Are we about to experience a major BTCC revival?

[mark]

> Free practice is under way for 2003 already the action is intense and exciting!
> 5 hours of live Tocatour coverage across Europe on raceday showing all races in their entirety.
> National coverage by a major British and International newspaper.
> 4 different manufacturers battling for the title.
> Vauxhall desperate to be triumphant and secure 3 championship titles in it's own centenary year.
> Return of the number 1 driver, despearte to win for a second year and do whats never been done before!

Will 2003 be as already being quoted, the best year yet? Looks promising I think and I really can't wait!

[thommo_fan]

i think it could be one of the best seasons, having read driver interviews, they certainly think it will be.
thommo has said there could be 6 drivers in with a chance of the title at the last race, what a thought.

[MG-ZS EX260]

almost underway, post progressions here!

looks like Honda/vaux battlle but let see what MG can do.

[cos]

Pyper's got his clutch problem from earlier sorted, he's out on track. Kaye's car is also working.

[touring fan]

Erm, am I going mad or is boardman 4th OVERALL at the moment?

[cos]

Morrison's 4th... session stopped for some reason at the mo.

[Insider]

Chilton has put it in the gravel

[cav1995]

:rolleyes: Now there's a revelation!

[touring fan]

Seems to be back on again though it still has a red flag up.

[MG-ZS EX260]

POS NO NAME BEST LAP GAP
SPEED
LAPS LAST LAP
1 2 MULLER 1:45.651 74.14 9 1:45.977
2 3 NEAL 1:46.016 0.365 73.89 9 1:56.265
3 4 REID 1:46.240 0.589 73.73 8 1:46.504
4 1 THOMPSON 1:46.272 0.621 73.71 7 1:53.370
5 9 MORRISON 1:46.560 0.909 73.51 7 1:47.183
6 6 HUGHES 1:46.566 0.915 73.50 9 1:47.035
7 8 O'NEILL 1:46.746 1.095 73.38 8 1:48.477
8 5 TURKINGTON 1:46.849 1.198 73.31 4 1:46.849
9 7 CHILTON 1:47.072 1.421 73.16 4 1:47.072
10 44 PYPER 1:47.384 1.733 72.94 9 1:52.420
11 20 BENNETT 1:47.524 1.873 72.85 8 1:48.004
12 21 COLLARD 1:48.136 2.485 72.44 10 1:48.459
13 15 LESLIE 1:48.246 2.595 72.36 7 1:49.141
14 11 KAYE 1:49.157 3.506 71.76 9 1:50.219
15 0 EAVES 1:49.647 3.996 71.44 8 1:49.647
16 52 HINES 1:52.643 6.992 69.54 10 1:52.643
17 69 EDWARDS 1:52.963 7.312 69.34 8 1:53.372
18 77 BENTWOOD 1:53.415 7.764 69.07 9 1:53.415
19 70 BOARDMAN 1:53.577 7.926 68.97 10 1:54.088
20 54 WALLACE 1:53.701 8.050 68.89 9 1:54.081
21 55 RYAN 1:55.017 9.366 68.10 9 1:55.960
22 10 BREEZE 2:00.850 15.199 64.82 4 2:00.850

FINISHED

[Claw]

Back to what this thread is actually about!!

I don't think 2003 will be any better than 2002. We had hoped a new manufacturer would have appeared - but no! And the Touring car numbers are the same and the proddie field is own.

Past years I would have been really excited with the start of the series. But this year, I really didn't care much.
My enthusism for the series has gone. :(

Sorry but I think the BTCC isn't getting any better.

[Alan]

Glad someone can remember what this thread is about Claw!!

I do however think you are missing the point that the championship will undoubtedly be closer this year which will lead to more exciting races.

I don't believe that more manufacturers or even cars necessarily leads to more exciting races.

If you haven't seen the coverage from Motors or were not lucky enough to be there as I was you won't yet have a true idea of how good this weekend was. The rain certainly livened things up even if we did end up slightly damp!!!

Hope you get your enthusiasm back soon Claw as this will be a good season - hang in there!:)

[Ann]

I agree with Alan - the championship is going to be much closer this year and that has to be a good thing. We had a perfect example in F1 last year that the interest / excitement fades when its pretty much a foregone conclusion who will win.

We have some competitive cars & talented drivers out there in each part of the championship - tourers, indys & proddies.

This is going to be fun!

[The Stig]

Stick around Claw and expect this season to get better and better. An incident packed first week-end bodes well for the remainder of the season. People like Muller, Matt Neal and the MG boys must have left Mondello heartily fed up and will hopefully try like hell at Brands to put that right. Yvan Muller in his two TV interviews seemed to be "glum" and "glummer"
With the drivers on the grid the season, not sure if new manufacturers are required. Just add Plato to the existing mix, light the blue touch paper, stand well back and enjoy!!