Menu to return to the BTCC?

[Peter]

According to Motorsport News, Alain Menu is one of the favourites to be VX's replacement for James Thompson, who is likely to head to WTCC... In the article, Menu admits that he has strong links with Ian Harrison and would love to return to the BTCC.

Well, we heard similar stories about him joining Honda this year, so don't get too excited, but wouldn't it be great to see Alain return?:)

[steve21]

lets keep our fingers crossed

[Peter]

And I've just read that Yvan Muller might also be seeking a fresh challenge in 2005 and Paul Radisich has been suggested as a possible replacement.

I'd like to see Paul and Alain back in the series - the current Vauxhall line up is stale and it would be nice to have a change.

[Nikki C]

It certainly would be nice to have a change, and to be honest, there really isn't that much left to prove for James or Yvan.

Would be nice to see Menu and Radisich back!!!

[Claw]

Originally posted by Peter
And I've just read that Yvan Muller might also be seeking a fresh challenge in 2005 and Paul Radisich has been suggested as a possible replacement.

I'd like to see Paul and Alain back in the series - the current Vauxhall line up is stale and it would be nice to have a change.


Menu and Radisich would be a mega line-up. I wasn't much of a Menu fan when he was in the BTCC, but i've changed my opinion of him now, showing us he's no stick in the mud, taking part in the Masters race.
Radisich and Menu would be a nice change, i'm fed up with watching Thommo and Mulle win everything for the past 3 years, it gets boring.

[Jamie P-E]

I hope this is true

we will have to wait and see

[Mocko]

Paul Radisich is a driver I feel deserves to win one BTCC title, or a decent fight to one at least.

[Les]

just a thought - but why have them back when there are a lot of excellent drivers sitting on the wings waiting for a chance of a good seat?

[Peter]

Originally posted by Les
just a thought - but why have them back when there are a lot of excellent drivers sitting on the wings waiting for a chance of a good seat?

Because they are long established drivers who are household names. Whereas, the young up and coming drivers are generally anonymous at this stage of their careers. You have to mix the young with the old, as opposed to just having the young.

[McKay]

Slowly but surely this Championship is returning to what it was. Better even. Plato coming back, independants being overal championship contenders, now some of the old lot coming back, live TV etc. Its great!:D :D

[Claw]

Originally posted by Les
just a thought - but why have them back when there are a lot of excellent drivers sitting on the wings waiting for a chance of a good seat?

What you would rather have Richard March than Paul Radisich! :rolleyes:
Radisich deserves the title, and having that legend back would be great! :D :D :D :D

[McKay]

Too right!
Double FIA Touring Car World Cup Winner is obviously a BTCC champ if you think about it. If the Modeo had been there at the start of 1993 it probably would have taken the title. Had Radisich had more luck in 1994 he maybe would have won, or come a much closer second. The 1995, 1996 and 1997 fords were very bad, as was the 1998 pug, which is why he did so bad then, nopt coz he lost his touch.

[mark]

Have to say that to see a return of Menu and possibly Radisich would be fantastic. I agree in a way that Muller and Thommo have both had they're fair share of the limelight in the BTCC for the past few years and it would be nice to see some new, old faces!!

In my opinion Thommo is on his way to WTCC what ever happens, Muller would probably go elsewhere if he clinched the title for a second year and back to back, that would be enough for him I think.

As for younger drivers that are waiting in the wings, fair enough but the BTCC needs it's household names as it has always done throughout the years and not regaining just a few of these would be a disaster for the BTCC's regrowth in popularity. It needs them as much as they need/want it.

[aldon]

Agree about younger drivers. One or two new ones per season is healthy but the BTCC needs current stars, not only for the WOW factor of seeing "household" names racing against one another, but also as a benchmark for the newcomers to be compared with.

It will be great to have guys like Menu back but I think it will be a real shame if Thompson and Muller quit the series. This has been a good season so far because there are about 6 or so top drivers all capable of winning races on merit. The more that can be added to that list, the better.

[Nikki C]

In so far as the younger drivers are concerned, at least if Menu and Radisich came back into VXR, there are still two VX supported cars for new up and coming drivers to slip into, maintaining the experience/newbie balance.

Oh my goodness, I found something good to say about VX!!!! That almost never happens!!!!

[bramble]

You need to have established names, otherwise the BTCC would take the appearance of a feeder series. It would be fantastic to see Menu and Radisich back again, and might start to encourage other big names to come.