BTCC 2019 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[SteveLevin]

Originally Posted by Overboost

Not very sporting of Rob, his statements are true, but coming from a man who could afford to race without sponsorship if he wanted too are a bit rich.

I thought it was Dad that had money? Not that Rob eats at Little Chef, but not automatically enough to self-fund years of BTCC?

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I was a bit genuinely confused after reading the first sentence - there be a few contenders for that crown!

But in essence I believe Austin and Belcher screwed up royally by ditching a perfectly good well developed (by others) car and being too cocky by half thinking they had the skill to develop one of their own. Let's face it, the A4 was largely crap through the entirety it was campaigned, the Alfa more so.

As for Oliphant he impressed me during his Porsche days, the young man should take to the BMW like a duck to water.

Or the common component - the driver - is average

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Or the common component - the driver - is average

That Sir is a very distinct possibility. The beard isn't helping the aero either! 😆

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Jon411

Posted on Twitter by someone who seems pretty sure and then liked by Rob Collard:

'Gutted to hear @CollardRob is leaving btcc one of the most Genuine guys on the grid . And always to talk to and watch at work in a race car'

On the basis it's accurate it's a shame to see Rob bow out but pleased he at least managed to pick up a win in 2018. He stepped up his game over the last few seasons with his racecraft and I'll miss seeing him come charging through from his qualifying position.

When I last heard Rob talking a month or so ago - I was in the same room but not in conversation with him - it did sound as though calling it a day was very much on the cards and helping his sons with their racing careers was his priority.

A very nice, approachable, down to earth and totally selfless chap. Not to mention one of the best hard chargers. I hope we'll see him around still, he added a lot of cheery personality to the paddock.

[S griffin]

Not surprised to hear Rob Collard calling it a day, he's giving it a good go and been up there long enough. He will be missed

[touringlegend]

Originally Posted by Overboost

Not very sporting of Rob, his statements are true, but coming from a man who could afford to race without sponsorship if he wanted too are a bit rich. Just because he's been able to fund his racing through other people's money (including poaching other drivers deals, but that's another story), he seems a bit jealous of the fact Tom's family are to pay for him to race whereas his aren't!

Yep was just going to say thought the Austin’s were well heeled as well. Which is why I never agreed with the ‘owners club’ campaign.

[Evantra]

Dan Cammish on Twitter -

"Saw a sneak preview of our 2019 #btcc livery today. Absolute 🔥. Can’t wait to get strapped back in because by man maths we’re at least a tenth quicker already. #looksfastgoesfast"

Seems to confirm him, I assume still at Dynamics.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by SteveLevin

I thought it was Dad that had money? Not that Rob eats at Little Chef, but not automatically enough to self-fund years of BTCC?

Yes it is his Dad/family who could fund it, but don't unlike Oliphant's.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Yep was just going to say thought the Austin’s were well heeled as well. Which is why I never agreed with the ‘owners club’ campaign.

Exactly, same with the 'save Sherman', it's no wonder he has the nickname of Knob Austin in certain parts of the paddock.

[Steel Wheels]

Originally Posted by Secret squirrel

Theres a mention of overated drivers.......i really struggle tonsee the obsession with Jake Hill, whats he done to gain this obsession with him getting a drive? IMO theres better drivers on the toca package than Jake bit seems to have a crazed following on here..........please correct me iff im wrong!!

The people who have run him in the past think he’s the ‘real deal’ he just struggles with having limited budget. So if the likes of Dave Bartrum, Shaun Hollamby, Tony Gilham (before the divorce)plus those in the support categories are wrong, then you might be right.

[Plato]

Lets be honest we lost respect for austin when he had to cheat his way to pole on live tv,
Be no great loss if he doesn't come back the same with Knob collard,
Not as nice as he tries to come across,

[Evantra]

Sounds like AmD & Butcher are splitting?

"Good luck with your 2019 season @rorybutcher 😀👍🏁"
(@AmDessex)

"Thanks guys and same to you all 👍🏻"
(@rorybutcher)

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by Plato

Lets be honest we lost respect for austin when he had to cheat his way to pole on live tv,
Be no great loss if he doesn't come back the same with Knob collard,
Not as nice as he tries to come across,

I've found Rob Collard to be nothing other than a good guy and he makes a mean cup of tea in a polystyrene cup!

