Discussion
I've read through some of the topics on here that reflect the views people have regarding championship regs, classes, policing, power to weight etc etc, and the overriding requirement seems to be the ability to compete on something of a level playing field. Now I may well be in a minority here, but I think that the EERC have got it about right bar a few touches here and there, and rightly or wrongly, I think we do have a reasonably level pitch.
We will stay with Britcar for 2008 not because it is perfect but because every other series I have raced in seemed to be rife with "advantage taking" be it through financial and/or other hidden methods, where as in Britcar, it is limited and in any event often a waste of time and money in result terms. Those teams that develop cars or strive to improve capabilities beyond the base norm are at a disadvantage in endurance racing against those of us that run cars that have benefited from years of manufacturer attention and improvement and although the development cars may seem to have the edge in terms of outright performance, when margins are pushed it's normally reliability that suffers. I don't accept the argument that because you are lucky enough to be able to afford to buy a Porsche, albeit boring in the eye's of some, you're better off then others financially, that's rubbish, as I know many teams that have purchased much cheaper cars but end up spending two or three times what we did to get them competitive, been there, seen it, read the book. A 996 or 997 may cost a few quid to buy, but once you have got over that, all you need do is run and look after them. This in itself is not cheap but I know we spent twice as much trying to keep our converted BMW Z3M coupe competitive and operational then we have with the 996.
What I like about this endurance championship is that I can race a bog standard 996 GT3 cup car in a class that has cars in it that are quicker and still have every chance of coming out on top, for our choice of car, our preparation, and our ability to drive the thing consistently and with sympathy to both machine and drivers gives us, in my book, a level playing field. We could spend £30/40k upgrading the suspension, the engine (to 3.8) add a chunk of BHP, change to a sequential box etc etc but why spend all that money, potentially effect the in built reliability, in search of a legal advantage when the facts indicate that in standard format, the car will do the job. If we fail to obtain a class finish in 2008, it won't be because of the car we run, it will be down to bad luck, lack of preparation, or simply the fact that we are not quick or good enough as drivers.
We started late in 2007, we only entered 5 of the 7 races we were entitled to, but we came 4th in class and 14th overall despite this. If one does the sums, by adding our average point score for the two races we missed, assuming no DNF's, we would have ended up with 146 points as opposed to the 110 that we finished with. The GT Cup winners had 127 points, enough said.
I've forgotten what my point was now, suffice to say that we have enjoyed every minuit of the races we entered this season, we like the Britcar atmosphere, the standards of driving are better then most, our fellow competitors are in the main straight forward and reasonable people and frankly I don't believe that as a basis for moving forward, one could hope for better. The EERC has it's faults but I've seen and experienced far worse, overall they do extremely well in comparison, that's my view at any rate.
We will stay with Britcar for 2008 not because it is perfect but because every other series I have raced in seemed to be rife with "advantage taking" be it through financial and/or other hidden methods, where as in Britcar, it is limited and in any event often a waste of time and money in result terms. Those teams that develop cars or strive to improve capabilities beyond the base norm are at a disadvantage in endurance racing against those of us that run cars that have benefited from years of manufacturer attention and improvement and although the development cars may seem to have the edge in terms of outright performance, when margins are pushed it's normally reliability that suffers. I don't accept the argument that because you are lucky enough to be able to afford to buy a Porsche, albeit boring in the eye's of some, you're better off then others financially, that's rubbish, as I know many teams that have purchased much cheaper cars but end up spending two or three times what we did to get them competitive, been there, seen it, read the book. A 996 or 997 may cost a few quid to buy, but once you have got over that, all you need do is run and look after them. This in itself is not cheap but I know we spent twice as much trying to keep our converted BMW Z3M coupe competitive and operational then we have with the 996.
What I like about this endurance championship is that I can race a bog standard 996 GT3 cup car in a class that has cars in it that are quicker and still have every chance of coming out on top, for our choice of car, our preparation, and our ability to drive the thing consistently and with sympathy to both machine and drivers gives us, in my book, a level playing field. We could spend £30/40k upgrading the suspension, the engine (to 3.8) add a chunk of BHP, change to a sequential box etc etc but why spend all that money, potentially effect the in built reliability, in search of a legal advantage when the facts indicate that in standard format, the car will do the job. If we fail to obtain a class finish in 2008, it won't be because of the car we run, it will be down to bad luck, lack of preparation, or simply the fact that we are not quick or good enough as drivers.
