Not long now!!!

MGF · 1 Apr 2003, 14:11 (Ref:554927)

Only a few weeks to go until the first race!!

So who do you want to be succesful this year?

Peter S · 1 Apr 2003, 15:01 (Ref:554968)

WARREN HUGHES!!!!!!

Hobson · 1 Apr 2003, 15:41 (Ref:554991)

Everyone, so the BTCC will come down to the wire!

Seriously, it would be great to see the MG's, Vauxhall's and Honda's all with a chance come the final round.

speedy king · 1 Apr 2003, 21:09 (Ref:555296)

I think this year is gonna be great, The Vauxhall, Honda, MG and Proton are apparently all on the pace (i will find media day test times) and i think Muller, Thompson, Neal, Morrison, Leslie, Turkington, O'Neill, Bennett, Hughes, Chilton, Collard and Kaye will all be ones to watch in touring, O!! that's all of them!! This is like 2000, just too close to call!! Who said 2003 wasn't going to be good!?!?! This is probably gonna be the most competative year yet!

Peter S · 2 Apr 2003, 00:23 (Ref:555426)

So Speedy King, do you not think Anthony Reid has got much hope then.....he isnt in your list!

Andy Metcalf · 2 Apr 2003, 05:17 (Ref:555537)

Well I should be impartial. I hope it is a close season and without one team having an overall advantage. But maybe between Reid, Neal, Muller or Leslie. Do not underestimate the Proton.

speedy king · 2 Apr 2003, 14:21 (Ref:555975)

I do think Reid has a VERY BIG chance this year, it's easy to miss out drivers......

KPC · 2 Apr 2003, 14:55 (Ref:556026)

Reid is long deserving and good luck to him... but only if he drives a bit cleaner this year.

BootsOntheSide · 2 Apr 2003, 15:18 (Ref:556053)

My predicted top 10:
1 Thompson
2 Neal
3 Muller
4 Reid
5 Leslie
6 Morrison
7 Hughes
8 Chilton
9 O'Neill
10 Bennett

I think Matt Neal can really charge at the front hsi eyar, Hodna were quickest near the end of last year. But, Vauxhall will be pulling out all the stops to win the third successive title, especially as the car will be retired (from works competition) after this season.

I think O'Neill, Chilton and Bennett don't really belong in Touring Class, although Tom has some potential to build on. I'm saddened that the Indie field ahs shrunk so much though.

Les · 2 Apr 2003, 20:20 (Ref:556415)

Quote:

Originally posted by BootsOntheSide
I think O'Neill, Chilton and Bennett don't really belong in Touring Class

you what???

seeing Tom C out there today - he is going to be one of the surprises this year. Paul and Phil are both good and will not disgrace themselves.

**bella** · 2 Apr 2003, 22:42 (Ref:556572)

i want colin turkington to win and i hope michael bentwood's going to do well too.

to be fair, tom chilton's only done what any mediocre driver would do in that car...

Andy Metcalf · 2 Apr 2003, 23:14 (Ref:556592)

After today, I am sitting on the fence for a while longer. Even some of the Independents could shine with bad luck falling on works drivers.

shinchley · 3 Apr 2003, 19:52 (Ref:557636)

307`s all the way

MichaelH · 3 Apr 2003, 19:57 (Ref:557642)

Agree with the Chilton comment...he hasn't done anything particularly sparkling and IMO is overrated. My tip for the title has to be Matt Neal.

MGF · 3 Apr 2003, 21:45 (Ref:557754)

Well... you know what I'm going to say.....

Jimeth · 3 Apr 2003, 22:36 (Ref:557781)

i agree with MichaelH. I know the chequebook is a necessity nowadays, but experience as well surely?

anyway my tip for the title is Muller, with Neal second and Reidy third. I really want Reid to win though!

rijkthebike · 4 Apr 2003, 17:41 (Ref:558584)

this years btcc looks a right load of rubbish, only 12 touring class cars ran at brands on tuesday which is pretty dismal. Unless new manufactures come in soon then we will be in the same position as we were at the end of the super touring era.
It would make much more sense for the btcc to switch to Super 2000 rules, this particular set of rules seems to be attracting a wider selection of cars with Seats and Skodas in the ETCC, as well as a super 2000 Audi in the STCC.
I hat e to say it but the BTCC was once the premier touring car series in the world, unfortunatly its now lagging behind others. In my mind V8 Supercars, DTM, ETCC, and the STCC are much more appealing championships.
If I have to pick a champion for this year I think it will be between the 2 Hondas of Neal and Morrison.

DNQ · 4 Apr 2003, 23:37 (Ref:558906)

rijkthebike I gotta say, from my overseas perspective, that you seem to be right. Is the series any stronger then it was at the end of 2001? Perhaps those more in the know could answer this for an Australia forum browser?

**touringlegend** · 5 Apr 2003, 09:45 (Ref:559142)

I would like to see both the BTCC & ETCC get closer in terms of rules, but I wouldn't judge how good or bad a series is on the number of makes in it. Sure, it helps a lot, but the racing we're getting in the BTCC at the moment is first class, as I'm sure it is in the ETCC.

kmchow · 5 Apr 2003, 17:35 (Ref:559404)

Quote:

Originally posted by rijkthebike
this years btcc looks a right load of rubbish, only 12 touring class cars ran at brands on tuesday which is pretty dismal.

Reminds me of the NATCC!! We peaked at 12, got as low as 8 I believe.

Quote:

It would make much more sense for the btcc to switch to Super 2000 rules, this particular set of rules seems to be attracting a wider selection of cars with Seats and Skodas in the ETCC, as well as a super 2000 Audi in the STCC.

I suggested that a few months ago and was scolded by a member or too. Considering the recent success of the STCC, I think I am still right when suggesting that the BTCC should just follow S2000 rules. Swallow your pride and join an existing set of rules. In the long term, it's to everyone's benefit!! Anyone care to support rijkthebike and I??

Quote:

I hate to say it but the BTCC was once the premier touring car series in the world, unfortunatly its now lagging behind others. In my mind V8 Supercars, DTM, ETCC, and the STCC are much more appealing championships.

I hate to admit it, but I have to agree. The BTCC used to be crown jewel of ST championships!

MichaelH · 6 Apr 2003, 01:39 (Ref:559714)

I think the DTM is top dog now, and rightly so. In my mind the BTCC is still way ahead of the likes of the ETCC though.

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