[BTCC] 2009 Rumours & 'Stories'

[touringlegend]

Hmmm, a lot of manufacturer talk isn't there.

I'd love to see them all enter but I think come the end of the day having one enter in BMW may be the best we can all hope for.

[Hazard]

Originally Posted by davyboy

I cannot see Ford returning at all. They don't have a touring car programme and said some years back that their focus was on rallying. Volvo is an outside possibility, but Ford no.

New Mazda 3's out soon. Far better candidate for the Ford Motor Co.

[Chris Y]

Originally Posted by awrb

If Ford do return, I'd see it with the Focus. The Mondeo's massive.

However, Mondeo vs. Insigna would be a good battle. Good looking on track and surely goood from a marketing point of veiw for both ford and vx.

I found an Insignia TV advert the other day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ucWBoN4Dcs

[Sodemo]

We get the same run around every year with touring car racing.

Vauxhall have done the BTCC proud, but I honestly can't see a manufacturer entering any time soon.

[gregc]

I'm a little more optimistic, although of all the names that have been mentioned I think that only Honda and/or BMW are even slightly likely to happen. They both already have S2000 cars running in the series, and don't forgot that Honda have already helped TD sufficiently with the Civic programme that they are no longer classed as independent so an investment is already there, and Mat Jackson's effort could easily be classed as a semi-Works one given the amount of backing he now has.

Certainly not saying that it will happen, but it wouldn't come as a shock if one or even both (I can hope!) came to pass. And anyway, how would we get through the off season if we couldn't speculate wildly

[medius]

Ford cant really afford to do anything more than WRC and NASCAR. They've sold Jaguar and Land Rover, Volvo looks next.

If any manfacturer comes into BTCC (or WTCC), I think it'll be from the Far East.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by medius

Ford cant really afford to do anything more than WRC and NASCAR. They've sold Jaguar and Land Rover, Volvo looks next.

If any manfacturer comes into BTCC (or WTCC), I think it'll be from the Far East.

If Team Dynamics can build a competative S2000 version of the Civic, Ford can't build a S2000 version of the Focus or Mondeo? OK maybe they have not the money to run a competative WTCC project, but BTCC? With additional sponsorship that must be possible.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Rather than a Mondeo would Ford consider pushing their 4 Door Focus, visually it would be different to the WRC, and would be smaller and presumably lighter than the Mondeo, but have the apparent aero advantage of not being a "Square backed" hatch.
Standard models include 2 litre Zetec and TDCi

[stedevil]

Originally Posted by FIRE

OK maybe they have not the money to run a competative WTCC project, but BTCC? With additional sponsorship that must be possible.

True, but you also have to factor in the cost/gain ratio. A BTCC campaign is a lot cheaper, but it also reaches a lot smaller audience as well. And it does absolutely nothing for the important expansive Russian/Asian car market.

A UK importer backed effort might thus be a possibility, but a full factory entry into BTCC, highly doubtful.

[kristof14]

Originally Posted by stedevil

True, but you also have to factor in the cost/gain ratio. A BTCC campaign is a lot cheaper, but it also reaches a lot smaller audience as well. And it does absolutely nothing for the important expansive Russian/Asian car market.

A UK importer backed effort might thus be a possibility, but a full factory entry into BTCC, highly doubtful.

Hasn't stopped them in the past.

Also a successful campaign with the Mondeo against the Vectra would help in the marketing for the lucrative fleet car sector in the UK.

[thebullet]

I would love to see Ford enter a Mondeo or Focus about time an old team come back with something modern.

[rdjones]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

I note with interest the RAC article confirms that Turkington has signed for another year.

That is good news, but no real surprise.

[stedevil]

Originally Posted by kristof14

Hasn't stopped them in the past.

Even during an economic recession when all numbers are already deeply in the red?

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by stedevil

Even during an economic recession when all numbers are already deeply in the red?

You're right stedevil. It would be a very big surprise indeed if Ford become involved again. I worked there for some time and the company's performance has a huge effect on what's available for marketing... particularly marketing in motorsport.

[Ed Peters]

Originally Posted by stedevil

Even during an economic recession when all numbers are already deeply in the red?

You would have thought that.

But it seems that a new manufacturer has decided to take the plunge and enter the last round of the STCC in preperation for 2009.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Ed Peters

You would have thought that.

But it seems that a new manufacturer has decided to take the plunge and enter the last round of the STCC in preperation for 2009.

I get the impression it's a private project with some support from a manufacturer.

[kristof14]

I still think it's going to be a dovetailed operation with a rally program.

[stedevil]

Exactly, it's a manufacturer that has codeveloped a car with a swedish privateer team, not a new full manufacturer team. Right now it's not even 100% sure the car will be in STCC in 2009. The manufacturer has promised to partially support the team, but it still needs to scrape together the rest of the money to run 2009.

Presumably cars will also be available for other privateer teams for the 2009 seasons (like the BMWs) in STCC and other S2000 championships.

[Ed Peters]

Originally Posted by FIRE

I get the impression it's a private project with some support from a manufacturer.

As most 'Manufacturer Entries' in the STCC are!

It does say in the story on TouringCarTimes that the manufacturer has contributed to the cost. So you are right, not a full manufacturer entry but the support is enough to make a difference!

[Aslak Vind]

Well, the Seat Leon TDi´s are up for sale, as well as the customer diesel engines from Seat Sport.

Who could be interested in that, very potent cars?

[kristof14]

I'd go for Adam Jones to pick one up?

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by kristof14

I'd go for Adam Jones to pick one up?

Apparently they've ruled themselves out. To be honest, that's a very tricky one to move forward with. Diesel motor race development is an area where most teams/builders/tuners have little experience and as you can see its predominantly the big manufacturers [mainly VAG] that have gone down that road. SEAT UK treated the motors as black boxes that came from and were returned to SEAT Sport in Spain, so I'd be surprised if anyone would be interested in taking that on without continued help from SEAT.

[Aslak Vind]

Originally Posted by davyboy

Apparently they've ruled themselves out. To be honest, that's a very tricky one to move forward with. Diesel motor race development is an area where most teams/builders/tuners have little experience and as you can see its predominantly the big manufacturers [mainly VAG] that have gone down that road. SEAT UK treated the motors as black boxes that came from and were returned to SEAT Sport in Spain, so I'd be surprised if anyone would be interested in taking that on without continued help from SEAT.

That is different from petrol Seat Sport engines how?

Exactly the same, no difference

[touringlegend]

If I were an indie team I'd be wary of the TDi SEAT's, as much as it pains me to say it.

[kristof14]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

If I were an indie team I'd be wary of the TDi SEAT's, as much as it pains me to say it.

I think they're likely to show up, as much as I'd hate that.

Anyone any idea if we're likely to see Chevy's again next year, they were the one car I was excited about this season but Robertshaw really disappointed.