Confirmed Entry Thread (WTCC)

[SEATFreak]

But this is what I know for the new season. I am assuming other teams like Chevy and customer team Maurer and GDL are retaining their lineup till news says otherwise.

SEAT (SEAT Italy/France/Spain & Mexico - SEAT Leon
Gabrielle Taquini
Yvan Muller
Jordi Gene
Michael Jourdain

GR Asia (SEAT Holland?) - SEAT Leon
Tom Coronel
Emmett O'Brien

SEAT Italia - SEAT Leon
Roberto Colciago

SEAT Belgium (Exagon) - SEAT Leon
Pierre Yves Corthals

BMW Team UK (RBM) - BMW 320si E90
Andy Priaulx

BMW Italy-Spain (Ravaglia) - BMW 320si E90
Alex Zanardi
Marcel Costa
Felix Porterio

BMW Germany (Schnitzer) - BMW 320si E90
Augusto Farfus
Jorg Muller

Weichers Sport - BMW 320si E90
Stefano D'Aste
Sergio Hernandez

Proteam - BMW 320si E90
Luca Rangoni
Ryan Sharp (??)

N.Technology - Alfa Romeo 156
James Thompson

[tin-top fan]

Marcel Costa isn't racing for italy-spain next year.
Chevy are keeping their current line-up.
Hernandez is in at Proteam NOT Wiechers.

[tin-top fan]

Most up to date list that I can find:

Chevrolet [3 cars]
Robert Huff (GBR) - Chevrolet Racing (Ray Mallock Ltd) - Chevrolet Lacetti
Nicola Larini (ITA) - Chevrolet Racing (Ray Mallock Ltd) - Chevrolet Lacetti
Alain Menu (SUI) - Chevrolet Racing (Ray Mallock Ltd) - Chevrolet Lacetti

BMW [probably 5 cars]
Jörg Müller (GER) - BMW Team Germany (Schnitzer Motorsport) - BMW 320si
Augusto Farfus (BRA) - BMW Team Germany (Schnitzer Motorsport) - BMW 320si
Alessandro Zanardi (ITA) - BMW Team Italy-Spain (ROAL Motorsport) - BMW 320si
Félix Porteiro (ESP) - BMW Team Italy-Spain (ROAL Motorsport) - BMW 320si
Andy Priaulx (GBR) - BMW Team UK (Racing Bart Mampaey) - BMW 320si

SEAT [probably 6 cars]
Yvan Muller (FRA) - SEAT Sport - SEAT León
Gabriele Tarquini (ITA) - SEAT Sport - SEAT León
Jordi Gené (ESP) - SEAT Sport - SEAT León
Michel Jourdain (MEX) - SEAT Sport - SEAT León
Tom Coronel (NED) - SEAT Team Holland (GR Asia) - SEAT León
Roberto Colciago (ITA) - SEAT Sport Italy - SEAT León

Alfa Romeo
James Thompson (GBR) - N.Technology - Alfa Romeo 156

Chevrolet
Pontus Mörth (DEN) - Chevrolet Denmark (Perfection Racing) - Chevrolet Lacetti [only selected events]
Hendrik Lundgaard (DEN) - Chevrolet Denmark (Perfection Racing) - Chevrolet Lacetti [only selected events]

BMW
Stefano d'Aste (ITA) - Wiechers Sport - BMW 320si
Luca Rangoni (ITA) - Proteam Motorsport - BMW 320si
Sergio Hernandez (SPA) - Proteam Motorsport - BMW 320si

SEAT
Emmet O'Brien (IRL) - GR Asia - SEAT León
Pierre-Yves Corthals (BEL) - Team Exagon - SEAT León

[SEATFreak]

But I got the rest spot-on tho nose though, didn't I? :up: Even though as usual I always seem to make one mistake.

But if you want me to give the explanation (because I cannot say I am sorry I did it), I just typed it in the wrong team and by the time I realised it was too late and I couldn't edit.

