2004 lineup, possibly

[cos]

Waaaaay too early to be sure about what cars we'll see next year, but here's some educated guesses so far:

bold = confirmed, italic= probable, plain = absolute guess

VX Racing - Vauxhall Vectra?
Thompson?
Muller?
O'Neill?

Honda Racing - Honda Civic Type-R
Neal?
Morrison?
Chilton?

MG - MG ZS
Reid?
Hughes?
Turkington?

Team PSP - Proton Impian
Hairuman
?

Seat UK? - Seat Toledo
Plato
Huff

GA Motorsports ñ Vauxhall Astra/Alfa 156 ETC
Breeze
Wallace
Butler-Henderson
Pyper?

Team Dynamics - Honda Civic Type-R
Howell

?

Barwell Motorsport ñ Honda Civic ETC-spec
Hines
Blencowe

Edenbridge Racing ñ BMW 320i ETC-spec
Bentwood
Ferrier
?

Team Varta - Peugeot 307/?
Boardman
Edwards
Wheals
Marsh

Synchro Motorsport - Honda Civic Type-R
Kaye

Team Halfords - Peugeot 307
Eaves
Buxton

[GEDsjt]

the two 406s are also making a comeback with a clio team running them

[thommo_fan]

i really can't see any point in running the peugeot 406's, unless vast improvements are made to them they will be no where near the pace.

i have to say i am very excited about next year, but we'll just have to wait and see

[ATF]

Originally posted by thommo_fan
i really can't see any point in running the peugeot 406's, unless vast improvements are made to them they will be no where near the pace.

Minardi still compete in F1 don't they? We have seen some good drivers graduate from the underdogs. Any extra teams will be welcomed to the BTCC!

[V6.]

Yesterday at the GT meating Alain menu was there and he said he hasent yet secured a DTM seat for 2003 yet and categoragly he only would want to do DTM or BTCC! When ETCC was put to him he said he wouldnt.

We can only hope

[tourringcar fan]

I remmber when James thompson was on the touring car grid in an old out of date 405 and look where he is now

[Toto]

I see no reason why the 406s shouldn't be out, provided they are prepared and turned out to a standard worthy of the BTCC. Griffin Racing, whose Clios have been pretty mint, have said they could help subsidise a young driver looking for a break. It can't do any harm (a la Thompson).

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

Hahaha, I love the way this gets earlier every year ;) :p

[Alan]

You just read my thoughts Sim!!!:D
You are obviously not the only one with an overactive crystal ball!!
Anyone want to start on 2005 now?

All fairly harmless I suppose - it would be interesting to look back at this come the start of next season and see who, if anyone got anywhere near!

[Croft fan]

I heard from Team Griffin earlier in the year that they could only affords to run one car. Have thay found more sponsorship to run a second?

[KPC]

Hines in a Super Touring Vauxhall Victor would be my guess!!

[Nikh_mg]

That would be amazing if there were that many drivers on the grind, hugely doubtful though. I have to say Menu for the champ if he is in a competative car

[Mat C]

Doesn't anyone think it could be a possibility that, next year, an Independants team could run this years MG ZS considering it's success this year ? Would certainly be a break from a field of Astras !

[Alan]

Originally posted by KPC
Hines in a Super Touring Vauxhall Victor would be my guess!!

I guess you mean Vectra - or is Gerry Marshall making a comeback? :D :D :D

[touringlegend]

Don't know where it is but Alan Gow has said, or is quoted as saying he expects 28 cars next year. For good measure I find taking roughly 6 off that figure brings you with the "True" figure.

[VkmSpouge]

I note that Rob Collard is missing from that list. I hope he gets more money to continue next season or better yet find himself in a works team :)

[Toto]

It's just a fantasy list and Rob's name has accidentally been missed off. He'll be back ...

[KPC]

Originally posted by Alan
I guess you mean Vectra - or is Gerry Marshall making a comeback? :D :D :D

No, I meant Victor. Twas meant as a joke, albeit a poor one, to emphasise the fact that any attempt at suggesting who will be where, or even what teams will be competing, is a bit daft. But you've spoilt it now.

Annie Templeton for Champion - easy money!!

[Alan]

I beg your foregiveness KPC - but at least you will know who Gerry Marshall is!!!:)

Now - do you think Menu will come back in a Ford - Capri?

As for Annie for champion - I'll go for that, but to be fair it will probably be in an MG of some description. She is a lovely lady and I for one missed her in the paddock this year.

[V6.]

Yea but to be honest she aint much cop as a racing driver, 1 second behind the second to last place every race, then either come last or crash.

Claudia Hurtgen now theres a proper women driver

[Alfa Fan]

Neal to drive 307.

[Alan]

Thanks for that Alfa Fan!!:D

Now I really know the silly season is here!

Matt? A works team or Team Dynamics.

Oh yes - V6, Annie has won races, her performance in BTCC should not be taken as being representative of her racing career!!

[touringlegend]

Interesting to note Johnny Milner is to test one of the Team Dynamics Honda Civic's soon, he doesn't expect a full season at all, but he says it will be interesting and could be if he done the opposite to what James Thompson has done.

Also, it appears from the same article that Team Dynamics and Honda are to have much the same relationship as TD did with Nissan back in Super Touring - both teams will help develop the Civic Type-R.

[Croft fan]

I'm finding the TD/Honda story rather intresting. Alot people think Matt will be driving the TD car. If the car has all the updates for 2004 why not, but if the car is just the 2003 car why would he?
If anyone knows any other details let us know.
Thanks.

[touringlegend]

Somethings just twigged on me there...

Matt Neal will drive the TD Honda in addition to Gareth Howell, but Matt will be eligible for works points.
The works Arena Motorsport Honda team will run two cars, one for Alan Morrison and the other for David Leslie..

Just my reckoning really - IIRC manufacturers nominate 3 cars to score points for them??

[KPC]

Originally posted by Alan
I beg your foregiveness KPC - but at least you will know who Gerry Marshall is!!!:)

Now - do you think Menu will come back in a Ford - Capri?

As for Annie for champion - I'll go for that, but to be fair it will probably be in an MG of some description. She is a lovely lady and I for one missed her in the paddock this year.

Gerry Marshal.... produced Thunderbirds didn't he?;)

Talking of the old cars, I do enjoy the Classic support races. I really enjoyed watching the Anglia's and MK1 Cortinas slap tanking round Clearways at Brands not so long ago. Bring them back.... more like rodeo than Skalextrics.

I'm not saying a word about Annie T. I caused some major upset not so long ago on another forum. Lovely lady maybe, but showboating is not racing. Did she do very well in the Ladies Viper series does anybody know?