2004 calendar changes

[redshoes]

I don't often pay much attention to the F1 calendar but have reason to do so this time. The 2004 schedule was released today and will have an impact on BTCC fans.

The British GP has moved to 4th July (a week earlier than originally planned), which means the non-championship support race also moves.

The other knock on effect is for the proposed Formula Saloon's SuperTouring Festival which was penciled in for that weekend at Snetterton.

Worth mentioning also that the final BTCC round at Donington on 19th Sep clashes with the now confirmed Rally GB date. Probably not too many fans likely to want to attend both but it will have an effect on media coverage.

[BertMk2]

Originally posted by redshoes
Worth mentioning also that the final BTCC round at Donington on 19th Sep clashes with the now confirmed Rally GB date. Probably not too many fans likely to want to attend both but it will have an effect on media coverage.

Are you sure about that? If it's got a lid on it and it's moving quickly it's worth a look (easily pleased really aren't I? ) I don't see the sense in scheduling two of the most popular series for the same weekend, somebody please move one of them (guessing the BTCC).

[Craner Curves]

I did read a few weeks ago that the Donington date was subject to change because of the Rally GB.

[ATF]

Originally posted by Craner Curves
I did read a few weeks ago that the Donington date was subject to change because of the Rally GB.

I think it will either move to the weekend before or after the rally.

[rdjones]

Originally posted by Craner Curves
I did read a few weeks ago that the Donington date was subject to change because of the Rally GB.

Yes it was in Autosport a couple of weeks ago - I just hope it doesn't clash with the LMES race at Silverstone which is also going to be held next September, as yet no date has been confirmed.

[ADnet]

Next year, the merged promotional meeting along at the F1 GP at silverstone should be great but will they be using the Grandprix circuit or the international circuit ???

Think about it, the international circuit would miss out a huge section of track where spectators could be.....

Any idea what they plan to do??

[redshoes]

It will be on the GP circuit, as will all the support races.

[paulzinho]

Makes sense, I would've thought they'd all use the same track for the whole weekend, otherwise logistically it would be a pain in the arse.

[Stephen Green]

The GP also clashes with the final of Euro 04

[paulzinho]

D'oh!

[touringlegend]

Personally I'm more worried about the clash with the Super Touring festival cos that sounds good to me!

GP or ST ????

[redshoes]

I suspect Garry will re-schedule the ST festival to a different weekend. It's very rare for any race meeting to run on the same weekend as the GP due to problems getting enough marshals and officials. Before someone says, yes I know it has happened a few years back when the BTCC was at Donington over the Easter weekend but there race day was on Monday and the GP on Sunday.

[paulzinho]

Whats the BTCC calender for next year?

[redshoes]

April 10/11 Thruxton
May 1/2/3 Brands Hatch (CART support)
May 15/16 Silverstone
May 30/31 Oulton Park
June 12/13 Mondello Park
June 26/27 Rockingham or Knockhill
July 24/25 Croft
August 21/22 Brands Hatch
September 4/5 Snetterton
September 18/19 Donington Park

July 2/3/4 British GP, Silverstone (non-championship)

[paulzinho]

Thanks Nigel, only one round at Donny though, any plans to hook up with the F3's and GT's again. I always thought they worked very well together from a spectators point of view.

[redshoes]

No mention of it as yet but F3/GT haven't announced a schedule, so it's still a possibility.

[sceptic]

There won't be any hook ups with F3 next year...and the F3 calendar will be announced at the end of this month, or early October.

British GP not only clashes with Euro 2004 final, but also with men's final at Wimbledon.

Donington BTCC meeting will probably be moved a week later - if it does move earlier, then all the rounds from July onwards will have to move, as there has to be a two week gap between meetings.

[paulzinho]

Why no hook up then?

[sceptic]

Alan Gow doesn't think it's good for British motorsport...and in a way I agree with him.

If there are ten TOCA meetings a year and 12 F3 meetings a year, that means every circuit in the UK is going to get at least two "profitable" meetings.

For most circuits, particularly the ones which are smaller or have use restrictions, like Croft and Thruxton, that makes a significant difference to whether they are sustainable as racing venues.

[paulzinho]

True but I don't think the series need to link up for every circuit, IMO it worked well at Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Donny in the past, both of which host international meetings. (SBK, DTM, ETCC, CART, F1). Why not link up for these lot?

[Andy Metcalf]

I will have to start writting in my diary with a pencil. Any more news on the Chump, sorry Champ Car situation for next year?

[Neil Adams]

autosport ran a feature saying that the champ cars may not return to brands and infact europe for races as part of a cost cuting exercise

[Andy Metcalf]

Originally posted by btcc-thunder
autosport ran a feature saying that the champ cars may not return to brands and infact europe for races as part of a cost cuting exercise

Yes I read the same article, but have not heard anymore mentioned on the subject.

[Stephen Green]

I guess we will have to wait and see what the new owners of CART want to do next year.

[rdjones]

Just seen something interesting on the BMW Motorsport website that Formula BMW will be racing at Knockhill on 26/27 June - now that is the provinal date for Rockingham do BMW know something we don't......