2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car ChampionshipTouring Cars

[05XR8]

OH MY GOD PRIAULX TO WSR!!!!

http://www.touringcartimes.com/2015/01/08/andy-priaulx-returns-to-the-btcc-with-west-surrey-racing/

Bringing back 1980's style livery. 👍

 

[mustafur]

I wonder if this means some kind of Factory backing for WSR.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

If it did, WSR would be classified as a constructor. They're not.

 

[mustafur]

If it did, WSR would be classified as a constructor. They're not.

You mean Manufactuer.

and has that been confirmed for this year yet?

And how much is classed factory backing, like if BMW give them a little funding would that still be classed as works effort, I can see they have sponsorship on the car.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Priaulx remains a factory driver, IHG are his personal sponsor, rather than a BMW or BMW Motorsport partner, and it seems BMW UK continue to sponsor WSR to a degree. It's a nice arrangement for everyone, but BMW Motorsport have nothing to do with designing, developing or racing the car. At least that's how I understand it.

Priaulx has a busy year... TUSCC in a Z4 GTD with Turner Motorsport, ELMS in a Z4 GTE, and BTCC with WSR in the 125i.

 

[Diehardracer]

I Hope Turkington goes to MG, He deserves a Factory Seat.

Also the Infiniti looks awesome, I reckon it will look even better in person.

The one thing he has always struggled with is money. Finding the funds to secure a seat. At least with MG he will get a paid seat.

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

The one thing he has always struggled with is money. Finding the funds to secure a seat. At least with MG he will get a paid seat.

No he won't.

 

[mustafur]

No he won't.

Given that Jordan is likely paying himself with sponsorship, I think MG could have him on board as a paid driver.

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

Given that Jordan is likely paying himself with sponsorship, I think MG could have him on board as a paid driver.

Just no.

 

[mikeerfol]

So Honda insists the Autosport show may be the last time we'll see the Tourer.. New Type R for 2015?

 

[True-blue-8]

So Honda insists the Autosport show may be the last time we'll see the Tourer.. New Type R for 2015?

I thought this for a long time. Should be a no brainer for them really

My money's on AJ this season. Would be a shame to se Menu and gio go, despite both of their recent forms

 

[Clark]

I think the usual suspects will still be fighting for it, even if Plato, Jordan and Turkington are in cars new to them they'll still be bang on the page right away.

Priaulx struggled in DTM but this is back in a proper touring car now I expect him to be a major player once he's got used to the car and the driving style etc.

 

[True-blue-8]

I think the usual suspects will still be fighting for it, even if Plato, Jordan and Turkington are in cars new to them they'll still be bang on the page right away.

Priaulx struggled in DTM but this is back in a proper touring car now I expect him to be a major player once he's got used to the car and the driving style etc.

Yep, it's one of the most exciting pre-season switching I've witnessed, but you can expect tem all to be there right away. Probably a lot closer this season too

Priaulx is as you said back to something he's more familiar with. I reckon (and hope) he'll be on the ball after 2/3 rounds, if that

 

[Liquid]

As long as Matt Neal stays on three titles, I'm happy. I'll be doubly happy if Alain Menu is still driving and anywhere near a race win. It's still an unknown quantity in Andy Priaulx because he's never spent much time in the BTCC; despite getting both poles on his debut he has just a 5th in the 2002 season to his name. That's thirteen years ago now.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Priaulx is quick and the car should suit him, my major worry is if he ends up mid-pack regularly, the last few years of GT and DTM may have made him a too bit soft to be muscling his way through a BTCC grid. I think he'll need to handle it pretty similar to Turk last year, qualify at the front, and keep it clean.

 

[daan]

It's still an unknown quantity in Andy Priaulx because he's never spent much time in the BTCC; despite getting both poles on his debut he has just a 5th in the 2002 season to his name. That's thirteen years ago now.

http://www.touringcars.net/results/2002/rd16.php

EDIT: You mean 5th in the championship...

 

[Liquid]

@daan 5th in the championship.

 

[Furinkazen]

http://www.touringcars.net/results/2002/rd16.php

http://www.touringcars.net/results/2002/index.php

 

[daan]

@daan 5th in the championship.

You go from poles to championship results. Why not mention race wins?

 

[Liquid]

You go from poles to championship results. Why not mention race wins?

It was knowledge off the top of my head, I didn't know he won a race in 2002 just that he got a pole on his debut in 2001 and finished 5th in the championship in 2002, thirteen years ago. It'll be a different kettle of fish in 2015 for him but don't get me wrong, he's a terrific driver (you don't win four titles in a row on pure luck) and I hope he does well because I like WSR.

 

[daan]

he's a terrific driver (you don't win four titles in a row on pure luck) and I hope he does well because I like WSR.

He essentially won those 4 E/WTCC titles by finishing 8th in the first race, then winning the reverse grid races. That tactic won't work in the BTCC due to the randomised nature of the reverse grid, but at least he is back in RWD from the FWD Civic he drove last time in the BTCC.

 

[Malcolm Tucker]

Hoping Turkington can find a sponsor and get a seat for 2015 Collard has said his seat is dependent Turk finding some money so theirs a big possibility that at least one of them won't be around, I don't want to see either of them go.

