[BTCC] BTCC 2017 Rumours & Silly Season

[redshoes]

Weren't the Toyotas still running GPRM parts? Not sure there would be much in the way of donor parts worth stripping.

[Steel Wheels]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Weren't the Toyotas still running GPRM parts? Not sure there would be much in the way of donor parts worth stripping.

Engines? They are quite an expensive part!

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Steel Wheels

Engines? They are quite an expensive part!

New spec for 2017, as run by PMR this year.

Also depends if they are bought or leased

[Ry44]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Weren't the Toyotas still running GPRM parts? Not sure there would be much in the way of donor parts worth stripping.

yep as he said on TTT they were running as they bought them as any investment would be false economy given the plan was to almost certainly switch car when they had to switch from the GPRM parts. must say when he said that it put into perspective How much Jake Hill and Mike Epps did justice to the ageing machinery and i hope given they did so well they are back for a 2nd season in a car that is more competitive than last years and given that it would also make for much more stability in driver lineup that they have lacked in previous years

[S700UBO]

Originally Posted by Ry44

yep as he said on TTT they were running as they bought them as any investment would be false economy given the plan was to almost certainly switch car when they had to switch from the GPRM parts. must say when he said that it put into perspective How much Jake Hill and Mike Epps did justice to the ageing machinery and i hope given they did so well they are back for a 2nd season in a car that is more competitive than last years and given that it would also make for much more stability in driver lineup that they have lacked in previous years

I have to agree 100%, Epps and Hill put on great performances throughout the season so a second season and stability could be exactly what hard are after

[antnee]

Originally Posted by 850Estate

Hmm...On first reading I agreed with ExplodeTheApex and thought of the spare (former BMR) VW CCs at BKR. Does Tony still have a CC (with BTCC bodykit) as his road car?

Now however I'm starting to think it could be something more adventurous.

Exciting time of year, eh?

A VW tie up would work well with their current involvement in VW Cup & VAG Trophy. They were running a Passat CC running in those series but it has been up for sale.

[Ry44]

Originally Posted by antnee

A VW tie up would work well with their current involvement in VW Cup & VAG Trophy. They were running a Passat CC running in those series but it has been up for sale.

I would think they would at least want some kind of manufacturer deal to help finance the operation and given the situation with the VAG at the moment i cannot remotely see it happening

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Weren't the Toyotas still running GPRM parts? Not sure there would be much in the way of donor parts worth stripping.

One ofthe reasons I believe they haven't bothered and kept the Toyota's for track day experiences. With the TOCA engine being new next year, there isn't much left to transfer as suspension and steering will be all new RML kit.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Jiiiiiiim

With the TOCA engine being new next year, there isn't much left to transfer as suspension and steering will be all new RML kit.

My point exactly. Any suggestions that they were going to use the Toyotas as donors was complete nonsense from the start.

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by redshoes

My point exactly. Any suggestions that they were going to use the Toyotas as donors was complete nonsense from the start.

Probably another PR strunt to drum up interest in the driver experiences! 'Wow we saved the car so you can now drive it!'

[touringlegend]

So have there been no spys following Team Hard about today to see what kind of car they collected??

[thetool]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

So have there been no spys following Team Hard about today to see what kind of car they collected??

I don't think anyone sufficiently cares really...

[redshoes]

I'm sure they will be hashtagging away in the not too distant future, for anyone who really cares

[luckn002]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

So have there been no spys following Team Hard about today to see what kind of car they collected??

According to Tony's Twitter we'll see them on Wednesday!

[Bramzel]

I care to be honest, as I've said before I think Gilham deserves a bit more credit.

[Alfisti]

I think Tony Gilham deserves credit too. Yes he was too ambitious, got into difficulties, departed but has come back stronger from what I see. Can't fault a man for having ambition.

Also...

Would we even have Warren Scott and BMR on the grid if it wasn't for Warren acquiring a VW off Tony when he gave up on the tired and unreliable Seat he first competed in?

And if nothing else we've had Jake Hill on the grid in one of his cars, I really do rate Jake and know he has always struggled with budget. Michael Epps is another great driver Tony has got onto the grid too.

Wish the paintjobs were easier on the eyes though!

[thetool]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

I care to be honest, as I've said before I think Gilham deserves a bit more credit.

It wasn't meant as anti-Gilham. Just more the fact that what shell is used doesn't make a great deal of difference these days.

[3marinadrive]

Just a quick note of thanks for everyone who has commented on the job that Jake Hill and Mike Epps have done, and for Team HARD for giving them the opportunity to race for a full season in BTCC.

