[BTCC] 2009 Rumours & 'Stories'

[crmalcolm]

Andy, a question regarding your excellent spotters guides.

Are you able to incorporate holographic elements in any way such as the TD flames? I'm not sure if it's possible, but maybe some electronic wizardry might allow a 'sparkling' colour.

Although - I'm wondering what that also says about looking forward to seeing if Pinkney's car has 'sparkling pink flames'!

[andy_b]

Cant do holographic elements as such, unless you want to pay for them, but it can have a chrome/gradient effect.

[Aunt Sally]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Aunt Sally, is your potential surprise still on the cards or is it not going to happen?

Still expected! Two names to be added nowhere to be seen on the list, Plus one driver listed that may not be around...

Lets wait and see..

[crmalcolm]

Here's hoping for three good bits of news tomorrow, both the two new names added and the listed driver staying.

My preference would be for the two names to be Thompson (possibly at Tempus) and Coronel (possibly at AON).
My guess as to who won't be there from the list is Kane (replaced by Adam already).
Doyle has stated today that he's planning for tomorrow so fingers crossed there.

[JMeissner]

Some news have slipped through already:

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=3246

[Alfa Fan]

Thats absolutely fantastic news. Great to see Alan back

[awrb]

Hope thats true. Alan was always such a quick driver, and a good team player with Neal iirc. Hope he's back in the series, could get some really good results.

[crmalcolm]

Scrub Coronel from my earlier prediction then!

[Alfa Fan]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Scrub Coronel from my earlier prediction then!

Given he's racing in the WTCC already, wasn't exactly likely in the first place.

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Fantastic news if Alan returns!

[touringlegend]

Originally Posted by awrb

Hope thats true. Alan was always such a quick driver, and a good team player with Neal iirc. Hope he's back in the series, could get some really good results.

Agreed. Unfulfilled talent if you ask me - actually quite liked the guy as a person too, came across well in interviews etc.

Let's see who the top AON driver is at the end of 2009.

[Alfa Fan]

I wonder if "budget issues" will sideline Alan mid-season when he's kicking Tom's arse?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Alfa Fan

Given he's racing in the WTCC already, wasn't exactly likely in the first place.

Who said I meant Tom?

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by Alfa Fan

I wonder if "budget issues" will sideline Alan mid-season when he's kicking Tom's arse?

From what I hear, budget issues have already sidelined him, and the touringcartimes article may have been a bit premature.

[snowen250]

Holy S**t Alan Morrison? That would be amazing if it is true, no1 saw that coming! Along with Eoin Murray one of the greatest unfulfilled talent in the BTCC.
As for Doyle, has Taylors integra been bought? Or maybe the 2nd MG?
Simon

[Icebaby]

Morrison was always a good team player but he has been out of it for so long now that it would concern me bringing him back...however money talks in this game and anything goes. I do recall he has never returned as he always stated he had no money to put into a drive so had to be paid or free.

Eion Murray, I would agree was the greatest talent in a BTCC as unforfilled potential and hope he does return.

Thompson in the Chevy would fit very well, if motorbase can pull in airwaves as a sponser it appears the BTCC does have wider potential especially as ITV have lost F1 so should spend more time on this year.

I wonder if any team will pick up the Hoilday Inn deal from the ex Seat works team?

[cos]

Here we are then:

Official entry list: 2009 HiQ MSA British Touring car Championship

No. Driver (NAT), Team/Car, Spec
1. Fabrizio Giovanardi (ITA), VX Racing/Vauxhall Vectra, S2000 *
4. Colin Turkington (GBR), Team RAC/BMW 320si E90, S2000
5. Matt Neal (GBR), VX Racing/Vauxhall Vectra, S2000 *
9. Adam Jones (GBR), Cartridge World Carbon Zero Racing/SEAT Leon S2000
10. Tom Chilton (GBR), Team Aon/Ford Focus ST, S2000 *
11. Robert Collard (GBR), Airwaves BMW/BMW 320si E90, S2000
12 Jonathan Adam (GBR), Airwaves BMW/BMW 320si E90, S2000
15. Martyn Bell (GBR), Sunshine.co.uk with Tech-Speed Motorsport/Honda Integra, BTC
17. Harry Vaulkhard (GBR), Tempus Sport/Chevrolet Lacetti, S2000
18. TBC, Tempus Sport/Chevrolet Lacetti, S2000
20. TBC, Team Aon/Ford Focus ST, S2000 *
27. Liam McMillan (GBR), Maxtreme/SEAT Toledo, S2000
28. Jason Hughes (GBR), KWR Sport/MG ZS, BTC
29. Paul O’Neill (GBR), Sunshine.co.uk with Tech-Speed
Motorsport/Honda Integra, BTC
44. Stephen Jelley (GBR), Team RAC/BMW 320si E90, S2000
50. John George (GBR), TH Motorsport Racing with JAG/Honda Integra, BTC
52. Gordon Shedden (GBR), Team Dynamics/Honda Civic, S2000 *
55. Dave Pinkney (GBR), Team Dynamics/Honda Civic, S2000 *
63. Martin Johnson (GBR), Boulevard Team Racing/Vauxhall Astra Coupe, BTC
77. Andrew Jordan (GBR), VX Racing/Vauxhall Vectra, S2000 *
85. Dan Eaves (GBR), Cartridge World Carbon Zero Racing/SEAT Leon, S2000

Key
* Eligible for Manufacturers’/Constructors’ Championship
S2000 = Super 2000 (2004-present)
BTC = British Touring Car (2001-06)

[crmalcolm]

From what I can see, the only real surprise is Martin Johnson. Is this one of your surprises Aunt Sally?

Tempus and AON still to fill their second cars I see. KWR didn't submit a second entry as planned?

[mickeyc]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

From what I can see, the only real surprise is Martin Johnson. Is this one of your surprises Aunt Sally?

Tempus and AON still to fill their second cars I see. KWR didn't submit a second entry as planned?

Certainly Martin is the one surprise of those included in the list, but how many major players are not entered?

Mat Jackson
Tom OC
Jason Plato
James Thompson
Steven Kane

Twenty One cars is more than I thought we would have, but the quality of the talent on the sidelines this year as things stand is quite amazing.

[stedevil]

Originally Posted by mickeyc

... but the quality of the talent on the sidelines this year as things stand is quite amazing.

Indeed, those 5 are all potential top 5 drivers, if not outright championship contenders. Makes for a very weak top end of the grid in 2009 BTCC. But at least you will have a championship, DTC eg sadly looks close to a complete collapse.

[crmalcolm]

From the missing drivers, Jackson is probably the most surprising, IMO, as they already have a proven car ready to run.
The other missing drivers are dependant on empty seats.

[dan290888]

http://www.rockingham.co.uk/interactive/rockingcam.asp

Webcam at rockingham

Which now doesnt seem to be working for me???

[kristof14]

Mat Jackson not having a drive is a real shame, it's a bit of a sorry state when the runner up from last year is unable to find a drive!

[Icebaby]

Originally Posted by stedevil

Indeed, those 5 are all potential top 5 drivers, if not outright championship contenders. Makes for a very weak top end of the grid in 2009 BTCC. .

Very true statment, average age about 40years old, this is becoming more of a veterans club for the rich than trying to push and promote young driver talent, a great shame.

If an entry is not submitted can a team add one at media day or later in the series?

[c8nay]

Interesting that the Fords and the Hondas are 'Eligible for Manufacturers’/Constructors’ Championship' along with the Vauxhalls.