BTCC 2021 silly season rumour mill

[Robmarriott]

Prompted by Ciceley announcing they're retiring the A Class for a new (as yet unannounced) car for next year, I thought a thread was about due.

Couple of points to address;

Will we see Plato return?
Will Neal retire?
What will Ciceley choose to build? (I reckon a new Golf)

[Robmarriott]

Trade Price Cars and Exceler8 join forces for 2021

http://www.btcc.net/2020/11/12/trade-price-cars-ex...

[Robmarriott]

Alright, point taken.

[Robmarriott]

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

Sebring440 said:

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

there's a reason why Cicely race Mercs........

Why all the dots?

We all know why Ciceley run Mercs.

the dots are there for RobMarriot to join.

http://www.btcc.net/2020/11/25/ciceley-motorsport-...

Weird looking Merc.

[Robmarriott]

I'm not entirely sure it matters anyway, it's not like one make formulae are always boring. Maybe a whole grid of the same cars would actually be ok.

[Robmarriott]

Kraken said:

I don't think anyone had one that wasn't used as, as far as I understand it, they have to be returned to TOCA if they're not used as happened with Simpson.

Team Parker perhaps with Jelley going to WSR?

I think we're going to see a lot more "merging" of teams especially with cars needing replacing. The most likely next one would be MB Racing as they need to replace the Hondas so I wouldn't be surprised to see a merger with the likes of PMR or Motorbase.

I'd be very surprised if MB don't end up with Focuses judging by the action at Companies House with the Motorbase name and its new directors.

[Robmarriott]

Motorbase also has Shaun Hollamby as a director now, that’s what I was hinting at.

Anyway... Tom Ingram has left Speedworks, apparently there’s an article in Motorsport News tomorrow and his IG story is of a box of stuff ‘clearing out his desk’ along with a Hansford Sensors calendar, a Ginsters pasty and his gloves. Looks like the sponsors will go with him, which might help pinpoint where he’s going? Someone who doesn’t mind more than one livery.

[Robmarriott]

A few people think he’ll be in a Hyundai but I think there might be a blue oval in his future, which would be a strong choice for him.

[Robmarriott]

MG CHRIS said:

mountune looks to have new owners called Jackson could possible be ollie or his family.

Looks that way, if you look at all the appointments one of the directors has, there’s several which point at Ollie.

I reckon he’ll be quiet in here for a while yet!

[Robmarriott]

I guess it all depends how the Motorbase/AMD/MB thing pans out, it could be one name running 4 cars, one running 3 and one another (which is what I’m hoping, 3 main and Ingram in another) or it could be a 50/50 split. Either way, I’m as convinced as I can be that it’ll be 4 Focuses on the grid.

[Robmarriott]

stevemcs said:

Jackson could also be Matt or Samuel L ....

It could, if it wasn’t for the other appointments of the directors involved, one of which is the company that OJ’s day job is with.

[Robmarriott]

ninepoint2 said:

Where are we getting the info that Blundell is involved in Motorbase now?

Just joining dots. MB Motorsport’s website still has Shaun as team principle.

[Robmarriott]

greeny12 said:

BenRichards89 said:

I'll throw a few guesses in here..

Butcher & Sam Smelt at Speedworks
Tom Ingram in a Hyundai
Jade Edwards at BTC
Rowbottom at Team Dynamics

First one in - good start!

Two!

[Robmarriott]

On-Rails said:

Robmarriott said:

Two!

I’m expecting a full house

Got this weeks lottery numbers?

[Robmarriott]

DanielSan said:

RonaldMcDonaldAteMyCat said:

It says the engines are unbranded, what are they based on?

TOCA lump is still based on the Vauxhall Red Top engine still isn't it?

Nope, that’s an old cast iron lump. The Swindon TOCA engine is based on the aluminium engine you’d find in an Insignia, second gen Astra VXR, something like that.

[Robmarriott]

Great Wookie news this morning, however unsurprising it was.

Hill and Osbourne seem like good choices too.

[Robmarriott]

MondeoMan1981 said:

Its shaping up to be another very interesting season. BTCC has had me hooked now for almost 30 years!

Are there many seats left to confirm now?!

Officially;

West Surrey Racing BMW: Colin Turkington, TBA, TBA
Team Dynamics Honda: Dan Cammish, TBA
Laser Tools Racing Infiniti: Ash Sutton, Aiden Moffat, Carl Boardley
Motorbase/MB Ford: Jake Hill, Ollie Jackson, Sam Osborne, Andy Neate
BTC Racing Honda: Josh Cook, Michael Crees, Jade Edwards
Speedworks Motorsport Toyota: Rory Butcher, Sam Smelt
Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai: Tom Ingram, Chris Smiley, Jack Butel, TBA
Ciceley Motorsport BMW: Adam Morgan, Tom Chilton
Team Hard Cupra: Jack Goff, Aron Taylor-Smith, Glynn Geddie, TBA
Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall: Jason Plato, TBA

(From here - https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/154889/jackson...

Speculation says;

WSR - Oliphant and Jelley is pretty much a given
TD - either Neal or Rowbottom (who has denied it...)
Excelr8 - Proctor or Thompson
PMR - Thompson or Proctor (or Rick Parfitt Jr)
Hard - Hamilton

[Robmarriott]

Shedden back. Shame to see Cammish go but that softens the blow a little.

Interesting that TD are still waiting a couple of weeks to announce the other driver, which fuels the ‘not Neal’ rumour.

[Robmarriott]

Lloyd confirmed at PMR. Hopefully he’ll do well, he’s a good lad and a quick driver, here’s hoping the Astra is good enough.

Who’s left unconfirmed now, 1x TD and 1x HARD?