[BTCC] 2016 BTCC news & rumours

[cos]

Originally Posted by 850Estate

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We've got some more 2016 #BTCC news coming soon... keep an eye out!

He who shall not be named? 888? RAR? Chris James and Andy Neate?

Confirmation that Moffat is staying with Laser/Ciceley in the Merc.

[porsche962fan]

Team Dynamics - Honda Civic Type R
- Gordon Shedden
- Matt Neal

Eurotech - Honda Civic Type R
- Jeff Smith
- Martin Deeper
- ??? 3rd car ?

Motorbase - Ford Focus
- Andrew Jordan
- ????
- 3rd car ???

WIX Racing + Laser Tools Racing - Mercedes A-Class
- Adam Morgan
- Aidan Moffat


RAR - ?????
- Rob Austin
- ????

BMR - VW Passat
- Jason Plato
- ?????
- ????
- Warren Scott ??

WSR - BMW 125 ???
- Andy Priaux ????
- ????
- ????


Power Maxxed Racing - Chevrolet Cruze
- Josh Cook ?????
- ????

AMD Tuning - Audi S3 - Ford Focus ??
- ???
- ???
- ???


Handy Motorsport - ???
- Simon Belche ???
- ????

[BillWiskins]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

- Martin Deeper
- Andy Priaux
- Simon Belche

Nice to have some new faces on the grid for next year!

[SteveLevin]

Did I miss something? Is there a real chance Rob Collard won't be back at WSR?

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by SteveLevin

Did I miss something? Is there a real chance Rob Collard won't be back at WSR?

It has been the same every year recently with Rob & WSR, last year he thought he'd lose out to Turkington until he went to BMR, the year before he nearly lost out to Alex Premat until he signed for the V8 enduro's causing a meeting clash and ruling him out of the drive.

I do find it strange though as Rob is well regarded by the team & Dick Bennets but always seems to left hanging on for a drive. I suppose a lot depends on the other sponsors the team has lined up or how much £££ the other drivers bring as Rob pays for himself, so probably doesn't have the most money available for the seat.

[Mies7337]

So, I think we can't expect too many changes in line ups for next year with the top teams. Exept off course Jordan going to motorbase, so 888 need a new driver. But this year has been exciting with different teams having a very competitive car, so it's not too bad!

[Bramzel]

We'll see a couple of new cars though, with RAR and Welch retiring the Audi and Proton. Will be interesting to see what they come up with.

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

We'll see a couple of new cars though, with RAR and Welch retiring the Audi and Proton. Will be interesting to see what they come up with.

Welch is going to be a Hyundai isn't it?

[BtccLee]

One rumour I have seen once or twice is Nissan as a manufacturer which would tie in with what Matt James wrote on new teams. Interesting to see who gains additional tbls.

[jmc]

Originally Posted by Minicross424

I understand Gordon's championship winning car has been sold and will be run by a new driver and team.

Why would Dynamics sell a 2 X championship winning car? One would think Dynamics will be keeping hold of that little Beauty?

[psq43]

Originally Posted by jmc

Why would Dynamics sell a 2 X championship winning car? One would think Dynamics will be keeping hold of that little Beauty?

If they have the budget in place to build up/upgrade the cars with the new 2016 RML bits, which you can be sure they do, why not sell the used car and have a self built brand new one?

Makes perfect sense.

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by jmc

Why would Dynamics sell a 2 X championship winning car? One would think Dynamics will be keeping hold of that little Beauty?

They have done many times in the past, they are building a batch of new cars so it makes senses they have the new ones & sell on the current cars!

As for new cars as in models, don't bank on BMR fielding all CC's again.

I can see a number of teams disappointed about TBL's and I'm sure some of the small teams will 'sell out'.

[jmc]

Originally Posted by Jiiiiiiim

They have done many times in the past, they are building a batch of new cars so it makes senses they have the new ones & sell on the current cars!

As for new cars as in models, don't bank on BMR fielding all CC's again.

I can see a number of teams disappointed about TBL's and I'm sure some of the small teams will 'sell out'.

So are Dynamics building 2 new cars for Flash & Matt for 2016? and selling both of the 2015 cars?

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by BtccLee

One rumour I have seen once or twice is Nissan as a manufacturer which would tie in with what Matt James wrote on new teams. Interesting to see who gains additional tbls.

We had Nissan in this year, under the Infiniti banner. Didn't last long

[ExplodeTheApex]

Originally Posted by S griffin

We had Nissan in this year, under the Infiniti banner. Didn't last long

Alan Gow did drop hints about a potential return after they quit if I remember correctly.

[Steel Wheels]

Originally Posted by ExplodeTheApex

Alan Gow did drop hints about a potential return after they quit if I remember correctly.

Yep he certainly did and I think Nissan/Infiniti learnt their lesson on teaming up with a 'new' team. If they do come back expect it to be with a current more experienced team. Keep an eye on those who are quite quiet at the moment.

[Bramzel]

And Nissan ain't Infiniti of course. They're both running their own marketing programmes.

[edit] and yes, I know Infiniti is part of Nissan. Just saying that the fact that Infiniti left doesn't mean Nissan can't enter.

[auroan]

Originally Posted by Steel Wheels

Yep he certainly did and I think Nissan/Infiniti learnt their lesson on teaming up with a 'new' team. If they do come back expect it to be with a current more experienced team. Keep an eye on those who are quite quiet at the moment.

I'd say 888 are the only viable ones.....

Or maybe BMR with the wheeling and dealing he does bringing in companies to the BTCC.

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by jmc

So are Dynamics building 2 new cars for Flash & Matt for 2016? and selling both of the 2015 cars?

They often sell one & use the other as a test mule fir next season, but nothing stopping them selling it once the new builds are complete!

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by auroan

I'd say 888 are the only viable ones.....

Or maybe BMR with the wheeling and dealing he does bringing in companies to the BTCC.

Someone is peddling a rumour elsewhere that Warren Scott has bought 888. Why would he do that? I don't see much truth in it, 888 are a spent force. They no longer have the expertise onboard that made them successful from 2001-2008.

[porsche962fan]

for the facilities ? didn't Warren Scott say that they are moving into a much bigger shop ??

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

for the facilities ? didn't Warren Scott say that they are moving into a much bigger shop ??

BMR have already moved, but you never know 888 having been struggling financially for a while and unless they can and a big sponsor or manufacturer deal that pays better than MG we won't be seeing any major turn around from them sadly.

[porsche962fan]

so Gilham again essentially looking for driver with budget for 1 car team, no word on car

also interesting is Mat Jackson claims the new RML kit will level playing field, I assume he means the setup will be much easier to get right

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Someone is peddling a rumour elsewhere that Warren Scott has bought 888. Why would he do that? I don't see much truth in it, 888 are a spent force. They no longer have the expertise onboard that made them successful from 2001-2008.

I thought Optimum were buying Triple Eight?

[BtccLee]

Originally Posted by sceptic

I thought Optimum were buying Triple Eight?

That would make sense from a GT perspective, perhaps (perhaps) lending fuel to the fire that 888 won't be around. Although Harrison has said they will be!