[BTCC] BTCC 2018 Rumours & Silly Season

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Jiiiiiiim

He’s confirmed in FB that he’ll be in BTCC next year too, just won’t give anything away on who with! Just hope he has better luck in 2018.

No sign of a HARD hashtag and nowt from Tony that I've found.

As Tonys style is bigging up publicity then reasonably safe assumption it's not HARD.

I'm thinking Mr Hollamby...

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

No sign of a HARD hashtag and nowt from Tony that I've found.

As Tonys style is bigging up publicity then reasonably safe assumption it's not HARD.

I'm thinking Mr Hollamby...

But... Spine Eyewear and HARD have been interacting on social media, so still possible?

Jake Hill's reference to 'title' could mean a new title sponsor, and Spine may have placed a publicity embargo?

[Alfisti]

Entirely possible Mr Malcolm.

I know TG really rates Jake and would be doing anything in his power to retain him.

Waiting game...

[rich07]

Originally Posted by Ry44

In other news PMR have offered Alex Rullo a test

http://www.btcc.net/2017/11/16/pmrs-...ung-gun-rullo/

Its going to be interesting to see how he adapts to the car as its the complete opposite to a V8 Supercar. Sure he was there mainly because his dad paid his way but he did make some improvement over the season so there is some talent there. Maybe its a different path that brings better results for him.

[Icarus_nz]

Originally Posted by rich07

Its going to be interesting to see how he adapts to the car as its the complete opposite to a V8 Supercar. Sure he was there mainly because his dad paid his way but he did make some improvement over the season so there is some talent there. Maybe its a different path that brings better results for him.

Perhaps some time in Pomgolia might lead to a well needed attitude adjustment.
Heaven forbid he should develop a work ethic what with Daddies $$$ and all

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by rich07

Its going to be interesting to see how he adapts to the car as its the complete opposite to a V8 Supercar. Sure he was there mainly because his dad paid his way but he did make some improvement over the season so there is some talent there. Maybe its a different path that brings better results for him.

The BTCC is chockers so may not be room. If there is, a switch from RWD to FWD and the short sprint races will be a massive culture shock. Hope he has a ripper season and adds a hard edge to his driving.

[crmalcolm]

Slightly O/T, but demonstrates the ability in BTCC right now (and one to hush the Honda-haters). Shedden has nabbed pole on his TCR debut.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Slightly O/T, but demonstrates the ability in BTCC right now (and one to hush the Honda-haters). Shedden has nabbed pole on his TCR debut.

Not surprised, he is one of top tin top drivers in the UK, so no surprise it translates overseas

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Not surprised, he is one of top tin top drivers in the UK, so no surprise it translates overseas

Yeah,
Despite all the accusations he has received lately about being a dirty driver, and that Honda only win because of Gow's support, he has shown that he has genuine talent.

It also helps to raise the profile of BTCC as a whole, when someone who finished outside the top 3 can perform so well elsewhere.

[touringlegend]

I’m still not sure why Shedden wasn’t drafted into Hondas WTCC car as a replacement for Monteiro.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

I’m still not sure why Shedden wasn’t drafted into Hondas WTCC car as a replacement for Monteiro.

Guerreri seemed a safer option

[BillWiskins]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Yeah,
Despite all the accusations he has received lately about being a dirty driver, and that Honda only win because of Gow's support, he has shown that he has genuine talent.

Has there ever been much doubt that Shedden has talent? I haven't seen it if so. That's what makes it all the more disappointing when he (and Plato, and Neal, and others) go for a 'special move'.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by BillWiskins

Has there ever been much doubt that Shedden has talent?

Not to call out the posters, but this was posted only today in the TCR thread:

Shedden - World beating skills who deserves more international recognition.

Really?

Admittedly it doesn't seem to be a majority, but there are still some who question his talent.

[BLiTZ]

What's always surprised me with Shedden, is that he hasn't done more international stuff. If you look back at Neal's career, he's done Bathurst a number of times, the ETCC, and even races out in Moldova (or Macedonia or somewhere else exotic, I forget, I know it was to help the new owners of one of their old BTCC Hondas get to grips with it).

