BMW leaving WTCC??!! - Page 2

gttouring · 10 Sep 2008, 17:08 (Ref:2286587)

i don't see why the 1 series can't race in WTCC against the Lacetti and Seats...

**touringlegend** · 10 Sep 2008, 18:58 (Ref:2286665)

I don't understand that comment that they don't compete against brands they sell in the same market - BMW have been around in Touring Car championships for ages against all types of car manufacturers.

Speed-King · 10 Sep 2008, 19:26 (Ref:2286693)

Quote:

Originally Posted by touringlegend

I don't understand that comment that they don't compete against brands they sell in the same market - BMW have been around in Touring Car championships for ages against all types of car manufacturers.

In S2000 they had Alfa until recently, and before that in STC also Audi and in some markets Volvo, before that in DTM it was Mercedes and at times and in the old ETCC for some time Jaguar, Volvo and Rover.
Whereas now in WTCC they race against budget brands like Chevy and Seat. If they win everyone says "Ha, no big deal" as they are expected to win. If they lose they look really really bad, because they were expected to win.

duke_toaster · 10 Sep 2008, 21:00 (Ref:2286740)

I agree that the one series would be a better choice as the 3 series is more of a luxury vehicle than cars like the Leon and Lacetti. The 3 series would be better suited, IMO, to be racing Mondeos, C5s and so-on.

Icebaby · 10 Sep 2008, 21:56 (Ref:2286772)

With Steve Neal suggesting there will be a third works team in the BTCC next year this may be a logical step for BMW reducing support in WTCC.

gwyllion · 11 Sep 2008, 07:55 (Ref:2286921)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed-King

the most important argument against doing so is appearantly that the other brands in WTCC are no rivals for BMW when it comes to selling cars.

Makes sense. Especially with the M3 GT2 program in ALMS.

werner · 11 Sep 2008, 09:44 (Ref:2286990)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icebaby

With Steve Neal suggesting there will be a third works team in the BTCC next year this may be a logical step for BMW reducing support in WTCC.

When and where did he suggest that?

stedevil · 11 Sep 2008, 10:17 (Ref:2287027)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icebaby

... may be a logical step for BMW reducing support in WTCC.

Ehhh... getting out of WTCC because they "are battling the wrong opposition" and they would drop down into BTCC? What top brandname would they be looking for there to compete with, the Honda Civics?

**BertMk2** · 11 Sep 2008, 10:26 (Ref:2287034)

DTM would be a better fit for BMW - go head to head with Audi and Mercedes (BMW's direct sales rivals). The revamp of the DTM rules in 2010 or whenever it would be an ideal point for them to make the switch.

mattt · 11 Sep 2008, 16:02 (Ref:2287285)

Quote:

Originally Posted by stedevil

Ehhh... getting out of WTCC because they "are battling the wrong opposition" and they would drop down into BTCC? What top brandname would they be looking for there to compete with, the Honda Civics?

Vauxhall with the Insignia and the Signum

Matt_S · 11 Sep 2008, 16:22 (Ref:2287298)

Quote:

Originally Posted by werner

When and where did he suggest that?

http://www.crash.net/news_view.asp?i...&cid=10&news=y

Pettersson · 11 Sep 2008, 17:06 (Ref:2287320)

Maybe we just have to wait and see whether BMW will do a 320si homologation-special of the new facelifted '09 E90? I think that might be a good indicator of their future plans. But I can't see it in their '09 list of models... I have doubts that they would leave WTCC, but in some way I can understand if they would like to leave. And yes, the sedan body rules in S2000 doesn't seem to be taken too seriously so the 1-series might be an option if they would like to continue? However, since the M3 E30 in group A, BMW's touring car programme have been evolved around the 3-series.

Bramzel · 11 Sep 2008, 17:09 (Ref:2287324)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pettersson

Maybe we just have to wait and see whether BMW will do a 320si homologation-special of the new facelifted '09 E90? I think that might be a good indicator of their future plans.

Why should they? Its a facelift, grilles, headlights and rearlights aren't homologated so they can just change them as far as I know?

Speedworx · 11 Sep 2008, 18:37 (Ref:2287393)

Wouldn't surprise me. The WTCC rules are so heavily weighted towards SEAT winning, its unreal.