Tony Gilham went out of his way to give these boys their chance - two young drivers with talent, potential but like many, not much budget.

The Toyota's were older tech - 2012 in fact - if they were road cars they would need an MOT! But they were lightened and fettled and extremely well prepared by some superb people who ran the cars, so despite no testing and a very limited budget they had some decent kit to work with.

They ran the older GPRM kit which was a disadvantage in qualifying, and had restrictions on shakedowns and having an established engineer. The Speedworks/Handy cars were very different animals....RML kit, different configuration and a team and driver (Ingram) who knew the package well.

With a budget a fraction of the top teams it was impressive to see them amongst it every week....Jake was one of the stars of the year...anyone who witnessed his move to pass Matt Neal at Rockingham in race one, and on Matt again in race one at Silverstone, plus lots of other feisty drives, lots of points scoring and putting many of the big boys to shame.....Ashley Sutton did a great job as a rookie but Jake was effectively a rookie too...would have been interesting what Jake would have done in a 888 run MG ....I think on pure pace Jake and Ashley are the fastest young drivers to join BTCC for a long time.....

So lets see what 2017 brings cos Jake has proved what he can do - canny race craft and raw pace and a cool head - he gained respect from all of the established stars with the way he race...and lets face it BTCC is more about race craft than anything else. Hill and Epps - thanks to Team HARD (RCIB Insurance Racing) they got their chance to shine and delivered. This is what BTCC needs. Proper little drivers like them......

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by 3marinadrive

Just a quick note of thanks for everyone who has commented on the job that Jake Hill and Mike Epps have done, and for Team HARD for giving them the opportunity to race for a full season in BTCC.

Tony Gilham went out of his way to give these boys their chance - two young drivers with talent, potential but like many, not much budget.

The Toyota's were older tech - 2012 in fact - if they were road cars they would need an MOT! But they were lightened and fettled and extremely well prepared by some superb people who ran the cars, so despite no testing and a very limited budget they had some decent kit to work with.

They ran the older GPRM kit which was a disadvantage in qualifying, and had restrictions on shakedowns and having an established engineer. The Speedworks/Handy cars were very different animals....RML kit, different configuration and a team and driver (Ingram) who knew the package well.

With a budget a fraction of the top teams it was impressive to see them amongst it every week....Jake was one of the stars of the year...anyone who witnessed his move to pass Matt Neal at Rockingham in race one, and on Matt again in race one at Silverstone, plus lots of other feisty drives, lots of points scoring and putting many of the big boys to shame.....Ashley Sutton did a great job as a rookie but Jake was effectively a rookie too...would have been interesting what Jake would have done in a 888 run MG ....I think on pure pace Jake and Ashley are the fastest young drivers to join BTCC for a long time.....

So lets see what 2017 brings cos Jake has proved what he can do - canny race craft and raw pace and a cool head - he gained respect from all of the established stars with the way he race...and lets face it BTCC is more about race craft than anything else. Hill and Epps - thanks to Team HARD (RCIB Insurance Racing) they got their chance to shine and delivered. This is what BTCC needs. Proper little drivers like them......

Well said that man. I just hope they can both return in 2017 in a newer more competitive car, we can only imagine what they'll achieve then

[Bramzel]

I agree, there are some bright stars in BTCC's future.

[Rob877]

Originally Posted by 3marinadrive

Just a quick note of thanks for everyone who has commented on the job that Jake Hill and Mike Epps have done, and for Team HARD for giving them the opportunity to race for a full season in BTCC.

Tony Gilham went out of his way to give these boys their chance - two young drivers with talent, potential but like many, not much budget.

The Toyota's were older tech - 2012 in fact - if they were road cars they would need an MOT! But they were lightened and fettled and extremely well prepared by some superb people who ran the cars, so despite no testing and a very limited budget they had some decent kit to work with.

They ran the older GPRM kit which was a disadvantage in qualifying, and had restrictions on shakedowns and having an established engineer. The Speedworks/Handy cars were very different animals....RML kit, different configuration and a team and driver (Ingram) who knew the package well.

With a budget a fraction of the top teams it was impressive to see them amongst it every week....Jake was one of the stars of the year...anyone who witnessed his move to pass Matt Neal at Rockingham in race one, and on Matt again in race one at Silverstone, plus lots of other feisty drives, lots of points scoring and putting many of the big boys to shame.....Ashley Sutton did a great job as a rookie but Jake was effectively a rookie too...would have been interesting what Jake would have done in a 888 run MG ....I think on pure pace Jake and Ashley are the fastest young drivers to join BTCC for a long time.....

