Eaves cant get drive

[frenchy]

How come dan eaves cant get a drive this year? Last season he was brillaint.Its not like hes a slow driver.He was all ways in with a shout of winning races!

[BTCC2]

It all comes down to the money im afraid.

[ATF]

I agree, it is a shame when this happens. A few years back, you would never see the #3 in the championship out of a job.

It's not the first time though is it? Reid won the indie title and finished an incredible 4th in 2004, but money talks and without a paying drive, we won't see him back.

As for Eaves, there's a slight glimmer of hope coming from WSRs 3rd car, but other than that, we may not see him on the grid in 2006. :(

[Marc W]

This weeks Autosport has a quote from Dick Bennetts

"We've been working on raising some money for a third team car, although time is getting short. Both James and Dan are in the picture."

No mention of Anthony Reid though, so its pretty safe to say we won't be seeing him this year. I guess which driver out of Dan Eaves and James Pickford got the drive if it materialised would depend on which one bought the most cash.

[ATF]

This weeks Autosport has a quote from Dick Bennetts

"We've been working on raising some money for a third team car, although time is getting short..."

I reckon WSR are used to that by now!!! :D

[Williams Ren 99]

Its a shame we wont be seeing Eaves as he's class and is good enough to mix it up the top with the big boys.

[Eaves Fan!]

:( Its a real shame Dan hasnt got a drive yet. I really hope he does get one - he deserves it!

[mondeoman]

I think he should have got a works drive. After the solid performance Team Dynamics put in, I'd have thought Honda would have stumped up some sponsorship money. Even if it just paid the drivers wages. With the likes of Dan and Anthony not on the grid it just makes it easier on the others.

[frenchy]

I think he should have got a works drive. After the solid performance Team Dynamics put in, I'd have thought Honda would have stumped up some sponsorship money. Even if it just paid the drivers wages. With the likes of Dan and Anthony not on the grid it just makes it easier on the others.U right he was brillaint last year. He won 3 all three races on the same day,proved he could at least match the same pace as his rivals. He did a great job for them. U would Think they could come up with some sort of agreement where he could drive. Like u said maybe just pay his wages and he would have to pay to entre him self or they pay for him to entre but dont give him wages or something? Look at Huff 2 seasons back he did a top job for his first season with seat now he has gone. Will he ever come back?

[Williams Ren 99]

Dan Eaves was the first driver to win 3 races on the same day at Thruxton last year was'nt he?

[ATF]

Look at Huff 2 seasons back he did a top job for his first season with seat now he has gone. Will he ever come back?

If Huff wanted to stay in the BTCC, he would have most likely had to raise the cash to get a seat. After just 1 season, he was picked for a works seat in the world championship! Would you want to come back to BTCC?

WR99 - yes Eaves was the first ever driver to win 3 BTCC races in a weekend, although it was only the 12th meeting ever where that was possible - I'm sure it will happen again.

[Cleland Fan]

U right he was brillaint last year. He won 3 all three races on the same day,proved he could at least match the same pace as his rivals. He did a great job for them. U would Think they could come up with some sort of agreement where he could drive. Like u said maybe just pay his wages and he would have to pay to entre him self or they pay for him to entre but dont give him wages or something?


It doesn't work like that. TD are a privately funded team, with no links to Honda at all. The cars were built from imported roadcars bought from an import company and financed completely by TD and their sponsors. As the car isn't available in the UK, there's no way Honda would contribute some money towards the project or the drivers.

[tom_r_k]

I agree, it is a shame when this happens. A few years back, you would never see the #3 in the championship out of a job.

It's not the first time though is it? Reid won the indie title and finished an incredible 4th in 2004, but money talks and without a paying drive, we won't see him back.

It also happend to Ahello after he won the championship and then Nissan quit leaving him with nothing else so he wasnt in the 2000 championship.

I would love to see Dan Eaves back, really impressed me last year. Especially at Thruxton, he was a man possessed.

[BTCC2]

Would you want to come back to BTCC

I would. But then Im not a professional racing driver.

[BTCC2]

It also happend to Aiello after he won the championship and then Nissan quit leaving him with nothing else so he wasnt in the 2000 championship.

If he had wanted a drive I'm sure Ford, Honda and Vauxhall would have taken him.

[Williams Ren 99]

If he had wanted a drive I'm sure Ford, Honda and Vauxhall would have taken him.
Definately, Laurent Aiello was the best driver of 1999 and one of the best ever in the BTCC

[bigboy]

It also happend to Aiello after he won the championship and then Nissan quit leaving him with nothing else so he wasnt in the 2000 championship.


Slightly different circumstances me think....

[William E]

Ridiculous.

A major loss to the BTCC.

[ted]

dont forget, because dans not in this year, doesnt mean he wont return. quite a few drivers make comebacks(plato,thompson,burt,reid,hoy,soper,neede ll,pinkney,harvey) you hardly see that in other motorsports!

seeing a driver make a comeback spices things up!!

