BTCC BTCC 2020 season discussion, News and Rumours! - Page 27

Evantra · 17 Oct 2019, 11:19 (Ref:3935158)

http://bit.ly/35Bpzi1

Seems to comfirm Oliphant back at WSR.

Robin Marriott · 17 Oct 2019, 11:25 (Ref:3935159)

Just because Subaru won’t continue with their factory backing doesn’t have to mean the Subaru can’t stay on the grid.

In fact, it would make much more sense for BMR to not build new cars financially.

crmalcolm · 17 Oct 2019, 11:33 (Ref:3935160)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

Just because Subaru won’t continue with their factory backing doesn’t have to mean the Subaru can’t stay on the grid.

In fact, it would make much more sense for BMR to not build new cars financially.

If the Subaru was to stay on the grid, it would probably not be at BMR. They don't own the cars, they are/were leased.

crmalcolm · 17 Oct 2019, 11:33 (Ref:3935161)

Team	Car	Driver	Notes

Confirmed Entries
Excelr8	???	???	In talks about new build - title sponsor announced
Excelr8	???	???	In talks about new build - title sponsor announced
Team Dynamics	Honda Civic	Cammish	2yr contract confirmed in press release
Team Dynamics	Honda Civic	Neal	Confirmed as driver pairing in press release
WSR	BMW 330i	Oliphant	Reported as continuing next year with the team

Likely Entries
HMS Racing	Alfa Giulietta	Austin	Hold TBL - have been testing
WSR	BMW 330i	???	???
Power Maxed	Vauxhall Astra	???	???
Power Maxed	Vauxhall Astra	???	???
Speedworks	Toyota Corolla	???	???
Motorbase	Ford Focus	???	???
Motorbase	Ford Focus	???	???
BTC Racing	Honda Civic	Smiley?	New cars for 2019
BTC Racing	Honda Civic	???	New cars for 2019
Laser Tools	Infiniti Q50	Moffat	selling Merc+TBL

Possible Entries
BMR	???	???	State they are committed to BTCC future
BMR	???	???	State they are committed to BTCC future
AmD	Honda Civic	???	???
AmD	Honda Civic	???	???
TradePrice(Amd)	???	???	???
TradePrice(Amd)	???	???	???
Team Parker	BMW ?	???	???
HARD	VW CC	Thompson	Claims to have exciting 2020 news on social media soon
HARD	VW CC	???	???
HARD	VW CC	???	???
HARD	VW CC	???	???
Ciceley Motorsport	MB A-Class	Morgan	???
Ciceley Motorsport	MB A-Class	???	???
Simpson Racing	Honda Civic	Simpson	???
Motorbase	Ford Focus	???	TBL on loan for 2019
???	MB A-Class	???	TBL+Car on sale from Laser Tools
???	Jag ?	Crees	Rumoured by Crees in a Facebook interview
Laser Tools	Infiniti Q50	Sutton	Sutton tested car (BMR leaving?)
WSR	BMW 330i	Jordan	Lost Pirtek sponsorship, says he wants to stay in the BTCC, but only with WSR

Entries with doubt
???	???	Shedden	Speculation about wanting a return
???	???	M.Jackson	Linked to half of the teams on the grid
???	???	Blundell	Stated that he is undecided about a 2020 return
???	Subaru Levorg	???	Car not viable as NGTC entry (according to BMR)
???	Subaru Levorg	???	Car not viable as NGTC entry (according to BMR)

Johno.UK · 17 Oct 2019, 11:48 (Ref:3935162)

Quote:

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Interesting how things are 'spinned' in the comments from the team:

'Team bosses say that changes to the technical regulations of the series mean that it is only possible to run the flat-four-style boxer powerplant in the Subaru Levorg.

Also, BMR says that changes in the aerodynamics rules of the BTCC mean that the estate-shaped car does not have the same advantages as some of the smaller models.'

When the car was initially released, the flat-four engine and aerodynamic performance of the chassis were given as the reasons for it being the best choice of car for BTCC.

Don't see any spin there to be honest. When they built the car it had one of lowest drag figures of any car and the placement of the engine was a huge advantage. Rule changes mean that is no longer the case so the original reasons no longer apply.

Sodemo · 17 Oct 2019, 12:10 (Ref:3935166)

Quote:

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

If the Subaru was to stay on the grid, it would probably not be at BMR. They don't own the cars, they are/were leased.

Leased from Subaru? Realisitcally, if they don't run them in the BTCC, where are they going to run? I guess that it was disadvantage or advantage in having a series that runs to a unique ruleset. I guess they could store them or put them in a museum, or of course sell them to another team.

crmalcolm · 17 Oct 2019, 12:38 (Ref:3935172)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Leased from Subaru? Realisitcally, if they don't run them in the BTCC, where are they going to run? I guess that it was disadvantage or advantage in having a series that runs to a unique ruleset. I guess they could store them or put them in a museum, or of course sell them to another team.

C-009-04-BMR-039-01 & C-009-04-BMR-039-02 are/were owned by Liberty Leasing PLC
C-009-04-BMR-039-03 & C-009-04-BMR-039-04 are/were owned by Subaru (UK) Ltd.

If Subaru have parted ways with BMR, then for the cars to remain in the BTCC another team will have to run them. Given the issues that BMR have had in keeping a consistent performance, I don't see why anyone else would consider them unless Subaru/Liberty were willing to provide them for very little cost. There is also the underlying theory that at least one of the cars has a fundamental flaw (accident damage / diff issue) that also raises a concern for anyone wanting to run them.

