BTCC 2010

Feel for Colin Blair in his old Vectra..... he hardly ever got on tv unles he was being lapped

Updated OP

Good to see the Pirtek Vectra out testing with the new engine, and word has it a team has bought the Arkas Racing Astras to run this year - Boulevard and Martin Johnson?

yeah, they seem like the top candidates for that, that Astra Coupe is well past it these days!

Just saw a rumour elsewhere that it is Thorney Motorsport that have purchased the Astras!

If it's true, that's excellent news, as it could mean a full season of running in the BTCC while they prepare their NGTC Insignia. And with the ties Thorney have with Vauxhall, and their experience with the SportMaxx Astras, I reckon they could make them work well. Fingers crossed!

Media day is still too far away...

Haven't read the first page yet so apologies if this has been mentioned, but I just read in Motorsport News paper that apparently RML who run the works Chevy's in the WTCC are very close to putting together a 2-car works entry for the BTCC, and Plato's favourite to take one of the two seats!

Also, regarding Team Dynamics, I read in Autosport a couple of weeks back that Steve Neal, boss of the team, said their Civics would NOT be running Mugen engines.

Nope, they won't, it'll still be a Neil Brown prepared 2 litre Honda VTEC, but the new Civic carries similar styling to the new Mugen 200 Civic that's coming out.

The road car has the same powerplant as a standard Civic Type R, as noted in this press release...

On top of the standard features of the Swindon-built Type R (which of course, include Honda’s 201PS, screaming i-VTEC engine) the MUGEN 200 will boast the following:

• Exclusive MUGEN front and rear bumpers with skirts
• 19-inch alloy wheels in ‘Lightning’ design
• MUGEN rear badge
• MUGEN Limited Edition number plaque
• Limited Slip Differential
• Championship White exterior paint
• Gloss black door mirrors

The BTCC Civic will to all intents and purposes be the same as last year's with the styling changes and a few new upgrades, I'd imagine.

As for the Chevrolet works team, I have been touting this since the end of the 2009 season. I truly hope and believe this will happen, with Plato and Jackson running the Cruze as Chevrolet UK.

So, after losing SEAT and Vauxhall over the last few years, could we see manufacturers returning in the shape of Honda and Chevrolet? If this works out, maybein 2011 Ford will finally go all-in with Arena and make the Focus' a pair of works cars, or even a pair of NGTC Mondeos! We might see Vauxhall come back with the Insignia, particularly if Thorney can make it work and get out for the latter half of the season.

What is certain is the independants are leading the way for the BTCC now, and the direction they take it in coupled with their initiative will drive it's success.

I still miss the 90s of the BTCC when it was the top touring car championship in the world and the grids were stuffed full of works teams. I can hope it goes back to that once again, but I feel it never will.

its a shame it wont have that Mugen wing on it.... thats a gorgous wing and what ive thought the car should have had since it came out!

Infact i think i have some drawings i did somewhere.... Lawsuit perhaps...? lol

Right, the Thorney situation... Still a rumour at the moment, Thorney have not said much on ten-tenths for a while so I will assume that they have bought them.

Good job you arrived to clear that up Nicky.

this is another case of me doing a stupid post, only to come back and realise that I had previously been a fanny.

Just read in motorsport news that RML have 2 chevy cruz's ready for the btcc this year.Platos a sure for a drive and maybe Turkington? as hes a go so far with sponsors.At last a works team again

Turky was testing one of them WSR's wint he?

I can't see Turkington not going back to WSR, he was out testing the BMW last week for them. Still, if Chevrolet are coming in as a works team, he'd be getting paid to drive I'd imagine. Why would he fork out for his season's drive when he could be picking up a paycheck?

Well Turkington admitted himself that he doesnt bring much money to WSR so if they have somebody that can well moneys money.He is the champion so hes prob got a few good offers on the table and after last year with Plato and chevy it would be hard to turn down.
Adams has lost his main backer too by what motorsport news said.
Team AON possible bio fuel engine???

I don't see why not, it is being done in the STCC with the Scirroco's (although with not very much success results wise)

John Thorne has posted on ten-tenths to update the situation regarding the Astras. It was indeed Thorney that purchased them, and they had plans and funding to run a two-car team. However, their second driver has pulled out after his sponsors withdrew their backing, and the deal that was done was to run a two car team, so they are currently in limbo with their plans.

Hopefully they'll get something together in time for the first round, if not media day. I think the Thorney Astras would look brilliant out on track in a livery similar to that they run on their other cars. John Thorne reckons the car was fast and would be upgraded during the season.

OP updated

Stephen Jelley to drive in the PCCGB this season after securing a drive with Team Parker Racing. Clearly his funding doesn't stretch to a BTCC drive this year, so he's going to the Porsche support series with a front-running team.

A good move?

Nah, the porkas are very boring to watch. Their race is always the one I fast forward through. And they always end up going to the timer. Poor move, but I guess its one way for him to keep racing in the BTCC circus if he can't get a BTCC drive.

Saying that, it is a potentially front-running drive in the series. Maybe it could get him better exposure, ergo better sponsorship?

The Porsche's do not sound as good as they should either, very disapointed at Knockill. Also, the Clio Cup doesn't go to Knockhill anymore, which sucks too as I have never seen a modern Clio Cup race, only the old shape cars back in 2002.

I saw them in 2006 at the hill, but they've not been back since. It's the Cupras I miss

yeah

I used the G50 race as a toilet break haha. And the Juniors are always fun to watch.

What the TOCA Package really needs is a Junior-BTCC, much like what they have in Sweden, I'd love to see Corsa's, Lupo's, Fiesta's and Matiz's race each other, and then see the big boys race afterwards

Am i the only one who's gonna miss Giovanardi? (Or John Minardi as he's affectionately known by SBR)

I know he wasnt British but he was one hell of a driver and always fought through the field reltively cleanly...

I'll Miss him....

Gotta have someone to give Plato a hard time....

(ok rant over....)