BTCC 2012

wow wow just watched 2nd race wow wow wow flash get in yes Matt Neale as well Rumors are true will see them in WTCC next year



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FOR THE WIN

I posted this to my Facebook but thought this would be a good place to post it too:

Ok so i’m not gonna jump on the “Well done Honda for winning the BTCC” bandwagon, instead i’m gonna have a moan.

To be honest, The Honda’s were the dominant car this season, EVERY single BTCC title going to a Honda driver or team proves that point. As much of an engineering achievement as it is they have ALOT more money than any other team as well as having worked on the new car since BEFORE the end of last season!

I sincerely hope 888 can sort out their wet weather setups and truely challenge the Hondas next season. However Andy Neate has got to go! I can’t think of anything other than money he could be bringing to that team (and since the cars are covered in Plato’s sponsors I doubt he’s bringing much!) However without a competent team mate to speed up development and steal points from rivals 888 will always have a weak spot compared to Honda.

Motorbase are the only other team I can see challenging Honda next season after the flashes of brilliance their new NGTC Ford Focus showed since its late introduction. Especially if Aaron Smith can start 2013 with the pace he’s shown in the 2nd half of the season. Aaron Smith and Matt Jackson in a pair of NGTC Ford Focus’s would be a very potent combination, especially if (like 888) they can sort out their wet weather setups during the offseason.

An outside shot would be West Surrey Racing, If rumours are to be believed they will finally dump their ageing BMW’s and get some NGTC Machinery, however it’s not known if they will buy or build a car, or what that car might be. However Onslo-Cole and Collard are both potent drivers and given modern cars prepared by a Championship winning Team, WSR could be a big surprise, especially if they can get testing early in the year.

It would have been a miracle if a Honda hadn’t won this seasons title. The fact it was Shedden rather than Neal is good for BTCC, however I feel it will be The old skool battle of Neal vs Plato for the 2013 title....

Slider Honda wont be back 2013 there going WTCC flash full deserved win have to completely disagree with your whole post

SelectiveRogue wrote:Slider Honda wont be back 2013 there going WTCC flash full deserved win have to completely disagree with your whole post

That hasn't been confirmed yet..

I can see Neal wanting to go to WTCC but Snedden? Think he'd be much happyer at BTCC. Motorbase/Jackson or Pirtek/Jordan for 2013 Title!

Chad, it's Shedden, not Snedden.

Steve Neal talked about running a WTCC package with Honda back at the start of the year. They were trying to convince Honda to go racing in the WTCC - looks like it worked, only Honda picked JAS to run it!

That's not entirely fair. It was Honda UK that TD were dealing with, while the Euro arm of Honda picked JAS. Apparently, TD had already begun the construction of a new S2000 Civic and engine to test it in preparation for the 2013 season.

Steve Neal said that they'd still run a BTCC program regardless of what happened in WTCC. The issue is Honda. Honda's deal with TD was for 3 years, and that is now finished. Honda were apparently pissed with the meddling over boost, which led to rumours they would not renew the deal. I think given TD has just delivered the Drivers Championship, Teams Championship, Manufacturers title, and a 1-2 in the drivers championship, they've made a great case for renewing the deal with Honda.

Nevertheless, Steve Neal has always said that they'd consider running a WTCC campaign with another manufacturer. I can't see why even then it'd stop them running a BTCC concurrently.

Quite frankly, I think all that talk of going to the WTCC is just that - talk. It was a warning to the BTCC organisers to stop fannying about with the engines or they'd take their toys elsewhere, simple politiking from seasoned BTCC campaigners.

my bad sorry

ckBrenneke wrote:

That's a great thing to see

ckBrenneke wrote:Chad, it's Shedden, not Snedden.

Steve Neal talked about running a WTCC package with Honda back at the start of the year. They were trying to convince Honda to go racing in the WTCC - looks like it worked, only Honda picked JAS to run it!

That's not entirely fair. It was Honda UK that TD were dealing with, while the Euro arm of Honda picked JAS. Apparently, TD had already begun the construction of a new S2000 Civic and engine to test it in preparation for the 2013 season.

Steve Neal said that they'd still run a BTCC program regardless of what happened in WTCC. The issue is Honda. Honda's deal with TD was for 3 years, and that is now finished. Honda were apparently pissed with the meddling over boost, which led to rumours they would not renew the deal. I think given TD has just delivered the Drivers Championship, Teams Championship, Manufacturers title, and a 1-2 in the drivers championship, they've made a great case for renewing the deal with Honda.

