[BTCC] BTCC 2023 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Jon411

I don't see where else they could go considering the Jake Hill TBL is owned by WSR unless they ran using 2 of the Hyundais or something.

I would expect one of the 5 being used by HARD. to become available at the end of the year. With the Infiniti being 'retired', Parfitt will probably have a serious think about where his future lies.

I think the most likely source of a TBL is the one currently behind the HARD./Laser/Steelworks/Infiniti/Parfitt entry.

If Parfitt does stay - I think he is clear that he would want to be in a RWD car. That only really leaves the BMW (unless something new comes around).

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I would expect one of the 5 being used by HARD. to become available at the end of the year. With the Infiniti being 'retired', Parfitt will probably have a serious think about where his future lies.

I think the most likely source of a TBL is the one currently behind the HARD./Laser/Steelworks/Infiniti/Parfitt entry.

If Parfitt does stay - I think he is clear that he would want to be in a RWD car. That only really leaves the BMW (unless something new comes around).

I agree that that license is probably the most likely to change hands. It is worth saying that that TBL and one other TBL currently used by Team HARD are "owned" by Carl Boardley Motorsport and then loaned out to Team HARD to use [https://www.btcc.net/2021/12/02/next...ers-announced/].

When we get told (probably in December) of the license holders for 2023, that will probably indicate who we will see and where. I would expect a couple of changes of license holders, especially as MB have 0 licenses of their own at the moment.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by SSmith

When we get told (probably in December) of the license holders for 2023, that will probably indicate who we will see and where. I would expect a couple of changes of license holders, especially as MB have 0 licenses of their own at the moment.

I expect a few big indicators to appear at the next meeting over the future direction of a number of teams.

Typically, when teams / drivers reach the point that they have nothing left to compete for in-season, their focus looks to the year ahead. It is the chance to get a bit of a sound-bite out for potential backers, and journalists are looking for stories to carry through the off-season.

So keep your eyes and ears attuned to what comes out at Brands GP. You will get some personnel all but confirming a drive or team structure.....

[aland]

there was a 4th jnr series licensed by msuk, the scottish motor racing club using the bmw 1 series, it didnt happen in 2022 but a few cars were built... logical way is a fwd 1 make, shells that look current and budget around ginetta g40, mini challenge spec could work on treaded tyres, plus would provide the path into challenge then jcw then btcc...

lets be honest, ginetta have the path licked, start in 40 jnr, uorade car to gt5 then either go academy g55 or supercup g55 or 56 then you can go gt racing. only 2 chassis builds needed the rest is upgrades

[S griffin]

It would be good to have MB Motorsport run two cars again, they've proven their skills in running the team. They probably would just continue as a satellite team to WSR too.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by S griffin

It would be good to have MB Motorsport run two cars again, they've proven their skills in running the team. They probably would just continue as a satellite team to WSR too.

Do MB Motorsport actually really run a team now then?

Or is it still just a sponsorship agency in reality?

[tocatrucky]

Originally Posted by S griffin

It would be good to have MB Motorsport run two cars again, they've proven their skills in running the team. They probably would just continue as a satellite team to WSR too.

Originally Posted by peebee2

Do MB Motorsport actually really run a team now then?

Or is it still just a sponsorship agency in reality?

MB Motorsport has never been a team. With the Civics and Focii it was just a title sponsor to AmD and Motorbase.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by tocatrucky

MB Motorsport has never been a team. With the Civics and Focii it was just a title sponsor to AmD and Motorbase.

Thanks. I didn't think so, but I was nearly falling for nonsense again!

[crmalcolm]

I think we really know what S griffin meant though.

If you want to be pedantic about it - I think S griffin means:

"It would be good to have MB Motorsport run two cars again, they've proven their skills in [putting together a package that sees their brand represented as a BTCC] team. They probably would just continue as a [primary sponsor of a] satellite team to WSR [if their entry expanded to 2 cars]."

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I think we really know what S griffin meant though.

If you want to be pedantic about it - I think S griffin means:

"It would be good to have MB Motorsport run two cars again, they've proven their skills in [putting together a package that sees their brand represented as a BTCC] team. They probably would just continue as a [primary sponsor of a] satellite team to WSR [if their entry expanded to 2 cars]."

Why say “they've proven their skills in running the team” then, when “they’ve” done no such thing at all then…

[AnnoyedMoose]

Originally Posted by peebee2

Why say “they've proven their skills in running the team” then, when “they’ve” done no such thing at all then…

There is far more to running a team than setting up the car. Without all the marketing and looking after the sponsors you never get to that stage. That's what MB excel at.

It's just semantics as to what you think running a team means.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by AnnoyedMoose

There is far more to running a team than setting up the car. Without all the marketing and looking after the sponsors you never get to that stage. That's what MB excel at.

It's just semantics as to what you think running a team means.

Thanks. Yes, it was as I originally thought, before I read the strange comment.

They don’t run a team at all, though they are doubtless good at what they do do.

[redshoes]

Semantics aside, I think we can safely assume MB's involvement will be on the sponsorship/management side and not the spannering. So where does that leave them?

