2025: BTCC chat & discussion

[acer12]

Sebring440 said:

acer12 said:

Its no different to when chilton has his dads company paying the bills and being title sponsors.

It is completely different to the Chilton situation. Dan is not funded by his father's company; Dan has a sponsor.

You can dress it up whatever way you want but it is effectively the same thing.

Take dataclean away and Rowbottom probably has no seat unless he replaces the lost sponsorship which likely is big money as they are getting their brand on 4 cars and 4 overalls etc. Its clear as day that the 3rd and 4th seats at NAPA racing part fund seats 1 & 2, exact same as Bristol and what Toyota are going for.

Similarly take the old AON / Gallagher sponsorship away from the old chilton teams (when he brought "sponsorship" since replaced by £s) and then chilton has no seat unless he pays more cash directly.

This has gone way off topic, not sure why you take it so personally that I dont rate rowbottom as one of the top drivers.

[Sebring440]

acer12 said:

not sure why you take it so personally that I dont rate rowbottom as one of the top drivers.

I don't take it personally at all, I don't care whether you rate Dan Rowbottom or not.

I was just pointing out that you seem to think that Dan is in a similar position to Chilton, where his family pays for his driving, and not through raising sponsorship.

acer12 said:

unless he replaces the lost sponsorship

....ummm....

[airbusA346]

One Motorsport confirm return to BTCC with 2 Honda Civic Type R's.

https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/one-motorsport...

[GlobalRacer]

Discussions about his sponsors and abilities over on Ten Tenths. Difference there is the man himself is part of the conversation. He admits himself that he has lost focus (hah) with his racing over the last couple of seasons with the amount of commercial work needed.

[Sebring440]

GlobalRacer said:

Discussions about his sponsors and abilities over on Ten Tenths. Difference there is the man himself is part of the conversation. He admits himself that he has lost focus (hah) with his racing over the last couple of seasons with the amount of commercial work needed.

https://btcc.net/daniel-rowbottom-extends-napa-rac...

[Truckosaurus]

GlobalRacer said:

Discussions about his sponsors and abilities over on Ten Tenths.....

Interesting to read that the goal of the Cataclean sponsorship was to build a relationship with Kwik-Fit in order to get them to stock their product.

Shows that sponsorship is more than just 'give me money in exchange for a logo on the car'.

[Sebring440]

Truckosaurus said:

Shows that sponsorship is more than just 'give me money in exchange for a logo on the car'.

Very much so, and Dan is very good at that sort of thing. As are MB Motorsport, which is really why they exist.

[Sebring440]

TOCA Juniors put on the back-burner:

https://mailchi.mp/97190f5d492d/toca-junior-champi...

[greeny12]

airbusA346 said:

Hill has been racing a GT3 Ferrari for Era Motorsport this year in the Dubai 24H and Abu Dhabi 6H.

And he's been pretty rapid in that car, too. Absolutely stellar drive up to P1 from nowhere in his first Abu Dhabi stint. Definitely not a one-trick pony our Jake...

[A500leroy]

Can't believe btcc is still going.

It's no where near as good as it was a decade ago. Think it needs putting down.

[SpudLink]

A500leroy said:

Can't believe btcc is still going.

It's no where near as good as it was a decade ago. Think it needs putting down.

So, you’re saying that because you don’t enjoy it, none of the fans should be allowed to enjoy it?

[A500leroy]

SpudLink said:

A500leroy said:

Can't believe btcc is still going.

It's no where near as good as it was a decade ago. Think it needs putting down.

So, you’re saying that because you don’t enjoy it, none of the fans should be allowed to enjoy it?

No I'm saying it should be made better like it used to be.

[richhead]

A500leroy said:

SpudLink said:

A500leroy said:

Can't believe btcc is still going.

It's no where near as good as it was a decade ago. Think it needs putting down.

So, you’re saying that because you don’t enjoy it, none of the fans should be allowed to enjoy it?

No I'm saying it should be made better like it used to be.

What like when manufacturers were throwing money in like it didnt matter, those days are long gone. No national series will ever see money like that again, to small an audience, all the money now goes to wec or one make championships for obvious reasons.

[DanielRowbottom]

So,

Just for clarification, I do bring budget to the table, via my long term partners Cataclean. Believe me, I'd rather not.

I had a very successful junior career and unfortunately ran out of money when I was 18, which halted my career significantly. I then worked my absolute nuts off, put a package together and managed to get myself back out.

We have been very successful commercially (which is the point of a sponsorship deal, i.e to. make money) and I have such a loyal partner in Cataclean. I am so very lucky for sure. While everyone is allowed and opinion, it is quite upsetting that some motorsport fans are so quick to criticise and complain, I'm sure my budget has been used over the years to subsidise others, but I can't control the business decisions of the teams.

For the first time since my first year at TD (which you may or not remember we were uber competitive, especially against my team-mate who is still probably one of the best FWD drivers on the planet) - okay, latter part of the year, lacking some touring car experience I managed to not finish where we should but none the less we had the speed. So 2025, for the first time since then I think we have a good package. BTCC isn't a simple championship and for sure I have under performed at points, only 2 wins (Neither reverse grid as someone pointed out) in 150 races I agree is not good enough, but in the same breathe it isn't as easy as some may think.

Lets see, I'll keep going as long as I can, there are a few big things in the pipeline that I'm involved in which if they come off will be great for young talent in UK motorsport and motorsport in general. So hopefully I can use my platform to do my bit and give back.

