SEAT to BTCC [Archive] - BTCC

Croft fan

18th Aug 2003, 12:43 PM

I was wondering if any of the SEAT drivers will get BTCC drives next year, and wondered who other people thought should or could go on to the BTCC next year.

There are a few that could, but it all depends on funding, I mean look there have been some very good drivers in the BTCC this year but they have had to drop out due to funding, some have come back after finding funding, so it does not depend on who deserves to go up to the BTCC, but who can afford to pay for the chance. Plato was supposed to return bur could not find backing, just goes to show you.

I think Gordan Sheddon, Spener Marsh and may-be James Pickford (should have done better, but had a few problems and was very unlucky). I think Rob Huff is unluck really, he may have a paid drive, but is in the ETCC SEAT - not the best car, and probabily unless they get the car sorted for next year will do his career no good, he does have the money and flat in Monaco though, do you think he will be to bothered untill 2005 comes along? I dont, but he should.
Let me know what you think.

GEDsjt

18th Aug 2003, 12:49 PM

think a few do deserve it especially hodgetts and shedden and maybe marsh and pickford, but thoght marsh would do better.

there is a rumour that seat will run a btcc works team, and i know there is a strong rumour that the cupras will be on the support bill next year.

maybe they will get a seat drive if it happens. if it doesnt im sure there will be a couple in btcc independants.

Croft fan

18th Aug 2003, 12:55 PM

Just had athought, but now ETCC cars are allowed in to the BTCC, they may update this years ETCC cars and run them in the BTCC for the Second and third placed drivers. But there is still the Brands Hatch Finale, that should be fun, no pionts and drivers with revenge oin their minds. But if they do drive well there, then maybe Seat will give them a chance.

Any know if last years 406's will be at Donington this year, heard a rumor they were?

Cleland Fan

18th Aug 2003, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by Croft fan
But there is still the Brands Hatch Finale, that should be fun, no pionts and drivers with revenge oin their minds.

Plus £30,000 towards next year's budget up for grabs.

Toto

18th Aug 2003, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by Croft fan
Just had athought, but now ETCC cars are allowed in to the BTCC, they may update this years ETCC cars and run them in the BTCC for the Second and third placed drivers. But there is still the Brands Hatch Finale, that should be fun, no pionts and drivers with revenge oin their minds. But if they do drive well there, then maybe Seat will give them a chance.

Any know if last years 406's will be at Donington this year, heard a rumor they were?
Not a rumour. Team Griffin boss Julian Griffin openly said when the news was announced he would be entering a pair of 406s next year that he may attempt to get one of them on the grid for this year's penaultimate two rounds at Donington.

Croft fan

19th Aug 2003, 10:30 AM

Thanks Toto, what is the name of the team, and do they have a web site?
It would be good to see the 406's back on track this year, they may not have set the BTCC on fire but they were not the slowest cars on track, I mean they won Dan Eaves the Independents cup last year did they not. Looking back it was not a bad little car (or big car as the case may-be).
I think it will be good to have them back and it may even have a few supprises for the other independents.

Hope that they make it to Donington, would be good to see them there.
:)

Les

21st Aug 2003, 01:16 PM

In Autosport it is saying that Seat might be in the BTCC next year. Seems the ETCC doesn't get a lot of coverage over here.

Now that would be nice :)

Toto

21st Aug 2003, 06:02 PM

Originally posted by Les
In Autosport it is saying that Seat might be in the BTCC next year. Seems the ETCC doesn't get a lot of coverage over here.

Now that would be nice :)
This story came out in Motorsport News three weeks ago!

andyb

21st Aug 2003, 06:07 PM

...but has been floating about since Alan Gow said that ETCC cars would be allowed in the BTCC,but it does seem to be gaining momentium

kestrel

22nd Aug 2003, 12:41 PM

Hopefully Seat will run in the BTCC ..
.. Love to see Plato back - great character & brilliant racer.

