BTCC 2019 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Greem

I'm hopeful you weren't referring to my post *specifically* there; I can't see anything abusive in it myself!

In general though we do appear to have had a few new forum members arrive (and some go, permanently so it would seem) who have exhibited just the behaviour you describe. I suspect that they've been booted from the other BTCC forum(s) where abuse, partisanship and a general hatred of anything "other" are rife.

Hello to the new ones who happen to behave nicely! And hello to the new ones who might not.

Tenths happens to be fairly sedate, as it goes - and self-policed, with a degree of success.

Sorry mate no not aimed at you!

[RS67]

Originally Posted by Roland1

I don’t remember saying that it wouldn’t survive without him.

I said it would be a poorer place without him, which it would be.

It wasn't poorer when he wasn't in it before.

[RS67]

Originally Posted by OultonGold

"Close partnership" and full manufacturer backing are two very different things. Ford, Vauxhall, Audi and VW don't do a jot for this championship - those shells did not enter the series with manufacturer backing whatsoever and it should never be claimed in any way no matter how small that they were - they do not openly back this championship. That suggestion again disrespects Platos work.

I think its more than fair to say Dynamics are emulating Plato - in bringing new body shells to the series (which was my point - purely the shells).

They have brought 3 shells into the series since the Integra - but lets be fair whilst that is good - it has provided absolutely no variety to the series - as they are all Civics, two of which were extremely similar.

Dynamics of course have no obligation to provide "variety" by being a consistent entrant (and that in itself I recognize is good for the series) - but, if they ever move away from Honda, make a deal with a different manufacturer and indeed bring a very different looking "shell" into the series - great. But Plato has convinced 3 different manufacturers in the same time frame - that's impressive and given the series and fans variety of cars.

I fully expect Matt Neal to get full regalia and send off when he packs in - which is fine, as I agree with that.

BUT, dynamics have not brought variety to the series in respect of body shells like Plato consistently has.

The MGs and Subarus were little more than a manufacturer paying the entry fees and providing a few bodyshells. Not really big manufacturer investment. I knew of MG entering the MG6 long before it was announced and it wasn't Plato that was mentioned in connection with the team at the time it was his team mate Andy Neate.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by RS67

It wasn't poorer when he wasn't in it before.

Exactly, superstars come and go in the series. Ash Sutton is already building himself up to be one

[Tracsmart]

Originally Posted by RS67

The MGs and Subarus were little more than a manufacturer paying the entry fees and providing a few bodyshells. Not really big manufacturer investment. I knew of MG entering the MG6 long before it was announced and it wasn't Plato that was mentioned in connection with the team at the time it was his team mate Andy Neate.

Definitely 100% incorrect. It was neither Jason Plato or Andy Neate who had engaged with MG on entering BTCC. A N Other party had put the deal together engaging with MG long before either of the mentioned were involved. Yes it did include 888 being introduced to MG, however last minute sponsorship issues and JPs intervention overtook the efforts made with AN Other. Word has it that AN Other was engaged with MG at the early stages of commencing production in the UK. Understand that John Thorne was aware of the real situation, but it wasn't him.

[Hopeful fan]

Can we all get back on track and remember the subject of this forum?

[woodbine]

Interesting to note that according to this post https://www.facebook.com/29134560825...0519756673458/ by the TCT BMR have multiple Subaru's available. So what are they going to run in the BTCC?

Sent from my moto g(6) plus using Tapatalk

[btccbloke]

Originally Posted by Hopeful fan

Can we all get back on track and remember the subject of this forum?

welcome to the forum ... we are on track ... this is how the conversation here goes, discussing Plato's relationship with MG may well prove relevant if the debate is would he drive one in 2019 as a stopgap

[medius]

Originally Posted by woodbine

Interesting to note that according to this post https://www.facebook.com/29134560825...0519756673458/ by the TCT BMR have multiple Subaru's available. So what are they going to run in the BTCC?

Don't read much into it. It's lists "drives" (plural) available by other teams with only one car being operated out of a single unit. The BMR car possibly available for TCT/BTCC is probably just solely the ex-Josh Price machine.

[fer312t]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

** Was Sutton counted twice for effect? **

Nah, just a typo...First 'Ash Sutton' on the list was supposed to be Tom Ingram...

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by andyjr0999

I personally would be amazed if Plato did not get a deal. You have to think from a business perspective - Plato is that close of getting to 100 race wins, something which will be played over and over again moving forward in the championship (similar to the famous Soper vs Cleland clips we see over and over again). What sponsor, team or large package would not want to get involved in this?

We all know it was a BMW vs Vauxhall clash at Silverstone in 1992 and most know Mobil 1 was a key sponsor on the Vauxhall, so for Plato to struggle to get a deal together does not make sense, despite his proven record.

I'm not so certain that would be the case.

The Soper/Cleland footage is played so often because of the action itself, and not really because of any significance to statistics or records.

Matt Neal's first independent win was arguably the most significant single moment in BTCC to date, but you rarely see clips of it during tv coverage.

[S griffin]

Interesting to see Colin is hoping to break Randy Mouse's record of 4 titles and Andy seems to think he can do that, as he is still relatively young

[porsche962fan]

3 titles seems like an invisible barrier in BTCC

neither Neal or Shedden managed it to break it

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Interesting to see Colin is hoping to break Randy Mouse's record of 4 titles and Andy seems to think he can do that, as he is still relatively young

Andy Rouse, now he IS a BTCC Legend.

[S griffin]

Indeed, one who definitely deserves all of the respect he get

[touringlegend]

Even with anyone taking more than 4 titles, they will be hard pushed to win the title 3 consecutive years in different cars

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Indeed, one who definitely deserves all of the respect he get

he certainly does. but lets not forget that two of his championships were won in a class car not outright, back in the day when you could win a championship by winning the class you were in. but still defintely one of the greats.

[S griffin]

And let’s not forget he lost the title due to the class system in 88 and 89

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by S griffin

And let’s not forget he lost the title due to the class system in 88 and 89

he also won them because of it....

the class system sucked because you were winning or losing the title against people you do not actually race against

1986 -1987 was a bit of farce fo example, Chris Hodgetts had no real opposition in Class D and it was very easy for win to take titles

meanwhile in 87 Class A it was a real down to the wire fight between Tim Harvey and Dennis Leech but because they fought eachother and the Rouse Sierras they had no chance for the overall titles

[VIVA GT]

Oops! Sorry, wrong thread!

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by woodbine

Interesting to note that according to this post https://www.facebook.com/29134560825...0519756673458/ by the TCT BMR have multiple Subaru's available. So what are they going to run in the BTCC?

Sent from my moto g(6) plus using Tapatalk

Factory Kia squad obviously 🙄

With Tim Harvey and Rob Gravett.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Factory Kia squad obviously 🙄

With Tim Harvey and Rob Gravett.

More likely Mike Smith and Barry Williams

[Robshillito1990]

It's entirely possible that maybe Bmr have got a deal with a new car and maybe this is the new challenge that ash Sutton was referring to in his Twitter post the other day

[porsche962fan]

why would they invest in a new car when their current one is very potent ???


the only reason would be that uncle Gow told them that Boxers have to go but otherwise there is no reason whatsoever

[mark_l]

Originally Posted by Robshillito1990

It's entirely possible that maybe Bmr have got a deal with a new car and maybe this is the new challenge that ash Sutton was referring to in his Twitter post the other day

Ash may of been referring to the financial challenge of BMR getting to the media day let alone the first meeting.

I see in Autosport that they appear to be advertising for jobs. I'd want my whole year wages upfront.