TOCA Series Season 3 & TOCA Megane Challenge - SEASON COMPLETE!!!

[Akmuq]

Have been talking to a reporter for ITV today.

Interviewer So Akmuq, it's coming up to the start of the season, are you excited?

Akmuq Of course I'm excited, why do you think I'm in the series?

ITV How are you getting on with you're teammate, Furinkazen?

Ak We're getting on well trying different setups and practicing quiet a bit now that season 2 has finished.

ITV As you know we are broadcasting both the touring cars and the support race, the Megane trophy, will you be competing in that?

Ak Yes I'm looking forward to it and it should provide some more ToCA-style racing with close gaps and driver input being the major factor.

ITV You had a strong finish to last season, do you think you can continue you're form though to season 3?

Ak Yes, I'm in a very good position for race podiums, I'm also on good form in the BST V8 Challenge so I won't be without a series for the next few weeks.

ITV Is there a number 1 driver in the team and will you use team orders?

Ak There is no number 1 in the team and as for team orders, I'm not entirely sure but there will not be in the first part of the series.

ITV It's just been confirmed that MRT will be using a Volvo, any reason why you ditched the Infiniti?

Ak We couldn't get the Infiniti to work for us and were relying on other drivers battling in the pre-season races to catch up so we changed the car.

ITV Do you think the car can work?

Ak If the right setup was found, I reckon so, in a similar fashion to my campaign with the Honda last year, but we were really struggling to get that setup.

ITV Who do you think is you're main rival this year?

Ak Definetly DB Motorsports, they have been the strongest in test races this season with Calm_Dan and Tom 'Kamui' Brooks taking pole and winning races.

ITV Who is the most interesting team on the grid?

Ak Personally, I think Monster Energy. Both very capable drivers, both very aggresive, should be fun!

ITV What races are you looking forward to most?

Ak Well, there's 3. Tsukuba, as it was my first ever ToCA race back in season 1 which I also got pole position at. Mazda Raceway is also a favourite because I got my maiden win there, and also Monaco because it's the Crown Jewel of the calendar, everyone likes it there.

ITV Can you win the championship?

Ak Yes.

 

[Furinkazen]

TEAM MRT have officially launched their TOCA Season 3 assault today. The major shock is that the car was not the expected Infiniti or BMW as hinted as of recently, but the Volvo C30. In a statement, Team MRT said that the change was down to a "parts shortage from Infiniti", and that the Volvo was a quicker and cheaper option financially. The team also revealed that the car in stock form was easily capable of 1:00.6 around Tsukuba, with "much more to come". Photo's below:

Have been talking to a reporter for ITV today.

Interviewer So Akmuq, it's coming up to the start of the season, are you excited?

Akmuq Of course I'm excited, why do you think I'm in the series?

ITV How are you getting on with you're teammate, Furinkazen?

Ak We're getting on well trying different setups and practicing quiet a bit now that season 2 has finished.

ITV As you know we are broadcasting both the touring cars and the support race, the Megane trophy, will you be competing in that?

Ak Yes I'm looking forward to it and it should provide some more ToCA-style racing with close gaps and driver input being the major factor.

ITV You had a strong finish to last season, do you think you can continue you're form though to season 3?

Ak Yes, I'm in a very good position for race podiums, I'm also on good form in the BST V8 Challenge so I won't be without a series for the next few weeks.

ITV Is there a number 1 driver in the team and will you use team orders?

Ak There is no number 1 in the team and as for team orders, I'm not entirely sure but there will not be in the first part of the series.

ITV It's just been confirmed that MRT will be using a Volvo, any reason why you ditched the Infiniti?

Ak We couldn't get the Infiniti to work for us and were relying on other drivers battling in the pre-season races to catch up so we changed the car.

ITV Do you think the car can work?

Ak If the right setup was found, I reckon so, in a similar fashion to my campaign with the Honda last year, but we were really struggling to get that setup.

ITV Who do you think is you're main rival this year?

Ak Definetly DB Motorsports, they have been the strongest in test races this season with Calm_Dan and Tom 'Kamui' Brooks taking pole and winning races.

ITV Who is the most interesting team on the grid?

Ak Personally, I think Monster Energy. Both very capable drivers, both very aggresive, should be fun!