Amanda

22nd Aug 2003, 05:39 PM

Kestrel ~ I agree with you, I would love to SEAT and Jason Plato in the BTCC! I have my fingers crossed that it will happen in 2004.

DavidRose

28th Aug 2003, 11:15 PM

If JP' were to return, there would be one or two drivers reacting rather cautiously. Need I name them!

Bring on JP'!

100%VauxhallFan

28th Aug 2003, 11:38 PM

Originally posted by Croft fan
Plato was supposed to return bur could not find backing, just goes to show you. I think it would be more likey that GA were unable to find a driver with a big enough budget to pay Plato's wages. Do you honestly think that he'd be a paying driver rather than a paid driver? :confused:

Croft fan

29th Aug 2003, 10:48 AM

If he was motavated enough and wanted to drive no matter what then he would have paid. And why not there is nothing wrong with paying drivers. Most if not all of the Independents are paying drivers and there is talent there.

100%VauxhallFan

29th Aug 2003, 06:16 PM

Originally posted by Croft fan
If he was motavated enough and wanted to drive no matter what then he would have paid. Maybe you don't understand the point. Plato, a driver used to a lot of money for driving around a circuit, is not going to be interested in having to find sponsers to pay for him to drive, and for him to not see a penny of it. Look at it this way - you earn X pounds a year. For doing a job. You're not suddenly going to work for free are you?
Originally posted by Croft fan
And why not there is nothing wrong with paying drivers. Most if not all of the Independents are paying drivers and there is talent there. Again, I think you're missing the point/ I have no problem with paying drivers - My driver (Tom Chilton) is a paying driver, and I have no problem with that. What I object to is drivers only wanting to do a job because they will get paid for it, and refusing if they don't get money to drive.

See what I mean now? :confused:

The Stig

29th Aug 2003, 10:22 PM

Jason Plato is one of the few drivers deserving of a salary to take part in the BTCC. I would also include such drivers as, Thompson, Muller, Reid, Neal, Hughes and David Leslie. I don't think I've forgotten anyone, if I have apologies. Drivers such as these have the ability to improve cars with their feedback. Jason Plato has this in abundance and would surely improve gates at meetings. If we were lucky enough to have him compete, his every overtaking move would generate huge applause.

100%VauxhallFan

1st Sep 2003, 10:43 PM

Stig - you want Plato back, even though you know he'll only come into the BTCC if he gets paid to race here?

:eek: :confused:

The Stig

1st Sep 2003, 11:26 PM

100% vauxhallFan, cheers for your reply
Yes, I genuinely believe a salaried Jason Plato would benefit the series. JP would enhance any team for whom he raced, his technical input would benefit even a fledgeling team, I am also certain JP is one of those drivers with whom many spectactors would have an affinity.

kestrel

2nd Sep 2003, 12:48 AM

Vauxhall Fan ... would you go to work without getting paid ? :(

100%VauxhallFan

2nd Sep 2003, 11:13 PM

Kestrel - if racing were my work, getting loads of adoring fans, then yes.

kestrel

3rd Sep 2003, 12:10 AM

So how would you pay your bills, morgage etc...

.... just because you have a job with "loads of adoring fans" does that mean you live free !!!!!!!:D :D :D :D :D

tourringcar fan

3rd Sep 2003, 04:13 PM

I heard somwhere that Paul o'neal is a parts delivery driver when he's not racing

100%VauxhallFan

3rd Sep 2003, 10:33 PM

Kestrel, that's what Daddy and Credit cards are for! :p

Amanda

4th Sep 2003, 07:20 PM

Getting back to the original theme of this thread!

In Autosport today there is a feature on Robert Huff, it says that SEAT has yet to decide if it will race in the ETCC next year as originally planned or the BTCC.

Fingers crossed they decide on BTCC.:D

Les

4th Sep 2003, 07:38 PM

just read the article - and oogled at the pictures and realised what was different. His gorgeous sunglasses are gone - in the dog. That new pair are not the same!!!!

