BMW to quit the WTCC?

[touring fan01]

I think they will see out this year, but won't be back:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75577

[Speed-King]

Hmm, I wonder what other categories they are talking about. Probably BTCC, I would think.

I still don't see them in DTM.

[FPV GTHO]

Well they say they want to remain in Touring cars. The closest to WTCC would naturally be BTCC or another 2L category. I wonder though how much of a stretch it would be for them to enter something like the IRC

[PDS]

A sign of things to come?

http://www.btccpages.com/features/1/...s-really-good/

I think the last BMW to win at Donington was in ’93 and it was a Schnitzer BMW”, enthused Bartrum at the end of the Donington weekend. “We’ve just won with an ‘09 Schnitzer car powered by a Schnitzer engine, which I’m really pleased about from Charly [Lamm]’s point of view.”

[touringlegend]

If there's no BTCC factory teams, what would be the point of a works BMW team?

Would surely make more sense to lend more support to customers, though that may take them out the Indie category.

[andy_b]

they might goto BTCC, but I doubt it would be the same sort of set up. BTCC doesnt get massive coverage outside the UK, so it would be hard for BMW to justify more than, say a 3 entry team, particuarly when they already have 4 quick privateer cars, getting them exposure...which they dont pay for (and in fact make money out of it).

I suspect they would split their efforts with some sort of GT racing, eithe with the M3 GT2 or the GT4 machine.

[mattt]

They could drop the manufacturer bid and still run the individual teams in the indie category as RBM, ROAL and Schnitzer.

Or even they could part sponsor RBM to run in the BTCC

[redshoes]

If the rumours of them leaving F1 are true as well there's going to be a lot of BMW motorsport budget going spare next year.

I don't see them throwing money at a full-on BTCC programme. With no factory competition they would be expected to win so would gain very little if they did but would be left with a lot of egg on their face if they didn't. More support of the likes of Airwaves and RAC maybe but not a proper works team.

There's a fledgling ALMS GT programme, I can see the likes of Schnitzer get sent over there.

[PDS]

Originally Posted by mattt

They could drop the manufacturer bid and still run the individual teams in the indie category as RBM, ROAL and Schnitzer.

Or even they could part sponsor RBM to run in the BTCC

I can't see them paying RBM when Schnitzer is BMW motorsport.

The WTCC BMW teams have already proved they can't work together so I can't see them doing the same in the BTCC.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by redshoes

There's a fledgling ALMS GT programme, I can see the likes of Schnitzer get sent over there.

The BMW M3 GTR is ACO legal so they can race in Europe. It would not surprise me to see them race in LMS, Le Mans and maybe Nurburgring 24 hours with a factory team or factory supported teams (RBM, ROAL, Schnitzer).

Because of the silhouette formula I don't see them join DTM.

And threaten to leave a series is always a good way to influence organizers.

[PDS]

Originally Posted by FIRE

And threaten to leave a series is always a good way to influence organizers.

Not when the other main Manufacturer (SEAT) does the same, surely?

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by PDS

Not when the other main Manufacturer (SEAT) does the same, surely?

I wouldn't have thought Chevrolet (GM) are too secure either, particularly with them staring down the barrel of bankruptcy.

[helterskelter]

Dr Theissen is probably talking about leaving the Wtcc as a manufacturer and enter 3 independent cars, well, semi-works. I imagine one per team (1 for Schnitzer, 1 for ROAL, 1 for RBM).
But what sense would it make? You leave the championship and make your customers fight for the indies title: what happens then is that the audiences see SEAT, Chevy or even Lada winning(!), and they see the BMWs losing because they have no works support. The big crowds probably don't understand the difference between works and privateer drivers, why should they if BMW withdraw?
I hope BMW stay. Even now, without works Alfas in the field, it's hard to believe that such a historic brand is out of the races: if BMW quit, and Chevy do, as it seems, Wtcc is dead and we can kiss goodbye our beloved championship. Guys, let's be honest, most of us are in love with this sport and this championship, and when you're in love you tend to forget the bad stuff and concentrate on the good things that happen. I'm sure we would, if they fix this thing up.
I fully share Theissen's views on the situation: none of SEAT's fault, it's the FIA that is handling this thing in the worst possible way. I believe SEAT are not blaming BMW either, at least I hope so: lots of people are investin huge amounts of money and human resources to keep this championship alive, and defending their interest is their right, definitely. Both SEAT and BMW

[helterskelter]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

If there's no BTCC factory teams, what would be the point of a works BMW team?

Would surely make more sense to lend more support to customers, though that may take them out the Indie category.

Originally Posted by andy_b

they might goto BTCC, but I doubt it would be the same sort of set up. BTCC doesnt get massive coverage outside the UK, so it would be hard for BMW to justify more than, say a 3 entry team, particuarly when they already have 4 quick privateer cars, getting them exposure...which they dont pay for (and in fact make money out of it).

I suspect they would split their efforts with some sort of GT racing, eithe with the M3 GT2 or the GT4 machine.

Both absolutely spot on IMO.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by helterskelter

Both absolutely spot on IMO.

Don't have to be much of a prophet to be spot-on with those thoughts.

The BMW boss said in that story that they wouldn't necessarily have works efforts in any touring car championship but would lend support to their customer teams that are already in them.