running a team?+mr b&q question.

[knowlesy59]

i was just wandering how much it would actually cost to run a production team 4 just 1 race meeting.like if i got a car,modifyed it to the regulations,would i be able to drive then or do i need to pass a test,get a licence or summat.and do u need to kinda book ur place on the grid wif there being so many production cars.?

another thing.i just really wanted to know how john b&q got into the racing of btcp in the b&q integra?

[John Batchelor]

Hi, The costs involved in BTC Production depend on how far up the grid you want or can afford to be. From memory the tyres cost us about £135 plus vat each (We can use 16 per car plus wets. The fuel is a couple of quid per litre and we do 2 laps of Brands Indy per litre. Wages for the team of 16 people is a fair bit. Our truck costs £300.00 to fill Buying the cars and preping them cost about £100K. Hospitality is around £100 per head (we will usually have 40 guests) Accomodation cost us over £1000 for the team per event. So in short........a lot!!
I got into it because I used to be a Salesman, and decided to start selling sponsorship rather than Toilet Rolls!
To get a racing licence you need to apply for a National B Licence by taking an ARDS test at a race school. You then need 10 signatures on it to show that you have completed 10 races. After that you can apply for National A then another 6 signatures at races at different venues (I think its 6 but it may be 10 again.) After that you have a medical and apply for international C licence. Then when you've raised the money you can go Touring Car racing. Brands Hatch was only my 23 rd Motor Race.

[BTC-P fan]

John,
No disrespect meant to your current team-mate, but why did you choose him as opposed to Gordon Shedden? I know Nick Beaumont was your team-mate at BIM and is a good driver but wouldn't it have been better to have Gordon alongside you or even Beaumont and you taking a back seat?

[John Batchelor]

Sometimes you have to go with what feels right. I like Gordon he's a good guy and a talented driver but because Nick and I got along so well together last year and because of Nick's lack of ego (NO I DON'T MEAN THAT GS HAS ONE HE REALLY IS A NICE GUY, IT'S JUST THAT I HADN@T WORKED WITH HIM, I'd better make that clear or I'll get hate mail from Knockhill!)I thought that we would make a succesful team on and off the track for our sponsors.
I really Hope that Gordon gets a seat somewhere he is very consistant and deserves the chance.

[John Batchelor]

Before I forget, the other scenario of Beaumont/Sheddon, yes I can see your reasoning........but if you had the chance to drive, what would you do? By the way, I did win a championship in 99. I can do it.........it might take me a few years and a lot more money, but we are not just there to make up the numbers, I promise

[Craig]

And *why* shouldn't you drive, John ? If Mr Shed had changed his first name to Titan maybe my ex-employers would have been interested in sponsoring him... or he could have come up with some other such scheme to attract the sponsors.
He couldn't, you did... hence you're driving and he's not. Simple.

[knowlesy59]

cheers john.that is exactly what i wanted to know.cheers
one other thing is how much does it cost to take each one of these licences and is there a minimum age thing to it.

once again appreiciated

[Chris Y]

If you're looking to get started in motorsport Knowlsey, have a look at the BRSCC's 'getting started' page, at http://www.brscc.co.uk/getting_started/index.htm

There's a lot of good information there, and some idea of the money involved.

I wouldn't recommend the BTC-P as your first move though

[knowlesy59]

cheers once again