[BTCC] BTCC 2023 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Pickles

Also am I right in saying WSR will no longer have factory BMW support from next year?

I may be wrong, but I think that WSR has or has had BMW UK dealer support rather than direct factory support. Whether that is to be continued or not , I haven't a clue.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I may be wrong, but I think that WSR has or has had BMW UK dealer support rather than direct factory support. Whether that is to be continued or not , I haven't a clue.

Dick Bennetts confirmed in interview recently that they have zero factory support from BMW, and just a dealer connection.

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by tocatrucky

Mike Simpson's hand is quite heavy. His vision was to create GT-headed career drivers not F1-headed wealthy family drivers. That meant getting away from the FIA F4/F3/F2 ladder and aligned with a GT package, Plus good optics for the business anyway.

Except none of that was a factor.

SRO offered a deal that would save Ginetta a quarter of a million pounds a year compared with TOCA, in exchange for exclusivity.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Pdh

I would imagine he will be staying with the family team in their BMWs

You are assuming it's still the family team

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by redshoes

You are assuming it's still the family team

So... have MB bought the race team from Ciceley?

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Dick Bennetts confirmed in interview recently that they have zero factory support from BMW, and just a dealer connection.

sorry your wrong
show me where he said wsr has just a dealer connection

the team is supported direct by bmw uk and not dealers

this from their website;
In 2017, WSR were honoured to be chosen as BMW’s Manufacturer team in the BTCC as the German brand returned to the series in an official capacity following a 21-year absence

[Mike Harte]

Not wishing to start an argument, but BMW (UK) Ltd are not the factory, but it is the vehicle that is used to import and distribute worldwide products as well as the sales, repairs and maintenance of vehicles in the UK.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Not wishing to start an argument, but BMW (UK) Ltd are not the factory, but it is the vehicle that is used to import and distribute worldwide products as well as the sales, repairs and maintenance of vehicles in the UK.

Who owns it? For example the Dutch Toyota and VAG importers are independent companies not owned by Toyota and VAG.

[crmalcolm]

My mistake. Apologies.

It was 09 Oct 22, when he said: "we're not a Works Team, we're a manufacturer assisted team"
I'd mis-recalled this as being 'dealer assisted' and was a misrepresentation by me.

It is the manufacturer providing some (small) financial backing for the manufacturer entry, but not factory support.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Who owns it? For example the Dutch Toyota and VAG importers are independent companies not owned by Toyota and VAG.

I believe that it is a totally autonomous subsidiary of the German company, and 3 out of 4 directors are British with an HQ in the UK. Oh, and it oversees the dealer network.

[Pickles]

When I said 'factory' I probably should've said 'manufacturer', apologies for any confusion. Although as I understand BMW support of any kind will cease from 2023 onwards.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Who owns it? For example the Dutch Toyota and VAG importers are independent companies not owned by Toyota and VAG.

bmw uk is 100% owned by bmw

wsr are the manufacturer backed team for bmw.
its really simple.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

bmw uk is 100% owned by bmw

wsr are the manufacturer backed team for bmw.
its really simple.

Not if you want a semantic row it isn’t

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Pickles

So... have MB bought the race team from Ciceley?

Ciceley have put their hospitality unit up for sale, which may or may not support this.

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Ciceley have put their hospitality unit up for sale, which may or may not support this.

Yea I saw that this morning, wasn't really sure what to read into it

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by Pickles

When I said 'factory' I probably should've said 'manufacturer', apologies for any confusion. Although as I understand BMW support of any kind will cease from 2023 onwards.

Is there any source for this? Haven't heard anything about it to be fair and I seem to recall there's a 'WSR won't be a factory team next year' slogan year in and year out so just wondering whether this time there's any substance to this rumour.

[Millvi]

Originally Posted by Pickles

So... have MB bought the race team from Ciceley?

Morgan to WSR? MB to buy the Cicely cars and run Hill and AN Other? MB to use TOCA bus again for Hospitality?

Would work for all parties perhaps? Morgan has 3 very young kids now and a more ‘arrive and drive’ arrangement might work well for him and the family.

Laser Tools to order a couple of Cupras for their 2022 drivers as well perhaps? Some testing the other week in Team Hard cars might suggest this move has realistic possibility of coming to fruition.

[crmalcolm]

On 11th October, Dick Bennetts said: 'We're piecing together next year already and hopefully by the end of this month we'll have everything buttoned up to what we're doing. Which will be probably 1 or 2 months earlier than previous'

So whatever the situation is, it seems to have more clarity than previous years.

[Evantra]

I've seen a couple rumours that Legends will have a spot on the TOCA package - not sure in what capacity - and they're promising their biggest ever announcement tomorrow, which may or may not fit the bill. We'll see tomorrow!

[Robin Marriott]

Originally Posted by Evantra

I've seen a couple rumours that Legends will have a spot on the TOCA package - not sure in what capacity - and they're promising their biggest ever announcement tomorrow, which may or may not fit the bill. We'll see tomorrow!

They race A LOT at Brands Hatch already and there’s a slot left on the schedule there. Not sure about Croft, Thruxton or Knockhill though. Knockhill could work but it’s a long way, I don’t think the other two would suit the cars.

[rdjones]

The Legends where a regular on the TOCA package back in the early/mid-2000's.

I do remember seeing them at Croft and Knockhill a couple times.

[kipper]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

They race A LOT at Brands Hatch already and there’s a slot left on the schedule there. Not sure about Croft, Thruxton or Knockhill though. Knockhill could work but it’s a long way, I don’t think the other two would suit the cars.

Knockhill does work for Legends - there is a Knockhill based championship, which is quite good. The National championship does regular appear at Croft so would also work (as, of course, does Brands). I suspect that Thruxton is too fast and long for Legends to work - I don't recall them having a meeting there in the last 20 years, or so.

[SSmith]

I think we could possibly hypothesise then that the Legends will join for Brands Indy, Croft, and Knockhill, and the Mini Miglias (who have delayed their 2023 calendar announcement) will take the Thruxton slot

[Spanner monkey]

WSR to be sold to MB Racing/Rokit
Lazer tools/Moffat to join with Dynamics for 2 x 2 car teams

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Spanner monkey

WSR to be sold to MB Racing/Rokit
Lazer tools/Moffat to join with Dynamics for 2 x 2 car teams

What?