Time for predictions...

[Danielsun]

Okay, we're nearing the end of each respective Touring Car Championship. Some are already clear-cut, others maybe less so. Question is, who do you think will walk away with each of the major tin top series come year's end? Maybe just give us your 'local' Championship's possible results from:

1. BTCC
2. V8 Supercars
3. STCC
4. ESTC
5. DTM
... and so on...

How many of you are gamblers then?

[marcus]

I dont follow many of them but for V8 supercars it looks like Mark Skaife is home and hosed..allthough I could have just "Murrayed" him

[Danielsun]

I sincerely hope not; Skaifey's had more than enough of the bad luck demons in recent years and deserves a win. Top five then?

As for the BTCC, well, at the moment it still looks like being a Ford benefit, unfortunately in the wrong order for my liking. In the end, however, it could be different. My prediction, then (and feel free to argue):

1. Anthony Reid (Mr Consistency)
2. Rickard Rydell (Mr Luckless)
3. Alain Menu (Arse)
4. Yvan Muller (MULLER!)
5. Jason Plato (Mr Number 2)

The DTM is shaping up rather nicely and, while I'd like to see 'rookie' Smokin' Jo get up for the win, I think the experience of each marque's respective 'number ones' will get through:

1. Bernd Schneider (Merc)
2. Manuel Reuter (Opel)
3. Jo Winkelhock (Opel)
4. Klaus Ludwig (Merc)
5. Marcel Tiemann (Merc)

V8s behind Mark Skaife, anybody? Oh Crash Test...?

[Crash Test]

Hmm, well it is definately going to be:
Skaife
Clowndes
Tander
Seton
Ingall
Or it will be completely different..

I hope the QLD 500 and Bathurst play a part in what is going to happen...wouldn't it be funny if all of the leading Holden boys have trouble at both races, and a Ford is there to pick up the pieces...do you think they'd be a part of the series next year?

ASTC:
Morris
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Henderson
Gurr
Hills
Auger

[Danielsun]

Don't you think you're being a bit harsh on the ASTC positions there? Okay, a few spaces would have been acceptible, but...

As for the V8s, Skaife for the title, but please don't Lowndes get up there for a 'podium' position; I'm sick of him being so lucky.

1. Skaife
2. Seton
3. Tander
4. Radisich
5. Lowndes

Hmmmm... what about the top ten, seeing as there's so many?

[Crash Test]

Gees, thats a bit tough...theres about 15 blokes going for the second half of the top ten...heck, Steve Johnson was up there and he has done nothing all year...

[Danielsun]

There's been one podium finish, hasn't there? But seriously, it just goes to show that to compete in the top ten in V8 Supercars (or at the front of any Touring Car Championship) you need to be consistent.

For a perfect example of this, you need look no further than the Shell DJR team. Steve's had a very 'tidy' run in the top ten or fifteen of just about every race, whereas teammate Paul Radisich has been on the podium or off the track, mostly courtesy of 'clown' drivers. I think Crash Test will guess who I'm speaking of...

[Crash Test]

Ah, would his name be Clowndes?

Actually Mr Garth Wigston (the police officer) had some interesting things to say about it off the record last weekend...

"There's been one podium finish, hasn't there?"
-Yep Canberra reverse grid race...yep THAT counts...

[Danielsun]

Come on then, let's hear what he had to say...

[Crash Test]

Hmmm, ask Falcadore

He was also unhappy about the Ingall/Imrie thing at QR...also the reason Ingall wasn't stuffed downt he back of the pack for R2 was because of the timing of the hearing ....or else he should have packed his bags for the back of the grid...

[Koffe]

STCC:

I think that Ekblom will win, but Rustad or Ekström can win too.

1 Fredrik Ekblom (Audi)
2 Tommy Rustad (Nissan)
3 Mattias Ekström (Volvo)
4 Carl Rosenblad (Nissan)
5 Jens Edman (Ford ( Indipend.))

[WoodyTJ]

Well of cause you don't have to predict the BTCC Independant Title cause Matt Neal has already won it

As for BTCC . . . hummm Reid or Menu would be good!

[Geva racing]

BTCC: REID Ford
STCC: RUSTAD Nissan
ESTC: GIOVANARDI Alfa
DTM: WINKELHOCK Opel
V8: SKAIFE
ASTC: MORRIS
NSC: Kelly Nissan

DTCC (Dutch Touringcar championship) Huisman BMW

[ganda123]

I sincerely hope it will be Rydell for the BTCC, but as Ian Titchmarsh put it before the feature race when asked if Rickard would win the race:
"Rickard Rydell? No, something will go wrong."
That just about sums his year up doesn't it? I would hate to see either Reid or Menu win it but if it's going to be one of those two it would be Menu as he's a quicker driver.

[Danielsun]

Woody: who cares about the BTCC Independents' Championship?! It's not as if your beloved 'Matty' wasn't going to win it...

Winkelhock in the DTM? I'd love to see it happen, but if he did it, he'd do it for the wrong marque; he's always been - and always will be - a BMW man. I'd put my money on Schneider. He's Merc's number one and seems to be ever so slightly ahead of Reuter (currently second and Opel's 'numero uno') and would be my choice. Mind you, the old master has come back with a vengeance...