BTCC 2008 Off-season: News & Rumours - Page 3

**touringlegend** · 14 Oct 2007, 21:23 (Ref:2040304)

I have my own hat thanks.

On the subject of Plato, the team has yet to confirm they are taking part unless I have missed that ! But one has to believe Seat has got to switch to the TDi next year as all the development will be going into that in Spain.

Hazard · 14 Oct 2007, 21:35 (Ref:2040311)

Quote:

Originally Posted by touringlegend

On the subject of Plato, the team has yet to confirm they are taking part unless I have missed that ! But one has to believe Seat has got to switch to the TDi next year as all the development will be going into that in Spain.

Only thing was Plato talking about being back in March - so if SEAT and he aren't coming back he hasn't got the memo.

The TDI would be ideal in the BTCC. Although it's got surprising high end speed, it's the mid-range torque that would suit the BTCC's circuits very well indeed.

Wouldn't be surprised to see some other teams, certainly in the WTCC, and maybe in the BTCC turn up with one though. Don't forget the original idea was for that Vectra to be a S2000 diesel.

Hazard · 14 Oct 2007, 21:45 (Ref:2040320)

Actually that said...

http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~10~id~155941.htm

Plato has signed a 3 year deal with SEAT. Doesn't necessarily mean that's in the BTCC of course - but that's slightly more likely.

rdjones · 14 Oct 2007, 21:45 (Ref:2040322)

Matt Neal to Vauxhall didn't see that one coming at all.

I was told yesterday that there was a rummour doing the round's that there 2nd driver for next year would shock and suprise people but no names where mentioned.

I spoke to a couple today how confirmed to me that driver in question was Matt Neal.

Aunt Sally · 15 Oct 2007, 01:26 (Ref:2040407)

Blimey.. News already!..

Gio staying at Vauxhall!
Plato staying at Seat!
Matt Neal joining Vauxhall!

All we need now is Tom Chilton to tell us about his Ford drive!

**touringlegend** · 15 Oct 2007, 05:58 (Ref:2040449)

God, go back to Vauxhall Chilton, all is forgiven!

I hope your not serious Aunt Sally (about the Chilton part!

)

redshoes · 15 Oct 2007, 07:23 (Ref:2040469)

That'll be one of the new Focuses being built then.

**touringlegend** · 15 Oct 2007, 07:42 (Ref:2040477)

Yeh I can also exclusively reveal I will be Chilton's team mate...

Sodemo · 15 Oct 2007, 07:55 (Ref:2040483)

The Leon TDI would clean up in the BTCC no doubt about it, I think we would see 1999 Nissan type domination.

Though personally, I think that the TDI's need their wings clipped a bit.

**touringlegend** · 15 Oct 2007, 07:59 (Ref:2040487)

I'm not sure it would be all conquering as assumed - I don't know if the WTCC team overcame the tyre issues which would also happen with tighter UK circuits.

Vauxhall's looked at diesel before so maybe they should bite the bullet and go for it.

Aunt Sally · 15 Oct 2007, 12:07 (Ref:2040645)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazard

Actually that said...

http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~10~id~155941.htm

Plato has signed a 3 year deal with SEAT. Doesn't necessarily mean that's in the BTCC of course - but that's slightly more likely.

With Muller and Tarquini already re-signed for the WTCC, I can't see Plato joining them.... can you?

Let's face it, they didn't want to come and help JP at Thruxton!

Koulle · 15 Oct 2007, 12:18 (Ref:2040654)

I can't believe Matt Neal is going to Vauxhall (even after his stunt at Thruxton). There are a lot of other drivers that deserve that seat more than him.

I hope Giovanardi annihilates him next year!!!

Hazard · 15 Oct 2007, 17:09 (Ref:2040900)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koulle

I can't believe Matt Neal is going to Vauxhall (even after his stunt at Thruxton). There are a lot of other drivers that deserve that seat more than him.

I hope Giovanardi annihilates him next year!!!

