BTCC entries/rumours that never came to be

[S griffin]

Seemed very ambitious at the time, but it came good eventually, despite being up against it.

I remember that Autosport article, obviously TOC was semi unemployed at the time. But the chances of Thorney being in the BTCC seemed quite a big step away then…l

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Seemed very ambitious at the time, but it came good eventually, despite being up against it.

I remember that Autosport article, obviously TOC was semi unemployed at the time. But the chances of Thorney being in the BTCC seemed quite a big step away then…l

I thought TO-C potentially joining Thorney Motorsport was an even longer shot.

Speaking of long shots, last year of course, there were rumours on this very forum linking Gordon Shedden and James Courtney to Motorbase. The former would have been infinitely more realistic since the team had already signed Rory Butcher. Made it all the more disappointing when Neate got the drive.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Alex Rullo tested the PMR Astra in 2017 ahead of a possible switch to the BTCC for 2018.

Martin Plowman and Sam Tordoff also tested for PMR at the end of 2017.

https://www.touringcartimes.com/2017/11/16/supercars-racer-alex-rullo-test-power-maxed-racing-vauxhall/

[AnonymityRules]

Andy Neate originally entered two Chevrolet Cruzes in 2013 but only one appeared at only at three meetings.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

https://www.touringcartimes.com/2011...hall-insignia/ - I was right about there at least being a rumour about Thorney Motorsport looking to run the Astra Sport Hatch. This also implies a possible 2009 entry.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Nononsensecapeesh

https://www.touringcartimes.com/2011...hall-insignia/ - I was right about there at least being a rumour about Thorney Motorsport looking to run the Astra Sport Hatch. This also implies a possible 2009 entry.

I wonder how much of the Astra Sport Hatch part is journalistic licence?
I understood that, by 2009, there were only 2 half-decent Sport Hatches left and Erkut K?z?l?rmak had both of these in Turkey?

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I wonder how much of the Astra Sport Hatch part is journalistic licence?
I understood that, by 2009, there were only 2 half-decent Sport Hatches left and Erkut K?z?l?rmak had both of these in Turkey?

I will admit, reading the article for myself, I found it a bit confusing.

Wonder if Joe Girling would have been one of Thorney's intended drivers in 2010 or 2011? There's no mention of a 2nd driver in that article or the one claiming TOC was linked to them.

[kurski]

Niko Nurminen had a "BTCC project", he got acquainted with an English manager's office in the beginning of 2004. That office handled the affairs of a few successful formula drivers in the UK at the time, and after careful negotiations, Niko ended up as their client with a one-year contract. At first, things went well and they had agreed dates and everything for the BTCC test in Silverstone. Finally a test the price rose to staggering sums. He decided to skip the test and focus on long races in the Czech Republic. After the cancellation of the test and the execution of the agreed payments, communication with the Manager also began to become more difficult. At the end of the year, the entire management office lost than under the ground leaving many drivers, including Niko, alone with empty promises.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Originally Posted by kurski

Niko Nurminen had a "BTCC project", he got acquainted with an English manager's office in the beginning of 2004. That office handled the affairs of a few successful formula drivers in the UK at the time, and after careful negotiations, Niko ended up as their client with a one-year contract. At first, things went well and they had agreed dates and everything for the BTCC test in Silverstone. Finally a test the price rose to staggering sums. He decided to skip the test and focus on long races in the Czech Republic. After the cancellation of the test and the execution of the agreed payments, communication with the Manager also began to become more difficult. At the end of the year, the entire management office lost than under the ground leaving many drivers, including Niko, alone with empty promises.

What car was Nurminen intending to run?

[AnonymityRules]

Ben Winrow tested a Special Tuning SEAT Leon at the end of 2010 and was linked to a possible half-season as Tom Boardman's team-mate in 2011.

[S griffin]

There were quite a few linked to that STR SEAT drive, alongside Boardman

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Originally Posted by S griffin

There were quite a few linked to that STR SEAT drive, alongside Boardman

Not surprised, STR wanted to run as many as four Leons in 2011.

[AnonymityRules]

Geoff Steel Racing intended to run two BMWs when they returned in 2011.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Team ES Racing intended to upgrade to NGTC cars for 2012 but ended up with the ex-Pirtek Vauxhall Vectras.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Ill health stopped Chris Stockton from driving the Thorney Motorsport Vauxhall Insignia at Silverstone in 2012 and he was replaced by Tony Gilham.

Same thing happened to Jac Constable at Croft last year when he was due to drive the PMR Astra.

[AnonymityRules]

Rob Austin's team intended to switch to a front-wheel drive car for 2016 after ditching the Audis but pulled out after losing their Exocet Sponsorship.

Austin of course moved to Handy Motorsport who were looking to run a second Toyota Avensis, leading to an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to hire Hunter Abbott, who instead went to PMR. Handy's second Avensis never appeared.

Rumour had it Luke Davenport was in the frame to stand in for Abbott at Knockhill in 2015. RAR really should have been let off that weekend since Abbott was about to become a father.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/...20991/5020991/

Just imagine, Carl Fogarty and Aaron Slight renewing their World Superbike battles on four wheels, that would have been something!

[S griffin]

Did Foggy ever compete in anything on four wheels? That said Slight I think didn’t have any four wheeled experience before his first appearance in the BTCC in 97 in the TT and none after that before he made his full time switch to the BTCC in 01-02

[AnonymityRules]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Did Foggy ever compete in anything on four wheels? That said Slight I think didn’t have any four wheeled experience before his first appearance in the BTCC in 97 in the TT and none after that before he made his full time switch to the BTCC in 01-02

Apart from testing a works Honda Accord in 2000.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Did Foggy ever compete in anything on four wheels? That said Slight I think didn’t have any four wheeled experience before his first appearance in the BTCC in 97 in the TT and none after that before he made his full time switch to the BTCC in 01-02

Foggy was also briefly rumoured to be linked to Proton in 2002 through the Petronas connection.

[AnonymityRules]

Aaron Slight was aiming to switch to Gary Ayles' team for 2003.

Interestingly, Matt Neal was linked to GA because Team Dynamics were sponsoring them at the time.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Richard Hawken tested a Speedworks Toyota Avensis ahead of the 2013 Season and was in the frame to partner Dave Newsham until they signed Ollie Jackson.

Chris Jones and Ian Loggie also tested for Speedworks at Snetterton.

[AnonymityRules]

Originally Posted by Nononsensecapeesh

Foggy was also briefly rumoured to be linked to Proton in 2002 through the Petronas connection.

He also tested a Super Touring Vauxhall Vectra once.

[Nononsensecapeesh]

https://www.touringcartimes.com/2010...-of-btcc-2010/

Turks linked to WSR.

James Nash linked to Motorbase.

A possible 3rd Tech-Speed entry.

Dean Smith linked to Triple 8.

Another possible return for Michael Doyle and In-Tune Racing.

[AnonymityRules]

Alex MacDowall tested a WSR BMW at the end of 2009 before joining the RML Chevrolet team.