BTCC 2006 News, Rumours, Entries... - Page 8

**touringlegend** · 24 Nov 2005, 22:20 (Ref:1469687)

Re Seat's BTCC plan, Autosport have a story that Jamie Puig is threatening to pull the UK arm out of the series and take the team to the WTCC next year unless TOCA answer's some questions.

But do you really need 8 WTCC cars ??

newoutsider · 25 Nov 2005, 07:32 (Ref:1469856)

I think one of Seat's main spurs is TV. WTCC has Eurosport and will now also be on ITV, while the BTCC has not yet confirmed its TV package. So for Seat UK its a case of work out your budget, select the right series and then finalise the drivers.

as for running 8 WTCC cars - exactly how many cars does BMW have out there?????

Lord X · 25 Nov 2005, 11:47 (Ref:1469970)

The way I read it was that WTCC hope to be on ITV - there's not been an official announcement yet. I'm not saying it won't happen ... only believe it when you see it. Note all the talk is from the WTCC.

**FIRE** · 25 Nov 2005, 12:07 (Ref:1469984)

Quote:

Originally Posted by newoutsider

as for running 8 WTCC cars - exactly how many cars does BMW have out there?????

This year they had 5 factory cars (2 BMW Germany, 2 BMW Italy-Spain and 1 BMW UK) and several privateers used BMW's. Next year there are probably 5 factory cars again.

AussieV8 · 25 Nov 2005, 12:32 (Ref:1469998)

Would be nice to see Mazda return with the 3 or the 6....

ATF · 25 Nov 2005, 12:52 (Ref:1470014)

I think SEAT has done really well from competing in the BTCC with fantastic exposure to the UK market. It would be silly to pull out now as the BTCC is the only series SEAT can advertise their cars in the UK.

Also remember last year when Alan Gow said there would be more manufacturers in 2006 and the only reason that a certain one wasn't in for 2005 was because it was too short notice? Who is this mystery manufacturer and what are the chances of seeing more than 2 manufacturers next year?

**FIRE** · 25 Nov 2005, 12:55 (Ref:1470016)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATF

I think SEAT has done really well from competing in the BTCC with fantastic exposure to the UK market. It would be silly to pull out now as the BTCC is the only series SEAT can advertise their cars in the UK.

Is there no SEAT Supercopa next year?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATF

Also remember last year when Alan Gow said there would be more manufacturers in 2006 and the only reason that a certain one wasn't in for 2005 was because it was too short notice? Who is this mystery manufacturer and what are the chances of seeing more than 2 manufacturers next year?

Kia?

newoutsider · 25 Nov 2005, 13:38 (Ref:1470059)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

This year they had 5 factory cars (2 BMW Germany, 2 BMW Italy-Spain and 1 BMW UK) and several privateers used BMW's. Next year there are probably 5 factory cars again.

and the 'privateers' seem to be very close to the factory, so it isn't unreasonable for Seat to counter. current plans are 3 works (Spain) cars, 3 semi-works (Oreca) cars, psobably 2 GR Asia cars (ex-works, not latest spec), so adding 2 maybe 3 works UK cars would simply help maintain the balance - and anyway, without Alfa, the series could do with more front runners to keep BMW honest!

**FIRE** · 25 Nov 2005, 13:49 (Ref:1470066)

The 6 SEAT Sport Leons (3 probably entered by Oreca) are full factory cars.

Tom Coronel said he was optimistec about racing a GR Asia Leon next season. Maybe the 2nd GR Asia car is driven again by local drivers (i.e. from Czech Rep. (Enge?), Brazil (Farfus?), Mexico, Turkey). With Coronel SEAT tries to win the indy championship and the local drivers are for publicity.

rdjones · 25 Nov 2005, 13:53 (Ref:1470071)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Is there no SEAT Supercopa next year?

The Seat Cupra Championship will run in the UK next, they will use the same cars this year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Kia?

