Testing

[100%hondafan]

any one else been out testing ???

john george in his integra at brands

tom onslow cole had been testing a bmw e36 to adapt to rwd!

stories on http://www.crash.net/home~cid~10.htm

[Alfa Fan]

Vauxhall have been testing thier Vectra at Albacete.

[cos]

VXR have been testing the new Vectra in Spain I believe.

[100%hondafan]

any pictures from them testing aswell?

[captin 1 VXR]

no pics as it was behind doors test for vxr

[chrislambYEP/YS]

Matt Jackson is to test tomorrow at Oulton Park (Feb 14th)

[Iain]

WSR are out testing this week I'm told.

[Robinho]

anyone know when Dynamics are due out, they will be leaving it very late for a completley new car built to new regs, i hope they don't find themselves with a lemon with no time to improve it.

i know the Integra turned up at the first race with next to no testing, but at least that was the same Civic running gear underneath and built to the BTC regs they had been working with before, i fear the new Civic venture could turn into a nightmare for them, i hope they have managed to come up with a competitive package though

[Alfa Fan]

The Integra had tested before the first race. At least twice, Silverstone and the media day at Donington.

[cpearson]

mat jackson testing pics posted on another thread

http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86402&page=30

[captin 1 VXR]

t d not test as thay may not even have cars running for media day .. but if thay do it is more than likly tested then

[The mad monk]

For info ref Matt Jackson:
a good day at oulton today,just getting mileage and used to the car.
Reference comments on another forum regarding my conversations with Matt:basically,his opinion(and he knows)is that a FWD car is a doddle to drive compared to the RWD BMW,and will require a delicate touch to obtain the best results(set-up and driving).
Would have been an easier route to buy a proven TD Integra,but then not eligible to win the Championship.....we know its a long shot,but if you haven't got the correct spec car to do so,that is the first admission of defeat.
David and Goliath,but THATS the challenge!as an underdog,any achievements over and above other well funded teams and drivers will be a bonus and satisfying,we will just do the best we can.
Yes,its an expensive route to take,and I seriously questioned Tony's sanity when queried on a car decision,but I can see his rationale and admire the whole family for having the balls to do it.
Reidy-fan:thanks for the mention on other forum(and the band!),I am going to be pretty busy this year with Matt,Andy,Mel,Tim and 2 x others in clios(tba),its going to be one hell of a great year for the BTCC package.ace.

[PDS]

Mad Monk. Thanks for the info and good luck to you, Matt and the team!

Are you running the team off your own backs or are you getting any sort of help from any of the WTCC teams?
Spotted on the pictures posted on another site, Matt was running #29. Is that his race number for this year?

[tdb]

I thought the car looked really good today!
one of the most stable cars through old hall i've seen.

times weren't the best, but as mad monk says, just getting used to the car.

PDS, everybody was issued a number at sign on today Matt obviously got 29.

[PDS]

PDS, everybody was issued a number at sign on today Matt obviously got 29.

Thanks tdb. I didn't realise that! It's unusual to give cars numbers on a general test day?

[Robinho]

The Integra had tested before the first race. At least twice, Silverstone and the media day at Donington.

hence why i said next to no testing ;) , 2 outings is a very small amount of testing for a new car from a top team, however they were in the position that most of the workings of the car were carried over form the Civic.

why try to correct something that i didn't even say?

[chrislambYEP/YS]

Well done CPearson...Nice shots of Matt Jackson at Oulton yesterday, as it is only 14miles away I did apply to get over, but sad to say my Public Liability Insurance cover was for only 1 million pounds and not the required 5million, and it was too late to up grade it by the time I found out, but its sorted out now. bye for now, regards

[Iain]

Gareth Howell's been doing his shakedown with Motorbase at Brands.

http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/brands-hatch/news/article.asp?NewsID=2503

[VkmSpouge]

I think that SEAT looks good in those colours. It will certainly stand out.

[PDS]

Better pictures (mine of course) can be found here!

http://www.btccpages.com/news/NewsStory.php?SeriesID=1&ArticleID=783

Question.. Gold wheels or Anthracite wheels?

[Alfa Fan]

Gold.

[cpearson]

anthracite all day long....

not keen on that livery, doesn't seem to flow. the orange on the bonnet would look better if it extended over tops of the wings to the A pillar.

anyway who cares, it's another car with a good driver.....can't wait till 31st march!

ps, great pics by the way!!

[PDS]

The colours are there for a reason (sponsors). All will become clear on the media day!

The orange is only there to tell the two cars apart while on track!

[cpearson]

PDS - yeah I am aware of why the colours are there but I suppose I should reserve judgement until complete.

be interesting to find out the 2nd driver.

[Marc W]

Antracite looks better to me too. The Gold looks a bit "Max Power"

[cos]

Better pictures (mine of course) can be found here!

http://www.btccpages.com/news/NewsStory.php?SeriesID=1&ArticleID=783


Thanks for the great photos as always! However, I have to ask were Motorbase saving money and only sprucing up the left hand side of the car??

[Robinho]

i'd say anthracite wheels, the only cars i've seen make gold wheels really work were the old BTCC Astras Cleland drove and WRC Subarus IMO

[100%hondafan]

anthracite wheels deffinatly

[btracer]

That looks so nice. I would definatly go for the darker wheels though.

Infact that is the nicest livery I have ever seen a Toledo in!

[Debs]

No pictures as yet but Mike Jordan went to Snetterton to give his car a shakedown test this Saturday, 17th Feb, following the Integra's total rebuild.

