BTCC 2019 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

Liveries!

And merch.

[andrewc]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I've heard that misconception trotted out before as a reason for the 9th generation Civic not being sold in Japan.
The truth is that it was prohibited from import into Japan, but because of it's breach of dimension regulations. The 10th generation is readily available in Japan.

I believe British made Toyota Avensi were exported to Japan.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

you all know that Japan has a law which prohibits japanese manufacturers to build cars outside japan and import them in their own country ??

I certainly don't know that it is illegal for Honda UK to export their cars to Japan, and possibly Honda Japan may not be aware of it either.

A link to this law would be appreciated.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by MagicBoy

4-door is the saloon, not the hatch made at Swindon. Something in the press just appeared stating the Turkey plant is also due to close and they're consolidating european market production in Japan.

Absolutely. Swindon makes the 5 door (only plant in the world that does) with the 4 door European supply from Turkey. The Turkish plant going had gone under my radar; Honda must be in a much bigger mess than I understood as that plant was modern and cost effective.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

This is where I point out the previous generation R Type was built exclusively at Swindon and many made the journey to the land of the Rising Sun: officially by Honda, not third party private imports.

It's not Brexit, although obviously that is going to be reported by many sources as THE reason. It's the cost of UK workers; the 4 door Civic is made in Turkey (and imported into the EU) - your Turkish factory worker is every bit as good as your British factory worker and costs less. Then throw in a giant bucket of the Civic isn't a good seller: not the workers fault, but rather Hondas inability to stop designing unattractive vehicles with rock hard suspension - Focus/Astra/Golf/Corolla all drive nicer and - to my eye - are visually more appealing.

Back to BTCC, the JP announcement on Wedsnesday is going to leave us with an almost fully announced grid. Will anything be left for media day?

Also Swindon is the primary "diesel" factory for Honda and demand has dropped - another politicos "cock up" and Japan has signed a free trade deal with EU so Brussels has shafted UK again!!

[Alfisti]

Why "our" negotiators haven't agreed trade deals with all the foreign (non EU) countries boggles my brain; they've had two years to have what should have been pretty short simple discussions.

Still, no matter how messy BMR got it was less messy than Brexit.

Sorry for being off topic. Will stop now. Promise.

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Why "our" negotiators haven't agreed trade deals with all the foreign (non EU) countries boggles my brain; they've had two years to have what should have been pretty short simple discussions.

The UK isn't allowed to negotiate trade deals with other countries while it is part of the EU, regardless of whether it intends to leave.

That's why No Deal will be such a killer.

With any deal, the UK can trade on existing terms during the transition period (or until it reaches its own trade agreements if sooner).

[btccbloke]

Originally Posted by mprmke

I heard early on that he was the one most likely to miss out on a seat, but never say never. Jackson would be more likely than Goff though.

Jackson will not be back in btcc, damaged goods. Listened to a interview with him and he didn't really seem interested

[btccbloke]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

5 seats left to be confirmed





[COLOR="red"] Vauxhall Astra - PMR - Senna Proctor ?????
Vauxhall Astra - PMR - Jason Plato ?????

What draws you to Proctor not the recently touted Collard? Have I missed something?

[piekey]

Originally Posted by mark_l

The pieces of the jigsaw are falling in to place.

If we assume PMR is going to be Plato/Proctor. Who will end up at BMR?

Got to be Collard & Plato at PMR
Ash Sutton & Senna Proctor in Warren Scots Scoobies

These must be the missing links. ?

[Alfisti]

James Cole back in a Subaru maybe? He liked the car after all and drove very well at Knockhill...

[Craner Curves]

I'm forgetting that Senna was on Warren Scott's roster of talent at one point wasn't he?

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

James Cole back in a Subaru maybe? He liked the car after all and drove very well at Knockhill...

And then won in Rockingham

[thetool]

Based on the news from Honda tonight about the Swindon plant, I'm thinking this will be the last year there will be factory backing for Dynamics! Just as well they got Halfords back on board.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by thetool

Based on the news from Honda tonight about the Swindon plant, I'm thinking this will be the last year there will be factory backing for Dynamics! Just as well they got Halfords back on board.

I think the DC5 is a good case study into why Team Dynamics will be perfectly fine if they end up in a situation without manufacturer support or a UK-built car.

It might even improve their results. They would be free to select the platform that gives them the best chance of success, and not be tied to a manufacturer's requirements (Civic tourer anyone?).