Anyway. So, has Perfection Racing replaced Maurer?

[Captain VXR]

Add
Polestar Volvo - Volvo S60 - Selected rounds
Tom Coronel GR Asia SEAT Leon

[cos]

First race is in a fortnight, you'd think the FIA would put out the entry list soon??

[tin-top fan]

You sure did SeatFreak. In response to a couple of your questions:

- Perfection Racing are the Chevy team in the DTCC ( like Clyde Valley want to be in the BTCC). I'm not sure what Mauers plans are this year but last year they raced in the German s2000 championship and selected wtcc races ( and the etcc). I don't think Perfection are replacing Mauer, just I think Chevy like their teams to enter their near-by rounds of the WTCC.
- Also, I think Gr Asia will run Coronel under the Seat Holland banner, with O'brien under the Gr Asia banner as as far as I know only Coronel recieves Seat Holland funding.

[KayeFan]

Only 1 Alfa this year?

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Nope, Tielemans confirmed for the second car.

[SEATFreak]

Add
Polestar Volvo - Volvo S60 - Selected rounds

Add Flash Engineering bioethanol BMW 320si's (E90) also? Or have they decided to stay in the STCC?

Would it bother them that even though their beemers would be completely different in that they would be bioethanol, so many other si's would likely to do as well and/or better, namely the three BMW works teams (RBM, ROAL and Schnitzer), Proteam and Weichers?

I wouldn't imagine so. I would imagine it wouldn't cross a teams mind ever to not be as committed to entering a series on the basis teams with the same make and model would do better. But I just thought I would throw that thought into the discussion.

[milly]

Only 21 registered cars? Mainly BMW v Seat battle again.

Not very promising situation.

Why is WTCC in this mess?

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I think it's because BMW and SEAT run too many cars. They are likely to occupy the top 10, that means that any new manufacturer enry has little chance of getting into the points unless their car is qiuck straight out of the box. So new teaams are put off competing.

[VkmSpouge]

Only 21 registered cars? Mainly BMW v Seat battle again.

Not very promising situation.

Why is WTCC in this mess?

21 cars isn't all that bad. Anything above 20 should be considered good. Also the championship is starting in Brazil which might well put off lower budget teams from entering. I would expect more cars to come in once the Championship returns to Europe.

[SEATFreak]

Only 21 registered cars?

I actually get 23.

3x RML Chevroletes
1x RBM BMW (BMW Team UK)
2x ROAL BMW (BMW Italy-Spain)
2x Schnitzer BMW (BMW Team Germany
4x SEAT
2x Proteam Motorsport
1x Weichers
2x N. Technology
1x SEAT Sport Italia
1x GR Asia
1x SEAT Sport Holland
1x Team Exagon
2x Perfection Racing (Chevrolete)

Not including the Polestar Volvo's

[Northern Monkey]

I think you'll find that the WTCC website gets 21 which is a better indicator of entries.

[SEATFreak]

I think you will find if you don't count Perfection Racing yes there is 21. But tin-top fan is better placed than me to say who is in or out in any touring car series. So if tin-top fan mentions the entry of Perfection Racing then the claim must atleast have a ring of truth to it if.

Why would tin-top fan make a false claim when tin-top fan knows what he/she knows?

I thought only I did that!!! :laugh:

[Northern Monkey]

Because a list of 21 registered cars is what the WTCC organisers have announced.

Yes, tin-top fan may be right to say that there will be the two Perfection Racing cars at selected events - but if they haven't yet registered for those events then it makes an entry list of 21, simple as that.

[eloyf1]

Tiago Monteiro will drive for Seat...

[Captain VXR]

^^^That's a rumour but I do hope it is true :up:

[Jona]

So theres a possibility there will be more cars in the BTCC than WTCC this year? :s

[milly]

I still think 21 is very poor for a World Championship series - especially one which is now getting into its third year.

With all the promotion and backing that WTCC people keep talking about from Eurosport, this should be on more TV stations than relying just on Eurosport. Not enough people watch Eurosport anyway. If there are going to be more manufacturers then there needs to be better Tv and better marketing promotion.

