Newslets 22/11/08

• Turns out the Vaulkhards own those Lacettis, and Robertshaw won't be running them in '09
• They might, however, return to run Alan Taylor again
• Meanwhile, those Lacettis are up for sale and Harry isn't sure what next season will bring
  
• Jason Hughes hopes to wheel out a second MG for '09
• TCT reports the Arena Ford Focus saloon project looks actually set to run; and they expect Chilton to be heading up the team
• Meanwhile Steve Neal has again expressed his desire for James Thompson to join Team Dynamics. With N-Technology unlikely to return to the WTCC could it happen?
• And finally, over in Spain, Neal, Giovanardi and Jordan Jr have been testing their Vectras
  

Newslets 17/11/08

• Has Liam McMillan bought Huffy's 2008 Chevvy?
• CWCZR (CVR? CZR? CWCVCZR?) are on course to pick up their first Leon next month. Yes it's a rehash of what they previously announced; but it's off-season and also a way to dissuade those naysayers.
• Crash.net reveals their readers' rankings for the best 2008 BTCC drivers. No real surprises.
• Those Volvo/Plato rumours... obviously there's never any chance ToCA will financially support any entry, but of course they'll "be involved" in any such plans.
• Dave Pinkney tested a TD Civic and liked it.
  

The next Fiona Leggate?

She's only 15, but Alice Powell, seen in 2008 racing in the Ginetta Jr championship, has apparently been offered a BTCC drive for 2010. Admittedly her main aim is F1, but she's such a big Plato fan that the draw of the BTCC might yet sway her.

There is no real overtaking in F1, but the BTCC races are very exciting and the people involved are so friendly

The weird things you find on btcc.net

Any ideas?

Newslets

Isn't off-season rubbish? Anyway, here's an attempt at a summary of BTCC-related news and rumours from the last week or so:

• Andy Jordan will be testing his new Vectra in Spain later this month.
  
• 2008 review DVD is out today - all 467 minutes of it. Let's hope there's no cock-up with the disc pressing this time.
  
• Those Ford/Arena rumours are back again
  
• BTCC is safe on ITV until 2010
  

RAC test van der Ende

Joining Motorbase at Brands today was Team RAC, and they elected to give Dutchman Ricardo van der Ende a run, and he was reportedly quicker than Stephen Jelley's pole run. I'm not sure lapping quicker than Jelley is much to be excited about; but it's good to see Dick Bennetts considering the options for a third car.

Ricardo won the Formula Ford Festival way back in '99, but had a patchy career since then. his best results have come in the Dutch Samsung BMW 130i cup, finishing runner up in '06 and winning the following season.

Motorbase testing

Tim Harvey was invited by Motorbase to test one of their cars at Brands today; and he was joined by a man who should have been in the BTCC well before now, Jonny Adam. Tomorrow (Weds) they'll give SEAT Eurocup driver James Nash a run, alongside GT and Porsche veteran Michael Caine. Touring Car Times reports Motorbase want to keep both '08 drivers on if possible, so fingers crossed for a third car.

AFM/Kerry/Leason update

Courtesy of Rick Kerry who has kindly been updating fans on the btcc.net forum:

Our plan is to run the car at snetterton the week after silverstone if its all ok and the btcc will let us then i will run at brands...

This year has been soooooo frustrating as parts to upgrade are not off the shelf like the petrols.Ive also had so much going on in my personal life..

But things for me and Nick are looking good for next year so if we can make brands it will only help.

Best wishes to Nick and Rick. And if nothing else bring that grid girl back.

Xero, finally?

That's what Xero insider tbd has posted on the forums. Finally running the Lexus, or just prepping one of the classic BTCC cars at the Silverstone legends parade...

Edit: Yup, it's just an old Cavalier in the parade. Damn rumours.

