Btcc brands hatch
Discussion
DanDC5 said:
I know they wanted a car that was upto date with the new regs, but I do wonder why Thorney didn't buy a 888 Vectra and run that for their 1st year in the series to get used to how the race weekends work and give JT a year to learn how to drive in the BTCC?
This. He really did look totally out to sea this weekend. I can only imagine how intimidating it must be to be part of that grid behind a new car with literally no previous wheel time. All this said, it would be a shame if he didn't stick with it. Good luck to him.
playalistic said:
All this said, it would be a shame if he didn't stick with it. Good luck to him.
Agreed. I don't know John, although attended a couple of dyno days at Thorney, and he always seemed like a nice guy to me. I hope that he finds his feet and future races are more representative of his ability as a driver.Best of luck for the next round Ollie.
DanDC5 said:
I know they wanted a car that was upto date with the new regs, but I do wonder why Thorney didn't buy a 888 Vectra and run that for their 1st year in the series to get used to how the race weekends work and give JT a year to learn how to drive in the BTCC?
On the one hand that makes sense, but if he's trying to market his tuning business, I guess he wanted something a bit more current and relevant, than a car that went out of production 3 or so years ago. From a marketing point of view, it's more interesting than "just another Vectra" I suppose. The Wookie said:
Not sure where you get your info from but I'll tell you now, we're not spending lots of money, in fact we're running one of if not the most modest budget in the series. We're also running the same engine as last year, in fact since we lost a brand new one during running in, we're running exactly the same engine from last year! And as far as I'm aware Tom was complimentary about the setup!
Modest compared to the big boys, sure but I don't think you guys are crapping yourselves because you're into debt up to your eyeballs ?Edited by The Wookie on Thursday 5th April 09:05
The first year AmD were in they ran a different engine didn't they ?
I remember the setup stuff from interviews on tv, either way the team started doing better when they understood more about what they were doing..
Wasn't criticising, you guys seem to have the right idea..
DanDC5 said:
I know they wanted a car that was upto date with the new regs, but I do wonder why Thorney didn't buy a 888 Vectra and run that for their 1st year in the series to get used to how the race weekends work and give JT a year to learn how to drive in the BTCC?
Wanted to prove his technological abilities by building a car from scratch would be my guess, "TMS built" sticker on the back. Crafty_ said:
Modest compared to the big boys, sure but I don't think you guys are crapping yourselves because you're into debt up to your eyeballs ?
The first year AmD were in they ran a different engine didn't they ?
I remember the setup stuff from interviews on tv, either way the team started doing better when they understood more about what they were doing..
Wasn't criticising, you guys seem to have the right idea..
We're not in debt up to the eyeballs because we're sensible and patient, in terms of crapping myself well dont assume too much The first year AmD were in they ran a different engine didn't they ?
I remember the setup stuff from interviews on tv, either way the team started doing better when they understood more about what they were doing..
Wasn't criticising, you guys seem to have the right idea..
Yes, Shaun ran the car for a year with the N/A engine, but that was when a good few other cars were running them too.
To be honest, although the car was fairly easy to drive before, there was room for improvement on the setup, something that we've been working on a lot in the run up to the season. We've made good progress with it, I matched Tom's Quali time from last year despite me bottling it in Quali and chucking it off a few times!
I think we have the right idea, it's just putting it into practice that is the hard part
IainW said:
emicen said:
Thought they bought them off Triple 8 when Vauxhall canned their works programme.
ES bought the Vectras from 888, but the Insignia is a total newbuild by Thorney themselves. It was the Thorney car I was talking about.However, for whatever reason, the version I recalled was: 888 were building the Insignias to next gen regs. Vauxhall canned the works programme so 888 sold the Insignias to Thorney and retained the Vectras for last year running the privateers. When they got the works MG deal, they sold the Vectras.
Thorne is way out of his depth. As a person, he's likable enough. As a driver, he's average at best. He's prone to tremendous bulls
tting and that's got him where he is with his 'tuning' business and 'racing' team.
He had to cheat to get to the front in the club races he has taken part in up to now. The rest of the time, he's bought his way up the timing charts. Touring cars doesn't work (entirely) like that.
He's not up to the job of driving in BTCC or running a BTCC team which is why he doesn't have the sponsors or backing from Vauxhall.
He is comedy gold, however, so I really hope he does manage to carry on for a few more rounds.
tting and that's got him where he is with his 'tuning' business and 'racing' team.He had to cheat to get to the front in the club races he has taken part in up to now. The rest of the time, he's bought his way up the timing charts. Touring cars doesn't work (entirely) like that.
He's not up to the job of driving in BTCC or running a BTCC team which is why he doesn't have the sponsors or backing from Vauxhall.
He is comedy gold, however, so I really hope he does manage to carry on for a few more rounds.
emicen said:
Maybe I'm wrong, their site talks about building their own cars.
However, for whatever reason, the version I recalled was: 888 were building the Insignias to next gen regs. Vauxhall canned the works programme so 888 sold the Insignias to Thorney and retained the Vectras for last year running the privateers. When they got the works MG deal, they sold the Vectras.
ES had intended go to full NGTC at first, but then ended up buying in two S2000 turbos. That's probably where the building their own cars thing came from and they haven't changed their site.However, for whatever reason, the version I recalled was: 888 were building the Insignias to next gen regs. Vauxhall canned the works programme so 888 sold the Insignias to Thorney and retained the Vectras for last year running the privateers. When they got the works MG deal, they sold the Vectras.
888 did a feasability study and some strength testing on an Insignia shell, but didn't go any further and that shell was scrapped. That info comes from an ex-888 fabricator who posts on the official forum and carried out the work at the time.
egor110 said:
You hope he can maybe get a driver onboard who can help develop the car, but it must be hard when the race team's your baby and your intention was to be the driver.
I think that this is really what he is staring down the barrel of here. If he genuinely has any purpose for the programme beyond getting himself a seat in the series (i.e. if he really sees it in any way as a promotional tool and he honestly wants to attract outside sponsorship) he simply has to drop himself and give the seat to someone able to do a better job. It isn't as if there is a shortage of drivers with adequate talent and inadequate budget out there to be on the grid.....Redlake27 said:
From the train this morning, I saw a pile of MG6 wrecks in a Birmingham scrapyard. Has Jason being doing most testing than he claimed? Must be all the type-approval and test cars from Longbridge. If I was Triple 8, I'd go and get some panels for stock....
Someone should tell the MG clubs and get the parts preserved for the future.About twelve years ago, before the production MG Zeds were available for sale, I had an impressive run in a factory 'mule' MGZS 180. The driver an employee for the firm, told me that the car will be soon be crushed as that is the way things are with those factory pre-production mules. Something to do with legal aspects of tax or whatever.
Seems a sad waste. Anyone know more ?
.
Seems a sad waste. Anyone know more ?
.
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff