Arena Motorsport return with Ford

[Bezza]

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/btcc/news/172097-0/arena_confirms_ford_entry.html

[I am evil Homer]

Good to see Ford returning (even if it's not a works deal)...and even better to have another car in the mix.

[Allyc85]

Wahoo :D :D :D :D

[Eurotech]

well then, I might start believing the CVR entry now!

[AndySpeed]

I wonder how much they will look like the Focus' that raced in the WTCC a couple of years back.

[LiamM]

I wonder how much they will look like the Focus' that raced in the WTCC a couple of years back.

The article says they'll be Focus STs so I *assume* that they will have the current ST body kit but with a 2 litre lump sat up front instead. Whereas the others were just standard body shapes

[VkmSpouge]

Excellent news that Arena will back and with a team of lovely Focus STs. Hopefully Tom Chilton will be able to re-capture his 2005 form.

[tisme]

Funny that?

http://btccpages.motorsportforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=557594&postcount=14

http://btccpages.motorsportforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=557646&postcount=15

As PDS said... http://btccpages.motorsportforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=558098&postcount=18

[Eurotech]

nice one ;)

[AndySpeed]

http://btccpages.motorsportforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=557646&postcount=15

At the time it was a rumour and I was reading with a pinch of salt! Obviously when your only source is touringcartimes you can never be too sure. Thank you!

[PDS]

Anyway.. It is good to hear something positive about next season.

Although I am intrigued to hear who will be in the second seat as the list of drivers is potentionally very interesting.

[wedge]

Then who'll partner Sheddon at Team Dynamics?

[LiamM]

Then who'll partner Sheddon at Team Dynamics?

Who said Sheddon was gonna be at TD? (I don't actually know anything myself, only that nothing is confirmed yet, but I like to play Devils Advocate)

[VX_Rules]

Its all so topsey turvey next year!! What do we know for definate*? Vectra: Gio Neal Vectra Jordan and Focus: Chilton.

Could be interesting with just 4!

*Team confirmed.

[Eurotech]

wasn't Steve Neal trying to get Thommo and Matt in Civics this year?

[DazzlaF1]

wasn't Steve Neal trying to get Thommo and Matt in Civics this year?

According to Autosport he was, but i think the only way Thommo would return is if Honda transferred their works backing to the BTCC with those Honda Accords.

[Eurotech]

Is he really still a fan of those Accords after his appaling season?

[VkmSpouge]

According to Autosport he was, but i think the only way Thommo would return is if Honda transferred their works backing to the BTCC with those Honda Accords.

I don't think Honda were actually backing N-Technology this year. Also the Team Dynamics Civic appears to be better than the JAS/N-Tech Accord, so why downgrade?

[PDS]

Back on topic..

Read in Autosport today that it seems almost certain that the second driver will NOT be Plato!

That narrows it down a bit then!

[VX_Rules]

Why is this? Not disputing you. Just interested in the reasoning?

Plato wouldnt want to play second fiddle to a young gun anyway, his ego couldnt comprehend it :P

[AndySpeed]

Back on topic..

Read in Autosport today that it seems almost certain that the second driver will NOT be Plato!

That narrows it down a bit then!

Because he already has plans?

[PDS]

Why is this? Not disputing you. Just interested in the reasoning?

Plato wouldnt want to play second fiddle to a young gun anyway, his ego couldnt comprehend it :P

I agree. No he wouldn't. But he has stated that he wants to stay in the BTCC. And he wants to be paid to do so.

There were suggestions that this big backer of the Ford team may be prepared to put enough money into it to pay for Plato.

Perhaps he is waiting for this other manufacturer to appear that the other teams are being told about!

[ATF]

Is he really still a fan of those Accords after his appaling season?

Appalling? Considering he missed the first two rounds and it was a 1 car effort (for most of the year), don't you reckon they did really well to compete with the factory BMWs and SEATs and even win a race?

[I am evil Homer]

Agreed...consider the resources and lack of testing their results were very respectable and would have been better were it not for some bad luck, esp at Macau. I'd also prefer to see the Accord in the BTCC than the Civic.