Dumb "Ask Alan Gow" question of the month - August

This months's award goes to BTCCROX (yes, it's all capitals) for the following:

I remember watching British F3 Highlights from Brands Hatch a few weeks ago, and one driver retired from the race, cus he wasn't gonna score any points. I was just asking, if this would be allowed in the BTCC? If not, what penalties will be handed out to the drivers/teams etc?

Gow's reply is remarkably restrained, considering.

Win, win!

Too stingy to shell out for BTCC tickets? Try the following:

• Metro.co.uk is giving away five pairs of Silverstone weekend tickets
  
• crash.net have two pairs
  
• And the Daily Telegraph have some to give away as well.
  

Good luck!

Robertshaw need a Hankey

Remember that "young driver" Robertshaw claimed was showing "serious interest" in the second Chevy? Well it's young Euan Hankey who's been out testing the team's Lacetti and looks set to race at Knockhill and the final two race meetings of the season.

Hankey acquitted himself well in Formula BMW and performed reasonably in his limited EuroF3 outings, so this could well be the next Stephen Jelley folks. If you can stand it, here's his Bebo page.

Allison back at Snetterton.... kinda

Previous reports indicated Matt would be back at Robertshaw for his home race. However, it appears he's switching to Clios for the remainder of the season instead. Meanwhile the team claims there's "serious interest" in the vacant drive, and hope to put a young driver in for three of the last four meetings (presumably not Knockhill then).

Clyde Valley/Carbon Zero Racing 3rd car?

The team have yet to pick up their actual racecars, but there's already talk of a third machine for the Scottish squad:

The team plans to run two Seat Leon Cupra racecars on bio fuel and, if funding can be secured, introduce a third car with an engine which will run on bio-methane - a waste gas more harmful than CO2 but when burnt releases near zero CO2.

http://www.eemsonline.co.uk/news/20-06-08_2

Andy Priaulx MBE

Well done Andy. And about time too.

Miid-season break rumours

It's a six week gap between BTCC meetings, due to some some overpaid continental types kicking an inflated pig bladder around a field for an hour and a half every other evening. Still, there's some news and/or made-up stuff to keep BTCC fans occupied for a while...

• Clyde Valley Racing actually announce entry. And it look s like it's for real!
  
• Robertshaw Racing have their two Lacetti's up for sale at the end of the season
  
• They also have Taylor's Integra for sale, but also "for hire race-by-race for the remaining rounds of 2008".
  
• Rumours of BSB racer Paul Bird's plans to enter BTCC resurface again
  
• Rumours of John Batchelor's return later this season, threads relating to which have been deleted from 10/10ths...
  

Clyde Valley Racing for real

After all their "hype" (which was, to be fair, just a lot a sponsor proposal material available for all to see on the interweb hyped up by numerous rumourmongers on the forums) Clyde Valley Racing (aka Cartridge World Carbon Zero Racing) look set to go in 2009.

According to Dan Eaves, both he and title sponsor Cartridge World have a two year deal in place, and press releases suggest the team will collect their SEAT Leons in December '08 and January '09. (This suggests they have agreements in place to purchase ex-WTCC cars, as they finish their season in late November). Second driver will be India's "premier racing driver" [sic] Phiroze Bilimoria (occasional GT racer, was due to partner Boardman at Edenbridge in the 2003 BTCC season).

BTCC feature on Top Gear

The new series of Top Gear will include a feature by Richard Hammond on "a birthday tribute to Touring Cars". Presumably this will be in honour of the BTCC's 50 years. The new series of Top Gear is expected to start on June 22.

Team 48 June update....

