Alfa 147 CONFIRMED for 2002 BTCC!!

**Craig** · 28 Mar 2002, 21:26 (Ref:246178)

Press release just in:

Quote:

Gordon Shedden, Ford Credit Fiesta Champion in 2000, has signed to compete in the Green Flag British Touring Car Championship in an Alfa Romeo 147 for 2002.

Shedden, 23, from Dunfermline, has pulled together a three way deal between himself, GR Motorsport who will prepare and run the car and ESP Sports Management, who will provide the car and support services.

The Alfa Romeo 147 is one of a pair of cars originally built in Italy and which are to be developed this season by GR, with the work initially concentrating on the engine and suspension.

A GR Motorsport run Ford Focus provided a stand out victory for Shedden in the Knockhill round of the BTCC in 2001 which showcased a talent spotted by Paul Ridgway of GR the previous season. Says Ridgway: "Gordon impressed us with not just his obvious driving talent but also his enthusiasm and the ease with which he related to team members both on a human and technical level. We are delighted to be involved with him and ESP Sports Management in building a platform to enable Gordon to move up to the higher levels of motorsport."

The team plans to enter the Championship at Thruxton for the third event.

Wahey!!

**touringlegend** · 28 Mar 2002, 21:44 (Ref:246192)

Another scot joins the BTCC

Reido Rules · 28 Mar 2002, 22:14 (Ref:246222)

Only one car then?

Good to have them back, and Gordon is the right man for the job.

Radisichrox · 28 Mar 2002, 22:56 (Ref:246277)

Yay!

Eddie_harasym · 29 Mar 2002, 09:13 (Ref:246493)

I assume this is in the Production ranks then?

**touringlegend** · 29 Mar 2002, 10:14 (Ref:246507)

I wondered that as it doesn't mention BTC Touring, but I think it's Touring anyway.

**Craig** · 29 Mar 2002, 10:28 (Ref:246514)

They are the ex-JSM cars, so it will be BTC-T...

MikeH · 29 Mar 2002, 17:28 (Ref:246673)

excellent news that!

Super Tourer · 29 Mar 2002, 18:17 (Ref:246711)

Are ESP the ones paying for it? I hope its a fully funded campaign, cos boy is that car going to be expensive to run...

Eddie_harasym · 29 Mar 2002, 18:51 (Ref:246734)

OK just read it elsewhere, great news too see more cars in the BTCT cat.

We just need the Lexi now.

**touringlegend** · 29 Mar 2002, 19:11 (Ref:246758)

Quote:

Originally posted by Super Tourer
cos boy is that car going to be expensive to run...

I wonder if they have got a 2000 cc engine for it, as I heard it was a bored out 1600cc. (hence the problems) might have been you that said that ST.

Sim_Da_BTCC_Man · 29 Mar 2002, 19:16 (Ref:246764)

YES!! I've been waiting for this fantastic news. I dont think the lexi will be in because ive been speaking to my "sources". unfortunatly BRT have pulled out too, so thats another downer

Cleland · 29 Mar 2002, 19:20 (Ref:246766)

From my 'sources' the Lexi will be here for Oulton.

Sim_Da_BTCC_Man · 29 Mar 2002, 19:24 (Ref:246771)

I hope they are.

Speeddemon555 · 29 Mar 2002, 21:11 (Ref:246870)

I hope they solve reliability problems for the 147s

Cleland · 30 Mar 2002, 11:28 (Ref:247227)

Yer! Let us hope and pray!

racer69 · 3 Apr 2002, 10:21 (Ref:250739)

So how did the Alfa go at Brands

Snapperjack · 3 Apr 2002, 11:15 (Ref:250784)

Quote:

The team plans to enter the Championship at Thruxton for the third event.

GR were not at Brands. According to the press release, they hope to be ready to run by rounds 5 & 6 at Thruxton in May.

Speeddemon555 · 3 Apr 2002, 15:07 (Ref:250955)

That good to hear. GR Motorsport will get the reliability problems out of the way before Thruxton. It will be battle of the hatchback touring cars of the Honda Civic Type R vs. Alfa Romeo's 147

OVERSTEER · 3 Apr 2002, 17:22 (Ref:251000)

I hope that the Alfa has a proper 2 litre engine and not a DIY 2 litre engine as last year

, because I think that's one of the best looking cars out there and we need Lexus out there too now.
Maybe the Lexus's will be saved if we have a driver who has a rich daddy like Tom Chilton's who will buy the cars for their 17th Birthday, or if our dreams come true Toyota/Lexus decides that a factory BTCC team is an appealing idea after all and develop the cars for later on in the season with a full attack planned for next year, after all Toyota seem to be wanting to break into every form of motorsport apart from Rallying so why not?

Swilki · 6 Apr 2002, 09:00 (Ref:253246)

Toyota left rallying to concentrate on F1

Daz · 6 Apr 2002, 21:19 (Ref:253762)

Quote:

Originally posted by Sim_Da_BTCC_Man
YES!! I dont think the lexi will be in because ive been speaking to my "sources".

Shall we wait untill Outon park then see who's right

**touringlegend** · 6 Apr 2002, 22:06 (Ref:253790)

They showed the Lexus in todays tv coverage, brings back all em memories that i hope come back this year..

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