Honda's 2004 plans.

[redshoes]

Vauxhall ran four cars but only 3 counted for championship positions. They had to nominate prior to the race which 3 cars were going to be eligable to score.

[Andy Metcalf]

There are likely to be much debate and rumour until the final list is entered early next year. I think the main things to concentrate on are the total number of cars on the grid, the number of car makes represented and the future commitment of all those involved.

Any manufacturers possible withdrawl should be seen as a hiccup and opportunity for another team to take their place. The championship does not need rumours of doom and gloom.

[rdjones]

Originally posted by redshoes
Vauxhall ran four cars but only 3 counted for championship positions. They had to nominate prior to the race which 3 cars were going to be eligable to score.

Right, just a quick question - can they nominate after qualifying or do they have to nominate before the meeting starts?

[Andy Metcalf]

Mr Gow was asked on the Toca forum. See http://toca.forum-host.biz/showthread.php?threadid=1136

[redshoes]

According to the regs "A manufacturer must nominate a maximum of three cars in writing at or before the Drivers’ Briefing at each Meeting of the Championship". The drivers' briefing is normally held Saturday afternoon, i.e. after qualifying

[ATF]

Originally posted by btccnews
Mr Gow was asked on the Toca forum...

You will find that the majority of the manufacturers will have at least 3 cars they can count towards the championship....(or certainly those manufacturers that could reasonably be expected to win the championship, will have 3+ cars).

Keeping it at 3 gives the manufacturers great motivation to field more than 2 cars.

So with 2 car teams, that already puts SEAT and Proton out of the equation of the manufacturers title! And if Vauxhall run only 2 cars, will they be able to choose an independent to be "their 3rd car"?

[redshoes]

When MG only ran 2 'works' cars they nominated one of the "independent" Atomic Kitten teams to be their third points scorer. At the CART meeting this year when Tom Chilton crashed out in qualifying and didn't race, James Kaye in the Synchro car was nominated as Honda's third car.

Part of the thinking behind 3 cars is it encourages teams like SEAT and Proton who only run 2 works cars to support an independent team.

[racingdad]

Arena are confirmed, keeping Tom Chilton and supporting both Team Dynamics and Synchro - see Autosport.com

[touringlegend]

Keeping Tom Chilton for the test sessions only at the moment - it also says Arena have yet to finalise their driver line up.

[HJC]

Honda, JAS more precisely, are busy making an ETCC-spec Honda Accord I guess. A guy a know visited the JAS-workshop in Italy a couple of weeks ago. He saw a chassis of the new model, stripped of all parts. I my opinion, there's only one possible championship for this car -> ETCC. Maybe this is why the UK budget is lowered...

[Craner Curves]

European budget is seperate from the UK budget. I think?

[touringlegend]

Maybe this is why Honda have scaled back next years budget as they could well be planning entering the Accord in 2005 ?

(and therefore there's no point pouring cash into developing a car for another season, although keeping at the engine development could well be wise..)