seat cupra

[roger dee]

Does anybody know the cost and availability of a drive in the seat cupra championship for 2004

[Les]

well last year it was 70K and they never filled the available spaces - I would go on their website and ask...

[Hamish Weir]

Well last year 75k and you could contact Mark Turner on either 01604 708075 Mobile on 07780675351 oe try emailing him on mark@northernsouth.com hes the Championship Co-ordinator. The series isnt going to be on ITV at all next season as far as I know, Its going to be on Motors TV. If you need any more info for technical questions or financial ones just pm me.

[andy_b]

I've heard around 90k, plus you need to consider other things like damage (which I did here cost a fortune last year).

Hadn't heard about it not being on ITV next year, where did you here that from?

SEAT/Northern South will be at Autosports btw.

[JimW]

I hope that this year they invest some of that money in trying to raise driving behaviour above the abysmal standards seen last year.

Compulsory driver education?

Regards

Jim

[mystery racer]

As for the TV - ITV are still in the frame from what I can gather. They are also talking to a few other TV stations aswell about carrying on with the "Racing Rivals" format.

[racingdad]

OK, the deal, last year was £75,000, so might be a bit more this year - say £90k max. Based on other series such as Clios, damage can be anything between £20,00 to £75,000 (usually the nearer the front - or back, the less it is). SEAT have said that they will be running Racing Rivals again, and are trying to ensure some prime time coverage. SEAT will be announcing the full package at the Autosport show so you can get full details there. As for driving standards... I think bringing it into the BTCC will bring about a change as they are more used to close saloon racing and possibly better at keeping a lid on it - looking at Clios again, they were close with quite a bit of leaning on door handles and some spectacular accidents but not too many examples of downright bad behaviour.

[Hamish Weir]

Press Release:
LIVE TV COVERAGE AND INTERACTIVE "LIVE SHOW" FOR SEAT CUPRA CHAMPIONSHIP
2004

It has been confirmed that Sky digital satellite broadcaster, Motors TV,
will broadcast the TOCA rounds of the SEAT Cupra Championship live!

Race-day will benefit from a 100% dedicated all-day live coverage at
each TOCA/BTCC meeting, from the first to the final race of the day,
including the SEAT Cupra Championship. Furthermore, Motors TV will
produce a new interactive "Live-Show" at the end of each meeting,
gathering top-drivers of the day and enabling viewers to ask their
questions.

Motors TV and TOCA have also formed a closer relationship for this
upcoming season, in order to maximise the championship's European and
global audience. Part of this agreement will see Motors TV handle
advertising promotion for all the events, while the viewers may enter
contests to win VIP packages.

As the flagship of Motors TV, the BTCC and TOCA support races will be
available across the entire channel's network, bringing the races to
over 11 million homes in both the UK and 15 European countries. Motors
TV is available free-view on Sky Digital # 416.

[ascarracinguk]

wow....you could do ascar for that much...i know which id rather do.!

[Hamish Weir]

The budget for the 2004 SEAT Cupra Championship has now been announced.



Everything is included within the Championship fee with the exception of damage which is capped to an excess and the costs associated with sponsor livery.

The full package includes:



* All preseason and pre race testing (including tyres etc)

* All 12 Championship races and qualifying sessions

* VIP hospitality at each event

* Personal training including TV, media and physical

* SEAT loan car

* Drivers hotel costs and reasonable expenses

* Appearance fee for promotional and training days undertaken

* Start and prize money



The championship fee is £85,000 + VAT over 4 instalments or £75,000 + VAT if the full amount is paid by 31 March 2004. The overall champion will receive a drive in the SEAT UK touring car for the 2005 season while there are scholarship prizes for 2nd, 3rd and 4th place of £30,000, £25,000 and £20,000 respectively with all funds going toward the 2005 SEAT Cupra Championship.



If you are interested in finding out in more detail about the championship or would like to review the letter of intent please contact me so I can send a copy before the Autosport.

[paulzinho]

Not a bad prize for the winner.

As for the driving standards, I saw some coverage on TV from a race at Rockingham, absolutely shocking!

[Craner Curves]

I think the docusoap version exaggerated the driving standards a bit. The race highlights version showed there was some decent racing as well.

[Jamie P-E]

I thought the whole concept was great and long may it continue.

[R59]

>Press Release:
>LIVE TV COVERAGE AND INTERACTIVE "LIVE SHOW" FOR SEAT CUPRA CHAMPIONSHIP 2004

Does the "Interactive" mean, For Sky Digital Viewers, press your red button now to cause a startline shunt. Use your left and right keys to override the driver's steering for maximum viewer enjoyment.

And as for driver training ->

Yes, so they are all of the same standard.
Then they can all give as good as they get!

It's such a thorny issue. Because there is no level playing field, and no two clerks of the course or group of stewards, or observers, act in the same way. The only way to have consistant standards and abeyance of the rules, is to have the same clerk for the championship, the same stewards, and the same observers. Then there stands a chance to enforce the regulations relating to driving standards with consistancy. With the current status, many clerks won't do much about it because their decisions could be overturned on appeal because other incidents, which may have been more serious, may have been ignored at other times, setting precedents. The other problem is the way the FIA allow a certain driver of a red Italian made car get away with things at the pinnacle of the sport.

I look forward to a fair fight for the 2004 crown, and the increased viewer appeal, both on TV, and at circuits, of all forms of motorsport.

Rob.