[BTCC] BTCC 2018 Rumours & Silly Season

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by Racing Harz

BMW was not sure, that they will win the title with Ricky in the car. The hole Paddock from the GT Masters didn´t unterstand that decission.

Thanks for explaining it to me as I was struggling to find the answer why he was dropped and now I can't understand this decision.

[S griffin]

I agree Rob has been at his best the last few seasons. If only he could get quali sorted. That's why he's never quite been in proper contention for the title

[ExplodeTheApex]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I agree Rob has been at his best the last few seasons. If only he could get quali sorted. That's why he's never quite been in proper contention for the title

I do think that his poor qualifying does, in a way, actually contribute to his success as he can make solid progress in R1, before capitalising in R2 with zero or little ballast, and then generally again scoring solid points in R3 whilst others go backwards. Although I guess this can also contribute to some of the incidents he sometimes finds himself involved in.

On another note, it would be interesting to see Sutton in RX, potentially against Jordan too if they both manage to get one-off drives: https://www.motorsport.com/world-rx/...st-974820/?s=1

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by ExplodeTheApex

I do think that his poor qualifying does, in a way, actually contribute to his success as he can make solid progress in R1, before capitalising in R2 with zero or little ballast, and then generally again scoring solid points in R3 whilst others go backwards. Although I guess this can also contribute to some of the incidents he sometimes finds himself involved in.

On another note, it would be interesting to see Sutton in RX, potentially against Jordan too if they both manage to get one-off drives: https://www.motorsport.com/world-rx/...st-974820/?s=1

Just shows that he’s a real charger if he can make that progress

As for Ash doing a bit of Rallyx, doesn’t his boss Warren Scott now do a bit?

[ExplodeTheApex]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Just shows that he’s a real charger if he can make that progress

As for Ash doing a bit of Rallyx, doesn’t his boss Warren Scott now do a bit?

Yeah, I think one of the cars he had a go in was indeed Warren's DS3 he used in British RX this year.

[AdrianM]

It's not like these cars are physically demanding to drive. There's a lot to be said for the racecraft and experience of the older hands plus they all have decent fan bases.

[thlbtcc]

Davenport back behind the wheel, great to see. Expected to make a full recovery by February 2018 and aiming for a Shredded Wheat DUO seat. https://www.motorsport.com/btcc/news...-crash-975401/

[BobJones]

Depper not up to snuff last season, interesting to see he was testing the Motorbase VW, could be a good series for him.

[S griffin]

Glad Davenport is up and driving again, considering where he was, it’s great to see. Hopefully he’ll be racing soon too

[Steel Wheels]

Been thinking about Speedworks & the fact they might move away from the Toyota. They either have a potentially good offer of a car(s) or know they’ve got everything out the Avensis. Otherwise why would you move away from one of the fastest FWD cars?

Either RWD on the cards or a car that’s still got potential to be developed. Can’t see them choosing a new car as they’d be behind the 8 ball in getting ready for the season. HMS already well on with the Alfa build.

Have they a chance of a Subaru given the rumours of BMR downsizing? Or having run a Honda for Simpson have they seen a better platform in the Civic?

[crmalcolm]

Rory Butcher is still working with Motorbase through the off season - promising signs that he'll be with the team in 2018. https://www.touringcars.net/2017/11/...ng-opportunity

[luckn002]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Rory Butcher is still working with Motorbase through the off season - promising signs that he'll be with the team in 2018. https://www.touringcars.net/2017/11/...ng-opportunity

Hoping for Jackson, Butcher and Davenport.... and, probably hopelessly, a facelifted Focus...

[S griffin]

I hope he comes back, he's shown he deserves a shot at a full season with his performances so far

[BobJones]

I've forgotten who this driver is, maybe someone from GTs? https://www.motorsport-news.co.uk/ne...car-with-test/

[thlbtcc]

Lots of testing happening it seems, who is in the Astra?

https://twitter.com/Tinman_pinch/sta...52332585406465

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Steel Wheels

Have they a chance of a Subaru given the rumours of BMR downsizing? Or having run a Honda for Simpson have they seen a better platform in the Civic?

As I understand it Dynamics will unveil the new generation Civic at Autosport show in January. So potentially three cars surplus to requirements - but equally so the cars may be cannibalised as the Tourers were for the basis of the Type R's.

However I actually thought Tingram in the Toyota looked more convincing than Flash & Matt in the Honda on balance... and I cannot see the next gen Honda anywhere outside of Dynamics for next year.

Scooby might be the thought...

Incidentally the future BTCC Toyota hints (from Toyota PR) most likely related to an all new Auris (that's the Focus/ Astra sized one) for 2019/20.

[thlbtcc]

Sutton has been given a new car by Subaru. None too shabby.

https://twitter.com/ASuttonRacing/st...70557683449856

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by thlbtcc

Sutton has been given a new car by Subaru. None too shabby.

https://twitter.com/ASuttonRacing/st...70557683449856

That seems to back up the view that Sutton is their lead man for next season, which puts Plato's position at a bit of a doubt possibly?

[thlbtcc]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

That seems to back up the view that Sutton is their lead man for next season, which puts Plato's position at a bit of a doubt possibly?

So it should, he wasn't good enough last season.

[jsmee]

Aaron Mason, Sam Smelt and a certain Sam Tordoff tested the AmD Audi this week!

[Racing Harz]

Originally Posted by thlbtcc

Lots of testing happening it seems, who is in the Astra?

https://twitter.com/Tinman_pinch/sta...52332585406465

Martin Plowman.
https://www.touringcartimes.com/2017...onington-park/

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by thlbtcc

Sutton has been given a new car by Subaru. None too shabby.

https://twitter.com/ASuttonRacing/st...70557683449856

A nice pressie and one of the last of the breed: a run of 150 "Final Edition" cars is headed to Blighty and that is that. So if you fancy one like Ash's get yer skates on...

[Ry44]

So Ricky Collard just tweeted this. I do wonder if its just a test or there is more to it

https://twitter.com/RickyCollard/sta...19191389908992

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by Ry44

So Ricky Collard just tweeted this. I do wonder if its just a test or there is more to it

https://twitter.com/RickyCollard/sta...19191389908992

Bingo.

[S griffin]

Interesting seeing Tordoff testing the AMD Audi, especially as he has said he's not yet decided what he will do in 2018 and Hollamby hinting he could drive for them. Would be interesting to see him in that car, could see it further up the front