I think the big players in the silly season atm are BMR and United Autosports. BMR still have two seats unconfirmed and they seem to like throwing money around so that's the only place I could see Turk ending up if he can't stay at WSR (I can't see him being at Triple 8, they've lost Tesco money and Tordoff money so they'll be looking for a pay driver). United look like they may not be a team by the start of the season so that potentially opens the door for someone like Gilham to come in with his Volvo (if it even exists ) or who knows, maybe Les Ferdinand will buy a couple of Alfas again Still a long way to go though so anything could happen, the only given is that Plato will be somewhere

My money's on AJ this season.

Being a Potato fan shouldn't your money be on someone in a RWD?

 

[Furinkazen]

Hoping Turkington can find a sponsor and get a seat for 2015 Collard has said his seat is dependent Turk finding some money so theirs a big possibility that at least one of them won't be around, I don't want to see either of them go.

I think the big players in the silly season atm are BMR and United Autosports. BMR still have two seats unconfirmed and they seem to like throwing money around so that's the only place I could see Turk ending up if he can't stay at WSR (I can't see him being at Triple 8, they've lost Tesco money and Tordoff money so they'll be looking for a pay driver). United look like they may not be a team by the start of the season so that potentially opens the door for someone like Gilham to come in with his Volvo (if it even exists ) or who knows, maybe Les Ferdinand will buy a couple of Alfas again Still a long way to go though so anything could happen, the only given is that Plato will be somewhere



Being a Potato fan shouldn't your money be on someone in a RWD?

BMR don't have quite as much money as you think.

 

[Malcolm Tucker]

BMR don't have quite as much money as you think.

Yeh lol I wasn't trying to imply they do, rather that they seem to enjoy spending it more than others. They're the only guys I could see forking out for Turkington should he not find the money himself.

 

[Furinkazen]

Yeh lol I wasn't trying to imply they do, rather that they seem to enjoy spending it more than others. They're the only guys I could see forking out for Turkington should he not find the money himself.

I think setting up a Clio programme has taken some budget. I see Turks off Motorbase myself.

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

Hoping Turkington can find a sponsor and get a seat for 2015 Collard has said his seat is dependent Turk finding some money so theirs a big possibility that at least one of them won't be around, I don't want to see either of them go.

I think the big players in the silly season atm are BMR and United Autosports. BMR still have two seats unconfirmed and they seem to like throwing money around so that's the only place I could see Turk ending up if he can't stay at WSR (I can't see him being at Triple 8, they've lost Tesco money and Tordoff money so they'll be looking for a pay driver). United look like they may not be a team by the start of the season so that potentially opens the door for someone like Gilham to come in with his Volvo (if it even exists ) or who knows, maybe Les Ferdinand will buy a couple of Alfas again Still a long way to go though so anything could happen, the only given is that Plato will be somewhere



Being a Potato fan shouldn't your money be on someone in a RWD?

United was basicly a play thing for the geddie family.

 

[Malcolm Tucker]

United was basicly a play thing for the geddie family.

And that didn't end too well

I could see Turk at Motorbase, although it's hard to say what they'll be doing until they get a sponsor sorted

 

[True-blue-8]

Hoping Turkington can find a sponsor and get a seat for 2015 Collard has said his seat is dependent Turk finding some money so theirs a big possibility that at least one of them won't be around, I don't want to see either of them go.

I think the big players in the silly season atm are BMR and United Autosports. BMR still have two seats unconfirmed and they seem to like throwing money around so that's the only place I could see Turk ending up if he can't stay at WSR (I can't see him being at Triple 8, they've lost Tesco money and Tordoff money so they'll be looking for a pay driver). United look like they may not be a team by the start of the season so that potentially opens the door for someone like Gilham to come in with his Volvo (if it even exists ) or who knows, maybe Les Ferdinand will buy a couple of Alfas again Still a long way to go though so anything could happen, the only given is that Plato will be somewhere



Being a Potato fan shouldn't your money be on someone in a RWD?

I'm not too sure on collard staying. I'd like to see him stay, but personally not at WSR

I'll cheer him on right til the end, always will but I just think Jordan will have it. Last season he had terrible luck, but he still collected some good points and wins. But Mr Potato head is always there at the end, but even I admit he's a bit 'crazy' or with his brilliant defensive driving (you have to admit he knows how to) in a RWD car that can only end in disaster

 

[Furinkazen]

Ollie Jackson finished 4th in class in a Ginetta at the Dubai 24, and will also be racing in the Ginetta Supercup this year.

EDIT: Honda still not decided on 2015 car?!

 

[Tom]

After chatting to some high-profile figures within the BTCC at the Autosport International Show last week, I know that United Autosports won't be returning to the championship (Zac Brown has pulled the plug) and it's looking unfortunately like we won't see Plato on the grid this year, perhaps Turkington too.

I interviewed various BTCC drivers over the three days that I was there, have a listen if you fancy it.

N.B - Apologies for my cock-ups stating that Andrew Jordan and Matt Neal were World Champions, what a mistake to make! Moreover, Neal has won three championships, not two!











The others can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/user/TomBrooksGuitars/videos