BTCC and CART

[touring fan]

The combined meeting at brands, good thing or bad thing?

Personally, I think it's quite good the BTCC gets to support a major event, however, I'm a bit gutted the CART isn't at rockingham and £40 is a bit pricey if you're not a CART fan (or don't have a season pass).

[SALEEN S7R]

Yeah I know what u mean, but im a CWS fan so its ok for me lol. £40 aint too bad nowadyas anyway. This should do both the BTCC and CWS favours, the BTCC will probably get a bigger crowd for this event - which is no bad thing and may even get some new fans.

And the CWS may well just get a few more fans in the UK seeing as we are expecting a large crowd, u never know. But thats beside the point - both series need this and can only be a good thing as it is at the moment.

[Invincible]

I think it's a good idea, it should give the BTCC a chance for more publicity with it supporting a big event CART in Britain always gets press attention so the BTCC should!

Me and my dad are big CART fans and so a trip to Brands is likely to be on the agenda!

Hope I don't pass out like the last time i was there!

[Radisich Fan]

Not the greatest idea I have heard of, but there we go!

[touringlegend]

It's the next best thing to supporting the British GP. Trouble is the FIA is so picky with the rights nowadays, which was why the BTCC stopped supporting the Formula 1.

Any promotion is good promotion! :)

[Radisich Fan]

Nah, the championship should be trying to set up on it's own, not run second fiddle to another championship

[touringlegend]

Yeh but it's only one race. Realistically there could be 15,000+ BTCC fans there, who could get interested in CART, and vice versa.

Besides, the 90's were as big, and they supported the British GP back then.

[Radisich Fan]

Not at it's peak in 1998!

[touringlegend]

Yeh but I could say that supporting a big event helped get it there. :p

[Radisich Fan]

Just think, the teams will not be the main championship there and will not have the pit garages etc... just a bit odd for a supposed BIG UK championship

[touringlegend]

I say its a sacrifice worth making. :)

[Radisich Fan]

I will agree to disagree! :p

Maybe it will do the championship some good, who knows, I hope it does, but in my view, it won't!

[Invincible]

Originally posted by Radisich Fan
Just think, the teams will not be the main championship there and will not have the pit garages etc... just a bit odd for a supposed BIG UK championship

The BTCC didn't have the garages when they supported F1, it wasn't the main championship there

[Radisich Fan]

But F1 is different! F1 is F1!

Can't see how an American Series which struggled to pull the crowds at Rockingham which was built especially for this purpose, can be used to improve the BTCC, whihc many British Followers know about anyway!

[Tim.Lad]

Does anyone know how many people Cart pullled in last year ??

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

I tell you know Octagon are screwing up the tickets on this one. We've had major problems cos every time we phone up they tell us something different. Bah:mad:

[AussieV8]

The V8's support the F1 and Indy and its great exposure.
" Aussie V8's in China 2004 "
How great is that......

[Peter]

I am very excited about this event. As far as I am concerned, it is a win-win situation for both series, in terms of attendance and publicity.

During the last few seasons, the BTCC has attracted good crowds, as opposed to great crowds. This is because the series has lacked a major event.

In Autosport, a few weeks ago, there was actually an article, which discussed the need to bing back a key event- the CART event was mentioned as a 'possibility.'

I think the move will be popular with BTCC enthusiasts, many of whom are equally passionate about CART. I am sure they will be willing to pay an extra £15 to witness the traditional BTCC weekend, with the added bonus of CART. I would say with the BTCC alone, an attendance of at least 20,000 is guaranteed.

CART will also boost the attendance for BTCC. Although it is a relatively unknown series in this country, a number of people will attend as CART's presence at Brands Hatch is a novelty for the majority of fans. The CART event should attract a further 20,000. Thus the attendance will be, at least, 40,000.

I don't think moving to the support race paddock is a compromise that the majority of BTCC teams will be willing to take. Why should a team and sponsors reject to exposure in front of an increased crowd?

I can't wait!

[Peter]

Originally posted by Tim.Lad
Does anyone know how many people Cart pullled in last year ??

The attendance was a rather lowly 25,000. However, I do not think that will be a problem.

The army also had tickets to the race- 5,000. However, with the war on Iraq, they were not able to attend.

CART had a weak television deal with Sky Sports, last year. This year, coverage will be available on British Eurosport, whom more households have access to.