[Iain]

WSR are out testing this week I'm told.

Tested the Swedish loan car at Pembrey at the beginning of last week. To quote CT "is a nice piece of kit!".

[Andy Richards11]

Saw both the Xero Competition Lexus (Mark Jones car No 79) and the Team Farecla Peugeot 307 testing on the Silverstone national circuit today. Neither seemed that quick so dont know if Mark Jones was driving the Lexus or not and hasnt Richard Marsh sold the Pug on?

[Iain]

I remember Richard Marsh said they'd be willing to run the 307 for another driver trying to get their first steps in the BTCC if they came up with the money.

[The mad monk]

My mate Tommy Erdos in the Lexus,and a 3cylinder Pug embarassing itself by continuing to run whilst very poorly.

[Robinho]

was Tommy Erdos just testing the car or is he in line for a drive? would be great to see him on the grid at Brands

[VkmSpouge]

Erdos is a very good driver, he would be nice to have back in the series.

[Captain VXR]

Would be good to see

[PDS]

My mate Tommy Erdos in the Lexus,and a 3cylinder Pug embarassing itself by continuing to run whilst very poorly.

Tommy Erdos did a lot of testing in the LEXUS.
Whilst three drivers had a go in the PUG 307!
Marsh took it out to start with.

[rdjones]

From what I understand, Xero just used Tommy to shakedown the car. There is a link between Xero and Tommy, he drove Mike Newton's Ford Falcon at the Britcar 24 Hours last year and the car was run by Xero.

[Funks]

Sibsport were running their Integra at Brands today when I popped in. Things seemed to be going ok from what I saw. I think the team were slightly worried though when it absolutely threw it down and Simon decided to stay out for a few laps on slicks. Must be very confident with the car already!

[Iain]

Found some photos from today. It does look a tad damp alright.

http://rsmp.zenfolio.com/p898102533

[BTCC2]

Encke are to start testing soon. Story on btcc.net

[100%hondafan]

still looking for drivers :S and should be testing as soon as plans are finalisied

[BTCC2]

Photo of Matt Allison shaking down the Toledo at Brands today

http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=418

[Funks]

Just to put that factually right - the test was on Friday.

[Alfa Fan]

Team principal David Bartrum said he was delighted with his squad’s progress following the latest test, at Brands Hatch last Friday.

[Ed]

has anyone got pics or seen Vauxhall testing?? didnt chilton say they went testing with the WTCC cars at velanica? I cant wait to see the vectra in full S2000 spec

[Iain]

The Vauxhall tests never usually produce any photos.

[VkmSpouge]

Photo of Matt Allison shaking down the Toledo at Brands today

http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=418

Pity they changed from the blue to white with Allison's car, hopefully its not the same with Howell's.

[Griffin]

has anyone got pics or seen Vauxhall testing?? didnt chilton say they went testing with the WTCC cars at velanica? I cant wait to see the vectra in full S2000 spec
They have completed a number of test outings so far, and still have a fully booked calender between now and the first race. This was confirmed on a trip to Tripleeight on Friday which I attended. The Vectras were there, although in a million pieces as they strip and rebuild them after every event.

From what I saw briefly, expect a couple aerodynamic changes from the show car at Autosport. ;)

[Big Boonster]

Autosport car was BTC regs Vectra (tested but not raced) not S2000, big differences all round on body shape and running gear.

[Radders]

Pity they changed from the blue to white with Allison's car, hopefully its not the same with Howell's.

Looks pukka enough to me!

[Radders]

And RAC have been out

http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=417 (albeit a loan car)

[Griffin]

Autosport car was BTC regs Vectra (tested but not raced) not S2000, big differences all round on body shape and running gear.
Not entirely. That car was built from scratch, from a hatchback not the saloon that they previewed as a concept a few years ago. It only had the BTCC spec parts as they obviously had them to hand in time for Autosport. It has since been converted to 5 stud wheels as per S2000 regs and I'm sure that the rest will be updated in time for the new season in which it will be their show car. Bodykit wise, at Autosport, it looked to me more S2000 than BTCC (no sideboards etc), but the actual car will differ again when revealed.

[Iain]

Are you sure? Just wondering because Autosport had a feature in January/February about touring cars that were built but never raced and the Vectra of 2004 was featured. It then went on to say that the car at the Autosport show this year wasn't the S2000 machine, but actually that old car converted into a hatchback and it said Ian Harrison confirmed that was the case when asked.

[Griffin]

Are you sure? Just wondering because Autosport had a feature in January/February about touring cars that were built but never raced and the Vectra of 2004 was featured. It then went on to say that the car at the Autosport show this year wasn't the S2000 machine, but actually that old car converted into a hatchback and it said Ian Harrison confirmed that was the case when asked.
Well I asked one of the guys that question at Tripleeight and was told it was a new car outright and wasn't a cut and shut. I even sat in it and would have to say it would be a blinding job if it had been, didn't appear to be any obvious signs of a cut and shut.

There were no signs of the 4 door there I have to say, but we didn't get to see everywhere.

[Dickie L'Amour]

Pity they changed from the blue to white with Allison's car, hopefully its not the same with Howell's.
If you bother to read the story, Dave Bartrum says Allison's livery is the one in the pic and the Howell car will be of the same style but a different colour, surely meaning the blue that's already been seen.

[100%hondafan]

so have any teams been sotted testing i spotted a lexus at oultern last week ;) with a distictive can shoved on the back clearly to reduce noise!