2016 BTCC silly season

[designndrive62]

DanielSan said:

To be fair to Abbott, it wasn't like he couldn't afford to do the whole season, he missed Knockhill because his wife was having a baby!

How can you have a pop at him for putting his family first?

I wasn't actually having a go at hunter Abbott. I was merely pointing out that the btcc enforced their rule of having to be at every round, rightly or wrongly in that case, but were seemingly allowing handy to Run only one car for the first half of the year. This turned out to be that the article I read the info in was badly worded. However, the case can still be made that motorbase missed the first half of last year and were not reprimanded.

[rubystone]

jamiebae said:

Goff signs for 'IHG Racing' (also known as WSR).

Interesting development on the commercial side, as IHG were brought onboard by Priaulx and are a long term backer of his on a personal level. The fact they've decided to stay is a big endorsement of what a brand can get out of BTCC exposure if they do it right.

At ASI today, Andy told me that just because we see IHG stickers on the car at the moment, maybe we shou,don't read too much into that...

[btcclee]

rubystone said:

At ASI today, Andy told me that just because we see IHG stickers on the car at the moment, maybe we shou,don't read too much into that...

Looking at the release, Andy is mistaken. It's an IHG deal through and through.

[rubystone]

btcclee said:

Looking at the release, Andy is mistaken. It's an IHG deal through and through.

Seems you're right. I wonder why he said that to me?

[Roo]

rubystone said:

btcclee said:

Looking at the release, Andy is mistaken. It's an IHG deal through and through.

Seems you're right. I wonder why he said that to me?

Race driver in face saving mode?

Although, he's certainly moved up in the world. Maybe he's also taking IHG sponsorship back onto the world stage and left a little bit behind.

[Janesy B]

Why would Goff be posing in an IHG shirt otherwise? It seems Andy P is talking balls.

[DiscoColin]

Roo said:

rubystone said:

btcclee said:

Looking at the release, Andy is mistaken. It's an IHG deal through and through.

Seems you're right. I wonder why he said that to me?

Race driver in face saving mode?

Although, he's certainly moved up in the world. Maybe he's also taking IHG sponsorship back onto the world stage and left a little bit behind.

The only variable that I can think of is that if IHG are the backer, that doesn't mean that the branding on the car come race day will necessarily be IHG (so rather than the rewards club branding from last year they may put Holiday Inn, Intercontinental, Crowne Plaza or one of their other chains on there instead... )?

[Janesy B]

I'm sure that would all be sorted pre announcement if it was going to be another brand.

[Roo]

Now Andy has moved on are WSR an independent team again as opposed to manufacturer?

[DanielSan]

I'd be surprised have withdrawn backing after a season just because their driver who underachieved has now left.

I expected a lot from Priaulx last year and bar the odd flash he just never seemed to gel in the series. Goes to show the BTCC is a lot harder and more competitive than some try and make out.

[jamiebae]

Roo said:

Now Andy has moved on are WSR an independent team again as opposed to manufacturer?

Grey area, they claim to never have been a works team in the first place, but TOCA decided that they were on the basis they get support from BMW GB including provision of company cars.

[emicen]

Team HARD announcement, if I could get a line on it, I'd be putting a considerable wedge on Chris Smiley.

[MG CHRIS]

emicen said:

Team HARD announcement, if I could get a line on it, I'd be putting a considerable wedge on Chris Smiley.

I be surprised to see team hard back tbh im guessing if they do be with the avensis and with the old kit?

[btcc123]

I Saw Warren Scott at ASI on Saturday with his son wearing a team HARD jacket.

Edited by btcc123 on Sunday 17th January 20:36

[emicen]

http://www.touringcars.net/2016/01/tony-gilham-hap...

Old parts for the start of the season, back in the Avensis.

Smiley is quick.

[Robmarriott]

I've got a sneaky suspicion Mike Bushell is going to announce a drive at Team HARD, something which has been said on Facebook had pointed towards it

[airbusA346]

Team Hard have just posted this:


"Team-HARD. Racing are off to collect the 2016 DunlopBTCC car tomorrow.
Exciting times all round.
New car, driver, sponsors & all new set up.

‪#‎BTCC‬ ‪#‎TeamHARD‬ #2016 ‪#‎GoHARD‬"

[DanielSan]

Are they running 2 cars then next season?

[Speed Badger]

Getting worked up about team Hard is like worrying what drivers the Forti / Pacific teams were turning up with any given weekend!

[Marc W]

jamiebae said:

Grey area, they claim to never have been a works team in the first place, but TOCA decided that they were on the basis they get support from BMW GB including provision of company cars.

Toca never said they were a works team they just said they were no longer allowed to enter as an inpendent so they chose to enter the manufacturer/constructor championship, they still were not a works team. Any team that builds their own cars can enter the manufacturer championship if they choose to pay the entry fee.