[BTCC] Anthony Reid returns......

[Craner Curves]

In a 3rd Team RAC BMW.

Great news for the BTCC.

[Jon411]

Fantastic news - should be brilliant entertainment.

Reidy, Collard and Neal should create some fireworks - would be quite happy watching a race with just those 3 in really as its going to guarantee action and the way WSR have those cars going, the weight shouldn't make too much of a problem to get him up around Neal and the Airwaves boys once he is used to the car.

[medius]

Fantastic, and I really hope he can find the budget to return next year too. He's quick and knows the team inside out.

[touringlegend]

Superb. I'm glad WSR have recognised the need for 3 cars and then be able to get the funds in place to run the 3rd car. In some ways it highlights that Jelley isn't much support to Turkington.

[Craner Curves]

Maybe a bit, but Dick Bennetts does say that 3 against 2 is an unfair fight. This makes it even.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

In some ways it highlights that Jelley isn't much support to Turkington.

That was my first reaction. WSR needs a driver who can sacrifice his position to give Turkington a few more points or can take points off Gio, and that's something Jelley has never been in a position to do. Good call bringing Ried in now rather than waiting until the last meeting - the max ballast means that the first meeting for a new driver will be mostly a right-off.

[Sodemo]

Great, any new cars is a plus.

Oh and I will be going on Sunday too.

Probably standing / sitting around Luffield, as I understand it they are using the National circuit.

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by redshoes

That was my first reaction. WSR needs a driver who can sacrifice his position to give Turkington a few more points or can take points off Gio, and that's something Jelley has never been in a position to do. Good call bringing Ried in now rather than waiting until the last meeting - the max ballast means that the first meeting for a new driver will be mostly a right-off.

Reid to take care of Neal, while Jelley deals with Jordan in the lower reaches of the top 10?

[Jon411]

Reading the press release again, it says Reidy is back for Silverstone, but unless I am missing something it hasn't got anything confirmed for Rockingham or Brands so far - hopefully thats just the way its worded and it won't be just a one-off. (I didn't read it properly the first time - oops)

Also I noticed this line, which I hadn't noticed before as I presumed it was down to WSR and RAC, but BMW have been helping out as well “Finally, we would like to thank BMW for their support in making this late entry possible.”

[Craner Curves]

Hmm. That story has been changed. It did originally say it was for the final 3 rounds.

[F3L]

First class. Cannot wait to see him head to head with Jason while what odds he and Matt Neal have a coming together. Will be sure to watch every minute.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Hmm. That story has been changed. It did originally say it was for the final 3 rounds.

I guess they want to see how competitive he is before they commit him for the last two. If he isn't then they can find someone else.

[davyboy]

This is fantastic news. Anthony Reid's a touring car legend on and off track. The series needs characters like him. Can't wait to see him back - hopefully there'll be some sparks flying between him and Matt Neal. AR has always been unconventional... even experimenting with a Saab engined Reynard in F3 back in the mid 1980s.

[Hazard]

Damn smart move. For WSR to keep their challenge they needed someone to support Turkington. I suspected Jelley was going to get booted, and maybe Priaulx would be dragged in to support him - being familiar with the BMW already, not being in contention for the WTCC title - and because BMW would very much like the marketing buzz that comes with being the BTCC champion.

I reckon Reid's just as good though - though he has no experience with the BMW.

[Craner Curves]

That doesn't matter. The man can drive anything.

[Aunt Sally]

Reid back.. great.. He makes Collards look like an angel!

Now we will see the master at work at taking drivers off!

Well, that's what he is being paid to do!

[Craner Curves]

You cynic!

[Aunt Sally]

Yes, but what you have to watch for.. while Reid is doing his best at keeping Gio behind him and Colin..



Plato wins every race and steals the title while nobody is looking........

[FIRE]

Fantastic news!

[touringlegend]

Originally Posted by Aunt Sally

Yes, but what you have to watch for.. while Reid is doing his best at keeping Gio behind him and Colin..



Plato wins every race and steals the title while nobody is looking........

Thats just what I was thinking.

[Icebaby]

My reading of this is that BMW are providing some assistance to WSR running the third car and it is their direct involvment that has made this happen, WSR proberbly had the choice in drivers but it will be interesting to see if any more noticable BMW branding appears on the cars now.

[brands hatch]

Great news...hopefully he will soon be confirmed for the brands hatch rounds...would be good to see him racing "live"

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by Icebaby

My reading of this is that BMW are providing some assistance to WSR running the third car and it is their direct involvment that has made this happen, WSR proberbly had the choice in drivers but it will be interesting to see if any more noticable BMW branding appears on the cars now.

I also think this means they helped out with the supply of parts to run the third machine?

[Sodemo]

I remember Reid from his Nissan days. He was a clean racer from what I can recall, ok I remember a couple of bad incidents like his ram on Thompson at the last round in 1998 and his nudge on Rydell at Brands in the same year, but compared to some on the grid that year, he was quite tame.

[JMeissner]

Then you must have forgotten "incidents" like these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHk3D2XhuTc

Move to 3:10. Not exactly tame...