who's confirmed for 2004???

[thommo_fan]

i have heard a lot of rumours about next year but i've lost track of who is confirmed for 2004, can anyone help?

i know VX racing have confirmed 3 cars,
Proton 2 cars
Team Dyamics 2 cars

but what about teams like VLR and Edenbridge???

[cos]

2 Carly BMWs
2 GA Astras, 2 GA Alfas
Possibly 2 Edenbridge BMWs

[thommo_fan]

aren't barwell running 2 ETCC spec Civic's as well

[ATF]

Confirmed:

VX Racing
Team PSP
Edenbridge Racing
Barwell Motorsport
Griffin Motorsport
Carly Motors
GA Motorsports

Probable:

MG Sport
Team Varta
Team Dynamics
VLR

Possible:

Honda Racing
Collard Racing
Synchro Motorsport

[Jamie P-E]

With all due respect to the above posts but isn't it a bit early to be talking about 2004. I think we should wait until after Christmas before dicussing next year. I'm sorry if I sound harsh but it's my opinion.

[thommo_fan]

why wait til after christmas, i'm not interested in rumours, i just wanted to know who is CONFIRMED for next year.

and if some teams have already confirmed for 2004 then why shouldn't we discuss them?

[ATF]

I've got to say it looks quite promising so far...

But I forgot to put SEAT UK somewhere in there. They would probably go under Probable

[kestrel]

Any news on drivers ..... confirmed, probable or possible ????

[Craig Antill]

Originally posted by thommo_fan
why wait til after christmas, i'm not interested in rumours, i just wanted to know who is CONFIRMED for next year.

and if some teams have already confirmed for 2004 then why shouldn't we discuss them?

But that's the point... a lot of teams claim to be 'confirmed' but don't believe it until all the money's in place, the cars are painted and are on the transporters. The way this business works is that you have to convince the sponsors that you have the money to fund the season before they'll sign up and give you any money - and that means 'confirming' cars for next season now!

[Alan]

I think the definition of confirmed should be when someone has handed some money to TOCA - or signed something!!!

Craig has a good point - not something many of us are aware of is what goes on in the background.

I also have some sympathy with Jamie - we go through this every year. Expecting anyone to be worried about lack of entries on the 3rd November is amazing.

Kestrel - only driver I would say is confirmed is the Malaysian chap who is going to drive for Proton. There are are few more probables and possibles but I think that is it at present!;)

Someone wake me in the spring please!:D

[ATF]

Originally posted by Alan
I also have some sympathy with Jamie - we go through this every year.

If people think it's too early to be discussing this, then fair enough! It's not as if we're making you read it!!

[Peter]

Originally posted by Alan


Kestrel - only driver I would say is confirmed is the Malaysian chap who is going to drive for Proton. There are are few more probables and possibles but I think that is it at present!;)


I don't know whether you were talking about Proton there, or in general.

Weren't Muller and Thompson also confirmed- or was that me reading a rumour? :confused:

[thommo_fan]

it said in autosport that they are staying but it hasn't been confirmed or officially announced by Vauxhall yet.

apparently they are waiting to decide on their third driver before they announce it.

i really hope paul stays with VX racing for next year.;)

[Peter]

Originally posted by thommo_fan
it said in autosport that they are staying but it hasn't been confirmed or officially announced by Vauxhall yet.


Ah, sounds rather like the Massa-Sauber situation in F1 until a week ago!

[ATF]

LOL - nicely put Alan!!

http://toca.forum-host.biz/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1070

Sounds like he doesn't want to give much away though?!

[kestrel]

Originally posted by ATF
LOL - nicely put Alan!!

http://toca.forum-host.biz/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1070

Sounds like he doesn't want to give much away though?!

Worth a try !!!!:D

[Amanda]

Kestrel ~ I thought it was a very good question and one I would love to know the answer to!:D

[kestrel]

Thought you'd appreciate it Amanda. ;)

[ATF]

In this weeks Motorsport News, theres an article linking Rydell with VX, possibly alongside Muller+JT! What an excellent team that would be! He says he wouldn't have a problem driving with those 2 but the car would have to be able to win races (ie VX, MG or Honda). He may also need to bring sponsorship but if we all chip in...