We started late in 2007, we only entered 5 of the 7 races we were entitled to, but we came 4th in class and 14th overall despite this. If one does the sums, by adding our average point score for the two races we missed, assuming no DNF's, we would have ended up with 146 points as opposed to the 110 that we finished with. The GT Cup winners had 127 points, enough said.
I've forgotten what my point was now, suffice to say that we have enjoyed every minuit of the races we entered this season, we like the Britcar atmosphere, the standards of driving are better then most, our fellow competitors are in the main straight forward and reasonable people and frankly I don't believe that as a basis for moving forward, one could hope for better. The EERC has it's faults but I've seen and experienced far worse, overall they do extremely well in comparison, that's my view at any rate.
Edited by Racing Rod on Friday 21st September 12:48
2priestsferrari said:
By and large well said. One question.
You say your car is a bog standard 996 cup car, I believe you, and it goes rightly into GT3 cup class. So why are the standard 997 cup cars in the class above?
That may well be a factor in 2008 as the 997 is supposed to be 2 secs a lap quicker then the 996 due to having some 20 bhp advantage engine wise and it does of course have the sequential box. The 997 is also rose jointed throughout and has upgraded brakes and suspension as far as I know. The problem seems to be that it has not been that competitive within the GT3 class and the £30k upgrade kit they offered doesn't seem to have helped much. If I knew for sure that we could run this car in GT Cup, I'd go and buy one, as all in ,it should be a better car then the 996, but as I suspect it will have to run in GT3, it will struggle against much quicker cars. Having said that, and following my original argument, it could work reasonably well in Britcar as an endurance racer but I hear that it has had reliability problems mainly from the sequential box and if that's true, I'd leave it on the grounds of the added costs and the effects a failure of this type would have on a given race day. You say your car is a bog standard 996 cup car, I believe you, and it goes rightly into GT3 cup class. So why are the standard 997 cup cars in the class above?
Edited by Racing Rod on Friday 21st September 13:08
Racing Rod said:
2priestsferrari said:
By and large well said. One question.
You say your car is a bog standard 996 cup car, I believe you, and it goes rightly into GT3 cup class. So why are the standard 997 cup cars in the class above?
That may well be a factor in 2008 as the 997 is supposed to be 2 secs a lap quicker then the 996 due to having some 20 bhp advantage engine wise and it does of course have the sequential box. The 997 is also rose jointed throughout and has upgraded brakes and suspension as far as I know. The problem seems to be that it has not been that competitive within the GT3 class and the £30k upgrade kit they offered doesn't seem to have helped much. If I knew for sure that we could run this car in GT Cup, I'd go and buy one, as all in ,it should be a better car then the 996, but as I suspect it will have to run in GT3, it will struggle against much quicker cars. Having said that, and following my original argument, it could work reasonably well in Britcar as an endurance racer but I hear that it has had reliability problems mainly from the sequential box and if that's true, I'd leave it on the grounds of the added costs and the effects a failure of this type would have on a given race day. You say your car is a bog standard 996 cup car, I believe you, and it goes rightly into GT3 cup class. So why are the standard 997 cup cars in the class above?
Edited by Racing Rod on Friday 21st September 13:08
2priestsferrari said:
Rod I agree entirely with your comments HOWEVER the whole championship and 24hrs is based upon power to weight and on that basis a 997 cup car is in the GT3 cup class - the regulations do not have any stipulation over rose joints, gearbox, etc.
