2003/2004 Team Rumours............

adamp_uk · 10 Sep 2002, 14:28 (Ref:377439)

okay we've got a suggestion that MG will go euro (boooo!)
and a suggestion of a focus diesel in 2004 (hooray!)

but there has been suggestions from others that maybe renault would return aswell as alfa romeo with the 156.

are there any more manufacturers aiming to make a stake?

personally i would like to see skoda (intresting) then it'd give them more of a budget to play with and give them a big chance of scoring success.

oh, and what happened to the ABG Lexus IS200?

oh - feel free to type in any rumours - even tiny ones so that everyone can compare ideas

adamp_uk · 10 Sep 2002, 14:31 (Ref:377443)

okay - still no more rumours from me - maybe you can help!

adamp_uk · 10 Sep 2002, 14:33 (Ref:377448)

i forgot to say there may be up to 6 MG's in 2003 on the grid - minted

Eddie_harasym · 10 Sep 2002, 14:41 (Ref:377451)

I would think 6 MG in 03 is a cert. the cars are very competitive and therefore atractive buys for indies.

Alfa Fan · 10 Sep 2002, 15:25 (Ref:377473)

Alfa Romeo will return as factory team.

racing4real · 10 Sep 2002, 16:01 (Ref:377482)

Quote:

Originally posted by Alfa Fan
Alfa Romeo will return as factory team.

FACT or RUMOUR????

Alfa Fan · 10 Sep 2002, 17:30 (Ref:377522)

Very likely although not yet confirmed.

BootsOntheSide · 10 Sep 2002, 18:17 (Ref:377545)

Yeah we've had the Alfa thing under some discussion, talks have supposedly happened with GA who run the Production cars.

I guess the 6 MGs would be 2 new works ones, this year's works ones with TAK or a similar satellite team, and TAK's current 2 (the 2001 Lola-built ones) with a fully privateer squad. Sounds reasonable.

Renault entering is a new rumour to me.

I don't think there's any point in running the Lexus cars, they just aren't competitive and it would take works involvement to make them so.

TheLeader · 10 Sep 2002, 18:31 (Ref:377555)

Definatley 6 MG's
Possible Alfa's, although not works
another 2 Honda's
Peugeot's to a production team, 2 options
No BMW's in touring
Driver market far to early to call at the moment, all depends on who is holding the folding, same old story!!

kmchow · 10 Sep 2002, 21:23 (Ref:377650)

The MGs maybe competitive, but are they affordable?? I thought independents are complaining the cars are still too expensive?

bestetti26 · 11 Sep 2002, 10:07 (Ref:377825)

which model of Renault will race: new Laguna? Megane?

I've read (in one of these topics), about 2 Primeras: what's up?

redshoes · 11 Sep 2002, 11:15 (Ref:377881)

The Renault 'rumour' is made up, there is no rumour

Eddie_harasym · 11 Sep 2002, 15:15 (Ref:378040)

DL has said that Proton are going to be building new cars so, I think we could expect another sat team.

Eddie_harasym · 11 Sep 2002, 15:18 (Ref:378043)

I personally can see 27 competitive cars that could easily be there next year. Excluding any new manufacturers.

BootsOntheSide · 11 Sep 2002, 16:16 (Ref:378073)

"The Renault 'rumour' is made up, there is no rumour"

Sounds like another case of "it has been rumoured that it has been rumoured that"....

RickP:Clio51 · 12 Sep 2002, 10:53 (Ref:378635)

Quite concerned that BTC is losing it's way and it's kudos. Without Yvan you have no major overseas stars. As good as Leslie and Reid are, they are a tad over the hill and neither likely to stimulate a major fan influx.
All the time total nobodies like Chilton can buy a top level drive, the series is unlikely to have much credibility with the racing fraternity.
Crowds are not getting much larger, Knockhill already is under threat because economically not viable.
I think BTC is in danger of being overshadowed by the ETCC (which have less power than our Clios that support them!)
Yes the racing has been getting better, but if the works MG team go, Proton have got a long way to go to beat Vauxhall in a fair fight. Honda could easily follow MG to reinforce their dismal European effort this year...
Without quality overseas drivers wanting to be in the series it is in danger of being mistaken for a club series and you have to wonder if Vauxhall will keep shelling out big money to beat themselves each week?
Bit of a contrarian view but there you go...
RickP

Maisie · 12 Sep 2002, 11:18 (Ref:378656)

Call a spade a spade, don't you, Rick?

Sim_Da_BTCC_Man · 12 Sep 2002, 15:39 (Ref:378873)

Vauxhall to back out or use the new vectra - middle class rummor (not certain but can be backed up by hard fact)

**touringlegend** · 12 Sep 2002, 16:15 (Ref:378898)

Well, two Vauxhall Astras up for sale in Autosport this week, either Vauxhall realise they need to build new Astras, or it's hello to a Vectra. I certainly don't think they'd go. Wonder if one of the production teams will buy them, or a new entrant to the series??

Also, saw Olle Odsell (Volvo Motorsport boss) dismiss rumours that Volvo were returning to the BTCC.

I think if I shared Rick's view I'd have committed suicide, I don't think it's that bad really! Maybe we'll have a championship full of independants, but can that really be a bad thing (look at this years Independant class) Oh no, remembered some smarty will point out last year's storming success with JSM and TMSR...

Sim_Da_BTCC_Man · 12 Sep 2002, 18:25 (Ref:378963)

The Vectra would be the best route now I think. But the other thing is EGG now those are up for sale. Will they have astras and works have vectras? its all a bit confusing.

runnyhunny · 12 Sep 2002, 19:35 (Ref:379010)

What exactly makes the Vectra an oh-so-wonderful BTC Touring car? It's big and ugly!

If two Astras are up for sale, how do you know they are the Egg cars? Even if they are, who is to say that Egg won't get two fresh ones for 2003?

Sim_Da_BTCC_Man · 12 Sep 2002, 20:04 (Ref:379035)

Very true but we were told the vectra would return.

**Stephen Green** · 13 Sep 2002, 08:02 (Ref:379326)

I agree with Rick. There comes a time when the cost for Vauxhall outweighs the benefits. Astra sales must have made a huge jump due to the BTCC success but, like Renault before them, you either have to call it a day or change the model you race. Of course we tend to forget that it's all about selling cars and if they have a new Vectra coming out, you can bet it will be raced as it will have to compete for the company car market along with the Mondeo, Nissan and MG.

If you have serious aspirations to move into the corporate car market in Europe, then the ETCC makes good business sense!

Eddie_harasym · 13 Sep 2002, 10:21 (Ref:379421)

1. Where did Vauxhall say they would race the Vectra?
2. If BTCC was indies only, thats not a bad thing.
3. ETCC makes sense for manufactures at this time, I wouldn't be suprised if Opel moved that way.

adamp_uk · 13 Sep 2002, 11:05 (Ref:379461)

yes but euro is pretty rubbish! - the clio cup has more powerful, faster cars!
Alfa and BMW would still dominate so if MG went euro then they wouldnt stand a chance - they should consider staying in the BTCC because in the standings, Anthony Reid is 4th behind matt neal by only a few points so, by next season, they can have a competitive car from the start of the season unlike this year (2002).

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