BTCC 2008 predictions

[richard_c_61]

To be fair to JP, he is already producing something special. He put a car with full +45kilo ballast on the 2nd row on Saturday. Avoided probably the largest collision of cars in a BTCC race in recent time and finished race 1 on the podium to keep Gio in check.

Then got knocked off the track in race 2 by Chilton which forced him back to 13th place. Yet amazingly still managed to fight back with a ballasted car to finish 2nd again right behind Gio.

All i'll say is keep doing what your doing JP.

Knockhill has to be the turning point either way.

Whilst i think JP is a god, i don't agree, saw him in qualifying, yes he was fast and expectations were great for Sunday, but on Sunday he was slow off the grid and in my opinion not at his best and gained his points from others misfortune. He can drive better and hopefully he will win the title.

 

[Stu B]

"We've seen a new Plato this year, he's mellowed a bit, seems more sure of his ability. Hasn't got into silly scraps, and just tried to stay consistent. Hopefully it will pay dividends in the end."


.......That hits the nail on the head, and squares with what I said earlier. JP IS relaxed both on track, and off it, so far as I could tell yesterday, and yet being totally professional in both settings.

I think he's really in the zone this year, and will give us something to cheer on 14th October

Looking forward to the 14th./. - Think JP & Gio will have a great day... - And from our point of view should be a superb finally to the season...

 

[Muzorewa]

I think Mat Jackson would be a great driver for the Seat team next year, he has the aggresion to win unlike Turner.

There's nothing wrong with Darren Turner, he is a very clean driver - a style which he has generated over the years (and still does) racing sportscars. Some of the BTCC drivers should be more at home in the Renault Clio demolition derby, they would never get away with it in the WTCC, that's for sure.

 

[richard_c_61]

There's nothing wrong with Darren Turner, he is a very clean driver - a style which he has generated over the years (and still does) racing sportscars. Some of the BTCC drivers should be more at home in the Renault Clio demolition derby, they would never get away with it in the WTCC, that's for sure.

Part of the current popularity of BTCC is the aggresive, competitive driving and the action it provides, perhaps Darren should be given a WTCC drive where the likes of Chilton (aka KNOB) Onslow-Cole would not interfere with his clean driving style.

PS Where are you standing at Knockhill come and have a chat if you want??

 

[F2 Stu]

There's nothing wrong with Darren Turner, he is a very clean driver - a style which he has generated over the years (and still does) racing sportscars. Some of the BTCC drivers should be more at home in the Renault Clio demolition derby, they would never get away with it in the WTCC, that's for sure.

One cant help thinking he's driving at lemans in an aston where the race isnt won in 20 mins of racing....

 

[Muzorewa]

PS Where are you standing at Knockhill come and have a chat if you want??

Most of the time at the exit of the hairpin, guaranteed action

 

[richard_c_61]

Most of the time at the exit of the hairpin, guaranteed action

I'll come and have a chat with you then, wife and teenager in tow but the're well up on BTCC dragged them round all season and had SEAT tatooed on their heads in case they forget why we're there.

 

[Muzorewa]

I'll come and have a chat with you then, wife and teenager in tow but the're well up on BTCC dragged them round all season and had SEAT tatooed on their heads in case they forget why we're there.

I'll have the Mini-Muzzes with me, maybe even Mrs Muz. We'll also be at the banger-racing at Cowdenbeath, I think the Renault Clios are going some testing there

 

[Leon]

I'd be gutted personally if Plato left SEAT and the BTCC.

But I heard a rumour a while ago he was a bit annoyed when SEAT recruited new drivers to the WTCC, where he would like to be. From a career point of view I don't blame him for wanting to be world champion!

 

[JasonP06]

I'd be gutted personally if Plato left SEAT and the BTCC.

But I heard a rumour a while ago he was a bit annoyed when SEAT recruited new drivers to the WTCC, where he would like to be. From a career point of view I don't blame him for wanting to be world champion!

Where did you hear this?

I would be gutted too if Jase' left. But it is just I think I perhaps feel stronger that Jase' is commitment to SEATSport UK and am sceptical about any immediate strong desire to enter the WTCC. Until I hear anything from Jase' that has any tones of wanting to leave the BTCC.

But as this is meant to be 2008 predictions, say Jase does decide whether he wins a second BTCC Drivers Championship or not race somewhere else. Who do you think SEAT could attract?

