BTCC entries/rumours that never came to be

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Originally Posted by AnonymityRules

This thread also claims John Batchelor was intending to convert his 2 Production Class Peugeot 307s to Super 2000 specification for 2004.

It also mentions the prospect of a 4-car Lexus effort between Total Motorsport and Vic Lee's team with Steve Sutcliffe and Richard Dean and possibly Dan Eaves and Tommy Erdos.

[Petoli]

Originally Posted by AnonymityRules

This thread also claims John Batchelor was intending to convert his 2 Production Class Peugeot 307s to Super 2000 specification for 2004.

He couldn't though 2004 BTCC only allowed FIA Homologated S2000 cars to compete

The Peugeot 307 didn't have it. Peugeot sport Denmark did enter the ETCC for a few rounds with a locally homologated 3 door 307, Which was then replaced by the FIA Homologated 5 door later in the season.

So to run the 307 they would have had to waited until mid season to enter one but the production class 307s were 3 doors thus not eligible

Only in 2005 did BTCC allow cars locally homologated to enter the series that is why Speedequipe were able to build and enter the Lexus

[AnonymityRules]

Originally Posted by Petoli

He couldn't though 2004 BTCC only allowed FIA Homologated S2000 cars to compete

The Peugeot 307 didn't have it. Peugeot sport Denmark did enter the ETCC for a few rounds with a locally homologated 3 door 307, Which was then replaced by the FIA Homologated 5 door later in the season.

So to run the 307 they would have had to waited until mid season to enter one but the production class 307s were 3 doors thus not eligible

Only in 2005 did BTCC allow cars locally homologated to enter the series that is why Speedequipe were able to build and enter the Lexus

Can't help what the thread says.

Lucky for Batchelor that Barwell sold him their Super 2000 Civics. I wonder if Batchelor's plan for 2005 was to share the driving duties with Richard Marsh if the Brilliance WTCC effort had worked out?

[AnonymityRules]

Originally Posted by AnonymityRules

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...ull-team-ahead - This article says at the bottom that there were rumours linking Alfa Romeo to a 1993 entry. If that had happened, I wonder if their drivers would still have been Gabriele Tarquini and Giampiero Simoni? Or maybe Nicola Larini would have had a chance to go for the BTCC title instead of the DTM one?

Since that article mentions Roberto Ravaglia as possibly partnering Steve Soper in 1993, Soper probably would have won the 1993 title, Ravaglia would have been a strong challenger but probably not as much as Jo Winkelhock.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

1987:

At the first Oulton Park meeting, Alan Minshaw practiced in the #67 Toyota Corolla for what would have been his 2nd outing as team-mate to Chris Hodgetts but in the race, the car was driven by Chuck Nicholson.

At the Oulton Park Endurance race, Phil Dowsett and Graham Hathaway took part in practice co-driving the Class B Ford Escort Turbos of Mark Hales and Lionel Wiffen respectively. Dowsett, Hathaway and Hales' #38 car didn't race as Hales co-drove Wiffen's #39 car although Hathaway would replace Hales in the #38 for the final round at Silverstone.

Paul Taft was due to co-drive the MG Metro Turbo of Colin Pearcy (which makes sense as Taft had previous experience of the car from 1984) in the Oulton Park Endurance race but the car didn't make the start. It would have been Taft's last ever appearance.

[AnonymityRules]

At the Brands Hatch GP meeting in 1990, an engine failure denied Karl Jones his first outing in the BMW M3, he would eventually drive one in 1992.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Andy Driver and Jenny Birrell both failed to make the start of their one-off appearances in Toyota Corolla GTs at Thruxton and Silverstone respectively in 1983.

[AnonymityRules]

Tom Walkinshaw took part in practice at Thruxton in 1982 where he stood in for Frank Sytner in a Rover 3500 S but Sytner drove the car in the actual race.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Julian May and his self-run Ford Fiesta 1.3 failed to make the start of the lower classes-only race at Donington Park in 1981.

[pimmy]

Why are non-starters being brought up? There have been countless instances of those over the years. If someone was a DNS it means they were at the event and therefore not an "entry/rumour that never came to be".

