BTCC 2019 silly season

[Robmarriott]

MG CHRIS said:

Sutton will either be in bmr or tcr in my opinion. Been very quiet on the mg front after the early announcement of the new team. Be interesting tok see who will be in the 2nd seat.

The BRDC Superstars press release yesterday seems to confirm his return at BMR.

[Robmarriott]

If we still had 'works' teams with paid drivers, there would be wasted seats but that's not the case anymore, every person on the grid has stumped up a large chunk of money one way or another, even the 'works' drivers.

There might be loads of talented younger drivers who haven't got a seat this year but the simple fact is, they didn't have the budget and other people did. Talent does not outweigh budget these days.

[Robmarriott]

Earlier this year BTC posted a picture of the inside of an FK2 in the build stage so unless they were trying to put everyone off the scent (which is unlikely, given how terrible they are at social media), they've still got them. Maybe they plan to run them in TCT to train some new drivers up?

Good move for them either way, leaving it a year before taking the plunge so the hiccups have already been found by Dynamics.

I think it'll be a good season, some new cars kicking about which will take a while to get the results so it should give some other teams a chance to get some points early on.

[Robmarriott]

To be fair, people complain when it's one sponsor like Pirtek.

[Robmarriott]

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!

[Robmarriott]

Kraken said:

Was a bit to do with Rob Austin. There's Close Brothers stickers on it and he put that deal together.

That was announced yesterday though and wasn't part of their 'big announcement' from today.

[Robmarriott]

Well that was an unexpected turn, glad to see Goff back but it's a shame that Bushell had funding issues again, he never seems to get the backing he deserves (or the car).

In any other car, I'd expect Goff to be near the top end in several races but I can't see it with the CC

[Robmarriott]

BMWs seem quick already and AMD are quick with the FK2 with 'no experience' so that's good to see.

[Robmarriott]

I don't understand why he struggles for sponsorship so much, he's consistently good in the right car and consistently bad at bringing the money in.