RML/CHEVY 2010

[Spanner monkey]

Heard today that Alan Menu may be joining the team & that talks had been held with Fabrizo Giovanardi(already a GM driver)

[touringlegend]

Assume you mean stay with the team in WTCC?

Autosport say Yvan Muller is in with a shout too as there is uncertainty over SEAT next year.

[redshoes]

Is this BTCC, WTCC or a combination of both?

Menu is already with Chevrolet so not sure what you mean when you say he "may be joining the team". Do you mean he might be in the third RML car at Brands?

The Chevrolet/Giovanardi story was in Autosport a few weeks ago. Both sides have openly admitted that there have been preliminary talks, although nothing more than that. When the story was reported it was suggested that Gio may be a replacement for Menu.

[werner]

If Chevy is able to sign Muller or Giovanardi for next year, they will even more become a titlecandidate. Will this mean the end at Chevy for Larini?

[medius]

I think with a big name signing like Yvan or Fab, Chevrolet would be inclined to field more than three cars.

[Icebaby]

Im not so sure on more than three cars for Chevy but this may depend on Seat/ BMW/Lada particiaption, I would think Larini is out and Menu on the edge, both being inconsistant, Giovanardi in with Muller a possible but don't rule out Plato or Jackson or Thompson if he has not signed for 2010.

[duke_toaster]

Would Plato want to do WTCC though? Sounds like a lot of travelling when he does TV work, has a family et al et al. Thommo I could see in the WTCC, but I think Mat Jackson is probably somewhat under the radar there. Then again if the WTCC talent scouts were looking hard at the BTCC I feel sure Colin Turkington would be in a factory BMW.

[Icebaby]

I don't doubt Turkington will be in a BMW program next year either BTCC or WTCC, Plato will go where the money is.

[nickyf1]

To be honest I think that the BTCC is overlooked by the WTCC, however with the top 5 qualifying times at Brands this weekend being faster than Menu's qualifying time at the WTCC event, you never know.

But the general feeling is that BTCC drivers are in the BTCC because thats where they want to be, Plato has always said he wants to continue racing in the BTCC, Turkington will want to retain his title, and Jackson is still hungry for title success. Plus the WTCC seems a bit puny in comparison to the frantic BTCC races.

[Alfa Fan]

Plato doesn't want to do WTCC. He's said on numerous occasions that he wouldn't be able to fit the travelling in with his TV work.

[brucelok2003]

What about an one-off race in Brands Hatch? Can he make it?

[medius]

Originally Posted by Alfa Fan

Plato doesn't want to do WTCC. He's said on numerous occasions that he wouldn't be able to fit the travelling in with his TV work.

And that his personal sponsors require him to compete in the UK.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by medius

And that his personal sponsors require him to compete in the UK.

Who are his personal sponsors?

I have noticed the Sun, who would be happy to support a WTCC driver I would suggest?

[touringlegend]

I'd imagine Silverline, Match the Deal, Tesco 99 Octane are Platos personal sponsors. None of them will get major UK coverage in the WTCC.

[duke_toaster]

Unless they were to somehow wangle WTCC off Eurosport and on to ITV4 or something (then again perhaps the contract with the BTCC stops them airing WTCC live?).

[touringlegend]

And stump up more money! How much more does the WTCC cost to compete in with the extra travelling & accomodation expenses?

[Ed Peters]

I only hope that if RML return to the BTCC next year they use a legal engine and give the teams that play by the rules a chance!

[duke_toaster]

Ed, practically all the cars have some sort of technical waiver (before we start getting on to the old rules cars!) - at least initially weren't the 888 Vectras running the BTC-T gearbox? Or have I had a massive brainfart, there certainly was something about their gearboxes though.

[touringlegend]

Originally Posted by Ed Peters

I only hope that if RML return to the BTCC next year they use a legal engine and give the teams that play by the rules a chance!

Mountune have done a stonking job on that Focus engine then!

[nickyf1]

I'd much rather have the BTCC live rather than the WTCC anyday.

[Ed Peters]

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

Ed, practically all the cars have some sort of technical waiver (before we start getting on to the old rules cars!) - at least initially weren't the 888 Vectras running the BTC-T gearbox? Or have I had a massive brainfart, there certainly was something about their gearboxes though.

All due respect, I don't think the advantage 888 gained by using the old gearbox is on the same lines as the work that has been done on the chevrolets engine that has made it the fastest car in a straight line. From, lets face it, an engine that is twenty years old.

[Icebaby]

Can someone shed any light on Bob Kettlebourgh the clark of the course, who actually employs him and does he attend all the races in the year?

[mattt]

Bob Kettleborough is there at all meetings

I would suspect he is appointed to the meeting by BARC maybe with some influence by toca but im not sure on that.

[werner]

Don't the Vuxhalls and the Lacetti's more or less have the same engine?

[Ed Peters]

Originally Posted by werner

Don't the Vuxhalls and the Lacetti's more or less have the same engine?

NO..