Down to 15 cars for Brands?

Hazard · 21 Sep 2005, 18:11 (Ref:1413287)

Arena Motorsport will be off to run the Zytek at the ALMS, so will finish the season as they started it...absent!

rdjones · 21 Sep 2005, 18:18 (Ref:1413291)

I had figured that one out when it was confirmed that Tom was of to the states to do PLM in the Zytek. Remember that Andy Neate is going to be out in the Astra and I also think that Jason Hughes might make another appearance, so all is not lost.

BootsOntheSide · 21 Sep 2005, 19:04 (Ref:1413320)

Jason Hughes should be out there, but Andy Neate is one of those "I'll believe it when I see it" entries.

**touringlegend** · 21 Sep 2005, 21:01 (Ref:1413428)

The team definitely has the car in their workshop, whether they have the funds to run it I do not know.

Pete Fenelon · 22 Sep 2005, 14:48 (Ref:1414034)

You can't begrudge Tom and the Arena boys not being there -- they've got a very real chance of winning the Petit which is (IMHO) the third most important endurance race in the world (after Le Mans and Sebring). Tom's demonstrated this year that if you're quick in the BTCC you have the potential to be quick anywhere - don't think of this as a missing car, think of it as a tribute to what the BTCC can do for a young driver's career!

sceptic · 22 Sep 2005, 14:58 (Ref:1414046)

Both Andy Neate and Jason Hughes will be at Brands, so it will be 17 cars.

Alfa Fan · 22 Sep 2005, 15:07 (Ref:1414058)

Fantastic that Jason is doing another round. Had a feeling he'd fancy being in the final meeting.

BootsOntheSide · 22 Sep 2005, 15:53 (Ref:1414109)

It's been a shame that Jason Hughes hasn't been able to afford the entire season, they've been really strong when they've beenn out there, well ahead of the other backmarkers, and could feasibly have scored points at every round.

Alfa Fan · 22 Sep 2005, 16:05 (Ref:1414123)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

It's been a shame that Jason Hughes hasn't been able to afford the entire season, they've been really strong when they've beenn out there, well ahead of the other backmarkers, and could feasibly have scored points at every round.

But remember they did hand pick events they knew they would be strong at. Nevertheless, they have been impressive this season when they have made appearances.

On another matter, Brands Hatch should be wet for the season finale, it has every other time Jason has appeared! I don't know if they've even run slicks on the car yet!

Pete Fenelon · 22 Sep 2005, 16:14 (Ref:1414131)

I've got a lot of time for Jason Hughes and the way he goes racing. He wasn't quick when he started off in that old Primera, but he drove the MG as hard as he could and generally didn't make many mistakes. He's precisely the kind of driver the BTCC needs to have around if it's to survive - we'll always need something more than the 8-10 race winners in cars run on substantial budgets.

Neil Adams · 23 Sep 2005, 10:28 (Ref:1414667)

im hoping this ga alfa will materilise for brands, their website still says they're planning to do the last races of the season, also on the driver page it says they're be doing a full season with jamie in 06

Ryo28 · 23 Sep 2005, 12:27 (Ref:1414791)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

It's been a shame that Jason Hughes hasn't been able to afford the entire season, they've been really strong when they've beenn out there, well ahead of the other backmarkers, and could feasibly have scored points at every round.

Ive also been impressed with Jason Hughes, he's usually been there or thereabouts at the end of races, not far behind the works drivers. He's almost done too well in that he finishes higher than 10th in most of the races and therefore never gets a front row start for race 3! Would love to see him on pole for the last race of the year...

N I Tram · 23 Sep 2005, 14:56 (Ref:1414919)

A full season from Jason next year would be good, he's a pretty decent driver and seems to have an organised and determined team behind him. I doubt he'd ever win races in a works car, but I didn't think Collard would be truly competitive for WSR either.

sceptic · 24 Sep 2005, 10:15 (Ref:1415282)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil Adams

im hoping this ga alfa will materilise for brands, their website still says they're planning to do the last races of the season, also on the driver page it says they're be doing a full season with jamie in 06

It won't happen.

Alfa Fan · 24 Sep 2005, 10:52 (Ref:1415302)

Its the first time the sites been updated in a while. Would be nice to see the Alfa.