[AnonymityRules]

Originally Posted by pimmy

Why are non-starters being brought up? There have been countless instances of those over the years. If someone was a DNS it means they were at the event and therefore not an "entry/rumour that never came to be".

They still didn't actually "race" though and this thread applies to entries that did not race regardless of whether they made it to a race meeting or not.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Originally Posted by AnonymityRules

They still didn't actually "race" though and this thread applies to entries that did not race regardless of whether they made it to a race meeting or not.

Alright, before any disagreements ensue, Lea Wood intended to continue in his Toyota Avensis in 2015 but then he stepped down from driving duties and hired Stewart Lines.

[AnonymityRules]

Originally Posted by Nononsensecapeesh

Alright, before any disagreements ensue, Lea Wood intended to continue in his Toyota Avensis in 2015 but then he stepped down from driving duties and hired Stewart Lines.

Lea Wood also tested the Speedworks Avensis at the end of 2012 but Tony Hughes stated the intention was to have Paul O'Neill as one their drivers for 2013.

[Shawn19]

Formula 3 up-and-comer Jamie Davies was set to replace Kelvin Burt for Volvo for Snetterton 1996 following the latter's shunt at Oulton Park, but he himself suffered a massive shunt at a Snetterton test.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Originally Posted by Shawn19

Formula 3 up-and-comer Jamie Davies was set to replace Kelvin Burt for Volvo for Snetterton 1996 following the latter's shunt at Oulton Park, but he himself suffered a massive shunt at a Snetterton test.

Jamie Davies was also in the frame for a seat at Edenbridge in the Production Class for 2002. He eventually signed for Ferrari in the British GT Championship and Edenbridge hired Tom Boardman and Norman Simon.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Nononsensecapeesh

Jamie Davies was also in the frame for a seat at Edenbridge in the Production Class for 2002. He eventually signed for Ferrari in the British GT Championship and Edenbridge hired Tom Boardman and Norman Simon.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Yes, I remember Davies actually tested the Edenbridge BMW, at least he kept it on its wheels after his Volvo experience.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Nononsensecapeesh

Lea Wood intended to continue in his Toyota Avensis in 2015 but then he stepped down from driving duties and hired Stewart Lines.

May I make a request for the seemingly never-ending list of drivers linked with drives that are appearing here - where a rumour is presented, if there is any supporting reference could that also be provided?

I don't want to seem negative towards a thread that a handful of people seem to be enjoying contributing to, but without reference / context of rumours it adds little value to my own understanding of the BTCC situation at the time in question. It is a challenge to contribute to the discussion (which I think is the intent of the thread) without additional information to refer to.

The OP did say - 'Of those rumours everyone remembers the most, which ones would everyone really liked to see?' - we seem to have drifted a long way from that position. My initial tongue-in-cheek response of Kia and Volvo does carry some truth. I would like to see both marques represented in BTCC, and hang on in the hope that one day those marques will disappear from rumour to become reality.

To be blunt, as an example - Paul Taft being due to co-drive the MG Metro Turbo of Colin Pearcy in 1984 is something I couldn't care less if it happened or not. There is no interest in that rumour to me without any context on why it would have been an interesting or exciting occurrence.

In the meantime, I'll continue to be a casual observer of the thread, and if others are enjoying then please continue. Ignore my request and crack on. I just feel the thread is missing out on wider discussion opportunity.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

May I make a request for the seemingly never-ending list of drivers linked with drives that are appearing here - where a rumour is presented, if there is any supporting reference could that also be provided?

I don't want to seem negative towards a thread that a handful of people seem to be enjoying contributing to, but without reference / context of rumours it adds little value to my own understanding of the BTCC situation at the time in question. It is a challenge to contribute to the discussion (which I think is the intent of the thread) without additional information to refer to.

The OP did say - 'Of those rumours everyone remembers the most, which ones would everyone really liked to see?' - we seem to have drifted a long way from that position. My initial tongue-in-cheek response of Kia and Volvo does carry some truth. I would like to see both marques represented in BTCC, and hang on in the hope that one day those marques will disappear from rumour to become reality.

