Wtcc

[Asa]

Just read Autosport and it claimed there will only be 2 long-haul races in the WTCC next year. One will be at Argentina or Mexico and the other is the Guia Race in Macau. Apart from that, there will be 8 rounds in Europe. The idea is that there will be more races in 2006.

Being in Hong Kong, of course I welcome the WTCC to Macau (just 1 hour away by jetfoil). But it surely needs a lot more promotion then it does now. We have 0 coverage of the races on TV...

[arashi]

Actually it's almost 0 coverage on car racing...

btw, neither the DTM/ WRC covered in the past had much success in viewership terms.

[kmchow]

That's great to hear Macau will once again be the Asian host for touring cars! Perhaps I should plan a trip back to visit my relatives in Macau around the Guia race weekend??

[SFonseca]

After 50th Macau Grand Prix, Marcello Lotti confirmed KSO interest to run at Guia circuit to Hoje Macau newspaper.

The provisional Programme of the 51st Macau Grand Prix is now available. Take a look here: http://gp.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/mgp...x.php?cat=prog

[ATF]

Going slightly OT, does anyone think this will have much of an impact on the BTCC? Muller and JT have both conquered the BTCC and could we see them moving on, as a world championship would be THE place where every touring car driver would want to be!

[arashi]

Just noticed from the 51st Macau program:
Guia Race / World Touring Car - 2 Legs of 8 laps each with 15 minutes break between Legs

Only 8 laps??
well... it had been 2 legs of 12~15 laps in the past.

[flor]

the ETCC/WTCC has always those awfully short races

[xman_wolve]

Can't remember where I heard it from but I think this year Macau will still be using the Superproduction spec. Not until 05 they will run the S 2000. If that's the case, we'll still be watching those 4 plus years old BMW 320i and Alfa 147.

[Alfa Fan]

The Alfa Romeo 147s that run are actually only a few years old.

[xman_wolve]

FIA Superproduction only held in 2001 then drop dead. That means the 147s are 4 years old. Unless Alfa built more after 01 but that didn't make any sense did it? Correct me if I'm wrong but would this year be the last of the last for any superproduction race? Is there anywhere in the world still race with this class except Asia?

[arashi]

Originally posted by xman_wolve
Can't remember where I heard it from but I think this year Macau will still be using the Superproduction spec. Not until 05 they will run the S 2000...

Sounds odd as the ATCS is already running Super2000 cars (Class 1) alongside Superproductions (Class 2), there's a pair of Super2000 Altezzas...

[SFonseca]

Originally posted by arashi
Just noticed from the 51st Macau program:
Guia Race / World Touring Car - 2 Legs of 8 laps each with 15 minutes break between Legs

Only 8 laps??
well... it had been 2 legs of 12~15 laps in the past.

Is this the ETCC way, isn't it?

[racer69]

Originally posted by flor
the ETCC/WTCC has always those awfully short races

Only since it's rebirth in 2001.

Am i the only one thinking it's abit ambitious to go running another World Touring Car Championship at the moment, especially with the European Touring Car world just starting to settle down with S2000 rules?

When the first WTCC was run in 1987, the ETCC was already a well established championship and the Touring Car world was very stable (well, until Bernie took over anyway). The 'new-age' ETC is still growing.

[Asa]

I think Macau is ok because it doesn't cost the teams any transportation money. Macau has traditionally paid for the teams' transportation, flights and hotels.

And since there are only 8 rounds in Europe, Macau is not going to be an additional race to the calendar as such.

But the championship really needs to market itself better in South China if it is going to be really successful.

China have BMW and Honda plants now so they really ought to see if something can be done locally.

[kmchow]

Originally posted by Asa
But the championship really needs to market itself better in South China if it is going to be really successful.

China have BMW and Honda plants now so they really ought to see if something can be done locally.

Interestingly enough, I think Peugeot and BMW have been the most supportive of touring car racing in China for some reason! I would say Toyota is the 3rd most supportive of touring car racing, but they do that by sending their Japanese teams over to race. Peugeot/BMW have "native" Chinese teams race. The weird thing is that I don't see too many Peugeots on the street. I guess that's why Peugeot is so supportive of touring car racing then!!
Considering it's market position, it's too bad there aren't more VWs racing in Asia. OTOH, I guess if they dominate the retail car market, they don't need any motorsport involvement to draw add'l attention to their marque.

[Asa]

Peugeot and BMW, with semi-works teams, used to race in the ATCS with their super production cars in 2000, but both have left now, which is quite a shame.

VW used to have a large market capitalization in China, but that's being reduced right now, after all, if everyone is driving a VW, you'd of course want to drive something different. VW IS doing something in China motorsports. They are big in rallying, did the Polo Cup last year and sent two young Chinese drivers to race in Formula VW in Germany. But they are NOT in proper touring car racing.