Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry
I think its probably difficult to entice truly top-line GT/Internationals, and Im not sure exactly what they would bring to the table, other than confirmation that our cars aren't like anybody else's. Our category doesn't really offer much relevance in terms of career progression to international programs, in either direction. While it's been an enjoyable detour for the Max Wilsons, the Simonas et al in the past, has it truly enhanced their careers? And, for that matter, did their presence here provide any great currency for our category anywhere else in the world?
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Good point. I'm just looking at it from the point of the view of the teams doing whatever it takes to find a driver capable of winning the championship.
Whether's that a Kelvin van Der Linde, a Theo Pourchaire, or a Kai Allen, it doesn't matter IMO. As we know the golden era of BTCC Super Touring was full of continental and even New Zealander drivers as they were considered the best bet for championship glory, whereas now (much like the ATCC) it is full of domestic UK and Irish drivers.
So perhaps DJR should slot teenage Super2 ace Kai Allen into one of their cars as the next potential Australian Touring Car Champion?
(You have to be the next Scott McLaughlin to return DJR to victory lane but there is no pressure, ok! At the moment, DJR have the strategy of fielding a driver who seemed like a potential champion in their cars 15 years ago yet never won a title and expecting him to win a title now, which is curious.)
I find it interesting that you think the likes of van Der Linde (granted, no Mattias Ekstrom who excelled, likewise Patrick Long) would not be quick in the cars. Surely it is less pressure to expect a renowned GT ace to compete for the championship than a teenage domestic touring car rookie?
Granted formula car junior Liam Lawson outperformed the experienced GT aces in DTM, much to the GT aces embarrassment, leading to van der Linde executing some underhanded race tactics...
As we recall Ryan Briscoe took pole first time out at the Sandown 500, likewise Marcos Ambrose taking pole on the first go fresh from French Formula 3, so similar international juniors are perhaps not a bad bet, even if they are
not from NZ or Australia?