BTCC 2006 News, Rumours, Entries...

[Alfa Fan]

All the entries I have listed have substancial media reports behind them. All apart from;

Michael Wilson GBR Butler Motorsport BMW 320i E46 Possible

The source of this was over at BTCCPages.com, and was posted as a rumour of which I have heard nothing since. Thus its rated as a possiblity, no more, no less.

TBA DW Racing UK Alfa Romeo 156 Possible

BTCCPages.com have a news story about them, this is where I got this entry from. Its listed as a possiblity because of that. I personally don't think its likely at all, but I've listed it nevertheless.

John George GBR Mardi Gras Motorsport Peugeot 406 Coupe Possible

Didn't participate in 05 due to Vic Lee's drug scandal. Was hoping to run in 06.

Richard Marsh GBR Team FirstServe Group Honda Civic Type-R Possible
TBA Team FirstServe Group Honda Civic Type-R Possible

Snippet on BTCCInfo.com is the basis of these entries.

[Alfa Fan]

Since you asked for it, here's my latest list.

Fabrizio Giovanardi ITA Triple Eight Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch Confirmed
Tom Chilton GBR Triple Eight Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch Confirmed
Gavin Smith IRL Triple Eight Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch Confirmed

http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_772.php

Jason Plato GBR Northern South SEAT Leon Confirmed
James Thompson GBR Northern South SEAT Leon Confirmed
Darren Turner GBR Northern SouthSEAT Leon Confirmed
TBA Northern South SEAT Leon Possible

http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_776.php
http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_789.php

Matt Neal GBR Team Dynamics Honda Integra Confirmed
Gareth Howell GBR Team Dynamics Honda Integra Confirmed
Luke Hines GBR Team Dynamics Honda Integra Likely
TBA Team Dynamics Honda Integra Possible

http://www.crash.net/news_view~t~Nea...~id~124534.htm
http://www.crash.net/news_view~t~-I-...~id~124236.htm

Dan Eaves GBR West Surrey Racing MG ZS Confirmed
Colin Turkington GBR West Surrey Racing MG ZS Confirmed
TBA West Surrey Racing MG ZS Possible

http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_787.php


Mike Jordan GBR Team Eurotech Honda Integra Confirmed

http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_771.php
http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_779.php
http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_797.php
http://www.crash.net/news_view~t~-I-...~id~124236.htm

Dave Pinkney GBR Motorbase Performance Honda Integra Confirmed
Ian Curley GBR Motorbase Performance Honda Integra Likely

http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_794.php
http://www.crash.net/news_view~t~-I-...~id~124236.htm

Fiona Leggate GBR Techspeed Racing Vauxhall Astra Coupe Confirmed
Paul O'Neill GBR Techspeed Racing Vauxhall Astra Coupe Likely

http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_792.php
http://www.crash.net/news_view~t~O-N...~id~124187.htm

Jason Hughes GBR Kartworld Racing MG ZS Confirmed
TBA Kartworld Racing MG ZS Possible

http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_781.php

Mark Proctor GBR Fast-Tec Motorsport Honda Civic Type-R Confirmed

http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_782.php

Martyn Bell GBR Geoff Steel Racing BMW 320i E46 Confirmed

http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_784.php
http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_795.php

Mark Smith GBR Infront Motorsport Alfa Romeo 156 Confirmed

http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_790.php

Richard Williams GBR Speed Equipe Lexus IS 200 Confirmed
Mark Hunt GBR Speed Equipe Lexus IS 200 Confirmed

http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_783.php

James Kaye GBR Synchro Motorsport Honda Civic Confirmed

http://www.trymysport.co.uk/sports_n...etter%2029.pdf

Andy Neate GBR Daniels Motorsport Vauxhall Astra Coupe Likely

http://www.btccpages.com/news/NewsSt...&ArticleID=380

Mark Jones GBR Xero Competition Lexus IS 200 Confirmed
TBA Xero Competition Lexus IS 200 Likely

http://www.xerocompetition.com/drives_available.htm

Chris Cooke GBR HTML Peugeot 407 Possible

"We do intend to be competing in the BTCC this year but still need a few more of the details to fall into place before saying anything more."

Jonathan Heynes, HTML Ltd

Tom Boardman GBR Triple R SEAT Toledo Cupra Possible

Can't find a link, MN has been reporting on it recently.

Jamie Spence GBR GA Motorsport Vauxhall Astra Coupe Possible

"Jamie’s pedigree speaks for itself. Always underfinanced, his achievements in motorsport are remarkable. In 2006, a full season in the BTCC will be worth watching."

GA Motorsport

TBA Ayles Racing Alfa Romeo 156 Possible
TBA Ayles Racing Alfa Romeo 156 Possible

Again no link, but MN have reported on it.

Michael Wilson GBR Butler Motorsport BMW 320i E46 Possible

Forum rumour. Seen in several places though.

