Record grid in 04

[Top Gear]

I think there could be close tom 40 cars on the grid in 2004. That may sound a bit mad s the BTCC has never fielded that meny cars even in its haydays of 94 + 95. But with the amount of teams confirmed already and lots saying they would like to be on grid its very interesting + exciting I certinly can't wait till Thruxton.

[redshoes]

I think you're being very very optimistic. I doubt we'll see 30 cars, certainly not 40

[Alan Green]

Most circuits won't be allowed to run more than 30 at a time (circuit licences for safety). Least is Knockhill at 26 I think. According to my circuit guide Silverstone GP can start 42, which might be fun in July

Al

[touringlegend]

At least we know who's been having a merry time at xmas.

A respectable field would be between 20-25 for next year which I reckon is a realistic figure. Think Alan could be right in that Silverstone could be quite a full grid next year!

Ps Knockhill can start 28 I think

[paulzinho]

Anything in the mid 20's will be a big improvement on the first race of the new era!!

[ADnet]

yeah, all 8 of them (for two laps) then down to 7!! - the alfa blown an engine - (opening round at brands in 2001)

[nicker less]

Originally posted by Top Gear
I think there could be close tom 40 cars on the grid in 2004. That may sound a bit mad s the BTCC has never fielded that meny cars even in its haydays of 94 + 95.

The BTCC has never fielded that many cars in it's life time I would suspect. Even during those haydays, 94s most cars in one race was 26 cars, same as 95. I think thats a good number of cars to have, as it's the limit at some circuits.

40, that's to many and quite ridiculous.

[Alfa Fan]

Well look at what we have so far:

VX Racing (3) Yvan Muller
James Thompson
Luke Hines

MG Sport and Racing (2) Anthony Reid
Colin Turkington

Team Atomic Kitten (2) Warren Hughes
TBA

Honda Racing (2) Tom Chilton
Alan Morrison

Team Dynamics (2) Tim Harvey
Gareth Howell

Team Petronas (2) Farique Hairuman
Stuart-Watson Smith

Team Halfords (3) Dan Eaves
Dan Buxton
Matt Neal

GA Motorsports (4) Gavin Pyper
Carl Breeze
Paul Wallace
Charlie Butler-Henderson

Aurok Motorsport (2) Steven Wood
Vince Martin

Team Griffin (2) Julian Griffin
TBA

Carly Motors (2) Tom Ferrier
James Hanson

Edenbridge Racing (1) Michael Bentwood

SEAT Sport UK (2) Jason Plato
Robert Huff

+ a few more hopefully, thats 29 already I count

[Craig]

You forgot the Total Motorsport Lexus'!! Seriously I have no idea where you got half those predictions from?!! :confused:

I think you better wait until Thruxton before being so confident. I suspect a mid-high twenties turnout - which will be very good considering what we had this year.

[touringlegend]

I know it was reported that a satellite MG squad may be revived but where did it definitely say it would be team Atomic Kitten ?

Only last week did I get a press release and some pictures with Atomic Kitten sprawled across a bunch of Toyotas..

[sceptic]

There won't be a Team Atomic Kitten.

Here's a more accurate predicition:
VX Racing - Vauxhall Astra Coupe
Yvan Muller; James Thompson; Luke Hines

Arena - Honda Civic
Tom Chilton; Alan Morrison

Team Dynamics - Honda Civic
Matt Neal; Gareth Howell

SEAT Sport UK - Seat Toledo
Jason Plato; Robert Huff

Team Petronas Syntium Proton - Proton Impian
Farique Hairuman; +1

GA Motorsport - Vauxhall Astra Coupe
Charlie Butler-Henderson; +1

GA Motorsport - Alfa Romeo 155
Carl Breeze; Paul Wallace

Carly Motors - BMW
Tom Ferrier; James Hanson

Kartworld Racing - MG ZS
Jason Hughes

Barwell Motorsport - Honda Civic
?; ?

That's 20 confirmed cars.

There are also a few possibles - some of which are more likely than others:

MG Sport & Racing - MG ZS
Warren Hughes; Colin Turkington

Vic Lee Racing - Peugeot 307
?; ?

Griffin - Peugeot 406
?; ?

Edenbridge - BMW
?; ?

Team Varta - ??
Richard Marsh?; ?

I'd expect 25-27 cars.

[rdjones]

How many times do we have to say it - Team Varta will not be in next years BTCC.......

