BTCC 2019 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Greem

The shirts will be wide enough to fit me

Given they have a slim young man driving one of the cars they can run the words up his left leg and back down the right one!

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by sceptic

AmD has just announced RCIB and AutoAid as sponsors of its Hondas, with that press release confirming that it has signed two drivers. (The Audis are entered as Trade Price Cars racing, not AmD).

Hopefully they still keep the red & black livery design from the announcement!

[S griffin]

Glad to see WSR going for a young charger in Oliphant. I’m sure he can build on a solid first season by being more often up the front

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by sceptic

Jake Hill press release this afternoon: he'll be racing a Lotus Elan in the Masters Historic Racing Series.

"Meanwhile Hill will announce his 2019 BTCC campaign in the next week or so."

[S griffin]

I hope Hill comes back, he deserves another full season.

[ExplodeTheApex]

Unsurprisingly a lot of negative chat in and from the RAROC over Olliphant’s WSR drive, even from Mr Austin himself. Rather childish in my opinion, I think Oliphant has a shot at establishing himself towards the sharp end of he grid next year.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

No, definitely not in this case. The car is carrying Tom's racing number but last years livery/ sponsors. Mr Kwik Fit might not be thrilled by it as they haven't even added the new series sponsor stickers.

It's the same car that was on display in Regent's Street in early November, at the TOCA awards at the end of Nov, and at a BMW dealer in Belfast last weekend. They've just added a 5 to the window (changing from 1 to 15), and removed the Breezemount logo from the bonnet. I wouldn't be surprised if it still had Turkington's name on the side windows.

[Alfisti]

Indeed. The plain shirts worn by Dick and Tom lend themselves to a sponsorship not ready to be announced situation.

Wouldn't be surprised in the slightest to find prominent Philips branding appear on Toms car together with a splash of green.

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by ExplodeTheApex

Unsurprisingly a lot of negative chat in and from the RAROC over Olliphant’s WSR drive, even from Mr Austin himself. Rather childish in my opinion,.

maybe Rob wanted that seat for himself ?

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by redshoes

"Meanwhile Hill will announce his 2019 BTCC campaign in the next week or so."

Which just so happens to concide with.... oh what a surprise!

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by ExplodeTheApex

Unsurprisingly a lot of negative chat in and from the RAROC over Olliphant’s WSR drive, even from Mr Austin himself. Rather childish in my opinion, I think Oliphant has a shot at establishing himself towards the sharp end of he grid next year.

Really? Where did you see that?

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Which just so happens to concide with.... oh what a surprise!

The Plato Silverline SuperTeam with Kia announcement. Utilising Uncle Alans two loan TBLs to promote manufacturer entry.

[850Estate]

Originally Posted by ExplodeTheApex

Unsurprisingly a lot of negative chat in and from the RAROC over Olliphant’s WSR drive, even from Mr Austin himself. Rather childish in my opinion, I think Oliphant has a shot at establishing himself towards the sharp end of he grid next year.

That's disappointing to hear. Tom's a good driver who adapted well last year. A return to RWD will suit him - and I reckon he'll be a success.

If anyone has an eye for a driver it's Dick Bennetts. He'll know every detail about Oliphant's style - that you can be sure of.

[btccbloke]

Originally Posted by 850Estate

RCIB Insurance/AutoAid Breakdown Cover Racing with AmdTuning.com and Cobra Sport is a great team name. I'm looking forward to seeing their teamwear.

Just imagine having to add "Team Gardx Jct600" to the start of that for a team name!!

[ExplodeTheApex]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Really? Where did you see that?

I’m for better or worse a member of the RAROC Facebook group, and there seems to be a running theme of anti-Oliphant comments throughout the year (presumably after a likely 50-50 incident between him and their beloved Austin).

Comments from Rob include ‘Good to see WSR will have a good chunk of extra budget’ and in response to questioning as to how Oliphant got the seat ‘His Dad has a lot of money and as it’s not sponsorship he doesn’t need any space on the car’. Make of all that what you will.

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I hope Hill comes back, he deserves another full season.

Jake will be Racing in the BTCC in 2019

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by ExplodeTheApex

Comments from Rob include ‘Good to see WSR will have a good chunk of extra budget’ and in response to questioning as to how Oliphant got the seat ‘His Dad has a lot of money and as it’s not sponsorship he doesn’t need any space on the car’. Make of all that what you will.

Tut tut. Very unprofessional.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by ExplodeTheApex

I’m for better or worse a member of the RAROC Facebook group, and there seems to be a running theme of anti-Oliphant comments throughout the year (presumably after a likely 50-50 incident between him and their beloved Austin).

Comments from Rob include ‘Good to see WSR will have a good chunk of extra budget’ and in response to questioning as to how Oliphant got the seat ‘His Dad has a lot of money and as it’s not sponsorship he doesn’t need any space on the car’. Make of all that what you will.

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!

[S griffin]

I expect better of Rob there. He should accept it with good grace, even if he feels what he says is true

[Craner Curves]

Hasn't got much relevance to 2019, but somebody has resurrected the Triple Eight name. https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/c...92895/officers

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by btccbloke

Was the BTCC's most over rated driver thinking he was going to get a BMW drive then?
Never going to happen, his best bet is to hold tight with Simon Belcher to see if they can sort their issues, then bribe Alan Gow with the promise another run round the track to get an emergency borrow of a spare licence

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.

[MillionBrightAmbassadors]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Hasn't got much relevance to 2019, but somebody has resurrected the Triple Eight name. https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/c...92895/officers

Presuming that Oakham isn't a racing driver enclave, a quick Google around suggests that that would be Mark Howard:

"Mark Howard (Oakham, Rutland) has announced he is to defend his Renault UK Clio Cup 'Masters' class title for the championship’s older drivers in 2016 with the same team, Team Pyro, with which he won last year’s crown."

from http://www.countygaragegroup.co.uk/n...eam-pyro/19700

[Northern Monkey]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Hasn't got much relevance to 2019, but somebody has resurrected the Triple Eight name. https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/c...92895/officers

Just someone trying to play off the name - nothing more

[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.

[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!!