BootsOntheSide · 24 Sep 2005, 11:18 (Ref:1415313)

Sceptic's scepticism seems well-placed here - GA have been making promises they never had any realistic hope of keeping for the whole season. I feel sorry for Gary Ayles, having his name dragged through the mud by this, I'm sure many aren't aware that he hasn't been involved in all this.

Alfa Fan · 24 Sep 2005, 11:47 (Ref:1415323)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Sceptic's scepticism seems well-placed here - GA have been making promises they never had any realistic hope of keeping for the whole season. I feel sorry for Gary Ayles, having his name dragged through the mud by this, I'm sure many aren't aware that he hasn't been involved in all this.

Yeah, its Mark Thompson that runs the operation now. Anyway, 2006 should allow Gary Ayles to prove he can still run a team - he's buying two 156s.

sceptic · 24 Sep 2005, 12:10 (Ref:1415333)

Yes, it's good that Gary is going to be running a team again - but a shame that he hasn't learnt from previous mistakes and and is going for Alfas again.

Alfa Fan · 24 Sep 2005, 12:12 (Ref:1415336)

Quote:

Originally Posted by sceptic

Yes, it's good that Gary is going to be running a team again - but a shame that he hasn't learnt from previous mistakes and and is going for Alfas again.

He ran Alfas very successfully in the Production Class, plus his Super 2000 156 was fairly competitive in the hands of Stefan Hodgetts - Also, with the series going fully Super 2000 within the next few years, it wouldn't make sense to start running a BTC-Touring spec car. The Alfa is probabily the safest bet for a privateer.

sceptic · 24 Sep 2005, 12:26 (Ref:1415342)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfa Fan

He ran Alfas very successfully in the Production Class, plus his Super 2000 156 was fairly competitive in the hands of Stefan Hodgetts - Also, with the series going fully Super 2000 within the next few years, it wouldn't make sense to start running a BTC-Touring spec car. The Alfa is probabily the safest bet for a privateer.

I'd have thought buying a couple of second-hand ex-Tean Halfords Integras would be a much better bet.

...and actually, the old Civic isn't exactly uncompetitive in Chilton's hands.

Alfa Fan · 24 Sep 2005, 12:43 (Ref:1415350)

But they're only good for one year, before the Super 2000 only rules begin. Gary wouldn't want to buy a car just for one year IMO, doesn't make sense economically.

BootsOntheSide · 24 Sep 2005, 15:41 (Ref:1415439)

The Integra would proabbly be more competitive than the 156, it could probably be converted to Super 2000 specs, and it will be easier to get finance to get new cars if neccessary after a competitive season. It would also give Gary a chance to make a clean break from his old team, and surely upstage them on track?

Alfa Fan · 24 Sep 2005, 16:15 (Ref:1415450)

Why would Integras be better than 156s? Both run at the front of the grid in there respective championships. I'm not talking about old 156s btw, I mean the new ones.

Craner Curves · 24 Sep 2005, 17:11 (Ref:1415470)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

The Integra would proabbly be more competitive than the 156, it could probably be converted to Super 2000 specs, and it will be easier to get finance to get new cars if neccessary after a competitive season.

You'd end up throwing most of the car away to convert it. A waste of money. He's better off buying new Alfas, as he has contacts from his time in Italy and who knows, maybe he could persuade his old buddy Fab Gio to help out!

redshoes · 24 Sep 2005, 20:59 (Ref:1415613)

The Integras are only 2-doors, they'd need to be 4-door to be eligable for S2000. Same problem with the Astras.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfa Fan

Why would Integras be better than 156s? Both run at the front of the grid in there respective championships. I'm not talking about old 156s btw, I mean the new ones.

Same could be said for the BMWs but ask Edenbridge how useful they were in the BTCC. I'm not saying the 156 is a bad car, far from it, but like the others I'm not convinced it's a viable option this far away from factory support.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Track and race cars Brands 30th/31st July	Tim Falce	National & Club Racing	11	15 Aug 2005 19:11
Classic Cars at Brands Hatch	Stephen Green	Historic Racing Today	9	8 Jun 2005 12:27
What cars at Brands	Top Gear	Touring Car Racing	7	4 May 2005 21:33
2003 Touring cars - what predictions for teams and cars (and colours!!)	adamp_uk	Touring Car Racing	16	17 Oct 2002 20:12
Indy cars at Brands Hatch	Crunch5725	ChampCar World Series	3	5 Mar 2001 21:08