[Ed- the MG fan]

That has to be good for the chapionship! and what about if Platoe returns in a Seat thats going to be great

Anyone know what happening about Rydell, said he was looking for a drive in the BTCC or DTM. Remember that he said in Autosport that he was really close to signing a deal with WSR MG last year.

[Alan]

Looks like Vauxhall have confirmed Muller and Thompson for next year (according to Autosport website).

Must be good news all round really (unless you are another team wanting to get your hands on either of them of course!!!:D ).

[ceejay]

Reading the press release ( on the triple 8 website) , am I interpreting it incorrectly in thinking that the title implies that there will only be a two car team? quote "VX Racing confirms drivers for 2004"

[Les]

didn't they confirm Owy later last year and no where does it say only 2 cars so I am hoping Vauxhall realise what a personality asset Owy is and sign him up.

[JLD]

Originally posted by Ed- the MG fan
Remember that he (Rydell) said in Autosport that he was really close to signing a deal with WSR MG last year.

strange that no-one at WSR seemed to know about this!

[Les]

interesting comment from Tom Chilton----

Obviously I hope Honda decide to carry on and build on all the hard work of this year. If they do then I would hope to part of their plans. The indications I have received are that if it goes ahead it will be with an unchanged team,

that'll do nicely - Matt, Alan and Tom back in Hondas. So come on Honda - pull your fingers out, confirm you are racing and get testing.

[roadie85]

Does anyone know if Tom Chilton is confirmed for 2004? because i really think, if he puts his mind to it next year, he could be a race winner or atleast on the podium a few times!

[lauz]

Originally posted by roadie85
Does anyone know if Tom Chilton is confirmed for 2004? because i really think, if he puts his mind to it next year, he could be a race winner or atleast on the podium a few times!

i totally agree, he has really improved this year and if he gets a chance im sure that tom will improve even more and mabey move up a step or two on the podium. hope to see tom next year!

[cos]

Time for a roundup of who's confirmed:

VX Racing
Muller, Thompson
SEAT UK
Plato, Huff
Proton
Hairuman, ??
Dynamics
Howell?, Harvey?
GA
Butler-Henderson, Wallace, Breeze, ??
Synchro
Kaye
Barwell
Hines?, ??
'Schnitzer'
Hanson, Ferrier
Edenbridge?
?, ?

17 cars firmly confirmed so far then, and that's without adding in MG, Honda, Griffin or Aurok.

[cos]

VLR say they want to carry on with BTC-spec 307s, rather than upgrading them to ETC-spec (because the 307 isn't homolgated for ETCC rules). Lee says he's confident of finding sponsorship for 2 cars - does this mean no more 'Team Halfords'?

[ATF]

Originally posted by cos
VLR say they want to carry on with BTC-spec 307s, rather than upgrading them to ETC-spec (because the 307 isn't homolgated for ETCC rules). Lee says he's confident of finding sponsorship for 2 cars - does this mean no more 'Team Halfords'?

It would be a big surprise to me if Halfords pulled out. I think the past two years have been a real boost to Halfords - there has been so much publicity on TV and at the meetings for Halfords.

[Mat C]

Originally posted by ATF
In this weeks Motorsport News, theres an article linking Rydell with VX, possibly alongside Muller+JT! What an excellent team that would be! He says he wouldn't have a problem driving with those 2 but the car would have to be able to win races (ie VX, MG or Honda). He may also need to bring sponsorship but if we all chip in...


Bit late to this thread but so what ! That Rydell article sounds true to me as i've heard on very good authority that Paul O'Neil is going to MG next year especially as a few weeks ago he was actually racing for MG in the Mayflower series, alongside Fiona Leggatte i think. I can't see MG ditching Colin next year as he brings in sponsorship money plus he's the biggest rising star in the BTCC and Reidy still has the agression needed so could it be Warren on the way out ? If so, where will he go ?

[ATF]

CONFIRMED TEAMS

VX Racing

Vauxhall Vectra? ñ Yvan Muller
Vauxhall Vectra? ñ James Thompson

Team PSP

Proton Impian ñ Farique Hairuman
Proton Impian ñ TBA

SEAT UK

SEAT Toledo ñ Jason Plato
SEAT Toledo ñ Rob Huff

Carly Motors

BMW 320 ñ Tom Ferrier
BMW 320 ñ James Hanson

GA Motorsport

Alfa Romeo 156 ñ Carl Breeze
Alfa Romeo 156 ñ TBA
Vauxhall Astra ñ Paul Wallace
Vauxhall Astra ñ Charlie Butler-Henderson

Synchro Motorsport

Honda Civic ñ James Kaye

Barwell Motorsport

Honda Civic ñ TBA (Luke Hines?)
Honda Civic ñ TBA (Alan Blencowe?)

