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20 Oct 2013, 19:16 (Ref:3320658) | #501 | |
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There's a been a Megane Trophy car running in Britcar which has almost nothing in common with the suspension set-up of the original road car. The same is probably true for the ex-DTM Astra that occasionally runs in BARC NW saloons, plus as you've already mentioned BARC SE allow ex-Eurocar and assorted spaceframe cars. There are places an NGTC car could be used but as you've alluded to, how desperate are you to beat Rod Birley.
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20 Oct 2013, 19:55 (Ref:3320676) | #502 | ||
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20 Oct 2013, 20:07 (Ref:3320680) | #503 | ||
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Quote:
I thought as much. Now as much as there have been discussions about manufactures, some time ago I heard there were non likely for next year but maybe 2015. But by then whose to say MG will still be around... Actually what do people think about MG's long term prospects. The deal was only for 3 years and some have suggested that perhaps the company isn't that involved. Now whilst they are still relaunching in the UK it may make sense, but if they're having limited success in terms of sales would they pull the plug? The cars will certainly have life but surely 888 would need funding to run them if MG went at the end of next year? Or by then will a new build be needed... |
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20 Oct 2013, 22:38 (Ref:3320725) | #504 | ||
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20 Oct 2013, 23:36 (Ref:3320740) | #505 | ||
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Outside of a BTCC car park/show stand, I have seen approximately... one MG6.
Since it has come up, and I was conveniently wondering just a few days ago - does anyone know how much involvement MG and Honda actually have? A friend referred to them both as 'full works' teams, which I'm sure isn't entirely accurate (certainly not in the 'good old days' sense). |
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21 Oct 2013, 05:35 (Ref:3320822) | #506 | ||
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I saw more Chevy Cruzes after JP won the title with RML. I think MG could do with more non-motorsport advertising, but it depends what sort of customer they are going for.
On a different train of thought, an ex-888 Astra Coupe turned up in Classic Thunder the other weekend at Silverstone, non-original engine (this was turbo'd beyond 500+ bhp depending on who you spoke to), but other BTC-spec cars are in private hands for club racign only lately, so NGTC has some way to go before that happens. |
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From redshoes: ''I have no idea who the second Team Hard driver is, and I suspect after the name is announced I'll be none the wiser.'' |
21 Oct 2013, 06:59 (Ref:3320847) | #507 | ||
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21 Oct 2013, 09:21 (Ref:3320907) | #508 | ||
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If a team managed to secure a sponsor/budget after the places were assigned there would be no point following it through. If they could still show up and compete for grid places, they could start late but still make the grid in the latter half of the year. |
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Learning the orange ropes... |
21 Oct 2013, 11:15 (Ref:3320950) | #509 | |
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What date to TOCA announce the final grid? Surely there should be incentive for TOCA to announce it early to reduce the number of Stockton's and Neate's who don't have their cars ready for the season. If teams know they are in 6 months in advance they have more time to finish their car for the season start.
Since NGTC is a pretty much single series set of regulations teams would be risking a lot of money to build their cars without a guaranteed grid slot. |
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21 Oct 2013, 11:38 (Ref:3320963) | #510 | ||
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21 Oct 2013, 11:53 (Ref:3320972) | #511 | ||
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Quote:
What you suggest is possible but pretty unlikely. What are the chances of signing a sponsorship deal big enough to pay for the season and the build of the car just weeks prior to the start of the season, especially considering that even with pre-qualifying there's no guarantee you will actually get to race and therefore no guarantee that your sponsor will get any of the TV coverage that you have doubtless promised. |
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21 Oct 2013, 13:39 (Ref:3321024) | #512 | ||
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I think a prerequisite of being granted a grid slot is that you must commit to taking part in all 10 rounds, so no skipping Croft or Knockhill. I was sceptical in 2013 of getting a 32 entrant race at any round and we didn't. For 2014, I think I may be a little more hopeful of that.
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21 Oct 2013, 13:44 (Ref:3321030) | #513 | ||
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21 Oct 2013, 13:57 (Ref:3321036) | #514 | ||
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I don't know how realistic this is, but if there were 40 or so potential NGTC entries would a system such as this be feasible:
- Split the field in two divisions: 24 in division 1, 16 in division 2. - Division 1 does two races per weekend. - Division 2 does one race per weekend. - The division 2 race is held in between Race 1 and 2 for Div.1 and serves as a last chance qualifier for the final race of the day. - points scored in either division count towards the championship, but there are significantly more points to be won in Div.1 (say 50 for a win in Div.1, 20 for a win in Div.2 or something) |
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Ceterum censeo GTE-Am esse delendam. |
21 Oct 2013, 14:30 (Ref:3321054) | #515 | |||
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Quote:
Some kind of grid place free up should be in operation, done on an event by event basis. So if TOCA knows the grid slots aren't going to be full at X round, they can offer up a slot say 10 days in advance of the event. Your grid slot is guaranteed up until that point, if you cannot commit to the event 10 days in advance, then that slot is freed up. Will that help matters? Only if there are a surplus of cars and teams chomping at the bit to enter cars. |
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21 Oct 2013, 14:45 (Ref:3321064) | #516 | |
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Or, just ditch the Brands Hatch Indy circuit and expand the number of slots available.
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Learning the orange ropes... |
21 Oct 2013, 14:56 (Ref:3321069) | #517 | ||
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21 Oct 2013, 15:03 (Ref:3321076) | #518 | ||
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21 Oct 2013, 15:31 (Ref:3321104) | #519 | ||
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Either way nothing gonna change for 2014, but worth thinking about for 2015. |
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21 Oct 2013, 15:51 (Ref:3321115) | #520 | |
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"Is this stock car racing or is this motorsport?!" - John Cleland |
21 Oct 2013, 15:51 (Ref:3321116) | #521 | |
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Learning the orange ropes... |
21 Oct 2013, 15:53 (Ref:3321119) | #522 | |
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I would imagine that Snetterton would be most likely to get dropped to make way for CoW. Knockhill may not be popular with teams, but the sponsors won't want to miss out on the huge Scottish attendance.
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Learning the orange ropes... |
21 Oct 2013, 16:04 (Ref:3321124) | #523 | |||
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The Administrator has it at his discretion to throw some max ballast at a car if it misses an event or several.
Quote:
In all honesty, I'd rather have 20 quality NGTC entrants than 12 quality ones and the rest of the 32 car grid filled up by lower than average drivers in substandard cars that struggle to finish a race with either reliability problems or getting binned into the gravel on lap one. |
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Don't exacerbate things! |
21 Oct 2013, 16:05 (Ref:3321125) | #524 | |
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You can't kill off MSV. I personally think it should be Brands Indy, but it could easily be Thruxton. That would really save Dunlop some time, and probably chop off a little on the tyre budget. But I would really hate to see Thruxton go, as it is my home circuit, and it poses a totally unique challenge to drivers. It's also the only venue they visit in the south-west.
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"Is this stock car racing or is this motorsport?!" - John Cleland |
21 Oct 2013, 16:06 (Ref:3321126) | #525 | ||
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"Is this stock car racing or is this motorsport?!" - John Cleland |
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