BTCC Driver line-up 2005 - Page 13

Andy Metcalf · 23 Mar 2005, 13:01 (Ref:1259738)

Well certainly from the report in MN and Gavin Smith's own comments, he has the thrird VXR drive. It is good to see another young an upcoming Driver get the chance, as VX has done over the last few years.

With regard to other Drivers and Teams not yet confirmed. Even if they are not officially confirmed on or before Media Day, it does not mean they will not be at the first round. Last year WSR brought one 'cream' coloured MG ZS to Media Day which Turkington drove. Reid had not been confirmed, and the WSR personnel would not comment on it. Though his name was still on the Trailer. The proper full list may not be right until early April.

newoutsider · 23 Mar 2005, 15:24 (Ref:1259856)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Tourer

The need for drivers to bring a budget, I would imagine.

If it is Oli Wilkinson, he doesn't bring a budget - it would be a team / team sponsor choice

racingdad · 23 Mar 2005, 17:23 (Ref:1259945)

If Oli is reading this he must be feeling a bit depressed - he just missed out on the Seat drive and now seems to have been pipped at the post for the WSR drive and is also not in the list of WTCC entries either (although we probably know why that is).

**touringlegend** · 23 Mar 2005, 18:46 (Ref:1260062)

There's still the Zytek / MG ZT DTM drivers to be announced, Reid is one of the candidates for that.

racingdad - thats a shame to hear Oli missed out on the SEAT drive, and Luke Hines got it. Likelihood is Oli could well have been faster than Pickford, at least they made sure that won't happen with Hines (exception perhaps once or twice if he's in the mood for racing though.)

I thought Dick Bennetts was close to a deal to be in a position to fund the drivers - I take it that's not worked out ?

racingdad · 24 Mar 2005, 07:38 (Ref:1260480)

I really don't know - wish I did!

**touringlegend** · 24 Mar 2005, 12:53 (Ref:1260641)

Just a note, Gavin Smith confirmed as VXR driver in Autosport, theres a wee Q&A with him.

ATF · 24 Mar 2005, 13:32 (Ref:1260673)

There's a story on the Autosport website about Matt Neal being upbeat for the season but you need a subscription. Has anyone read it?

Kicking-back · 24 Mar 2005, 14:53 (Ref:1260754)

Yes.

**touringlegend** · 24 Mar 2005, 15:27 (Ref:1260788)

ATF, to answer your question more in depth, yes there is, and to me it's the general team/driver talk you hear from a lot of teams at this stage of the year.

BootsOntheSide · 24 Mar 2005, 15:34 (Ref:1260795)

The field is looking quite disappointing right now, but I think it will improve over the enxt few weeks. It jsut doesn't look good for the series to be so close to the start of the season with so few drivers unconfirmed (and so many 'name' drivers gone).

touringcarnut · 24 Mar 2005, 15:44 (Ref:1260804)

Its the same every year though, I think media day will surprise a few people!

Kicking-back · 24 Mar 2005, 16:53 (Ref:1260876)

I do apologise for the brevity of my previous post.

I had intended to say more, but hit submit instead of pasting some info in.

I then got sidetracked by something else before my editing time was up

Here's the quote from Matt I intended to post

Quote:

"There was more rear-end downforce, but I'm wise enough to know we need to work on certain areas to get it spot on.

"Is it a championship winner? If we get those areas sorted, then it will certainly give the others something to think about."

Hazard · 25 Mar 2005, 10:45 (Ref:1261357)

Apparently official confirmation now that Smith is VXR#3. Though the 888 site is down until Monday's relaunch.

Oh well, Dumbreck for MG then...off to the DTM thread with me...

ATF · 25 Mar 2005, 12:34 (Ref:1261413)

Thanks for that kicking-back. Hope they get it sorted quickly so it's a championship battle between 3 teams!

cos · 26 Mar 2005, 15:59 (Ref:1262363)

Hmm, crash.net did have a story about Collard officially joining WSR in a MG but it seems to have disappeared

A google news search for the story still brings it up though. I'm guessing someone let it slip too early?