I don't think the Eurosport people are very good at their job.

Also, what happened to the Lada and Brilliance manufacturer entries that were presented in the last two seasons. WTCC people keep talking up entries like these, and they don't turn up.

It just makes it seem that WTCC is not very professional. That makes me worry about IRC rallying as well, because it is run by the same people....

[Funks]

I think that's the way I prefer it to be. I don't want to see a grid full of amateurs in an FIA championship just for the sake of having 30 cars.

A grid of 20 - 25 where 2/3rds of them are top quality drivers is ideal. :up:

[Captain VXR]

I still think 21 is very poor for a World Championship series - especially one which is now getting into its third year.


F1 has been going for 100 years afaik and only has 22 cars even though it is the most popular and prestigious motorsport on earth

[Winchester]

I'm sticking with the BTCC ta.
80kg weight penalties for winning? No thanks.
The WTCC is the most artificially close racing series in the world.
At least in BTCC the good drivers have shown they can win with max ballast of 45kg.

[stuart_b32]

I do not think that the WTCC is unprofesional far from it. Having worked in both championships i would have to say that overall the WTCC is of a better quality than the BTCC. This is nothing against the BTCC as it is getting stronger all the time but overall WTCC has better teams involved and the whole paddock looks alot smater and better presented. BTCC does have very good teams in it but there are a few teams that simply wouldn't make the grade in WTCC. I hope that now S2000 rules have been implimented then the BTCC will continue in its trend of improving every year.

[100%hondafan]

I do not think that the WTCC is unprofesional far from it. Having worked in both championships i would have to say that overall the WTCC is of a better quality than the BTCC. This is nothing against the BTCC as it is getting stronger all the time but overall WTCC has better teams involved and the whole paddock looks alot smater and better presented. BTCC does have very good teams in it but there are a few teams that simply wouldn't make the grade in WTCC. I hope that now S2000 rules have been implimented then the BTCC will continue in its trend of improving every year.

i agree

WTCC doesnt seem to have money drivers as such all drivers trying to make a brake or being paid to race.

where as BTCC is half-full of money drivers.

[Northern Monkey]

SEAT confirms Monteiro to join the team from Zandvoort onwards...

http://www.crash.net/news_view.asp?cid=88&id=144120&news=y

[kali]

The new Italian Castrol leon looks nice lol :)

[100%hondafan]

so why did seat get rid of rydell and thomo then ??

if there just going to replace them :S

i take it seat wernt happy with them ?

[SEATFreak]

I do not think that the WTCC is unprofesional far from it. Having worked in both championships i would have to say that overall the WTCC is of a better quality than the BTCC. This is nothing against the BTCC as it is getting stronger all the time but overall WTCC has better teams involved and the whole paddock looks alot smater and better presented.

Mightn't that have something to do with the fact the WTCC is a member of the FIA :?:

I mean comparing the FIA to the MSA must be like comparing the SPL to FIFA.

[Iain]

so why did seat get rid of rydell and thomo then ??

if there just going to replace them :S

i take it seat wernt happy with them ?

Jourdain and Monteiro bring lots of Mexican and Portuguese currency with them, that's why.

[100%hondafan]

didnt realise they were paying ;) makes sence now

[SEATFreak]

so why did seat get rid of rydell and thomo then ??

if there just going to replace them :S

i take it seat wernt happy with them ?

Why did SEAT get rid of Rydell and Thommo? That is the $64m question.

Unless your either a) Jamie Puig b) one of the two drivers concerned or c) someone who is that much of a cyber geek he/she knows exactly the likely location, if any, for that information, their is no way of knowing why?
That is not exactly the kind of information that appears widespread in the net, press or media.

But whilst I am reasonably sure Rickard didn't have the funds, with Thommo I am prepared to guess it had something to do with contract.