To be blunt, as an example - Paul Taft being due to co-drive the MG Metro Turbo of Colin Pearcy in 1984 is something I couldn't care less if it happened or not. There is no interest in that rumour to me without any context on why it would have been an interesting or exciting occurrence.

In the meantime, I'll continue to be a casual observer of the thread, and if others are enjoying then please continue. Ignore my request and crack on. I just feel the thread is missing out on wider discussion opportunity.

That Lea Wood rumour above from Touring Car Times. I DO make the effort to do the research. I don't just make it all up.

Also, that was 1987, I know because, once again, I DID the research.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Nononsensecapeesh

Alright, before any disagreements ensue, Lea Wood intended to continue in his Toyota Avensis in 2015 but then he stepped down from driving duties and hired Stewart Lines.

Originally Posted by Nononsensecapeesh

That Lea Wood rumour above from Touring Car Times. I DO make the effort to do the research. I don't just make it all up.

Also, that was 1987, I know because, once again, I DID the research.

Please - there was no intention to suggest that the rumours were not researched. I'm just highlighting that, without the evidence of the research (references, links or even just a personal recollection of the time), we are just presented with statements that lack context within which discussions can be held.

As an example (and this is not a genuine rumour) - how would you anticipate a discussion around the following post:

"In 2006, Anthony Davidson was due to drive a Honda-backed Team Dynamics entry, following the sale of BAR to Honda. - I know this, because I did the research"

As I said, just trying to assist in developing discussion in the thread rather than statements.

As a suggestion - the Lea Wood post (IMO) would add more value if it was presented:
Lea Wood initially planned to be driving in 2015 - Lea Wood: “We hope to be back stronger in 2015”
but, he stepped down - Lea Wood steps down from driving for 2015 season
and they signed Lines - Houseman Racing Sign Stewart Lines For 2015

This way - there is background and context, a narrative to the rumour and opportunity for wider discussion.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Please - there was no intention to suggest that the rumours were not researched. I'm just highlighting that, without the evidence of the research (references, links or even just a personal recollection of the time), we are just presented with statements that lack context within which discussions can be held.

As an example (and this is not a genuine rumour) - how would you anticipate a discussion around the following post:

"In 2006, Anthony Davidson was due to drive a Honda-backed Team Dynamics entry, following the sale of BAR to Honda. - I know this, because I did the research"

As I said, just trying to assist in developing discussion in the thread rather than statements.

As a suggestion - the Lea Wood post (IMO) would add more value if it was presented:
Lea Wood initially planned to be driving in 2015 - Lea Wood: “We hope to be back stronger in 2015”
but, he stepped down - Lea Wood steps down from driving for 2015 season
and they signed Lines - Houseman Racing Sign Stewart Lines For 2015

This way - there is background and context, a narrative to the rumour and opportunity for wider discussion.

Opinion noted. I do also research past threads.

[S griffin]

I do feel it's a shame we didn't see the likes of the Skoda or seeing how RML would have done with their NGTC Cruze or the Polestar Volvos. Those for me are the biggest losses

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I do feel it's a shame we didn't see the likes of the Skoda or seeing how RML would have done with their NGTC Cruze or the Polestar Volvos. Those for me are the biggest losses

Yes, the RML NGTC Cruze was intended for 2012, as was the Skoda.

[AnonymityRules]

Originally Posted by Nononsensecapeesh

From https://www.motorsportforums.com/arc...p/t-31506.html but edited.

For 1995, Tim Harvey was touted as a possible driver alongside Peter Hardman in an independent BMW team — Metal Composite Technologies (MCT)? Harvey said pre-season that he was either going to drive for that team or Volvo. It also says later in the thread that Justin Bell was in the frame.

Efforts were made by TOM's in the wake of Toyota canning their works effort to run a pair of Carinas independently in 1996 — drivers touted as Tim Sugden and Flavio Figueiredo?

Talk in the 1999-2000 close season of Arena running a pair of current-spec Accords for Peter Kox and Will Hoy in 2000.

Who the devil is Peter Hardman anyway? Apart from a race driver obviously so pardon my ignorance.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/a...996/5/december - BMW GB wanted Steve Soper back for 1996.