Media day - what to expect

There's been a surprising amount of announcements on Media Day Eve, leading some to suggest that there's a big surprise on the cards for Thursday,

What we've learned for sure today:

• Team Halfords is no more, as Team Dynamics will be running with a sleek black look
  
• Motorbase will be known as Airwaves BMW, which I'm sure Tim Harvey or Ben Edwards will misstate as "Airbase" at least once this season
  
• Hughes/KWR can't make it to the Media Day
  

What's highly likely

• Alan Morrison as the second Arena driver
  
• Pinkney to join Shedden at Dynamics
  
• Steve Rider to anchor ITV's coverage
  

Rumour rumour...

• One or two Astra Coupés to return run by a well-known Clio team featuring at an established Clio Cup front-runner
  
• Still some suggesting there's a "surprise" reveal scheduled...
  

Arena

Forum rumours have it that Arena will be out testing their new Focus this Thursday at Snetterton. However, MSV's testing days page indicates that Wednesday and Thursday at the Norfolk track are for single-seaters only. Judging from this week's Autosport interview all appears on track, although going by Mike Earle's comments any second driver is likely to be signed on a race-by-race basis at best.

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

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.

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).

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.

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...

Onslow-Cole to Vauxhall confirmed?

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/sport/article3294069.ece

However, Turkington will have to get used to a new team-mate in 2008. Former Renault Clio champion Tom Onslow-Cole has moved on to join Vauxhall where he will drive the team's third Vectra next season.

"I think Tom struggled a little bit with the BMW and wanted to get back to front-wheel-drive again," adds Turkington. "I have no idea who will be joining me at WSR ? nothing has been said so far."

SEAT 2009

Presumably if...

the [SEAT Cupra 2008 champion] will have an opportunity to get behind the wheel of a third factory-backed BTCC Leon for one weekend

...the SEAT are in until at least 2009?

Ford

Autocar quoth:

Rumours also abound that the Blue Oval is also about to re-enter the British Touring Car Championship. Perhaps a bet on them for BTCC winners in 2009 wouldn’t be such a long shot after all.

Probably just got it from forum banter, but you never know.

Everything Must Go!

• Is Martyn Bell looking to replace his 320i?
  
• Why's Tom Boardman selling his Leon Supercopa?
  
• Did any engine from the BTC Lexus even complete 60 laps without blowing up?
  
• Too old to wheel out the Alfa 147 rumours again?
  
• Given that Encke Sport still haven't managed to flog their Astras, will they ever make it to the BTCC?
  
• Given that Chevys are for sale, what excuse do Clyde Valley Racing have now?
  
• Why not try a S2000 car new to the BTCC - shiny Merc, slow Peugeot or an unproven Focus?
  
• And why would anyone ever livery an Alfa 156 like this??
  

BTCC Silly Season 2008

Best list I've seen yet saying who's where and in what.

Team Halfords 2nd driver

Motorsport News says Radisich, Chilton and Rydell are in the running to replace Matt Neal at Team Halfords. However, word is that a deal with Chilton is all but publicly confirmed... methinks Neal Sr is just throwing a couple of fan-favourite names to the press so the fans keep talking. (Remember Jodie Kidd?!)