BTCC 2019 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[thetool]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

It's the Kevin Berry factor. He designed the MG, BMW and had a hand in the Subaru.

I also think Colin does have a major effect too. Someone who is not only clearly a very quick driver, but also an intelligent one who is good at ensuring he has the right people around him.

[S griffin]

That’s how he’s won three titles, including one that was never the best last season

[auroan]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

It's the Kevin Berry factor. He designed the MG, BMW and had a hand in the Subaru.

When was Berry at triple eight ?. I was under the impression it was Karl Faux who designed both the MG and Subaru.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by auroan

When was Berry at triple eight ?. I was under the impression it was Karl Faux who designed both the MG and Subaru.

berry was a long time 888 man going back to the vauxhalls
faux only designed the subaru

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

berry was a long time 888 man going back to the vauxhalls
faux only designed the subaru

Indeed. Kevin Berry, John Waterman, John Morton etc. All successful engineers/designers with 888 who are highly regarded and have gone on to do well elsewhere.

I don't really know if BMR have anyone of that calibre anymore.

[JDMROB]

As much of a Plato fan as I am, I think BMR will be a lot better this year without him and his personality overshadowing things.

Sutton and Proctor will work well together and if Ash can get through the first few rounds and to Oulton with a win already and in the top 8 of the championship he'll be well on his way to another title. As mentioned though, the 2nd Thruxton is the spanner in the works.

That Subaru is not as bad as people make out

[S griffin]

I think it’s more Ash was/is prepared to wring the neck out of it if he has to and that’s what has delivered results for them

[VIVA GT]

I hope that Ash is on the pace again this year and it will be interesting to see how Senna gets on with JP's old 'lame duck' of a car...

[touringlegend]

There are 4 Subaru chassis, though I would
Assume the two being used this season will be the Subaru owned versions.

[MagicBoy]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

There are 4 Subaru chassis, though I would
Assume the two being used this season will be the Subaru owned versions.

They stopped racing the Sutton championship winner after 2017, he switched to the ex-James Cole shell last year.

Plato switched to the ex-Turks shell last year. Josh Price got the banana car for his early season outings.

So stands to reason Ash keeps his 2018 car, Proctor gets the ex-Turks,ex-Plato car. The 2017 winner stays a museum piece, the banana car gets left out back to rust.

[RS67]

Are Swindon taking care of the Scooby engines again? I got the distinct impression they weren't happy about the grumbling they were getting from BMR ( mainly Plato) last year.

[thetool]

Originally Posted by RS67

Are Swindon taking care of the Scooby engines again? I got the distinct impression they weren't happy about the grumbling they were getting from BMR ( mainly Plato) last year.

So long as the bills are paid, they can't *not* supply them as per the agreement with TOCA to provide the spec-engine. ^^ Edit: They don't have to continue providing the bespoke Subaru engine they have done in the past however.

[RS67]

Originally Posted by thetool

So long as the bills are paid, they can't *not* supply them as per the agreement with TOCA to provide the spec-engine. ^^ Edit: They don't have to continue providing the bespoke Subaru engine they have done in the past however.

I am aware of all that, but it doesn't answer the question.

[VXDave]

https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/141711/why-plato-came-close-to-skipping-the-2019-btcc

An interesting read. Are we going to get more Vauxhall backing and something like GSi branding?

[Evantra]

Right, more BTC social media deciphering

More big news to come, with a photo focusing on Honda branding.

https://twitter.com/btc_racing/statu...830161927?s=21

Bert Taylor's tweet says the same thing but shows a shell on its side, but I'm not sure that's enough to work out whether it's an FK2 or FK8...!

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by VXDave

https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/141711/why-plato-came-close-to-skipping-the-2019-btcc

An interesting read. Are we going to get more Vauxhall backing and something like GSi branding?

Sounds more like a bit of self promotion, and comes across a little bit disdainful towards Adam Weaver / PMR's work over the last couple of seasons.

I know drivers will talk about things that happen to a team they drive for as 'we', but...

'my new team'
'everything we put in place'
'We have put the right sort of deal in place that works'
'[Plato] is also delighted to be the focal point of 'another manufacturer-supported programme with Vauxhall'
'I am proud of the fact that all of the deals that I have done since I came back to the championship after a sabbatical have been manufacturer deals that I have either pulled together or have been pivotal to the funding stream'
'We have got a new exciting brand […] I am really chuffed that we have been able to pull this all together as a competitive programme'

Now I might be wrong - but I think Vauxhall had already been brought back to the grid before Plato was anywhere near the team. The engineers were in place before Plato signed. They came third in the teams' championship before Plato was involved.

I feel for everyone who was part of the team for the last few years that their efforts are not recognised by the new 'star' who has joined them.

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by VXDave

https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/141711/why-plato-came-close-to-skipping-the-2019-btcc



An interesting read. Are we going to get more Vauxhall backing and something like GSi branding?

I was wondering that and if it might be Griffin branding as Vauxhall are going to introduce Griffin models across the range. They are also ,making a lot of their British brand since 1903, so the British TTC may fit with that.



Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

I was wondering that and if it might be Griffin branding as Vauxhall are going to introduce Griffin models across the range. They are also ,making a lot of their British brand since 1903, so the British TTC may fit with that.



Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

'a new exciting brand that we are bringing to motorsport' doesn't sound like something focussing on heritage from 1903?

They also only seem to be releasing Griffin on 4 of their models, and it just seems like the top spec model, rather than anything that fits well with motorsport. Particularly when they still off SRi, VX and VXR specs?

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

I was wondering that and if it might be Griffin branding as Vauxhall are going to introduce Griffin models across the range. They are also ,making a lot of their British brand since 1903, so the British TTC may fit with that.



Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

I have been wondering this; Vauxhall are currently heavily marketing the British brand and Union Flags are a plenty. This is clearly a new strategy from new owners PSA. Tge fact that only the Astra is built in Britain is a minor technicality!

The VXR sporty brand is officially "rested"; the VXR derivatives of Corsa and GTC ceased production last year and the V8 Aussie monster is out of production too. The GSi badge has been brought back for "warm" variants.

As the Astra (like many) cars isn't shifting in stellar quantities then maybe a heavy British Vauxhall branding may be on the cards to use in marketing and try and bring some patriotic post Brexit trade into the showrooms?

[VXDave]

Elsewise, it may not be Vauxhall related. May just be a big commercial sponsor a-la Shredded Wheat, Halfords...

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by VXDave

Elsewise, it may not be Vauxhall related. May just be a big commercial sponsor a-la Shredded Wheat, Halfords...

Well he’s got to have someone else backing wise to replace Adrian Flux as they stayed with Subaru

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by VXDave

Elsewise, it may not be Vauxhall related. May just be a big commercial sponsor a-la Shredded Wheat, Halfords...

Or even the typical BTCC driver approach of hyping something big or major, and then it turns out to be a new brand of kitchen mop!

[Craner Curves]

I predict it's going to be the return of the Astra Antibes.

[peebee2]

The return? It was a Nova surely? LOL

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by peebee2

The return? It was a Nova surely? LOL

http://www.astra-mk2.com/0ddball/bro...May%201986.pdf