No factory Bmws in Wtcc next year

[webby74]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88576

What do we think of this then? Fingers up to the Fia for the disqualification from okayama? Really cant wait for them to enter the Dtm.

[Allyc85]

Looks like another nail in the coffin for the WTCC, the BTCC gets slaguhtered for having so few manufacturers

I dont think its retaliation just for the gear box fiasco but the incompetence of the FIA when its come to equalising the performance of the diesels and the FWD petrols. They never have seemed to get it right, and the change in rules for the DTM is a perfect chance for BMW as an official team to jump ship!

[EDLT]

WTCC seems to be grinding to a halt while the BTCC gains more manufacturer support and more models on track for next season.

I think its just too expensive to fly a team around the world just for some saloon racing, its just not glamorous compared to GTs and single seaters.

[rubystone]

Three letters...DTM

[Bernieb]

they have also canned the mini,s down under

[EDLT]

rubystone said:

Three letters...DTM

Four letters:

Dull.

Whats the point of saloon cars that can't touch each other for fear of losing aerodynamics?

[Racefan_uk]

EDLT said:

rubystone said:

Three letters...DTM

Four letters:

Dull.

Whats the point of saloon cars that can't touch each other for fear of losing aerodynamics?

What, you mean apart from attract manufacturers because they don't have stupidly high budgets just for the repair bills after each event? And attracting high calibre drivers to race against each other fairly and cleanly?

I can't possibly see what the point of such a championship is either, I really can't?

[EDLT]

Racefan_uk said:

EDLT said:

rubystone said:

Three letters...DTM

Four letters:

Dull.

Whats the point of saloon cars that can't touch each other for fear of losing aerodynamics?

What, you mean apart from attract manufacturers because they don't have stupidly high budgets just for the repair bills after each event? And attracting high calibre drivers to race against each other fairly and cleanly?

I can't possibly see what the point of such a championship is either, I really can't?

There are two manufacturers. There was also just two manufacturers in WRC and that was dull. While repairs aren't expensive, running costs must be quite high as there was just 16 cars last year and there is a trip to China to factor in. As for fair and clean racing, isn't there a story of the AMG team pegging back a private car because they were beating the factory team?

I'm not sure how to compare the drivers to other championships, given how different the cars are to everything else.

[The Wookie]

Quite simply they're a brand that relies on their 'premium' image and they're getting beaten by budget manufacturers like Chevrolet and Seat.

Plus with manufacturers like that in, it's a no win situation, if they win then they should be winning because they're premium and RWD, if they're losing then they just look silly.

[chevronb37]

I can't understand quite why it's taken them this long to pull out - constant rule battles, losing to diesels, the lack of any "premium" competition and all the while their two biggest rivals on the forecourt are battling it out in DTM. It will be great to have a three manufacturer DTM, and meanwhile the Superstars championship gains momentum, apparently with a visit to Donington Park in June. Now that will be worth watching.

[webby74]

chevronb37 said:

I can't understand quite why it's taken them this long to pull out - constant rule battles, losing to diesels, the lack of any "premium" competition and all the while their two biggest rivals on the forecourt are battling it out in DTM. It will be great to have a three manufacturer DTM, and meanwhile the Superstars championship gains momentum, apparently with a visit to Donington Park in June. Now that will be worth watching.

Talk of opel returning to. Dtm is far more technically advanced than the Wtcc so i to cant understand why they didnt make the move sooner.
superstars might well be worth a look to i think.

[Nick M]

chevronb37 said:

I can't understand quite why it's taken them this long to pull out - constant rule battles, losing to diesels, the lack of any "premium" competition and all the while their two biggest rivals on the forecourt are battling it out in DTM.

Exactly.

And as a spectator, I've *tried* to watch WTCC but the apparent lack of proper racing makes it all seem a bit dull. Certainly not exciting enough to ensure I watch on a regular basis, let alone go out of my way to see them race live.

[weyland yutani]

I haven't followed WTCC this season, just lost touch with it.Sounds like it's gone downhill.

Where does BMW's exit leave Priaulx? I hope he'l be racing in DTM too.

[Nick M]

weyland yutani said:

Where does BMW's exit leave Priaulx? I hope he'l be racing in DTM too.

GT racing in 2011 I expect. Maybe some DTM development work later in the year.

Then DTM in 2012 hopefully.

[chevronb37]

I saw WTCC when it was at Silverstone and it's fine, but very hard to get excited about somehow - no real charisma from the cars and there seems to be so much behind-the-scenes bickering. I was slightly appalled by BMW's decision regarding the gearbox issue - seemed a low blow to me, but I can't pretend to understand the politicking in that championship.

DTM seems to bring a bit of party with it - as it did during its initial incarnation. I remember the total excitement of going to see the ITC at Donington when I was a kid, it seemed a very glamourous world of racing. We took in one of the Superstars races last year and it was phenomenal. Ended with Pierluigi Martini in a hulking 300C defending against a fired-up Gianni Morbidelli in a considerably better handling M3. Awesome cars and great racing.

[Rude-boy]

Nick M said:

weyland yutani said:

Where does BMW's exit leave Priaulx? I hope he'l be racing in DTM too.

GT racing in 2011 I expect. Maybe some DTM development work later in the year.

Then DTM in 2012 hopefully.

I would have said far more likely DTM with selected non-clashing GT races such as NR24, LM24 and ICLM races.

AP is, as far as anyone who isn't German or Austrian at a push (Berger) can possibly be, BMW's chosen man. He made a few errors this year in his LM debut but has delivered the silverware and results for them year after year, regardless of the FIA doing everything they can to ensure that he (and BMW)couldn't.

[webby74]

Bmw have said they are going to run six cars in the dtm if i remember correctly. Priaulx, Farfus plus 3 other Bmw drivers plus 1 outside driver. Priaulx will certainly pull in the crowds at brands hatch and i for one cant wait.