BTCC 2019 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[jsmee]

Originally Posted by medius

I just spotted something on Facebook. RCIB Insurance Racing running a conpeteion to win a signed Aiden Moffat Laser Tools cap. Maybe a change in squad for RCIB branding this term?

They've sponsored Moffat for years.

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[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

He'll be "networking" at the show, as a guy I know that once raced in TOCA supports used to say, whenever he turned up to events or race meetings without a drive. 😁

Very much so, they’ll be a few others from last years grid ‘networking’ too

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by medius

I just spotted something on Facebook. RCIB Insurance Racing running a conpeteion to win a signed Aiden Moffat Laser Tools cap. Maybe a change in squad for RCIB branding this term?

'posted 6th February 2017:' Moffat reunited with RCIB Insurance

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by medius

It was a dealer network supported job like the HMS Alfa. No top brass involved.

Errmm... yup?

[VXDave]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

PMR's was a Vauxhall Motors Limited supported deal, not a dealer network.

Yes, although bizarrely, I've never seen any publicity from Vauxhall on Facebook / Twitter etc since they reentered with PMR. If I was Vauxhall, I would make the most of the BTCC publicity. It's almost ad though they are unaware that they have a BTCC team!

[btccbloke]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

PMR's entry was through a partnership between Automotive Brands (owners of PMR) and Vauxhall Motors UK (a fully owned subsidiary of Opel).

HMS's entry was through a partnership between Handy Motorsport (at the time) and the Alfa Romeo UK Dealer Council (an independent 'club' that also operates as an owner's club, and has no financial ties or ownership from FCA).

To me the distinction is clear -
PMR's entry on the grid had financial input from PSA>Opel>Vauxhall. HMS's had no financial input from FCA>Alfa Romeo.

Well I saw far more promotion of the Alfa brand from Rob Austin, SImon Belcher and HMS in 2018 than ive seen of Vauxhall from anyone connected to PowerMaxed since the initial press release just over 2 years ago!


I saw more Alfa flags in the paddock and logos on the car than I ever have Vauxhall on the PMR cars, and likewise more on social media from Alfa Romeo UK promoting the privateer team than Vauxhall actually getting any promotion out of having a "works" car



I would wager if you asked someone in marketing at Vauxhall how the BTCC is working out for them they wouldnt have a clue what you were talking about

[btccbloke]

Originally Posted by VXDave

Yes, although bizarrely, I've never seen any publicity from Vauxhall on Facebook / Twitter etc since they reentered with PMR. If I was Vauxhall, I would make the most of the BTCC publicity. It's almost ad though they are unaware that they have a BTCC team!

Exactly this - i think aside from the badge on the grill, there is barely a Vauxhall logo on either the cars or team wear!
At the rounds ive managed to go to in recent years there is generally a trade stand for BMW - sometimes Honda but not so much last year, a local MG dealer and a local Subaru dealer - obviously both small time in the UK but they are showing representation. PMR have a truck selling their own T-shirts and bottle of car shampoo but NO Vauxhall link up whatsoever

[porsche962fan]

you all need to realise that PSA bough Vauxhall/ Opel to close it down in the medium term, don't exepct anything from them otherwise


short term it's just about sucking up any usefull technologies and perhaps some other assets

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by btccbloke

Well I saw far more promotion of the Alfa brand from Rob Austin, SImon Belcher and HMS in 2018 than ive seen of Vauxhall from anyone connected to PowerMaxed since the initial press release just over 2 years ago!


I saw more Alfa flags in the paddock and logos on the car than I ever have Vauxhall on the PMR cars, and likewise more on social media from Alfa Romeo UK promoting the privateer team than Vauxhall actually getting any promotion out of having a "works" car



I would wager if you asked someone in marketing at Vauxhall how the BTCC is working out for them they wouldnt have a clue what you were talking about

Vauxhall weren't looking at the racing aspect of pmr as their marketing focus. It's the commercial vehicle tie-in with pmr products they focus on. The btcc is just a peripheral activity.

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

you all need to realise that PSA bough Vauxhall/ Opel to close it down in the medium term, don't exepct anything from them otherwise


short term it's just about sucking up any usefull technologies and perhaps some other assets

You couldn't be further from the truth. The UK factories? Yes, I can see them going. But the brands and the business? No chance.

[porsche962fan]

if those brands and business were so profitable GM wouldn't have sold them in the first place

[Alfisti]

GM has not, and arguably never had, a clue about Europe. PSA very much values the Opel brand, many Germans (and others) regard it very highly.

Vauxhall is a massive brand here in the UK. People buy them and then buy them again. People buy them because their dad drives one. And his dad before him.