Notwithstanding the subtle removal of the #19 and #48 cars from the btcc.net entry list page, Matthew Gore is still confident Team 48 will be out in some form after the break:

I got confirmation from Luther [Blisset] that we should be at Snetterton in July. The cars have been aquired but sponsorship hasn't come through to run it due to the set backs, Darelle [Wilson] is ready and waiting now and so am I so whatever Team48 has to do they will do, major set backs since March so as an Imported driver from little Ja[maica] I am still bless[ed] to be in the mix. Hope to be there in July, trust me don't listen to everything the papers or forums say, its worse that our [Jamaica] Star.

myracingclub

Following the success of internet-based fan consortium myfootballclub look what's appeared: myracingclub.com. It's a nice and flashy looking website, but what's it all about, is it viable, or is it some sort of scam?

The concept is simple: members are invited to sign up, pay around £40 for their "stake" which is then used to fund the buyout of a team. Members don't have to pay immediately - once a certain threshold of intended members has been reached (50,000 in myfootballclub's case) members are given time to pay up the membership fee which will allow the company to have funds to purchase their intended target. If the funds or members fall short the money is, in theory, refunded. In myfootballclub's case, that team was non-league Ebbsfleet United FC, winners of this year's FA Trophy. Football purists may not have liked the idea, but it's worked - those members have a chance to vote on team selection and transfers, as well as providing some funding and security for the club.

But will such a concept transfer to the motor racing scene, as myracingclub hope? Let's have a look at the numbers first:

• myracingclub are looking for 25,000 paid up members at £40 a year. That's £1,000,000 in capital they hope to raise.
  
• myfootballclub's initial hopes were to raise £1.75m (50,000 members at £35 membership fee). In fact they paid out just £600,000 for 75% of Ebbsfleet, with 21,000 members.

So myracingclub are expecting more members paying more money for a sport that has less following than football in the UK. But forget about the financials - would it work in practice? Let's have a look at their launching press release:

From registration and launch of the racing team, members will be able to make key team decisions, including racing championships entered, car sponsorship, race day approach and more importantly decide on the team drivers.

• Deciding on team drivers is an obvious draw. There are many fans out there aggrieved that the likes on Dan Eaves and Alan Morrison aren't currently racing.
• Likewise deciding on championships entered, although I can't imagine a team starting from scratch will enter more than one category.
  
• As for race-day strategy... well how is that going to work? Will the fans be online voting on gear-ratios or damper settings just before the race, instead of actually watching racing at the circuit?
  
• The most bizarre claim is that members will be able to make key decisions on car sponsorship. It's not as if the team can suddenly turn around and say "Should we be sponsored by ASDA or Tesco this season - vote now!"

In the normal motor racing world, wannabe race drivers have to find sponsorship to enable them to apply to drive in various race championships which will cost the driver up to £80,000 per season.

Notwithstanding the fact that £80,000 would probably just get you midfield in Clios, sponsorship drives (no pun intended) the vast majority of the motorsport teams in the UK. Even if 25,000 fans stump up £40 for a stake in myracingclub, that £1,000,000 is going to be burnt through pretty quickly. Triple Eight Race Engineering, the team that runs the hugely successful VX Racing squad, made a profit of just £50k last year, and that was on a turnover of £4.1m. Unless you obtain manufacturer support your only other source of income is through sponsorship. (And no, despite what their FAQ says, you won't be getting much back from merchandising). Football clubs have the luxury of keeping gate receipts (a vital source of income) but that's not the case for motor racing teams. A new team will have to find a shedload of sponsors willing to bankroll a team with no history or past performance. And how likely is that, given that sponsors are hard enough to come by at the moment?

I'd put my £40 down on a couple of BTCC tickets instead...

Charlie Cox to co-host Top Gear Oz

Cox's one-liners should fit in well with the Top Gear format. With both an Australian and American version (simply called "Gear") in production it'll be interesting to see how the format makes the transition away from the UK.

Ready Steady Plato

Watch it on iPlayer here.

Yet another Team 48 update

Apparently racing license issues have been one of the main factors behind Team 48's no-show so far this season. Matthew Gore and the JMMC are believed to have convinced The Powers That Be, but ToCA are yet to be persuaded that young Darelle Wilson is experienced enough to mix it with the big boys. Matthew reckons that the team will be on the lookout for another driver for the #19 car if Darelle isn't sorted in time for Thruxton...