[Iain]

Didn't I answer the question? :confused: They didn't renew the contracts of 2 salaried drivers and have now employed the services of 2 drivers with big financial backing behind them.

[100%hondafan]

you cleared it up Iain ;)

[Caroline]

I guess Monteiro adds to the prestige of the championship. Any former F1 driver creates interest and a degree of expectation. And of course, money talks ;)

[milly]

Does having an F1 tail-ender add to the prestige? Don't think so.

If it was true then WTCC should be packed with people like Ide, Karthikeyan, Doornbos, Montagny, Davidson - and it wouldn't make one bit of difference to the crowds or TV.....

It needs quality drivers with histories of success at high levels if it's really going to attract publicity - people like Alesi, Hakkinen...

[100%hondafan]

but they wont enter the championchip.

they woudlnt want the arses wooped by priaulx!

it will be intresting to see how they get on compared to more experienced team mates!

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Can't wait for the BTCC to start. Couldn't careless about the WTCC.

[Northern Monkey]

Also - look at it from the point of view of the WTCC:

Portugal to host a round for first time.
Monteiro is arguably the biggest Portuguese racing driver at the moment.

Put them together = nice big crowd in Porto.

[tin-top fan]

i've got to wonder why only chevy, bmw, alfa and seat are in the WTCC, whereas the BTCC will have honda, vauxhall, seat, bmw ( a 1-series as well as the 3-series), alfa, lexus and maybe peugeot.

[Robinho]

i've got to wonder why only chevy, bmw, alfa and seat are in the WTCC, whereas the BTCC will have honda, vauxhall, seat, bmw ( a 1-series as well as the 3-series), alfa, lexus and maybe peugeot.


because those manufactuers are all works teams, who want to be in the premier catergry with worldwide exposure, and the cars obviously filter down to privateers over time. to do the WTCC without manufacturer backing you need stacks more money than to do the BTCC or any other national series, hence the privateers will be more competitive spending their money in BTCC than WTCC (not that its cheap by any means)

the BTCC may have all those marques represented, but only 2 are actually works teams, the rest are only indie/privateers, despite hpw well backed a couple of them are, and as such can pick what they want to run.

[Caroline]

[quote="milly"]Does having an F1 tail-ender add to the prestige? Don't think so.

quote]


He may have been at the back of the grid in F1 but that had more to do with his car than his talent. He was certainly a good driver who showed more skill than the average 'make up the numbers' driver.

Let's hope that his inclusion is a good thing.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

because those manufactuers are all works teams, who want to be in the premier catergry with worldwide exposure, and the cars obviously filter down to privateers over time. to do the WTCC without manufacturer backing you need stacks more money than to do the BTCC or any other national series, hence the privateers will be more competitive spending their money in BTCC than WTCC (not that its cheap by any means)

the BTCC may have all those marques represented, but only 2 are actually works teams, the rest are only indie/privateers, despite hpw well backed a couple of them are, and as such can pick what they want to run.

Team Halfords (Honda works team this year) and WSR could easily run competitively in the WTCC.

[ATF]

Team Halfords (Honda works team this year) and WSR could easily run competitively in the WTCC.

WSR yes, but as for Dynamics - they haven't even finished building the car, let alone started to test it! They're an unproven quantity but if it's a front-running BTCC car, then it would be interesting to see it in the WTCC.

SEAT would obviously be at the front in WTCC and it would be interesting to see how VX would fare!

[100%hondafan]

i see 15kg has been taken from the bmws for the first race (rolling start) but then they get it back for the second race with a standing start.

[Robinho]

Team Halfords (Honda works team this year) and WSR could easily run competitively in the WTCC.


maybe, but with the package they've got could they afford to run competitively?

WSR are a proven race winning outfit, using proven race winning cars, they undoubtedly could run well in the WTCC, although i don't think they'd match the might of the works teams over the course of a season.

as for Dynamics, they may be entering Honda as a manufacturer in the BTCC but they certainly aren't a works team, they are still well funded independents, and i think they may struggle in the BTCC with a completley new car built to completley new (to them) regulations and without full manufacturer backing. i don't think that they would trouble the scorers in the WTCC given the extra it would cost to be there that they souldn't be able to spend on the car, and the depth of the Seat/BMW and even Alfa works teams. maybe in a couple of years?

