BTC Touring Champion 2003

[John]

Expect we've done this before but there are a few less question marks now so who do you think will be the champion this year, James Thompson again or will we be seeing a new name on the trophy?

[MG-ZS EX260]

i thik this could be reid and MG's year, if it is i will be absolutley extatic! can you imagine that, MG great british company and Reid great british touring car driver, no disrespect atall to hughes who i also admire imensly (not sure if ive spelt that right!?)

[Amanda]

Jimmy T gets my vote! I have a bet with a friend so hope I am right!

[John]

Originally posted by Amanda
Jimmy T gets my vote! I have a bet with a friend so hope I am right!

I always prefer betting on someone I dont want to win, then if he wins at least I make some money out of it - ie bet on Schumacher in F1 but hope that someone else wins, or bet on Arsenal in the premiership even though I support Newcastle!!)

Back to the question...... I think its time Matt or Reidy won as theyve been around a while now. Would love it if Jimmy did the double mind. As for who do I think will win... might go for Muller this year.

[lauz]

i think that this year is gonna be honda's year.

[Amanda]

Originally posted by John
[B]I always prefer betting on someone I dont want to win, then if he wins at least I make some money out of it - ie bet on Schumacher in F1 but hope that someone else wins, or bet on Arsenal in the premiership even though I support Newcastle!!)


John ~ I am blonde and didn't think of that!!!

I would love to see Jimmy T do the double, even without the bet.

[AussieV8]

I reakon that the time is for a change so my buck is on Reid and MG. They might just shine this year. :D :p

[MG-ZS EX260]

Originally posted by AussieV8
I reakon that the time is for a change so my buck is on Reid and MG. They might just shine this year. :D :p
i agree! :D :D :D

[AussieV8]

Well if the poll stops now MG is in front could be a good omen. :D

[Stuart]

Please let it be Anthony Reid!

On a realistic note, my vote has to go with Yvan Muller. He looked decidedly flustered at Donington last year and theres no way he's going to let James Thompson get one over him again.

James looked the potential champion when he first joined the BTCC back in 94 and thoroughly deserved his title last year.
But I think you'll see a refocussed and uncompromising Muller this year and if its going to be a Vauxhall, it'll have Mullers name in the window.

Realism aside, I'll be cheering for Anthony this year as I have done since he raced for Nissan.

[Les]

very difficult question this - what my heart would love to see win - Paul O'Neill - oh just imagine the party afterwards, my brain is saying Yvan Muller or Thommo or Mattie but the rest of me is going for Alan Morisson.

now if that isn't hedging my bets then I don't know what is....

[Claw]

Hopefully Reid or Morrison.

Or if they don't win, Neal.

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

Has to be Matt Neal.

He has the pure talent and machinery to do it.

He has pure determination like the rest of them, to win the championship but I think with Honda on side he has the upper edge this year.

Go Matt!

[Ann]

I am torn between wanting to see Jimmy do the double & the prospect of having Matt as Champ. What a dilema! I plumped for Matt in the end, but......

[Father Jack]

I'd love to see Thommo win the double, which is why I voted for him, but I do think the Honda's will be very, very close.

Just a side thought,
We all remember Matt stopping at the Honda garage for his pit-stop at Oulton Park last year. Now that he is driving for Honda, Who's garage will he stop at this year? :p

[Mocko]

Haven't seen you in a while Father J.

Realistically: Muller or Thompson. In my heart, I want Reid to win.

So Reid it is!

[The Stig]

James Thompson for me - if not, Matt Neal
How long has it been since a driver retained his title ?

[thommo_fan]

obviously i'm saying thommo but i really think he will, he's won it now so he's got nothing to prove anymore and therefore he'll be driving more relaxed then ever.

what about warren hughes, no one has mentioned him?

[Les]

sad really that the two proton drivers aren't even in your list.

Phil has just had his first win of the season and very comfortably

[John]

I'd love Proton to wont get me wrong. Put Proton in the manufacturers' list and last time I looked they had no votes.

Its only the 2nd season. Honda have a lot more experience in terms of the fact Arena had previous BTCC experience, Will Hoy I'm sure had a lot of good input into the team last season as well.

I believe Proton will be capable of winning a race or two next season, but think they need to work a bit more before they are championship challangers. They have a good driver line up though, hopefully a third car will appear sometime and help drive the team forward! :)

[cav1995]

Originally posted by MG-ZS EX260
i thik this could be reid and MG's year, if it is i will be absolutley extatic! can you imagine that, MG great british company and Reid great british touring car driver, no disrespect atall to hughes who i also admire imensly (not sure if ive spelt that right!?)

Sorry mate but Vauxhall is every bit as British as MG, although to be honest so is proton.;)

My money's been on Muller for two years now and I ******ed if I'm wobbling now. I'm surprised to see Reid as favorite. Maybe its down the X-Power hype machine. You know what I mean, 'two exhausts, loads more testing than anyone else blah blah blah...'

Can some one start a poll for Chilton, O'Neill and Turkington? I can't be bothered.

[John]

Originally posted by cav1995
Can some one start a poll for Chilton, O'Neill and Turkington? I can't be bothered.

To do what with them?!

I'd put something sarky here but I dont want to group Paul in with the sarky comments as I think he's actually a decent driver.

[tutor52]

I reckon with his determination, and a Honda to drive, it is difficult to bet against Matt.......

.... but if Jason does join in then he could upset the whole scheme of things

[MG-ZS EX260]

Originally posted by cav1995
Sorry mate but Vauxhall is every bit as British as MG, although to be honest so is proton.;)


urm, NO! how can you say vauxhall are british? they are owned by GM which are AMERICAN and proton are MALAYSIAN whereas MG are FULLY 100% PRIME BRITISH BEEF! Vauxhall are NOT british ownwed neither are proton OR Honda for that matter

yes, Vauxhalls BTCC crew are all/mainly british and the car was developed in britian, but Vauxhall ARENT british!

[John]

Originally posted by MG-ZS EX260
MG are FULLY 100% PRIME BRITISH BEEF!

With a bit of German here and there no doubt!

[cav1995]

Originally posted by MG-ZS EX260
urm, NO! how can you say vauxhall are british? they are owned by GM which are AMERICAN and proton are MALAYSIAN whereas MG are FULLY 100% PRIME BRITISH BEEF! Vauxhall are NOT british ownwed neither are proton OR Honda for that matter

yes, Vauxhalls BTCC crew are all/mainly british and the car was developed in britian, but Vauxhall ARENT british!

Easy mate. I didn't want to annoy anyone but my comments regarding MG Rover were founded on the fact the company has been passed around a few times now. Honda, BMW...

Would you be unpatriotic toward Jaguar for being owned by Ford? Or how about Aston Martin for the same reason?

For the record, Vauxhall Motors IS a british company. Though there designs aren't.