STCC 2008 Off-season: News & Rumours - Page 2

Alex K · 25 Oct 2007, 23:22 (Ref:2051583)

Johan, can KMS build new homologated A4's on their own? Have they got capacity to build them, I know you will not stick the 'FACTORY' badge to them, but if Audi Sport is not willing to build them, can they do it? I really cannot see another Manufacturer interested in signing in for STCC?!

JMeissner · 26 Oct 2007, 06:22 (Ref:2051697)

They do not have the money or manpower to build a winner of the new A4. They are totally dependent on Audi Sport to do that as far as I know.

Bramzel · 26 Oct 2007, 11:32 (Ref:2051914)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMeissner

Problems for Audi getting the new A4 in S2000 spec' due to the DTM A4?

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=1565

I guess they could start using the old chassis next season, and swap to the new model once its ready?

Björk at Chevrolet would be awesome by the way, would be a title contender again I guess (if they can stop the car falling apart all the time).

Ola · 28 Oct 2007, 14:25 (Ref:2053283)

I really wonder what KMS and Audi will do in STCC next year. Continuing with the current A4 doesn't seem so appealing neither from a sporting or marketing perspective does it?

Audi Sport will build and launch a completely new DTM-racer, will there be enough resources and focus to build two or three new S2000 cars only to be racing in STCC at the same time?

Chevrolet and SEAT are two alternatives for a team like KMS - cars ready to be leased/bought and raced. But they are expensive.

The two BMW-teams and Volvo look set and in great shape for next season, but the future is once again filled with question marks for the fourth top-team and one of the most successful STCc-teams and makes.

Ellmau · 28 Oct 2007, 15:27 (Ref:2053338)

BMW no option for KMS?

PorscheFanNo1 · 28 Oct 2007, 17:16 (Ref:2053422)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellmau

BMW no option for KMS?

SEAT would be a way better alternative, theres already 2 top teams with BMW, and maybe a 3rd coming (Eje Elgh) and the SEAT is just as fast if not faster, and it would keep them in the VAG family and still be very close to Audi in Germany that they have worked with for 10 years and have very good relations with, you dont want to throw that away.

Jimmy Magnusson · 28 Oct 2007, 23:21 (Ref:2053679)

KMS has been running the factory Audis in STCC since 1998 yes, but the Kristoffersson/Audi relationship goes back to the rallycross days of the late 80's...

Ola · 29 Oct 2007, 11:27 (Ref:2053946)

No, I don't think BMW is an alternative. There are already two strong BMW-teams in STCC with support from BMW in various degrees. KMS would be third in line and with limited experience of the cars.

WCR is the BMW Dealer TEam that has run BMW

for a long time in STCC, and Flash Engineering has really come to grips with BMW and is a very strong BMW-team. I don't see it as a good thing either for KMS or STCC to have KMS run BMW

too.

If they don't continue with Audis - and I suspect a new car is badly needed for next season - SEAT or Chevrolets would be better options, although probably expensive.

I think this is the big thing that it will be interesting to see how it's settled during the winter.

Jimmy Magnusson · 29 Oct 2007, 12:05 (Ref:2053979)

Let us not forget that Björk could have won two races this year but retired only laps from the finish (rounds 2 and 10). With those additional 20 points he could quite possibly have been champion.
A new car would be needed to fight for the title, yes, but they could always keep the current one and prepare for 2009 (just like 2005 was a middle year with an old car). No reason to spend all that money getting new cars and at the same time destroy a 20-year relationship with Audi..

Alex K · 29 Oct 2007, 19:41 (Ref:2054310)

What is the SEAT's Swedish market sharing in %? How many dealership they've got in Sweden? If their stake in the market is higher than Audi's, Audi could decide to use SEAT's, well not Audi but The Group.

PorscheFanNo1 · 29 Oct 2007, 20:21 (Ref:2054337)

SEAT is basicly non-existing, Audi on the other hand is big, very big.

Alex K · 29 Oct 2007, 21:48 (Ref:2054416)

So that is the answer, no SEAT for STCC. I just read that Sterusseons will probably buy a new racer for Johan. Good for boy, another championship contender?

Bramzel · 29 Oct 2007, 23:16 (Ref:2054467)

Quote:

Originally Posted by PorscheFanNo1

SEAT is basicly non-existing, Audi on the other hand is big, very big.

Could be a good motivation though, to enter the championship.

Alex K · 30 Oct 2007, 09:03 (Ref:2054649)

With dealership chain practicely non existing? Very much doubt so.

PorscheFanNo1 · 30 Oct 2007, 13:20 (Ref:2054908)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex K

With dealership chain practicely non existing? Very much doubt so.

Well SEAT dealership is same as Audi, all VAG dealerships is the same basicly (exept Porsche and Lamborghini maybe). But going down the road in Sweden you rarely see a SEAT, but an Audi is every 5th car (the ones that are not Volvos basicly

)

Captain VXR · 2 Nov 2007, 19:27 (Ref:2058134)

Could see a Vectra or Leon in the STCC next year

PDS · 2 Nov 2007, 19:48 (Ref:2058142)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain VXR

Could see a Vectra or Leon in the STCC next year

I would expect them to brand it as an Opel Vectra if it goes!
Whatever he chooses, I'm sure it will make a welcome addition to the championship!

Jimmy Magnusson · 2 Nov 2007, 21:58 (Ref:2058228)

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDS

I would expect them to brand it as an Opel Vectra if it goes!
Whatever he chooses, I'm sure it will make a welcome addition to the championship!

That would depend on if he would get any Opel support, I'd wager. Picko Troberg brought over a pair of Vauxhalls in 2001 to race independently and kept them with Vauxhall badging - possibly because it made them stand out more and attracted sponsors more easily? But then Fird has been running OTS stickers on his Astra Coupe this year, so I suppose he gets something from Opel.

PorscheFanNo1 · 2 Nov 2007, 22:07 (Ref:2058241)

The SEAT would then possibly be Nyskjaer's from DTC that is up for sale for 900.000 Dkr. (stcc.se)

Captain VXR · 3 Nov 2007, 10:03 (Ref:2058498)

Or a SSUK one as he visited SEAT UK and VXRacing @ Thruxton

PorscheFanNo1 · 5 Nov 2007, 16:14 (Ref:2060376)

STCC.se is reporting that Engström might run a 2 car team next year with the Honda Accords. Good news!

PorscheFanNo1 · 8 Nov 2007, 17:22 (Ref:2063171)

STCC.se reports Flash engineering has sold one of their E90s to a Finnish team to be run in the Finnish S2000 serie. The other car is also for sale. So are they planing on getting 2 new 08 spec cars? Hope it wont be the same as in 06, when they got the cars from Germany only a few days before the season opener and hadnt even tested the cars before heading off to the track.

JMeissner · 8 Nov 2007, 17:34 (Ref:2063180)

Info in English: http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=1607

Alex K · 9 Nov 2007, 10:31 (Ref:2063639)

TTC reporting also that Thed Bjoerk is heading in Polestar Racing direction. Didn't say if it's because of budget difficulties, insufficient cars or anything else in Kristoffersson Motorsport.

JMeissner · 9 Nov 2007, 10:36 (Ref:2063641)

Volvo and Thed Björk comments the rumors:

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=1608

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