Allison gone

The quickest BTCC driver in a reasonably priced car has pulled out citing "sponsor issues". Crash says Robertshaw are seeking out a partner for Harry at Thruxton - may I suggest Gareth Howell, who won't be racing for BTC now Stockton has rediscovered the joy of a car that doesn't break down after three laps?

Jason Plato on Ready Steady Cook - 14 May

Motoring journalist Tom Ford and racing driver Jason Plato swap engine oil for olive oil and rev up for another classic twenty-minute cooking challenge with Ainsley Harriott.

BBC Two, Wed 14 May, 16:30 - 17:15

Commentary moves

Ben Edwards will be over at Brands doing A1GP next weekend, so BTCC viewers will be treated to John Hindhaugh once more. Simon Hill is also part of the A1 team, but ITV are again drafting in the surprisingly competent-at-the-microphone Rob Huff.

Following David Leslie's death, Eurosport have signed up fellow Scot and ex-BTCC champion John Cleland to partner Martin Haven. John rarely holds back on his views, so it'll be worth tuning in via Sky, cable or online to hear him, even if the racing isn't fantastic.

Citroën to DTM?

So says this Polish article which some online translator just about made comprehensible.

WTCC Lada in action

The (long awaited?) 1980s-Chav-Escrot-lookalike WTCC Lada has been captured on video testing in Holland (thanks to TCT for the story).

Massive LMS crash at Monza

Stephane Ortelli's Oreca has a massive accident at Monza today, suffering only a broken ankle. Flies over McNish's Audi and misses it by literally inches.

Team 48 again

Team 48 didn't make it at Rockingham. Alfa Fan claims they're dead in the water. But then he also reckoned CMS would be at Brands with two Toledos. No further news to report from the Jamaican racing forums.

Racin' Jason latest

Platos' latest excuses for Sun readers can be read here.

Volunteer as a marshal: reason #94

Drinking game updated

For Rockingham.

Rockingham weather

Not looking good alas - BBC are reporting heavy showers for Sunday. At least shelter at the Rock is pretty good - you wouldn't want heavy showers at Brands, with nowhere to take cover...

Winner!

In the post today: a pair of free tickets for Rockingham this weekend. Presumably it's the result of some competition or other I entered, but the letter didn't really elaborate on that.

Oh, and further to the rant about getting to the Rock via public transport, the letter helpfully tells the reader that Kettering station is serviced by Midland Mainline, a train company that ceased to be last November. Ah well.

Team 48 update - updated

Posts on Jamaican racing forums claim that Matthew Gore (or is it Goré?) has flown back to Blighty and should be in the middle of 5(!) days of testing with the team. Apparently.

Update: They won't be at Rockingham after all. Time to start guessing who'll be on the grid first - Xero or 48?

Jelley wrestling - updated

Motorsport News reports Jelley will most likely be racing in Dubai this weekend in GP2 Asia, having not negotiated his way out of his ART deal. There's no doubt that WSR will field two cars however, as Dick Bennetts has three drivers (according to Autosport) in mind to take his place. Danny Watts is one man reckoned to be on that shortlist, and a good choice too. (Did you know Danny recently got engaged to Fiona Leggate? Congrats!)

Update: Turns out he's going to skive off just one GP2 Asia race and fly back from Dubai in time for BTCC.

Rockingham traffic info

Thanks to the ever reliable Northants Evening Telegraph:

A one-way inbound system will be in operation at the Mitchell Road entrance between 8am and midday however, Shelton Road will remain open to two-way traffic at all times. Anyone being dropped off at the circuit is advised to use this entrance.

There are no road closures planned, however restrictions will be in place to stop motorists turning right at the junctions of Phoenix Parkway/Mitchell Road; Shelton Road/Steel Road and Rockingham Road/Gretton Brook Road.

