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25 Jan 2024, 09:05 (Ref:4193278) | #1276 | |||
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,995
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Quote:
That is true, however you do not encounter their attitude if you walk around a trading estate, which in essence Silverstone has become with a racing track in the middle. I would suggest that if those businesses are concerned about their security, then it is up to them to ensure that their buildings and property are kept secure. |
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25 Jan 2024, 11:03 (Ref:4193289) | #1277 | |||
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,588
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25 Jan 2024, 11:28 (Ref:4193293) | #1278 | ||
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 595
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Quote:
From Autosport magazine - "the downturn in the house-building market, in which his family's business operates, has forced him to readjust his horizons." Jelley quoted in Autosport magazine: "The BTCC [budget] figures are just so crazy these days at a time when the building industry, where a lot of my sponsors come from, is on its knees. I just have to keep responsible with my racing and offer the best value for money. I thought about whether stopping motorsport at this level was the thing for me, but I decided I'm a bit sad really and didn't want to! And I really wanted to drive again for a team that I've got such a long relationship with." Last edited by SSmith; 25 Jan 2024 at 11:38. |
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25 Jan 2024, 12:24 (Ref:4193298) | #1279 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 3,451
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Seems like Carrera Cup is becoming the BTCC retirement home this year!
Worrying again to hear it’s too expensive. |
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25 Jan 2024, 12:29 (Ref:4193299) | #1280 | ||
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,588
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Or just a justification- his long time Engineer retired after Brands Hatch - has hardly set the World on fire in BTCC Maybe its just time . Andrew Watson?
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25 Jan 2024, 12:47 (Ref:4193300) | #1281 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,724
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Jelsons (Stephen Jelley's family business) is a large building company in our area. They have a new building estate very close to where I live and actually stopped building any more houses on there quite a while ago, laying off the relevant employees as the demand for new homes had dropped off. Maybe there's also an element of not wanting to be seen to be blatantly spending money on his BTCC hobby factored into the decision as well?
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__________________
Incognito: An Italian phrase meaning Nice Gearchange! |
25 Jan 2024, 12:47 (Ref:4193301) | #1282 | |
Veteran
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 534
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*Speculation!* (While waiting for announcements)
With this 'exodus' to PCCGB (rather than TCR UK) I wonder how many other BTCC drivers from last season have looked at that route. And who would suit it? Also, does anybody have figures for what a season costs? Bobby Thompson? If he can't get the backing for BTCC or GT (after his recent test) then would Porsche be a viable option? He'd be a race winner at least. Crees? He looked far better in a GT car than a Tin Top, and his Supercup experience would count well. DeLeon. Certainly has the backing (apparently) and was far better in the Porsche GT3 Cup car than any FWD he's raced. Edwards? I have an inkling that TCR might be her next step or the Porsche Sprint Series, but would it be worth her looking in that direction? If some of those went and joined Lloyd/Butel/Jelley then it's also good for BTCC for two reasons. First it bring some real interest to a support championship from BTCC only fans (even more so than havng DanCam there in 2021) and would halt those drivers looking at TCR. I don't think TCR is a threat to BTCC right now. I don't really think (as much as I enjoy it) it's a viable alternative if a load of drivers head there, but three years from now it could be a viable alternative, and the BTCC can't afford that! Like I stated - speculation to fill the time! |
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25 Jan 2024, 13:24 (Ref:4193308) | #1283 | |
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 903
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Racing always has been and always will be expensive. The margins between 1st place and 10th have gotten even smaller in BTCC so you have to spend more if you want to be at the front - 'no stone can remain unturned'.
As for TCR - Lines has been vocal many times that it is a lower cost alternative to BTCC, not a direct replacement. The 2 championships can quite happy co-exist. Once they start to gather a bigger fan base, the commercial proposition becomes much better and therefore it becomes 'easier' to get sponsorship. Consistency in the format (ie headline act at meetings, along with the support races), consistency in the drivers and team along with close racing will naturally gather more supporters. |
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25 Jan 2024, 14:02 (Ref:4193311) | #1284 | ||
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 595
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Quote:
Given the amount of announcements made for the series already (including in the past hour or so, the first Am entry of the year - the very experienced GT racer Lee Mowle at Team Parker Racing), PCCGB seems in good health across Pro and Pro-Am and potentially Am as well. Entries were strong last year although tailed off towards the end. I wouldn't be surprised if there are around 26 entries at Donington Park in April. I'd imagine a few drivers from the BTCC and other series would look at PCCGB. PCCGB offered prize money for the top 3 in Pro and in Pro-Am at every race which if still the case in 2024 would no doubt an incentive. Plus the cars are fast and reliable, drivers and sponsors can still be part of the wider TOCA/BTCC family and all that brings, and it can act as a springboard to other racing in the UK or globally. Porsche are adding the new Cayman GT4 RS to Sprint Challenge this year (with a Pro and Am class) alongside the old-spec Cayman (again with a Pro and Am class) so there is probably going to be additional interest there, and this revamp is probably a good jumping on point for drivers new to that championship. Their season doesn't start until Snetterton in late-May. |
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25 Jan 2024, 14:27 (Ref:4193316) | #1285 | ||
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,601
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Quote:
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25 Jan 2024, 14:40 (Ref:4193317) | #1286 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,166
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I do wonder how much of the lack of news is due to deals not being done, and how much is the championship/PR team having a far tighter grip on the news agenda this year and actively having a comms strategy for how these announcements will be released in the coming weeks/months.