In essence, I agree that there is a possible argument, to a very limited degree, for down grading the 997 to cup class based on current performance capabilities but I can also see that those that run 996's would then have to upgrade to stay competitive for the 997 will have a real advantage over a 996. Existing 996 teams and probably most of the other non Porsche teams, in Cup class would object to that, and rightly so. This is the dilemma in buying and racing a 997, where do you run it ?? for it's a classified GT3 car that's under performing in the class that it was designed for but if dropped in class would have a distinct advantage in racing against existing GT Cup cars and I think that if Britcar re-classified it as a cup car there would be something of a reaction from all current GT Cup teams.I for one would object on the grounds that I don't want to be forced into spending a small fortune to keep my existing car a least mildly competitive against an upgraded version of the same breed that has failed to make the grade in the class it was supposed to be in..
2priests ...there is no GT3 Cup class in Britcar. There is GT Cup and then GT3.
Yes the 996 GT3 Cup cars are in the GT Cup class, and the 996 GT3 RS and 997 GT3 Cup cars are in GT3 - there, simple!! Never been an area of dispute.
Rod - agree with your comments 100%. Watertight regs would be great of course, until people tried to get round them! At least we maintain a good atmosphere in the paddock ,and teams are free of suspicion and finger pointing. We (the teams) sort of self regulate Britcar, and only one car was moved in class during the season - and that upon request of the relevant team.
Yes, 2007 was a learning year, and I'm sure 2008 will be better still. We do have to find a way of getting regulars back into the series (Henry / Scuffers) and it might be an idea to approach JT at Brands in November to campaign for a "team/drivers" meeting with him post season to reflect on the season past, and to allow input from the teams. I guess we are free to do this anyway, thinking about it, by contacting the EERC - but it would be good to sit down with others and hear a collective view.
I know 2priests wants us all to have transparent class slots and for the watching crowds to understand - but each car & class is identified via class stickers on the doors - easy. There were over 25 types or variations of different cars in Britcar this year - and taking Henry's point somewhere else, without wind tunnels et al, self regulation is the cheapest and most effective measure at the mo.
I know Richard (935) has a different opinion, which as a potential overall race winning car owner, I would expect him to have - I don't know enough technically to be able to agree or disagree. And thats why sitting around a table with other Britcar regulars would appeal.
Yes the 996 GT3 Cup cars are in the GT Cup class, and the 996 GT3 RS and 997 GT3 Cup cars are in GT3 - there, simple!! Never been an area of dispute.
Rod - agree with your comments 100%. Watertight regs would be great of course, until people tried to get round them! At least we maintain a good atmosphere in the paddock ,and teams are free of suspicion and finger pointing. We (the teams) sort of self regulate Britcar, and only one car was moved in class during the season - and that upon request of the relevant team.
Yes, 2007 was a learning year, and I'm sure 2008 will be better still. We do have to find a way of getting regulars back into the series (Henry / Scuffers) and it might be an idea to approach JT at Brands in November to campaign for a "team/drivers" meeting with him post season to reflect on the season past, and to allow input from the teams. I guess we are free to do this anyway, thinking about it, by contacting the EERC - but it would be good to sit down with others and hear a collective view.
I know 2priests wants us all to have transparent class slots and for the watching crowds to understand - but each car & class is identified via class stickers on the doors - easy. There were over 25 types or variations of different cars in Britcar this year - and taking Henry's point somewhere else, without wind tunnels et al, self regulation is the cheapest and most effective measure at the mo.
I know Richard (935) has a different opinion, which as a potential overall race winning car owner, I would expect him to have - I don't know enough technically to be able to agree or disagree. And thats why sitting around a table with other Britcar regulars would appeal.
Edited by Jemco Andy on Friday 21st September 17:00
Hi Andy,
Yes, it would be good to have the ability for teams to air their respective views and as you say, perhaps November would be an opportunity. Personally, I would wait until the dinner dance and maybe have a team/driver meeting during the afternoon prior to the main event as I believe that changes are being considered as we speak. There is for instance the distinct possibility that we will all be given the opportunity of dropping a bad round next season, and if I am remembering correctly, this was a point that Henry brought up many moons ago. I think what I'm suggesting is this, There will be changes that could well be adopted for 2008 that were first muted back in 06 but have taken time to run through the system, lets see what and if these do come forward and at that point add any further suggestions that may be worth considering.