If PSA killed the brand, many in the UK would see it as the nasty Frogs, and would not buy a PSA product instead. GM considered ditching the brand and using Opel throughout Europe, but concluded it would be seen as the Krauts taking over. Again, recipe for customer loss.

As it is, the only British made Vauxhall car is the Astra. The rest are from far and wide - Spain, Germany and Korea to name three. Considered British by many many members of the public though.

Likely Ellesmere Port will go without Govt support. If the Unions don't wise up it'll go regardless, their idiotic pre Christmas strike has definitely put closure high on the list of "considering to do".

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

you all need to realise that PSA bough Vauxhall/ Opel to close it down in the medium term, don't exepct anything from them otherwise


short term it's just about sucking up any usefull technologies and perhaps some other assets

Source?

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

GM has not, and arguably never had, a clue about Europe. PSA very much values the Opel brand, many Germans (and others) regard it very highly.

sorry but I know many germans and they say Opel is bottom of the barrel of german cars, you get one mostly because you can't afford something better

Opel was regarded well only until the early 90s then they started to go downhill with quality and image

at the very best in the future you wil get PSA products restyled a bit as Opel// Vauxhall but that's about it

[Alfisti]

I know that is not the plan. Common platforms, common engines, common running gear. But very different cars aimed at very different people. For example compare a Vauxhall Grandland X and Pug 3008. Very different image, Underneath the skin they are blood brothers. Drive, ride, styling are worlds apart.

[ExplodeTheApex]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

sorry but I know many germans and they say Opel is bottom of the barrel of german cars, you get one mostly because you can't afford something better

Opel was regarded well only until the early 90s then they started to go downhill with quality and image

at the very best in the future you wil get PSA products restyled a bit as Opel// Vauxhall but that's about it

Alfisti or porsche962fan, wonder who most thread followers will choose to believe

[RS67]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

if those brands and business were so profitable GM wouldn't have sold them in the first place

Vauxhall never made a profit since 2009.It was only last year after being bought out that they actually started making a profit.

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by RS67

Vauxhall never made a profit since 2009.It was only last year after being bought out that they actually started making a profit.

To be fair, without forensic accountancy, especially with international companies, it is very difficult to tell whether profits accrue, as they are adept at making inter-company charges to ensure that profits actually materialise in the most advantageous tax regime.

[3marinadrive]

Spoke to some of Jake Hill's supporters - great to see that Trade Price Cars Racing will have the 2019 Audi on display at ASI. Got the car built and ready at this stage.

Lots of work going on to ensure the team use Jake's technical expertise and what they already know about the car, plus some data from the Eurotech Honda - sounds like they have a great chance of unlocking the potential of the Audi.

The engineers and mechanics all are behind him, so this really is a chance for Jake to show everyone just how good he is

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by 3marinadrive

Spoke to some of Jake Hill's supporters - great to see that Trade Price Cars Racing will have the 2019 Audi on display at ASI. Got the car built and ready at this stage.

Lots of work going on to ensure the team use Jake's technical expertise and what they already know about the car, plus some data from the Eurotech Honda - sounds like they have a great chance of unlocking the potential of the Audi.

The engineers and mechanics all are behind him, so this really is a chance for Jake to show everyone just how good he is

Absolutely, it helps that the Audi’s wheelbase is the same as the Honda’s, so could be quite a bit of crossover in set-up’s and things to try. It will be great to see one of the best looking cars in the grid nearer the front with Jake peddling it.

[Robin Marriott]

http://www.btcc.net/2019/01/10/mini-...age-from-2020/

As suspected really. Good series and a decent brand to have on board, still a shame about the Clios but at least it’s not another GT/open wheeer series replacing them.

[btccbloke]

Originally Posted by 3marinadrive

Spoke to some of Jake Hill's supporters - great to see that Trade Price Cars Racing will have the 2019 Audi on display at ASI. Got the car built and ready at this stage.

Lots of work going on to ensure the team use Jake's technical expertise and what they already know about the car, plus some data from the Eurotech Honda - sounds like they have a great chance of unlocking the potential of the Audi.

The engineers and mechanics all are behind him, so this really is a chance for Jake to show everyone just how good he is

what else were you expecting of engineers within his own team??

[pimmy]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

http://www.btcc.net/2019/01/10/mini-...age-from-2020/

As suspected really. Good series and a decent brand to have on board, still a shame about the Clios but at least it’s not another GT/open wheeer series replacing them.

I'd have been surprised if it was another championship. The package needs to have a saloon car series of some sort on the support card.

[Sodemo]

Glad to see it was another tin top hatch series. A good replacement by all accounts. The BTCC statement though confuse me, it mentioned naturally aspirated, but then goes on to mention turbo charging...?

[Evantra]

https://twitter.com/touringcartimes/...968575489?s=21

First livery of 2019!