[BTCC] BTCC 2021

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I think one of the reasons Tony can offer the seats at lower cost than others is the number of bodies per car ratio is lower than some teams. There is a balancing act, and clearly #HARD are able to attract drivers - so to my mind the business model is sound.

Of course currently, with teams allowed fewer personnel, HARD should be at an advantage, being used to it.

[S griffin]

I think the limit makes no difference. The BTCC has never been that big on personal numbers. HARD are up against enough as it is

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Pickles

Probably should've posted this here actually:

https://www.team-hard.com/team-hard-...-championship/

Interesting to hear Gilham this week. Initially they wanted to go with the Golf Mk.8 and keep their VW link, but the Golf is too short.
So the Cupra was the next best option.

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Interesting to hear Gilham this week. Initially they wanted to go with the Golf Mk.8 and keep their VW link, but the Golf is too short.
So the Cupra was the next best option.

Could they not have gone with the Passat?

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Could they not have gone with the Passat?

Probably could have, guessing they wanted something more Focus/Corolla sized than CC sized

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Could they not have gone with the Passat?

He said they felt that the shortest length possible is the ideal size for a FWD entry.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Interesting to hear Gilham this week. Initially they wanted to go with the Golf Mk.8 and keep their VW link, but the Golf is too short.
So the Cupra was the next best option.

I find the above interesting. The Golf and Leon are basically the same car, so I'm guessing we're talking a few millimetres between the two, i.e. differences in bumper mouldings, being the reason the Golf is too short and Leon is OK.

I do think TG moving from the big CC to the shorter car is entirely the right move.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I find the above interesting. The Golf and Leon are basically the same car, so I'm guessing we're talking a few millimetres between the two, i.e. differences in bumper mouldings, being the reason the Golf is too short and Leon is OK.

I do think TG moving from the big CC to the shorter car is entirely the right move.

Golf is 4284mm (16mm too short according to TG).
Leon is 4368mm.

The Leon also has a wheelbase that is 68mm longer.

[Adam43]

Nowadays the architecture of the platforms means that sister vehicles can easily have different wheelbases and track widths. So while the Golf and Leon are related it isn’t just the body that changes the proportions. Crudely expressed you are able to move the corners to be nearer or further apart. Obviously they are vaguely in the same segments, if there is such a thing nowadays, so they end up approximately similar.

However the style and character are more than just the size so the brands end up quite different. Constrained by the rules and regs of the road.

[Pickles]

The first 2 Cupras have arrived at Team HARD, the first one is stripped already:

https://www.facebook.com/59847016354...0375175022912/

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Pickles

The first 2 Cupras have arrived at Team HARD, the first one is stripped already:

I know it ultimately doesn't make that much difference but something not right about seeing them striping a road car rather than starting with a bare shell

[Evantra]

And they have a third on the way, so either they'll run 3 of them (+ Boardley?) or have a spare.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by redshoes

I know it ultimately doesn't make that much difference but something not right about seeing them striping a road car rather than starting with a bare shell

Isn't a base Seat Leon with a Cupra badge stuck on? So they're really SEATs not Cupras!

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by redshoes

I know it ultimately doesn't make that much difference but something not right about seeing them striping a road car rather than starting with a bare shell

You'd have thought they would have got a few ex-rental base spec cars, rather than blowing the best part of £90k on Cupras. I'm sure they'll be ebaying the parts soon enough.

Got to love the naivety of the fans who are surprised that Seat have "sent a full car over" etc.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

You'd have thought they would have got a few ex-rental base spec cars, rather than blowing the best part of £90k on Cupras.

New cars will come with a 3yr/60k mile warranty


Compare and contrast with Motorbase earlier this year who posted pictures of the team truck parked outside the factory collecting bare shells

[CaptRustyNail]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Isn't a base Seat Leon with a Cupra badge stuck on? So they're really SEATs not Cupras!

It certainly look the case, though i don't think it really matters in the grand scheme of things

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Isn't a base Seat Leon with a Cupra badge stuck on? So they're really SEATs not Cupras!

Is it really that much different from Motorbase or Dynamics calling their cars STs or Type Rs? I'm well aware that Cupra is a separate brand to Seat but its the same principle.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by CaptRustyNail

It certainly look the case, though i don't think it really matters in the grand scheme of things

Nah it doesn't matter, but interesting to note.

[auroan]

Originally Posted by Pickles

The first 2 Cupras have arrived at Team HARD, the first one is stripped already:

https://www.facebook.com/59847016354...0375175022912/

So we know from those pics that they are getting zero support from Cupra. If they were, they would have had bare shells direct from the factory like motorbike did with the fords.

[Spanner monkey]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

You'd have thought they would have got a few ex-rental base spec cars, rather than blowing the best part of £90k on Cupras. I'm sure they'll be ebaying the parts soon enough.

Got to love the naivety of the fans who are surprised that Seat have "sent a full car over" etc.

Team Dynamics first NGTC Civics were full road cars until the factory were able to supply them with bare production shells.

Prodrive's Rally Subaru's were complete road cars as it was easier to send full cars in containers. Also the Ferrari 550 GT1 cars were also made from used road cars which were stripped before being made in to race cars...

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by auroan

So we know from those pics that they are getting zero support from Cupra. If they were, they would have had bare shells direct from the factory like motorbike did with the fords.

The original press release said it was an independent entry.

[auroan]

Originally Posted by Pickles

The original press release said it was an independent entry.

So is the motorbase entry ;-) But didn't stop Barty doing a deal to "buy" some shells

[S griffin]

If only Ford did support Motorbase. I think it would have been an excellent tie up, especially after all the work Motorbase did

[antnee]

The new shape Leon has only been in the UK for a month or 2 - so Hard will have had no choice but to buy new cars. As the factory would still be in launch, I doubt they would entertain some small race team from England buying some mostly full shells.

Remember, the teams don't want just a shell - they want it complete with glass, seals, motors, etc - which isn't easy for an OEM to actually supply.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Spanner monkey

Team Dynamics first NGTC Civics were full road cars until the factory were able to supply them with bare production shells.

The first Dynamics Civic started life as one of Honda's prototype cars, as that was the only thing available at the time.