The Diesels are leaving and so are Seat - BTCC news
Discussion
Seat are pulling out of the BTCC at the end of the year.
crash.net said:
EAT has announced that it will withdraw from the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship at the end of the 2008 season and will also pull the plug on the successful SEAT Cupra Championship.
SEAT joined the BTCC grid back in 2004, winning first time out with Jason Plato in the Toledo at Thruxton, and has since gone on to establish itself as one of the most successful manufacturers in the history of the series – with more than 40 wins putting it fourth on the all-time winners list behind Ford, Vauxhall and Honda.
While the drivers' title proved to be elusive despite a series of strong seasons from Plato in particular, SEAT did take the manufacturers' crown back in 2006 while SEAT Sport UK took the teams' title last year.
SEAT also became the first manufacturer to enter a diesel-powered car in the BTCC this season, with Plato and Darren Turner both taking victory at the wheel of the Leon TDi. Indeed, Plato has won more races than anyone else during the current campaign and goes into the final weekend of the year at Brands Hatch with an outside chance of lifting the title.
The announcement will also bring an end to the SEAT Cupra Championship, which was first run in 2003 and has produced a number of drivers who have gone on to race in both the BTCC and WTCC – including current Chevrolet WTCC ace Rob Huff and BTCC front-runners Gordon Shedden and Mat Jackson.
"SEAT has enjoyed six very successful seasons in British Motorsport - five of them in the BTCC - and it is fair to say that through both touring cars and the SEAT Cupra Championship, the brand's image has been massively enhanced," SEAT UK head of marketing Steve Robertson said. "This is emphatically demonstrated through sales of our hot hatches - the UK is the world's biggest market for the Leon Cupra, for example, while FR and Cupra combined account for over 30 per cent of Leon sales in this country. That's way ahead of any competitor and shows just how our motorsport activities have really established the brand among enthusiastic drivers.
"Now it is time to emphasise SEAT's sporty and stylish image through other marketing activities, which will continue to enhance the brand's profile. I would like to thank all the many people that have helped us achieve so much in both the BTCC and SCC over the past few years - they can be very proud of what they have contributed. I would also like to thank, on behalf of everyone at SEAT UK and SEAT Sport UK, the many fans who have followed our progress over these past few years. Your support is hugely appreciated."
SEAT joined the BTCC grid back in 2004, winning first time out with Jason Plato in the Toledo at Thruxton, and has since gone on to establish itself as one of the most successful manufacturers in the history of the series – with more than 40 wins putting it fourth on the all-time winners list behind Ford, Vauxhall and Honda.
While the drivers' title proved to be elusive despite a series of strong seasons from Plato in particular, SEAT did take the manufacturers' crown back in 2006 while SEAT Sport UK took the teams' title last year.
SEAT also became the first manufacturer to enter a diesel-powered car in the BTCC this season, with Plato and Darren Turner both taking victory at the wheel of the Leon TDi. Indeed, Plato has won more races than anyone else during the current campaign and goes into the final weekend of the year at Brands Hatch with an outside chance of lifting the title.
The announcement will also bring an end to the SEAT Cupra Championship, which was first run in 2003 and has produced a number of drivers who have gone on to race in both the BTCC and WTCC – including current Chevrolet WTCC ace Rob Huff and BTCC front-runners Gordon Shedden and Mat Jackson.
"SEAT has enjoyed six very successful seasons in British Motorsport - five of them in the BTCC - and it is fair to say that through both touring cars and the SEAT Cupra Championship, the brand's image has been massively enhanced," SEAT UK head of marketing Steve Robertson said. "This is emphatically demonstrated through sales of our hot hatches - the UK is the world's biggest market for the Leon Cupra, for example, while FR and Cupra combined account for over 30 per cent of Leon sales in this country. That's way ahead of any competitor and shows just how our motorsport activities have really established the brand among enthusiastic drivers.
"Now it is time to emphasise SEAT's sporty and stylish image through other marketing activities, which will continue to enhance the brand's profile. I would like to thank all the many people that have helped us achieve so much in both the BTCC and SCC over the past few years - they can be very proud of what they have contributed. I would also like to thank, on behalf of everyone at SEAT UK and SEAT Sport UK, the many fans who have followed our progress over these past few years. Your support is hugely appreciated."
