So BTCC begins tonight. With 4 world champions on the grid, this promises to be hugely competitive. After the winter break, everyone has emerged from the dark garage, and headed off to the USA, for the season opener at Laguna Seca.
Series director @
rolo912011 (rolo912011) has worked hard to balance all cars. He's decided to run as an independent, with Black Panther Racing in the peugeot. 'The cars are well balanced' he told BTCCSport. 'There's a wide selection of cars and tuned to be as competitive as possible. The last time i drove as an independent, i won the indy title, so hopefully i can repeat that. The peugeot is a very good car, however i'm yet to pick up the spanners and get dirty.'
Reigning world champion @
Ian_83 (PleaseD1e) has signed another deal at Perfect Apex Racing, after doubts about his future with the team. Ian was happy to meet and talk about the new changes within the team and the official Silverstone test. 'Well last season, the car's were terrible for us. We couldn't get them to work well. I'll never know how i held off skeng.' When i mentioned @
canyondrifter (canyondrifter) he looked very relieved. 'It's such a relief he's back. We are double team champions, that's not easy. We had a good talk before brands, i had to give him tough love. Luckily he came to sense. we think it's a good idea he run's as an independent for now. Give us another trophy. We've been following @
AudiMan2011 (street-king-07) progress and we're very impressed, he deserves the second seat'.
@
SkengD (skengdigi) challenged very hard for the title last season, but his accident with scania destroyed his title. 'I'm still not happy with him, i didn't even send him a christmas card. I'm quite upset quade left, we dominated last season, but i'm happy to be working with kandy at Digicool.'. A former world champion @
kk20 (killa_kandy) has returned to the series after a break. 'After winning the title, i just needed a rest' he told us. When i asked him how it feels to work alongside the most succesful driver ever, he just shrugged. 'I'm a bit rusty at the moment, but by next week, he'll be eating my dust.' Skeng goes into the season with a 15 point reduction. 'It will be very hard for sure' he says. 'but i promise you i will still be fighting for the title in the last round'.
Husky Tech Haus will be the only two Hyundai's on the grid. The team, owned by @
DolHaus , hope that they will be able to put his technical genius to good use. @
CptMadBean (CptMadBean) thinks the car could be a title contender. 'When we first got the car, it was terrible, but we let DolHaus do his thing and i think it could really be a contendor. It has a very good set up and hopefully @
hurleyman24 (hurleyman24) and i can get some good points.
@
Scaniabebe (Scaniabebe) and his Humberside Racing team will again be returning to the series. 'The Ford has been really good' he told us in his usual excited state. ' We are yet to do any real setup work, but things look promising. @
iFuriousRacer (blabla_) is doing a great job too. I thought that he had alot of potential and he's proving me right so far in our tests'.
The young drivers @
mrbrendon999 (mrbrendon999) and @
sibbystiggy (TheOldStig) will again be teamed together at Team Unliscensed drivers. 'There has been alot of late nights here, fitting my new steering rack and seat, but yeah, we have a few ideas, just hope i wont fall asleep at the wheel, i've had to drink alot of monster'.
The youngest driver, but still fully experienced @
DirtyNurbKing58 (True-blue-8) will be hoping Diesel Pig Racing have fixed the technical issues from last season. 'Last year was really good, just really unlucky, but i think that's fixed now. @
Malcolm Tucker (glenn_cullen) is quite worried he won't qualify, but i have every confidence he will. If he doesn't? He's not being paid, so no pressure'.
The final team on the grid is the oldest, Buckfast Racing. Only one of these original members survive. 'After a break from the series, Buckfast is back' @
wiseguy007 (weezy_7) told us. It's been awhile so i hope i still have good pace, but i'm sure @
TayTheDay (GTP-Tay) and me can bring success back to the team.
PURE racer @xstretch (stretchy-) will run as an independent for the GTForum Racing team. @
SmileyWRX (SmileyWRX)'s prescence is in doubt. His team Lightning in a bottle failed to find him funds for the start and season. He is yet to even see the car. 'All winter i've been told to just wait' he said. 'I may just have to pay for it myself, dunno where the money will come from'. @
Harsk100 (HarskGaming96), the biggest threat n the grid, is still out due to not even having a car. 'I am trying ok!!!' was all he had to say. @
Furinkazen (Furinkazen) will also return to the series for RPM. @
Siggers (sig1611) is thought to be rolo's biggest threat in the independent championship. 'well, the car is good but i am the only self-funderd driver here, we'll have to see, wont we'. @
samurai8juice (samurai8juicebox) hopes to find the funds to appear at every race for Buffalo Motorsports. @
Toshost (Toshost) and @
gtp_Tenderly (tenderly90) are the two remaining independent drivers.
brendon's friend @Teritusfire (TeritusFire) will sit as a reserve along with @
neljack (neljack) who is pressumed missing. No search party has been sent out. 'No point' said his good friend @
V8-Johnboy (johnboy-1975-) 'he'll just disappear again after a few days, he's very, very unreliable'. The first world champ john returns as a reserve. 'I just want to show these guys how it's done'
So after a long, cold winter, BTCC returns. Gentlemen, START YOUR ENGINES!!!!