BTCC 2008 Off-season: News & Rumours - Page 2

**touringlegend** · 19 Sep 2007, 21:30 (Ref:2018312)

Did the BTCC teams actually get allowed in the Pit Garages to use as a base, or were they not out in the outer paddock.

Bryan Degerlund · 20 Sep 2007, 11:19 (Ref:2018795)

They were based in the outer paddock and had to bring all their equipment across. With the CART mini-pitwall in front of the garages, it made for a very narrow pitlane!

**Craig** · 20 Sep 2007, 14:41 (Ref:2018960)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazard

Well, the BTCC managed at Brands back in '03 when they had to share with CART - and them days they had the pit stops too.

It's certainly not impossible.

I seem to remember an awful lot of bleatng from team owners and the media about the way they were treated at Brands. Wake up boys and girls... it's a Champcar meeting that you're guesting at, not the other way around. I suspect that those same people still have delusions of grandeur about the BTCC.

werner · 20 Sep 2007, 14:47 (Ref:2018968)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aunt Sally

Have you spotted the other clash??

DTM are at Brands when the BTCC are at Silverstone!!!

One possible solution is to run the BTCC-races not on sunday afternoon, but at saturdayevening.

Alfa Fan · 20 Sep 2007, 14:51 (Ref:2018975)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I seem to remember an awful lot of bleatng from team owners and the media about the way they were treated at Brands. Wake up boys and girls... it's a Champcar meeting that you're guesting at, not the other way around. I suspect that those same people still have delusions of grandeur about the BTCC.

tbh, in the UK it WAS ChampCar supporting BTCC, or at least equal billing. I'm betting more people have heard of the BTCC than ChampCar in the UK!

**Craig** · 20 Sep 2007, 14:53 (Ref:2018979)

Don't think so, Alfa Fan. Else why would there have been so many people whining?

redshoes · 20 Sep 2007, 16:54 (Ref:2019057)

It might have been the BTCC/TOCA package but it was very quickly evident that Champcar were running the show. You only had to see the long and somewhat disgruntled queue at the media sign-on desk being told they didn't have any accreditation or the right pass to realise this wasn't a normal BTCC meeting.

**Craig** · 20 Sep 2007, 17:11 (Ref:2019068)

Which is precisely why they'd not consider 'sharing' a meeting these days

Koulle · 21 Sep 2007, 19:54 (Ref:2020031)

The WTCC Brands race for 2008 looks likely to switch dates with Valencia so that doesn't seem to be a problem.

As for the other clashes, I agree that they should be avoided but sometimes it can be difficult to do that.

Graz · 21 Sep 2007, 21:36 (Ref:2020111)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennifer_ni

I see, i have to say im very disapointed to hear that. Thanks PDS!

Another year then unfortunately without a good quality overseas series visiting Mondello to add a bit of spice. With Ireland being able to host a round of the world rally championship one would think that a financial package would be available to attract top quality circuit race events. I wonder why the will or enthusiasm is not there...

sceptic · 22 Sep 2007, 09:13 (Ref:2020296)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koulle

As for the other clashes, I agree that they should be avoided but sometimes it can be difficult to do that.

The other clashes aren't really that important - in terms of spectator numbers they are pretty small.

The events you really need to avoid clashing with are the Renault Festival at Donington Park, Le Mans and the Goodwood Festival of Speed - each of these will get 100,000 UK fans, and anything which goes up against them is going to suffer.

The 2008 calendar avoids Le Mans and Renault Festival. Goodwood date still to be announced, but I'd expect it to be the final weekend in June, so looks like they aren't clashing there either.

**touringlegend** · 8 Oct 2007, 14:59 (Ref:2035004)

Story on BTCC.net confirms Giovanardi has signed for 2008 with Vauxhall.

Aunt Sally · 8 Oct 2007, 15:12 (Ref:2035010)

Just need to know who his team mate will be as it seem certain that Chilton won't be staying!

**FIRE** · 8 Oct 2007, 16:23 (Ref:2035066)

James Thompson?

duke_toaster · 8 Oct 2007, 16:28 (Ref:2035072)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

James Thompson?

Beat you to that one :P

http://tentenths.com/forum/showpost....&postcount=193

But, er, a non-shock return by Thommo would be possible. Maybe running a third Vectra for Rob Huff in any non-conflicting with WTCC dates? Prolly that one's just wishful thinking.

redshoes · 8 Oct 2007, 16:57 (Ref:2035099)

What non-conflicting WTCC dates. Only 5 BTCC rounds don't have a WTCC clash. Hardly worth running an extra car for.