Dumb Ask Alan post of the month - April

Sometimes I wonder why Alan even bothers replying to some of these.

I was just wondering why the Seat Cupra's aren't in the support package this year, is it due to lack of entries?

See the thread here.

Rockingham attempts public transport green credentials

Rockingham has been posting little green hints on various pages on their website lately. Some are useful, practical things like making sure your tyres are inflated to the right pressure, cut down on the crap that's weighing down your car etc. But asking punters to use public transport to get to the Speedway... how's that going to happen? Their How to get to us page is rather silent on getting to the Speedway via public transport.

So, to be green and get to The Rock on raceday via public transport you can:

• Get the train into Kettering station, and then hope for a cab from there. Or walk the 9-or-so miles. Only problem is first train out from London on Sunday doesn't arrive at Kettering until 1011, thus missing the first race or two.
  
• Wait for a slightly shorter walk in December when Corby station re-opens.
  
• Take a bus. There is the "Corbystar 10" which runs hourly from somewhere in Corby to somewhere else in Corby via the Speedway. Again, first bus doesn't arrive until past 10am, so that's no good either.
  

Motorsport embracing green credentials (being carbon neutral, biofuels, CO2 emission limiting etc.) is all very well, but the carbon footprint of couple of dozen cars doing 50 laps on a race weekend is nothing compared to 15,000 cars travelling to and from a race circuit every other weekend.

Notes from Brands Hatch trackside

• You're gotta admire the ticket touts who stand *right* by the sign saying "Tickets bought from touts will not be valid for entry."
  
• MSV - please put down some bark or *something* along that path up to Druids. After the rain everyone needed crampons and a sherpa to get up there.
  
• Porsches - 11 cars and 34 laps doth not a good race make.
  
• To those who seem to come and spectate just to see "some crash" - you can't then complain every time the safety car is deployed. Idiots.
  
• If the car park is somewhat muddy, best course of action to take is to gently apply the throttle in a higher gear. Don't just floor it - even if you do own a massive 4x4 there are some principles to driving slightly off the beaten track. Fools.
  

David Leslie 1953 - 2008

RIP David. One of the most colourful and yet most gentlemanly racers the BTCC saw. And the only man to get a podium finish for Proton.

Batchelor is back!

The man formerly known as touring car driver/owner John TopGear and John B&Q, and subsequently reviled by York City Soccer Club fans as John Batchelor has resurfaced; and this time he's looking to buy Mansfield Town and rename it after the fictional Sky One team Harchester united. Have a look here to see John field questions from rather loyal Mansfield fans who ain't too happy at the prospect...

The smack talk begins

Giovanardi on whether new team-mate Neal is a threat:

No. I am Italian. We have something called the Mafia.

Neal on Plato:

If I was his milkman I'd be delivering his milk at the wrong time.

Ooohh...

Off topic: F1 back to the Beeb - the important question...

...is what theme tune should they use for the coverage. Obviously. That's assuming the removal and swift execution of James Allen is a formality.

The BBC used the end of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" as the signature tune of their coverage right from 1978 to then end of the BBC era in 1996. Despite rose-tinted fan fawning over the Beeb's coverage, the BBC F1 intro was usually merely a brief compilation of of cars crashing and spinning accompanied to The Chain. However, check out the 1995 version, which was nicely understated yet captured the tension of the imminent Grand Prix:


And for reference, here's ITV's four attempts since 1997...

1997-1999 - pretty simple and a decent alternative to "The Chain" to be honest:


2000-2002 - pretty upbeat, electro-guitar-heavy rock styleee:


2003-2006 - eurch. A happy upbeat cheery teeny-rock number. Eurch.


2007-2008 - Moby's "Lift Me Up".