Wilbo · 11 Sep 2008, 19:20 (Ref:2287435)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BertMk2

DTM would be a better fit for BMW - go head to head with Audi and Mercedes (BMW's direct sales rivals). The revamp of the DTM rules in 2010 or whenever it would be an ideal point for them to make the switch.

Mario Theissan will not entertain the DTM as it is in his opinion not a Touring Car Championship.

The WTCC keeps changing the rules on a continual basis (weight, ride heights, flat floors) and whilst I accept they need to do this to attract manufacturers I believe BMW have been hurt by this.

BMW have developed a diesel engine for S2000 which is by all accounts 'a flyer' but dont want to go down the route for brand / sales reasons.

The new BMW 'GT2' will of course race in the GT2 category in the ALMS which includes a driver by the name of Andy Priaulx.

There is no rumour associatd with my post; but just maybe if this is true then BMW hav got fed up with the antics in the WTCC.

awrb · 11 Sep 2008, 20:43 (Ref:2287503)

Are BMW funding all three teams in the WTCC. If they are, maybe they'll just scale down and sponsor Schnitzer, leaving RBM and ROAL out, maybe expanding Schnitzer to three cars to be on par with Chevy. I still think there are too many manufacturer cars, 5 SEAT's are too many. I think if a limit of three cars was introduced, the manufacturers wouldn't need an army of cars to score points, so it would be cheaper and maybe more company's will see this series as an option.

gregw · 11 Sep 2008, 23:09 (Ref:2287611)

Based on the detailed interview Martin Birkmann, BMW North America’s ‘M’ Brand and Motorsports Manager gave Speed, it is unlikely we will see a GT2 car in Europe in the foreseeable future. He also rules out customer cars in the near term.

Here is the full article:

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...s-first-steps/

Now things can and do change. With Chevy's GT2 announcement BMW may be more interested in expanding the GT2 programme to join the growing GT2 field.

stedevil · 12 Sep 2008, 21:48 (Ref:2288461)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattt

Vauxhall with the Insignia and the Signum

Vauxhall is just rebranded Opels. By the same reasoning STCC, fielding both Audi and Mercedes, would be a much more likely local TCC to join. Not that I think BMW would ever do something as insane as leaving WTCC to join a local event instead...

Subaru_WRX_STi · 12 Sep 2008, 23:14 (Ref:2288516)

I love the ALMS too and I am happy to see BMW back as a factory to GT racing withe the M3, but it will be a shame if they leave WTCC, they are winning now, plus the ALMS effort is with an American team (Team Rahal) so what Schnitzer will do if the leave the touring cars ?

BMW Süchtige · 5 Oct 2008, 20:28 (Ref:2304947)

Lausitzring, Germany BMW M3 in tests for 2009 ALMS season. Drivers: Joerg Mueller and Augusto Farfus

**FIRE** · 5 Oct 2008, 20:30 (Ref:2304948)

It's no secret Farfus and Muller are testing the GT2 car.

BMW Süchtige · 5 Oct 2008, 20:43 (Ref:2304961)

I never said it was.....................

just thought people might like to see the car.

BMW's (WTCC) season is all but over... I'd say that a hotshot like Farfus is not having much fun at the moment, he must be getting ideas driving the GT2 car...

Ed Peters · 5 Oct 2008, 22:54 (Ref:2305043)

BMW are expected to make a decision during the coming week as to what their plans will be for 2009!

Aslak Vind · 6 Oct 2008, 05:37 (Ref:2305116)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW Süchtige

I never said it was.....................

just thought people might like to see the car.

BMW's (WTCC) season is all but over... I'd say that a hotshot like Farfus is not having much fun at the moment, he must be getting ideas driving the GT2 car...

Me thinks to, personally I am surprised that Farfus still is in the WTCC, eventhough testing the F1 car. And looking at the results, due to the diesels, it must get him thinking..

Thank you for the pics.

BMW Süchtige · 6 Oct 2008, 15:28 (Ref:2305437)

Farfus must have expected to be in the Championship hunt if not leading when he switched from Alfa Romeo to BMW...

I'd rather he left to another series than waste another season in WTCC, even if that meant leaving BMW...

The sooner BMW put us out of our misery and let us know their plans for next season the better.

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