[BTCC] BTCC 2021

[thetool]

Whilst it is a shame to see Neal bow out in such a low key fashion, his results haven't really been up to standard the last couple of seasons.

Amazing to think that Ford Sierra's were dominant the last time Neal didn't participate in at least part of a season.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by redshoes

https://www.btcc.net/2021/03/18/dan-...team-dynamics/
Rowbo at Dynamics

Neal "I am going to be taking a year out of the sport this season".
Queue the Neal to return in 2022 rumours

Interesting sequence of events:

Aug 20 - Yuasa confirm they wish to extend their agreement with TD.
Sep 20 - Yuasa appoints Shedden as a Brand Ambassador (GS Batteries).
Mar 21 - Shedden joins TD.
Mar 21 - It is confirmed that Yuasa are pursuing interests away from TD.

On another query - does this confirm TD as challenging for the independents' title in 2021? Honda UK have dropped any reference to BTCC for 2021, and only recognise BSB as a discipline they compete in.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by redshoes

If you like being not surprised, come back tomorrow morning when HARD are revealing their final driver.

This news - https://twitter.com/nicolashamilton?lang=en

[thetool]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

On another query - does this confirm TD as challenging for the independents' title in 2021?

Not at all. They had been made ineligible several seasons before Honda came onboard.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

On another query - does this confirm TD as challenging for the independents' title in 2021? Honda UK have dropped any reference to BTCC for 2021, and only recognise BSB as a discipline they compete in.

Does this answer your questions?
https://hondanews.eu/gb/en/motorspor...eleases/330655

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by thetool

Not at all. They had been made ineligible several seasons before Honda came onboard.

Is that still the case though?
Not trying to be difficult, just wondering how their status in 2021 differs to Motorbase, HARD or Excelr8?

IIRC - they were deemed ineligible for independents in 2008 - came fourth in the independents' title in 2009 and then were Honda-backed form 2010?

[BLiTZ]

Wonder if they'll ever look at reinstating the 'Constructors' championship again?

[medius]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Is that still the case though?
Not trying to be difficult, just wondering how their status in 2021 differs to Motorbase, HARD or Excelr8?

All are constructors, not manufacturers like WSR/BMW, Gazoo Racing/Toyota etc.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Does this answer your questions?
https://hondanews.eu/gb/en/motorspor...eleases/330655

Not for certainty - in fact it poses more questions.
The article talks about being involved with TD from 2004, yet they were an independent entry in 04, 05, 06 and 09.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by medius

All are constructors, not manufacturers like WSR/BMW, Gazoo Racing/Toyota etc.

So that means TD are now a constructor, not a manufacturer?

And to continue the pedantry - why are Motorbase not mandated to compete in the 'Championship for Manufacturers/Constructors' championship?

Ultimately, I guess the simple question I have is - there are six championships for which entrants compete in for 2021:
• BTCC Championship for Drivers
• BTCC Independents' Trophy for Drivers
• BTCC Championship for Manufacturers/Constructors
• BTCC Championship for Teams
• BTCC Independents’ Teams Championship
• The Jack Sears Trophy

What is the criteria against which a team is deemed ineligible for the 'BTCC Independents’ Teams Championship' and is mandated to compete in the 'BTCC Championship for Manufacturers/Constructors'?

[mj088]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Not for certainty - in fact it poses more questions.
The article talks about being involved with TD from 2004, yet they were an independent entry in 04, 05, 06 and 09.

I think its clear from the article that they are not involved in 2021, the wording is not designed to start conspiracy theories from championships 16 years ago

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by mj088

I think its clear from the article that they are not involved in 2021, the wording is not designed to start conspiracy theories from championships 16 years ago

Yes - I understand that, and not wanting to go over that ground again.

Just a simple question - are TD an independent in 2021? And if not, why?

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by thetool

Jelley has 6 years experience, 5 of them in really good machinery. His results are pretty poor considering. Doing all the rounds and finishing 32nd in 2018 in a car that was runner-up in the championship the year before is not great.

Oliphant in his three years however has shown steady progess. 22nd to 11th to 6th. He's no Turkington, but then again, who is?

Except Jelly didnt have works motors or the benefit of team mate data or a team with 20 years BTCC experience

[Matt K]

I'm not particularly thrilled by Rowbo's signing in Dynamics but it's massive for him and good luck. Appearing in one of the greatest teams of recent time is a huge challenge as he'll probably be constantly compared to not only Shedden but also Cammish and Neal.

I've never been a fan of Neal, nevertheless it's pretty sad to see him go in such a low-key manner in what seems as kind of a downgrade of the whole team.

