New Chinese WTCC manufacturer - Page 2

Les · 24 Oct 2004, 21:12 (Ref:1134226)

I must have talked to his twin brother then who also answers to the name of Richard!!

John Winter · 24 Oct 2004, 21:30 (Ref:1134258)

There you go, problem solved

Craner Curves · 24 Oct 2004, 21:37 (Ref:1134268)

Quote:

Originally posted by John Winter
There you go, problem solved

What do you mean? Alfa Fan's still here.

Dicky Mint · 28 Oct 2004, 12:49 (Ref:1138827)

I can answer that one. I was originally planned to be away on business, however as happens in the business world meetings get moved around. I had committed to Jay that he could have the drive for Donington so I thought it would be a little unfair on him to take it back once my business trip was cancelled. So Jay got the drive and I got to see the race, which was not a bad option on that day as it was a great finale.

Alfa Fan · 28 Oct 2004, 17:35 (Ref:1139125)

Why didn't you drive the 307 alongside Jay in the Civic?

Dicky Mint · 28 Oct 2004, 22:45 (Ref:1139351)

We decided not to put the 307 out because we didn't think the cost justified the return. I don't know exactly what I am doing next year so we wanted to keep as much money available as possible for testing whatever we decide to race next year. This year was done on a tight budget with a car that as you are all aware is not up to speed in the UK or as GR are proving in Europe also.

Silk Cut Jaguar · 29 Oct 2004, 12:01 (Ref:1139793)

Quote:

Originally posted by kmchow
Is this automobile based on any existing platform? I assume this is a joke right? How would entering the WTCC benefit Brilliance Auto help their sales? Unless they intend to go global??

It could just be aimed at increasing their sales in China as the market is pretty much just split between VW and Shanghai GM at the moment, with Buick being the only real 'luxury' saloon available. Cadillac will be launched soon over there so the market for better cars must be opening up.

Shanghai is littered with Pepsi adverts with some Porsche Asia Cup driver on them so motorsport must be selling point.

Also, am I the only one who thinks that car looks really good in red?

kmchow · 31 Oct 2004, 23:57 (Ref:1141686)

Quote:

Originally posted by Silk Cut Jaguar
It could just be aimed at increasing their sales in China as the market is pretty much just split between VW and Shanghai GM at the moment, with Buick being the only real 'luxury' saloon available. Cadillac will be launched soon over there so the market for better cars must be opening up.

Shanghai is littered with Pepsi adverts with some Porsche Asia Cup driver on them so motorsport must be selling point.

Also, am I the only one who thinks that car looks really good in red?

The VW Jetta/Passat is very popualar in China. OTOH, I also saw A TONNE of Audi A6s. Where I visited, I actually saw more Audis than Buicks.

Neil Adams · 2 Nov 2004, 22:22 (Ref:1143372)

more info here

http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view...=10&nid=102229

sounds like theres gonna be at least 5 cars and drivers in the team - mad!

racingdad · 3 Nov 2004, 08:53 (Ref:1143600)

No - it says that they will pick 3 Chinese drivers to shadow the experienced drivers and introduce them over time, not all at once.

SKWei · 11 Dec 2004, 20:01 (Ref:1177201)

I have to say, despite the hideous name, Brilliance are one of the few Chinese car manufacturers I have any time for. The road cars have some BMW design in the chassis, and Mitsubishi engines, and lots of bits of other companies too. Apparently the exterior was designed by Chinese, and if so it's a huge triumph all of its own! They are the best looking cars on the streets of most Chinese cities. Edit: Oops, Crash.net quotes it as being styled in Italy… well serves me right for believing the promotional video!

They are a luxury car in China, but a lot of domestic, rich and corrupt consumers believe that as a Chinese car, it must be worse than the others, even though they can't bring themselves to say it out. It's name in Chinese, Zhonghua, is another way of saying China…
And that's all I can add I'm afraid!

**FIRE** · 12 Dec 2004, 14:11 (Ref:1177594)

The car looks not bad.

John Winter · 12 Dec 2004, 15:00 (Ref:1177612)

It's not in racetrim, because it doesn't have a front splitter. The nose reminds me of a Lancia.

kmchow · 13 Dec 2004, 05:47 (Ref:1177984)

Has any wellknown drivers been linked to the Brilliance team yet?? They still haven't announced their driver lineup yet?

John Winter · 13 Dec 2004, 08:29 (Ref:1178043)

IIRC they will test some drivers this month and anounce the driver line up in January.

**gomick** · 13 Dec 2004, 10:36 (Ref:1178113)

john barnard - that is a name i havent heard for a while....

Gabrio · 13 Dec 2004, 10:41 (Ref:1178115)

The car should not be that bad. Furthermore Vic Lee knows how to manage a winning team. However, Team China will only compete from the third race on. They will not be raedy before that. Their effort is directed towards promoting the brand which will be sold in Europe in 2006.

Thommy · 13 Dec 2004, 11:02 (Ref:1178124)

Vic Lee is Teammanager at Team China? Aha, did he give up his plan to run a Porsche in the GT?

Furthermore, will JAS be a Honda Private Team in 2006, or will they cooperate with another manufactorer? Haven't JAS developped parts of the 575 GTC- Ferrari, would that not be a opportunity for them?

Gabrio · 13 Dec 2004, 11:15 (Ref:1178132)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thommy

Vic Lee is Teammanager at Team China? Aha, did he give up his plan to run a Porsche in the GT?

Furthermore, will JAS be a Honda Private Team in 2006, or will they cooperate with another manufactorer? Haven't JAS developped parts of the 575 GTC- Ferrari, would that not be a opportunity for them?

Honda's works team in 2006 will be run by Prodrive.
The 575 GTC was built by Nordauto Engineering which had bought a part of JAS a few months ago. However that has changed again and now JAS is a purely private business. It prepares Hondas for track and rally competitions only on a privateer level.

Synopsis · 13 Dec 2004, 16:48 (Ref:1178389)

So, who do we think the drivers are? There has got to be at least 1 Chinese driver I would have thought. Whow ould be ur top 3 choices?

Gabrio · 13 Dec 2004, 18:21 (Ref:1178504)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synopsis

So, who do we think the drivers are? There has got to be at least 1 Chinese driver I would have thought. Whow ould be ur top 3 choices?

There are plenty of good drivers without a job... Salo, Morbidelli,Melo, Aguas, Naspetti etc...

**touringlegend** · 13 Dec 2004, 18:45 (Ref:1178525)

So it's Vic Lee who is team manager, is it actually his racing team that will be running the cars ?

If so, very happy with that. There's the BTCC drivers he's had in the past, Dan Eaves, Danny Buxton, even Toni Roukonen from his spell as Peugeot National Saloon Car driver, and didn't Roukonen race in Asia for several years there ?

Gabrio · 13 Dec 2004, 18:51 (Ref:1178534)

They'll probably need experienced drivers who can help them set up the car and know the tracks, possibly former winners in touring car international races too.

**FIRE** · 13 Dec 2004, 18:53 (Ref:1178536)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabrio

There are plenty of good drivers without a job... Salo, Morbidelli,Melo, Aguas, Naspetti etc...

Tom Coronel, Duncan Huisman?

Gabrio · 13 Dec 2004, 18:57 (Ref:1178538)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Tom Coronel, Duncan Huisman?

Are they not doing something with Carly?

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