ITV What races are you looking forward to most?

Ak Well, there's 3. Tsukuba, as it was my first ever ToCA race back in season 1 which I also got pole position at. Mazda Raceway is also a favourite because I got my maiden win there, and also Monaco because it's the Crown Jewel of the calendar, everyone likes it there.

ITV Can you win the championship?

Ak Yes.

Nice stuff. My ITV interview was soon after:

ITV: Anticipation is building around Season 3 from the media and fans, do you share it?

MrM: Yes I do, I can't wait to start to be honest!

ITV: What is the story behind the team's switch to Volvo?

MrM: Financially Infiniti were not willing to give us the support needed to invest in the car. It has not been fast enough for our liking, but Infiniti have not co-operated with our demands. They are gearing towards a smaller programme - we are committed to challenging for the title

ITV: How is it in-house with your team-mate Akmuq.

MrM: It's all fine, we are really getting on well. Akmuq has a good understanding of the car and how it works. I am finding it slightly difficult to re adapt to FWD after a season in the BMW, but it's getting there.

ITV: What are your thoughts on the competition?

MrM: Team Monster Energy's arrival in the paddock has come as a shock to us to be honest, and we reckon they will be our main rival. However DB Motorsports also look quick and there are many capable independent teams as well who could challenge.

ITV: What races do you look forward to this Season?

MrM: All of them. I think we have a car fast enough to challenge at all types of track.

ITV: Will you be competing in the TOCA Megane Trophy?

MrM: Yes I look forward to that.

ITV: Thanks for talking to us.

MrM: Thanks see ya.

 

[Tom]

Everyone's nicking my interview thing now

 

[moeom]

Everyone's nicking my interview thing now

you got to expect that from MRT.

 

[Furinkazen]

you got to expect that from MRT.

Early pot-shot eh? Big words for a little independent team

 

[RacerPaul]

Now i'm worried, Furi and Akmuq in a Volvo

You'll only need to worry for 2/3 distance, then I suspect it'll be bye-bye front tyres

 

[Furinkazen]

You'll only need to worry for 2/3 distance, then I suspect it'll be bye-bye front tyres

May I remind you that I have the guy who made the Honda Integra a winning machine with NO tyre wear ?

 

[moeom]

Early pot-shot eh? Big words for a little independent team

Better than sharing the spotlight.

 

[Akmuq]

Everyone's nicking my interview thing now

Come on, it's not like you were the first to do an interview, I first saw it back in April.

You'll only need to worry for 2/3 distance, then I suspect it'll be bye-bye front tyres

ahem...

May I remind you that I have the guy who made the Honda Integra a winning machine with NO tyre wear ?

 

[Carbonox]

Another interview!

ITV: So the TOCA Series Season 3 is closing in, and right here we have one of the drivers who is about to start his first full season. And that's obviously Carbonox.

C: Hi there.

ITV: Right away I'd like to ask, what led to you choosing the Ford over the others as your car of choice?

C: I simply love its handling, I'd go with good handling over pure speed any day. The tire wear sure is kind of bad, but that's the flip side when using a front wheel drive car. You can't really have a completely perfect machine in TOCA, the series heads have done a good job with the restrictions to give everyone... pretty much equal chances.

ITV: But you did ditch the Honda, which is well known for its tire wear, after your very first round in Season 2, right?

C: Yes, but there were many other reasons behind that as well. The car didn't handle that well for my taste, which made the straight speed seen in Tsukuba kind of useless. Although I love to admit, it felt good at the start when I humiliated the more experienced drivers in my first ever qualifying session of TOCA. But in the races, my lack of experience kind of took power.

ITV: One last question regarding your car choice... You know that switching cars midway through the season is banned from now on?

C: Yes, it's an unfortunate fact, but I did make my choice carefully. And besides, I need to take a risk sometimes. On the other hand, the season is long and I'll have plenty of chances to make the Ford shine.

ITV: What are your targets on this season?

C: I plan on surprising the audience. They don't expect much from me, they haven't seen me that often in action, if the last season doesn't count. I'm trying to improve from my 9th position in the overall standings and continue winning races here and there. Finishing in the top 5 would be a real piece of success already. Winning the championship? I doubt it for now, but anything's possible in this close field.