So lets see what 2017 brings cos Jake has proved what he can do - canny race craft and raw pace and a cool head - he gained respect from all of the established stars with the way he race...and lets face it BTCC is more about race craft than anything else. Hill and Epps - thanks to Team HARD (RCIB Insurance Racing) they got their chance to shine and delivered. This is what BTCC needs. Proper little drivers like them......

Top post, can only agree with everything you've said there. It's long been a gripe that budget is everything and lots of extremely average drivers have been crusing round not really adding much to the series. Tony Gilham has well and truly bucked that trend. Team Hard seem to be a bit of a maverick team when it comes to how they do business and raise the funds to go racing. It's great to see a team thinking outside of the box. Would love the livery to be toned down a bit, but I understand it is in honour of a good cause.

[S griffin]

Gilham deserves credit for giving it a go, even if it is sometimes above his station, but as mentioned above, he has done so much good. Getting the VW CCs in the championship and letting BMR buy them, which helped turn the team into a professional outfit

And this year he's given young guns Epps and Hill a chance this year and also given the talented Caine a chance to get back into the BTCC too

[porsche962fan]

looks like James Cole stays at BMR , so good news for their opponents


also Handy Motorsport confirmed just 1 car for 2017 !!



Team Dynamics - Honda Civic - Matt Neal ?
Team Dynamics - Honda Civic - Gordon Shedden

Eurotech - Honda Civic - Jeff Smith ???
Eurotech - Honda Civic - ????

Speedworks - Honda Civic - Mat Simpson
Speedworks - Toyota Avensis - Tom Ingram

Handy Motorsport - Toyota Avensis - Rob Austin ?

BMR - Subaru Levorg - Jason Plato
BMR - Subaru Levorg - Colin Turkington
BMR - Subaru Levorg - Warren Scott ???
BMR - Subaru Levorg - James Cole

BKR - VW Passat ???? - Aron Smith
BKR - VW Passat ???? - ????

888 - MG - Ash Sutton ??
888 - MG - ???

WSR - BMW 125 - Rob Collard ??
WSR - BMW 125 - Jack Goff ??
WSR - BMW 125 - ??????

Motorbase - Ford Focus - Mat Jackson ?
Motorbase - Ford Focus - ?????

Power Maxed - Chevrolet Cruze - ?????
Power Maxed - Chevrolet Cruze - ?????

AMD - Audi S3 - Ollie Jackson ?
AMD - Audi S3 - ?????

Cicely Racing - Mercedes A-Class - Adam Morgan ??

Laser Tools - Mercedes A-Class - Aidan Moffat ?????

HARD - ?????? - Michael Epps ?????
HARD - ?????? - ?????

Welch - Proton ?? - Dan Welch ????

Dextra - Ford Focus - Alex Martin ?????

Maximum - Ford Focus - Stewart Lines ???

BTC Racing - ?????? - ??????

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

looks like James Cole stays at BMR , so good news for their opponents


also Handy Motorsport confirmed just 1 car for 2017 !!



Team Dynamics - Honda Civic - Matt Neal ?
Team Dynamics - Honda Civic - Gordon Shedden

Eurotech - Honda Civic - Jeff Smith ???
Eurotech - Honda Civic - ????

Speedworks - Honda Civic - Mat Simpson
Speedworks - Toyota Avensis - Tom Ingram

Handy Motorsport - Toyota Avensis - Rob Austin ?

BMR - Subaru Levorg - Jason Plato
BMR - Subaru Levorg - Colin Turkington
BMR - Subaru Levorg - Warren Scott ???
BMR - Subaru Levorg - James Cole

BKR - VW Passat ???? - Aron Smith
BKR - VW Passat ???? - ????

888 - MG - Ash Sutton ??
888 - MG - ???

WSR - BMW 125 - Rob Collard ??
WSR - BMW 125 - Jack Goff ??
WSR - BMW 125 - ??????

Motorbase - Ford Focus - Mat Jackson ?
Motorbase - Ford Focus - ?????

Power Maxed - Chevrolet Cruze - ?????
Power Maxed - Chevrolet Cruze - ?????

AMD - Audi S3 - Ollie Jackson ?
AMD - Audi S3 - ?????

Cicely Racing - Mercedes A-Class - Adam Morgan ??

Laser Tools - Mercedes A-Class - Aidan Moffat ?????

HARD - ?????? - Michael Epps ?????
HARD - ?????? - ?????

Welch - Proton ?? - Dan Welch ????

Dextra - Ford Focus - Alex Martin ?????

Maximum - Ford Focus - Stewart Lines ???

BTC Racing - ?????? - ??????

Expecting some more news tomorrow too 😉

[Northern Monkey]

...that will change a few cars on that list