We all know that good and proper changes to any given policy or structure need considerable thought and consideration before implementation, we need only look at our present government to see examples of ill conceived rules and regulations which were not fully thought through, so I say, give the EERC the benefit of the doubt and time to come up with their own interpretation of what is needed and then add or subtract from this once presented. Rome wasn't built in a day or even 7 days, but it collapsed in hours !!!
Yes, it would be good to have the ability for teams to air their respective views and as you say, perhaps November would be an opportunity. Personally, I would wait until the dinner dance and maybe have a team/driver meeting during the afternoon prior to the main event as I believe that changes are being considered as we speak. There is for instance the distinct possibility that we will all be given the opportunity of dropping a bad round next season, and if I am remembering correctly, this was a point that Henry brought up many moons ago. I think what I'm suggesting is this, There will be changes that could well be adopted for 2008 that were first muted back in 06 but have taken time to run through the system, lets see what and if these do come forward and at that point add any further suggestions that may be worth considering.
We all know that good and proper changes to any given policy or structure need considerable thought and consideration before implementation, we need only look at our present government to see examples of ill conceived rules and regulations which were not fully thought through, so I say, give the EERC the benefit of the doubt and time to come up with their own interpretation of what is needed and then add or subtract from this once presented. Rome wasn't built in a day or even 7 days, but it collapsed in hours !!!
I am not really sure if there is any point in the regulations as there is no one really checking we are adhering to them. We had our ‘Datalogger’ checked once over the year and they suggested our M3 had 440bhp, which is bollox!
We also never had the car weighed?
Is it that we all enjoy Britcar due to it’s relaxed attitude and friendly paddock?
We worked to the regulations and ensured we utilised them to suit us.
There were 4 or 5 Cars in Class one that were very similar and produced some good close racing, some with clearly more BHP, some with other ‘go faster’ bits!
Britcar is a great Championship, and I am note sure it would be the same if the regulations were followed to the ‘book’ and every car checked at every meeting, that is clearly not practical.
This is endurance racing not 15 minute sprint racing, reliability rather than BHP was the key factor for us this year and the ability to run for between 2 and 4 hrs presented a number of challenging factors, it always surprised me how many cars ‘binned it’ on the first lap of a 4hr race.
James may be a pain it the ass sometimes, but he has produced a really great series and I hope he has his full grids in 2008, we will be back racing – in something with loads more power and in GT3 Class!
We also never had the car weighed?
Is it that we all enjoy Britcar due to it’s relaxed attitude and friendly paddock?
We worked to the regulations and ensured we utilised them to suit us.
There were 4 or 5 Cars in Class one that were very similar and produced some good close racing, some with clearly more BHP, some with other ‘go faster’ bits!
Britcar is a great Championship, and I am note sure it would be the same if the regulations were followed to the ‘book’ and every car checked at every meeting, that is clearly not practical.
This is endurance racing not 15 minute sprint racing, reliability rather than BHP was the key factor for us this year and the ability to run for between 2 and 4 hrs presented a number of challenging factors, it always surprised me how many cars ‘binned it’ on the first lap of a 4hr race.
James may be a pain it the ass sometimes, but he has produced a really great series and I hope he has his full grids in 2008, we will be back racing – in something with loads more power and in GT3 Class!
Great stuff, guys.
Craig Wilkins said to me at Donington; "I'm not sure what I like best about Britcar - the racing, or the great bunch of new friends that I've made", and that just about sums it up. Over-regulation would make politics out of sport. There are a lot more people who are happy with it, than are not.
Regarding drivers/teams meeting with the EERC, my personal view is that you can't run a successful championship, or business, by committee - look at Ecclestone, Gow, Ratel, Palmer. It's got to be one person. Too many people will have their own particular agenda. Look at the different opinions of the dozen or so drivers that post on this forum.
The broadcaster Mark Lamarr said on his Radio 2 rock'n roll show a while back; " I'm fed up with people writing in saying, you should be playing this, why don't you play that - well, if you want to hear these obscure tracks, then do what I've had to do, and get your own radio show - otherwise, shut up, and listen to mine"
The same might be said about racing championships.