[SEATFreak]

and WSR could easily run competitively in the WTCC.

Run competitively yes, but whereabouts though would WSR be likely running consistently?

Up with the works teams or likely closer to teams like GR Asia, JAS, and Proteam? Because I can safely rule out any notion at the back with teams like Kosifler and Equipe TekProm.

As for Dynamics in the WTCC, is it true that Teams wishing to enter on a race-by-race basis is €5,000 and if yes could Team Dynamics afford to run when the fee is €5,000?

[Robinho]

Run competitively yes, but whereabouts though would WSR be likely running consistently?

Up with the works teams or likely closer to teams like GR Asia, JAS, and Proteam? Because I can safely rule out any notion at the back with teams like Kosifler and Equipe TekProm.

As for Dynamics in the WTCC, is it true that Teams wishing to enter on a race-by-race basis is €5,000 and if yes could Team Dynamics afford to run when the fee is €5,000?

5k Euros entry fee would be a drop in the ocean compared to the budget involved in flying a race team around Europe let alone off to Brazil, logistically the WTCC is another league to the BTCC, and some teams choose to miss Knockhill beacuse of the added expense and part of the reason Mondello has been canned for now is the same.

[kmchow]

5k Euros entry fee would be a drop in the ocean compared to the budget involved in flying a race team around Europe let alone off to Brazil, logistically the WTCC is another league to the BTCC, and some teams choose to miss Knockhill beacuse of the added expense and part of the reason Mondello has been canned for now is the same.
If it's only 5K Euros (excluding other related tire/fuel/transportation costs), perhaps they could convince a sponsor to support them on a one off basis? The race would be broadcast all across Europe? That would be a cheap advertising cost?

[SEATFreak]

5k Euros entry fee would be a drop in the ocean compared to the budget involved in flying a race team around Europe let alone off to Brazil, logistically the WTCC is another league to the BTCC, and some teams choose to miss Knockhill beacuse of the added expense and part of the reason Mondello has been canned for now is the same.

So what would it cost to enter a team for an entire season?

I have totted up every individual race (at 5k each) and I get 110k. Eleven (races) x 5 (thousand eurous) ought to make 110.

[Robinho]

no Idea Seatfeak, i'd imagine that for a full season it ought to be less than the total of the individual one off entry costs, to encourage teams to enter for the season.

if its 5k a round and 11 rounds that will be 55k, unless its per race not per round :)

however, the entry costs alone are a drop in the ocean compared to the expense of running a competitive team for a full season, but a 5k one off entry certainly wouldn't deter WSR, TD, VXR etc form entering a round during the season

[SEATFreak]

but a 5k one off entry certainly wouldn't deter WSR, TD, VXR etc form entering a round during the season

I think certainly a round would be good for them. But would it be another thing to be sure of having a car that would compete reasonably well?
For one round then I seriously doubt whether position is key so long as they get experience of the mechanics of running a team at that level and are better informed, I rekon, about what it takes to run a team at that level.

But back to the original point of my thread, more news on the entires. To those that don't know it was confirmed on March 2 that JAS will not be competing in this years season. They will be supporting Tomas Egstrom and the Swedish Honda team in the STCC. However when conditions are right they will likely return.

[thompp]

Still no confirmation on Fiona Leggate's website about her 2007 BTCC entry.

[cookingfat]

Still no confirmation on Fiona Leggate's website about her 2007 BTCC entry.

I doubt they will put anything there yet if they intend to announce something at the media day?

[VkmSpouge]

Still no confirmation on Fiona Leggate's website about her 2007 BTCC entry.

And there certainly won't be any confirmation in a thread about the WTCC :p :

[thompp]

Ooops. Wrong thread. darn. Sorry.