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

[rdjones]

Wow I didn't see that one coming. It will be interesting to see if WSR replace him.

[medius]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I am shocked. Major disappointment to lose AJ like that. Wonder what he will do now?

He's just (this month) bought a Mini Miglia. Cheap racing (compared to BTCC). There were season clashes this year. I guess no clashes now sadly.

[DaviePHD]

sad to see AJ Go, perhaps Shedden to BMW?

[touringlegend]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

One down - how many more to follow?

It'll be interesting to see how the TBL situation is handled - if WSR can't get another driver in to replace AJ will they lose the TBL or will circumstances mean that there's leniency?

Alan Gows a savvy man. I’m sure there’ll be a plan for teams that find themselves in a situation. I’d be surprised if we still aren’t effected next year.

[Moneyseeker]

Prime, seat but late in the day - bound to be someone with the budget somewhere - Rob Collard back anyone?

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Looks like perhaps there was personal funding being put in to remain on the grid going by his statement.

Yes, contrary to all the romantic posters before talking about works BMW and Red Bull, which add up to about three-fifths if nothing.

I’d be surprise if this was the only dropout in the current environment.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

That is a shame but I suspect the losses his historic car company may be suffering has something to do with it. I hope he returns though.

What losses?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

What losses?

The creditors of their business, who will still want to be paid despite the business not being able to operate for much of 2020 so far.

Some of his other activities were touched upon in an article that was released around the time that Pirtek backing came to an end.

Those bills still need paying. He faced a shortfall in budget then, and despite the efforts to stay on the grid - sadly it seems that the shortfall has materialised.

[VXDave]

Cue Mat Jackson trying for the seat, then getting the boot from PMR! :P

[CarfanLUFC]

Would be a shame to see such a competitive car not be on the grid at all so hopefully someone else can step in.

Not really a surprise though, this pandemic was always going to have an effect on sponsorship and funding

[Matt K]

It's such a huge shame... didn't see that coming, after all this turmoil when it finally became clear AJ was staying and Team BMW would have three drivers but now this...
I'm so disappointed and feel bad for Andy. Unfortunately such situations may repeat before the season or even during it.

I bet WSR is looking for some deep-pocketed drivers although it may turn out Turkington is the only one who can really push this team forward. Oliphant is not this level and I can't see big names that could fill the void after AJ's withdrawal...

AJ's statement sounds that he's not even hoping for a quick return to BTCC.

[crmalcolm]

Just thinking out loud - but we know that hospitality is going to be severely restricted this season (for the first few rounds at least).

Jordan's livery for 2020 contained little obvious marketing support, so I'm left wondering if some of his backing was based on hospitality rather than publicity?

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Alan Gows a savvy man. I’m sure there’ll be a plan for teams that find themselves in a situation. I’d be surprised if we still aren’t effected next year.

Absolutely.

I think Gow has already said there will be some slack given to teams that have to miss rounds due to the new compressed schedule. I wouldn't be surprised if the entire TBL requirements were suspended for the year. 2020 so far is pretty much the definition of force majeure.

[RS67]

If WSR don't fill the seat, at least they have a spare chassis now should one car suffer heavy damage and can't be repaired in time for the next race meeting.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

Prime, seat but late in the day - bound to be someone with the budget somewhere - Rob Collard back anyone?

Probably unlikely unless he gives up his new GT3 Lamborghini!

Certainly not Andrew's biggest fan but it is a shame to lose a top driver and car combination. Surprised - thankfully - he's only the first though.

Don't think Dick Bennett's phone will stop ringing for a while!

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Alan Gows a savvy man. I’m sure there’ll be a plan for teams that find themselves in a situation. I’d be surprised if we still aren’t affected next year.

Absolutely, he also said recently (Auto Express podcast) that he expects 2021 to be lighter on entires too, but fingers crossed that the 2022 hybrid stuff will help restore things.

[S griffin]

It seems a massive shame after staying with the team having looked like he was on the way out. But the pandemic made his Pirtek sponsorship loss even more hard hitting

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Just thinking out loud - but we know that hospitality is going to be severely restricted this season (for the first few rounds at least).

Jordan's livery for 2020 contained little obvious marketing support, so I'm left wondering if some of his backing was based on hospitality rather than publicity?

Makes some sense to me too. Plus if he can't get enough of a wage from his sponsors to feed himself and his family, then I can definitely understand his reasons.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

The creditors of their business, who will still want to be paid despite the business not being able to operate for much of 2020 so far.

Some of his other activities were touched upon in an article that was released around the time that Pirtek backing came to an end.

Those bills still need paying. He faced a shortfall in budget then, and despite the efforts to stay on the grid - sadly it seems that the shortfall has materialised.

The joy of Historics is that it is real money not fly by night. I suspect they are just fine and debt need baseless speculation about their business....

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Probably unlikely unless he gives up his new GT3 Lamborghini!

Certainly not Andrew's biggest fan but it is a shame to lose a top driver and car combination. Surprised - thankfully - he's only the first though.

Don't think Dick Bennett's phone will stop ringing for a while!

It probably needs to be a business person who can write their own cheque, sponsors wil be a bit thin on the ground at the moment...

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by RS67

If WSR don't fill the seat, at least they have a spare chassis now should one car suffer heavy damage and can't be repaired in time for the next race meeting.

To go with the other spare chassis they have been building this year

[thetool]

Don't think that will be the last of the withdrawals before August. Wouldn't be right to name names but there's a number of entries who've already spent money they may not have now.

[RS67]

Originally Posted by redshoes

To go with the other spare chassis they have been building this year

Still got two drivers, could need two cars. Only needs a big shunt that takes out half the field, like has happened in the past.

[thetool]

No mention of the actual entry being withdrawn or the TBL being reclaimed by TOCA. Wonder if WSR will end up with another teams driver. A cut price 3-Series would be attractive to the majority of the grid.

[Daverb]

Seeing Shedden in that car against Turkington would be beyond EPIC