[BTCC] BTCC 2017 Rumours & Silly Season

[Rob877]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

Jeff Smith, maybe add Olie Jackson and Matt Simpson too

I'd add Depper to that list as well, and if he returns Hunter Abbott too.

[Ry44]

Originally Posted by Rob877

I'd add Depper to that list as well, and if he returns Hunter Abbott too.

All of those are capable of at least a podium finish given the package they have underneath them

[Rob877]

Originally Posted by Ry44

All of those are capable of at least a podium finish given the package they have underneath them

I think they'd have to have some kind if freak race to get in the top 10 to be honest. Which isn't meant as an insult, just that the grid is so competitive. Just scoring points is going to be difficult this year.

[Ozzymandias]

Can't see anyone stopping Cole from running rampant in the Subaru when BMR turn the wick up like someone else said

I think Dan Lloyd could be a legitimate title contender if 888 get their act together but they seem to be a shell of their former selves lately

[luckn002]

So, with only 3 uncomfirmed seats, it means only 3 of the following will be on the grid:

Turkington, Collard, Scott, Abbott, and less likely, Cook and Welch.

( omitting Howard - no way he'll be at WSR or BMR so looks like he's gone... thankfully )

So Turks will either be at WSR or not on the grid at all.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Ry44

yep driving for Team Hard in the British GT
http://www.team-hard.com/news/second...y-for-teamhard

Thanks for that. Fingers crossed for Michael in the Ginetta 😀

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by lukej

I'm amazed by people's attitudes on here, we know drivers read these pages and yet there are so many people being snippy and making barbed comments.

James Cole is no slouch, a British FFord title and a 2nd place in the British F3 championship prove he can drive but he's not always had steady equipment. Granted, being faster at one test doesn't mean he'll always be faster, it takes more than single lap pace to win championships, but I think people underestimate what goes on behind the scenes.

Rumour has it James was pegged back by the team, I stress this is only rumour but perhaps there's some truth to it, and once he was given the top equipment and JP's engineers he found a lot of time. It wouldn't be the first time a team prioritised a driver and if the Plato haters believe he ousted Colin, What's to say he hasn't controlled his other team mates also.

I'll say no more on this, but I'm aware hat the BTCC has a history of dodgy dealing and, whilst I'm not calling it corruption, people being paid to slow down or be slowed down.

If I'd said "I know something you don't" in my first post, I suspect the ones calling b.s. now would be the same people moaning I didn't elaborate!

Luke

I've mulled this over and here are my thoughts.

An unconfirmed source (PR monkey or Coles himself) making noises about Cole being faster than Plato... it will be true, but it's also total bulls hit when I place it into context. The context is:

Coles tested the car a few weeks ago, with Carl Faux engineering it. The test was at Donington.

JP last drove the car at Donington at last year's BTCC meeting. This was the second meet on the calendar and the team were using the meetings as test sessions - the car had no pace, they had no setups and they were generally learning what was what whilst trying to stay out of everybody's way.

So JPs best lap in the Subaru at Donington was slow. Coles, thick end of a year later in a sorted car was quicker.

Not exactly comparing like for like, and I will wager Plato could jump in the car and murder Coles time within a handful of laps.

[Rob877]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I've mulled this over and here are my thoughts.

An unconfirmed source (PR monkey or Coles himself) making noises about Cole being faster than Plato... it will be true, but it's also total bulls hit when I place it into context. The context is:

Coles tested the car a few weeks ago, with Carl Faux engineering it. The test was at Donington.

JP last drove the car at Donington at last year's BTCC meeting. This was the second meet on the calendar and the team were using the meetings as test sessions - the car had no pace, they had no setups and they were generally learning what was what whilst trying to stay out of everybody's way.

So JPs best lap in the Subaru at Donington was slow. Coles, thick end of a year later in a sorted car was quicker.

Not exactly comparing like for like, and I will wager Plato could jump in the car and murder Coles time within a handful of laps.

My thoughts exactly.

[ExplodeTheApex]

Originally Posted by JDMROB

My thoughts exactly, as harmless as Stewart Lines is, the quality of the field had advanced massively from last season!

I still have a funny feeling we may see Josh Cook at BMR. The advertising potential for Subaru if that happend would be huge.

I'm glad I'm not alone, don't know why but I have the same feeling!

[S griffin]

So glad Sutton is back, I was worried that he would join Erdos, Watson-Smith and Johnny Adam in not getting the second season he first season performances warranted. I hope he can challenge Plato more often than not, he certainly has the talent to

So only three seats left, let's hope they are not squandered and hope Colin gets the WSR seat

On the subject of Lines, is he still in doubt for the first race?

[luckn002]

Inside BTCC Twitter:

Today's @TeamBMRBTCC news confirmed three more driver with just three seats to be announced #BTCC

>> There may still be room for a surprise that no-one saw coming though... #BTCC <<

...thoughts?

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by S griffin

So glad Sutton is back, I was worried that he would join Erdos, Watson-Smith and Johnny Adam in not getting the second season he first season performances warranted. I hope he can challenge Plato more often than not, he certainly has the talent to

He was always going to be at Bmr, Warren Scott is his manager as well as having a vested interest in triple eight where he placed him last year.

[ExplodeTheApex]

Originally Posted by luckn002

Inside BTCC Twitter:

Today's @TeamBMRBTCC news confirmed three more driver with just three seats to be announced #BTCC

>> There may still be room for a surprise that no-one saw coming though... #BTCC <<


...thoughts?

2nd comeback for Menu at BMR perhaps?

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by ExplodeTheApex

2nd comeback for Menu at BMR perhaps?

Very unlikely, unless he is brining major funding with him. From what I've heard. Scott needs to stop paying for things himself and find a driver with a budget.

[Racing Harz]

Cook?

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Very unlikely, unless he is brining major funding with him. From what I've heard. Scott needs to stop paying for things himself and find a driver with a budget.

No wonder. Supporting 6 cars and drivers in the support categories will be a drain on his resources.

[thlbtcc]

Collard to BMR would be my guess.

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by thlbtcc

Collard to BMR would be my guess.

Don't think Plato would like that! Two drivers kicking his butt instead of one.....

[thlbtcc]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Don't think Plato would like that! Two drivers kicking his butt instead of one.....

Good point.

[maximus]

I doubt Collard would be faster than Plato but perhaps that's just me.

[Ry44]

http://www.britishgt.com//news/188/n...ratek-racing-1

Know its British GT news but Fletcher has made the switch to GT4 after 2016 so we wont be seeing him back in the paddock this year

[porsche962fan]

Fletcher gone, Howard gone, Martin gone , Neate gone (permanently)


seems the grid cleaned up a lot

[psq43]

That explains why the price if gravel is now at a record low then

[ATF]

Originally Posted by luckn002

So Turks will either be at WSR or not on the grid at all.

To be fair, I think that was always going to be the case - I couldn't really envisage him going anywhere else. I just hope they can make it happen.

[thlbtcc]

Gow steps down as MSA chairman at the end of the year - http://www.touringcartimes.com/2017/...d-of-the-year/

Made me realise that he's 62 and that could be it for his BTCC involvement once this current '5-year' deal for the rules, TV, tyres, support package and sponsors comes to an end.