GOW VOWS TO “EXPLODE A FEW MYTHS” ABOUT BTCC
AT TEAMS FORUM
Alan Gow, the man in charge of the Dunlop MSA British Touring
Car Championship, has vowed to “explode a few myths”
about joining his series at a special teams’ forum in
September.
Gow is inviting all prospective independent teams and drivers
aiming to enter Britain’s biggest motor racing championship
in 2006 to the forum, to be held at the BAR Honda Formula
One team’s headquarters at Brackley, Northamptonshire
on Monday 12 September.
BTCC Series Director Gow says: “There still seems to
be a misnomer within the sport that competing as an independent
in the BTCC is much more expensive than it actually is or
can be. This event will enable us to outline what the BTCC
is all about and of the costs and benefits of competing.”
The BTCC is Britain’s most high-profile and professionally-run
motor racing championship. In 2005, seven of its ten race
meetings receive live air time on the UK’s number one
commercial terrestrial television channel ITV1 with viewing
figures breaking the 1.5 million mark. The BTCC also races
in front of what are by far Britain’s biggest domestic
four-wheel motor sport crowds.
Independent teams and drivers are increasingly enjoying more
success in the BTCC. In 2004, the WSR team with its MGs took
the title fight against Vauxhall’s official ‘works’
team to the final round. In 2005, independent squad Team Halfords
currently leads the overall BTCC standings ahead of Vauxhall
and SEAT. Its drivers Matt Neal and Dan Eaves have also won
nine of the 21 races held so far this season.
In addition, Arena Motorsports has won three times meaning
independent teams have taken victory in more than half the
season’s races so far.
New independent entry HPI Racing with Friends Reunited has
also provided plenty of colour and media interest with its
pair of bright green Lexus since graduating to the BTCC from
its supporting Elf Renault Clio Cup series.
Gow adds: “Interest from prospective entrants –
from championships within our support paddock and elsewhere
– for 2006 is at an all-time high and so we feel it
is only appropriate to give those people the information they
need to help their entry into the BTCC.
“It’s not uncommon for us to receive calls from
interested individuals who have become disillusioned with
broken promises made by other series, only to find themselves
struggling to make the leap into the BTCC because they’ve
blown their budget.
“It’s time to explode a few myths that surround
the BTCC and show people that a detailed and well-organised
approach – for which they will be able to plan following
this forum – can reap tremendous rewards. I’m
sure many will be surprised at just how relatively inexpensive
and cost-effective the BTCC can be for the competitor.”
Also in attendance will be many current BTCC team managers
and drivers, who will give their views and experiences on
the championship, as well as answering any questions from
prospective entrants.
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