[BTCC] BTCC 2022 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by Andy Hamster

Parfitt - Team Hard.

In an Infiniti and not a Cupra

[GregoryDG]

Originally Posted by Andy Hamster

Parfitt - Team Hard.

Originally Posted by Redshift

In a FaceBook post yesterday, Rick Parfitt reponded to a question by stating that if you're expecting to see him in the BTCC this year you're gonna be disappointed.

This is getting annoying...

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by GregoryDG

This is getting annoying...

According to someone on here, Parfitt signed a GT deal weeks ago and categorically was not coming back.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Pickles

According to someone on here, Parfitt signed a GT deal weeks ago and categorically was not coming back.

Is he one of the thr….oh never mind

[crmalcolm]

So - what did Parfitt actually say.

John David Athey:
'When you gonna announce your in the btcc����'
Rick Parfitt Jnr - Race Driver:
'John David Athey good try. Sadly you might be disappointed. ��'

I guess it depends on how far you want to read into the comment. Technically, he only said 'might' be disappointed. On a grammatical basis, you could argue that it is not an absolute that he won't be in the BTCC.
Many here will recall Dan Rowbottom's words last season when a query about him being at TD was mentioned: 'i doubt that TD would even consider me to be honest, but it’s nice to be in the frame.'

So it is possible that Parfitt may be trying to throw people off the scent, and the Rowbo example would indicate that it is a possibility.


* I know next we will read a post that will claim with absolute certainty that Parfitt has signed a deal outside of the BTCC, but until the announcement is public, then there is no evidence to confirm beyond all doubt *

[auroan]

Originally Posted by mprmke

Chilton has always brought considerably more to any team he's ever driven for than any of his team mates, that's always been pat of his appeal and that's a fact! How do you think 888 managed to run Giovanardi?!

It's not about being stupid, it's just the way moder day BTCC works. It's not necessarily all money straight out of the Chilton's own pocket, but his position brings on board far more backing from others than most (arguably) better drivers do, and hence why Chilton is always welcomed with open arms by any team.

Come on. That's not what you said. Your comments were he was pretty much paying 200% for his drive... which is ludicrous.

[Squiggs]

Rick has recently posted that news would be coming soon, and that "because of language barriers, it's taken time to sort this year"... Foreign language, or regional dialect?...

[Andy Hamster]

Yes in an Infiniti.
Some naughty devil posted a screenshot of press release email on Reddit, it's gone now.
I assume it's for release tomorrow if it's out today.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Andy Hamster

Yes in an Infiniti.
Some naughty devil posted a screenshot of press release email on Reddit, it's gone now.
I assume it's for release tomorrow if it's out today.

A genuine email - or a mock-up based on this:

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

A genuine email - or a mock-up based on this:

Nah, that's just one of HARDs passenger lap days. Doesn't mean a thing.

[Andy Hamster]

A photo of him with newly bleached hair, at the Team Hard desk, giving the heavy rock horns with his hand while signing a contract, and a bottle of Yazoo at the side.
Titled Upton Steel with Team Hard.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Pickles

Nah, that's just one of HARDs passenger lap days. Doesn't mean a thing.

I know. I'm just trying to get to the bottom of this latest 'rumour'.

Is it just speculation based on his Infiniti lap days was my thought. But apparently we have both 'a screenshot of press release email' and a 'photo of him signing a contract'.

All sounds a bit fishy at the moment. The photo would be attached to the press release, which means the reported 'scoop' is not consistent.

Also, I know HARD. are linked to Laser Tools, but Yazoo are currently (as far as we know) are backing the Cupras, not the Infinitis.


"The union will see YAZOO’s impressive brand presence continue throughout the campaign, with a pair of the squad’s iconic Cupra Leons running under the ‘YAZOO with Team HARD. Racing’ banner."

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I know. I'm just trying to get to the bottom of this latest 'rumour'.

Is it just speculation based on his Infiniti lap days was my thought. But apparently we have both 'a screenshot of press release email' and a 'photo of him signing a contract'.

All sounds a bit fishy at the moment. The photo would be attached to the press release, which means the reported 'scoop' is not consistent.

Also, I know HARD. are linked to Laser Tools, but Yazoo are currently (as far as we know) are backing the Cupras, not the Infinitis.


"The union will see YAZOO’s impressive brand presence continue throughout the campaign, with a pair of the squad’s iconic Cupra Leons running under the ‘YAZOO with Team HARD. Racing’ banner."

Maybe they were unable to source a sheet of steel for the photo?