BTCC Drinking Game updated for 2008

Click here or on the link on the right for the 2008 BTCC drinking game. As ever it will be updated during the season (and most likely before round 1 if CMS and Xero enter!). Enjoy, but just remember the extended coverage hours means you might want to take it a bit easier... ;)

Xero update

Their first Lexus has been out testing at Oulton in a very fetching dark blue/yellow (head over to TCT for the pics) and there's also a "spy shot" of the 2nd on their website. Speculation has Tommy Erdos and Mark Jones set for the drives, but methinks it's Nick Adcock behind the wheel in those photos.

Dumb "Ask Alan Gow" question of the month - March

With his special red font and EMPHASISED captitalised WORDS as WELL to make HIS point, this month's award goes to robinbox for the following:

http://btcc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=5829

I have been trying to find out if BTCC is going to be on TV and so far I AM still waiting to find out.... and if so what channel it might be on,

Surely with a race so close someone should know by now, I have been great fan of BTCC for SO MANY years but I cant get to the meetings live,

IS it going on TV or not and if so what channel PLEASE !

Goon. What mislead you? The big "BTCC ON itv4" graphic on the front page? The trailers on itv4 itself? The news story? The TV timetable? The rather obvious new numberplate designs for BTCC cars this year? Muppet.

ITV presenters confirmed

Good news: Harvey and Edwards stay on as commentators.
Bad news: Ted Kravitz is back. Grr. Although he can't do Brands Hatch next weekend so we enjoy Steve Rider instead! There's a blast from the past. Joining them will be former Gladiator and winner of the 1995 "Miss Wessex" competition Janie Omorogbe. She has been doing the BSB coverage so I guess she knows the score.

BTCC YouTubey goodness #04

Infamous clash between David Leslie and John Bintcliffe at Silverstone in 1997. Classic choice language from the Leslie at the end, as ever.

More on Gore

team48's Matthew Gore - the BTCC's first ever Jamaican driver. And possibly the most unknown driver entered into the BTCC in recent years. Let's face it, we knew more about Farique Hairuman in 2004. Hairuman! Anyways, here's a few interesting facts about Matthew Gore.

• Born: Texas (!) USA on 24/07/79
  
• First started racing in 1995 with an '86 Toyota Starlet
  
• In 1999 he bought a '95 Mitsubishi Colt RS, coming 3rd overall in the Jamaican championship and 1st in the 2WD, 2DW Sprint, 2WD Rally as well as 2nd in the IP1 and MP1 circuit racing championships.
  
• Co-driver on various rallies in the Caribbean
  
• With sponsorship from "pimpjuice" in 2006 he acheived top 3 placings in sprints and rallies with a Lancer Evo VII and V respectively.
  
• Finished runner up in the Modified Production Class 3 of the Jamaican National Circuit Racing Championship by 0.6 (!) points, in addition to 2nd in the GTS championship.
  
• He's the second tallest driver in the 2008 BTCC.
  
• The tracks will be new to him, except Brands, Snetterton and Silverstone.
  
• Other drivers have already enquired of Matt Gore regarding supplies of Jamaican rum.
  

Gore's first impressions

I must say that this is a very big series here in Eng as they say its second to F1 as far as coverage,hipe,media and fans are concerned... the experience and professionalism is overwhelming.

It'll be a tough transition for him coming from Jamaica, where he's used to racing Evos and Subarus round rallies and the one road circuit in the country.

Media day

Enjoy Media Day all you who have managed to get the day off to trek to Rockingham. Just remember, as its name suggests, it's primarily designed for the media, so please don't complain too much about the lack of pitlane access/photo opps/burger stands etc.

Jamaica? No she went...

Rumour: Team48/Windrush Motorsport all set for a couple of Alfa Romeos to be unveiled tomorrow with Darelle Wilson and Jamaican driver Matthew Gore. Footballers Blisset, Barnes and Ferdinand are involved with the team, who have entered a few Britcar races previously. As for the name... 48 being 1948, the year the SS Empire Windrush brought the first wave of Caribbean immigrants over to Britain. Hopefully more to be revealed tomorrow...