Jonathan Adam GBR Total Control Racing Vauxhall Astra Coupe Possible

MN

Matt Griffin GBR Emotional Engineering Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch Possible
Mark Cole GBR Emotional Engineering Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch Possible

MN

Steve Wood GBR TH Motorsport Vauxhall Astra Coupe Possible

MN

[Alfa Fan]

TBA DW Racing UK Alfa Romeo 156 Possible

http://www.btccpages.com/news/NewsSt...&ArticleID=464

John George GBR Mardi Gras Motorsport Peugeot 406 Coupe Possible

Various sources, nothing substancial

Richard Marsh GBR Team FirstServe Group Honda Civic Type-R Possible
TBA Team FirstServe Group Honda Civic Type-R Possible

http://www.btccinfo.co.uk/2006/whogoeswhere.html

[pink69]

Dan Eaves at WSR?!!? Thats a bit of a surprise! Would have thought Dynamics would have wanted t keep him, he was a good teammate to Neal, put in some good performances. Glad Howell's got a confirmed seat this year.

[rdjones]

WSR havn't confirmed the drivers yet from what was said in yesterday Autosport they are talking to Collard, Turkington, Eaves and Pickford. Oh yeah and when was Mark Hunt confirmed at Speedequipe, because I can't find anything about that one anywhere.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Alfa Fan

Dave Pinkney GBR Motorbase Performance Honda Integra Confirmed
Ian Curley GBR Motorbase Performance Honda Integra Likely

http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_794.php
http://www.crash.net/news_view~t~-I-...~id~124236.htm

Pinkney yes, no mention of Curley in either link

Jason Hughes GBR Kartworld Racing MG ZS Confirmed
TBA Kartworld Racing MG ZS Possible

http://www.btcc.net/artman/publish/article_781.php

Basis of article is that Hughes is "in the process of purchasing the two WSR-prepared MG ZSs that won this year’s German Touren-Wagen series" which we now know hasn't happened. One car possible, two cars very unlikely.

Andy Neate GBR Daniels Motorsport Vauxhall Astra Coupe Likely

http://www.btccpages.com/news/NewsSt...&ArticleID=380

Story is dated August 2005. Since then there's been rumours Daniels Motorsport would run the car in LMA Eurosaloons, although that's unlikely now. Knowning Neate's history I'd wait until the cheque clears before making too many plans.

Chris Cooke GBR HTML Peugeot 407 Possible

"We do intend to be competing in the BTCC this year but still need a few more of the details to fall into place before saying anything more."
Jonathan Heynes, HTML Ltd

I'd wait for those details to fall before making too many predictions. All team managers will tell you they are working on something for next season.

Jamie Spence GBR GA Motorsport Vauxhall Astra Coupe Possible

"Jamie’s pedigree speaks for itself. Always underfinanced, his achievements in motorsport are remarkable. In 2006, a full season in the BTCC will be worth watching."

GA Motorsport

Taken from the GA website by any chance. The same website that spent all last year telling us they would be racing?

TBA Ayles Racing Alfa Romeo 156 Possible
TBA Ayles Racing Alfa Romeo 156 Possible

Again no link, but MN have reported on it.

Ditto. We've been hearing stories of Gary Ayles new team for months now, mostly posted by you, but nothing to substansiate them.

Michael Wilson GBR Butler Motorsport BMW 320i E46 Possible

Forum rumour. Seen in several places though.

Posted in several places because there are guilible people who read several forums and take these stories as gospel and re-post them elsewhere. I expect a large part of this list will turn up on other forums soon.

Jonathan Adam GBR Total Control Racing Vauxhall Astra Coupe Possible

MN

See aland's earlier comment. With TCR in SEATs, assuming funding.

Matt Griffin GBR Emotional Engineering Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch Possible
Mark Cole GBR Emotional Engineering Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch Possible

MN

How recently in MN? File under "we're working on x". See HTML

Steve Wood GBR TH Motorsport Vauxhall Astra Coupe Possible

MN

Ditto

TBA DW Racing UK Alfa Romeo 156 Possible

http://www.btccpages.com/news/NewsSt...&ArticleID=464

ditto again

John George GBR Mardi Gras Motorsport Peugeot 406 Coupe Possible

Various sources, nothing substancial

Last I heard the car was for sale. Actually the car, body moulds, truck and everything, and it sounded like he was desperate to get did of it to clear some space.

Richard Marsh GBR Team FirstServe Group Honda Civic Type-R Possible
TBA Team FirstServe Group Honda Civic Type-R Possible

http://www.btccinfo.co.uk/2006/whogoeswhere.html

That page is just a possible entries list, just as your post is, although a little more realistic. You can't take someone elses rumour as the basis for inclusion here.
Actually it's not mentioned on that page, but I assume you are refering to the John Batchelor reference. If so then I would take it with a very large pinch of salt. Marsh owns one car but that's it, so where is the second coming from.

[Craig]

Thanks, Redshoes, was gonna post similar but, frankly, I cba. Oh, and forget Boardman too, whilst there were discussions with Seat and others he is now gonna be driving in Spain. He will also be running his team in the UK, once again.

[tator2001uk]

the lads brilliant, deserves drive, pity not got as much money to buy a drive, he's cleaned up in seats, was unlucky with idiots taking him off 2 years ago, last year took the MICKEY!!!

Come on TOM, i remmeber how good you were in minis!!