[antnee]

There was mention of Rob Huff working with Lada for 2022 - this will now have fallen apart. Can we start the rumour that he will be in BTCC for 2022 instead?

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

"The union will see YAZOO’s impressive brand presence continue throughout the campaign, with a pair of the squad’s iconic Cupra Leons running under the ‘YAZOO with Team HARD. Racing’ banner."

Iconic?!?

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Andy Hamster

A photo of him with newly bleached hair, at the Team Hard desk, giving the heavy rock horns with his hand while signing a contract, and a bottle of Yazoo at the side.
Titled Upton Steel with Team Hard.

So a HARD entry... replacing a Cupra or are they now running five cars??

[S griffin]

HARD don't need anymore entries, in some ways they've got too many as it is. Personally I think they would do just fine if they had only Taylor-Smith and Goff in the team

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Maybe they were unable to source a sheet of steel for the photo?

Something doesn't seem quite right about the rumour at the moment.

Apologies Andy Hamster if it seems cynical, but:

New poster opens with a driver / car combo that has been considered as highly unlikely previously.
Follows up with a 'screenshot of press release email claim'.
This morphs into an apparent photo of said driver, with details that are inconsistent with previous press releases.

In previous releases the Laser Tools side of the operation confirmed that they are planning to run a 3rd Infiniti under the Laser Tools banner.
In previous releases the HARD. side of the operation confirmed that they are running 2 Cupras under the Yazoo banner.

Now apparently we have an Infiniti driver, signed for HARD., promoted with Yazoo, yet the team name is Upton Steel with.....
Yet Tony Gilham has not primed us for an announcement in any way?

[Steel Wheels]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Something doesn't seem quite right about the rumour at the moment.

Apologies Andy Hamster if it seems cynical, but:

New poster opens with a driver / car combo that has been considered as highly unlikely previously.
Follows up with a 'screenshot of press release email claim'.
This morphs into an apparent photo of said driver, with details that are inconsistent with previous press releases.

In previous releases the Laser Tools side of the operation confirmed that they are planning to run a 3rd Infiniti under the Laser Tools banner.
In previous releases the HARD. side of the operation confirmed that they are running 2 Cupras under the Yazoo banner.

Now apparently we have an Infiniti driver, signed for HARD., promoted with Yazoo, yet the team name is Upton Steel with.....
Yet Tony Gilham has not primed us for an announcement in any way?

An interesting point in all this is who Carl Boardley sold up too? He answered a question on his Facebook page, stating I won’t be racing BTCC, sold up! So whereas previously the TBL’s were loaned, has someone actually purchased them? Example Gilham buying the two Boardley TBL’s and Carl’s Infiniti? Leaving HARD with 5 TBL’s 4 Cupra’s, an Infiniti and a partridge in a pear tree?!?!

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Steel Wheels

An interesting point in all this is who Carl Boardley sold up too? He answered a question on his Facebook page, stating I won’t be racing BTCC, sold up! So whereas previously the TBL’s were loaned, has someone actually purchased them? Example Gilham buying the two Boardley TBL’s and Carl’s Infiniti? Leaving HARD with 5 TBL’s 4 Cupra’s, an Infiniti and a partridge in a pear tree?!?!

I guess all of that is a possible, I'm just a bit dubious about the Yazoo connection. If Parfitt and Gilham have put together a deal for an Upton Steel with HARD. Infiniti entry - where does Yazoo's sponsorship of the Cupra pair fit in?

[Steel Wheels]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I guess all of that is a possible, I'm just a bit dubious about the Yazoo connection. If Parfitt and Gilham have put together a deal for an Upton Steel with HARD. Infiniti entry - where does Yazoo's sponsorship of the Cupra pair fit in?

Yeah maybe they’ll appear on all Team Hard cars? But just as title sponsors of Geoff’s & Taylor-Smiths?

[Craner Curves]

If this is true, perhaps it's just a case of product placement.

[Andy Hamster]

It's popped up on this twitter feed that I look at, don't follow, it blocks you if you do.
Always putting stuff out before it happens.
Not sure if it looks legit though now to be honest.
https://twitter.com/PresleyKurt/stat...15230154248204

[Andy Hamster]

It has popped up on Twitter. Check #BTCC - click latest.
Does look a bit dodgy mind.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Andy Hamster

It has popped up on Twitter. Check #BTCC - click latest.
Does look a bit dodgy mind.

Just a bit of a dodgy account! Not sure why you would go to all that effort if it was faked though.

Really hope that's instead of a Cupra but somehow I think HARD will be running 5 cars... ridiculous.