2007 European Touring Car Cup - where should it be held?

[the interpreter]

The 2007 European Touring Car Cup has to build on the success of the 2005 event, as the 2006 event was a bit of a disappointment. This was, arguably, due to the race date and maybe even the circuit.
So where should the ETC Cup be held in 2007? And when?

[PorscheFanNo1]

Put it at Bathurst! Oh wait, thats not in Europe...

[JMeissner]

It is a tough one.

The main criterias should be:

Put it some time after the last race of the season of the major series, WTCC, DTM, BTCC, STCC, etc. The teams must have chance to prepare a budget, fix the cars, etc.

That means that the race will be late in the year, and many countries doesen't have the weather for that. So the race must be held far south in Europe. That gives us Italy, Spain, France and so on...

[Rob29]

Non of those for certain.Maybe Pau?

[Alfa Fan]

Donington Park in November sounds good

[kipper]

Given the climate conditions that are likely to be present in Northern Europe during the late autumn/early winter, a southern venue is likely to be better. I also think it would be beneficial to hold the race at a venue which no championship races at to try and make the field as balanced as possible. Given this I think that Pau (or indeed Monaco) would offer these benefits, plus provide a suitably prestigous venue for the race. That said, I'm unsure as to whether it is possible to organise additional events to what already takes place at both locations.

[SALEEN S7R]

I went for Spa, of the circuits listed it is IMO the best track available for any form of motorsport, touring cars is no exception. Other than Spa though id like to see the event at either Silverstone (GP circuit), Monza or maybe even the Nurburgring.

[touring fan01]

How about non of the circuits?
It's a huge non-event.

[redshoes]

That's the point, it SHOULD be a big event, but wasn't thanks to poor planning.

[touring fan01]

Even with the better planning in 2005, it wasn't a big event.

The title (obviously) has no gravitas and nobody knows or cares about it, other than hardened enthusiasts.

[JMeissner]

Which is the case of all similar events in the beginning. That's why its so important to keep working on it and getting it better, so it's getting recongnized...

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

Even with the better planning in 2005, it wasn't a big event.

The title (obviously) has no gravitas and nobody knows or cares about it, other than hardened enthusiasts.

Isn't that the case with many titles? Winning Wimbledon is a major title in tennis but I don't care.

I agree with Johan, the ETC Cup needs time to get recognised and more important.

Because of weather conditions southern Europe is the best place. But with global warming a circuit more to the north is also possible in the near future.


2007 Schedule:
WTCC
7 October Italy Monza
18 November Macau Macau

BTCC (UK)
1-2 September, Knockhill, Fife
13-14 October, Thruxton, Hampshire

STCC (Sweden)
?

ITCC (Italy)
?

Procar (Germany)
?

DTC (Denmark)
?

Baltic TCC (Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia)
?

FTCC (Finland)
?

RTCC (Russia)
?

So at the moment I would choose for ETCC 3/4 November.

[Valker]

Baltic TCC (Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia)

The Baltic calendar isn't released yet, but Estonian TCC calendar looks like this:

05.-06.5. Bikernieki, Riga, Latvia
09.-10.6. Linnaring, Tallinn, Estonia
28.-29.7. Vauhtiajot, Seinäjoki, Finland
11.-12.8. EST-Ring, Pärnu, Estonia
25.-26.8. Ahvenisto, Hämeenlinna, Finland


FTCC ("Super Touring SM") (Finland)

12.-13.5. Botniaring, Jurva, Finland
09.-10.6. Linnaring, Tallinn, Estonia
30.6.-1.7. Kemora, Veteli, Finland
28.-29.7. Vauhtiajot, Seinäjoki, Finland
11.-12.8. EST-Ring, Pärnu, Estonia
25.-26.8. Ahvenisto, Hämeenlinna, Finland
15.-16.9. Alastaro, Finland

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

The title (obviously) has no gravitas and nobody knows or cares about it, other than hardened enthusiasts.

Ask the man in the street what title Andy Priaulx won this year and you'll get a lot of blank looks. Does that mean the WTCC is equally worthless?

Originally Posted by FIRE

So at the moment I would choose for ETCC 3/4 November.

So we're agreed then, Donington Park on Nov 3/4
Who cares if it might be a little damp, alway a good test of a true racer.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by redshoes

So we're agreed then, Donington Park on Nov 3/4
Who cares if it might be a little damp, alway a good test of a true racer.

Why not; This year the track was also a "bit" damped but the racing was good.

[gixxer]

Put it at castle combe there has been a suggestion that a high profile championship is to visit Combe next

[EuropaBambaataa]

I was told the ETC Cup will always be held in a southern European country because of the weather, so that should count out tracks with danger of snow, such as the Nurburgring, Spa or Salzburgring. Zandvoort is an exception, as it's near the sea. I believe Imola or a return to Vallelunga make more sense.

[werner]

Donnington Park is a very nice circuit, but it give's the competitors from the BTCC an unfair advantage. I hope Zandvoort can host the race, I wille be there to watch. Spa is beautifull as well, but it is to long for 2 sprint-races. It can be goog with another race-format.
Other good circuits that don't host national touringcar-races are all good Spanisch and French tracks

[nickyf1]

Knockhill would be great! But, there are no pit Garages, Drivers have to use Public Toilets, etc...

I would love some sort of Enduro at Spa, like Europe's Equivelant of Bathurst 1000.