Craig Wilkins said to me at Donington; "I'm not sure what I like best about Britcar - the racing, or the great bunch of new friends that I've made", and that just about sums it up. Over-regulation would make politics out of sport. There are a lot more people who are happy with it, than are not.
Regarding drivers/teams meeting with the EERC, my personal view is that you can't run a successful championship, or business, by committee - look at Ecclestone, Gow, Ratel, Palmer. It's got to be one person. Too many people will have their own particular agenda. Look at the different opinions of the dozen or so drivers that post on this forum.
The broadcaster Mark Lamarr said on his Radio 2 rock'n roll show a while back; " I'm fed up with people writing in saying, you should be playing this, why don't you play that - well, if you want to hear these obscure tracks, then do what I've had to do, and get your own radio show - otherwise, shut up, and listen to mine"
The same might be said about racing championships.
Steve, i agree with you, There is no point in a general meeting as JT has no intention of changing anything, but have a word with him about General Hospitality!!! Dutch Super Car has the most amazing hospitality for drivers etc, they made me feel so welcome at the Silverstone round! Britcar needs to have the same in 2008, he proved he could do it at Brands for the A1 GP weekend.
Steve
Steve
We will be joining Britcar next season. I suspect we were somewhat spoiled by the hospitality and entry fee of Dutch Supercar, but we are looking forward to Britcar nonetheless. I hope that James can emulate the DSC approach - at Silverstone we had 30mins free practice, 30 mins qually and 2 x 45 min races, access to hospitality all weekend and a BBQ on Saturday for the entire team (not just VIP guests), with free bar - all for €1,075. Not only is that good value for money, it makes it far easier for small teams like ourselves to keep our voluntary helpers, because they all had such a good time.
We are off to Spa for another bash at DSC, this time with full throttle and a car that is not still being built in the paddock. After that the car will be further developed and entered for Britcar 2008
I still think that it would be better to separate GTs and Production S1 if numbers look high and then try to sustain those numbers throughout the season. When James declared the Britcar grids full at the beginning of this season we eased off on our car build - as it turned out we could easily have done some of the later races, only we hadn't finished the car. I do think it puts potential entrants off - it did us - although I accept from a race organiser's point of view you want full grids. DSC seems to work well with its two groupings of cars
We are off to Spa for another bash at DSC, this time with full throttle and a car that is not still being built in the paddock. After that the car will be further developed and entered for Britcar 2008
I still think that it would be better to separate GTs and Production S1 if numbers look high and then try to sustain those numbers throughout the season. When James declared the Britcar grids full at the beginning of this season we eased off on our car build - as it turned out we could easily have done some of the later races, only we hadn't finished the car. I do think it puts potential entrants off - it did us - although I accept from a race organiser's point of view you want full grids. DSC seems to work well with its two groupings of cars
Edited by teamHOLDENracing on Saturday 22 September 14:06
Problem is that we never get the full truth off JT. At the start of the 2007 season he called us to say the grids were full and we could not race unless we paid for the first two rounds NOW!
I hope he as learnt his lesson here, with everyone doing all rounds and allowing you to drop your worst round will help for a close Championship.
I cannot see him ever doing two races with GT and Production unless the grids are massive, but it is difficult for him to commit financially to such a big deal when so many teams run out of budget as the year progresses.
Maybe it is easier for DSC to deal with the European Circuits, lets face it, many of the UK circuits are unhelpful, MSV are nothing but a bunch of rude individuals who need to go back to school to learn about manners and customers service.
I think they are only now starting to take JT seriously...
We know how to deal with JT.... Dont bother and speak with Claire!
Lets all put some pressure onto JT to get his hospitalilty sorted and have a great 2008 season.
I hope he as learnt his lesson here, with everyone doing all rounds and allowing you to drop your worst round will help for a close Championship.
I cannot see him ever doing two races with GT and Production unless the grids are massive, but it is difficult for him to commit financially to such a big deal when so many teams run out of budget as the year progresses.
Maybe it is easier for DSC to deal with the European Circuits, lets face it, many of the UK circuits are unhelpful, MSV are nothing but a bunch of rude individuals who need to go back to school to learn about manners and customers service.
