[BTCC] 2016 BTCC news & rumours

[BSchneiderFan]

Shame about Rydell; I know he isn't getting any younger but I'd hoped he might have a last hurrah with the Volvo WTCC squad.

[porsche962fan]

Rydell is 48

Plato is also 48 and Neal 49, both should follow him into retirement !!

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

Rydell is 48

Plato is also 48 and Neal 49, both should follow him into retirement !!

Not with the way they're driving. Neal's had a few blips of late (you can argue the same of Plato - no doubt you will) but with the teams doing what they're doing and the drivers still performing, the only reason they should retire would be because they no longer want to race. I doubt that's the case.

Also, I've thought for a while now that calling SOP a team is very much a misnomer.

[auroan]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

Rydell is 48

Plato is also 48 and Neal 49, both should follow him into retirement !!

What a silly comment. Without Plato there would have been no Subaru, no (current) MG, no Chevrolet, and no SEAT as Manufacturer entries in the BTCC

And Neal is a very big component of the Honda Deal.

They are superstars that bring the Big boys with big pockets to the show. They know not just driving, but the more important side of things.... commercials.

Rydell can't be compared to Plato or Neal. He's a contract driver... the other two are much more than that.

[850Estate]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

Rydell is 48

Plato is also 48 and Neal 49, both should follow him into retirement !!

Surely you are joking here?

Originally Posted by auroan

James Dodd working on getting into the championship as well.....

http://www.touringcartimes.com/2015/...16-btcc-drive/

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

PMR ?

seems the only decent of the more "affordable" seats

PMR want to keep the JST, and Dodd would qualify for that, so aye, I wouldn't be shocked if he ended up there.

[BSchneiderFan]

There's no question that Plato and Neal are still able to fight at the front of the grid, despite their age. Whether this is a reflection on their skills or the rest of the field is another matter. I'm not especially a fan of either of them - I think each takes contact to unacceptable levels - but you have to admire their longevity.

[850Estate]

Has anyone seen Paul Knapp's comment on the interview with Andrew Jordan on Facebook?

I suspect he'll delete it soon, but I hope we never see him on the grid.

[psq43]

Originally Posted by 850Estate

Has anyone seen Paul Knapp's comment on the interview with Andrew Jordan on Facebook?

I suspect he'll delete it soon, but I hope we never see him on the grid.

You have a link?

I'm not surprised to be fair. He seems a bit brutish.

[850Estate]

Originally Posted by psq43

You have a link?

I'm not surprised to be fair. He seems a bit brutish.

This should work, he hasn't deleted it yet either

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialBTC...8866316154818/

[psq43]

Originally Posted by 850Estate

This should work, he hasn't deleted it yet either

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialBTC...8866316154818/

Looks like he's taken it down now.

The bloke does seem a bit thuggish to me.

[850Estate]

Originally Posted by psq43

Looks like he's taken it down now.

The bloke does seem a bit thuggish to me.

He got pulled up for it by a member of the Jordan family - so probably panicked! Internet hardman persona.

Althought I've just seen he's said it again it under the Andrew Jordan Racing comment. Strange man, who is coming across as very jealous.

[Craner Curves]

It's very interesting to see Aron Smith is still working with BMR, that surely means a role with 888?

[Ry44]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

It's very interesting to see Aron Smith is still working with BMR, that surely means a role with 888?

In my eyes 888 is probably the only option for him without leaving a conflict of interest between his role at BMR and another new team

[850Estate]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

It's very interesting to see Aron Smith is still working with BMR, that surely means a role with 888?

Was there not an article a while back that said he'd be driving for BMR in LMP3 (I think it was). Nothing further was added to it, and I've heard nothing since which I found strange.

[fer312t]

Originally Posted by 850Estate

Has anyone seen Paul Knapp's comment on the interview with Andrew Jordan on Facebook?

I suspect he'll delete it soon, but I hope we never see him on the grid.

So...what did he say?

[850Estate]

Originally Posted by fer312t

So...what did he say?

Hope I don't end up getting done by the Mods here!
Firstly he commented - and was on of the first to do so - with simply "Gimp"

That comment was removed - presumably by the guys that run the page - so he returned...

"Andrew Jordan Motorsport: These comments brightened up my day ...... You haven't a clue springs to mind "

"Paul Knapp: Your still a gimp lol"

"Judith Jordan: Paul Knapp thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view".


Don't get me wrong, it's not horrific. But from a guy who has been involved in the Touring Car paddock it looks extremely unprofessional, and frankly smacks of jealousy. Can't think what he expected to achieve from posting it?

I must confess the abuse Jordan's still taking for the indicator incident is remarkable, thankfully everyone on here has more of an understanding of being a driver/involved in motorsport. Facebook 'fans' annoy me!