I'm sure whatever I do, because I worked hard to find the budget to get out racing I'll forever face criticism, and I'm okay, my skin is thick enough to not let it take any sleep away, but when my partners get mentioned I feel I just need to come to clarify the position.

Stay safe all, x

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

DanielRowbottom said:

So,

Just for clarification, I do bring budget to the table, via my long term partners Cataclean. Believe me, I'd rather not.

I had a very successful junior career and unfortunately ran out of money when I was 18, which halted my career significantly. I then worked my absolute nuts off, put a package together and managed to get myself back out.

We have been very successful commercially (which is the point of a sponsorship deal, i.e to. make money) and I have such a loyal partner in Cataclean. I am so very lucky for sure. While everyone is allowed and opinion, it is quite upsetting that some motorsport fans are so quick to criticise and complain, I'm sure my budget has been used over the years to subsidise others, but I can't control the business decisions of the teams.

For the first time since my first year at TD (which you may or not remember we were uber competitive, especially against my team-mate who is still probably one of the best FWD drivers on the planet) - okay, latter part of the year, lacking some touring car experience I managed to not finish where we should but none the less we had the speed. So 2025, for the first time since then I think we have a good package. BTCC isn't a simple championship and for sure I have under performed at points, only 2 wins (Neither reverse grid as someone pointed out) in 150 races I agree is not good enough, but in the same breathe it isn't as easy as some may think.

Lets see, I'll keep going as long as I can, there are a few big things in the pipeline that I'm involved in which if they come off will be great for young talent in UK motorsport and motorsport in general. So hopefully I can use my platform to do my bit and give back.

I'm sure whatever I do, because I worked hard to find the budget to get out racing I'll forever face criticism, and I'm okay, my skin is thick enough to not let it take any sleep away, but when my partners get mentioned I feel I just need to come to clarify the position.

Stay safe all, x

thanks Dan for the clarification.

Bringing money to obtain a drive is bog standard for most professional drivers, and has been for ever.

I didn't realise you were from Worcestershire, so you follow in that other local driver that brought budget to a team to allow him to compete for 15 years - Russell Brookes. I don't ever remember him being criticised for bringing money in the 70's and 80's. (Andrews Heat for Hire)

It's a strange world.

[Crafty_]

A driver isn't going to get on any grid without money and I don't envy anyone trying to raise the money to go racing, its a extremely tough ask, especially at BTCC budget levels.

[DanielRowbottom]

Crafty_ said:

A driver isn't going to get on any grid without money and I don't envy anyone trying to raise the money to go racing, its a extremely tough ask, especially at BTCC budget levels.

It’s difficult for sure but it’s a business.

It’s a shame all too many blame the championship for the fact that it’s “too expensive” (which is isn’t) or the championship should be doing more. The network opportunities are within, but I’m afraid to say most people who are involved just simply don’t want to invest the time and effort to make it viable.

Stickers on race cars became unviable a long time ago.

I can say this because I have lived it, am living it, and I’m proof that if you keep going and don’t stop you can find away. Believe me there have been dark days, most of them in 2024, but we are here to stay so unfortunately for some people that will displease them.

Also, results aren’t always what they seem. By Oulton Park last year a championship assault became completely out of the window. So for the greater good (and ourselves) my engineer and I took the hit on 2025 development, so naturally the results are going to be yo-yo like.

I’m not trying to justify st performance btw, for those that are interested I’m trying to give you insight into what and how seasons can look good OR in this case, horrific.

[garythesign]

DanielRowbottom said:

It’s difficult for sure but it’s a business.

It’s a shame all too many blame the championship for the fact that it’s “too expensive” (which is isn’t) or the championship should be doing more. The network opportunities are within, but I’m afraid to say most people who are involved just simply don’t want to invest the time and effort to make it viable.

Stickers on race cars became unviable a long time ago.

I can say this because I have lived it, am living it, and I’m proof that if you keep going and don’t stop you can find away. Believe me there have been dark days, most of them in 2024, but we are here to stay so unfortunately for some people that will displease them.

Also, results aren’t always what they seem. By Oulton Park last year a championship assault became completely out of the window. So for the greater good (and ourselves) my engineer and I took the hit on 2025 development, so naturally the results are going to be yo-yo like.

I’m not trying to justify st performance btw, for those that are interested I’m trying to give you insight into what and how seasons can look good OR in this case, horrific.

Daniel

I am an armchair watcher of the sport and have been for over 50years. There have been many changes in that period, but the racing has always been great.

Thank you for coming on this thread and explaining sponsorship from a driver’s perspective

I wish you good luck for 2025

[Truckosaurus]

garythesign said:

....Thank you for coming on this thread and explaining sponsorship from a driver’s perspective...

Indeed. A follow up question for Dan: do you think it matters to the sponsors if the driver is winning or is there more value in the driver being involved in a battle for position that gets more TV coverage?

[SpudLink]

Truckosaurus said:

Indeed. A follow up question for Dan: do you think it matters to the sponsors if the driver is winning or is there more value in the driver being involved in a battle for position that gets more TV coverage?

I would imagine having your driver on the podium each weekend, and thanking you for your support, has to be worth more that 2 minutes of seeing your logo on screen because you are fighting in the mid-field.

If the sponsorship includes personal appearances at corporate events, having a regular race winner (or champion) at an event would surely be worth more than a driver who achieved 2 or 3 podiums a year.

Sorry, that is absolutely not a dig at anyone in the sport. It’s just how this casual armchair viewer sees it.