BTCC 2006 News, Rumours, Entries... - Page 2

Hazard · 26 Sep 2005, 21:48 (Ref:1417387)

Rockingham's not looking hopeful, shame.

Not expecting the 2006 calendar to look too different really (except the order).

Alfa Fan · 27 Sep 2005, 22:24 (Ref:1418326)

I have heard a rumour that Martin Bell, who is currently running in the BMW Kuhmo Championship is planning to graduate to the BTCC next season, probabily in a privatly entered BMW 320i E46

Top Gear · 29 Sep 2005, 15:23 (Ref:1420086)

former BTCC production class champions HTML want to enter 2 cars in 2006 BTCC

Alfa Fan · 29 Sep 2005, 15:28 (Ref:1420094)

Yeah - read that in MN yesterday. HTML are a well organised team - so whatever they do, it should be good.

bigted · 30 Sep 2005, 06:38 (Ref:1420588)

Last time I heard Mr Bell wanted to go Porsche Supercup racing, the only reason he didnt this year was that a sponsor dropped out

N I Tram · 30 Sep 2005, 13:36 (Ref:1420927)

What have HTML been doing in the last few years? A race at Rockingham would be fantastic, that was a real spectacle in 2003 and their road course is rather under-used for big events.

redshoes · 2 Oct 2005, 19:00 (Ref:1422179)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfa Fan

SEAT
I personally think they will return to the series next year. Northern South have made progress a team this year, and it would be disappointing not to see what they can deliver in 2006.

Have a bit of bad news on that front. Heard a rumour at Brands that Northern South don't yet have a SEAT contract for next year. All their mechanics/truckies/etc are being layed off on Friday.

Hazard · 2 Oct 2005, 21:35 (Ref:1422282)

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshoes

Have a bit of bad news on that front. Heard a rumour at Brands that Northern South don't yet have a SEAT contract for next year. All their mechanics/truckies/etc are being layed off on Friday.

Ewww, not good. I take it Plato was already WTCC bound then, and I doubt they believed Hines &/or Pickford + A N Other would produce anything better next season.

Maybe they'll be back for 2007 when all S2000 kicks in and there are plenty of spare Léon's around.

**touringlegend** · 2 Oct 2005, 22:08 (Ref:1422320)

Someone told me earlier in the year Seat were fed up of the weight issue's and were strongly considering paying for Plato to race with the WTCC teams. If what redshoes has said is right, it look's like an increasingly likely scenario.

The only positive I heard was that they planned to return in 2007, when, as you said Hazard, the series will be fully S2000.

redshoes · 2 Oct 2005, 22:09 (Ref:1422323)

Other news from Brands:
Jonathan Adams (Clio Cup champ) is trying to put together a BTCC deal, which we pretty much knew already.

HPI/Friends Reunited are selling the Lexuses but plan to be back with a bigger team next year.

Jason Hughes planning to do a full season. When asked if it was with a different car he said with "something more up to date", which I took to mean the 4-cylinder MG rather than the V6 he is currently using.

rdjones · 2 Oct 2005, 22:12 (Ref:1422325)

I also heard over the weekend that Mark Proctor will be back, with something bigger and better.

**touringlegend** · 2 Oct 2005, 22:16 (Ref:1422331)

His car is for sale in Autosport anyway.

HPI / FR, yet another team has realised an own build car isn't easy ? What next for them, Astra's, Toledo's ?? Even the Integras?

Alfa Fan · 2 Oct 2005, 22:31 (Ref:1422335)

Lexus. They already have plans for the winter - in terms of what to change, etc. They did as well as they could have expected this year.

Alfa Fan · 2 Oct 2005, 22:33 (Ref:1422337)

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshoes

Have a bit of bad news on that front. Heard a rumour at Brands that Northern South don't yet have a SEAT contract for next year. All their mechanics/truckies/etc are being layed off on Friday.

I really hope thats not true

BootsOntheSide · 3 Oct 2005, 11:06 (Ref:1422651)

It would be a shame to lose SEAT for next year, the grid is lacking manufacturer support as it is. 2007 will have to be better on that front. It's early days in terms of seeing a 2006 grid form up, but the signs aren't especially promising, with WSR, SEAT and Arena all less than 50/50.

andy_b · 3 Oct 2005, 17:45 (Ref:1423035)

there are continous rumours about SEAT being dumped by VW in the (mostly german) press, so maybe the budget wont be there. SEAT released a statement from their chariman today as a vote of confidence,,,,and you know what follows often. See http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?p=732939

**FIRE** · 3 Oct 2005, 18:22 (Ref:1423065)

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy_b

there are continous rumours about SEAT being dumped by VW in the (mostly german) press, so maybe the budget wont be there. SEAT released a statement from their chariman today as a vote of confidence,,,,and you know what follows often. See http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?p=732939

Didn't know SEAT is making losses

Hazard · 3 Oct 2005, 19:44 (Ref:1423133)

Bits from the circuit: Fast-tec are selling their Astra Coupé, hoping to be back with a bigger effort and a better car next year.

The car they're selling of course is the most uncompetitive, being a 2002 Triple Eight car.

sharpy · 3 Oct 2005, 20:06 (Ref:1423145)

Hope proctor does have a better season next year. Wonder what car he'll go for?

Hazard, the car Proctor has is a 2001 car. Barwell raced it in 2002 then Rob Collard in 2003 and 2004.

Hazard · 3 Oct 2005, 20:24 (Ref:1423157)

Wow, is it that old! Amazing job then to even be sniffing the rear of Leggate's & Neate's newer Astra's

**touringlegend** · 3 Oct 2005, 20:54 (Ref:1423172)

Yeah and it's had to be re-jigged (if thats the correct terminology) twice at 888 I believe, after Slights shunt in it then Collard's Thruxton accident.

BootsOntheSide · 3 Oct 2005, 21:27 (Ref:1423201)

This car probably belongs in a museum (while it still can...) rather than a racetrack. I can't imagine them successfully selling it, but hopefully they will be back next year - guys like Mark are the lifeblood of the series, and can be relied on for action further down.

Alfa Fan · 5 Oct 2005, 17:27 (Ref:1424574)

Some more news:

Jonathan Fildes is hoping to compete in the full 2006 BTCC. He has a drive assured for the Mondello Park round, sponsored by Dunlop.
James Pickford will remain in the series. Another indicator SEAT are continuing the BTCC program?
On the same topic, SEAT will announce there decision before the end of the month.
HTML were at Brands Hatch, investigating whether or not to go ahead with a potential return to the series
Jason Hughes is going to do the full 2006 season in a 4-cylinder MG ZS.
GA Motorsport plan to run a Vauxhall Astra Coupe next year, having abandoned the 156 program. Jamie Spence is to drive the car.

***Chris Y*** · 6 Oct 2005, 10:13 (Ref:1425179)

Post edited for stupidity by myself

"GA Motorsport plan to run a Vauxhall Astra Coupe next year, having abandoned the 156 program"

Finally! A sensible decision by GA.

**Stephen Green** · 6 Oct 2005, 11:05 (Ref:1425217)

I heard rumours of two more manufacturers returning to the BTCC. Ford are one but no idea who the second one is.

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