Edenbridge Racing

BMW 320 ñ TBA (Michael Bentwood?)
BMW 320 ñ TBA


TEAMS TO BE CONFIRMED

Team Dynamics

Honda Civic ñ TBA (Matt Neal?)
Honda Civic ñ TBA (Gareth Howell?)

Arena Motorsport

Honda Civic ñ TBA (Alan Morrison?)
Honda Civic ñ TBA (Tom Chilton?)

MG Sport and Racing

MG ZS ñ TBA (Anthony Reid?)
MG ZS ñ TBA (Colin Turkington?)

<Satellite> MG

MG ZS ñ TBA (Warren Hughes?)
MG ZS ñ TBA

Team Halfords/VLR

Peugeot 307 ñ TBA (Dan Eaves?)
Peugeot 307 ñ TBA (Dan Buxton?)

Team Varta

Peugeot 307 ñ TBA (Tom Boardman?)
Peugeot 307 ñ TBA (Jim Edwards?)
Peugeot 307 ñ TBA (Richard Marsh?)
Peugeot 307 ñ TBA (Jay Wheals?)

Team Varta

Peugeot 307 ñ TBA (Tom Boardman?)
Peugeot 307 ñ TBA (Jim Edwards?)
Peugeot 307 ñ TBA (Richard Marsh?)
Peugeot 307 ñ TBA (Jay Wheals?)

Collard Racing

TBA (Vauxhall Astra?) ñ Rob Collard?

Team Griffin

Peugeot 406 ñ TBA
Peugeot 406 ñ TBA

Aurouk Motorsport

TBA (Alfa/BMW?) ñ TBA
TBA (Alfa/BMW?) ñ TBA

OTHER DRIVER POSSIBILITIES

Alain Menu, David Leslie, Gavin Pyper, Paul OÃ*Neill, Phil Bennett

[Mat C]

Maybe the <satellite> MG team is the revived Atomik Kitten team that has been mentioned in the press and the other driver with Warren is Paul O'Neill ??

[cos]

Hughes doesn't think anything is sorted about him/MG yet: "I can tell you that this is absolute rubbish. MG are nowhere near a position to make an announcement yet and I can't understand where this story has come from. It's completely untrue and we don't need negative publicity. When MG is ready to make an announcement they will, but there is absolutely no truth in this."

David Higgins is in talks with Barwell about a BTCC drive for 2004 as well.

[bramble]

Thats 40 cars! There wont be enough room for all of them.

[Mat C]

Nah, team Varta has been listed twice !

[cos]

Just read that Arena have confirmed that they'll be back for 2004. No word on drivers yet, but given that Chilton is doing a six-day test with the team in Spain soon I'd bank on him being one of them.

[cos]

Looks lik Hughes will be in an MG next season... although it might not be Warren! Jason Hughes' Kartworld team are looking good to run an independent MG ZS next year, possibly with technical assistance from WSR.

[Freddie]

Great!! All I have to do is paint "HUGHES" on my banner and I am covered for all eventualities.
As long as there is at least one MG on the track then he will get a huge support from like minded folk.

[Alan]

Now you can add Luke Hines to the VX Racing line up - another car! Now is there a space at Barwell?

[ATF]

Originally posted by Alan
Now is there a space at Barwell?

There is 2. Alan Blencowe is not confirmed.

[ATF]

CONFIRMED TEAMS

VX Racing

Vauxhall Vectra? ñ Yvan Muller
Vauxhall Vectra? ñ James Thompson
Vauxhall Vectra? ñ Luke Hines

Team PSP

Proton Impian ñ Farique Hairuman
Proton Impian ñ TBA

SEAT UK

SEAT Toledo ñ Jason Plato
SEAT Toledo ñ Rob Huff

Carly Motors

BMW 320 ñ Tom Ferrier
BMW 320 ñ James Hanson

GA Motorsport

Alfa Romeo 156 ñ Carl Breeze
Alfa Romeo 156 ñ TBA
Vauxhall Astra ñ Paul Wallace
Vauxhall Astra ñ Charlie Butler-Henderson

Synchro Motorsport

Honda Civic ñ James Kaye

Kartworld Racing

MG ZS ñ Jason Hughes

Arena Motorsport

Honda Civic ñ TBA (Alan Morrison?)
Honda Civic ñ TBA (Tom Chilton?)

