The Return of Proper Touring Cars
T1 could see the return of big saloons battling it out like in days of old
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The T1 series could see Ford Mondeos, Jaguar X-Types, Alfa 156s, Honda Accords, Mercedes C-Class and even Kia Carens, lining up alongside each other.
Headed by former F1-driver Jonathan Palmer, MotorSportVision (MSV) took control of four major circuits (Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Cadwell Park) in January.
T1 will see readily identifiable versions of everyday saloon cars visually spectacularly modified with big flared wheel arches, wings and bumpers. Using the manufacturer’s standard 2-litre engine with little modification, the cars will also be fitted with identical turbocharger kits developed by MSV to boost standard output to a controlled 275bhp.
In order to guarantee the most important ingredient in motor racing - the feat of overtaking - every car will include a power-boost button to deliver an extra 50bhp during a six second burst. This is a technique used in the Palmer Audi single seaters previously.
Further encouragement to stamp out any chance of a processional contest will come from the introduction of reversed grids for the first ‘Qualifying race’ . This means the series leader will have to fight their way from the back of a 20 car field. The outcome of the Qualifying race will then determine the grid positions for the second, Championship scoring race.
"For too long much of motorsport has kidded itself that it is providing scintillating entertainment. It is not. If we expect spectators to come in their masses we need to be providing captivating excitement that keeps them enthralled from the start of a race to the chequered flag," explained Palmer.
He added: "T1 will press all the right buttons. It has the prefect mix for all the most important people - the spectators, TV audience, teams, drivers and commercial partners."
To further whet public appetite, the fully road legal T1 cars will embark on a publicised roadshow before each round. Race day mornings will also feature a unique slot for all the teams to offer passenger rides to members of the public and guests.
"All in all, T1 is the most rounded British motorsport series ever. It won’t be crippling for the teams, it has bags of commercial appeal and above all, the paying public will be treated to proper racing week in, week out."
The ten round T1 Championship will begin in April 2005. A maximum of 4 cars per manufacturer will be permitted on the grids of 20.
Unfortunately this will just be adding to the 150+ series now in the UK. There are too many series/championships thus causing too many races of minute grids. It would hope MSV and Mr.P would try and do something about attendance at their tracks before they start new championships up.
From Sagalout on a thread of the same name - buttons must have been pressed at the same time
sagalout said:
Is this Touring Cars in chav outfits?
Do remember the old days of touring cars Rouse/Soper etc Sierra v M3 mmmmmm nice
But what we do need is this variety of manufacture.
Watched ETCC t'other day. Only a coiuple of different models it seemed.
Too expensive?
Too many othe formula
Rallying v F1 v Touring Cars & not enough cash to go round?
ie all the cars are identical inder the skin regardless of the car it is pretending to be on the outside.
Now that's seriously naff IMO, I'd much rather see what this is propsing.
However, I can't see Jaguar and Ford in the same series!
Just need a proper touring car series where the cars are much closer to production cars than the BTCC with their ultra low ride heights and aerodynamic add-ons
(Oh and please get rid of those "look at me I'm a racing car" rear wings. Have proper ones or not at all)
Mark
BT52 said:
The Andy Rouse series is just a silhouette series though isn't it.
ie all the cars are identical inder the skin regardless of the car it is pretending to be on the outside.
Now that's seriously naff IMO, I'd much rather see what this is propsing.
However, I can't see Jaguar and Ford in the same series!
Just need a proper touring car series where the cars are much closer to production cars than the BTCC with their ultra low ride heights and aerodynamic add-ons
(Oh and please get rid of those "look at me I'm a racing car" rear wings. Have proper ones or not at all)
Mark
Then go and watch Stock Hatch or the hundreds of other series currently running. Rouse cars look good to me, don't care if they are all the same underneath, should make for closer racing.
BT52 said:
However, I can't see Jaguar and Ford in the same series!
They cater for different markets so it wouldn't matter. It'd just be like a manufacturer running the same cars with 2 or 3 different teams like Mercedes, Opel & Audi do in the DTM. And Vuaxhall did with the VX and Egg teams a couple of years ago in the BTCC.
>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Thursday 5th August 16:16
mg511 said:
The Andy Rouse series is just a silhouette series though isn't it.
ie all the cars are identical inder the skin regardless of the car it is pretending to be on the outside.
Now that's seriously naff IMO, I'd much rather see what this is propsing.
However, I can't see Jaguar and Ford in the same series!
Just need a proper touring car series where the cars are much closer to production cars than the BTCC with their ultra low ride heights and aerodynamic add-ons
(Oh and please get rid of those "look at me I'm a racing car" rear wings. Have proper ones or not at all)
Mark
Then go and watch Stock Hatch or the hundreds of other series currently running. Rouse cars look good to me, don't care if they are all the same underneath, should make for closer racing.
Sorry, but single make series or anything with contrived methods to make it more entertaining just make me turn off.
If they are all the same cars then why pretend otherwise with fake production style bodywork> It's because they want to draw in the casual viewer who won't know any difference.
Are the Audi and Opel DTM cars really the same?? That seems a bit odd. On the other hand, again those cars have no relationship whatsoever with the Vectra/ A4/ C-class, so I wish they wouldn't pretend that's what they are.
And having two teams with different sponsors colours is hardly the same as having a Mondeo and an X-type in the same series is it...
Back to the good days was before any aero devices
were used in the BTCC. After which it went all pear shaped cost the costs spiraled out of control...so manufactures dropped out. Dimns where the same as road going brother...2 litres max normally aspirated...same tyres for everyone...other that that just about any mods u like except electronic aids IIRC.
I think the list was:...and all x2 plus privateers in anything they liked to the same spec.
Vauxhall
Ford
Audi
BMW
Honda
Toyota
Nissan
Volvo
Alfa Romeo
Who did I miss ?
So lets just get rid of that rubbish out there @ the moment and revise the old format.
over.I've lost count of the livery proposals for teams and drivers I've done, that don't come off. A decent drive in tourers is around 200k. A drive in SEAT Cupras is 90k. If anything the SEAT's are harder to get the budget for, due to its exposure etc.
Thats one of the key reasons, there are so few drivers in this years SEAT Cupra series as the TV deal was announced very late, and one of the reasons, SCV8 died on its arse last year...Its suppose to reappear, but I'll believe that when I see it.
Agree, rear wing looks stupid and Lax Power
>> Edited by andy_b on Thursday 5th August 19:24
I would write it off but it has the involvement of JP so is likly to be a success also it is timed with the BTCC looking like it is dying a death with only Vauxhall and Proton being the works teams.
I am sure time will tell but if I was a betting man and had to bet a championship that would get stronger over the next few years it would be the British GT Championship.
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