[Plato]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

I've found Rob Collard to be nothing other than a good guy and he makes a mean cup of tea in a polystyrene cup!

That's how you found him that's your opinion,
To me and a few others, he's a complete insert 4 letter expletive here,

[850Estate]

Originally Posted by Secret squirrel

Theres a mention of overated drivers.......i really struggle tonsee the obsession with Jake Hill, whats he done to gain this obsession with him getting a drive? IMO theres better drivers on the toca package than Jake bit seems to have a crazed following on here..........please correct me iff im wrong!!

I'm being terribly nice on here these days.

Anyway, Hill is an excellent driver. Speak to anyone in and around the paddock who have worked with or raced alongside him and they'll say the same. Unfortunately he's been held back by a serious lack of budget - and as such a lack of continuity and competitive machinery.

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

I've found Rob Collard to be nothing other than a good guy and he makes a mean cup of tea in a polystyrene cup!

I agree. Not on the tea front - I'm not much of a tea fan - but on the Collard being a good guy front.

Nice guy and a very talented racer.

With our friend 'Plato' only signing up to have a dig at him, I'd imagine there might be a personal issue going on - perhaps in business - here.

[Robin Marriott]

Originally Posted by Plato

Lets be honest we lost respect for austin when he had to cheat his way to pole on live tv,

I don’t know a single racing driver who wouldn’t have done the same given the chance, they’re all as dishonest as each other, whatever the championship.

I know even fewer who would have owned up to it.

[Robin Marriott]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Sounds like AmD & Butcher are splitting?

"Good luck with your 2019 season @rorybutcher ������"
(@AmDessex)

"Thanks guys and same to you all ����"
(@rorybutcher)

Back at Motorbase?

[edit] or following the car?

[Plato]

Originally Posted by 850Estate

I'm being terribly nice on here these days.

Anyway, Hill is an excellent driver. Speak to anyone in and around the paddock who have worked with or raced alongside him and they'll say the same. Unfortunately he's been held back by a serious lack of budget - and as such a lack of continuity and competitive machinery.


I agree. Not on the tea front - I'm not much of a tea fan - but on the Collard being a good guy front.

Nice guy and a very talented racer.

With our friend 'Plato' only signing up to have a dig at him, I'd imagine there might be a personal issue going on - perhaps in business - here.

There's a personal issue yeah, but if Knob wasn't in the news would have brought it up,

[Plato]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

I don’t know a single racing driver who wouldn’t have done the same given the chance, they’re all as dishonest as each other, whatever the championship.

I know even fewer who would have owned up to it.

Still a cheat and trying to cheat his fan club out of a few quid , that he already has, good riddance to bad rubbish

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Plato

Lets be honest we lost respect for austin when he had to cheat his way to pole on live tv,
Be no great loss if he doesn't come back the same with Knob collard,
Not as nice as he tries to come across,

Any respect I had for him went when I came across him at the Rockingham Citroen C1 24 hour race. And I am surprised he hasn't got Stella to sponsor him.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

I've found Rob Collard ... makes a mean cup of tea

Which is the standard by which anyone should be judged!

Seriously though, he takes things on track seriously, which is perhaps why some people consider him to be arrogant, but always found him very approachable.

Can't say I'm hugely surprised at him leaving the team. There were strong rumours last year that he would step down and spend more time supporting his sons.

[Steel Wheels]

Originally Posted by Northern Monkey

Anyone fancy getting back on topic?

Ok let’s try! Anyone reckon any more surprises to come? Proctor, Goff & Cook all actively saying they have nothing sorted respectively for next year. Just keeping themselves in the media or making a point?

[btccbloke]

Originally Posted by Steel Wheels

Ok let’s try! Anyone reckon any more surprises to come? Proctor, Goff & Cook all actively saying they have nothing sorted respectively for next year. Just keeping themselves in the media or making a point?

I cant see PMR going for complete change, I think Proctor may stay, I think Cook to BMR was the rumor a while ago.

[CM388]

Collard now confirmed to have left WSR - looking at options elsewhere in the BTCC and British GT.

[Alfisti]

Maybe the Plato PMR whisper has legs if neither Cook or Proctor are confirmed. Or maybe Cook and/ or Proctor are still working to continue in the seats. Early days still.