Being a factory team doesn't do much these days but still it's somehow sad to see Honda go, Yuasa go and Dynamics becoming 'just' an independent team which will be called something like Team Dynamics with Halfords and powered by Cataclean and everything great Racing co uk. But having Shedden means they still should have a shot at Drivers' title.

With just Toyota and BMW being manufacturers, I'm not sure if it's worth contiunuing the Manufacturers Championship especially as for many 'ordinary' people watching races it may seem completely vague why they see so many brands on the grid and just two are in some kind of official championship.

Also, I think Neal won't be back.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by Matt K

I'm not particularly thrilled by Rowbo's signing in Dynamics but it's massive for him and good luck. Appearing in one of the greatest teams of recent time is a huge challenge as he'll probably be constantly compared to not only Shedden but also Cammish and Neal.

I've never been a fan of Neal, nevertheless it's pretty sad to see him go in such a low-key manner in what seems as kind of a downgrade of the whole team.

Being a factory team doesn't do much these days but still it's somehow sad to see Honda go, Yuasa go and Dynamics becoming 'just' an independent team which will be called something like Team Dynamics with Halfords and powered by Cataclean and everything great Racing co uk. But having Shedden means they still should have a shot at Drivers' title.

With just Toyota and BMW being manufacturers, I'm not sure if it's worth contiunuing the Manufacturers Championship especially as for many 'ordinary' people watching races it may seem completely vague why they see so many brands on the grid and just two are in some kind of official championship.

Also, I think Neal won't be back.

There is a good chance 3 teams will be in the manufacture championship, with an outside chance of a 4th, so don't write it off yet 😉

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by Overboost

There is a good chance 3 teams will be in the manufacture championship, with an outside chance of a 4th, so don't write it off yet 😉

I hope so!
Well, at the end of the day it's not something that makes the championship exciting or not but somehow Honda's withdrawal is particularly sad.

[Robshillito1990]

Originally Posted by Overboost

There is a good chance 3 teams will be in the manufacture championship, with an outside chance of a 4th, so don't write it off yet 😉

I've got a sneaking suspicion SEAT and Cupra might have a hand in this whole Team Hard thing. They've been pushing the cupra brand very hard on their social media since it was announced they would be using the car

[S griffin]

I wouldn’t be surprised if SEAT/Cupra have some part in Team HARD’s venture. That would be good, as this could help develop the brand

[thetool]

I'd be stunned if any brand would want to be associated with HARD. I do believe at least one brand they've run before has specifically asked not to be!

[S griffin]

I think we should give HARD credit. They’ve done well to get this far after all these years. I can’t wait to see how the car goes, although it will probably be upper midfield most of the time, but you never know

[VXDave]

Originally Posted by Matt K

I hope so!
Well, at the end of the day it's not something that makes the championship exciting or not but somehow Honda's withdrawal is particularly sad.

Don't forget that PMR have been quoted in the press as 'not yet confirmed' whether they will have Vauxhall support again (they did very loosely in 17, 18 and 19).

I would eat my hat if HARD actually have Cupra backing. Never say never, but I reckon the camouflaged livery is just because they don't have all sponsorship sorted yet.

[S griffin]

I do hope PMR get the Vauxhall backing. It really added to the series to have them involved

I don’t think it’s impossible HARD could have some backing from SEAT, would benefit them a bit. We’ll see what the camouflaged livery means hopefully soon enough

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by redshoes

https://www.btcc.net/2021/03/18/dan-...team-dynamics/
Rowbo at Dynamics

Neal "I am going to be taking a year out of the sport this season".
Queue the Neal to return in 2022 rumours

" Multi year deal" what does that mean exactly.......

[S griffin]

I’m surprised they would give RowBo a multi year deal. Let him get through this year first

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I do hope PMR get the Vauxhall backing. It really added to the series to have them involved

I don’t think it’s impossible HARD could have some backing from SEAT, would benefit them a bit. We’ll see what the camouflaged livery means hopefully soon enough

On one hand it did add especially as Vauxhall is probably one of the most iconic BTCC brands but on the other hand it seemed least 'factory' of all manufacturer teams and actually it was tough to find any 'evidence' they're actually a manufacturer team. Honda, BMW, Toyota or Subaru (used to) have liveries that reflect(ed) their factory status, manufacturers' social media indicated their involvement in the BTCC (BMW Motorsport UK, Honda UK, etc) while in terms of PMR there was almost nothing. Manufacturer involvement in the BTCC is not about financing teams nor it is about any technical partnerships. But if it is not even about promotional reasons then what is it about? Yes, PMR used to have some dealer partnerships and there were some PSA brands on their cars but it was all very low-key.