Barwell to Europe ?

[Craig]

Heard a whisper at the Donington BTCC finale that Barwell would be heading to the ETC next year. With Autosport today reporting that Chilton would be run by Arena next year, and that he is the one who actually owns the Astra he drove this year, this is one rumour that is maybe starting to make sense. What do you think and have you heard anything yourselves ?

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

I've heard the same but then again i've also heard that honda strangly might not get backing this year?? Any info on that Craig?

[Craig]

You heard that he owns the car or that the team are looking to move into Europe ?

I hear that Honda are pretty close to getting the go ahead. This is also reported in Autosport today and they are possibly even looking to run three cars next year with Chilton being a paying passenger.

Looks like we'll be over-run with Civics next year! Five in the touring class and, with Mardi Gras offering their two production cars, possibly another four in production.

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

Its Chiltons car is what I heard.

I take it 5 being 3 works 2 Syncro and in prod 2 Mardi Gras and 2 Syncro?

[Craig]

3 works, 2 Indies. Pretty unlikely to be run by Syncro though I'd say

[Turkington Fan]

Synchro to stay in Production then? Assuming they can't get the ex Arena cars.

[Super Tourer]

Hmmm surely this put's Barwell onto a bit of a sticky wicket? This is the flip side of using wealthy pay drivers to fund the team - when they leave they take the cash with 'em.

On another thread, Simon Graves is mentioned as a poss replacement for Chilton, with the greatest respect to Simon he's always been underfunded, even struggling to complete the season in the production class - quite where he could find a BTC budget from, I can't imagine and that's before somebody has to buy/lease the Astra from Bluesure/Chilton.

[JR Ewing]

Originally posted by Craig Antill
I hear that Honda are pretty close to getting the go ahead. This is also reported in Autosport today and they are possibly even looking to run three cars next year with Chilton being a paying passenger.

'Passenger' spot on!
He shouldn't be there...

[Reido Rules]

I believe that Graves backers have now decided to give him a proper budget.

James Kaye on the other hand does have the budget for the drive, but doesn't have the will to drive an independants drive, but seeing how two relative newboys did in the car this year then he may see that potential to win.

Simon Harisson has been linked to barwell too, where his budget has appeared I don't know, but he was aledgedly quite close last year.

Aren't Barwell and Synchro linked togather in some way?

[redshoes]

Originally posted by Reido Rules
Aren't Barwell and Synchro linked togather in some way?

Not really, although they have helped each other out in the past - Barwell providing technical help when they both ran Accords, Synchro helping to supply parts, Mark Lemmer driving when Dave Allan was away, etc

[Turkington Fan]

Anyone else remember Lemski forgetting to take the handbrake off during qualifying for the Snett night races?

[Alfa Fan]

Originally posted by Sim_Da_BTCC_Man
I've heard the same but then again i've also heard that honda strangly might not get backing this year?? Any info on that Craig?

You may have knowledge of something I am unaware of but accoring to last weeks Autosport they are definetly(or close to) being in next year.

[Reido Rules]

It is very likely Honda will eb back with a three car squad.
This has been the sound coming from Honda UK HQ.

[pink69]

I've heard that Barwell are after the MG ZS for next year.

[100%VauxhallFan]

Originally posted by pink69
I've heard that Barwell are after the MG ZS for next year.

You mean you've read that in Autosport?