Aside from Goodwood and a recent TCR race IIRC, Shedden hsn't done much outside of the BTCC.

I'm guessing with so few paid drives out there, his budget doesn't stretch to overseas?

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by BLiTZ

What's always surprised me with Shedden, is that he hasn't done more international stuff. If you look back at Neal's career, he's done Bathurst a number of times, the ETCC, and even races out in Moldova (or Macedonia or somewhere else exotic, I forget, I know it was to help the new owners of one of their old BTCC Hondas get to grips with it).

Aside from Goodwood and a recent TCR race IIRC, Shedden hsn't done much outside of the BTCC.

I'm guessing with so few paid drives out there, his budget doesn't stretch to overseas?

Probably juggling a fulltime job and family life has some bearing on it too. I'm really surprised Shedden, Turkington and other drivers in that 30-40 year old bracket haven't done more internationally. but perhaps they aren't able or willing to sacrifice their personal life and employment for that sort of thing like Rob Huff, Tom Chilton and others have.

[S griffin]

Also different tin top series run to different regulations now, unlike the days of Group A, Super Touring and Super 2000, so it's not as easy

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Turks did a fair bit from 2007-11ish, and always looked a class act in whatever field he was in, even if he wasn't out and winning everything.

I too would enjoy seeing some of the frontrunners (and even midfielders) going out and racing elsewhere on occasion. Adam Morgan has raced and won in China iirc, so it would be great to see what the likes of Sutton, Goff, etc could do in an occasional outing. The potential TCR/WTCC merger could well help in this regard, especially if they have a UK round (however likely).

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

willing to sacrifice their personal life and employment - Tom Chilton

LOL.

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

Turks did a fair bit from 2007-11ish, and always looked a class act in whatever field he was in, even if he wasn't out and winning everything.

last time he did WTCC in the BMW the organizers changed the rules just because of him , cos he was putting every privateer to shame and even some of the works guys that if rules stayed he would have been able to become INDY champion even if doing just a few races...

more exactly the rule that a privateer was getting extra points for finishing ahead of works drivers

[Craner Curves]

Just read Michael Epps comments on the new driving standards penalties. He seems to want to be able to crash into everything!

"“I worry that some of the new rules introduced within the BTCC may exaggerate some problems. The field is very close and there is always going to be inevitable contact… I respect their ideas and it could settle things down, we will see, but it also raises the risk of having your championship badly affected in the stewards room and that is always a bit of a put off for drivers and teams. Political stories of bans and result changes don’t do much good for anyone."

[S griffin]

I don’t know what he means, they ignore the rubs and doorhandling anyway

[Alfisti]

The Epps comment does seem odd... from what I've seen he is both talented and clean.

I am hoping the rules - if properly enforced - will reduce the hair brained driving exhibited by several drivers this year: Cook and Aron Taylor Smith in particular were very bad at making judgements. Not saying I wouldn't be a lot worse, but then nobody has thrown the keys to a race car in my direction!

[porsche962fan]

anyone remember Snetterton 2015 ? surely nobody really wants that ....


simple thing would be to make the cars just dam more sturdier so contact doesn't results in punctures or broken axle assembly

[psq43]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

simple thing would be to make the cars just dam more sturdier so contact doesn't results in punctures or broken axle assembly

They are well known for being pretty sturdy anyway.

Beefing them up a bit more will only eliminate a tiny proportion of some accidents. If drivers will still go into a closing gap far too quickly, or turn in when someone is halfway by them, there will still be shunts

You never know, giving people likely to make dumb or desperate moves, an even more substantial battering ram, will only succeed in them being able to punt more than one person off per race.

[BillWiskins]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

simple thing would be to make the cars just dam more sturdier so contact doesn't results in punctures or broken axle assembly

So to discourage bad driving, we should... lessen the consequences? Brilliant!