I think out of the current crop I see Gareth Howell as being the only one available but we all know why Motorbase axed him. Because his crashing was costing the team money and they were losing out on testing time because of the time they were speding repairing the cars. What about Dan Eaves?

 

[Leon]

I think it was towards the end of 2005 I heard Jason was pushing to get a "step up" to the WTCC team.

 

[DANNY H]

is it just me or does the rest of the forum think chilton is a chod jockey?

Too right, too much money, not enough talent. Bit like a lot of the other drivers on the grid. Not enough professional drivers like JP and DT.

How about Matt Jackson in the SEAT line up with DT in a weisel?

How about a Honda not barging some else off the track???

 

[CupraTDI_Rob]

This weekends races will play a major part in deciding the drivers championship, if Gio takes more points out of Jason at Knockhill then, barring any bad luck for Gio at Thruxton, I think the title is Gio's.
IMO Jason has to out score Gio at Knockhill and then the pressure will be more on Gio at Thruxton, because the Vectra will be quicker around Thuxton and at least if Plato has a bit of a lead going to Thruxton he can just shadow Gio like at Brands, because IMO the Leon won't be able to beat the Vectra there, thats all assuming neither driver has any bad luck of course like being punted off, a puncture etc.
OK so Jason won a race at Thruxton earlier this year but since then VXR have developed the Vectra a lot where as SEAT seemingly haven't made the Leon much quicker at all, so if the Leon has a slight advantage at Knockhill then Plato needs to make full use of it.

I just hope that Gio and Jason get to fight for the title themselves and another driver, like Chilton, doesn't get involved and punts Plato off.

As for next year, I'd have thought that SEAT would run the TDI's seeing as the petrol Leon has reached the end of its developement. Hope that Jason would stay, and Darren too, he has been very unlucky this year, but I din't know if he has shown enough speed, compared to Jason, to keep his drive.

 

[m0rk]

Clearly these are all a guess...

But I think the following will happen.....

SEAT Sport UK sell 2006 spec Leon's to Motorbase Performance.

Motorbase Performance pass on their two complete Toledo's to someone.

GR Asia to run 2 x Leon's in BTCC - Adam Jones to find some more budget & do a whole season.

SEAT Sport UK to pick up 2 x Diesel Leon's (new / 2nd hand?)

Jason Plato to not renew his contract for 2008

Huffy to return to BTCC (his Daywoo contract expires 2007) - picks up the 'spare SEAT seat'

Not sure about Darren, probably a good driver to have to develop the TDi's

This is all a guess & without foundation.... but I'd wager a fiver on at least 50% happening.

So to recap

Motorbase have their Toledo's up for sale
GR Asia are running 1x Toledo and 1x Leon

I'm not doing too badly so far and he 2007 season's not up yet

 

[ZBOYD]

RML have secured another contract with Chevrolet to run in the WTCC. So we might lose out on Huffy again. But he might be tempted to join SEAT now

 

[m0rk]

Clearly these are all a guess...

But I think the following will happen.....

SEAT Sport UK sell 2006 spec Leon's to Motorbase Performance.

Motorbase Performance pass on their two complete Toledo's to someone.

GR Asia to run 2 x Leon's in BTCC - Adam Jones to find some more budget & do a whole season.

SEAT Sport UK to pick up 2 x Diesel Leon's (new / 2nd hand?)

Jason Plato to not renew his contract for 2008

Huffy to return to BTCC (his Daywoo contract expires 2007) - picks up the 'spare SEAT seat'

Not sure about Darren, probably a good driver to have to develop the TDi's

This is all a guess & without foundation.... but I'd wager a fiver on at least 50% happening.

OK, I've been thinking now.....

Huffy won't come to SEAT BTCC... Tom Chilton will.... the more I think about it.... and the more 'rumours' from certain people I read the more it ties together.

 

[tris]

Tom Chilton in a SEAT

Why?

 

[m0rk]

Tom Chilton in a SEAT

Why?

just thinking aloud

but someone will get roshamboed (cartman style) if that happens

 

[tris]

If he is not good enough in a title winning Vauxhall he wont be any good to SEAT

 

[ArosaRacer]

chilton does'nt have the skill to eek out the most of the Leon's Chassis, Tom the mad dutch man does!