Good news is there's a hot seat now available at Team Halfords instead?

rdjones · 15 Oct 2007, 17:46 (Ref:2040938)

It will be interesting to see who take's the 2nd seat at Halfords next year.

**FIRE** · 15 Oct 2007, 19:58 (Ref:2041050)

Neal joins Vauxhall.

I hoped Thompson would join them.

rdjones · 15 Oct 2007, 21:29 (Ref:2041134)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Neal joins Vauxhall.

I hoped Thompson would join them.

Can't see that happening as they have signed Giovanardi again for another year.

Oh yes, I also heard yesterday that Colin Turkington has signed or is about sign up for to race with WSR again next year. However it is not clear where he will be racing next year.

Koulle · 15 Oct 2007, 22:18 (Ref:2041173)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazard

Good news is there's a hot seat now available at Team Halfords instead?

True, and I would imagine that the Civics will be more competitive next year.

sceptic · 15 Oct 2007, 22:26 (Ref:2041180)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aunt Sally

All we need now is Tom Chilton to tell us about his Ford drive!

Don't expect to see Tom doing a full season of BTCC next year.
He may do some races, but he'll be concentrating on sports cars.

Hazard · 15 Oct 2007, 22:56 (Ref:2041193)

Quick summary then

Driver	Team	Car	Status
Erkut Kizilirmak	Arkas Racing	Vauxhall Astra SH	Confirmed*
TBA	Arkas Racing	Vauxhall Astra SH	Confirmed*
Michael Doyle	Robertshaw Racing	Honda Civic Type-R	Confirmed
Mike Jordan	Team Eurotech	Honda Integra Type-R	Confirmed
Andrew Jordan	Team Eurotech	Honda Integra Type-R	Confirmed
Gordon Shedden	Team Halfords	Honda Civic Type-S	Confirmed
TBA	Team Halfords	Honda Civic Type-S	Confirmed
Fabrizio Giovanardi	VX Racing	Vauxhall Vectra	Confirmed
Matt Neal	VX Racing	Vauxhall Vectra	Confirmed
Martyn Bell	Geoff Steel Racing	BMW 320si	Confirmed*
Mat Jackson	Jackson Motorsport	BMW 320si	Unconfirmed
Jason Plato	SEAT Sport UK	SEAT Leon	Unconfirmed
TBA	SEAT Sport UK	SEAT Leon	Unconfirmed
Colin Turkington	WSR	BMW 320si	Unconfirmed
Tom Onslow-Cole	WSR	BMW 320si	Unconfirmed

* Confirmed with a pinch of salt as always

Alfa Fan · 15 Oct 2007, 23:20 (Ref:2041205)

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/btcc...o_stay_on.html

Maybe justifies upgrading Plato to Confirmed* ?

rdjones · 16 Oct 2007, 07:16 (Ref:2041321)

It's 99% confirmed that Paul Luti will be out in a MG ZS, the car will be run by the family Dreadnought team with assistance from WSR.

**touringlegend** · 16 Oct 2007, 07:34 (Ref:2041333)

From what I heard he's got the car all he needs is some sponsors to complete the budget though ?

JMeissner · 16 Oct 2007, 09:09 (Ref:2041432)

A couple of Ford's in the BTCC 2008?

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=1533

**FIRE** · 16 Oct 2007, 10:37 (Ref:2041546)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMeissner

A couple of Ford's in the BTCC 2008?

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=1533

Would be great...but Arena...first see than believe. Last couple of years Arena had plans to enter BTCC but never raced.

Olive · 16 Oct 2007, 10:47 (Ref:2041562)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koulle

I can't believe Matt Neal is going to Vauxhall (even after his stunt at Thruxton). There are a lot of other drivers that deserve that seat more than him.

I hope Giovanardi annihilates him next year!!!

A lot of drivers deserve it more?

Vauxhall now have the winners of the past 3 titles in their team - sounds like a good pairing to me.

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