would guess could appear back at WSR, depending on funding,etc.

[Alfa Fan]

Latest I've heard about Colin Turkington is that we will be back at WSR, and is likely to be joined by his mentor Anthony Reid.

WSR are tipped to run a semi-works Chevrolet team in 2006. Chevrolet have been considering a BTCC semi-works team since early 2005.

Whether this will happen is anyones guess, but Chevrolet have been heavily promoting their new Lacetti in the UK, as well as there name change from Daewoo, so they could see this as a good opportunity to increase brand reputation in the UK.

WSR are known to be/have negotiated with a manufacturer interest in entering the series, and have set a deadline of mid-December for the deal to be agreed.

If no Chevrolet program occurs, the team intend to continue running at least one MG ZS, probabily for Rob Collard again.

[rdjones]

I have also seen else where that Colin is looking at opputunties down under.

I have to say this is the first I have heard about WSR and Chevrolet linking up, up that would be good and if Reidy is back then that would be even better. I have also heard a rummour about WSR taking over the running of the Seat's.

If the Chevrolet program doesn't come of then I would love to see WSR back with 3 MG ZS's for Colin, Reidy and Collard, now that would be a line up to challange TD and VX Racing etc.

[Alfa Fan]

My understanding is that using the ZS again is a last resort for WSR.

[Craner Curves]

My understanding is that Jason Hughes has bought the two MGs which went to Germany and WSR will run them for him and AN Other.

[Alfa Fan]

Think they're being run by Kartworld Racing, but in association with WSR, like this year where they shared a garage.

[rdjones]

My understanding on the Jason Hughes situation was that he was going to use his current car, but upgrade the engine to one of the Judd units which WSR have been using for the last 2 seasons.

[Alfa Fan]

MN reported he was to use a 2004 chassis i think.

[newoutsider]

Originally Posted by kmchow

I don't want to sound like the party spoiler, but even though he can afford the car, he still has to find the budget to race an entire year or select races in the BTCC next year? What's his sponsor support like?

same is true of Mark Hughes

Neither seem to be flush with finds and it is running these cars that costs the money.

[touringlegend]

So many different stories. I thought it was the case Jason Hughes had bouught the two ZS's that went Germany, originally to be run for him and Mark Proctor, but now it seems perhaps a Hughes and Turkington team would be the outcome.


As for a WSR running Chevy's, wonder how WSR would like running a car they don't build ?

[Hazard]

Taken all the non-Proctor stuff from the Proctor thread and put it here.

The WTCC thread keeps going off topic a bit too, so I'll inject the information here...

So rumours say Giovanardi & Chilton to drive for VX Racing next year! After a very below par 2005, that could be a very rewarding line-up.

[Alfa Fan]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

As for a WSR running Chevy's, wonder how WSR would like running a car they don't build ?

They'd have a good car to develop, and, after two years of shoe-string programs, i think it would come a bit of a relief!