Jimeth · 26 Mar 2005, 17:11 (Ref:1262393)

even doing that now, when you get to crash.net it says it has been removed. Perhaps it wasn't signed, sealed and delivered after all.

Hazard · 26 Mar 2005, 17:37 (Ref:1262408)

Maybe it's just supposed to be a surprise for the media day.

racingdad · 26 Mar 2005, 19:24 (Ref:1262461)

I think Collard was a little premature - a deal ain't a deal untill the cheque has cleared. But \i do expect Collard to be announced with WSR on Tuesday with the 2nd driver still to be confirmed as WSR wait for a sponsorship deal that allows them freedom of choice to clear.

BillyT · 29 Mar 2005, 08:47 (Ref:1264057)

Official Entry list from Btcc.net

No. Driver (NAT), Team, Car
2. Yvan Muller (FRA), VX Racing, Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch
5. Matt Neal (GBR), Team Halfords, Honda Integra
6. Colin Turkington (GBR), VX Racing, Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch
8. Dan Eaves (GBR), Team Halfords, Honda Integra
9. TBA, Arena Motorsports, Honda Civic Type R
10. James Kaye (GBR), Synchro Motorsport, Honda Civic Type R
11. Jason Plato (GBR), SEAT Sport UK, SEAT Toledo Cupra
12. James Pickford (GBR), SEAT Sport UK, SEAT Toledo Cupra
15. TBA, GA Motorsport, Alfa Romeo 156
21. Rob Collard (GBR), WSR, MG ZS
22. TBA, WSR, MG ZS
23. Mark Proctor (GBR), Fast-Tec Motorsport Ltd, Vauxhall Astra Coupe
33. TBA, Team Firstserve Group, Honda Civic Type R
57. Luke Hines (GBR), SEAT Sport UK, SEAT Toledo Cupra
77. Richard Williams (GBR), HPI Racing
with Friends Reunited, Lexus IS200
78. Ian Curley (GBR), HPI Racing, with Friends Reunited, Lexus IS200
88. Gavin Smith (IRL), VX Racing, Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch
99. TBA, Arena Motorsports, Honda Civic Type R

Super Tourer · 29 Mar 2005, 10:01 (Ref:1264106)

Lot's of TBA's there, relative to the total number of entries.

From what I've read so far, the teams present at the media day are:

VX Racing
Seat Sport UK
Team Halfords
West Surrey Racing
Speed Equipe
Synchro Motorsport
Fast-Tec Motorsport Ltd

I presume that these are the only teams present with cars.

cos · 29 Mar 2005, 10:05 (Ref:1264111)

Good mix of makes in the list - Vauxhall, SEAT, Alfa, Lexus, Honda (x2), MG. Compares well against the DTM and WTCC.

SPARK Msport · 29 Mar 2005, 10:12 (Ref:1264118)

I look forward to seeing some pics of these cars later on

cos · 29 Mar 2005, 10:58 (Ref:1264154)

Looks like there's some green back on the MGs this year - it just wasn't the same with black and silver in 2004.

SPARK Msport · 29 Mar 2005, 11:18 (Ref:1264166)

Wow, those new Astra's look...errr... well, your have to give me sometime to adjust to the paint job and the shape of the car. James' Honda looks very similar in livery, but nice to see him back! Once again no sponsors on the MG yet, but a very nice return to the black and green

I just hope they have enough money to do the full season and field a second car!

One question I do want to ask, why is Plato's car number 11 when he finished 3rd in the championship? I thought the BTCC car numbers were done by your finishing order the previous season?

BootsOntheSide · 29 Mar 2005, 11:21 (Ref:1264167)

Any word on who Arena will be running? Their absence from the media day suggests that there are still loose ends to tie up. Collard is on the entry list, so presumably that deal is done - if they can have free chocie of second driver without him needing funding, is Warren Hughes in the frame?

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