BTCC 2012 rumour mill - Page 55

andy97 · 19 Mar 2012, 19:03 (Ref:3044824)

Quote:

Originally Posted by simmo151

Id quite like to see Rob Austin back in the second RAR as i thought he was quite enjoyable last season.

Well, he tested at the media day & Chris Swannick was also down to be there- 3 Audi drivers. Does the TBA, TBA RAR Audi A4, alongside the confirmed #31 Mark hazell imply that RAR are hoping to field 3 x cars?

Alfa Fan · 19 Mar 2012, 19:24 (Ref:3044838)

No, 2 cars only. If Chris (or another pay driver) gets the money together he'll be in the car and Rob will revert to team boss only. If not, Rob will race.

gregc · 19 Mar 2012, 19:52 (Ref:3044857)

One thing that was noticeable was the VXR-R branding on the Thorney Insignia - do we know if that was an interim livery for the day, or have they got some support there?

MJones94 · 19 Mar 2012, 19:58 (Ref:3044861)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregc

One thing that was noticeable was the VXR-R branding on the Thorney Insignia - do we know if that was an interim livery for the day, or have they got some support there?

Not too sure. It would be good if they had some support from Vauxhall, yet I imagine if there was, then it would have been seen today.

TTTT on Silverstone radio at 20.00!!!!!

gregc · 19 Mar 2012, 20:17 (Ref:3044877)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJones94

TTTT on Silverstone radio at 20.00!!!!!

Indeed, and it's just as random as always

Craner Curves · 19 Mar 2012, 20:21 (Ref:3044883)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregc

One thing that was noticeable was the VXR-R branding on the Thorney Insignia - do we know if that was an interim livery for the day, or have they got some support there?

I thought somebody might pick up on that.

VXR-R is what Thorney call their own upgraded versions of VXR cars.

I see the three Toyotas all had their branding on the sunstrips. Wonder if that means they've got the same engine now.

**touringlegend** · 19 Mar 2012, 21:33 (Ref:3044932)

Latest front ends on all Toyota's too.

trebor901 · 19 Mar 2012, 22:26 (Ref:3044962)

why didnt Wrathall run today? Morgans toyota was smoking slightly whenever he came out aswell looked like an impending problem

Sodemo · 19 Mar 2012, 22:36 (Ref:3044971)

Would be really nice if Tech Speed could sort something out before Brands, 24 cars is still respectable. As I thought though, losing RML and Arena is a big hit for the BTCC, thats 5 competitive cars down from the get go, a real shame.

c8nay · 19 Mar 2012, 23:14 (Ref:3045000)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

I see the three Toyotas all had their branding on the sunstrips. Wonder if that means they've got the same engine now.

I think it was on Toyota's UK motorsport Facebook page that only Frank is using the Toyota engine again.

mattt · 19 Mar 2012, 23:36 (Ref:3045013)

Quote:

Originally Posted by c8nay

I think it was on Toyota's UK motorsport Facebook page that only Frank is using the Toyota engine again.

it certainly was

Quote:

Both the Speedworks Toyotas are powered by the 2-litre ‘spec’ engine developed by BTCC organiser TOCA

https://www.facebook.com/notes/toyot...20592978002210

gregc · 20 Mar 2012, 00:47 (Ref:3045047)

At the risk of cross posting from another thread, some photos from today here - https://picasaweb.google.com/1082516...eat=directlink

And some slightly wobbly videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EafX8TtU8Uw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPIJ_8VCEnk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZotIkSE2d3M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SuNxmG0pyc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsjjNjkeT4o

Good day, if a bit chilly...

simmo151 · 22 Mar 2012, 15:44 (Ref:3046611)

Paul O'neill has turned his back on the BTCC according to Autosport

Craner Curves · 22 Mar 2012, 18:35 (Ref:3046700)

Quote:

Originally Posted by simmo151

Paul O'neill has turned his back on the BTCC according to Autosport

Good on him. Much more opportunity for a guy like him in GTs.

Sodemo · 22 Mar 2012, 18:48 (Ref:3046709)

Quote:

Originally Posted by simmo151

Paul O'neill has turned his back on the BTCC according to Autosport

Perhaps he is sick of always having to cough up money to pay for drives?

simmo151 · 23 Mar 2012, 06:59 (Ref:3046954)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Good on him. Much more opportunity for a guy like him in GTs.

True although he was quoted as saying its too late for a drive in GT' this year. Was a down to earth guy, sure he will be missed from the BTCC

Thaw Daggerslash · 23 Mar 2012, 10:06 (Ref:3047006)

Quote:

Originally Posted by simmo151

Paul O'neill has turned his back on the BTCC according to Autosport

A shame, but perhaps not totally unexpected. I recall him saying last year that if he wasn't regularly winning races in that Cruze, he'd think about leaving the BTCC.

davyboy · 23 Mar 2012, 10:12 (Ref:3047009)

It's a bummer for Paul, but I'm not surprised. By the way, has something happened to him on Facebook... he doesn't seem to be around there any more.

I'm more surprised that John George hasn't appeared. [To my knowledge] he doesn't have budget issues and has a rapidly depreciating Cruze that's not appeared for sale.

Sodemo · 23 Mar 2012, 13:27 (Ref:3047097)

I just wonder if the costings were an issue from the 2011 season? Tech-Speed obtained the Cruze probably in the belief that it would be still the fastest car on the grid in 2011 based on its 2010 performance. So it wouldn't surprise me if they did their numbers on the belief that they would be regular podium finishers. In reality, the Tech Speed Cruzes were no where, apart from when they had a decent showing at Rockingham.

I do recall someone posting a message about them puttin the TOCA engine in for 2012, but not sure if that is a rumour or made up or what.

Also, did O'Neil's sponsor money cover just his own car, or was he expected to fund or part fund both cars?

thlbtcc · 23 Mar 2012, 18:14 (Ref:3047196)

Quote:

Originally Posted by simmo151

Paul O'neill has turned his back on the BTCC according to Autosport

The whole quote in Autosport is quite depressing. A sponsorship deal has fallen through and that has left him out in the cold. He also claims that in the BTCC "not enough is done to help driver's careers". Not sure what that means really, however Tech Speed also state that they are still looking to compete with other drivers.

Thaw Daggerslash · 23 Mar 2012, 19:26 (Ref:3047224)

Quote:

Originally Posted by thlbtcc

The whole quote in Autosport is quite depressing. A sponsorship deal has fallen through and that has left him out in the cold. He also claims that in the BTCC "not enough is done to help driver's careers". Not sure what that means really, however Tech Speed also state that they are still looking to compete with other drivers.

AKA not enough money in it to become a full time professional racing driver.

Craner Curves · 23 Mar 2012, 20:37 (Ref:3047252)

No long term career prospects either when you're depending on a sponsor and not a manufacturer.

simmo151 · 23 Mar 2012, 23:38 (Ref:3047333)

The same story throughout the whole of motorsport really... maybe it will improve in the future =/

Speed-King · 24 Mar 2012, 02:20 (Ref:3047370)

Quote:

Originally Posted by simmo151

The same story throughout the whole of motorsport really... maybe it will improve in the future =/

I think at the moment it's a lot easier to make a living in GT racing, with two drivers sharing a car many young drivers get the chance to share a ride with a gentleman driver for a paycheck or at least for free.

I don't think that would really be possible in touring cars, though - at least not with the current sprint format. 45 minutes races are probably the bare minimum for that.

nickyf1 · 24 Mar 2012, 13:17 (Ref:3047469)

There are a lot of very good drivers making a very good living out of GT and Sportscar racing.

Look at people like Richard Westbrook, for example.

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