Barwell Motorsport not in 2004 BTCC

Neil Adams · 23 Jan 2004, 12:19 (Ref:848129)

QUOTE FROM http://www.autosport.com

"Barwell takes sabbatical from series
Class champion sells Hondas to Team Varta

Barwell won the Production class with Hines in 2003

Reigning BTCC Production class champions, Barwell Motorsport, will take a year out from the championship in 2004, having sold its Honda Civic ETCC-spec cars to Team Varta.

Barwell has been one of the most successful non-manufacturer BTCC teams of the past four years, claiming the runner-up spot in the 2002 Independents Cup and a BTC Production title.

The team also made history with Tom Chilton in 2002, by running the youngest-ever BTCC driver. Both Chilton and the team's 2003 champion, Luke Hines, went on to secure drives with manufacturer teams the year after.

"After our hugely successful 2003 we would have loved to continue in the BTCC this season," said Barwell MD, Mark Lemmer. "But with the lack of talented drivers with budgets it became increasingly difficult to do a suitable deal. As we are involved with other exciting projects, such as Formula BMW and Porsche Cup, it is important to focus on these.

It's an unfortunate situation
Mark Lemmer

"It's an unfortunate situation, but it would have made bad business sense to hang on for a last minute BTCC deal. We wish Team Varta all the best success and will be providing them with any assistance they might require."

Barwell plans to return to the BTCC fold in 2005, but harbours plans to run cars at the showcase British GP and Macau Guia touring car events. The Surrey-based team will also run race programmes in Formula BMW, Porsche Carrera UK Cup, Britcar and historic motorsport."

As highlighted by Peter Briggs in the O'Neill thread it seems that teams are struggling to find the budget for the 04 season.

Hopefully Team VARTA will put the cars to good use in the BTCC anyway.

kykiske · 23 Jan 2004, 12:24 (Ref:848138)

frankly im shocked. Having Varta but not Barwell just seems wrong...

SPARK Msport · 23 Jan 2004, 13:12 (Ref:848172)

Just read about it on the autosport website then to find it posted up here.

Big shame for the BTCC, thats one less team. Its a funny story, as Barwell are one of the best teams out there with a good history. I guess it goes to show that without the £££ and drivers you can't go anywhere!

Keith Wheeler · 23 Jan 2004, 13:19 (Ref:848177)

I wonder if the 'lack of talented drivers with budgets' means the SCV8s ARE diverting funds from the BTCC?

The Darkness · 23 Jan 2004, 14:01 (Ref:848237)

yeah iv'e just read that on the Autosport website. that is such a shame. they did so well last year.

the king · 23 Jan 2004, 14:27 (Ref:848272)

How many names have signed for SCV8? None, so far so I don't think that it is diverting money from BTCC.

OVERSTEER · 23 Jan 2004, 14:38 (Ref:848282)

Any chance of Tom Boardman driving a ETCC spec. Civic? I was just wondering because of him driving for Varta last year?

Neil Adams · 23 Jan 2004, 14:44 (Ref:848291)

could be..

there where rumours of Boardman to Varta SCV8 effort, as he tested / raced a tvr (powerful RWD)

I was just wondering if the P.R.O. Motorsport story (yesterdays autosport), of wanting to run a pair of ETCC Civics had anything to do with Barwell selling theirs?

racingdad · 23 Jan 2004, 14:51 (Ref:848299)

I think that Barwell were counting 100% on running Luke Hines (remember the testing in Spain) and could have built on that. Once Martin took his wedge elsewhere they were faced with a dilema, and if John B&Q was offering real money for the cars, well - what would you do?

Neil Adams · 23 Jan 2004, 15:00 (Ref:848306)

I agree with the above post, if Barwell where counting on Hines i guess it makes perfect sense.

is John Batchelor wealthy? he always seems to have the capital to buy more cars.

Anyone know if hes sold any of his production cars?

racingdad · 23 Jan 2004, 16:15 (Ref:848383)

Quote:

Originally posted by btcc-thunder

is John Batchelor wealthy? he always seems to have the capital to buy more cars.

It would appear so, but who knows?

Quote:

[i]

Anyone know if hes sold any of his production cars? [/B]

Good question.

the king · 23 Jan 2004, 17:19 (Ref:848453)

you're really struggling with those split quotes, aren't you!

racingdad · 23 Jan 2004, 17:25 (Ref:848461)

Quote:

Originally posted by the king
you're really struggling with those split quotes, aren't you!

yep - not designed for us old folks all this new fangled e-technology stuff - but I'll get there!

rdjones · 23 Jan 2004, 18:25 (Ref:848527)

So no Barwell, maybe after Hines signed for Vauxhall they couldn't raise the budget to run the cars. As for Varta buying the car it will be interesting to see what they do with them

cos · 23 Jan 2004, 18:53 (Ref:848552)

Is this Varta hedging their bets in case SCV8 doesn't get off the ground?

**touringlegend** · 23 Jan 2004, 19:00 (Ref:848560)

There was the news last year that Varta had agreed a £1million deal with Batchelor to develop Boardman and Edwards over a couple of years..so yes he is rich!

cos · 23 Jan 2004, 19:38 (Ref:848592)

...in that case he probably has the money to do both BTCC and SCV8. Especially since he ran 4 cars at one point last year.

rdjones · 23 Jan 2004, 19:51 (Ref:848609)

Quote:

Originally posted by cos
Is this Varta hedging their bets in case SCV8 doesn't get off the ground?

I must admit that has crossed my mine. It will be interesting to see how this one pans out.

racingdad · 23 Jan 2004, 20:55 (Ref:848692)

Quote:

Originally posted by touringlegend
There was the news last year that Varta had agreed a £1million deal with Batchelor to develop Boardman and Edwards over a couple of years..so yes he is rich!

That is equal to £250k per year per driver - or just about the industry standard cost for the BTCC. So nothing special there.

Les · 23 Jan 2004, 21:39 (Ref:848732)

excellent news - now 2004 is looking interesting.

BootsOntheSide · 27 Jan 2004, 11:36 (Ref:852123)

What a shame to see Barwell out. It's clear that running these cars is expensive, and the loss of the Production Class leaves a lot of teams with nowhere to go affordably. It's a shame the cars have fallen into Varta's hands, as for all his financial clout, John doesn't seem to ahve a clue about running a truly competitive racing team. Last season they had two good drivers and race-winning equipment, and still effectively finished last out of the fullseason entries.

The Darkness · 27 Jan 2004, 11:47 (Ref:852132)

well at least Luke Hines won't be left high and dry now he's gone to VX Racing because of the team pulling out for a year.

redshoes · 27 Jan 2004, 12:43 (Ref:852181)

Other way round. Hines didn't go to VX because Barwell aren't racing, more likely Barwell aren't racing BECAUSE Hines went to VX, and took his sponsors cheque with him.

racingdad · 27 Jan 2004, 12:52 (Ref:852189)

Quote:

Originally posted by redshoes
Other way round. Hines didn't go to VX because Barwell aren't racing, more likely Barwell aren't racing BECAUSE Hines went to VX, and took his sponsors cheque with him.

Too True!

bigted · 28 Jan 2004, 18:05 (Ref:853993)

So it looks like Edenbridge are struggling now, there cars are for sale in this weeks autospoort.

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