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From the interviews on btcc.net this morning...
Forster: not used to RWD. Team has the ex Jackson BMWs, Martin has the '07, Arthur the '08 car.
Depper: hampered by lack of dry weather testing. Sounds like very good mates with Forster
Jordan: reckons new tyre will even out FWD/RWD relative advantages. Team looked at running a BMW, but engine costs would have been £100k more (!) compared to NGTC plant. Pirtek are very happy and stepping up their involvement despite the economy.
Neal: Civic so different to the Vectra; new suspension, new front and rear-ends along with engine upgrades coming. Already "moaning" about the Cruze's special dispensations, NGTC-engines and the Fords' turbos.
Shedden: It's like "getting the old band back together" with TD. Seems to have put '09 behind him, and looking forward to 2010. Civic has changed a lot since start of '09 - has been completely rebuilt since the end of last season. Wary of multi-million pound development behind the Chevvies, and the German-built Beemers compared to the small-team built Civic.
Chilton: LPG means they have a lot less "bang" than everyone else (7,000 rpm, which is1,500 less than everyone else) so are running a turbo. Team have done 15 days testing over the winter! Beast of a fuel tank in the back has upset the handling. Reckons Plato will be his main contender for the title this year.
Boardman: happy to be returning, doesn't feel like it's a step backwards moving from WTCC to BTCC in his "black stallion".
Neate: 50G+ Silverstone accident was going to be the end of his career. Metal plate in his neck is effectively like wearing a permanent HANS device. Always wanted to be in touring cars, 2010 is the culmination of many years working on a BTCC deal. Wasn't ruling out Turkington being on the grid come Thruxton...
Johnson: Sights set on a top 6 this year, looking forward to wet races.
Hamilton: Hadn't driven FWD before his Civic outings last year, but still in his learning phase of touring car career. Realistically aiming for top-10s in the second half of the season.
O'Neill: Funding not 100% secured for the whole year, but no different at this stage to 2009. Really appreciative to inspirational management of Marvin at Tech-Speed for giving him such a great car last year.
Collard: Difficult decision to move teams, but reckons WSR is his best bet for the year, team still working to get Colin back in a car.
Hollamby: has nigh-on 30 years racing experience. BTCC programme is basically a collaboration between AMD and Milltek - chose the Golf, despite it not being as good (on paper) as a SEAT as the former will gain the more publicity. TV and media coverage an important part of the programme, but also looking to be respectable in the BTCC.
Kane: Spent a year out working for JP/Williams/F2. Deal was sorted with Dave Bartrum two weeks ago. Team has a better budget compared to 2008 and reckons car has made a lot of development since then.
The OC: Focus is a completely different car. LPG makes car much heavier, but the team are working on rectifying that. All their testing has been done on their own so difficult to gauge relative pace. Testing in Spain was still wet and below freezing at times.. so good practice for BTCC meetings.
Plato: Doesn't know much about McDowell, but sure he will be fast despite his lack of karting. JP a team-mate who can push him. Expecting Jackson, Collard, Neal to be strong. Reckons motorsport is always a year behind the rest of the economy, hence no Turkington ("at the moment"). Sponsorship at the BTCC level "definitely works" but unfortunately it's the first thing that gets pulled and the last thing that gets re-instated on a corporate budget. Hopes Colin takes solace from what JP achieved last year, and reckons the championship would be a poorer place without him.
Gow: Hard work all done over off-season, all credit to the teams. Expects inevitable joiners during the year. BTCC has unrivalled TV package and fanbase as far as British motorsport is concerned. Aon won't be runnig the LPGs unless they reckoned it would be at least an advanted (mentions that john George was actually the first LPG entrant!). NGTC - Pirkek/Jordan wouldn't be on the grid without the cost savings of that engine. Yes there's no Turkington at the moment due to funding - "welcome to the real world" but "I would be putting money on Colin appearing during the course of the year... I don't think Colin will be missing for the whole year". Acknowledges the fantastic and enthusiastic fan support for the BTCC and all those who've come along to Brands.
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