Vauxhall Commit For 2004

[Toto]

Terrific news.

[touringlegend]

Yeh, it'd be a shame to keep the guy that has been runner up twice and a champion in a year where he only finished off the podium twice..


Well done to Vauxhall for keeping going, 16 massive years they have went non stop in the BTCC :O Anyway there's nothing else in Britain for them that promotes them as good as the BTCC. :)

[Jamie P-E]

will they use the Astra or the all-new Vectra.

[Les]

there's nothing to stop them running both (is there?)

and if Yvan carries on for another year then I am pleased. Last year it was good to have the champ back and the same goes for Yvan.

Now come on Honda (and MG) join in the party.

[Toto]

Originally posted by Jamie P-E
will they use the Astra or the all-new Vectra.
oh do read the story on the home page!

[Toto]

Originally posted by kestrel
Unfortunately it looks like we've got to put up with 'the a**e' again - was hoping he was going to Oz !!!!:mad:
i find comments like this such a shame.

[V6.]

We need drivers like yvan to keep the whole master plan going, like him or not, he is a world class driver and we need him.

[The Stig]

It would be good to have the defending champion back for 2004.
Can only be a good thing for the championship to have the best drivers competing. Lets just hope Yvan Muller comes back wiser and loses the ill manners of this year

[mark]

Great news, I think they ought to use the Vectra. Makes sense I think. I hope Yvan and James and Paul all stay, great drivers imo!

:D

[Claire]

Great to see Vauxhall committing to next season so soon. BTCC wouldn't be the same without them. As far as drivers go not bothered about Muller ( I would rather he didn't come back) but I hope to see both James and Paul back and perhaps another rising star in the shape of Gareth, Luke Hines or even the return of Matt :cool:

[Amanda]

Good news! I agree with Claire and the Stig about Muller!!! Fingers crossed that James is back with Vauxhall in 2004.

[bramble]

I hope they use the Vectra, they bigger saloons look much better in my opinion. (except the Honda which looks fantastic!)

[KPC]

The Triple Eight website has (obviously) the best lo-down.

[Alan]

This is of course very good news - and I really don't mind if they use the Astra or the Vectra. Although the latter would make a nice change I can't help feeling that they will stick with a known entity.

The fact that they will have a new Astra coupe available for 2005 makes me think they would save their money for the development of that car over next winter (2004/5 that is).

As for keeping the current champion - well I suppose it is nice to have them around to defend their position, but I think it is just that - nice, and far from essential. Certainly not a disaster for the championship as some seem to think!

[Knock-on]

I haven't got anything against Yvan and believe we need more international drivers in the BTCC. However, "Lennox" may have blotted his copybook a bit. Perhaps, that was why he only got an 11 day ban; Because he is going to ETCC?

I believe it's time that Vauxhall looked to the future now. They have a great Driver who has really matured this year in Paul. He is capable of taking the championship and would probably have secured 3rd this year if he didn't have to defer at a few races. Would be good to get some other young blood in the team as well.

[Bill]

If you watch the coverage again, you will see that no punches are pulled by either man. YM grabs onto the rim of Reid's helmet, but does not punch him.

I think that it is vital that Yvan is held here for another year. He undoubtedly adds a quality feel to the grid, and helps the championship keep some grip on the halcyon days of the past.

[Craig Antill]

Originally posted by Knock-on
I haven't got anything against Yvan and believe we need more international drivers in the BTCC. However, "Lennox" may have blotted his copybook a bit. Perhaps, that was why he only got an 11 day ban; Because he is going to ETCC?

Don't be ridiculous! If punishments were given out based on who the administrator liked best do you not think they'd be more inclined to be tougher on someone about to quit the series? Surely having a two-time champion racing would be much easier to promote than a one-time winner??

Anyway I'd be *amazed* if you see Yvan leaving us next season... ;) He's staying put. All we need now is Plato, Menu and Rydell back and we'll have a nice bit of controvesy to keep us entertained!

[KPC]

To the point as usual Craig!!;)

[Knock-on]

Originally posted by Craig Antill
Don't be ridiculous! If punishments were given out based on who the administrator liked best do you not think they'd be more inclined to be tougher on someone about to quit the series? Surely having a two-time champion racing would be much easier to promote than a one-time winner??

Anyway I'd be *amazed* if you see Yvan leaving us next season... ;) He's staying put. All we need now is Plato, Menu and Rydell back and we'll have a nice bit of controvesy to keep us entertained!

<Takes Bow>

Why thank you.

Why 11 day ban then. Do you honestly think it is standard for a punchup in the pit lane of Britians premiere racing series. Surely if they wanted to set an example, they would have given a penalty on a par with what would be metered out to anyone else.

What was the punishment for the two formula ford boys that had a tantrum?

Now, I may be wrong but it was a rumour and in Motoracing, you can't rely on facts half the time, let alone rumours. However, time will tell.

[Bill]

:rolleyes:

Hello? A punch up requires punching!

[Amanda]

According to the blue book the threat of physical violence is enough for action to be taken.

[mark]

Found some more news about Vauxhalls plans. This comes from a Vauxhall related magazine! ;)

It says that Vauxhall haved signed up 888 until 2005, whether thats from now to the beginning of '05 or to the end '05 it doesn't say.

It also states that it's all but announced that they will be running to ETCC regs, not BTCC. For this, you need 4 doors and a minimum length req. which the New Astra next year will not be suitable for (length, not doors)!

They think the saloon will be used, not the hatchback version of the Vectra as it provides more rigidity. Surprising as all the sporty vectras are hatchback only, not saloon.

And the most interesting point is from the article is that:
Alsorans MG are thought unlikely to retain Colin Turkington -
linked with VXRacing for 2004. James Thompson is ready to resign and after Yvans unsuccessful test in a ETC Spec Alfa, it is thought he may stay at VXR too!

There ya go, more rumours!!! :D

[cos]

Autosport reports that Muller and Thommo are staying on with VX; O'Neill and Rob Collard are in contention for the third seat.

[Craig Antill]

Originally posted by Knock-on
<Takes Bow>

Why thank you.

Why 11 day ban then.

Presumably they believed that it was just a case of handbags and thought that it didn't merit a race ban - just some form of slap on the wrist. By preventing Yvan from taking part in the free practice session at Donington this was obviously said slap. The thing that saved him from any greater punishment was that Reid did not make contact with Yvan's fist... if he had then a two or four race ban would have been likely.

Mark, yes, Triple Eight have been retainded by Vauxhall until the end of 05. They are currently decising what car to use but they are said to be likely to stay with the BTCC spec car due to the additional costs involved in the ETCC (and why would they bother given they only sell within the UK) and the knowledge of the formula. Jimmy T and Yvan are all but officially confirmed but Paul is only rated as possible...

[Alan]

I quote from the article in Autosport "the challenge of developing the new Vectra appears to have convinced the duo to stay on".

If they are designing from scratch would they go the ETCC route or stay with the more familiar (to 888) BTCC regs?

Any thoughts from the great and wise?

[John]

Originally posted by mark
James Thompson is ready to resign

Had me worried for a minute there - you have to read that statement twice to realise he will re-sign for VXR rather than quit! ;)

[Toto]

Originally posted by Alan
I quote from the article in Autosport "the challenge of developing the new Vectra appears to have convinced the duo to stay on".

If they are designing from scratch would they go the ETCC route or stay with the more familiar (to 888) BTCC regs?

Any thoughts from the great and wise?
Motorsport News have also been reporting the same for the past two weeks.

In last week's edition, they stated the new Vectra would be built to BTC-spec, not ETC.