Acquire a TBL (buy/borrow from Boardley, or look for a TOCA loan) and ask WSR to run a forth car? Not sure how likely either part of that is.

Partnership with Cicely? Gives you access to the customer BMWs but will probably mean Morgan will be one car. Nothing against Morgan but little point in expanding to a 2-car team if you don't have control over who drives the second car.

Laser Tools? Same issue with Moffat in the second car with the added complication of potentially building a replacement for the Infiniti.

Excelr8? Motorbase? Have the potential to run 2 teams of 2 cars, and both the Hyundai and Ford looks to be a decent package in the right hands. Of the two I think Excelr8 could be serious possibility.

BTC? Assuming Plato retires then it's possible the Adrian Flux sponsorship might disappear in which case they might welcome a re-brand a MB for 2 cars.

Dynamics? Possible but somehow doesn't seem likely.

Speedworks? Too involved with Toyota to re-brand the cars as MB.
PMR? Similarly too involved with Power Maxed own branding.

HARD? no comment

[thetool]

Given the financial situations of a lot of drivers and sponsors at the moment it wouldn't surprise me to see some significant changes for next season. I suspect we'll be in for a year where money talks more than ever and some high profile drives will be filled by some rather less talented drivers.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Excelr8? Motorbase? Have the potential to run 2 teams of 2 cars, and both the Hyundai and Ford looks to be a decent package in the right hands. Of the two I think Excelr8 could be serious possibility.

Having worked with Motorbase before - are there any bridges burnt there?

Hill knows the Focus (assuming he stays with the team), although that might 'fix' them to Osborne in the second car too.

I still think a 'Boardley' TBL is the most likely - maybe as another WSR customer?

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Having worked with Motorbase before - are there any bridges burnt there?

Hill knows the Focus (assuming he stays with the team), although that might 'fix' them to Osborne in the second car too.

I still think a 'Boardley' TBL is the most likely - maybe as another WSR customer?

I'm not aware of any issues over the way MB and Motorbase parted company, but that's not to say there weren't any. I almost mentioned Osbourne; not sure how much of a fixture he is within the team, but assumed it was less than Morgan/Moffatt.

I assume you mean acquiring both Boardley TBLs and forming a new 2-car squad using a completely different team doing the engineering. That paying for the TBL purchase and funding the build of 2 new cars - that's quite a big investment.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by redshoes

I'm not aware of any issues over the way MB and Motorbase parted company, but that's not to say there weren't any. I almost mentioned Osbourne; not sure how much of a fixture he is within the team, but assumed it was less than Morgan/Moffatt.

I assume you mean acquiring both Boardley TBLs and forming a new 2-car squad using a completely different team doing the engineering. That paying for the TBL purchase and funding the build of 2 new cars - that's quite a big investment.

I'm not sure of the specifics - but I thought Pete Osborne's involvement at Motorbase meant that Sam was always likely to be part of the deal.

In respect to them getting a new set of engineering - Shaun Hollamby is still involved with the MB Motorsport team (AFAIK). He tweeted only today about 'our engineer' (Craig) being in hospital and his profile describes himself as 'Team Manager @MB_Motorsport' (although he tagged the wrong MB account ).

MB Motorsport has run a 2-car team successfully before in 2020 with Hollamby and Blundell at the helm - I'm sure they could do the same again.

[Mike Harte]

Would that mean an influx of 'Meeting with Shaun' tweets clogging up the airwaves?

[AmD Tuning]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I'm not sure of the specifics - but I thought Pete Osborne's involvement at Motorbase meant that Sam was always likely to be part of the deal.

In respect to them getting a new set of engineering - Shaun Hollamby is still involved with the MB Motorsport team (AFAIK). He tweeted only today about 'our engineer' (Craig) being in hospital and his profile describes himself as 'Team Manager @MB_Motorsport' (although he tagged the wrong MB account ).

MB Motorsport has run a 2-car team successfully before in 2020 with Hollamby and Blundell at the helm - I'm sure they could do the same again.

Thank you for the prompt ref the wrong MB account!!

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by redshoes

HARD? no comment

Ye of little faith! I'm sure the Hills would love working with HARD again!

[Ant25]

It’s going to be very interesting I think

[S griffin]

I had a feeling Shaun was still involved. MB Motorsport are really just a rebrand of AMD.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I had a feeling Shaun was still involved. MB Motorsport are really just a rebrand of AMD.

AMD is/was a team. The MB car is not run by AMD any more than MB.

Nonetheless I wouldn't be surprised to see MB want to add a second entry for 2023, most probably for Jewiss, unless he wants to go Supercup.

[touringlegend]

Wouldnt be surprised to see Plato stay.. hes said hes having second thoughts.

[Millvi]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Wouldnt be surprised to see Plato stay.. hes said hes having second thoughts.

I agree. He knows how good that Civic can be with the right powerplant. Hints of BTC Racing's engine plans in Steve Dudman's audio interview that came through on my Spotify the other day.