BTCC BTCC 2021 - Page 68

WestHam92 · 18 Jan 2021, 16:07 (Ref:4029871)

Quote:

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

A slippery slope to where?

To not being able to criticise anyone for doing something that we either don't want to do or are unable to do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

We have a full grid, drivers and teams that have a desire to compete but have been unable to secure a place, a variety of marques represented and new machinery being built all the time. All in a championship that allows drivers to bring their own funds to secure a drive with no reference to merit - where drivers/teams are content to continue with multiple-year entries with minimal silverware - where exposure for sponsors is marketed as being one of the championships' strongest features.

You are Alan Gow and I claim my five pounds

Evantra · 18 Jan 2021, 16:13 (Ref:4029874)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overboost

Osborne just won't be in an MB Motorsporr Focus, there are still 2 other Fords being run under the Motorbase banner 😉

Makes sense

The Motorbase side of the garage will struggle then if it's Osborne and Neate / Jackson. Though I've not heard much from Jackson to suggest he will or won't be back?

Robin Marriott · 18 Jan 2021, 16:13 (Ref:4029875)

Is this a 2021 thread or a 1995 thread?

WestHam92 · 18 Jan 2021, 16:16 (Ref:4029876)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evantra

Makes sense

The Motorbase side of the garage will struggle then if it's Osborne and Neate / Jackson. Though I've not heard much from Jackson to suggest he will or won't be back?

I think I read on here a few weeks ago that Jackson and/or his family are now involved with Mountune. If that's true, I doubt he wouldn't be driving for the team they supply engines for.

Craner Curves · 18 Jan 2021, 16:17 (Ref:4029877)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evantra

Makes sense

The Motorbase side of the garage will struggle then if it's Osborne and Neate / Jackson. Though I've not heard much from Jackson to suggest he will or won't be back?

Double race winner Ollie Jackson? Struggle?

AnnoyedMoose · 18 Jan 2021, 16:20 (Ref:4029878)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

Is this a 2021 thread or a 1995 thread?

Exactly. This thread - https://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=155878 - was created so this thread could stay on the 2021 topic.

WestHam92 · 18 Jan 2021, 16:20 (Ref:4029879)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Double race winner Ollie Jackson? Struggle?

The car was one of the best on the grid last season...

billy bleach · 18 Jan 2021, 16:23 (Ref:4029880)

Quote:

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Keeping OT for a while, the suggestion was made that the grid in ST days contained 'not quite top quality' drivers in factory cars, and you asked who they were.
I hadn't initially wanted to name names, as I felt it would be an unfair reflection on those drivers' efforts, however I would suggest the following may be considered in that bracket:

Laurence Bristow, Gary Ayles, Kieth O'dor, Mark Hales, James Kaye, Patrick Watts, Eugene O'Brien, Harry Nuttall, Bobby Verdon-Roe, Tim Sugden, Simon Harrison, Steve Robertson and there are many more.

Why is this relevant for 2021?
We have seen suggestions that certain drivers this season are 'wasted seats' - along with suggestion(s) that the grid should be determined on merit.

Even in the heady days of ST, with multi-million pound entries backed by manufacturers, the selection of drivers was not always based entirely on merit. This is something that was recognised by JP during the establishment of the KX Akademy, which included equipping drivers with social media and reputation management skills, tools and tips through to best practice in attracting and working with sponsors.

Negotiating deals, securing funding and managing your media profile is as much a part of being a touring car driver as having the ability to race fast in 2021. Drivers need to provide the full package to a prospective team, and those on the grid in 2021 are those who have done that the best.

What's a bigger waste of a seat -
A) a fully-funded driver generating commercial interest and enhancing the profile of the series

B) a part-funded driver who picks up a few early season wins then is missing from the grid for the latter half of the season?

Fair Kopp although I don't think Bristow or Kaye drove factory cars

porsche962fan · 18 Jan 2021, 16:24 (Ref:4029881)

has anyone considered Ollie Jackson to Speedworks ? as he drove for them years ago

Overboost · 18 Jan 2021, 16:29 (Ref:4029882)

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

has anyone considered Ollie Jackson to Speedworks ? as he drove for them years ago

Ollie will be in a Focus still.

Matt K · 18 Jan 2021, 16:32 (Ref:4029883)

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestHam92

My problem isn't necessarily with the drivers themselves, but more with the championship being set up in such a way that getting good sponsorship deals is more often than not the only way to get into it. I'm also not particularly keen on drivers who are well backed being in cars far better than their talent warrants or staying in the championship year on year when they're clearly not good enough.