Very interesting read - starting his fitness regime now and still racing in the MGs for fun.

I know he would like to race in the BTCC but the thought of racing against Tarquini and co - wow! Either way I am sure Huffy will be very happy (or should that be verry 'appy)

kestrel

5th Sep 2003, 12:49 PM

'Vauxhall Fan' ... reality isn't your forte then ...
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D

100%VauxhallFan

6th Sep 2003, 11:27 PM

Kestrel - I feel sorry for the people who don't live my life.

kestrel

7th Sep 2003, 10:45 AM

:D :D :D :D :D

Alan

12th Sep 2003, 10:40 PM

It would certainly be good to see JP back in the BTCC. We await SEAT's decision with baited breath!!
If he does come back there will be a few people watching their mirrors with a little more attention than they have been for a couple of years - especially a certain french gentleman!!;)

As for the people who expect Jason to drive for nothing - well, it is what he does for a living (part of it anyway), so why should he do it for free?

Most drivers start off "sponsored" by their parents, but there comes a time for many when they need to get out there and get their own sponsors and twist arms for drives. Jason was no different in that respect and worked very hard to get where he is today - he is a professional whether he is driving or presenting and deserves to get paid for both.

100%VauxhallFan

12th Sep 2003, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by Alan
As for the people who expect Jason to drive for nothing - well, it is what he does for a living (part of it anyway), so why should he do it for free?

Most drivers start off "sponsored" by their parents, but there comes a time for many when they need to get out there and get their own sponsors and twist arms for drives. Jason was no different in that respect and worked very hard to get where he is today - he is a professional whether he is driving or presenting and deserves to get paid for both. That's not the point that I was making. What I was saying is that I have no problem with drivers who get paid. I have problems with drivers who wont race in a series because they aren't getting paid to do so. The series will always be bigger than any one single driver - which is what some of them forget.

The Stig

12th Sep 2003, 10:48 PM

The BTCC has really missed Jason Plato and by saying that I mean no disrespect to anybody presently taking part. If you can win a championship with JP involved, then you will have done well. Really hope next spring he is competing with the best of this seasons drivers and is made to work hard for his (deserved) salary.

VkmSpouge

12th Sep 2003, 11:00 PM

It would be great to see Jason Plato back in the BTCC even if it is with SEAT who, lets face it, haven't exactly set the world on fire with their ETCC car.

Alan

12th Sep 2003, 11:01 PM

I'm sorry 100%, but that is a contradiction!!!

Professional racing drivers get paid - end of story, they don't do it for nothing! (except the odd one off drive perhaps)

It really is not a case of thinking they are too big/good for a series at all.

Or maybe I should go into work on Monday and say to my boss "don't worry about the money any more - I'll do it all for nowt".:)

Mind you - I will be in New York so could be difficult!!!:D :D

touringlegend

13th Sep 2003, 09:06 PM

I can see the point 100% is making..

Plato was rumoured to have left the BTCC because upon winning it he suddenly thought he deserved a far far larger salary than before. I think that's what 100% is referring to.

I don't think any driver should get payed over the odds, but do agree that a driver shouldn't be expected to drive for nothing (when they are as highly regarded as JP..).

Alan

13th Sep 2003, 09:30 PM

Quite correct Touringlegend - it was rumoured!!!! That was all!;)

The Stig

13th Sep 2003, 10:28 PM

A drivers remuneration is nothing to do with us unless a crap driver is getting a salary not commensurate with his ability. My point was, that only a small handful of drivers, Jason Plato included, are worthy of a salary. In a series where finance is difficult to come by, teams rely on outside finance and need to be selective about who, if any body, gets paid to race.

Don't believe everything you hear, the idea that Jason Plato demanded a vast salary to defend his title is possibly a rumour perpetuated by persons less fond of JP.