Where to now for Alain Menu?

O'Schumacher · 8 Jan 2004, 19:55 (Ref:831916)

So, where does the smiling swiss man go?

ETCC, or a return to his spiritual home?

I think Europe is the best bet. More manufacurers and more higher profile drivers too.

ATF · 8 Jan 2004, 21:03 (Ref:831985)

I would love it if he came back to the BTCC. It would certainly raise the profile a bit and give Muller and Thompson a bit of a kick up the...

**GTRMagic** · 8 Jan 2004, 21:44 (Ref:832031)

Alain was originally slotted into the 888 Falcon in V8 Supercar here in Australia... not sure what happened, but they didnt agree to terms for whatever reason

Thommy · 9 Jan 2004, 14:10 (Ref:832670)

Well, another (silly?) rumour. Prodrive will prepare the Aston Martin for LeMans, and Alain Menu (and Rydell) were involved in the first GT- Project by Prodrive, the Ferrari 550 Maranello. So, why change a good development- duo?

BootsOntheSide · 9 Jan 2004, 15:13 (Ref:832727)

It's possible that Alain will spend the season in sportscars, because there are no top BTCC drives on offer, and the ETCC teams seem fairly full.

BSchneiderFan · 9 Jan 2004, 16:56 (Ref:832828)

Menu's lack of success in the DTM baffled me. Sure, Opel weren't at the top of their game during his time with them, but other Opel drivers had modest success, yet Menu, whom I had always rated as one of the best touring car drivers in the world, looked ordinary.

Come to think of it, so did Jo Winkelhock.

What IS it with Opel?

**FIRE** · 9 Jan 2004, 17:49 (Ref:832864)

Quote:

Originally posted by BSchneiderFan
Menu's lack of success in the DTM baffled me. Sure, Opel weren't at the top of their game during his time with them, but other Opel drivers had modest success, yet Menu, whom I had always rated as one of the best touring car drivers in the world, looked ordinary.

Come to think of it, so did Jo Winkelhock.

Is it their age?

BSchneiderFan · 9 Jan 2004, 18:21 (Ref:832893)

Tell that to Bernd Schneider!

El_Gibleto · 9 Jan 2004, 19:06 (Ref:832928)

Please remember, not all dtm Opels are equal.

ATF · 9 Jan 2004, 22:37 (Ref:833085)

Quote:

Originally posted by BootsOntheSide there are no top BTCC drives on offer, and the ETCC teams seem fairly full.

What is it with these teams? I would pick Alain Menu over Alan Morrison or any of the MG drivers any day (if MG enter)! Come on Honda and MG - it's up to you now!!

**GTRMagic** · 9 Jan 2004, 22:58 (Ref:833105)

I somehow thing the income requirements of Mr Menu may be beyond whoever is left to pick drivers in the series.

Just look at Jason Plato... banished to ASCAR, back in an oiler SEAT.... YAY

mountainstar · 9 Jan 2004, 23:32 (Ref:833123)

He hung his hat with opel and it cost him.

ATF · 10 Jan 2004, 12:21 (Ref:833478)

Quote:

Originally posted by GTRMagic
I somehow thing the income requirements of Mr Menu may be beyond whoever is left to pick drivers in the series.

It's like the Villeneuve situation. If he's that bothered about racing, he should be prepared for a pay cut. That's what Muller, Thompson and Plato all did when the regs changed in 2001. And now look - they are all champions!

speedy king · 10 Jan 2004, 23:09 (Ref:833882)

But Menu already had 2 BTCC titles.

Would be great to see him back though but has has already been said, i can't see any of the teams having space or more to the point the money for him

Gaz170 · 11 Jan 2004, 10:15 (Ref:834147)

Those rumours of him here in Aus this year just won't go away.

**FIRE** · 11 Jan 2004, 11:33 (Ref:834187)

Quote:

Originally posted by Gaz170
Those rumours of him here in Aus this year just won't go away.

V8 Supercars would be not bad, in my opinion this series is on the same level as DTM.

Matthopps · 11 Jan 2004, 23:31 (Ref:834799)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BSchneiderFan
[B]Menu's lack of success in the DTM baffled me. Sure, Opel weren't at the top of their game during his time with them, but other Opel drivers had modest success, yet Menu, whom I had always rated as one of the best touring car drivers in the world, looked ordinary.

Menu is one of the better drivers admittedly but I don't think he's the 'complete' driver if you know what I mean becuase when things weren't going his way (1999) and he was stuck in the midfield: that's when the red mist could set in and he'd either underperform or crash:
I think that Rickard Rydell is the most complete driver there is.

Tim Harvey Fan · 12 Jan 2004, 03:36 (Ref:834922)

Quote:

I think that Rickard Rydell is the most complete driver there is.

What about Frank Biela? I think he is better, overall, than Rydell

**GTRMagic** · 12 Jan 2004, 04:43 (Ref:834949)

Tim Harvey has lost none of his speed... the trip out here for the 24hr race in the ordinary CIRTEK Porsche saw Timbo extremely quick in a car that wasnt really capable of it...

Tim Harvey Fan · 12 Jan 2004, 21:53 (Ref:835932)

I completely agree. Tim is still an extremely excellent driver. I hope he gets a ride for next year

redshoes · 12 Jan 2004, 22:45 (Ref:835994)

Tim Harvey is racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup this year.

Matthopps · 14 Jan 2004, 11:18 (Ref:837742)

Ok Biela, Rydell, Menu, Cleland, Tarquini their all very close (all champions as well) point it it seems quite sad that there are 2 threads on here both asking the same question (about the future of 2 of the greatest BTCC/Touring Car drivers ever.

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