I think they are only now starting to take JT seriously...
We know how to deal with JT.... Dont bother and speak with Claire!
Lets all put some pressure onto JT to get his hospitalilty sorted and have a great 2008 season.
Steve Britcar said:
Great stuff, guys.
Regarding drivers/teams meeting with the EERC, my personal view is that you can't run a successful championship, or business, by committee - look at Ecclestone, Gow, Ratel, Palmer. It's got to be one person.
With the possible exception of Ratel from your list above, who seems to be a law unto himself, all the rest MUST listen to the teams that race in their respective series. I agree that you don't, in the main, run successful ventures by committee and I don't think anyone here is asking for that,however, many companies are run by boards for it's a way of adding expertise and specializations that are rarely found in one person.Regarding drivers/teams meeting with the EERC, my personal view is that you can't run a successful championship, or business, by committee - look at Ecclestone, Gow, Ratel, Palmer. It's got to be one person.
If I were in J T's position I would already know that my reputation and style of management allowed me to feel quite safe in terms of losing any real control. I would take into consideration that I was widely liked, respected for my achievements and known as a person who is hard to intimidate and doesn't suffer fools at all !! In this position, I would say to myself, O.K, I'll throw a few things into the ring and have a driver and team meeting, might even set up my own driver and team forum and then sit back and judge the reaction, I would consider myself clever enough to be able to tell the self interested from the genuine and would come away with perhaps a few idea's that were worth consideration. I would then adapt them as my own in order to better my organisation and increase my ever growing popularity with my customers having first tweaked the suggested improvements here and there so that they appear original.
That's what I would do if I were James, perhaps however, he is well ahead of me and already considering something along these lines but as yet Steve, hasn't let on about it !!!! that's how I'd play it until I was ready to announce my overall plans for 2008.
Jemco Andy said:
2priests ...there is no GT3 Cup class in Britcar. There is GT Cup and then GT3.
Yes the 996 GT3 Cup cars are in the GT Cup class, and the 996 GT3 RS and 997 GT3 Cup cars are in GT3 - there, simple!! Never been an area of dispute.
Untill next year looks like GT cup class has gone!! New class stucture for 2008Yes the 996 GT3 Cup cars are in the GT Cup class, and the 996 GT3 RS and 997 GT3 Cup cars are in GT3 - there, simple!! Never been an area of dispute.
The Class Structure:
GT3
GT4
class 1
class 2a/b
Race Lengths:
min 100min max 240min
Refuelling
Nos of Rounds:
TBA
Worst round to be dropped
ngr said:
Jemco Andy said:
2priests ...there is no GT3 Cup class in Britcar. There is GT Cup and then GT3.
Yes the 996 GT3 Cup cars are in the GT Cup class, and the 996 GT3 RS and 997 GT3 Cup cars are in GT3 - there, simple!! Never been an area of dispute.
Untill next year looks like GT cup class has gone!! New class stucture for 2008Yes the 996 GT3 Cup cars are in the GT Cup class, and the 996 GT3 RS and 997 GT3 Cup cars are in GT3 - there, simple!! Never been an area of dispute.
The Class Structure:
GT3
GT4
class 1
class 2a/b
Race Lengths:
min 100min max 240min
Refuelling
Nos of Rounds:
TBA
Worst round to be dropped
ngr said:
Jemco Andy said:
2priests ...there is no GT3 Cup class in Britcar. There is GT Cup and then GT3.
Yes the 996 GT3 Cup cars are in the GT Cup class, and the 996 GT3 RS and 997 GT3 Cup cars are in GT3 - there, simple!! Never been an area of dispute.
Untill next year looks like GT cup class has gone!! New class stucture for 2008Yes the 996 GT3 Cup cars are in the GT Cup class, and the 996 GT3 RS and 997 GT3 Cup cars are in GT3 - there, simple!! Never been an area of dispute.
The Class Structure:
GT3
GT4
class 1
class 2a/b
Race Lengths:
min 100min max 240min
Refuelling
Nos of Rounds:
TBA
Worst round to be dropped
Steve Britcar said:
Over-regulation would make politics out of sport. There are a lot more people who are happy with it, than are not.
