[BTCC] BTCC 2017 Rumours & Silly Season

[S griffin]

It's a big shame BMR aren't retaining Colin, I mean he came so close to winning the title, they could really end up looking like wallys if they don't come close this season without him. Jason may have helped set the team up, but he hardly set the world on fire last season did he?

[cds_uk]

Originally Posted by S griffin

It's a big shame BMR aren't retaining Colin, I mean he came so close to winning the title, they could really end up looking like wallys if they don't come close this season without him. Jason may have helped set the team up, but he hardly set the world on fire last season did he?

Plato may not be the most popular driver but he isn't daft, more to the point nobody can really argue with his record can they. Colin did have a good season last year but he hardly wiped the floor with Plato, they both stood on the podium 10 times and they both went into the final round with a mathematical chance of being champion. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Plato had another title to his name next year, perhaps more important to him is the magical 100 wins though, with Colin out of the team that get's easier doesn't it.

[thlbtcc]

The interview on the Autosport show stage with Neal, Turkington, Shedden and AJ earlier today is a corcker. Check it out on YouTube later when the replay of the livestream is posted.

Very interesting as to what is implied regarding politics.

[porsche962fan]

^ can be seen here at about - 3 hours

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcNDFYRs4xs


LOL, Neal :

you got Jason fans, they don't like Colin anymore

Neal :

if this man (refering to Colin) gets in a BMW it will be a mighty strong package

[Moneyseeker]

Can you imagine the look on AJ and MJ's face if Turkington ends up at WSR....I don't think that is in the script..

[touringlegend]

If Turkington ends up back at WSR then it is Jordans chance to show everyone just what he is capable of.

I am sure the rumours that Plato wanted Turks out surfaced before the end of last year, and someone did state there was talk of increased backing from BMW to pave the way for a Turks/Collard pairing.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by RED55

It will be down to money again, Unlikely Colin has got enough to pay for a drive, Jason and Cole wont want to be subsidising a driver who will outscore them nearly everytime and Scott has been overspending most likely of last 3 years so cannot afford anymore to be paying for drivers.

Btcc appears to be a healthy series in terms of grid size and is adament it doesnt need manufacturers , but the reality is most drivers paying are finding it isnt sustainable,year on year, its a very expensive series to run in now it has evolved .

for me Turks is easily in top 5 tin top drivers in the world, but he is a pro and any pro should be earning from it, not paying to do it. how many of us would pay our bosses to work for them !

I hope it comes good for him, you cant blame JP for trying to be in control of something he helped to create.

wait for it #gamechangerhardonforturks lol

Top 5 in the World?! Let's have the list then!

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Top 5 in the World?! Let's have the list then!

well FIA rates him as gold driver in case he wants to go GT Racing

[mickb]

Not exactly confirmation but fingers crossed: http://www.motorsport.com/btcc/news/...return-865476/

“My exit from BMR was only yesterday, so I need some time to absorb the news, and work out the next path,”

Suggests he might have been told he was leaving?

It would make for some good battles if he was in the WSR BMW, and I'am presuming the subaru will lose out a bit with the new engine regulations which negate its low centre of gravity advantage

[Sodemo]

Pretty poor form to be only told in Jan that your seat is no longer available. If they no longer wanted to carry on the partnership it should have been settled back in 2016 to allow Turks a better chance of getting a 2017 drive.

[luckn002]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

...someone did state there was talk of increased backing from BMW to pave the way for a Turks/Collard pairing.

I really hope so: as Neal said, Turks, Collard and Jordan would be a very strong lineup.

Other than that, no seats confirmed yet at 888 and Gilham hinting even more strongly on Twitter today, so hopefully he won't be left out of the grid again.

[cds_uk]

I can definitely see Turkington at WSR, the idea of him driving for Gilham is a bit of a stretch though. Smith at Hard would be a nice fit mind you.

[justracing]

Originally Posted by luckn002

I really hope so: as Neal said, Turks, Collard and Jordan would be a very strong lineup.

That really would be a formidable line up, hope it materialises, Colin really deserves a decent ride.

[Minicross424]

[QUOTE=porsche962fan;3702536]^ can be seen here at about - 3 hours

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcNDFYRs4xs


LOL, Neal :


3 hours is Dario

[luckn002]

Don't know how long its been there and by no means strong evidence, but a strong presence of BTCC in Dan Lloyd's Twitter bio.

Any more news on Team Parker? Seem to be very quiet...