Nevertheless, Steve Neal has always said that they'd consider running a WTCC campaign with another manufacturer. I can't see why even then it'd stop them running a BTCC concurrently.

Quite frankly, I think all that talk of going to the WTCC is just that - talk. It was a warning to the BTCC organisers to stop fannying about with the engines or they'd take their toys elsewhere, simple politiking from seasoned BTCC campaigners.

agree scot changing boost all time not v good

The Smith Focus never got his boost reduced, he had the quickest car in a straight all year untill the NGTC Focus came.

ckBrenneke wrote:

A very nice touch from Plato there, very good to see the Marshals getting the recognition they deserve!

Some top Shedden moments. A worthy champion, fastest driver in the BTCC.

I think it's been an interesting year.
There was an article in Autosprout a few months back decrying the BTCC as a lost cause and a 'sad paddock'. I saw no signs of that at Silverstone. If truth be told, there's ALOT of money floating around at certain parts of the paddock. Other teams are indeed struggling. I was aware that Dan Welch was struggling for funds to get to Brands and we all know the innovative ways Rob Austin has been making money for himself.
As with any paddock there are the haves and the have nots. There's a huge gulf between, say Honda (works backed and big established business) and Thorney Motorsport (independent developer with minimal sponsorship).
In terms of cars, at least they don't go about the business like the ACO or other formulae which require you to buy or develop a brand new car with technical rules changes that can prove to be cost prohibitive.
The likes of TD and Honda will retain a presence in the BTCC simply because their market demands it. They are UK based manufacturers and have an enormous fan base here as well as customers.
888 will do well to develop the car out of season and MUST get rid of Neate ASAP. There has been no races this year where the guy has shone and Jason has carried the team almost single-handedly. In order for the team to become a fighting force in the teams championship it is essential they have a driver in the second car who is capable of front row starts and top ten finishes consistently. Minimal damage costs would also be good! We all know just how bad Neate has been this year either through causing accidents or having them by himself.

Pirtek will continue to benefit from Honda support and, as much with the main team, they will be at or near the front with only set up differences really becoming the deciding factor.

Motorbase will hopefully expand their run of new Focus's and retain Aron Smith. The lad has had a brilliant second half of the year and shown that he really can pull it out the bag in difficult conditions.

WSR, well we've already covered them really. A move to NGTC seems on the cards and would put them on an even playing field with the rest of the top guys. I'd like to think they'd somehow stay with BMW as their two lead drivers work best with RWD and have grown accustomed to that car.

And the rest....
Plans for Thorney to sell Insignias seem to have paid off a bit with Team Hard purchasing at least one. Added to that plans for Thorney to run one or two of their own would be good for the series, adding variety assuming they can speed the car up and get some decent set ups on it.
New sponsors WIX Filters should ensure the survival of RAR into next year. Will Bratt has showm hints of form and I can't see Rob losing interest in the series just yet. He's having too much fun!
Hope to see Welch back again in the new year, whether this is at the detriment of other motorsport projects he has might be the only way for him to stay in the BTCC.
Sounds like there could be new teams and new driver line ups into the new year but we just aren't going to know much until at least the Autosport show.

And if you think the BTCC driving standards have been bad this year...

Don't get me wrong, if TD went to WTCC with Neal and Shedden, I can still see them dominating. They know how to build a competitive car, they have two guys proven to be able to mix it with the best the WTCC have (Muller, Huff, etc.).

And, this little gem from 2003 is worth a watch to get a look at some of the names that have established themselves in Touring Cars!




Nell McAndrew with a set of MASSIVE chebs. Cracking choones. Awful driving. How did I miss this first time round!?

Yeah, those are big chebs..

ckBrenneke wrote:And if you think the BTCC driving standards have been bad this year...

lol. rubbin' is racin'!

Shedden's save at Rockingham was EPIC, he was almost completely backwards at one point, floored it, and brought it back round. I'd need window wipers on my seat after that!

As for those Megane's though, i thought my eyes were deceiving me at first, cutting the chicane on purpose to take somebody out, that's a proper PGR move right there!

Been trying out my new camera, took it to a very wet/muddy brands hatch for the BTCC finale. Here are my results! http://www.flickr.com/photos/christian_rose/sets/72157631830017475/#

Check out this great article on Speedhunters about NGTC and the Teams that Run it...

http://www.speedhunters.com/2012/10/btcc-2/