[Craig]

Never say never but extremely unlikely. Unless Batchelor can string a bargain deal together... I'm sure the 406 would be a suitable shed-like replacement for the Accord

[Jamie P-E]

sorry to be rude but shouldn't that be Shaun Watson-Smith of southa african touring car fame of a few years back and recently in the wesbank V8 series, in the second proton alongside farique harimun

[MikeH]

Originally posted by touringlegend

Ps Knockhill can start 28 I think

Exactly right.

I'd say it's safe to expect something in the region of 25 or 26 cars for '04 - which is more than enough.

[speedy king]

James Kaye at Synchro is Confirmed

[kmchow]

Yeah, I would be happy to see a stable 20+ car grid next year. Though the idea of 30-40 car grids like in the BTCC during 90-94, that was definitely a site! A wide variety of cars represented is also nice.

[100%hondafan]

well could b alot of hondas 6+ maybe and i no a team likely to race in btcc next year but can not say any more on that
griffin is not racing the 406s any more


quote from skeptic
Alfa Romeo 155

it is a 156

think from 25+ grid next year and 35+ for btcc silverstone

[BootsOntheSide]

I make it 8 different types of car - Vauxhall, Honda, MG, Proton, Alfa, BMW, Seat and Peugeot are all likely.

My prediction would be:
3 works Vauxhalls (Thompson, Muller and Hines)
2 Arena and 2 Dynamics 'works' Hondas (Neal, Chilton, Morrison and Howell in there)
2 works MGs (Reid and Turkington)
2 works Protons (Hairuman and ?)
2 works SEATs (Plato and Huff)
2 VLR Peugeots (Eaves and probably Buxton)
1 or 2 satellite MGs (probably 2 young drivers unless Hughes has a watertight contract)
1 Kartworld MG (Jason Hughes)
2 Carly BMWs (Ferrier and Hanson)
1 Edenbridge BMW (maybe Bentwood)
2 Barwell Hondas (anyone's guess as to the drivers)
1 Synchro Honda (Kaye)
1 Collard Vauxhall (Collard)
2 GA Alfas (Breeze and Wallace) & 2 GA Vauxhalls (Butler-Henderson & another)

No Griffin or Varta in my view.

That'd be 29, which would mean someone misisng out at Knockhill. 31 or more would cause problems at a lot of tracks and is unlikely.

[100%hondafan]

dont forget my 1 im not allowed to say bout but its must likly to enter and its etcc

thats 30

well lookin good maybe the should lose knockhill and get rockingham then the bigger grids can race

[Tim Harvey Fan]

I've said it before and I'll say it again...if a venue cannot accomodate the total number of cars that are entered in a series, then that series should NOT race at that venue. Sorry, Knockhill is a great track but unfortunately, will be forced to give way to the increasing success of the BTCC.

[kmchow]

Originally posted by Tim Harvey Fan
I've said it before and I'll say it again...if a venue cannot accomodate the total number of cars that are entered in a series, then that series should NOT race at that venue. Sorry, Knockhill is a great track but unfortunately, will be forced to give way to the increasing success of the BTCC.

But by avoiding certain smaller track/locations, wouldn't you be leaving some BTCC fans unhappy? They cannot see the series in their own neighbhorhood?

OTOH, if you have more teams/cars than grid spaces, what would you do? Elimination qualifying like that Nascar does at certain tracks?

[runnyhunny]

Yes.

TOCA have said (on numerous occasions) that if there are too many starters, then the slowest runners (from practice) won't be allowed to start.

I remember all sorts of last-minute dashing about before the start of the 2002 races at Knockhill.

[Craig]

I remember all sorts of last-minute dashing about before the start of the 2002 races at Knockhill

Oh yes!!! I kinda remember that too...

[redshoes]

Originally posted by runnyhunny
TOCA have said (on numerous occasions) that if there are too many starters, then the slowest runners (from practice) won't be allowed to start.

Entries registered at the start of the year will get preference over late entries regardless of qualifying times, providing the regular entry has posted a valid time - i.e. at least 3 laps and not more than 110% (107% ?) of pole time.

If there's still too many regular entries then it's the fastest that get grid places with the slowest becomind reserves. If someone on the grid is unable to take the start, or re-start after a red flag, then the next reserve joins in at the back.

Not BTCC but I have seen races where the first and second reserves start the green flag lap and either pull off into the pits at the end of the lap or hope that someone else breaks down mid-lap so they can join the back of the grid.