People were also put off travelling to Rockingham, because it was a long journey from London. Brands Hatch is right in the suburb!

Road racing is an established concept in this country. Whereas, oval racing is somewhat foreign.

Those are just some of the factors, which acted as deterrants last year.

[thommo_fan]

why are people saying this ia a bad idea.

its great news, not just for the btcc, but also for CART.
had CART gone to the rock again they would have had maybe 20,000 there, but combining the 2 series there should be at least 35,000.
and when was the last time the btcc raced in front of that many people.

[Tim.Lad]

some people on here just see every change as bad... on the cart issue i will reserve my judgement till the day...

i am just glad there not supporting the British GP be instead a series that seem to have some credibility.

[Ann]

It HAS to be good for the profile of BTCC - when people see how great the racing is they'll realise what has us all hooked.

From a personal point of view - if its like ASCAR supporting CART at the Rock our guys will be in the outer paddock so none of the problems of not being able to get into the paddock. And now Darren Manning has got his CART drive I get to see him & Dan in one weekend! :D

[Radisich Fan]

Can't see it being a huge advantage, but there we go!

I suppose the atmosphere will be great anyway!

[thommo_fan]

the CART fans that go will hopefully love the BTCC and so that will increase the popularity of the BTCC.

if the organisers want a big crowd then the event needs to be advertised properly, thats my only worry, that it won't be advertised enough.

[Jackie]

Love BTCC and CART so it's a winner for me. All I have to do now is work out a way to get down to Brands Hatch...and get time off work!

[thommo_fan]

aren't the tickets something like half the price they were when CART was at the rock last year.
£55 for a grandstand seat seems like a good deal to me

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

Originally posted by thommo_fan
aren't the tickets something like half the price they were when CART was at the rock last year.
£55 for a grandstand seat seems like a good deal to me

See this is wear I got screwed by Octagon. I got sold them by brands hatch for less, phone up to book more and the prices were all different everytime I phoned, and then I was told they were sold out, and then I was redirected to manangment and all around the houses. this is why I hate this event at the moment.

[thommo_fan]

how much were your tickets from brands hatch sim?
theres no way they have sold out is there.

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

They originaly told me £20, I couldn't book them without my season ticket number, so I phoned back and the prices keep changing.:mad:

[thommo_fan]

if you've got a season ticket you can get in without buying another ticket.
the season ticket includes the CART event.

[Ann]

I believe the season pass is entry only. You will have to pay extra if you want a grandstand seat.

[johnny grownup]

Shouldn't CART support BTCC and not the other way round. BTCC is established in the UK, CART is looking to generate a presence, the addition of CART won't generate many more spectators at the gate than would have attended anyway. I intend to turn up to watch to see the BTCC with CART or ****** go karts!!!!!!

[thommo_fan]

i thought that at first too, but ts makes sense because CART has a bigger profile worldwide then the btcc.
i do think that the crowd will be a fair bit bigger then normal tho.

[Peter]

I disagree with the view that CART should support BTCC.

Although CART is an unknown in this country and did not attract a respectable crowd at Rockingham, that attendance was actually larger than the highest attendance at any BTCC events last year.

But does it really matter which series supports whom? Why not just enjoy them both?

[King Cleland]

Not a great idea, but it will increase the turn-out!

Will it be Brands Indy or GP?

[thommo_fan]

CART are using the indy circuit, its running for 160 laps.
they think the CART cars will be able to 30 odd second laps

[King Cleland]

Will be fantastic for the spectators though.

I bet they will be on their guard for lappees very soon after the start! :D

[Invincible]

I'm sure it will an entertaining weekend both ways for CART and the BTCC!

[King Cleland]

Well brands always is isn't it :)

[thommo_fan]

will be good to see how darren manning goes, he should know brands better then the other drivers

[King Cleland]

He will probably crash! :rolleyes:

The competitors will know the car better though!

[thommo_fan]

darren had an excellent debut at the rock last year tho, and he leanrt the car very quickly.

[The Stig]

Agree, Darren Manning will be worth a watch. Many of the un-initiated, will probably pulling for him in the CART race. He seems a bit of a chap on "Revved up"

[thommo_fan]

yeah a bit of a boy racer you might say;)

[The Stig]

yeah, he's got loads of ability - but 2003 might be a steep learning curve, the yanks won't enjoy being shown up by a rookie Brit, will they ??

[thommo_fan]

too right, i reckon he could well surprise them with his pace.