Jodie Kidd to join the BTCC?

rdjones · 20 Jul 2005, 18:27 (Ref:1359538)

It is reported in today's Motorsport News that Team Dynamics want to Super Model Jodie Kidd into the 3rd Honda Integra for a round of the BTCC later in the year. I think this would be great for the championship and certainly wouldn't do it any harm.

Jamie P-E · 20 Jul 2005, 19:27 (Ref:1359578)

yea yea

Alfa Fan · 20 Jul 2005, 20:03 (Ref:1359596)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie P-E

yea yea

What the hells that supposed to mean? If you are going to contribute - do so in a way that is comprehendable.

**touringlegend** · 20 Jul 2005, 20:17 (Ref:1359609)

A good publicity stunt, but I highly doubt her competitiveness.

Put someone worthwhile in that seat!

maximus · 20 Jul 2005, 21:33 (Ref:1359680)

Hmm judging by how that Maserati went backwards after she took over from Johnny Herbert after his superb drive at Silverstone, I doubt its a good idea.

**Woolley** · 20 Jul 2005, 22:14 (Ref:1359699)

Put her in front of the car, by all means, but let's have a racing driver in it.

Hazard · 20 Jul 2005, 22:31 (Ref:1359712)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woolley

Put her in front of the car, by all means, but let's have a racing driver in it.

A little harsh there!

Rob29 · 21 Jul 2005, 07:13 (Ref:1359881)

I think she has only done 4 motor races to date so perhaps not yet ready for BTCC? Anyone know how she qualified for the Maserati Trofeo when her only previous known sporting experience was on a horse?

racer69 · 21 Jul 2005, 11:48 (Ref:1360020)

If she's only done 4 races is there any way she could be eligible for a BTCC drive licence wise?

**Stephen Green** · 21 Jul 2005, 11:59 (Ref:1360032)

It depends on what grade licence you need to do BTCC. I thought it would have to be a National A licence, but stand to be corrected. Where's Mr Gow when you need him?

Mackmot · 21 Jul 2005, 12:12 (Ref:1360042)

I dont think its fair on her to let her out in a BTCC car, she will look stupid and no one will take her seriously. If she does really want to be a racing driver she needs to go with a good junior team who will actually help her and train her and if she listens and takes it in she will get good enough to race at that level.

Claire · 21 Jul 2005, 12:16 (Ref:1360045)

On the page opposite to that article Steve Neal is threatning to pull out of the BTCC in favour of the WTCC if driving standards don't improve. It's all PR and I don't expect either will happen.

BootsOntheSide · 21 Jul 2005, 12:17 (Ref:1360047)

Jodie Kidd running last would get the team and the championship more publicity than Gareth Howell running 1st in the same car, so you can udnerstand why they're considering it.

**Woolley** · 21 Jul 2005, 12:58 (Ref:1360085)

It's a sad state, though. here we are with not enough cars for what is supposed to be one of Britain's premier series, and they're talking about adding another car with probably an uncompetitive driver, when all the time there are quality experienced drivers without a seat. And then they tell us it's 'good for the series'. It's not. It's a travesty. BTCC came to the fore because of lots of cometitve drivers and it needs a return to that, not a publicity stunt.

Hip Priest · 21 Jul 2005, 21:36 (Ref:1360461)

I have nothing against Miss Kidd, but i feel that putting her in a front running team in the BTCC will only harm the credibility of the series.

Wilbo · 21 Jul 2005, 21:45 (Ref:1360465)

Don't get me sarted on this...

I posted a thread a while back during the BGP weekend following her TV interview, read:

"Good on Jodie for competing in this series.

What I couldn't really comprehend was a comment when interviewed on ITV as part of the qualifying show on Saturday.

She had a very good partner in Johnny Herbert but I couldn't beleive the fact that she stated she had never been round the circuit. Surely when spending decent money on a high profile series such as the Maserati Trofeo one would have at least been on a track day for example (using Johnny) to learn the lines and have a "tutor" session."

It is Team Dynamics and her progative whether they do business together but when talented drivers spend a lot of time, effort and recources chasing drives then this make me a little ....well annoyed. How can we take the BTCC seriously? or as stated before is it PR working with us reacting to this. I think Matt Neal & Dan Eaves plus the team have done a very good job on PR this year.

JLD · 22 Jul 2005, 06:13 (Ref:1360574)

Much as I think that the presence of Miss Kidd would do the BTCC a lot of good from a publicity perspective, she would not be competative (yet).

How about one of the support races instead, still gets the publicity for the meeting.

DriversKnow · 22 Jul 2005, 07:00 (Ref:1360587)

Vicky Butler Henderson should do it......she can drive, with several top 6 Ginetta finishes

ensign14 · 22 Jul 2005, 07:05 (Ref:1360588)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hip Priest

I have nothing against Miss Kidd, but i feel that putting her in a front running team in the BTCC will only harm the credibility of the series.

And grids of 12 means the current series HAS credibility?

newoutsider · 22 Jul 2005, 08:00 (Ref:1360622)

Jodie Kidd has as much right to race in the BTCC as Fionna Leggatte.

Rob29 · 22 Jul 2005, 08:25 (Ref:1360636)

Quote:

Originally Posted by newoutsider

Jodie Kidd has as much right to race in the BTCC as Fionna Leggatte.

Please explain this theory. And you could at least spell Fiona's name properly.

**Stephen Green** · 22 Jul 2005, 08:30 (Ref:1360638)

I'm sorry but there is no way Jodie has the same skill level as Fiona. Fiona has been a racer for some years and with some degree of sucess, whilst Jodie has done very little racing. If you look at their resepective results, they speak for themselves. However, this thread is not about Fiona but about the possibility of Jodie Marsh appearing in the BTCC, so lets get it back on topic please.

Hip Priest · 22 Jul 2005, 08:32 (Ref:1360641)

Quote:

Originally Posted by newoutsider

Jodie Kidd has as much right to race in the BTCC as Fionna Leggatte.

You are comparing a celebrity who likes cars to a young racing driver purely on the basis of their gender.

Fiona, like most other young drivers, has had a determined fight to get herself a drive in the BTCC, whereas Steve Neal is preparing to offer Jodie Kidd a drive just because she is celebrity.

Can't see the comparison i'm afraid.

Hip Priest · 22 Jul 2005, 08:33 (Ref:1360642)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

However, this thread is not about Fiona but about the possibility of Jodie Marsh appearing in the BTCC, so lets get it back on topic please.

Erm...bit of a freudian slip there Mr Green!

Jodie Marsh and Jodie Kidd are very different types of model

BootsOntheSide · 22 Jul 2005, 08:42 (Ref:1360644)

This is a pretty sad inditement of the media's current attitude towards female drivers. Danica Patrick lucks her way into 4th place in the 500, despite wrecking 3 cars along the way, and she gets more publicicty than the winning driver, even over here. No team has ever oaught to race a male celebrity in the BTCC, even though figures such as Chris Rea, Maxi Jazz and Shane Lynch have all raced regularly in other championships, yet Dynamics see it as a viable option. It'd still be an extra car on the grid, but there's no way anyone would support them hiring a driver from elsewhere who has only done 4 races of any kind.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
ETCC to join BTCC under new rules / New ETCC to BTCC thing (merged)	racingdick	Touring Car Racing	33	16 Jun 2003 17:20
Join BTCC Big Brother!	nicker less	Cool Sites	3	29 Jun 2002 11:07
Edenbridge join BTCC	pink69	Touring Car Racing	12	2 Feb 2002 14:44
WRC Focus to join BTCC	Invader	Touring Car Racing	4	23 Aug 2000 10:51