Team AK merchandise removed from MG X-Power Site

Phoenix1 · 27 Feb 2003, 12:17 (Ref:519223)

As it says above. Who can tell if it means anything or maybe they just ran out of items to sell. Anyone happen to know?

Andy H · 27 Feb 2003, 14:18 (Ref:519298)

as you say who knows

perhaps they are about to put in new 2003 AK merchandise

(and before anyone starts a rumour that's an unfounded remark!)

**Craig** · 27 Feb 2003, 18:00 (Ref:519482)

No sign of anyone wearing any TAK clothing at Thruxton today. When I asked one of the engineers if he could tell me where the four old cars were going to end up he shrugged his shoulders and said to wait for the announcement...

Andy Metcalf · 28 Feb 2003, 08:09 (Ref:520176)

Get ready for 'Team Blazin Squad'.

Only kidding!

TheLeader · 28 Feb 2003, 09:12 (Ref:520205)

No AK this year my friends. The cars are available to anyone who can afford to buy and run them

Phoenix1 · 28 Feb 2003, 09:49 (Ref:520240)

Where that info from TheLeader? That for definate?

Super Tourer · 28 Feb 2003, 10:24 (Ref:520270)

Quote:

Originally posted by TheLeader
No AK this year my friends. The cars are available to anyone who can afford to buy and run them

Sadly, that'll be no one then.....

speedchick · 1 Mar 2003, 09:32 (Ref:521216)

Maybe if we all chip in...

KPC · 1 Mar 2003, 09:51 (Ref:521221)

Did AK sponsor a team for the love of the sport or was it poorly placed PR/advertising? Are 14 year old girls (and boys) going to be glued to the TV at 2pm on a Saturday afternoon? Did AK record sales increase as a result of the 2003 sponsorship? Will we ever know or care? I for one never found the urge to rush out and buy AK merchandise. Call me old fashioned. Sponsor's come sponsor's go. I don't remember anyone crying when Listerine disappeared!! Tis the racing that's important, not how pretty the graphics are. As long as there are sponsors out there that help fill the grid, then I for one am a happy man. We rely on them and are therefore grateful, but sponsorship is a two way thing, sponsors are not charities. TAK RIP.

rdjones · 3 Mar 2003, 21:17 (Ref:523815)

A little of topic, but I have just seen some pictures from yesterdays British Rally Championship and on there are some pictures of the MG ZR, which Gwyndaf Evans, will drive in the championship, the car did not have any Hot Wheel sponsership on it, does this mean that the team will not be supported by them this year?

Sim_Da_BTCC_Man · 3 Mar 2003, 21:24 (Ref:523827)

well the MGs have been testing without a livery. Mind you the trucks are still painted with Hotwheels when you see them out and about. We'll have to wait till March Tenth.

Craner Curves · 3 Mar 2003, 21:39 (Ref:523851)

I think that car was actually a Group N machine which Tony Jardine drove on the Rallye Sunseeker, as the car had Sportinglife.com sponsorship on it.

maplex · 4 Mar 2003, 12:38 (Ref:524418)

I see however, that Team Atomic Kitten have launched their version of Vauxhall 888 Astra.

http://www.mg-rover.com/atomix/index_big.html

ss_collins · 4 Mar 2003, 13:26 (Ref:524463)

Well TAK driver gareth howell comes on here on occassion, maybe he knows, Ibeleive that his rather tasty older sister is a Kitten perhaps thats why. I'll ask next time I bump into him.

SJ Spode · 4 Mar 2003, 13:26 (Ref:524466)

Quote:

Originally posted by Craner Curves
I think that car was actually a Group N machine which Tony Jardine drove on the Rallye Sunseeker, as the car had Sportinglife.com sponsorship on it.

You're right it was the GrpN car as the S1600 car is unfinished. It seems MGs rally programme will not be at full works level as they'll be spending most of their £££s on the BTCC.

