testing

coxmattycox · 11 Jul 2003, 18:48 (Ref:659067)

1 of the reasons touring cars , but down testing is to save money.

so then WHY! are they on about having a round next year with the gp WHERE they dont get ne point?

seems pointless

redshoes · 11 Jul 2003, 19:07 (Ref:659081)

Pointless is correct, as it's a non-championship round. Think of it like the old end-of-season TOCA Shootout.

Like it or not it will be the biggest crowd the BTCC gets next year and an ideal place for manufacturers and teams to show what they can do.

Sim_Da_BTCC_Man · 11 Jul 2003, 19:48 (Ref:659119)

But it will waste money, and independent teams may not be bothered to turn up, so effectively its not showing the full potential of the championship anyway.

**Craig** · 11 Jul 2003, 19:55 (Ref:659125)

In actual fact I think you'll find the opposite, Sim, damn near all of the teams will be selling this to potential sponsors as the highlight of their season - with a value-added event such as this on the cards it is likely they will actually find it easier to not only cover the extra costs involved, but actually pull a few extra quid in to cover the cost of the rest of the season. If you were the chairman of a potential sponsor would you rather be scmoozing your guests at the British GP or at a cold and wet Knockhill... regardless of whether the event is championship or not.

Sim_Da_BTCC_Man · 11 Jul 2003, 19:58 (Ref:659127)

When you put it like that my point is invalid. If they production stay (which is unlikely), I dont think they will be in attendance though?

**Craig** · 11 Jul 2003, 19:58 (Ref:659128)

Additionally there may be entrants who cannot afford a full season but who can pull the funds together to race in front of a big crowd like that. There are a good number of ETCC and BTCC cars in independant hands which would be welcomed with open arms - what chance a Volvo entry, what chance some Pro Motorsport Civics, what chance a one off outing for the old Lexus or Alfa cars...???

**Craig** · 11 Jul 2003, 20:00 (Ref:659130)

I think it exceedingly unlikely that production will be around next year but, if it were, why would they not be there? If costs can be covered then anyone would be welcome - that is the beauty of this sort of event - remember the grids for the old TOCA Shootout?

redshoes · 11 Jul 2003, 20:34 (Ref:659171)

Even if Production aren't with us next year, and I agree with Craig it's looking unlikely, there's a posibility it may run as a seperate series. As it's a non-championship event there's no reason the Production couldn't be re-introduced as a one off. This will be on the GP circuit so in theory there's space on the grid for 40 or so cars.

If the idea of one-off entries sounds unlikely look back a few years when the British GT series ran a similiar non-championship race at the GP. Among the entries was Porsche GT1 in full Team Dynamics livery driven by Matt Neal.

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