I get your point. This is quite an unpopular opinion because it may be called complaining/disrespectful/deluded etc. But I have the same opinion on that and I'm aware of tough economic situation, of how expensive motorsport is and that everyone who's on the grid does a bloody good (and tough) job to actually be on the grid.
But it still doesn't change the fact that I'd like to see more 'high-level' drivers in the BTCC whereas unfortunately, in current setup we can't dream of seeing supertalented young guns such as Harry King in the BTCC. Or we can't see BMW juniors at WSR and so on and so forth. That's quite a pity because BTCC would be even more exciting. It's nobody's fault, it is how it is and good, let all the drivers have the ride. But as a motorsport fan you may be disappointed with certain drivers, driver-team combinations etc. I feel only BTCC fans try to be very correct in not labelling anyone "not good enough" for a certain seat. And yes, probably most of us would be a lot worse than Andy Neate is but forum is for discussion and it's better when people express their opinions about sports they are passionate about, isn't it?

Evantra · 18 Jan 2021, 16:41 (Ref:4029885)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Double race winner Ollie Jackson? Struggle?

He's not a number one driver. Paired up with Hill, that's a solid 2 car team. Paired up with Osborne or Neate, "Motorbase" will be near the bottom of the team's tables.

Ollie did surprise me last season and really did seem to have stepped up - but I think had as many good weekends as bad ones.

The Autosport article also says he is expected to stay in a Ford.

WestHam92 · 18 Jan 2021, 16:41 (Ref:4029886)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt K

I get your point. This is quite an unpopular opinion because it may be called complaining/disrespectful/deluded etc. But I have the same opinion on that and I'm aware of tough economic situation, of how expensive motorsport is and that everyone who's on the grid does a bloody good (and tough) job to actually be on the grid.
But it still doesn't change the fact that I'd like to see more 'high-level' drivers in the BTCC whereas unfortunately, in current setup we can't dream of seeing supertalented young guns such as Harry King in the BTCC. Or we can't see BMW juniors at WSR and so on and so forth. That's quite a pity because BTCC would be even more exciting. It's nobody's fault, it is how it is and good, let all the drivers have the ride. But as a motorsport fan you may be disappointed with certain drivers, driver-team combinations etc. I feel only BTCC fans try to be very correct in not labelling anyone "not good enough" for a certain seat. And yes, probably most of us would be a lot worse than Andy Neate is but forum is for discussion and it's better when people express their opinions about sports they are passionate about, isn't it?

Absolutely

porsche962fan · 18 Jan 2021, 16:44 (Ref:4029888)

meanwile no driver confirmed at WSR, hopefully this doesn't mean no Turkington as h one of the few drivers who could beat Sutton

Alfisti · 18 Jan 2021, 17:25 (Ref:4029902)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

Interesting Team Parker want to come back sometime in the future. They probably see the BTCC as unfinished business

Yeah. No doubt Parker will be back and a million and one other tinpot ex teams. It's gobshiteing to a journalist. Parker were massively out of their depth and were dismal throughout their time, full stop. I expect we'll see SJ top ten consistently in his WSR car.

Alfisti · 18 Jan 2021, 17:28 (Ref:4029903)

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Fair Kopp although I don't think Bristow or Kaye drove factory cars

Oooh, Kopp. Is this a cryptic hint about a Gentleman of Scouseness?

Alfisti · 18 Jan 2021, 17:31 (Ref:4029904)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Double race winner Ollie Jackson? Struggle?

Ollie I think is very good. He has been in BTCC a good few years but in not the best equipment for most of that career up to joining Dave Bartrum. In his years at Motorbase he has come on in leaps and bounds. I think he is more than good enough at BTCC, I think he will be visiting the podium many many more times.

Moneyseeker · 18 Jan 2021, 18:01 (Ref:4029907)

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

has anyone considered Ollie Jackson to Speedworks ? as he drove for them years ago

His family have bought Mountune, so I imagine he will want to drive a car with their engine...?

Moneyseeker · 18 Jan 2021, 18:09 (Ref:4029908)

MB Motorsport info...

https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/...remain-in-btcc

medius · 18 Jan 2021, 18:11 (Ref:4029909)

Jake and Ollie in Blundell Focii.
SamOs and Neate in Motorbase Focii.

Daverb · 18 Jan 2021, 18:27 (Ref:4029912)

Motorbase needed Neate for the money last year. Hopefully not the case now?

Plus I can’t see racers like Hollamby and Brundell being involved with him?

Petoli · 18 Jan 2021, 18:35 (Ref:4029914)

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Fair Kopp although I don't think Bristow or Kaye drove factory cars

James Kaye drove a factory Toyota in 1993 as well as a Factory Honda in 1995 and 1996

Robshillito1990 · 18 Jan 2021, 19:19 (Ref:4029919)

Quote:

Originally Posted by medius

Jake and Ollie in Blundell Focii.
SamOs and Neate in Motorbase Focii.

Hope they tell Neate to sling his hook this year. One driver that does not deserve a place on the grid.

aland · 18 Jan 2021, 19:40 (Ref:4029920)

andy neate will be in whatever car he pays to be in, no team owner will turn town a large wodge of hard cash

Pdh · 18 Jan 2021, 19:41 (Ref:4029921)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robshillito1990

Hope they tell Neate to sling his hook this year. One driver that does not deserve a place on the grid.

Looks like your going to be disappointed then

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