[Speedysnapper]

On the eve of JP big announcement, thought I would throw this into the mix! Has anyone considered the following possibility, it has Been mentioned before, but recent events make me wonder if it could resurface...... a second speedworks Corolla for Mr Plato..,,, there is method to my madness as follows: the recently added Squiggle to JP twitter account is very similar to Toyotas corporate colours, along with the red stripes on the images of the car seen so far..... secondly, two heads aid development of a new car much more quickly, especially one as experienced as Jason... Thirdly, Matt Salisbury has been tweeting that there is a bigger shock to come than the Blundell to TPC Audi to come..... I for one, think this may be it....although Mr Gow wants to reduce grid sizes, surely keeping a big name like JP in a car would be well worthy of a loan TBL.....

[Steel Wheels]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

James Cole back in a Subaru maybe? He liked the car after all and drove very well at Knockhill...

I wouldn’t rule him out of being part of the ‘experienced’ line up at PMR. Steady solid points scorer who’s won a race, be a good back up driver to their lead driver especially if it’s who is rumoured. Just a thought.

[btccbloke]

Originally Posted by Speedysnapper

On the eve of JP big announcement, thought I would throw this into the mix! Has anyone considered the following possibility, it has Been mentioned before, but recent events make me wonder if it could resurface...... a second speedworks Corolla for Mr Plato..,,, there is method to my madness as follows: the recently added Squiggle to JP twitter account is very similar to Toyotas corporate colours, along with the red stripes on the images of the car seen so far..... secondly, two heads aid development of a new car much more quickly, especially one as experienced as Jason... Thirdly, Matt Salisbury has been tweeting that there is a bigger shock to come than the Blundell to TPC Audi to come..... I for one, think this may be it....although Mr Gow wants to reduce grid sizes, surely keeping a big name like JP in a car would be well worthy of a loan TBL.....

Good logic, I dont know if it will be speedworks, but I havent for a moment ruled out these "loan"/"spare" TBL being used this year, despite what Mr Gow may have said at some stage in the past

[RS67]

Originally Posted by btccbloke

Good logic, I dont know if it will be speedworks, but I havent for a moment ruled out these "loan"/"spare" TBL being used this year, despite what Mr Gow may have said at some stage in the past

But wasn't a team turned down with regards to TBL's in an effort to start reducing the size of the grid.

[Alfisti]

No, I wouldn't rule out an extra car or two at this stage: a surprise "new" team with JP driving has been in my thoughts since late last summer.

The extra Speedworks Toyota theory has very good reasoned logic. Add to it Tingram was assisted in his early days by JP...

[antnee]

Originally Posted by RS67

But wasn't a team turned down with regards to TBL's in an effort to start reducing the size of the grid.

What was that team trying to run though? If they were looking at running an old model (Civic, etc) then Gow would probably turn it down, however the prospect of having another manufacturer back entry is much better for Lord Gow

[touring fan01]

they have already contractually committed in writing to the teams and told the media that there will be no other licences brought into play this year. so you can completely forget the fantasy of some magic extra cars

[btccbloke]

Originally Posted by RS67

But wasn't a team turned down with regards to TBL's in an effort to start reducing the size of the grid.

When Exceler8 joined Gow stated other entries had been turned down, but I am thinking if someone (lets say Plato for now) managed to get a major manufacturer and major household name sponsor involved that would perk Alan Gows interest a lot more than someone wanting to run lets say an old Avensis on a shoe string

Or had other entries been turned down BECAUSE these 2 had already been promised to JP if he could get whatever his plan was together? (and it would have been foolish to announce he had been loaned them only to find he then couldnt pull the deals he wanted off)

What did Exceler8 offer that those who were apparently turned down couldnt do?

Remember Matt Salisbury claimed there is a big surprise to come so dont count it out just yet

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

No, I wouldn't rule out an extra car or two at this stage: a surprise "new" team with JP driving has been in my thoughts since late last summer.

The extra Speedworks Toyota theory has very good reasoned logic. Add to it Tingram was assisted in his early days by JP...

Let's end this here. Speedworks has one TBL and has built one car.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by btccbloke

What did Exceler8 offer that those who were apparently turned down couldnt do?

they bought their cars and licences from a current team. thats totally different from a team wanting to enter and requesting for new extra licences be given to them

there are no more than 30 cars this year. thats it. thats the commitment toca made to all the teams. even some of the current teams who wanted to run more cars and were turned down.

enough of the conspiracy theories about extra licences. its bunkum.