BTCC 2009 - What's New?

[R2D2]

Anyone know whats going on, what teams are racing this year, who's racing for who etc etc??

[Marc W]

These have currently either confirmed their entries or have announced plans;

VXR RACING - Vauxhall Vectra

Fabrizio Giovanardi
Matt Neal
Andrew Jordan

TEAM RAC - BMW 320si

Colin Turkington
Stephen Jelley
Possibility of a third car as the team now have 3.

JACKSON MOTORSPORT - BMW 320si

Mat Jackson (Although there have been rumours to say he may drive elsewhere.)


TEAM AON (ARENA) - Ford Focus

Tom Chilton
TBA

CARTRIDGE WORLD CARBON ZERO RACING (Clyde Valley Racing) - Seat Leon

Dan Eaves
Adam Jones

KARTWORLD - MG ZS

Jason Hughes
2nd car possible, using Fiona Leggate's car from 2007. (She won't be back having not raced for a while due to being pregnant she wants some time to get back to racing and so might race in Britcar towards the end of the year.)

TEMPUS RACING - Chevrolet Lacetti

Harry Vaulkhard
2nd car TBA

TEAM SUNSHINE.CO.UK - Honda Integra

Martyn Bell
Paul O'Neil

MAXTREME - Seat Toledo

Liam Macmillan

MOTORBASE - BMW 320si

Rob Collard
Johnathan Adam
TBA (May run 3 cars.)

We are also likely to hear from Team Dynamics at some point (2 x Honda Civics, 1 likely to be driven by Gordon Shedden.) Micky Doyle who last year raced an Old BTC spec car is unlikely to be out due to lack of funds and his car is up for sale. There is also the possibility of a Works Volvo team, although they have said this might be postponed until 2010. There are also several more privateer drivers looking at entries but nothing concrete from any of them yet. The Media day is March 19th and so everything should become clear that morning.

Edited by Marc W on Wednesday 11th March 18:46

[R2D2]

That answered my questions! Thanks Marc

[snowen250]

Jackson is very far from being confirmed at the moment he does i'm afraid look unlikely after Accident Exchange pulled its sponsorship. Hopefully we will see him though.

Dont forget Motorbase! Kane has tested the car, Collard will run it at Brands on monday and a certain Mr Thompson has been testing for them. He has tested for most teams recently but it would be good to see him with them for 09.
Motorbase havent confirmed anything, but expect to see them out in 09.

Ian Court hopes to enter a Alfa 156 - sponsored by Text message.

Dave Pinkney will probably drive for TD or maybe a private Civic, but nothing confirmed. Shedded lost his main sponsor (Clydesdale bank) so is busy attempting to get a budget together.

WSR have always had 3 cars, if somone gives them the ££ they could field it, though it is an older shell.

John George has expressed his desire to return but nothing more from him.

And of course their is also AFM with the two 120D BMW's who intend to enter though nothing concrete.

Not being a troll just adding to the info

Simon

Edited by snowen250 on Sunday 1st March 15:21

[d3dna]

With the withdrawl of Seat, where have (are) Plato and Turner going?

[haggy]

Why dont the top btcc drivers do le mans and such like??

[snowen250]

d3dna look here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Or in short, Plato looks like telly and Turner is GT's i believe.

And Haggy some do, Turner obv, but Tom Chilton has raced for Arena in 1000kms races before. But dont forget that factory drivers are often restricted, Turner had a special deal, while privateers have barely the budget for BTCC let alone more.

Simon

[snowen250]

Yeh word out of the Jackson camp is that they are confident they will be at Brands on April 5th, just unsure where the cash will come from at the moment. Which is a real shame as Jackson is a true talent.
Simon

[Marc W]

haggy said:

Why dont the top btcc drivers do le mans and such like??

It often clashes, this year the Croft round will clash with it.

[SRL Racing]

Don,t forget about James Thompson maybe comming back for motorbase or in the Focus,Still all up in the air

[snowen250]

Well Thompson seems to have tested for half the grid!
Team Dynamics
Motorbase
Tempus Sport
And linked with Arena as well as Volvo!
Hopefully we will see him back.
Simon

[phoenix14]

I think the reality is that these teams will be taking paid drivers and need someone like Thompson who can give them really good advice.

As for Plato. I think if he has been linked with Volvo that may mean he'll sit out this year, or just a part year with selected rounds this year ?

[snowen250]

I would imagine Plato will do full year or none at all im sure he wont do selected, simply as he will want a paid drive, not a drive where he pays the team.
If Volvo do come into the series in 2010, as long as it isnt with Dynamics, expect to see him there i would say.
Simon

[phoenix14]

I mean a part season with Volvo - that was suggested in Autosport.

[snowen250]

Ah maybe, but i think if they do enter they will go for a full year assault in 2010. Possible though. Would be great to see them, the S2000 C30 is a stunning car.

[EDLT]

snowen250 said:

Ah maybe, but i think if they do enter they will go for a full year assault in 2010. Possible though. Would be great to see them, the S2000 C30 is a stunning car.

Has the rear suspension broken in that picture?

[Marc W]

Original post edited to add Rob Collard at Motorbase after todays announcement.

[snowen250]

Nope EDLT they appear to often run like that with the negative (i think is that negative camber?) camber on the rears.
The C30 is a tad fragile though compared to stuff like the BMW
Simon

[Regional]

From what I heard at the time, the C30 needed around 8° camber to make them handle.

[Bigdrift]

snowen250 said:

Ian Court hopes to enter a Alfa 156 - sponsored by Text message.

Edited by snowen250 on Sunday 1st March 15:21

it would be nice to see an Alfa back in the BTCC