Surprises

Will there be any surprises on the BTCC entry list comes next Tuesday? Annoyingly btcc.net have been pretty hot on the news this off-season, leaving little room for excitement come Rockingham next week. It's pretty much sorted there'll be 25 cars at least (that's assuming Kane and Collard are in with Motorbase, and AFM will definitely be running a 2nd car for Leason).

Xero - Autosport did say Nick Adcock and Mark Jones were set for the team, but nothing official has been announced. Their cars do look somewhat yellower than before, and that can't be the only development they've done since 2006.

Clyde Valley Racing - rumours are the joke team of the internet forums may yet appear... but with Toledos? And still Eaves and Neill?

A-Tech switch to GTs

As expected, A-Tech have swapped the BTCC for British GTs and will be campaigning the #10 Ferrari with Richard Marsh and Anthony Reid.

Also of note on the GT entry list is Paul O'Neill, who'll hopefully be getting his first full season of racing in yonks, and Luke Hines. Adam Jones is listed, but as Autosport reported a couple of weeks ago he's expected to do a full BTCC season (but with whom?) and fit in GTs when he can.

New liveries #4

Martyn Bell's Astra Sport Hatch out testing at Snetterton. AS you can see, it's pretty much identical to Erkut's car, but with prominent placement for his new sponsor.

New liveries #3

So farewell the familiar btcc.net numberplate; for 2008 it's all about ITV4. So hopefully no more moaners unable to find what channel the BTCC's on. Hopefully.

New liveries #2

What's with the white stripes on Turkington's car? Jelley doesn't have them...

New liveries #1

Nice deeper red and a cleaner scheme for John George.

Who's where with what?

Couple of weeks until Media Day; I make a car count of 25 pretty much locked in (yes, there are TBAs for Motorbase; but I doubt they'd invest in brand new Beemers without being sure of getting a couple of decent peddlers in there).

VX Racing - Vauxhall Vectra

• Giovanardi
  
• Neal
  
• Onslow-Cole
  

SEAT Sport UK - SEAT Leon

• Plato
  
• Turner
  

Team Halfords - Honda Civic

• Shedden
  
• Chlton
  

Team RAC - BMW 320si

• Turkington
  
• Jelley
  

Jacksons M.Sport - BMW 320si

• Jackson

Motorbase Performance - BMW 320si

• TBA
• TBA

Robertshaw Racing - Chevrolet Lacetti

• Vaulkhard
  
• Allison
  

BTC Racing - Lexus IS200

• Stockton
• Oliver

AFM Racing - BMW 120d

• Kerry
• Leason

Team Eurotech - Honda Integra

• Jordan Sr
• Jordan Jr

Arkas Racing - Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch

• Kizilirmak
• Bell

TH Motorsport - Honda Integra

• George

Robertshaw Racing - Honda Integra

• Taylor
  

In-Tune Racing - Honda Civic

• Doyle

Review DVDs still faulty...

For those who waited ages for the BTCC 2008 review DVD but are still receiving a faulty Disc 1 (*cough* HMV) you can send it back to Duke for a replacement:

Freepost 1200
Duke Marketing
PO Box 40
Isle of Man
IM99 1DD

Obviously don't forget to let them know your address and where you got the faulty disc from (*cough* HMV).

Robertshaw closing in on "big name" driver?

Maybe.

“There is a possibility of quite a big name joining us, but it’s a long way from finalised at the moment."

So says Gary Robertshaw. Mind you, that article also says they'll be running two "Lancettis" [sic]. And take note, forum rumour-mongers and Wikipedia editors - no mention of plans for another Honda.

Gow's WTCC smackdown

Awesome.

BTCC on TV 2008

We're hearing rumours it'll be ITV4 and not Setanta Sports who'll be showing all-day BTCC plus support race coverage for 2008. Good news if true...