Manufacturer/independent query

[ATF]

I understand that Honda are entering the manufacturers championship this year, although Team Dynamics will NOT be a Honda works team. But does this mean they will be ineligible for the independent titles?

It may seem an odd question, but in 2004 Honda paid the entry fee to enter the manufacturers championship and nominated both Dynamics cars for points (along with the works Arena entry), although the TD drivers were still entitled to compete for the independents title.

So where do you draw the line in allowing teams to run in the independents championships? Another example is Team RAC who are receiving technical assistance from BMW, but remain an independent outfit - are they technically "independents" or not?

Many thanks for you input, Iain Burton

[Alan Gow]

You seem to be getting a bit confused.

1. A manufacturer cannot enter the championship without nominating an entry as their manufacturer team. So the scenario you gave for this year is impossible to acheive.

2. The 2004 points system allowed any registered manufacturer to score points from up to three nominated cars of that make (whether they were part of the manufacturers own 'team' or an Independent.). Dynamics received no direct or substantial financial support from Honda and were not the nominated manufacturer team - thus were still an Independent team.

3. Team RAC will be receiving some technical assistance from BMW - but strictly on a 'user pays' basis. As a client of BMW Motorsport they are merely paying for the provision of some technical assistance at some race meetings. Team RAC are thus not receiving anything from BMW Motorsport that is not available to any other team running BMW's - should they also wish to pay for that same technical assistance. So, yes, of course they are still 'Independents'.

What constitutes an Independent team is really quite simple and has been the same for many years. In basic terms, any team that receives direct or substantial funding or support from a manufacturer/importer - which is above the level that they would also give to any other team competing with the same marque of car - is not an Independent team.