[BTCC] 2009 Rumours & 'Stories'

[touringlegend]

Originally Posted by nickyf1

do i smell a mock up?

Oh I think Andy has a few mock up's up his sleeve..

[PDS]

It's got to be Ford Blue.

[andy_b]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Oh I think Andy has a few mock up's up his sleeve..

mock ups and the real deal

[snowen250]

oooooo Andy you are a tease
One other thing Andy, u doing the ITV grid graphics in 09? Hope so!
Simon

[andy_b]

Originally Posted by snowen250

u doing the ITV grid graphics in 09? Hope so!

me too!

btw - anyone who has the DVDreview - are they on there?

[medius]

Guest appearances from Andy Priaulx?

“It's pretty much set for World Touring Cars,” the 35-year-old said of his 2009 plans, “with maybe the occasional guest appearance somewhere else. We'll have to see what BMW want to do.

“Absolutely [he would consider a future in the BTCC]; it's a good championship, but at the moment we're fully committed to World Touring Cars and trying to focus on that. Hopefully we can do a few guest races in British Touring Cars and ALMS – you never know. We're just keeping our options open, and working hard.”

[BootsOntheSide]

That sounds like the kind of thing people say off-the-cuff in front of an interview, but never follow through on. Assuming the private BMWs do as well in the BTCC as they did in 2008, and Andy has a serious chance of the title by mid-season, what would the team have to gain from it? Putting full factory support behind one of the three existing teams would surely make more sense for BMW?

[Icebaby]

I agree I can't see him doing any guest drives unless BMW are involved as a manufacturer.

Platos comments were interesting recently saying he had come close to a drive with VX in 07/08 but kept with Seat, Suggestions indicate Neal may go back to Dynamics to form a dream team with Thommo to open the door for Plato. I can't really see Thompson falling for that one as he will want number 1 status as he deserves if going to Dynamics.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Icebaby

Suggestions indicate Neal may go back to Dynamics to form a dream team with Thommo to open the door for Plato.

If Neal knows that he is keeping Plato out of a seat, do you really think he will hand that seat to Plato in a front-running team? When did Neal last 'open the door' for Plato rather than slamming it shut in his face?!

[touringlegend]

I still can't see this Neal / Thommo combination at Dynamics, that would mean no paying drivers, I assumed when Neal jumped ship to VXR half the reason was to let another pay driver in there.

Unless the sponsors have seen this doesn't work (Chilton & Shedden) and are getting their chequebooks out as we speak, but I can't see it.

[Ed Peters]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

If Neal knows that he is keeping Plato out of a seat, do you really think he will hand that seat to Plato in a front-running team? When did Neal last 'open the door' for Plato rather than slamming it shut in his face?!

I don't think Matt Neal looks at it that way! Matt would love to be back at Dynamics but is contracted to Vauxhall!

To say that Matt is staying at Vauxhall just to keep Plato out is wide of the mark!

[Icebaby]

Situation at Dynamics is interesting as they have all but said Thompson has a drive their if he wants it which means paying him so the team must be in a better financial situation than last year.

I don't think they had any major damage either from 08 so this also might be a factor.

[stedevil]

I think crmalcolm has a point, Neal wouldnt stay with VX if it was bad for him, but for sure its an extra incentive/bonus if it keeps Plato out.

[Spaced Invader]

Autosport reports today that Plato has been for 'a cup of tea' with Dick Bennetts to talk about a few things.

[Aslak Vind]

Originally Posted by Spaced Invader

Autosport reports today that Plato has been for 'a cup of tea' with Dick Bennetts to talk about a few things.

And Dick is who?

[andy_b]

WSR

[touringlegend]

Originally Posted by Spaced Invader

Autosport reports today that Plato has been for 'a cup of tea' with Dick Bennetts to talk about a few things.

Thought he was more of a coffee man.

Anyways hopefully their cup of tea and biscuit will lead to a deal.

[werner]

Plato + Turkington would be a very, very strong pair for the teamstitle. But where would the money come from? Offcourse Plato is a strong negotiating-point when you're talking to a potential sponsor, but in these days...

[mattt]

Originally Posted by werner

Plato + Turkington would be a very, very strong pair for the teamstitle. But where would the money come from? Offcourse Plato is a strong negotiating-point when you're talking to a potential sponsor, but in these days...

Maybe 3 cars with the third being very well backed

[Icebaby]

Only chance at WSR is if BMW throw in some cash unless the RAC sponsership can cover his wages.

[andy_b]

Plato does have a number of personal sponsors though

[werner]

I can imagine RAC to pay a bit more than last year when they can have their name on the cars of both Turkington and Plato, especially if not áll the extra money must come from them.

[touringlegend]

Here's a thought, Norwich Union (insurance company in the UK) is to be renamed Aviva next year. Aviva is the company that owns Norwich Union and RAC companies.

We've seen the WSR cars before in Macau in the Aviva livery so perhaps they might decide to promote the change in company name next year?

[davyboy]

Don't underestimate Plato's potential to bring money for a drive. He's pretty well connected and probably the most marketable, visible and well recognized of all BTCC drivers. It would be great to see him in a BMW and I think he'd work well with the easygoing attitude of 'The Turk'.

[FIRE]

Has Plato experience with RWD cars?