[Williams Ren 99]

It agree it spices it right up when a god driver returns later!

[Ben Scott]

It's a real shame that Eaves won't be in the BTCC this year. I think it's crazy of Team Dynamics to let him go, it would have been better to have retained him to keep some consitency so they can defend their titles for another year. Any word on who the other Team Dynamics driver will be yet??

[Jonathan McLeod]

It will be Gordon Shedden

[Ben Scott]

It will be Gordon Shedden

Is that for definate? If so he is not a bad choice, and was quite competitive in the Seat Cupra Cup, his rivalry with Gavin Smith was always a treat to watch :)

[Jonathan McLeod]

Yes, it is definite. No specific press release, but its been confirmed in Autosport.

[frenchy]

Definately, Laurent Aiello was the best driver of 1999 and one of the best ever in the BTCC
I dont think u can say that Aiello was one of the best ever. Yer he was good but i think he was only in it for the one year. After what he did to plato at knokhill he went down in my opinion!

[Cleland Fan]

He came in from a foreign country onto tracks he'd never driven on before, in an unfamiliar right hand drive car with a British team and he ran away with it. That's a mark of class.

[ATF]

He came in from a foreign country onto tracks he'd never driven on before, in an unfamiliar right hand drive car with a British team and he ran away with it. That's a mark of class.

He's a class driver!

1992 - French Formula 3000 Champion
1994 - French Superturismo Champion
1997 - German STW Cup Champion
1998 - Le Mans 24 Hours Winner
1999 - BTCC Champion
2002 - DTM Champion

Although it's a shame Kristensen pipped him to the Honda drive in 2000, I would have liked to see him defend his title!

[Williams Ren 99]

I dont think u can say that Aiello was one of the best ever. Yer he was good but i think he was only in it for the one year. After what he did to plato at knokhill he went down in my opinion!

True, I 100% agree it was bang out of order when he shoved plato of at Knockhill in 99, I went of him a bit for that.

[Freddie]

It's a real shame that Eaves won't be in the BTCC this year. I think it's crazy of Team Dynamics to let him go, it would have been better to have retained him to keep some consitency so they can defend their titles for another year. Any word on who the other Team Dynamics driver will be yet??

I think its great. Matt won't have a rival capable of beating him so he can concentrate on winning the title. Gordon isn't likely to feel he has to compete as no-one will expect him to challenge so will stick to team orders.
I think Dan's problem was that he kept forgetting his place as Matt's #2. Winning all 3 at Thruxton must have given Steve a panic attack thinking Dan would get it into his head to challenge for the title himself.

This year the Independant's title is wide open. Shame Dan hasn't got a competative drive to go for it. Fingers crossed that WSR can pick him up. That would be poetic justice.

[dannybo]

He was never told he was number two to Matt, far from it & more specifically, there were no team orders!
Obviously they did help eachother out on occasion depending on who was in the better position. Either driver would let the other through if they were quicker, the car behind would put their lights on to let the guy in front know they intended to pass.

I would think it will be more of the same this season, let the quickest man win!

[tttlitterick]

True, I 100% agree it was bang out of order when he shoved plato of at Knockhill in 99, I went of him a bit for that.

It was good to see plato get a bit of his own medicine though wasnt it!

[sonofsnoopy]

He was never told he was number two to Matt, far from it & more specifically, there were no team orders!
Obviously they did help eachother out on occasion depending on who was in the better position. Either driver would let the other through if they were quicker, the car behind would put their lights on to let the guy in front know they intended to pass.

I would think it will be more of the same this season, let the quickest man win!

Dan was told that he must help Matt to win the championship at the beginning of the season. Matt got the new engines first, Dan let him through a couple of times during the season, Matt has significantly more testing time than Dan etc. When your Dad owns the team it is natural that you will get preferential treatment, Dan realised this and now knows that the 2nd seat at TD this year will be ALL about Matt retaining his title, it is silly to think otherwise.

Shedden is the other driver. confirmed.

[Williams Ren 99]

It was good to see plato get a bit of his own medicine though wasnt it!
Yes, If he dishes it out he should be able to take it in return!

[antm1988]

Dan had the smae number of new engines as Matt. The spec of the engine stayed the same all ear. When did Dan move over for Matt, Was it when Dan won at Croft and Matt trailed him home, was it Mondello or was it Snett when Matt finished behind him on both occasions.....At that stage of the championship all those points would have been valuable...

Despite what every one says there were no team orders at Dynamics....

Look back at the results and coverage and you will see that there were times when positions could have been reversed in Matts favour but never were....

Steve may be many things but hes a racer first, a former BTCC works driver with British Leyland so he knows what it is ;like to have positions taken away...

Aftyer youve been through all the scenarios then you will see a clearer picture.