KPC · 5 Mar 2003, 08:02 (Ref:525333)

I can't open this sight for love nor money Paul. http://www.mg-rover.com/atomix/index_big.html Can you e-wave a pic to me?

In the meantime and without the benefit of knowing what the hell I'm talking about: if Gareth Howell is the brother of one of TAK, which I wouldn't know about (especially as there wasn't the fuss like that surrounding O'Neill), it would explain the otherwise non-sensical sponsorship I spoke of earlier in this thread. Howell doesn't appear to have been signed as yet so it follows that TAK are holding off. Howell did test drive for GA in an Astra, although nothing seems to have come of that for now!!?? Or is there a connection in there somewhere.....

Craner Curves · 5 Mar 2003, 15:42 (Ref:525759)

He's not related to any of the Kittens. They're all Northerners and he is from Kent, albeit Welsh born.

maplex · 5 Mar 2003, 16:23 (Ref:525784)

...but is it true that his Father invented indoor karting?

KA · 5 Mar 2003, 16:55 (Ref:525816)

Quote:

Originally posted by KPC

In the meantime and without the benefit of knowing what the hell I'm talking about: if Gareth Howell is the brother of one of TAK, which I wouldn't know about (especially as there wasn't the fuss like that surrounding O'Neill), it would explain the otherwise non-sensical sponsorship I spoke of earlier in this thread.

The history of the AK sponsorship goes back to the 2001 season, but in sportscars, rather than the BTCC- as I recall TAK was originally set up to run Chevy Corvettes in the short-lived (ie 1 race at Donington....) Interactive Sportscar Championship, set up to rival the British GT series. After the ISC fell apart, the team had a couple of further outings- one in British GTs and at least one in the European offshoot of the ALMS, although the full-spec GTS Corvettes planned never materialised- they ran interim cars to a much lower spec which were pretty uncompetitive. Drivers included team boss Roger Walters

Given that sportscars, much as I love them, are a branch of the sport that probably doesn't engage the 'casual' fan in the way that the BTCC does, it makes it an even more curious deal.....

KPC · 7 Mar 2003, 13:27 (Ref:527732)

Well, I've been told that Gareth Howell is a sibling of one of AK and that he isn't. There's freedom of speech for you. Since this thread started it has been announced that TAK will not return this year. End of subject then. TAK RIP. Think I'll go and find a more interesting thread.....

Phoenix1 · 7 Mar 2003, 17:13 (Ref:527926)

Just out of intreast where was this announchment made offically of the TAK demise or is it just rumours that have circulted so much people have begun to beilve them?

KPC · 7 Mar 2003, 17:28 (Ref:527938)

I heard it somewhere, but hey I'm just jumping on the bandwagon. Trust No One and take it all with a pinch of salt. However, what is a fact is the anouncement on GH's website (link from BTCCPAGES)that he is hopeful to return in an MG ZS dated 22/02/2003.

KPC · 7 Mar 2003, 17:43 (Ref:527953)

And he is also still a possibility for GA according to BTCCPages.

Phoenix1 · 7 Mar 2003, 23:44 (Ref:528283)

For sure KPC - just checking there was nothing offical cause I thought there was not yet. Well motorpsort is one of those things where everything can happen in the last minute! Like you said bandwagon I truely hope there are 4 MG cars at least out there if not for MG or the drivers then for the fact of the racing and the number of cars in it!

KPC · 8 Mar 2003, 06:59 (Ref:528578)

I'm not one to speculate or gossip in life so I find it a bit disturbing I've jumped on the bandwagon. Anyway, there has to be a few ZS's from last year floating around and with the amount of indy teams buying up ex-factory (and ex-indy) tourers, you never know, your wish may come true yet? We'll get a full grid, wherever the teams come from. I think bods are worrying unnecessarily about the lack of works teams. Indy teams may be the future and as we saw last year, they can mix it with the big boys. Howell seems to definitely be up to something. If he's back let's hope he shines... he was robbed of a few well deserved podiums last year.

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