ITV: You're racing as an independent, why's that?

C: What kind of question is that? Anyways, it's because I had a low budget as the planning for the new season began, and even now my team is really small. However, if we can enjoy success now, I'm positive I'll expand to a two-man team for Season 4. But that is a completely different story, it can wait for now.

ITV: Sounds interesting. One last question, who would you consider as your biggest rivals and the most notable championship candidates?

C: I've made so many rivals that I can't properly answer the first question... But if I need to pick someone, it's gotta be the MRT Team with their new Volvo's, they might be on the same level as me if my speculation is correct. As for the championship candidates, Team Monster Energy looks really tough to beat, I've got to have a very successful season and always get the best possible position from each race if I want to beat them.

ITV: Thank you for this interview, we'll see if your speculation is true when you get on the track after 5 weeks!

C: Thanks. Maybe even earlier, since I'm planning to show up at the Megane Cup too. See ya!

 

[Furinkazen]

ITV: One last question regarding your car choice... You know that switching cars midway through the season is banned from now on?

C: Yes, it's an unfortunate fact, but I did make my choice carefully. And besides, I need to take a risk sometimes. On the other hand, the season is long and I'll have plenty of chances to make the Ford shine.

Someone has noticed that rule... good thought no-one had 👍

 

[Carbonox]

What?! You underestimated me! Shame on you, boy!

 

[VRracingfan]

Everyone's nicking my interview thing now

Me next.

 

[VRracingfan]

An interview.

ITV: So you've jumped on this interview bandwagon have you?

Dan (me): Yes, yes I have.

ITV: Well now we've go that sorted let's get on with it shall we? Are you looking forward
to season 3?

DB: Yes, it should be good. Cars are more equal and I am happier with the regulations.

ITV: You run DB Motorsports in partnership with Durex, why Durex?

DB: It was either them or Al Qaeda and Al Qaedas leader was killed a few months ago so the deal fell through. Unicef offered to have their name on the cars but the cheapskates offered no money so we went with the respectable company of Durex.

ITV: So were you in talks with Bin Laden then?

DB: Yeah, I tried to get on with him but he was all paranoid of us. It was ridiculous, you open your heart to the man and all you get is grief, not a good guy, not a bloody good guy.

ITV: So why Durex?

DB: They had the cash and we want to be taken seriously as a race team.

ITV: What about your team mate, tombrooks97, what's he like?

DB: Oh yeah that guy. He is fast and we get on well.

ITV: What is your favourite cheese?

DB: Mozzarella

ITV: There's been a few arguments in the paddock over certain drivers driving styles, where do you stand on that?

DB: Out of their way.

ITV: What is your view on the new seasons calendar changes?

DB: Very good, I like I like!

ITV: Thank you for the interview Dan, it was nice to talk

DB: It was ok, i'll be in another interview later this week, bye.

ITV: I'm supposed to say that, bye!

 

[Akmuq]

Talk about ITV not taking you seriously as a team.....

 

[DK]

Anyways, yesterday evening I managed a 59.6 at Tsukuba while online.[/bombshell]

 

[Akmuq]

 

[UncleBoB]

I wasn't really following this thread so much, can someone tell me when does it start?

 

[Furinkazen]

I wasn't really following this thread so much, can someone tell me when does it start?

About 5 or 6 weeks.

 

[V8-Johnboy]

Nice stuff. My ITV interview was soon after:

ITV: Anticipation is building around Season 3 from the media and fans, do you share it?

MrM: Yes I do, I can't wait to start to be honest!

ITV: What is the story behind the team's switch to Volvo?

MrM: Financially Infiniti were not willing to give us the support needed to invest in the car. It has not been fast enough for our liking, but Infiniti have not co-operated with our demands. They are gearing towards a smaller programme - we are committed to challenging for the title

ITV: How is it in-house with your team-mate Akmuq.

MrM: It's all fine, we are really getting on well. Akmuq has a good understanding of the car and how it works. I am finding it slightly difficult to re adapt to FWD after a season in the BMW, but it's getting there.

ITV: What are your thoughts on the competition?

MrM: Team Monster Energy's arrival in the paddock has come as a shock to us to be honest, and we reckon they will be our main rival. However DB Motorsports also look quick and there are many capable independent teams as well who could challenge.

