Barwell to Europe ?

**Craig** · 24 Oct 2002, 18:20 (Ref:412469)

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 · 24 Oct 2002, 18:34 (Ref:412485)

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** · 24 Oct 2002, 18:38 (Ref:412493)

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 · 24 Oct 2002, 18:46 (Ref:412504)

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** · 24 Oct 2002, 20:02 (Ref:412577)

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

Turkington Fan · 24 Oct 2002, 20:12 (Ref:412584)

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

Super Tourer · 25 Oct 2002, 06:58 (Ref:412890)

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 · 25 Oct 2002, 07:30 (Ref:412908)

Quote:

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 · 27 Oct 2002, 16:18 (Ref:414776)

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 · 27 Oct 2002, 16:30 (Ref:414783)

Quote:

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 · 28 Oct 2002, 15:07 (Ref:415484)

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

Alfa Fan · 28 Oct 2002, 18:31 (Ref:415720)

Quote:

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 · 28 Oct 2002, 20:19 (Ref:415817)

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

pink69 · 5 Nov 2002, 11:57 (Ref:422096)

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

100%VauxhallFan · 5 Nov 2002, 12:47 (Ref:422129)

Quote:

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?

Sim_Da_BTCC_Man · 5 Nov 2002, 17:03 (Ref:422276)

ye it was in autosport.

Reido Rules · 5 Nov 2002, 19:04 (Ref:422390)

What's wrong with reading autosport?

Super Tourer · 7 Nov 2002, 09:35 (Ref:423613)

On the subject of Autosport....

Barwell are advertising for drivers for the BTCC.

I BTC seat available and a seat in a Production class Honda Civic type R.

Slightly strange to be advertising for drivers?

**Craig** · 7 Nov 2002, 17:15 (Ref:423960)

Interesting that they have one seat available in the Astra. Looks like they owned one and Chilton owned one... and I'd imagine they'd be advertising for two drivers with the aim of buying Chilton's motor off him should he not be needing it in 2003... hmmm... maybe that Honda deal is not as likely as it would first seem ?

I also note 'new Honda Civic Type-R' - is this one of the Mardi Gras cars or a newly built car ? Anyone know ?

Reido Rules · 7 Nov 2002, 19:00 (Ref:424043)

Maybe they've filled one seat and just want a second driver?

redshoes · 7 Nov 2002, 19:03 (Ref:424044)

Chilton tested the Honda Civic at Snetterton today so maybe not as unlikely as you think.

Not sure about the Production Civic. Wasn't the Mardi Gras car converted to endurance spec and run it Britcar ?

**Craig** · 7 Nov 2002, 19:15 (Ref:424055)

Ooh the plot thickens! If he is off testing other cars he'll surely not have a use for the Astra so maybe Barwell are already lined up to take it off his hands ? To be honest I don't really care as long as we see both cars in the BTCC next year rather than the ETCC!!

The Mardi Gras car was advertised a cople of weeks ago as, IIRC, 'ideal for BTC-P' I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong though! As for Britcar - a *lot* of interest was spoken of at the start of the year but much of it never came to fruition anyway.

redshoes · 7 Nov 2002, 19:35 (Ref:424063)

I rememeber seeing the car for sale, don't recall it mentioning BTCC, which I thought was odd. A quick check on www.mardigras.co.uk in teh News section reveals some more details under the section "WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CIVIC WE BUILT?"

outcast · 7 Nov 2002, 21:09 (Ref:424119)

Chilton is looking for someone to take the Astra off his hands apparently.

Les · 7 Nov 2002, 22:01 (Ref:424149)

Dave Alan's Civic has been out twice in the EERC.

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