Good news about Gio. Had a suspicion he wouldn't be back next year. Glad to say I was proved wrong.

If Chilton goes, as seems almost inevitable, will anyone miss him. On TV the other day he made a comment that people still think of him as a young newcomer but how he felt like a veteran now, having done 6 years of BTCC. Trouble is this year he's not shown the consistency you should expect from a 6 year veteran.

Tim Wilkinson · 8 Oct 2007, 18:57 (Ref:2035204)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellmau

Yes, perhaps, but why does BTCC have the GP track all of a sudden, whereas they haven't run that in years?

The last round of 2005 was on the GP.

Looking back, they were there in 2000 and 2002 also. I suppose they try and get it, and it depends on what else Brands has booked in already, as they're limited on the days they can use the GP loop.

**touringlegend** · 14 Oct 2007, 18:22 (Ref:2040128)

According to the podcast interview from Jason on the Seat site he has re-signed with Seat for another 3 years, by all sounds for the BTCC too.

redshoes · 14 Oct 2007, 20:21 (Ref:2040226)

Mentioned in the Thruxton thread but now officially confirmed:

http://www.btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=778
Matt Neal joins VXR

http://www.btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=777
Shedden stays with Team Dynamics (as lead driver). Second TD driver to be confirmed.

When I first heard the Matt Neal news I thought it was a wind-up - didn't think he would leave the family team. The more I thought about it the more it made sense. TD lost some of their minor sponsors this year and apparently Halfords cut back on what they were spending. Most of Neal's sponsorship comes from the family-run alloy wheels business - essentially the team are sponsoring themselves. Financially it makes sense to let Vauxhall pay Matt's wages and bring in 2 self-funded drivers.

Alfa Fan · 14 Oct 2007, 20:32 (Ref:2040244)

Also, Tom Chilton to enter in an new-build S2000 car, this from a reliable source at btcc.net and motorsportforums.co.uk

Entries confirmed so far:

Fabrizio Giovanardi Triple Eight Vauxhall Vectra
Matt Neal Triple Eight Vauxhall Vectra
Jason Plato Northern South SEAT Leon
TBA Northern South SEAT Leon
Gordon Shedden Team Dynamics Honda Civic
TBA Team Dynamics Honda Civic
Michael Doyle Robertshaw Racing Honda Civic Type-R
Mike Jordan Team Eurotech Honda Integra DC05
Andy Jordan Team Eurotech Honda Integra DC05
Erkut Kizilirmak Arkas Racing Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch

With a large number of other entries very likely..

**touringlegend** · 14 Oct 2007, 20:42 (Ref:2040255)

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshoes

When I first heard the Matt Neal news I thought it was a wind-up - didn't think he would leave the family team. The more I thought about it the more it made sense. TD lost some of their minor sponsors this year and apparently Halfords cut back on what they were spending. Most of Neal's sponsorship comes from the family-run alloy wheels business - essentially the team are sponsoring themselves. Financially it makes sense to let Vauxhall pay Matt's wages and bring in 2 self-funded drivers.

Does make sense when you think about it that way. I always thought Matt Neal worked for the team in some capacity in the factory though.

Be interesting to see the wild suggestions as to who will be the 2nd driver at Halfords !

duke_toaster · 14 Oct 2007, 20:48 (Ref:2040262)

Quote:

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Does make sense when you think about it that way. I always thought Matt Neal worked for the team in some capacity in the factory though.

Be interesting to see the wild suggestions as to who will be the 2nd driver at Halfords !

Andy Jordan?

EDIT : Serious one - Thommo as it seems like Alfa will bring their WTCC to an end.

redshoes · 14 Oct 2007, 21:04 (Ref:2040278)

Quote:

Originally Posted by touringlegend

I always thought Matt Neal worked for the team in some capacity in the factory though.

It was the Rimstock road wheels parent company rather than the team directly.

Quote:

Be interesting to see the wild suggestions as to who will be the 2nd driver at Halfords !

Whoever has the money!

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

Thommo as it seems like Alfa will bring their WTCC to an end.

Thommo will want to be paid rather than bring sponsorship himself. I doubt he'll be back in BTCC - there's nothing to prove and WTCC is still unfinished business for him

**touringlegend** · 14 Oct 2007, 21:15 (Ref:2040292)

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshoes

Whoever has the money!

Can I start by throwing Jonathan Adam's name into the hat ?

redshoes · 14 Oct 2007, 21:16 (Ref:2040296)

You could start by throwing a few coins into Jonathan Adam's hat

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