Dan probably wanted paying after his mega year... there was no money for sdalaried drivers... The TD cars would not be worth anything as much at the end of this year so having an additional salary could not be warranted.

Dan should have benn gratefull that he got two free years in competitve machinery which was more than he got at VLR.

[dannybo]

Well said antm1988, couldnt agree more.

I could dig out numerous quotes where Steve Neal said there were no team orders & if people watch highlights from last season, that would become apparent.

Besides, if the running of the team was weighted in Matts favour, how do you explain Howells new car & race wins?

[ATF]

Besides, if the running of the team was weighted in Matts favour, how do you explain Howells new car & race wins?

Race WIN! In that race, Neal was nowhere near him, in fact he really seemed to struggle at Silverstone. Howell helped the team overall by taking points off rivals and just generally giving them something else to worry about!

[Eaves Fan!]

I could dig out numerous quotes where Steve Neal said there were no team orders & if people watch highlights from last season, that would become apparent.

Yes but would Steve Neal admit to giving team orders? - I dont think so..!

[VkmSpouge]

Besides, if the running of the team was weighted in Matts favour, how do you explain Howells new car & race wins?

Well they did offer the newer car to Neal first but he turned it down wanting to stick with the older version as there's stuff less likely to go wrong with than the new one. So they let Howell drive the new car.
However I don't believe there were team orders in favour of anyone driver last season.

[sonofsnoopy]

Dan probably wanted paying after his mega year... there was no money for sdalaried drivers... The TD cars would not be worth anything as much at the end of this year so having an additional salary could not be warranted.

Dan should have benn gratefull that he got two free years in competitve machinery which was more than he got at VLR.

Time for some facts > Dan only wanted the same deal as last year, no more, no less, in 05 he was paid a lot less than most paid drivers. Steve promised him a drive for 06, even refusing the need to get a contract drawn up as he said that Dan was part of the furniture. Then they had cross words at the Drivers Awards where Dan apparently asked for a contract to confirm his drive in 06, Steve then refused to speak to him and the rest as they say is history. The outcome - Dan was left hanging on and lost out of other deals, Steve would not speak to him or answer calls. Steve then got Halfords to take out the clause stating Dan had to be in a seat using his wheel deal. Only then did he tell Dan. Too late to do anything but hope RAC would pick him up even though they need cash.

If anyone can prove this is not the case then challenge me - I can assure you I am right.

PS - Dan did not pay even at VLR for his drives.

[Alsicole]

I don't think that team orders will be relevant here. Anyone who knows Gordon Shedden knows that he's not about to sit back and play 'after you sir'. I definitely expect him to be fighting for it. Remember last year's Knockhill Porsche guest drive???

[Reidy_fan]

in the guest drive Gordon had nothing to lose, methinks if Steve tells him to do anything then if he knows what is good for him he will do it. Steve Neal is not a guy to get on the wrong side of

[antm1988]

Facts
Dan was unpaid in 04 and 05

[antm1988]

Facts 2

Matt could not have the 05 / 06 Hybrid car even if he wanted it. TOCA expressly forbid it. Its new bits required fresh homologation so would be againts the rules if an existing driver in the championship ran it. TD got a dispensation to run the hybrid provided neither dan or matt drove it.

[antm1988]

Facts 3

Dan was never paid at VLR

Yes he and steve had hard words at the awards dinner where he demanded a contract with salary etc. This was not in TD's script and they decided to drop him

For those that dont know after his triple at Thruxton Dan was signed by the same management group as Montoya, with a clause that theey got a percentage of his slary. Which is a laugh because he did not get obne.

Dan was only at TD because Vic insisted on it when he sold the Halfords deal to TD. There was never iany clause from Halfords to keep Danny so in 2005 TD could have run any other but chose to run Danny for continuity's sake. Had danny not been offensive at the Autosport awards in front of Matts mum andf other guests he would definitely been uin the number two car whilst Sheddon would have been in the number 3 car.

[BTCC2]

Facts 3 Had danny not been offensive at the Autosport awards in front of Matts mum andf other guests he would definitely been uin the number two car whilst Sheddon would have been in the number 3 car.

What did he say?

[Moderator 2]

May I advise some caution here please folks.

Be VERY careful what is said. If we consider anything may cause problems it will be removed.

[sonofsnoopy]

Facts
Dan was unpaid in 04 and 05


Wrong. Trust me I do know!

[Williams Ren 99]

Wrong. Trust me I do know!
How come your so certain?

[antm1988]

If you are so well informed, care to share???????????
Dan was never paid...............
Neither was Matt for that matter....

[Williams Ren 99]

If you are so well informed, care to share???????????
Dan was never paid...............
Neither was Matt for that matter....
Lets not get personal

[Moderator 1]

If you want this thread closed you are going the right way about it!

It is time to accept that some people on the forum do know things that they are unable to share, of course the sensible ones would say nothing at all.