SEAT Cupra Championship [Archive] - BTCC

Amanda

21st Mar 2003, 11:17 PM

Has anyone else seen the pull out in the centre of Autosport?

There are some nice pictures of my mate Jason taken by my other mate Mr Bothwell!

Also, there is a list of drivers who have entered the championship ~ none of them are my mates yet!!!!

Mocko

23rd Mar 2003, 11:55 PM

Isn't it amazing that the SEAT Cupra Championship is on the British GT support (with a touring car drive for the champ) and we have the Porsche Carrera Cup on the TOCATour (which may act as a stepping stone for GT racing.

Hmmm...

Paul Rayner

24th Mar 2003, 12:48 PM

Hmmm... what, mocko?

It might seem strange, but I think it's good to have variation in racing packages, that way there's something for everyone. If the Cupra championship is any good then it might make F3 meetings worth going to for tin-top fans.

As for whether it should be on the TOCATour, isn't the plan eventually to make Production stand alone as a support race? If this happened then there probably wouldn't be room for Production and Cupras on the same bill. With both these two championships and the potential Ford Focus championship all fishing from the same pool of drivers, I don't think there's room at the moment for all three.

Bill

24th Mar 2003, 01:38 PM

I love the bit of descripion about Steve Sutcliffe... how accurate! :D

Mocko

24th Mar 2003, 06:55 PM

Originally posted by Paul Rayner
Hmmm... what, mocko?

Hmmm... as in, if you came 3rd or 4th in this championship yet had some very good quality drives and performances, taken into consideration the lack of pull the F3/GT meets have, wouldn't you rather be noticed by touring car team bosses, at a BTCC meeting, to take an interest.

Likewise, if you were a GT team owner, wouldn't you rather find some young folk who do well in a RWD Porsche 911 Cup Car than a FWD Leon.

But, there is a lack of depth in my Hmmm... which you have rightly pointed out. Any race meet with F3, GTs and a promising series such as the SEATs gets my vote.

Anyway, Steve Sutcliffe's profile. That was rich, getting a full works Lexus drive in 2002, huh. :D:D:D

lauz

24th Mar 2003, 07:28 PM

the driver line up looks good. nice to see that it is not all men!

Alan

24th Mar 2003, 10:25 PM

I would be suprised if the series does not attract alot more entries. With the sort of prize they are putting up it certainly should do.

Amanda

5th Apr 2003, 02:55 PM

It looks as if this new championship is popular with the drivers. According to Autosport Julian Westwood, Gordon Shedden and Stefan Hodgetts are all interested in taking part. It looks as if seven drivers are competing for the last six seats ~ not many championships can say that!

cos

6th Apr 2003, 12:33 PM

Originally posted by Amanda
It looks as if seven drivers are competing for the last six seats ~ not many championships can say that!

But then again not many championships have a fully funded ETCC drive for the championship winner, plus a £100,000 end of season prize race on offer :rolleyes:

Amanda

6th Apr 2003, 02:21 PM

Exactly ~ a decent prize encourages a good entry. Added to the fact that the entry fee is very reasonable too!

Ann

6th Apr 2003, 10:05 PM

It does seem a remarkably good deal. They are obviously very keen to get the series off to a good start. I saw the Spanish version last year & they were great fun so let's hope its succesful here too.

Amanda

12th Apr 2003, 07:30 PM

Paula Cook is the latest driver to join the championship.

tvgod

12th Apr 2003, 09:58 PM

I'm not conviced the prize is that good - if a driver of the calibre of Jordi Gene can be so far off the pace, on his and the car's home circuit, it could destroy the career of a young upcoming driver.

Alan

12th Apr 2003, 10:16 PM

But at least they know why the car is off the pace, and it has largely been agreed that they will be able to make the changes to the rear suspension which they wish to make.

It is also their first year in ETCC and there has only been one weekend so far, so there is a long way to go before the winner starts next year - plenty of time to get things sorted out.

I am sure the people at SEAT have more confidence in their ability to improve the car than you do tvgod!!!!:)

lauz

13th Apr 2003, 10:30 PM

any news on wether gordon sheddon has joined the championship or not? it would be great if he does.

Reynard

14th Apr 2003, 12:55 PM

Dunno about Gordon Shedden, but I do know that Julian Westwood is slated for a drive.

If that's the case, I'll definately go and watch a round or two because I rate Julian quite a bit as a driver. Very underrated IMHO. And he's a nice guy as well.

Paul Rayner

14th Apr 2003, 02:02 PM

I'm quite surprised at how few meetings there are for this championship. At least that's got to keep costs down.

03 - 04 May 2003 Croft Race 1 & 2
24 - 25 May 2003 Silverstone Race 3 & 4
12 - 13 July 2003 Oulton Park Race 5 & 6
02 - 03 August 2003 Rockingham Race 7 & 8
16 - 17 August 2003 Thruxton Race 9 & 10

2003 SEAT Cupra Super Prix
27 - 28 September 2003 Brands Hatch

kestrel

15th Apr 2003, 12:14 AM

But each race meeting is a 'double-header' !

Alan

16th Apr 2003, 11:18 PM

Gordon Shedden was mentioned in despatches (Autosport) - but have heard nowt since. Still - said mag is out tomorrow.

Amanda

19th Apr 2003, 05:35 PM

It says in Autosport that Gordon Shedden, Julian Westwood and Craig Murray have now all confirmed. This brings the total number of entries to 17. Steve Sutcliffe has withdrawn his entry.

CCG

23rd Apr 2003, 10:34 PM

2002 and current 2003 Legends Cars champion John Higgins has also entered the championship to raise his profile in a bid to land an ASCAR ride in the near future.

Alan

6th May 2003, 11:37 PM

First races won by Stefan Hodgetts and Robert Huff I gather.

Good racing to by all accounts (well alright, the other half spoke to Jason P at Brands on Monday - he might be a bit biased!!!:) )

Need to keep an eye open for the TV coverage.

Claire

6th May 2003, 11:57 PM

After hearing good reports and checking out how good Mr Shedden is looking this season ;) I'm aiming to get to a couple of rounds.

Les

7th May 2003, 07:45 AM

I'll tell Jillian that Claire when I see her on Saturday ;)

Gordon and Spencer Marsh were very enthusiastic about them (so enthusiastic I asked who was paying for the advert).
Stefan not quite so but there again he has gone from F3 down to Seats so he must find them a little slower.

Hoping to grab a round or two but they do clash somewhat. Might manage Silverstone on the Saturday and then BTCC on the Sunday/Monday.

Amanda

7th May 2003, 09:36 AM

I am hoping to get to a few rounds of the championship later in the season. As Les says there are lots of clashes with BTCC which is a shame, I think there are three rounds I can get to ~ can't wait!

lauz

7th May 2003, 07:59 PM

does anyone know the result from croft? i can't find it anywhere.

Amanda

7th May 2003, 08:45 PM

Stefan Hodgetts won the first race and Robert Huff won the second.

Lauz ~ I will PM you the details of the championship website.

Claw

17th May 2003, 08:17 PM

Does anyone know if it's going to be on Terrestrial or what?

If it is, it will probably be on in the middle of the night on channel 4 or 5! :rolleyes:

Amanda

17th May 2003, 08:50 PM

I think it is going to be on ITV and ITV2 but haven't seen the time schedules yet. If I find out I will post the times here.