[BTCC] BTCC 2020 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

...second half of the season some silverware.

He'll have done well to get a few points.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by mj088

From the press release Crees knows he isn't on the Cook and Chilton level and wants to learn.

He got the money together to get the seat and that's the hardest part, he's not as decorated or as talented as some drivers but also isn't the worst we have had in recent years, he has done what he needs to be there.

That's what the support series are for.

I agree with that, good on him for getting the seat, but I still wouldn't have considered him a BTCC-level driver. Yet.

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by S griffin

It’s not a big deal really. They’ve got two race winners in the team. Having a third driver who’s not on their level, but good enough for a seat doesn’t do much harm

like WSR situation

Oliphant is noway near on the level of Turks and AJ

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by mj088

So that leaves 6... 3x motorbase, 1x HARD, 1x Excelr8 and 1x PMR

How certain are we of Butcher to motorbase? PMR looks much more attractive

Excelr8 will be Rob Smith.

HARD... Coates? Coggan? Bond? Pidgley or Hammerton back?

Motorbase... who knows. Could have the Butcher / Shedden / Vodafone deal in place, or could all be in shambles behind the scenes.

PMR has to be very attractive. Maybe not the teammate though!

Will Jack Young step up or go elsewhere? Collard? Smiley? Ollie Jackson?

Also Simpson & Jelley may not be 100% certain.

[Matt K]

Crees may be a raw talent but he's still an amateur and I'd be surprised to see him beating much more experienced racers on a regular basis.

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Also Simpson & Jelley may not be 100% certain.

so if somebody comes with a good offer Simpson will hand over the keys ?

and Collard stealing the seat of Jelley ?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

so if somebody comes with a good offer Simpson will hand over the keys ?

and Collard stealing the seat of Jelley ?

Simpson- yes, they already had a deal in place for a different driver. That deal fell through for reasons I'll keep behind closed doors, and that driver has since secured a drive elsewhere.

Collard- why do you describe it as 'stealing'?

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

like WSR situation

Oliphant is noway near on the level of Turks and AJ

Give him time. He’s still learning. Remember he almost won Silverstone R2 last year before the SC and rain thwarted him. He’s getting better and has not been far off AJ and Colin at times

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Give him time. He’s still learning. Remember he almost won Silverstone R2 last year before the SC and rain thwarted him. He’s getting better and has not been far off AJ and Colin at times

Agreed, he has been much closer than people expected pretty much from the off.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

so if somebody comes with a good offer Simpson will hand over the keys ?

and Collard stealing the seat of Jelley ?

Why are people still in denial? Jelly owns the car, probably owns the entry, pays the bills via a family firm and does OK. Why on earth would another driver be in the running for the seat ?!!

[touringlegend]

May be worth noting one of Rory Butchers sponsors from previous years, the Leven Car Company went into administration this week.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Why are people still in denial? Jelly owns the car, probably owns the entry, pays the bills via a family firm and does OK. Why on earth would another driver be in the running for the seat ?!!

Simply put, as I see it, Stephen Jelley will continue until such a time he no longer wants to. He enjoys his racing, so I don't see him wanting away anytime soon.

[mprmke]

Crees is very good for a “third” driver. The third driver was never going to be on the same level as Cook or Chilton, but he’s far better than most that could have got the seat.

[mark_l]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Simply put, as I see it, Stephen Jelley will continue until such a time he no longer wants to. He enjoys his racing, so I don't see him wanting away anytime soon.

Same can be said for Matt Simpson.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by mark_l

Same can be said for Matt Simpson.

Except hasn’t he said it’s all for sale?

[mprmke]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Except hasn’t he said it’s all for sale?

Yes, they’re actively looking for a buyer for the car and TBL and are still negotiating with one party, but it’s cutting it fine now. If it doesn’t sell in time then I’d still expect him to be one the grid.

[mj088]

I was thinking this through earlier.
In Matt Neals interview at Autosport, he said 2 things here which are relevant
1. Shedden was still working on a deal to get back and he had been trying to help him.
2. He didn't feel the FK8 would suit Sheddens driving style.

Could we see the Simpson car and TBL used to run Flash with the car prepared by Team Dynamics either as team dynamics or under guise of a sponsor for Flash?

[mprmke]

It’s not impossible, but I think there’s one more likely scenario for both Shedden and that car first.

[Secret squirrel]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Crees at BTC.

What a waste

I think Crees could pull a few surprises this year, exceptional in supercup in 2018 and very respectable effort last year in a poor car, this step up woth 2 potential champion teammates could and will push him up the grid, good luck Michael crees

[RS67]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Motorbase... who knows. Could have the Butcher / Shedden / Vodafone deal in place, or could all be in shambles behind the scenes.

Why would it be a shambles? They knew Chilton was moving on, they knew that Shredded Wheat were pulling out, yet they still bought the 3rd TBL which they'd had on loan. Not exactly the actions of a team in a shambles.

[mj088]

Originally Posted by RS67

Why would it be a shambles? They knew Chilton was moving on, they knew that Shredded Wheat were pulling out, yet they still bought the 3rd TBL which they'd had on loan. Not exactly the actions of a team in a shambles.

TBL list was announced at the start of December, a lot can happen in 7 weeks. Going back to 2014/2015 motorbase had 3 TBL, had even announced Alex Martin as the driver but then pulled out last minute as they couldn't replace their main title sponsors


The silence from them since Brands Hatch last year is deafening, they are either announcing something incredible (but we have had no hints or teasers) or they are in real dire straits.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by mj088

I was thinking this through earlier.
In Matt Neals interview at Autosport, he said 2 things here which are relevant
1. Shedden was still working on a deal to get back and he had been trying to help him.
2. He didn't feel the FK8 would suit Sheddens driving style.

Could we see the Simpson car and TBL used to run Flash with the car prepared by Team Dynamics either as team dynamics or under guise of a sponsor for Flash?

Dynamics seemed to spew at the reality of AmD being quick imagine if their former star driver got hold of a well run FK2? The Monday management debrief would be even more awkward than a lot of last years probably were!

[RS67]

Originally Posted by mj088

TBL list was announced at the start of December, a lot can happen in 7 weeks. Going back to 2014/2015 motorbase had 3 TBL, had even announced Alex Martin as the driver but then pulled out last minute as they couldn't replace their main title sponsors


The silence from them since Brands Hatch last year is deafening, they are either announcing something incredible (but we have had no hints or teasers) or they are in real dire straits.

And DB learnt a hard lesson from that, get the confirmation of sponsorship etc signed off before making a commitment.

[P11]

How about a Tunnocks and Knockhill Circuit with Motorbase team. In the rumoured new Focus with Flash and Butcher driving?

[aland]

Originally Posted by P11

How about a Tunnocks and Knockhill Circuit with Motorbase team. In the rumoured new Focus with Flash and Butcher driving?

boyd tunnock hates motorsport, prefers to watch foxes being ripped apart by dogs.... barr's irn bru would be nice