There was something in Autosport or Motorsport News saying that Kia have put there plans on the back burner for the time being.

**FIRE** · 25 Nov 2005, 13:55 (Ref:1470074)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdjones

The Seat Cupra Championship will run in the UK next, they will use the same cars this year.

So SEAT UK has a series to promote their brand.

Do they not switch to the new Leon?

newoutsider · 25 Nov 2005, 13:59 (Ref:1470079)

not for another year

**Craig** · 25 Nov 2005, 14:13 (Ref:1470088)

Much as I enjoy the Seat Cupra series it is never going to be something that can be used to promote themselves. It has next to zero TV coverage and generally has a very low profile compared to WTCC or BTCC.

Alfa Fan · 25 Nov 2005, 16:03 (Ref:1470172)

And showing a SEAT Leon can beat a SEAT Leon isn't really showing much is it.

Much better for a SEAT Leon to be beating a Vauxhall Astra

cos · 26 Nov 2005, 01:35 (Ref:1470460)

Autosport and crash.net are both reporting VX's official line-up for 2006, so it's all official now!

kmchow · 26 Nov 2005, 02:05 (Ref:1470484)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Much as I enjoy the Seat Cupra series it is never going to be something that can be used to promote themselves. It has next to zero TV coverage and generally has a very low profile compared to WTCC or BTCC.

But you can brag EVERY TIME that Seat (for the Cupra series) took the top 3 podium places!!

OTOH, how much does it cost to run/promote a one make series versus using the same money to field a BTCC or WTCC team?

BSchneiderFan · 26 Nov 2005, 11:22 (Ref:1470666)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cos

Autosport and crash.net are both reporting VX's official line-up for 2006, so it's all official now!

Interesting to see Giovanardi finally trying his hand in the BTCC. I remember rumours seven years ago that he might switch (and I think he was linked to Vauxhall that time too). He's certainly a quality driver, and will be a good benchmark for the home-grown talents. I have to admit that, for all I like to see young British drivers getting the breaks, I do miss the cosmopolitan nature of the Super Touring era.

ATF · 26 Nov 2005, 11:25 (Ref:1470671)

I agree - I would love to see more top foreign drivers competing in the BTCC. I miss the international level of competition we once had.

Bring back Vincent Radermecker and Peter Kox!

**touringlegend** · 26 Nov 2005, 15:19 (Ref:1470780)

I think Fabrizio Giovanardi is a huge coup for the BTCC, and I have no doubt his name will be on the BTCC trophy someday.

I'm scared by the prospect of the VX team next year with Gio and Chilton and what they can do with the Astra!

Alfa Fan · 26 Nov 2005, 15:29 (Ref:1470786)

BTCC is one of the few title Giovanardi has yet to win. Now if only Aiello could be tempted out of retirement and come back to the BTCC.

Would love to see arguably the best two modern day touring car drivers compete against each other.

**FIRE** · 26 Nov 2005, 15:33 (Ref:1470790)

Mike Jordan confirmed

pink69 · 26 Nov 2005, 15:42 (Ref:1470794)

Wasn't Givonardi linked with a drive in BTCC some years ago with an Alfa project that never appeared? I think it was back in like 1998 or something?

Hazard · 26 Nov 2005, 15:57 (Ref:1470803)

The Alfa's were intending to come over and 'visit' for one or two rounds that didn't conflict. Never happened though.

**touringlegend** · 26 Nov 2005, 16:29 (Ref:1470813)

Wasn't it down to the Alfa's being damaged and not being able to be repaired in time ?

BootsOntheSide · 26 Nov 2005, 16:57 (Ref:1470831)

Yea I remember Alfa entering Giovanardi and Larini in 1998, a shame that never happened. I'm glad Fabrizio is having a crack at the series, but it's perhaps not ideal that Chilton is alongside him - although he's clearly more talented than we all thoguht at first, does he deserve a championship-challenging drive? And will there be a third works car? Might be a good time to update on what is and isn't confirmed?

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