[BTCC] 2014 BTCC speculation, rumours and news

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by BtccLee

Dropped Dennis? In favour of which group? They have been a partnership for a long time, thats the biggest news to me...

Would be Haymarket I imagine, Autocar?

[Mike Sheraton]

well if it was haymarket it would be a great move... it might give the BTCC that step up in magazines such as Autosport, where the BTCC coverage has veered off slightly in recent years.

[mattt]

Rob Austin Racing has lost Wix Filters as their main sponsor, will that affect them for next season

Originally Posted by facebook

STATEMENT FROM ROB AUSTIN, TEAM PRINCIPAL/DRIVER
"Sadly we are announcing that WIX Filters will not be continuing with its support of our team through into 2014.

"While we greatly appreciate its support and our partnership in 2013, unfortunately its requirements for 2014 conflicted with arrangements already in place with existing sponsors.

“Our attentions now are fully focused on bringing on board exciting new partners for 2014 and the future. Clearly there is now a golden opportunity for other brands to join one of the most popular team-driver combinations in Britain’s premier motor racing championship and experience the same levels of exposure we have shown we are capable of delivering.

“Our fanbase is among the biggest of any team in the BTCC and we are sure our many thousands of amazing supporters will show the same dedication to our new sponsors as they did our old.”

Ends

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by mattt

Rob Austin Racing has lost Wix Filters as their main sponsor, will that affect them for next season

Whilst on the face of it that's not good news the part of that quote that's interesting is "unfortunately its requirements for 2014 conflicted with arrangements already in place with existing sponsors" - so it looks like they could have kept Wix if they'd made concessions elsewhere.

[porsche962fan]

from reading between lines it seems perhpas WIX wanted full livery for too little money ???

[medius]

Or wanted title sponsor on both cars, when RAR may have already signed a deal for one of them. Either way, its a shame to lose them to the grid and hopefully Rob can find a replacement quickly.

[touringlegend]

I'd be disappointed in the other teams/drivers if they haven't already been in contact with WIX then..

[PandaKing]

From the Official Spearmint Rhino London Twitter feed 1 hour ago:

"Please follow our new British Touring Car Race Team ES RHINO RACING @TeamESRacing • 2014 BTCC!!!"

Link: https://twitter.com/spearmintlondon/...57296558710784

So either they have a BTCC team or Chris James is lying to his title sponsor...

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Whilst on the face of it that's not good news the part of that quote that's interesting is "unfortunately its requirements for 2014 conflicted with arrangements already in place with existing sponsors" - so it looks like they could have kept Wix if they'd made concessions elsewhere.

I don't think so. Somebody like Rob Austin would have moved hell and high water to keep them on board if that were the case. I imagine that either Wix no longer want to be involved with RAR and/or the BTCC for their own reasons. The statement is nebulous in order that it doesn't come across that Wix weren't seen to be getting value from their sponsorship of RAR and/or a BTCC team. Whatever, it's a great pity and I hope that Rob can fill the void as quickly as possible.

[Greem]

Oulton to run on the International Circuit:

http://www.btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=3645

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

BTCC is getting big. Hopefully they'll have decent grid in the supports as well...

[BtccLee]

Also interesting that Stephen Jelley tested with WSR recently, they are really developing those cars well...

[PDS]

Motorbase officially confirm THREE car team for 2014.

http://www.touringcartimes.com/2013/...team-for-2014/

[touringlegend]

Surely still sticking with Jackson, Smith and TOC?

[mirror images]

Wix Racing will be running with Adam Morgan for the 2014 BTCC season after splitting with Rob Austin Racing earlier today.

[Apex Predator]

Originally Posted by mirror images

Wix Racing will be running with Adam Morgan for the 2014 BTCC season after splitting with Rob Austin Racing earlier today.

I wonder how this will affect the arrangements with Ciceley. Surely Ciceley would retain the primary sponsorship, they were one of the main reasons for the team to switch to Mercedes. But title sponsors have been known to scale down before. Look at Airwaves in 2012

[touringlegend]

Cicely is the Morgan family business, not just a sponsor.

[jimothy84]

Far better for someone else to pay for your racing... good coup by Morgan and co, shame for Rob Austin though!

[Craner Curves]

Oh god, not that hideous yellow and black livery on a Mercedes.

[mirror images]

Wix Racing are the title sponsors. Wix can confirm that "the design of the car will be announced shortly but it will not disappoint with the visual look".

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by Greem

Oulton to run on the International Circuit:

http://www.btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=3645

Is Shell Oils corner still banked these days? I remember using that configuration in GT-Legends a lot, and there Shell was banked, but with a straaaaaaange hump right in the middle of it.

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Cicely is the Morgan family business, not just a sponsor.

Cicely must get through a lot of filters in a year. I think we can guess who's they'll be using from now on...

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Oh god, not that hideous yellow and black livery on a Mercedes.

Nothing wrong with yellow on a Merc

[touringlegend]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Cicely must get through a lot of filters in a year. I think we can guess who's they'll be using from now on...

Good point that, infact I think a lot of sponsor deals work like this.

Look at all the manufacturer programmes which are sponsored by oil companies, fuel companies, tyre manufacturers.. which they all need plenty of!

Ford still recommend BP fuel, and I think that goes back to their WRC partnership.

[davyboy]

You'd imagine there's an unwritten rule about lifting someone's title sponsor... almost like running off with their girlfriend