Full Factory Alfa in BTCC for 2003.

Speeddemon555 · 4 Jul 2002, 21:21 (Ref:327327)

I read an article on Autosport Online that Alfa Romeo is giving full factory support for the BTCC Touring Car division for next year. Right now, GA Motorsport will move up from the Production class to the Touring Class. They do not know if they will run the 147s or modified the 156s into a touring car.

Mocko · 4 Jul 2002, 21:41 (Ref:327334)

correction: they (GA M'sport) don't know whether there's any money, any plans or any move. Alfa are mulling it over and Nordauto have talked to Alfa GB and GA M'sport. And they want to run in both production and touring classes.

Good news though.

pink69 · 4 Jul 2002, 22:32 (Ref:327359)

Question now is, 147 or 156? Lets hope they are a strong challenge to the Vauxhall domination.

Rambo · 4 Jul 2002, 23:48 (Ref:327390)

It'd be good news. Why can't Ford run a couple of Focuses, too? The field is still a bit weak on manufacturers.

**touringlegend** · 5 Jul 2002, 01:38 (Ref:327423)

I think with Alfa Romeo they'd bring a few cars, 3 at least, maybe 4, then there's the other make that's meant to be joining as well.

Tony_Simpson · 5 Jul 2002, 01:57 (Ref:327427)

I heard a rumer that the cars would be re-worked ETCC cars. Makes sense though.

TheLeader · 5 Jul 2002, 07:58 (Ref:327514)

Who do we think will be driving?

**touringlegend** · 5 Jul 2002, 08:35 (Ref:327527)

This years BTCP Alfa drivers maybe, I'd reckon Gavin Pyper would be a definite. Maybe Alfa Romeo GB could bring back their works driver - Tom Ferrier from the ETCC ?

pink69 · 5 Jul 2002, 09:38 (Ref:327565)

ETCC champion Fabritzio Givonardi said he wanted to rcae in the BTCC before he retired. Maybe he could be coming our way?

BootsOntheSide · 5 Jul 2002, 09:53 (Ref:327573)

Any two from Giovanardi, Pyper and Ferrier could be a strong squad, but I'm sure you're all with me in hoping for Giovanardi as the BTCC does need top European drivers to reclaim its status in the UK, but especially overseas. With kindkness to them, Blencowe and Saunders look like Production Class standard driver

Rambo · 5 Jul 2002, 10:09 (Ref:327583)

Giovanardi better not be under the impression he can get away with the same stunts he pulled last year. Even if the stewards don't sort him out, the drivers will take revenge!

**touringlegend** · 5 Jul 2002, 12:17 (Ref:327640)

It'd certainly be interesting to see how a multiple champ around Europe handles the BTCC. I hope it happens as it'd be good for the BTCC.

alesi95 · 5 Jul 2002, 12:22 (Ref:327645)

Quote:

It'd be good news. Why can't Ford run a couple of Focuses, too? The field is still a bit weak on manufacturers

Ford have said that since they already run a high profile attack on the WRC with the Focus they see no gains to be made from running it in (Sarcasim mode on) "The new improved BTCC". (Sarcasim mode disabled.)

racer69 · 5 Jul 2002, 13:56 (Ref:327721)

Don't mean to sound negative, but can you honestly see Giovanardi leaving an international series to go to a domestic series? the only scenario i see in him coming to the BTCC is if the whole Nordauto effort was switched from the ETC to the BTCC, which means Larini would probably come too.

I'd tip Ferrier and Pyper, probably in 156's, isn't the reason Alfa wouldn't support JSM because they ran 147's, not 156's.

Rambo · 5 Jul 2002, 15:04 (Ref:327764)

Well, other people like Tarquini and Aiello have come from the other series to run over here. Muller obviously thinks highly enough of the BTCC to want to win it rather than bugger off to the DTM or ETCC. And if the Alfa's are to be penalized next year, or at least the playying field levelled in the ETCC, that might make him think about it.

Alfa Fan · 5 Jul 2002, 15:11 (Ref:327768)

My prediction is a massive 5-car team to take on the rest. I has a brilliant driver line-up to.

Tom Ferrier
Gavin Pyper
Alan Blencowe
Kelvin Burt
Graham Saunders.

BootsOntheSide · 5 Jul 2002, 16:25 (Ref:327802)

But isn't that a bit like the mammoth 6 car effort John Shields promised? I can't imagine that Blencowe or Saunders will have the neccessary sponsorship for a second season, and better drivers can certainly be picked up. Not sure Burt is interested in a full time return to the series either. But I agree with racer69's thinking as to the 156.

Alfa Fan · 5 Jul 2002, 16:51 (Ref:327809)

Blencowe and Saunders wouldn'd need to pay. They would have there drivers funded as it is a works effort. They may infact become professional drivers.

**touringlegend** · 5 Jul 2002, 17:09 (Ref:327815)

Drivers will go wherever they get payed to drive in, its a dream come true for them and is why you see so many "unknown" drivers in BTCP, hopeing manufacturers will notice them.

MaxSport · 5 Jul 2002, 17:12 (Ref:327818)

While the BTCC is a national series, not unlike the DTM, it has had a status that is beyond that of your typical national series. So I could see Giovanardi coming to race there in a factory Alfa.

However,I doubt he would come next year. The ETCC looks like it is about to launch into orbit.

I just wonder if we will see an Alfa 2.0 six given the amended ETCC rules and the fact that the GTA road car has a V6?

KM

Reido Rules · 5 Jul 2002, 17:51 (Ref:327835)

Strange this, I have spoken to the Gio and he says that he is prepared to come to the BTCC as long as the series shows signs of Vauxhalls domination been weakened.

Sadly if there are more than 2 cars Romana Bernadoni will be driving on of the extras as she brings the cash, and I'm not been sexist but she is rubbish.

Rambo · 5 Jul 2002, 18:13 (Ref:327850)

Can't be any worse than Alex Bleeding Yoong...

Reido Rules · 5 Jul 2002, 18:41 (Ref:327866)

You wanna bet?

last years reverse grid system at Silverstone, she is in the best car on pole, guess her position after half a lap?

Last, and at the end of the lap she was 5seconds down.

Tim Harvey Fan · 6 Jul 2002, 00:31 (Ref:327982)

So why don't Ford enter the BTCC with the Puma then instead of going down with the sinking ship that they call the Jaguar F1 team?

Rambo · 6 Jul 2002, 00:41 (Ref:327989)

LOL. Who was that silly cow that cost Mansell the Indy 500 win in '93? She was lousy, too.

How can Ford throw so much money at Jaguar and just make the car worse and worse? The mind boggles. Maybe they should put Malcom Wilson in charge. Keep whatshisname company in the F1 paddock...

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