[BTCC] BTCC 2020 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[BtccLee]

Originally Posted by medius

I spent my morning unfollowinng dead accounts on my Twitter and spotted a faded dim and distant rumour. Does anybody else remember Team CLR (whoever they were) announcing plans to enter a Seat Exeo to NGTC spec?

For 2014 if I remember correctly. Can’t remember if it was just a rumour or there was any kind of press/reputable attention towards it.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by medius

I spent my morning unfollowinng dead accounts on my Twitter and spotted a faded dim and distant rumour. Does anybody else remember Team CLR (whoever they were) announcing plans to enter a Seat Exeo to NGTC spec?

Bit of a strange choice, essentially the Exeo was a rebadged Audi A4, which was already racing in NGTC spec!

[crmalcolm]

https://tentenths.com/forum/showthre...134470&page=76

Lots of discussion at the time about whether the entry was realistic, and FWD/RWD transverse/longitudinal debate.

IIRC, the car doesn't even register as a failed project on the register?

Looking back now, seems like a pie in the sky entry. I had to check twice to see if it was connected to the Shedden/Cartridge World entry, but doesn't seem so.

[crmalcolm]

Interesting concept, or scary thought?

Many thought that Neate would never be back. Would DB consider it?

[Greem]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Attachment 59606

Interesting concept, or scary thought?

Many thought that Neate would never be back. Would DB consider it?

Oh good lord no. The BTCC has an undercurrent of courting controversy (not the series itself, but the teams/drivers/fans) but if Mr Storey gets involved then we genuinely ain't seen nothin' yet.

I really hope that's just a joke.

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by medius

I spent my morning unfollowinng dead accounts on my Twitter and spotted a faded dim and distant rumour. Does anybody else remember Team CLR (whoever they were) announcing plans to enter a Seat Exeo to NGTC spec?

Welch Motorsport actually did plan to enter one before they went for the Proton.

[S griffin]

I also hope that Rich Energy Focus is just Satire. We’ve had enough prickly characters in the sport without Mr Storey getting involved

[Pdh]

Why are people talking and taking it seriously about a photo that someone has done for a livery competition, some people’s reaction on motorbases Instagram page is mind boggling

[Pdh]

RIP to a true legend of this sport Sir Stirling Moss

[RS67]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I also hope that Rich Energy Focus is just Satire. We’ve had enough prickly characters in the sport without Mr Storey getting involved

Storey has left the company anyway.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by RS67

Storey has left the company anyway.

IIRC, he left and then returned a short time later.

He's now calling out Plato!
https://twitter.com/richenergyceo/status/1249023925071331328?s=19

[medius]

Who remembers the AMD plan to replace the Golf with an Astra?

https://www.racecar-engineering.com/...ia-enter-btcc/

[S griffin]

I also remember there being talk about HARD running a Volvo

[Pdh]

What about last year when a certain driver went on Facebook live with Paul O’neil and tells the world there would be jaguars on the grid in 2020

[RS67]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

IIRC, he left and then returned a short time later.

He's now calling out Plato!
https://twitter.com/richenergyceo/status/1249023925071331328?s=19

He left in 2019 and according to a story from ESPN last month, he still isn't part of the company.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by RS67

He left in 2019 and according to a story from ESPN last month, he still isn't part of the company.

If it's this one:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/27221746/the-bizarre-haas-rich-energy-saga-explained%3fplatform=amp
it includes a note at the start that it was written in July 19, and updated to reflect the split with Haas.

Just a few weeks later:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/formulaspy.com/f1/william-storey-resumes-control-of-rich-energy-63939/amp

But then again, who knows what is really going on in the world of Rich Energy / Storey?

[mark_l]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

If it's this one:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.esp...3fplatform=amp
it includes a note at the start that it was written in July 19, and updated to reflect the split with Haas.

Just a few weeks later:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/formula...ergy-63939/amp

But then again, who knows what is really going on in the world of Rich Energy / Storey?

You mean Lightning Volt Ltd https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/09791667

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by mark_l

You mean Lightning Volt Ltd https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/09791667

Following name change - yes.

Storey an active director since late August.
Trade under the Rich Energy name.

[Peter Mallett]

Rich Energy is infiltrating many forms of motorsport, just like Corona virus but not as funny.

[crmalcolm]

I know the original image was a concept.
But - Storey has now started to expand, and his interest seems piqued.

Given the potential for budgets to be hit hard during the current crisis, how confident are we that every team boss wouldn't be tempted by an approach from Rich Energy?

[mark_l]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I know the original image was a concept.
But - Storey has now started to expand, and his interest seems piqued.

Given the potential for budgets to be hit hard during the current crisis, how confident are we that every team boss wouldn't be tempted by an approach from Rich Energy?

Does AG have a say in team sponsors, if they potentially bring the sport in to disrepute or clash with existing series sponsors?

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by mark_l

Does AG have a say in team sponsors, if they potentially bring the sport in to disrepute or clash with existing series sponsors?

There are strict rules on what sponsors can be on a car, which are published in the regulations.

Other than that Gow has no say.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by mark_l

Does AG have a say in team sponsors, if they potentially bring the sport in to disrepute or clash with existing series sponsors?

I'm not sure. But we've got plenty of examples of sponsor 'clashes'.
Team Dynamics even clashed with the series sponsor last season, hence the different number plates to the rest of the grid.

There's also a bit of a leap from potential to actually bringing it into disrepute.
I know behind the scenes discussions would probably be held - but at the moment I think it would be tricky to justify blocking Rich Energy from sponsoring a team. Have their actions been any worse than the last Infiniti entry, other than being on a more public scale?

[Craig]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Given the potential for budgets to be hit hard during the current crisis, how confident are we that every team boss wouldn't be tempted by an approach from Rich Energy?

I think we could consider ourselves relatively confident! Unless they were paying cash in advance in a briefcase

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Craig

I think we could consider ourselves relatively confident! Unless they were paying cash in advance in a briefcase

I'm just wondering - how much convincing did OMG need?