ITV: What races do you look forward to this Season?

MrM: All of them. I think we have a car fast enough to challenge at all types of track.

ITV: Will you be competing in the TOCA Megane Trophy?

MrM: Yes I look forward to that.

ITV: Thanks for talking to us.

MrM: Thanks see ya.

Err excuse me Teamturbo wish to lodge a complaint we feel our phones have been tapped and important information gathered on the Volvo. The Infiniti was clearly a smokescreen for the rest of the field with some canny volvo data obtained behind the scenes...........................STEWARDS ENQUIRY!!!!

 

[Furinkazen]

Err excuse me Teamturbo wish to lodge a complaint we feel our phones have been tapped and important information gathered on the Volvo. The Infiniti was clearly a smokescreen for the rest of the field with some canny volvo data obtained behind the scenes...........................STEWARDS ENQUIRY!!!!

You can talk - who illegally equipped turbo's on their BMW's last season?

 

[V8-Johnboy]

You can talk - who illegally equipped turbo's on their BMW's last season?

Thats a bit of a low blow you know that was an honest mistake thank you!

 

[Furinkazen]

Thats a bit of a low blow you know that was an honest mistake thank you!

hahaha sorry . But in all seriousness the Infiniti was just a bit boat like - volvo is 1 second faster with ease.

 

[V8-Johnboy]

hahaha sorry . But in all seriousness the Infiniti was just a bit boat like - volvo is 1 second faster with ease.

I told you way back it was a boat remember and you laughed off my post, so do the same manufacturers work together or are we bitter rivals??

 

[Furinkazen]

I told you way back it was a boat remember and you laughed off my post, so do the same manufacturers work together or are we bitter rivals??

As they in NASCAR - "co-opetition" - work together for a bit, then gloves come off

 

[si_berian_tiger]

What's this about the Infiniti being a bit of a boat?

 

[V8-Johnboy]

What's this about the Infiniti being a bit of a boat?

Take it from me fella ditch it while you still can!!

 

[Furinkazen]

It's not "slow", just not quite as quick as the BMW over a lap. I still think over long runs the Infiniti will have an edge as it is kind on it's tyres. And Season 2 showed us that single-lap pace often amounts to nothing...

 

[si_berian_tiger]

If it's slow, then so be it. At least I'll be losing in style!

 

[Akmuq]

Today Akmuq was doing a PR event for MRT. Switzerland recently lifted their ban on motorsport and Eiger Nordwand re-opened their track for the first time since 1955 and, as of now is the only track in Switzerland. First off, akmuq presented his car in the local town of Bern.

It got quite a bit of interest and the mayor of Bern made a speech declaring Motorport in Switzerland 'back in buisness!'.

Later on they headed off to the track for a demonstration run.

Quite a crowd had built up for this special event.

The Volvo looking like a joy to drive on the twisty circuit.

Coming out of the tunnel.

The famous jump on the track was retained during the recent changes.

ITV had sent a reporter their to interview Akmuq.

ITV How did you find the car on the track?

Ak It was a joy to drive and it just felt at home here, the excellent turning circle of the Volvo made the hairpins a joy and the straight line acceleration and speed of the car was excellent, making over 115 miles per hour on the straights.

ITV Did you enjoy you're time here?

Ak Yes, it's a fantastic city and the racetrack will host many international events.

ITV Any reason why furinkazen wasn't here?

Ak I found the invitation in MRT's mailbox so I took up the offer.

ITV The crowd were very enthusiastic about you're appearance here, it's clear that Switzerland are showing an interest in motorsport, do you think that they would follow ToCA?

Ak Definetly, RTL are showing the races on television here and my appearance will gain us some more fans and exposure on the world stage.

ITV You were also testing at Tsukuba earlier, however due to a curfue, we weren't allowed take any pictures when there isn't a race, are you satisfied with you're test?

Ak Yes, I displayed good speed and tyre wear shouldn't be a problem, I also found a good setup.

ITV What time did you get?

Ak 59.473

ITV Wow, so that puts you as the fastest of everybody, well done!

Ak Well thanks, but it was a bit lucky I think and I probably won't be able to replicate it at the round.

ITV Once again Akmuq, thanks for talking to us, we appreciate it.

Ak No problem, see you soon.