OH AND COME ON PAUL O NEIL A GREAT CHARACTER TO ADD

[kmsport]

it will be interesting to see what happens

[shinchley]

does any one think that rob collard will be back ? he deserves to be

[redshoes]

Matt Griffin GBR Emotional Engineering Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch Possible
Mark Cole GBR Emotional Engineering Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch Possible

Based on an email I received earlier today I can't say what Emotional will be doing this year but it definately won't be BTCC. As an a additional I understand they are now renting workshop space at WSR so the chances of getting a car from Triple 8 are now pretty much nil.

[Alfa Fan]

Ok, they'd previously said they wanted to run a BTCC team alongside a British GT team. I put down the Vauxhall as the car purely because they were running a GM product in the British GTs.

[Alfa Fan]

Emotional Engineering will be confirming their plans in two weeks time.

[redshoes]

But it won't be in BTCC, Vauxhall or otherwise.

[cos]

There's couple of pics of Jordan and Leggate testing at Donington here. The Eurotech car looks good out on the track...

[Neil Adams]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Neil's latest list is a lot more realistic.

if you read the article / interview with dan eaves on btccinfo, at this stage it looks very unlikely he'll get a drive as he has no or little funding

the 2nd motorbase car is not 'likely', its a possible plan, alfa fan how comes you've listed extra cars for a few of the teams like seat?

[Alfa Fan]

I presume you mean for SEAT, Dynamics and WSR.

SEAT haven't categorically ruled out a third car, and I think if someone were to come along with the right finance a third entry may be run.

Dynamics are likely to run three cars again this year, although the second and third both need a partly funded driver. A fourth cars been rumoured, but I don't think its very likely, thus its only down as a possiblity.

WSR were reported in Autosport to be keen on a third entry, saying that demand for drives has exceeded expectation. The article indicated a third car was a reasonable possibility.

[racingdad]

I think it is 99.99% certain that Seat will NOT run a 3rd car, probably because they can't get another new car. If they did, they would be more likely to give it to one of the unlucky trio from the shoot-out than to a paying driver.

[Alfa Fan]

Well there's going to be 9 Leons running as it is. It wouldn't be that hard to build a 10th? (Isn't it likely that they'll have several spares ready to build up anyway, just in case one's written off?)

[Alfa Fan]

DW Racing UK are close to annoucing a deal that will see them run a pair of Alfa Romeo 156s in the BTCC in 2006.

[kmchow]

Originally Posted by racingdad

I think it is 99.99% certain that Seat will NOT run a 3rd car, probably because they can't get another new car.

While they won't officially run a 3rd car, I assume any works team would keep a spare in case one of the primaries are destroyed during a race? OTOH, back in '97, even Dodge never had a backup car. When one of the primary cars were written off, they spent one week converting their showcar to a race ready version.

[racingdad]

If you look at the interview with Dennis Scott you will see that they are willing to sell last year's cars which should still be competitive

[cos]

Gavin Smith confirmed as VX's 3rd driver, as expected.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Alfa Fan

It wouldn't be that hard to build a 10th? (Isn't it likely that they'll have several spares ready to build up anyway, just in case one's written off?)

Building another car is hardly the work of an afternoon. If as km said it took Dodge best part of a week just to convert a show car, which would have already had a prepared sheel and fitted rollcage, how long do you think it would take to fabricate a complete car from scratch. If the team already have a spare, and it's fairly likely they will, then by giving that car to a third driver they no longer have a spare to use in just such an emergency. Have to agree with racingdad that a third driver is very unlikely.

That said there are a lot of Toledos left and I understand SEAT are offering some good deals n them so we may see a few in privateer hands.

Originally Posted by Alfa Fan

Matt Neal GBR Team Dynamics Honda Integra Confirmed
Gareth Howell GBR Team Dynamics Honda Integra Confirmed
Luke Hines GBR Team Dynamics Honda Integra Likely
TBA Team Dynamics Honda Integra Possible

http://www.crash.net/news_view~t~Nea...~id~124534.htm
http://www.crash.net/news_view~t~-I-...~id~124236.htm

I missed this last time round but it was pointed out to me over the weekend. In one of the linked articles it states that TD will probably run 2 cars with a possible 3rd at some point. The other article confirms that thought - "Neal admits that is more than likely that two Integra's will appear for the majority of the year rather than three" Still trying to work out how you make that a likley third and possible forth car.

As a couple of further updates Ian Curley and Motorbase have spoken but it was never more than a preliminary chat and nothing ever came of it. Curley would like to do BTCC again but his plans don't fit in with what Motorbase are doing. If we do see him back again it will not be with Motorbase and it will not be in a Honda.

Also don't count on Eaves being back just yet. He doesn't have the budget to stay with Dynamics and from what I've heard is struggling to get the money to go anywhere else.

[ATF]

Originally Posted by racingdad

If you look at the interview with Dennis Scott you will see that they are willing to sell last year's cars which should still be competitive

SEAT probably want more of their cars in the field to help with the manufacturers championship.

Do manufacturers still have to nominate 3 cars for points? Or can the top cars score points without needing to be nominated?