Alfisti · 17 Oct 2019, 12:42 (Ref:3935176)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robshillito1990

BMR have confirmed the Subaru split. And also have said they're committed to a future in btcc so clearly they havent sold up.

Could mean Warren is going to sit in the stands as a paying punter. Could mean anything. BMR categorically have had a conversation about selling the TBLs.

Alfisti · 17 Oct 2019, 12:45 (Ref:3935177)

As for the Subaru only Ash has gotten anything out of it in 2017/8/9. And he won't be there by all accounts.

If a driver like JP can't get anything out of it then it's got to be bloody hard to do so.

redshoes · 17 Oct 2019, 13:00 (Ref:3935179)

Quote:

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

C-009-04-BMR-039-01 & C-009-04-BMR-039-02 are/were owned by Liberty Leasing PLC
C-009-04-BMR-039-03 & C-009-04-BMR-039-04 are/were owned by Subaru (UK) Ltd.

Effectively used as collateral for a loan or lease agreement. If you dig through the records of other teams you find Liberty Leasing pop up a number of times. Typically for transporter truck/trailers but there are a few for race cars.

Mike Harte · 17 Oct 2019, 13:05 (Ref:3935180)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfisti

As for the Subaru only Ash has gotten anything out of it in 2017/8/9. And he won't be there by all accounts.

If a driver like JP can't get anything out of it then it's got to be bloody hard to do so.

Proctor has, especially in the latter part of the season, been able to also hustle the Levorg up towards the sharp end. And in so doing, he managed to actually get almost double the championship points that Plato achieved in the same car last year.

Obviously, neither of them achieved anything like Sutton.

Johno.UK · 17 Oct 2019, 13:18 (Ref:3935182)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Leased from Subaru? Realisitcally, if they don't run them in the BTCC, where are they going to run? I guess that it was disadvantage or advantage in having a series that runs to a unique ruleset. I guess they could store them or put them in a museum, or of course sell them to another team.

TCT. There's one running at Donnington in that.

Robin Marriott · 17 Oct 2019, 13:20 (Ref:3935183)

It’s been officially confirmed now so disregarding new builds, what are BMRs options?

Will the FK2 still be eligible next year? There must be at least 2 still kicking about.
A couple of 1 series’ maybe?

There can’t be much left these days.

MagicBoy · 17 Oct 2019, 13:22 (Ref:3935184)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johno.UK

TCT. There's one running at Donnington in that.

*DoNington.

MagicBoy · 17 Oct 2019, 13:26 (Ref:3935185)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Leased from Subaru? Realisitcally, if they don't run them in the BTCC, where are they going to run? I guess that it was disadvantage or advantage in having a series that runs to a unique ruleset. I guess they could store them or put them in a museum, or of course sell them to another team.

The championship winning car went into storage. Ash got the ex-Cole chassis for 2018 onwards.

jsmee · 17 Oct 2019, 13:33 (Ref:3935188)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johno.UK

TCT. There's one running at Donnington in that.

Nope! Was never happening. Check the Touring Car Times article.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Evantra · 17 Oct 2019, 13:45 (Ref:3935190)

Do you think HARD or Excelr8 would be desperate enough to run a couple Subarus next year..?

Johno.UK · 17 Oct 2019, 13:54 (Ref:3935191)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicBoy

*DoNington.

I know but no matter how many times I tell my phone otherwise it doesn't.

AJ.fan · 17 Oct 2019, 14:04 (Ref:3935192)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt K

Red Bull? After the season he posted #RedBull #givesyouwings hashtags, something I've seen for the first time in his feed. But let's not read too much into this, the same as to the fact that he's just got a brand new road car from BMW UK

and the fact the CEO of BMW UK is lending him a classic M3 to drive

VIVA GT · 17 Oct 2019, 14:06 (Ref:3935193)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicBoy

*DoNington.

Years ago I had saved in my wallet a paddock pass ticket that I got when the circuit was re-opened. That had Donington spelled with two 'n's'!

crmalcolm · 17 Oct 2019, 15:19 (Ref:3935202)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evantra

Do you think HARD or Excelr8 would be desperate enough to run a couple Subarus next year..?

HARD may consider a Subaru (or four).
Exceler8 - no.

crmalcolm · 17 Oct 2019, 15:22 (Ref:3935203)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ.fan

and the fact the CEO of BMW UK is lending him a classic M3 to drive

He was once given an MG to drive too.

https://www.mginfo.co.uk/mgmotor.clu...mg3-winner-too

VIVA GT · 17 Oct 2019, 15:32 (Ref:3935207)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ.fan

and the fact the CEO of BMW UK is lending him a classic M3 to drive

I do hope that AJ will be back in the BTCC next year but before we get too excited about all of this don't rule out the possibility that all of this 'support' from BMW may be because he is still a BMW contracted driver/ambassador until the end of the year (not just up to the last race of the season).

Robin Marriott · 17 Oct 2019, 15:42 (Ref:3935210)

Exactly, remember Shedden was at Autosport the January after his last season was over under contract with Honda still.

crmalcolm · 17 Oct 2019, 15:43 (Ref:3935211)

Quote:

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

I do hope that AJ will be back in the BTCC next year but before we get too excited about all of this don't rule out the possibility that all of this 'support' from BMW may be because he is still a BMW contracted driver/ambassador until the end of the year (not just up to the last race of the season).

Agreed - remember how long after the end of the 2017 season that Shedden was still promoting Honda.

DB has already confirmed that they'd like AJ - but he needs to get more sponsorship. So BMW haven't committed to him (yet).

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