MG to return to the BTCC.
Discussion
I spotted this this morning. Pleasantly surprised.
Stolen from mg-rover.org (original thread here: http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=454476...
MG Motors said:
MG Motor UK today announced it will enter the 2012 BTCC Series with a ‘dream team’ of cars, drivers, constructors and sponsors.
Two MG6 GT cars will run in the all-new MG KX Momentum Racing team piloted by double BTCC champion Jason Plato and BTCC rising star Andy Neate.
The cars will be prepared by Triple Eight Race Engineering, one of the most successful constructors in touring car racing. And completing the ‘dream team’ are principal sponsors Tesco Fuels with their Momentum 99 brand and KX energy drink completing an all-British line-up.
MG KX Momentum Racing will debut at Brands Hatch on April 1 when the 2012 Dunlop MSA BTCC championship season gets under way.
The MG6 GT five-door fastback is the first all-new MG in 16 years. It is designed and engineered at MG Motor UK’s plant in Birmingham where final assembly also takes place.
Jason Plato is the most successful driver in BTCC racing history with 68 career wins, with more fastest laps, pole and podium positions than any other driver in the history of the Series. He is undoubtedly the face of British Touring Cars as well as being a well-known and respected TV presenter and newly appointed Director of the British Racing Drivers Club.
Plato said: “It’s really exciting to be involved in a brand-new all-British team and it’s just brilliant that the iconic name of MG will be back on the track.”
Guy Jones, MG Motor’s Sales & Marketing Director, said: “We are delighted that the new MG6 will be seen by millions of fans in Britain and beyond and this continues the famous sporting lineage of the brand.”
Triple Eight, headed by Ian Harrison, is based at Greatworth, just a few miles from the famous Silverstone race circuit. The company has more than 100 BTCC race wins to its credit.
Two MG6 GT cars will run in the all-new MG KX Momentum Racing team piloted by double BTCC champion Jason Plato and BTCC rising star Andy Neate.
The cars will be prepared by Triple Eight Race Engineering, one of the most successful constructors in touring car racing. And completing the ‘dream team’ are principal sponsors Tesco Fuels with their Momentum 99 brand and KX energy drink completing an all-British line-up.
MG KX Momentum Racing will debut at Brands Hatch on April 1 when the 2012 Dunlop MSA BTCC championship season gets under way.
The MG6 GT five-door fastback is the first all-new MG in 16 years. It is designed and engineered at MG Motor UK’s plant in Birmingham where final assembly also takes place.
Jason Plato is the most successful driver in BTCC racing history with 68 career wins, with more fastest laps, pole and podium positions than any other driver in the history of the Series. He is undoubtedly the face of British Touring Cars as well as being a well-known and respected TV presenter and newly appointed Director of the British Racing Drivers Club.
Plato said: “It’s really exciting to be involved in a brand-new all-British team and it’s just brilliant that the iconic name of MG will be back on the track.”
Guy Jones, MG Motor’s Sales & Marketing Director, said: “We are delighted that the new MG6 will be seen by millions of fans in Britain and beyond and this continues the famous sporting lineage of the brand.”
Triple Eight, headed by Ian Harrison, is based at Greatworth, just a few miles from the famous Silverstone race circuit. The company has more than 100 BTCC race wins to its credit.
Stolen from mg-rover.org (original thread here: http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=454476...
Edited by VeeDub Geezer on Wednesday 25th January 10:04
Chrisw666 said:
That sounds like they've made quite an investment, if ever there was a brand that needs a halo product though MG is it.
I agree - and it is a pretty good-looking livery too. Certainly eye-catching.However, MG needs to capitalise on this. Alongside the forthcoming new diesel model (which if it's priced properly could become a fleet favourite), they need a sports model. By all accounts the stardard turbo N-series engine doesn't exactly hang about and the handling is superb, but if all those things were turned up to Focus ST levels, we could have a genuinely good car.
There are a lot of BTCC naysayers on here, saying that it'll never be a patch on Aussie touring cars, but I grew up watching the BTCC and the WRC in the '90s. Forget F1 - that was proper motorsport. Both lapsed a few years ago, but having avidly followed this last season of the BTCC, I was warmly reminded of the '90s BTCC duels. Neal and Shedden taking each other out at the last corner of the last lap - having led the race - to cede victory to Plato was the kind of shenanigans I recall with Tarquini, Soper, Cleland et al. Genuinely exciting motorsport.
And now, another British team. Great news.
I guess this is the NGTC rules serving their intended purpose.
It'll be interesting to see if throwing money at a team (in the nicest possible way) will actually work.
I do agree that the xPower livery was pretty nice. The new livery is eye catching, but hardly a classic in the making...
It'll be interesting to see if throwing money at a team (in the nicest possible way) will actually work.
I do agree that the xPower livery was pretty nice. The new livery is eye catching, but hardly a classic in the making...
That was an unexpected announcement wasnt it? Should be good for the BTCC to have a new team on the grid.
Didnt know that Plato was looking to leave Chevrolet so that really is a big suprise although it does explain how cagey he was during the interview alongside the fool known as Matt Neal on the subject of what engine he (Plato) would be running this season.
Looking forward to seeing Neal getting his ass well & truly spanked by Plato.
Let the fun begin - wonder what excuses Neal will come up with he gets beaten this year?
Didnt know that Plato was looking to leave Chevrolet so that really is a big suprise although it does explain how cagey he was during the interview alongside the fool known as Matt Neal on the subject of what engine he (Plato) would be running this season.
Looking forward to seeing Neal getting his ass well & truly spanked by Plato.
Let the fun begin - wonder what excuses Neal will come up with he gets beaten this year?
fatboy69 said:
That was an unexpected announcement wasnt it? Should be good for the BTCC to have a new team on the grid.
Didnt know that Plato was looking to leave Chevrolet so that really is a big suprise although it does explain how cagey he was during the interview alongside the fool known as Matt Neal on the subject of what engine he (Plato) would be running this season.
Looking forward to seeing Neal getting his ass well & truly spanked by Plato.
Let the fun begin - wonder what excuses Neal will come up with he gets beaten this year?
Plato won't beat Neal in a brand new car/package imo.Didnt know that Plato was looking to leave Chevrolet so that really is a big suprise although it does explain how cagey he was during the interview alongside the fool known as Matt Neal on the subject of what engine he (Plato) would be running this season.
Looking forward to seeing Neal getting his ass well & truly spanked by Plato.
Let the fun begin - wonder what excuses Neal will come up with he gets beaten this year?
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