Collard and the rest of the season

[Phoenix1]

I heared that at the start of the season Rob was short of funds for the season and Motors TV mentioned this might be the last time we see an MG in BTCC. Does anyone know what the plans for WSR and Rob Collard are for the season. I for one hope WSR can sort the Thurxton race 2 and 3 problems out and return for a good run for the rest of the season.

[naughtymutt]

i thought Collard said at Donington that he had the funds for 3 meetings.

[John Winter]

I hope somehow he can race for the entire season. If the series would loose him too it would be catastrofic.

[naughtymutt]

I hope that TOCA move to a more international formula like the WTCC cars, so that we can get some interest back from the car company.... and schedule the championship on different weekends to the WTCC so that the teams could run in both if they wanted.

[John Winter]

If you schedule the weekends from different weekends to the WTCC the races will clash with the F1-races. I think it's better to compete with WTCC and DTM than with F1.

[naughtymutt]

Are there any clashes when F1 does a few weeks back to back.

[BootsOntheSide]

WTCC teams running would just increase the cost of being competitive, and most of their drivers (other than the Brits and the ex-F1 guys) aren't well known over here.

[N I Tram]

I think TOCA shoudl step in with fundign for WSR to keep Collard going if neccessary, as a goodwill gesture to help keep the field strong. Losing him from the already-thin grid would be a disaster.

[kmchow]

Originally Posted by N I Tram

I think TOCA shoudl step in with fundign for WSR to keep Collard going if neccessary, as a goodwill gesture to help keep the field strong. Losing him from the already-thin grid would be a disaster.

But wouldn't that set a dangerous precedent? There could be other teams racing or who want to race, but are unable to race or struggle, why does Collard get help and those other teams don't? OTOH, if ITR tried to do that, why can't TOCA?

[Kicking-back]

Originally Posted by naughtymutt

Are there any clashes when F1 does a few weeks back to back.

BTCC has no clashes with F1, no.

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by N I Tram

I think TOCA shoudl step in with fundign for WSR to keep Collard going if neccessary, as a goodwill gesture to help keep the field strong. Losing him from the already-thin grid would be a disaster.

Hmm. I don't agree with that. That isn't Toca's job. It's Collard's own to find the funding. If he doesn't, then hard cheese.

[redshoes]

TOCA's job is to find a sponsor for the Indie Cup to help with prize money. Finding a sponsor for an individual team/driver is definately NOT something they should be doing. Why should Collard get that sort of assistance but not Proctor, Williams or any other driver?

[Super Tourer]

The only thing that TOCA could (and possibly should) look at doing is to appoint a marketing agency to work with the teams on their commercial/marketing proposals. this would tie the teams and TOCA's marketing into a single strategy.

As it is, TOCA have provided a great platform for teams with the best overall media and TV coverage in Europe, which clearly is not being successfully exploited by the teams, aside from Dynamics who have always been excellent in their commercial approach.

IMO, TOCA need to work more closely with the teams to improve their 'offer' and the way they are presenting the benefits of being involved in the BTCC. There is much more to sponsorship than a sticker on the car and a few hospitality places, more creative thinking is required to secure sponsors in a competitive media marketplace, subsequently more media/marketing/advertising based professional help and skills are required.

[Kicking-back]

They need to hire you, ST!