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25 Jan 2024, 14:42 (Ref:4193318) | #1287 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 595
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Exactly! I'm surprised its taken him so long to appear in PCCGB. In some respects its a shame Justin Sherwood likely isn't competing this year as I think that the Am class would be quite competitive between the two of them.
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25 Jan 2024, 20:03 (Ref:4193347) | #1288 | ||
Rookie
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 79
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Quote:
You have to factor Crash damage a bit as well , a lot of the AM drivers own the GT3 , Tom Oliphant owned his in PRO , ours was I believe owned by Tim Sugden who made the rental income , this is a good way to make more money than having the money sat in a bank as say you pay £180K for the car , you can charge the team £40000 rental a season so recovering around £160,000 , after the 4 year cycle you sell it for around £80-100K and you have a nice profit, it’s a really good racing series , probably best in World which is why it’s so popular .. Supercup budgets are north of £600K for dual program of Supercup and German PCCGB , with Lechner it will be quite a bit more, however if they want you for the sponsored team then the numbers are really low and some drivers can get paid out of there careers. If your fully sponsored and win a lot then PCCGB is good for sure. On the BTCC guys then could be a good year to be in it if there aren’t many year two/three guys in it. Dan has 35 wins in PCCGB but one didn’t count as he was a guest .. so needs 1 or 2 to overtake Tim Harvey .. bit of an ambition that at some point before retirement he tries to get them 2.. |
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25 Jan 2024, 21:59 (Ref:4193361) | #1289 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 172
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Quote:
However, TOCA are keen to work with the teams and will advise the best day/time to release an important piece of news, so that it doesn't clash with another announcement. |
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26 Jan 2024, 15:02 (Ref:4193423) | #1290 | |
Rookie
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 75
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Ricky Collard Instagram post. Picture of him signing photos with caption all good things come to an end.
Leaving btcc? Leaving Speedworks? Wsr bound? |
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26 Jan 2024, 15:05 (Ref:4193425) | #1291 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 3,451
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He was meant to leave for Australia last year wasn’t he? Perhaps a return to those plans, although it seems he has been strongly linked to the WSR seat.
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26 Jan 2024, 15:44 (Ref:4193428) | #1292 | |
Racer
Join Date: Jan 2024
Posts: 239
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Looking at it I would hazard a guess he's leaving Speedworks? Whether that's for WSR or something completely different who knows. I'd expect to know either way soon.
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26 Jan 2024, 16:34 (Ref:4193432) | #1293 | ||
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Posts: 2,588
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26 Jan 2024, 16:34 (Ref:4193433) | #1294 | |
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Join Date: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,985
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There have been rumours that Speedworks would have an all new driver line-up, so not Collard leaving isn't a huge surprise.
I'm sure there will be a news flash flash flash flash flash flash flash when he has something to announce. |
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26 Jan 2024, 20:10 (Ref:4193462) | #1295 | ||
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,039
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26 Jan 2024, 21:54 (Ref:4193474) | #1296 | |
Racer
Join Date: Dec 2023
Posts: 107
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26 Jan 2024, 22:02 (Ref:4193475) | #1297 | |
Racer
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 383
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Not going to be many Jack Sears competitors with the departures we’ve seen already and the regular names in circulation for the remaining seats.
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26 Jan 2024, 23:18 (Ref:4193479) | #1298 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Jan 2024
Posts: 239
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Quote:
The lineup I've got in my head if it's all new is Watson and Huff as Toyota Gazoo Racing and Moffat and Bobby T as something like Euro Car Parts with Speedworks. No idea where Butcher would go out of all this. |
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27 Jan 2024, 08:03 (Ref:4193502) | #1299 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 18,804
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I'm gonna wait and see which other teams actually enter before speculating anymore. See who takes Moffat and Boardley's TBLs
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__________________
He who dares wins! He who hesitates is lost! |
27 Jan 2024, 09:47 (Ref:4193510) | #1300 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,428
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Huff, Watson, Moffat, Cook is my prediction.
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