[Minicross424]

Paul who? springs to mind and what have you done racing wise?
Nothing to see here.....

[BtccLee]

Only one Handy entry. I dont get this. Motorbase claim they couldn't obtain a third TBL but I make it at least two or three that are available. So are teams struggling for funding or are the TBLs going elsewhere (eg PowerMaxed etc)?

[Ry44]

OK so i wonder if his means their could be another licence floating about and if so who could take it at such short notice

http://www.touringcartimes.com/2016/...n-back-burner/

[Steel Wheels]

Originally Posted by BtccLee

Only one Handy entry. I dont get this. Motorbase claim they couldn't obtain a third TBL but I make it at least two or three that are available. So are teams struggling for funding or are the TBLs going elsewhere (eg PowerMaxed etc)?

It does look like people are struggling to find the funds. Now Cole is at BMR, I doubt we'll see Motorbase add another car now, so I can see poss only 30-31 cars. It only really leaves PMR & 888 as teams that could run an extra car, as I don't think AmD carried on with the work on their 2nd Audi.

I'd say with the Handy seat no longer available it looks like Newsham will be back at PMR, even tho it wasn't looking good at the end of last year!

[Ry44]

Originally Posted by Steel Wheels

It does look like people are struggling to find the funds. Now Cole is at BMR, I doubt we'll see Motorbase add another car now, so I can see poss only 30-31 cars. It only really leaves PMR & 888 as teams that could run an extra car, as I don't think AmD carried on with the work on their 2nd Audi.

I'd say with the Handy seat no longer available it looks like Newsham will be back at PMR, even tho it wasn't looking good at the end of last year!

So could that hint to PMR already having a 3rd licence with a decent paying driver to help cover extra costs. if so i would think the only teams with the resources would be potentially AMD with their spare audi shell,888 or even SUPR however getting a deal together at this late stage could be an issue. I wonder if their is any hope of BKR making an appearance in one of the ex BMR cars although again budget may be an issue

[Liquoriceman]

Does Mr Gow dabble in this like Bernie would to try to accumulate TBL's for a new entry we don't all know about or is that just wishful thinking? It's basically both RAR TBL's and they mystery surrounding SOP and their 2 cars (1 TBL) which are up for grabs.

[Ry44]

Originally Posted by Liquoriceman

Does Mr Gow dabble in this like Bernie would to try to accumulate TBL's for a new entry we don't all know about or is that just wishful thinking? It's basically both RAR TBL's and they mystery surrounding SOP and their 2 cars (1 TBL) which are up for grabs.

I would say the main issue with that would be that they would not have the resources in place unless they had a high chance of receiving a TBL when original applications opened and with 5 weeks left any testing even implementing those resources would be a push so unless the entered mid season. you have also got to remember that the planned handy 2nd car which is now not happening would have been ready for Oulton due to BMR and their subarus which may also delay any construction in terms of the car

[porsche962fan]

removed the 2nd Handy from list






Honda Racing - Honda Civic Type R
- Gordon Shedden
- Matt Neal
- Andy Neate

Eurotech - Honda Civic Type R
- Jeff Smith
- Martin Depper
- ????????

Motorbase - Ford Focus
- Andrew Jordan
- Mat Jackson

Maximum Motorsport - Ford Focus
- Stewart Lines

Dextra Racing - Ford Focus
- Alex Martin

WIX Racing + Laser Tools Racing - Mercedes A-Class
- Adam Morgan
- Aidan Moffat

Speedworks Motorsport - Honda Civic Type R // Toyota Avensis
- Matt Simpson
- Tom Ingram

Handy Motorsport - Toyota Avensis
- Rob Austin

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

888 - MG
- ??????
- ?????

WSR - BMW 125
- Sam Tordoff
- Jack Goff - IHG Racing
- Rob Collard


Power Maxxed Racing - Chevrolet Cruze
- Josh Cook ?????
- ????

AMD Tuning - Audi S3
- ???

HARD - Toyota Avensis
- Chris Smiley

Welch Motorsport - ????
- Dan Welch ?


Support our Paras - Infiniti ???
- Palmer ???

[Liquoriceman]

Originally Posted by Ry44

I would say the main issue with that would be that they would not have the resources in place unless they had a high chance of receiving a TBL when original applications opened and with 5 weeks left any testing even implementing those resources would be a push so unless the entered mid season. you have also got to remember that the planned handy 2nd car which is now not happening would have been ready for Oulton due to BMR and their subarus which may also delay any construction in terms of the car

What about Hard and Gilham driving? Didn't he once say he wanted a 2nd TBL?