Ford to return to the BTCC (indy entry)

[ZBOYD]

As an independent entry at least.

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=2943

 

[Cupra Kev]

Nice

Seeing as it mentions they have Ford's backing for the entry, perhaps Ford will use it for a feeler for when the WRC and [W,B]TCC regs meet (2010?) for running another manufacturer team?

 

[RobDon]

Cool - so possibly Ford and Volvo returning, shame SEAT have gone though.

 

[FSiLeonMike]

Cool - so possibly Ford and Volvo returning, shame SEAT have gone though.

But SEAT will be back in an Independent guise, with CartridgeWorld/CVR, Adam Jones/Air Cool and BTC aiming to run 2 Leons.

Colin Neill at CVR is expecting delivery of the first car in 3 or 4 weeks, hopefully the E85 Bio Fuel mapped engine will be there before that for dyno testing.

So next year we can expect to see Ford, BMW, Volvo, Vauxhall, SEAT, Honda, and maybe Chevrolet.

2009 looks to be a good season

 

[JasonP06]

But SEAT will be back in an Independent guise, with CartridgeWorld/CVR, Adam Jones/Air Cool and BTC aiming to run 2 Leons.

Colin Neill at CVR is expecting delivery of the first car in 3 or 4 weeks, hopefully the E85 Bio Fuel mapped engine will be there before that for dyno testing.

So next year we can expect to see Ford, BMW, Volvo, Vauxhall, SEAT, Honda, and maybe Chevrolet.

2009 looks to be a good season

With such strong looking Independent entries with BMW Dealer Team (though their seems to be talk of the kind that it could be a works effort with RBM on board), WSR, Team Dynaics (??), Motorbase Performance (1+ cars rumoured), CVR, Team Air Cool and perhaps Eurotech if the Vectra works out for Andrew Jordan and with luck BTC Racing if the Leons are purchased, what is the future for manufacturers??

I mean if the future of being an Independent looks as rosy as that of the amount of teams running independently does that not mean marques will look more favourably toward getting a stable and proven Independent team on board like Arena, Team Dynamics, Eurotech and WSR, than running a full works effort if they want to do the BTCC?

 

[IainW]

News confirmed today. Arena to return with Chilton and another driver in a pair of Independent Ford Focus STs. Hatchbacks and not saloons as had been rumoured.

 

[ZBOYD]

“As a driver he has a proven track record and we are very excited to be re-united with him after the successes we enjoyed together in 2004 and 2005.

or We are excited by the prospect of money he is bringing to the party.

Good news though, should be a strong entry if they get the car setup right.

 

[RobDon]

Indeed - mouthy little rich kid with Sonic the Hedgehog hair! 2009 should be pretty good though with Ford, Volvo, BMW, SEAT, Honda, etc. with independant entries.

 

[FSiLeonMike]

Roll on 2009

 

[Cupra Kev]

Looks like just Vauxhall in the Manufacturers Championship next year then ... at least they're guaranteed 1 piece of silverware

 

[MarkE]

Arena Motorsport Cossack Firm Hold Hairspray For Men Racing is going to be a bit of a mouthful, though.

 

[JasonP06]

Looks like just Vauxhall in the Manufacturers Championship next year then ... at least they're guaranteed 1 piece of silverware

Unless BMW and/or RBM do decide to link up with Mat Jackson and his team to make a BMW works team are you sure it will be competed for with just one works team?

Doesn't seem to make sense in that it does seem to me a little on the pointless side.

 

[IainW]

I'm hoping they take the same engine from the Volvo C30 STCC car and stick it in the Focus. After all it is being branded as an ST, so why don't they use an engine that effectively is an ST lump, minus the turbo and 0.5 litres?