Richard West says:

Reido Rules · 11 Jan 2002, 20:36 (Ref:197177)

That he is in detailed discussions with a 5th manufacturer, but who could it be???

**touringlegend** · 11 Jan 2002, 21:15 (Ref:197220)

I hope this is for this season hopefully, I can see Volvo turning their backs on the ETCC and racing their S60's over here.

hunttheshunt · 11 Jan 2002, 21:29 (Ref:197231)

I'd guess at Volvo or Lexus. I know Lexus said 'no', but with the possibility of no IS200's running this year maybe they've changed their minds?

Radisichrox · 11 Jan 2002, 22:24 (Ref:197277)

Hmm, sounds interesting!

Maybe Lexus or as TL said, Volvo.

Where'd you get this info?:confused:

**touringlegend** · 11 Jan 2002, 22:33 (Ref:197282)

RW said this at the Autosport show, check out the ITV news story under the BTCC section on Autosport.com

Reido Rules · 11 Jan 2002, 23:14 (Ref:197319)

I believe it will be Volvo because they had built two cars for the previous Super 2000 rules, but the rules were changed so they have two cars that can be easily converted locked away.

Don't Rule out Renault, I can't say I have firm evidence about them but they did show interest at the start of the year.

Minardi fan · 12 Jan 2002, 00:09 (Ref:197338)

Wahey, more cars!!!

racer69 · 12 Jan 2002, 01:43 (Ref:197365)

I think it is too late for a manufacturer to be ready for the first round. If another one was to join it would be MG style, part way through the series, unless it was maybe Lexus giving TSMR some backing to further develop the cars.

On Volvo, they aren't 'officially' in the ETC this year, although i think they would be giving Prodrive some help with their S60's. Them converting their Super 2000 Volvo's to BTC Touring is possible, but as the Super 2000 rules are coming into force in the ETC next year, they will probably just keep developing the cars for that.

With Nissan backing the ETC, maybe their owners Renault might bring the Renault badge back to the BTCC. What about VW, they have rumoured to be interested before, and with VW subsidery Seat entering the ETCC in 2003, VW could run in the BTCC.

**touringlegend** · 12 Jan 2002, 09:44 (Ref:197467)

Just thinking about the Lexus suggestion, and thought that was impossible, but RW said these talks had all hinged on the ITV deal.
Now, didnt't Lexus say no before the deal was announced?
And it's also interesting to see he wants BMW and Alfa Romeo back as he thinks that would bring Lexus back...

Eddie_harasym · 12 Jan 2002, 13:48 (Ref:197508)

Quote:

Originally posted by touringlegend

And it's also interesting to see he wants BMW and Alfa Romeo back as he thinks that would bring Lexus back...

When did he say this?

**touringlegend** · 12 Jan 2002, 14:18 (Ref:197516)

Quote:

Originally posted by touringlegend
RW said this at the Autosport show, check out the ITV news story under the BTCC section on Autosport.com

hunttheshunt · 12 Jan 2002, 18:18 (Ref:197568)

I think the reason he said it was because BMW and Alfa are Lexus' rivals in the car-buyers market; similar models, similar price etc.

hunttheshunt · 12 Jan 2002, 18:34 (Ref:197575)

I am forwarding my prediction for the '5th manufacturer';

Lexus GB, with the cars prepared by Vic Lee Racing.

Just a feeling I have.

Larsen · 13 Jan 2002, 12:37 (Ref:197962)

would that mean more than 20 cars if Richard Wright is right?

**touringlegend** · 13 Jan 2002, 12:55 (Ref:197971)

Quick calculation...

Vauxhall Astra x6
Proton Impian x2
MG ZS x2
Honda Civic Type-R x2
Possible Manufacturer x2
Lexus IS200 x2
Alfa Romeo 147 x2
Peugeot 406's? x2

20 bang on! Though the 5th manufacturer, Lexus, Alfa and Pugs are not 100% confirmed.

runnyhunny · 13 Jan 2002, 15:07 (Ref:198028)

JSM (who ran the Alfa 147s last year) have said that they will be running Alfa 156s in 2002 (in attempt to get some support from Alfa Romeo) and have a new sponsor, Max Power.

See http://www.jsmotorsports.co.uk (not .com!)

Note that they have not yet announced their drivers.

kmchow · 13 Jan 2002, 23:46 (Ref:198320)

runnyhunny wrote:

>JSM (who ran the Alfa 147s last year) have said that they will be >running Alfa 156s in 2002 (in attempt to get some support from Alfa
>Romeo) and have a new sponsor, Max Power.
>
You mean Alfa gives absolutely zero support to racers of the 147?

racer69 · 14 Jan 2002, 09:39 (Ref:198426)

Alfa wants to promote the 156, not the 147, hence why the 156 is used by the factory team in the ETCC.

runnyhunny · 14 Jan 2002, 10:09 (Ref:198436)

kmchow,

Yes. Apparently, Alfa explicitly asked JSM not to use the 147, but to run a 156 instead. JSM insisted that they wanted to run the 147, and we all know how that turned out. Their plan is that if they run the 156, Alfa might lend them a hand.

I'm slightly disappionted. I thought the Alfa 147 was a stunning touring car. I *really* hope that someone runs them next year, but I doubt it (since they are significantly slower than the 406s!).

Eddie_harasym · 14 Jan 2002, 11:01 (Ref:198450)

Would that 156 be in the TC class?

It would be great to see 147's and 156's in the TC class this year.

runnyhunny · 14 Jan 2002, 18:48 (Ref:198628)

The JSM cars are for the Touring class, yes.

I'd *love* to see someone else race those old 147s in Touring (in addition to JSM running the 156s) but I don't think it'll happen. They are surely not an attractive buy!

hunttheshunt · 14 Jan 2002, 21:44 (Ref:198766)

I hope we see Alfa on the grid in 2002-more cars and hopefu lly competitive ones.

JEMMO · 15 Jan 2002, 14:01 (Ref:198977)

Quote:

Originally posted by Reido Rules
I believe it will be Volvo because they had built two cars for the previous Super 2000 rules, but the rules were changed so they have two cars that can be easily converted locked away.

Don't Rule out Renault, I can't say I have firm evidence about them but they did show interest at the start of the year.

Have Renault got a suitable car? I think the Megane is going to be replaced soon and the Laguna would probably be too big.

BTC Touring Clios... Now theres a thought!

runnyhunny · 15 Jan 2002, 18:35 (Ref:199074)

Why would a Laguna be too big? There is no maximum length rule, as far as I am aware.

Eddie_harasym · 15 Jan 2002, 18:54 (Ref:199081)

They could be really stupid and rcae the Avantime

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