[BTCC] 2014 BTCC speculation, rumours and news

[Spanner monkey]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

at which team ?

Maybe the blue oval one from what was said today at ASI.... But we'll soon see

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by BtccLee

And everyone has forgotten Gilham wanting to get O'Neil into a seat. Now that would be a surprise.

I'm waiting for the first person to put 2 and 2 together and get 5 regarding O'Neill when they realise there's unannounced seats at Speedworks.

[psq43]

Originally Posted by thetool

Well with WSR we pretty much know Collard & Foster will make up 2/3rds of the driver line-up. The only thing in doubt is Turkington. They will announce the drivers when that falls into place, one way or the other.

Really? We heard plenty from Nick Foster on how he was doing 3 years and that was it.

I counted 3 years completed.

[psq43]

Originally Posted by Jiiiiiiim

The rumour of an ex-champ has recently popped up & it's not Gio so with Thommo & Muller in WTCC it only really leaves Menu! Unless Tim Harvey & John Cleland racing the SuperTourers counts

The ex champ rumour flies around every year though

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by psq43

The ex champ rumour flies around every year though

Yes but from wishful thinking & not sources like at ASI, this one has some credibility & follows on from last years near scoop of a World Champ!

[BtccLee]

Originally Posted by gregc

Is there any more to know about penalties than we already do? 3 strikes now takes you to the back of the grid (big improvement), other than that it's more or less as we were isn't it?

Edit - just had a quick look at the relevant regulation and as well as going to the back of the grid for the next race the driver gets 3 championship points deducted.

I don't know what I'm expecting from HARD/Gilham/BMR/Warren Scott - not even entirely clear to me who owns what at the moment - did Scott buy the whole shebang from Gilham in the end?

I thought there was going to be one or two other amendments. If so are we expecting drastic changes or just minor amendments to the penalty point system?

[medius]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR_FY3TFzd4

Alan Gow's spot at ASI.

[CM388]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

I'm waiting for the first person to put 2 and 2 together and get 5 regarding O'Neill when they realise there's unannounced seats at Speedworks.

As if he heard you, he's just tweeted that he has no announcements or plans to race in the BTCC next year, but I bet rumours will still fly about

[psq43]

Originally Posted by Jiiiiiiim

Yes but from wishful thinking & not sources like at ASI, this one has some credibility & follows on from last years near scoop of a World Champ!

Near scoop?

I pay quite close attention, but I can't recall that one.

[gregc]

Originally Posted by BtccLee

I thought there was going to be one or two other amendments. If so are we expecting drastic changes or just minor amendments to the penalty point system?

Just had a look at the report where the changes were first announced (bottom of the article) and all it says is:

Penalties relating to driving standards in the series have also been recently reviewed. The current six-place grid penalty for drivers who receive three reprimands in a single season will be increased to a penalty of starting from the back of the grid at the next available race. Further championship and race penalties will be introduced in 2014 – these will be announced in due course.

The 2014 regs are available at http://www.btcc.net/wp-content/uploa...egulations.pdf - that's where I found the additional 3 point deduction, if you're bored enough it's all there

My guess is if there was anything major they'd have run an article about it.

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by psq43

Near scoop?

I pay quite close attention, but I can't recall that one.

It's been embargoed ever since.

[gregc]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

It's been embargoed ever since.

And that always does the trick

[psq43]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

It's been embargoed ever since.

Ah well in that case it never happened. If it was it would be all over some substandard BTCC website then tweettube before last years calendar was even unwrapped

[thetool]

Originally Posted by psq43

Really? We heard plenty from Nick Foster on how he was doing 3 years and that was it.

I counted 3 years completed.

The plan changed and in part helped WSR take the plunge to build the 1-Series.

[psq43]

Originally Posted by thetool

The plan changed and in part helped WSR take the plunge to build the 1-Series.

Really? I read an interview just after the season mid point when he still confirms the 3 years and out plan

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by psq43

Ah well in that case it never happened. If it was it would be all over some substandard BTCC website then tweettube before last years calendar was even unwrapped

I was surprised it never got onto the above sights, there were hints & goings on to be picked up on, but it was played close to the chest, just like the NGTC Focus being built!

Sometimes things can be kept quiet, like the Onyx WTCC project

[BtccLee]

Not starting any rumours but what is Giovanardi doing now? I think it's wishful thinking that we will see him back unless a team can provide the right "package".

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by psq43

Really? I read an interview just after the season mid point when he still confirms the 3 years and out plan

Maybe he'll change his mind.

Originally Posted by BtccLee

Not starting any rumours but what is Giovanardi doing now? I think it's wishful thinking that we will see him back unless a team can provide the right "package".

Waiting for someone to pay him money to drive. Or maybe he's finishing off renovating his house.

[Inside BTCC]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Maybe he'll change his mind.

Maybe he will....

[Craner Curves]

No Tom Ingram in the latest KX Akademy intake. That's got to be a blow to his ambitions for 2014, if he wanted to go down the BTCC route anyway. He might well be better off pursuing a GT career.

[cos]

From Autosport's ASI live "commentary"...

Bartrum confirmed that he will run three revised Ford Focuses, with a revamped front end and improved aero among the changes.

"The front of the car will look different and we've done a lot," he said.

Drivers have not yet been confirmed, but possibilities include two former champions.

The identities of the latter have been the source of plenty of gossip at AUTOSPORT International. It could be a very exciting year for Motorbase...

[porsche962fan]

did he specify BTCC champions ?

cos not one driver is very likely Dan Cammish the current Formula Ford champion

[psq43]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

did he specify BTCC champions ?

cos not one driver is very likely Dan Cammish the current Formula Ford champion

Ah. Yes, this is a very good, and usually overlooked point.

[gregc]

In a similar vein BTCCCrazy have been talking to Gordon Shedden and apparently

Flash also stated there could be some ex-champions making a return

[psq43]

I know!

Plato.
Neal.
Jordan.
Shedden

maybe Turkington.

All former champions of the BTCC.