Team Dynamics

Honda Civic ñ TBA (Matt Neal?)
Honda Civic ñ TBA (Gareth Howell?)

Barwell Motorsport

Honda Civic ñ TBA (Alan Blencowe?)
Honda Civic ñ TBA

Edenbridge Racing

BMW 320 ñ TBA (Michael Bentwood?)
BMW 320 ñ TBA

TEAMS TO BE CONFIRMED

MG Sport and Racing

MG ZS ñ TBA (Anthony Reid?)
MG ZS ñ TBA (Colin Turkington?)

<Satellite> MG

MG ZS ñ TBA (Warren Hughes?)
MG ZS ñ TBA (Paul OÃ*Neill?)

Team Halfords/VLR

Peugeot 307 ñ TBA (Dan Eaves?)
Peugeot 307 ñ TBA (Dan Buxton?)

Team Varta

Peugeot 307 ñ TBA (Tom Boardman?)
Peugeot 307 ñ TBA (Jim Edwards?)
Peugeot 307 ñ TBA (Richard Marsh?)
Peugeot 307 ñ TBA (Jay Wheals?)

Collard Racing

TBA (Vauxhall Astra?) ñ Rob Collard?

OTHER POSSIBLE TEAMS

Griffin Motorsport (Peugeot 406?), Aurouk Motorsport (Alfa Romeo/BMW?)

OTHER POSSIBILE DRIVERS

Alain Menu, David Leslie, Gavin Pyper, Phil Bennett

[wvm]

Originally posted by ATF
CONFIRMED TEAMS

GA Motorsport

Alfa Romeo 156 ñ Carl Breeze
Alfa Romeo 156 ñ TBA
Vauxhall Astra ñ Paul Wallace
Vauxhall Astra ñ Charlie Butler-Henderson



Wallace will be in an Alfa. TBA will be an Astra.




MG Sport and Racing

MG ZS ñ TBA (Anthony Reid?)
MG ZS ñ TBA (Colin Turkington?)



If MG enter, they will do so with Hughes and Turkington.

[Les]

are you sure about that - I always had it down as Paul in the Astra. The more experienced/competent in the Alfas that need developement - the up and coming drivers in the easier Astras.

[Claw]

If MG enter, they will do so with Hughes and Turkington.

Lets bring this thread back to life.

Where did this silly rumor come from? Why ditch there best driver.

So obviously Barwell are gone, and doubts about Carly and Edenbridge. Any news on Collard Racing? And how many cars are Team Dynamics running?

[Alan]

Getting a bit like a roller coaster ride all this. Good fun but fairly pointless!!!:D

Last I heard TD x 2, Carly x 2 and Edenbridge x 1. But that could have changed of course, and that is just what they WANT to do.

Now, Team Varta - seem to have collected about 17 cars if all the rumours are correct. It would be nice to see them out - preferably just running a couple of cars properly with good drivers. Anyone got any even reasonably accurate idea what they want to do?

[cos]

OK, Varta have bought 2x Super2000 Civics off Barwell, fine. they also have 2x BTC-P Pug 307s which they originally wanted to convert to Super2000 regs. The only problem is that the 3-door model which they have is too short for Super2000 rules, so their options are either to convert them to the BTCC rules (very expensive) or seek special dispensation to run them to Super2000 rules, which I think one team did in the ETCC last year.

[Jamie P-E]

I thought this had finished with reference to the 307's size for the etcc spec.

the rules state that the car has to be 4200mm and the official length of the car is 4201mm so its upto Peugeot if they want the 307 to be hamoligated so we will have to wait and see.

[redshoes]

It's not the size that's the problem, it's the number of doors. ETCC regs specify a 4-door shell. The 3-door Civic has a dispensation dating back to when Super-2000 regs were introduced.

Re-shelling as a 4-door or converting to BTC-T spec isn't cost effective or practical.