Regarding drivers/teams meeting with the EERC, my personal view is that you can't run a successful championship, or business, by committee - look at Ecclestone, Gow, Ratel, Palmer. It's got to be one person. Too many people will have their own particular agenda. Look at the different opinions of the dozen or so drivers that post on this forum.
Agreed but then I remember that when we started there were no regulations. You had a set of classes and if you had a car you entered it and JT would decide the class - then if you went quicker you'd get bumped up, slower bumped down.Regarding drivers/teams meeting with the EERC, my personal view is that you can't run a successful championship, or business, by committee - look at Ecclestone, Gow, Ratel, Palmer. It's got to be one person. Too many people will have their own particular agenda. Look at the different opinions of the dozen or so drivers that post on this forum.
This worked fine. Now however we seem to be caught somewhere in between. EERC/JT want to start making this more appealing for the general public and more professional so there are a "better standard" of cars on the grid and so it attracts teams like Duller over for the 24hrs.
With that comes regulation and the need to buy power loggers, etc, etc. When those regulations that do come in don't get respected it does leave a bad taste, same as when some people couldn't get entries early in the year because he claimed he was full up. Same as when regular competitors didn't race consistant rivals because of a confused pick and mix of races. Same a when there were many left on the gate at Brands because there were no tickets.
There have been a great number of teams/drivers that have come but sadly many more that have gone and in 2008 there were not that many from that original bunch that were in from the beginning.
What's happened to those who used to do the series (not just the 24hrs) guys like Andy Allen, Calum Lockie, David Leslie, Harry Handkammer, Andy Rouse, Richard Meins, John George, Willie Moore, Kevin Riley, Mark Sumpter...
To me, Britcar attracts because it has such enormouse potential to excite the competitors. Long races against different make and performance cars is always going to be good fun.
However, it is an expensive formaula nad commiting to a full season takes a lot of effort, a lot of money and good sponsors. Very few people will put money into a team unless they are assured of the regulations and assured that these regulations will be adherred to.
We are very keen to have another go next year but we do need some clarification on the regulations. As soon as James clarifies his position we will either enter or not. I will not run another season unless I know the facts.
On a brighter note I understand the championship will be 8 rounds with the best 7 scores to count. James is going to limit the number of teams to 44 (why?) and entries will be on a first come first served basis. At least there has been progress here and I applaud it. Lets hope they sort out the technical regs next. Lets also hope that the technical scrutineers are given the tools and the power to do the job. If they are we will be back!
I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Cheers,
Richard.
However, it is an expensive formaula nad commiting to a full season takes a lot of effort, a lot of money and good sponsors. Very few people will put money into a team unless they are assured of the regulations and assured that these regulations will be adherred to.
We are very keen to have another go next year but we do need some clarification on the regulations. As soon as James clarifies his position we will either enter or not. I will not run another season unless I know the facts.
On a brighter note I understand the championship will be 8 rounds with the best 7 scores to count. James is going to limit the number of teams to 44 (why?) and entries will be on a first come first served basis. At least there has been progress here and I applaud it. Lets hope they sort out the technical regs next. Lets also hope that the technical scrutineers are given the tools and the power to do the job. If they are we will be back!
I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Cheers,
Richard.
With the new classes announced and in particular GT3 and GT4, are they going to be more aligned to what the FIA mean (and the general public think) GT3 and GT4 actually are?? If they do then that would mean a re-jig of the weight and your Porsche, the V8Star and all Porsche GT3 R/RS and RSR would be doubtful (as a GT Porsche is as you know a GT2 car!).
What is the thinking here with the re-name as a GT4 car is just a very basic, almost standard road car with cage and other safety gear and if the Aston N24 is anything to go by slower than the current class 1 cars!
Would be good to know sooner rather than later so plans could be made....
What is the thinking here with the re-name as a GT4 car is just a very basic, almost standard road car with cage and other safety gear and if the Aston N24 is anything to go by slower than the current class 1 cars!
Would be good to know sooner rather than later so plans could be made....
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