"with more than 40 wins putting it fourth on the all-time winners list behind Ford, Vauxhall and Honda" slightly misleading since they have been around mostly in the earer of 3 races per event. Still good though.
Bit of a shame, hope touring cars doesnt end up like it was about 6 years ago when there were only 2 manufacturers competing, its been awsome just recently.
Bit of a shame, hope touring cars doesnt end up like it was about 6 years ago when there were only 2 manufacturers competing, its been awsome just recently.
There is talk of a new manufacturer joining.
http://www.crash.net/motorsport/btcc/news/168525-0...
Instant replacement.
http://www.crash.net/motorsport/btcc/news/168525-0...
Instant replacement.
t. Why they entered the car for short sprint races beats me? Marketing, yes, that it.Dr JonboyG said:
tomTVR said:
slightly misleading since they have been around mostly in the earer of 3 races per event
I think whats sad is that they dont think running in the BTCC is a worth while marketing activity not unlike whats happening to WRC atm....
What i dont understand is in their statement didnt they put that SEAT want to pursue marketing activities that brought more performance & style to the business???? What like racing in a very popular British race series watched by lots of people for the type of emotive racing you get in it......
I didnt much like the desiels but saw a palce for them i just can see other big teams loosing interest.
What i dont understand is in their statement didnt they put that SEAT want to pursue marketing activities that brought more performance & style to the business???? What like racing in a very popular British race series watched by lots of people for the type of emotive racing you get in it......
I didnt much like the desiels but saw a palce for them i just can see other big teams loosing interest.
tomTVR said:
There is a new team for next year but i dont think its a manufacturer. Dan Eaves wrong and co should be back but with bio-ethanol Chevrolets.
EFAThere will be SEATs running next year, also on Bio-ethanol with Dan Eaves and Phiroze Bilimoria driving.
Edited by Crazy Fool on Thursday 11th September 15:58
crash.net said:
"With more than 40 wins putting it fourth on the all-time winners list behind Ford, Vauxhall and Honda" slightly misleading since they have been around mostly in the earer of 3 races per event. Still good though.
Autosport said:
Since joining the BTCC in 2004, SEAT have racked up 43 wins so far, leaving them equal with Jaguar as the sixth most successful marque in series history. Plato has finished as runner-up in the championship for the past two seasons, last year only losing out to Fabrizio Giovanardi in the race for the title at the final round.
Which is it then, 4th or 6th?Edited by GBRM on Thursday 11th September 16:09
Crazy Fool said:
tomTVR said:
There is a new team for next year but i dont think its a manufacturer. Dan Eaves wrong and co should be back but with bio-ethanol Chevrolets.
EFAThere will be SEATs running next year, also on Bio-ethanol with Dan Eaves and Phiroze Bilimoria driving.
Edited by Crazy Fool on Thursday 11th September 15:58
tomTVR said:
Dr JonboyG said:
tomTVR said:
slightly misleading since they have been around mostly in the earer of 3 races per event
. 
tomTVR said:
Crazy Fool said:
tomTVR said:
There is a new team for next year but i dont think its a manufacturer. Dan Eaves wrong and co should be back but with bio-ethanol Chevrolets.
EFAThere will be SEATs running next year, also on Bio-ethanol with Dan Eaves and Phiroze Bilimoria driving.
Edited by Crazy Fool on Thursday 11th September 15:58
Ah yes your right. This link mentions something about them although they were still using the Chevrolets about 3 months ago on Sky Sports.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68172
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68172
Well, I won't be sorry to see the diesels go. Horrible things.
It is a shame for motorsport in general that SEAT are leaving. Although to be honest their racing expenditure in the UK probably far outweighed any marketing benefit they were getting from it, and times are tough right now.
It is a shame for motorsport in general that SEAT are leaving. Although to be honest their racing expenditure in the UK probably far outweighed any marketing benefit they were getting from it, and times are tough right now.
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