VX Racing consider Vectra for 2004

[Super Tourer]

Autosport are reporting that VX Racing will evaluate a switch to the Vectra for the 2004 BTCC.

They aim to conduct back to back test with the Astra and Vectra before making a decision for next season.

A switch to a new car could provide a chink of light to the other factory teams who have struggled to find a consistent answer to the Astra's domination, as a new car often throws another variable into the mix.

[BertMk2]

Originally posted by Super Tourer
a new car often throws another variable into the mix.

In this case the fact that the Vectra is the size of a house.

How does that seem like a good idea? Everyone else is using smaller cars so Vauxhall decide to use a family bus. Still, I suppose it's only a few rule changes away from being back to the good old super touring days.....

[Neil Adams]

i think they've been pushed into trying to make a decision by the fact that a new shape astra is out mid way through next year and it wouldn't make sense to be promoting the wrong car.

there was talk that they could switch to the vectra months ago, guess its official now.

if they go with the vectra could create quite an open year as they develop it.

[redshoes]

Does the Astra (or it's soon to be released replacement) meet ETCC regs? I suspect it probably doesn't although the Vectra certainly should. Can't honest see them building another BTC-T spec car.

[BertMk2]

If they use the Vectra that frees up some more Astras for use by Independent teams - good news surely?

[Super Tourer]

redshoes

I was wondering the same thing, whether VX go for an ETCC spec Vectra with an eye to the future and viewing 2004 as a development year, as it's likely that any major new comers (and their future opposition) will enter with an ETCC reg car.

[ADnet]

with the vectra, wouldn't they bang a V6 engine in it thus giving it more power anyways???

[Craner Curves]

V6 doesn't guarantee more power - see MG.

[JR Ewing]

and it could go in the Astra anyway?

[Craner Curves]

Exactly. If it fits anyway.

[touringlegend]

Originally posted by Super Tourer
I was wondering the same thing, whether VX go for an ETCC spec Vectra with an eye to the future and viewing 2004 as a development year, as it's likely that any major new comers (and their future opposition) will enter with an ETCC reg car.

Such as BMW's, Alfas, Audi's or SEAT's. If any of those makes were to enter then it'd be with a family sized saloon - I can see what Vauxhall are aiming for.

[SPARK Msport]

emmm, the Vectra...didn't do well in the 90's and I wasnt that sad to see it go. But I guess Vauxhall want to push the new Vectra back into racing to increase sales...etc etc But it would be nice to see it out on track. We will all have to wait and see.

[kristof14]

I think this could very well be a step towards the BTCC adopting ETCC regs, which I feel will make total sense, rather than the current setup of different regs in different countries!

[Craig]

I think the faster we move over to ETCC regs the better. Let's face it, it IS going to happen sooner or later, let's get it over with so as to avoid too much politics and fall outs due to the ballast necessary to slow the BTCC cars down.

[rdjones]

The think that crossed my mine when I read that at lunch time was that they said they are going to do back to back tests of an Astra and the Vectra why go to all the cost of building when car when they are not going to race it....

[touringlegend]

Hardly an even footing is it? Testing a car with 3 years of racing and devlopment behind it against a brand new car that's never been raced.

I'm no expert in engineering, can engineers tell straight away from a car whether it has any potential or not ?

[kmchow]

Heck, it's great to see Vauxhall racing a 4dr saloon again!!
Go Vectra! OTOH, why not race the brand new unreleased Astra? Surely, that will get people's attention, tease them and perhaps cause some excitement???

[Neil Adams]

i could well be wrong, but didn't they develop the astra in secret in 00, could that be the case here? they've allready got a racing vectra which they've been developing this year?

either that or its a case of chinese whispers with the story, and what they're actually trying to decide is whether to go with astra in btcc regs or the vectra in etcc regs.

Originally posted by btcc-thunder
i think they've been pushed into trying to make a decision by the fact that a new shape astra is out mid way through next year and it wouldn't make sense to be promoting the wrong car.

there was talk that they could switch to the vectra months ago, guess its official now.

if they go with the vectra could create quite an open year as they develop it.

The new Astras for next year are just the 3 and 5 door hatches. I think the current coupe body style continues until 2005, so if they were to stick with the Astra coupe they would still be promoting a current car.

[KA]

Originally posted by Peter B
The new Astras for next year are just the 3 and 5 door hatches. I think the current coupe body style continues until 2005, so if they were to stick with the Astra coupe they would still be promoting a current car.

I'd guess that the Astra models they'd want to be heavily promoting though would be the big-selling models- ie the all-new 3/5 door hatches, rather than the coupe in it's last year of production-

[KPC]

Originally posted by SPARK Msport
emmm, the Vectra...didn't do well in the 90's and I wasnt that sad to see it go.

That Vectra was as much the same spec of the current Vectra as it was the same spec of the Cavalier. The Vectra came along and wasn't it a shambles. Recalls left right and centre, always seen at the side of the road with an RAC van. By all accounts the new Vectra is a sound car, if pig ugly. I think the designer was given a block of clay but couldn't be ars*d that day.

Nevertheless, interesting that they are introducing such a big car, just after VLR downsize because of SIZE problems. But then again, size is an illusion these days. The Civic is a hatchback. Hatchbacks are small, we all know that. But you park a saloon up against one and you'll see that the hatchback is actually built to a bigger scale. Also, let us not forget how we scoffed when the Volvo Estates were wheeled out.... and there was a surprise.

Top teams and cars come and go in the BTCC just as they do in F1 and every other motorsport. Vauxhall have had a good crack of the whip and are now being caught on the development front by the other teams. Give them a new spec car to compete against the Honda and they'll be no competition for a year or two. But racing is also about selling cars, otherwise the Cavalier would no doubt still be raced... if it ain't broken, don't fix it being the attitude.

Perhaps VXR should give the Corsa a go?

[Super Tourer]

It may well end up as a marketing decision, as undoubtedly it is from this budget that the funds for VX racing originate from.

On that basis you have to say Vauxhall have little to gain from so heavily promoting a model at the end of it's cycle, when their other marketing emphasis is on the new Vectra.

What they will have to emulate though is the consistency of the Astra, as it has been a performer at every type of track, whereas it's arguable that the MG's (for example) have suffered from an overall inconsistent performance over a season and mix of tracks.

[kmchow]

By '04, the Vauxhall will be in it's 2nd or 3rd year of production? Meanwhile, 3/5 dr Astra will be brand new. heck, it wouldn't even have been launched? Has a manufacturer ever raced a car that isn't even available yet?? If not, why haven't they done that before?

[Craig]

Because the rules dictate a certain number of road cars have been built/sold before it is eligable to race?

[ADnet]

yep exactly