[AdrianM]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Pretty poor form to be only told in Jan that your seat is no longer available. If they no longer wanted to carry on the partnership it should have been settled back in 2016 to allow Turks a better chance of getting a 2017 drive.

That's why I don't think it's Plato's doing. If it was Colin would have been out a lot earlier. All sounds like lack of budget or cuts than anything political to me.

The only political thing I could think of would be Subaru being concerned about losing the drivers title because Colin and Jason would share too many points so they went for Jason only.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by AdrianM

That's why I don't think it's Plato's doing. If it was Colin would have been out a lot earlier. All sounds like lack of budget or cuts than anything political to me.

The only political thing I could think of would be Subaru being concerned about losing the drivers title because Colin and Jason would share too many points so they went for Jason only.

How about this for a (tin-foil hat) assessment of the situation?

Plato knows that he has little influence over who other teams will sign, but does have influence at BMR, BKR and 888.
So - he waits until most of the other potential rivals to him obtaining a title have their deals in place (Honda, WSR, Motorbase, PMR) and then when their are few front-running seats available - triggers an action within BMR that pushes Turkington out.

[antnee]

Could Turks, Hill or Aron end up in a Eurotech Civic? Dan Lloyd showed it is still a good car - surely this must be an option for these guys?

[Alfisti]

I think the "Plato is behind the Turkington leaving BMR" posts are well wide of the mark. People on this and other boards said the same of Smiths departure; they were wrong then and I believe they are wrong now.

My money is on money being the reason. Turkington for whatever reasons never seems to be able to get much financial backing; his WSR rides relied on WSRs backing from RAC and eBay in the past. The notable point is they were WSRs backers, not Turkingtons.

The Silverline sponsorship at BMR was Platos deal; the Subaru was Platos deal. James Cole brings good backing and it's Warren's team. Colin has very little backing..,

[BLiTZ]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I think the "Plato is behind the Turkington leaving BMR" posts are well wide of the mark. People on this and other boards said the same of Smiths departure; they were wrong then and I believe they are wrong now.

My money is on money being the reason. Turkington for whatever reasons never seems to be able to get much financial backing; his WSR rides relied on WSRs backing from RAC and eBay in the past. The notable point is they were WSRs backers, not Turkingtons.

The Silverline sponsorship at BMR was Platos deal; the Subaru was Platos deal. James Cole brings good backing and it's Warren's team. Colin has very little backing..,

I've said this before and I'll say it's again. As good as Colin is as a driver, as a spokesperson or the face of a potential sponsor he's an uncharismatic bore! I dunno if it's just how he is, or if he's a bit shy, but off track and on camera he's dull. He lacks the passion shown by the likes of Shedden and (Mat) Jackson and the ability to include sponsors in every interview.

As much as I dislike Plato, he's a good driver but an even greater businessman, he's actively worked hard to get deals together! Turkington is a good driver (I'm not going to say great as I personally feel he's a bit overrated but that's just me and I don't want to start a war) but has only got to where he is through the hard work of others or paid seats being available at the right time.

I'm sure if he went on a PR or Marketing course it could work wonders.

[Liquoriceman]

Always strikes me that Mrs Turkington handles the business side of things whilst Colin just does the peddling!

[ExplodeTheApex]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I think the "Plato is behind the Turkington leaving BMR" posts are well wide of the mark. People on this and other boards said the same of Smiths departure; they were wrong then and I believe they are wrong now.

Forgive my ignorance but what was the reason for Smith's departure?

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by cds_uk

Plato may not be the most popular driver but he isn't daft, more to the point nobody can really argue with his record can they. Colin did have a good season last year but he hardly wiped the floor with Plato, they both stood on the podium 10 times and they both went into the final round with a mathematical chance of being champion. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Plato had another title to his name next year, perhaps more important to him is the magical 100 wins though, with Colin out of the team that get's easier doesn't it.

5 wins to Plato's 1. Plato only had a mathematical chance and finished outside the top 5 for the first time in his career. If that's not close to dominating him, I don't know what is

[luckn002]

Dan Welch at ASI today, obviously hasn't given up just yet.

In my opinion he really deserves a top drive to show his true talent - back in 2012 / 13 he was a regular points finisher and top ten runner in the Proton...

[cds_uk]

Originally Posted by S griffin

5 wins to Plato's 1. Plato only had a mathematical chance and finished outside the top 5 for the first time in his career. If that's not close to dominating him, I don't know what is

I disagree, if they were both in with a shout of the title at the final round how can he have dominated him, if you compare him to Cole or Scott then yes, that is wiping the floor with them.