BTCC 2019 silly season
Discussion
308mate said:
Would we not count procuring the funding to go racing as part of "how good you are"? Its the same sponsorship market for everyone, some people are just better at extracting it.
That's an interesting point. I think you're right, in that selling yourself and procuring sponsorship is an important 'soft skill' a racing driver needs, similar to communicating with engineers and getting on well with the team in order to extract the maximum from the people who support you. But I think the problem is that some people start with a massive advantage in this area, while others start from zero. If your parents are millionaires and mates with lots of wealthy, influential people who run/own businesses, then obviously it's going to be much easier to procure sponsorship compared to a kid from a poor background.But it's the way it is, the way it always has been, and the way it always will be unless there is concerted effort from charities, governments and racing team junior programmes to find and fund talent that would otherwise not make it to the top levels of the sport due to lack of money/connections. IMO, sim racing will help with this, as it's a way for people to get behind the wheel without needing $$$$$$, and gets them spotted (as it's becoming increasingly clear as the sims get more realistic that the skills transfer across into real life).
I watched an interesting documentary last night on gentleman drivers in the WEC. Those guys are paying between $1m and $5m a year for their drives. The part that struck me was that three out of the four featured drivers had all been drivers at a young age and had to stop because they couldn't afford to carry on. Then they made their fortunes and got back into it much later in life. They earned it in more than one way.
Sim racing just moves the goalposts from large amounts of money to large amounts of time though. There is always going to be someone on the outside looking in for whatever reason. That's life.
Sim racing just moves the goalposts from large amounts of money to large amounts of time though. There is always going to be someone on the outside looking in for whatever reason. That's life.
Nothing to do with Rob Austin, it was a livery reveal...
https://www.touringcartimes.com/2019/03/25/speedwo...
Great sponsor to have I think, it's a name everyone knows, the livery might not be to everyone's taste but if it pays the bills, that's all that matters.
Presumably means free pasties in the paddock too!
https://www.touringcartimes.com/2019/03/25/speedwo...
Great sponsor to have I think, it's a name everyone knows, the livery might not be to everyone's taste but if it pays the bills, that's all that matters.
Presumably means free pasties in the paddock too!
Robmarriott said:
Nothing to do with Rob Austin, it was a livery reveal...
https://www.touringcartimes.com/2019/03/25/speedwo...
Great sponsor to have I think, it's a name everyone knows, the livery might not be to everyone's taste but if it pays the bills, that's all that matters.
Presumably means free pasties in the paddock too!
That's one of the best looking cars on the grid this year imo. https://www.touringcartimes.com/2019/03/25/speedwo...
Great sponsor to have I think, it's a name everyone knows, the livery might not be to everyone's taste but if it pays the bills, that's all that matters.
Presumably means free pasties in the paddock too!
Announced this afternoon Mike Bushell isn't driving one of the Team HARD Passat's now, he's going back to the Clio Cup. There's still a chance for Paul O'Neil or Rob Gravett to make a comeback
Edit
http://www.btcc.net/2019/03/25/goff-seals-last-min...
Edit
http://www.btcc.net/2019/03/25/goff-seals-last-min...
Edited by DanielSan on Monday 25th March 17:28
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