FAO Nick or one of the ST lads

[aland]

been having a chinwag on BTCC.net about the shambles that is the supports and suggested bringing the fiestas back to the bill, Gow is going to have to do something as the SCC annd porkers will be getting yellow or red cards fron the MSA due to crap grids

how big is the fiesta grid and how many ST's are getting built/are built, could be interesting having a full grid of ST's. Might be less carnage than with clios

cheers

[Dave]

There is an artical in Autosport about the Carrera Cup grid size. Porsche bosses are working hard to get more cars out for Rockingham. Hoping to have 5 more cars out. There was 11 out at Brands and one dropped out on the Sat cause he wasnt feeling well.

There have also been many posts on the BTCC site asking Gow about other support series - especially when BMW pulled out and he said they didnt have the time for any more. They have now got the Ginettas. I cant see too much changing.

[Blair]

I think being on the BTCC supports comes at a premium to all the series, which I doubt the Fiesta guys would be willing to shell out for.

The thing that needs to happen is Ford getting involved and paying those fees, it depends how they want to market the new Fiesta (one thats on sale later this year) though I guess!

[NS-R]

Aland - we currently have one the biggest grids series - we have 34 Fiestas entered for this weekend at Silverstone and there are still a few missing. These are currently broken down into three classes - Class A Si, Class B Zetec and Class C ST.

After finishing last season with 5 STs in the debut season, we have 13 registered for Silverstone with two missing and others being built...

The only problem with going BTCC support (which of course would be brilliant!) is that I could see the costs going silly...

There was talk at the end of last season form the BRSCC that they were looking at getting the Fiestas onto some big meetings due to the grid sizes and close racing but nothing seems to have come of it - yet.

N.

[aland]

thanks for the response Nick and others, that is one heck of a big grid. having watched it on motors last year the racing is close and it should be on bigger bills. FMC should be involved but it looks like rallying is their only thing in UK

[NS-R]

Yeah, unfortunately you're right! I know our series coordinator is still pushing Ford for proper backing and some of their senior guys were at Brands last year but nothing has come of it...yet (fingers-crossed).

It's a great spectacle with such big grids: -



www.nicksandersonracing.com

[xr2rep]

You're right Nick,

I think there may be more chance now especially if we can encourage more ST's and have a single ST grid, I reckon you'd need arround 20+ and still growing to get them sitting up though.

[TheRealDC]

Hmm - wouldn't Ford be more interested in promoting the new Fiesta

[NS-R]

Dave - probably but it won't be out for a while and the ST model is even further behind...they'll then have to throw a lot of money into it to get people to build them and as Aland points out, Ford seem mainly committed to the rallying...

There hasn't been any mention of Ford re-joining the BTCC for example since the old-Mondeo ST200 model...shame...

On the plus side, our grids are getting bigger and bigger and it isn't going unnoticed.

N.

[craig21]

Ford in motorsport isnt this mostily to do with the sale of road cars and ford looking better than other companys . Te gt40 so ford could beat ferrari the escort rs200 the escort rs cosworth. Mybe if vauxhall or seat where to challenge ford in the car market they would come back.

Does anyone watch much wrc there is only about 3 or 4 teams in it ford subar and citroen

[Mike Hogg]

When it comes to modern WRC, I'm reminded of an old Sniff Petrol fake-advert for a Rallying computer game:

"Drive the Subaru! Or the other Subaru! And possibly some kind of Citroen!"

[NS-R]

Craig - true but surely the Fiesta has always been unchallenged in terms of car sales but they still pumped the money into the TOCA support package...

I used to love the BTCC when it had 8 different works teams but those days are well gone - saying that, it has really got back up there since Alan Gow (re-) took over the reigns...

N.

[aland]

fact is that if ford wanted to they could have a series like the clios on a major support bill either TOCA or GT. Renault have taken the initative and built a race car that isnt too expensive and they seem to have sorted the build quality. dont know how much a ST season budget is but for clios you have to be looking at 75k with someone like TCR

[brakedisc]

There is no chance any Ford championship will will join the BTCC. Renault are the favoured one make series and the Clios are well established. I know that F3 is trying to join the BTCC package next year but I suspect the size of the paddocks required to accomodate all the extra teams and egos will put paid to that idea. It was significant that at the recent Knockhill GT meeting the UK FF series came but the F3s did not. Raceline who run the FF series and are popular with Ford for developing the new Duratec series would love to have another Ford series on board and they are pushing for this to happen. Therefore it would be sensible for any Ford series to join the GT package. What better way to promote a new model with a name change than with a one make series. Might be too late for next year, but if they decide to do it and put the money in all the big teams will jump at the chance.

[NS-R]

Aland / All - last season, the ST cost me around £40K (including buying and building the car) - obviousy, this season should be a lot less - well it would be if I stop hitting things!!!

If you're interested in a full breakdown of costs etc, have a look on www.nicksandersonracing.com in the "Further Info" section - my marketing brochure has all the costs etc for 2007.

Let me know what you think...

Cheers,
N.