If you could change history...

[John]

The BTCC championship usually ends up being between 2 or 3 drivers by the end of the season.

If you could alter the records would you change any of the champions? Obviously it needs to be realistic so John Cleland in 1997 wouldn't be very appropriate.

I reckon it is between the following:
2002 - James Thompson, Yvan Muller or Matt Neal
2001 - Yvan Muller or Jason Plato
2000 - Anthony Reid, Rickard Rydell or Alain Menu
1999 - David Leslie or Laurent Aiello
1998 - Rickard Rydell or Anthony Reid
1997 - Cant really be anyone but Menu can it?!?
1996 - As 97 must be Beila really but was a closer season so might accept others with valid arguments!
1995 - John Cleland or Alain Menu
1994 - Has to be Tarquini really but Radisich kept him honest at times
1993 - Soper or Winkelhock
1992 - John Cleland, Will Hoy or Tim Harvey
1991 - Will Hoy or John Cleland

etc...

[John]

Mine would be:
02 - Jimmy T
01 - Jason Plato
00 - Anthony Reid
99 - not sure - Leslie maybe
98 - Rickard Rydell
97 - Menu
96 - Biela
95 - Cleland
94 - Tarquini
93 - Soper
92 - Harvey
91 - Hoy
Most of them are the same but think Reid, Soper and maybe Leslie deserve to have been champion (or be champion in the future)

What about others?

[Reynard]

Definately not Yvan Muller. Please, not Yvan Muller. But on the other hand, if he won the BTCC, then maybe he would finally just go away...

In 1998, I'd have Reid win over Rydell. I was never happy with the way Rydell got preferential treatment at TWR Volvo in 96 & 97 when ostensibly both drivers should have had equal equipment and technical support. And when a friend is at the recieving end of all of this, it gets personal, it really does... :mad:

The second one I definately would want to change is Frank Sydner in 1988 - I'd much rather Andy Rouse had won his fifth overall title, not just Class A. I think that would have been a fantastic achievement for the driver who is probably still to this day, the best exponent of Saloon car racing in the UK.

[Reynard]

I forgot about Sudsy...

Steve did part of the 88 BTCC season and took points off Andy, which was one of the reasons Andy didn't win overall in '88. As I recall, Steve was doing the full ETCC series in an Eggenberger RS500 (Texaco sponsorship), but did the UK rounds that didn't clash.

Think Steve should have deserved one title, and same with David Leslie. And as I said, Anthony Reid in '98.

Shame Steve had to retire on health grounds because he's a wily old fox...

[speedy king]

Originally posted by Reynard
I forgot about Sudsy...

Steve did part of the 88 BTCC season and took points off Andy, which was one of the reasons Andy didn't win overall in '88. As I recall, Steve was doing the full ETCC series in an Eggenberger RS500 (Texaco sponsorship), but did the UK rounds that didn't clash.

Think Steve should have deserved one title, and same with David Leslie. And as I said, Anthony Reid in '98.

Shame Steve had to retire on health grounds because he's a wily old fox...

What makes you think David Leslie isn't going to win the 2003 BTCC?? The Proton has been very good in testing......

[cav1995]

Originally posted by Reynard
Definately not Yvan Muller. Please, not Yvan Muller. But on the other hand, if he won the BTCC, then maybe he would finally just go away...


Whats your beef with my main man?:) You can't say he doesn't deserve at least one championship.

[Reynard]

Originally posted by cav1995
Whats your beef with my main man?:) You can't say he doesn't deserve at least one championship.

I'll just say that he's the modern day (!) equivalent of Frank Sytner and leave it at that. ;)

I don't doubt his driving ability - you don't win what, six Trophee Andros on the trot without being any good, but I get really hacked off by his whingeing.

[Mocko]

At Donington when he said he passed with no contact and all his passes were without, you had to agree with him.

Anyroad...

2002 - James Thompson
2001 - Jason Plato
2000 - Anthony Reid
1999 - Laurent Aiello (as a Scot I'd like Leslie to win but I like Aiello as well and he won fair and square...)
1998 - Anthony Reid (didn't like Rydell's attitude with Reid)
1997 - Cant really be anyone but Menu can it?!? no:)
1996 - Had to be Beila
1995 - John Cleland
1994 - Paul Radisich Alfa's wings tainted the win
1993 - Winkelhock
1992 - John Cleland
1991 - Will Hoy Again, though I am a Cleland supporter, Will deserved it through driving

[John]

Some might suggest that Aiello's contract had the championship written into it in 1999 and therefore thats not exactly fair and square!! But I think I'll stay clear of those suggestions here! ;)

[The Stig]

Reynard has a point, maybe Yvan's surname is really Mansell. honestly feel, however good a driver he is, that's not what he'll be remembered for. Sorry to go off at a bit of a tangent.

[John]

Nah he cant be Nigel Mansell in disguise - they were clearly both seen at Donington Pk in 1998 at the same time!! :p

[Carl Breeze fan]

2003 - Alan Morrison
2002 - Matt Neal
2001 - James Thompson? He had a realistic chance
2000 - Anthony Reid
1999 - Laurent Aiello
1998 - Anthony Reid
1997 - Menu
1996 - Biela
1995 - John Cleland
1994 - Radisich
1993 - Radisich - He did half a year and finished third. With a whole season would easily have been champion
1992 - Tim Harvey
1991 - Will Hoy

[AussieV8]

Just watched 93 & 94 and its great to see all the manufactures from 3 different countries. UK, Europe and Japan.
I would have like to seen Mazda persue the Xedos 6 further but that didn't happen. Home with the flu so I'm watchin my video collection. Up next is 95 & 96. (Oneyed Mazda fan)

[Claw]

2003- Reid
2002- Thompson
2001- Muller
2000- Reid
1999- Leslie
1998- Reid
1997- Menu
1996- Biela
1995- Cleland
1994- Radisich
1993- Winclehock
1992- Harvey
1991- Hoy

[speedy king]

Reid multiple champion!?!?! lol

[Mocko]

Heh heh. Well, I suppose in 98 he did chuck it away and 3 more points for a win wouldn't have mattered and in 2000, he bever needed an engine (correct me if I'm wrong). I suppose if Tarquini wasn't over zealous, Reid may won.

Here's hoping Reid will win 2003.

I suppose the point that the Carl Breeze Fan made about Radisich is correct. In 94 was the following true.

1) The Fords were better than the Renaults before the added wings for non-Alfas.

2) Did Ford take advantage of the rule change at all.