Driving in Australia
BTCC Manufacturer Madness: Can We Bring Them Back?
For many years, intrepid explorers have ventured deep into the vast depths of the British Touring Car Championship to see what we can understand and learn about this fascinating world. Searching through the great annals of its past, it is easy to see that throughout the 1990s, the BTCC enjoyed its golden years. The times were fruitful, the manufacturers came thick and fast. Alas, as the unstoppable juggernaut of time rolls by, the ‘Super Touring Years’ have been confined to the stuff of legend. The modern times have not been kind to the BTCC; the once flourishing manufacturers have all but disappeared. It is time for change. It is time for action. It is time to save one of the cornerstones of the BTCC from extinction. Some of our latest findings may have given us renewed hope.
The entrants in the BTCC may be flourishing, but only two manufacturers entered the 2014 season. Image Credit: BTCC.net
Throughout the 1990s, it was hard to keep track of the number of manufacturers within the championship; Ford, Renault, Vauxhall, Nissan, Alfa Romeo, Honda, Volvo, Peugeot, Toyota and BMW, coupled with such legends as Andy Rouse, Alain Menu, and John Cleland helped to construct some of the best spectacles ever seen in motorsport. As the 90s fell away to the 00s, a great many of these left the sport. For the first few years of the new era, the sport was dominated by Vauxhall under the piloting skills of Yvan Muller and James Thompson. Honda and Peugeot made their return, while new faces were seen in such names as MG, Lexus, SEAT and Chevrolet. However, over the most recent seasons these names have all but jumped ship, leaving only MG and Honda as official manufacturers. With Honda pursuing new routes and returns to F1 and MG coming to the end of its development with its current model, the future is uncertain.
If you are now thinking that manufacturer extinction is a certainty, it is time to think again. Not too long ago, I published my view on the announcement that Infiniti with Support Our Paras Racing will be entering the 2015 championship. On top of that, Ciceley Racing has now released that its 2015 car of choice will be another Mercedes, like that of Adam Morgan and WIX Racing. Until this year, Mercedes had never entered the sport and now it shall enter the 2015 season with a race win under its belt and two entrants just to top it all off. It may not be a manufacturer entry, but it does present an opportunity. I think it is possible to see not only a return of manufacturers but the addition of some brand new names.
Out of the shadows emerges Infiniti, a brand new manufacturer for 2015. Image Credit: BTCC.net
Let us begin with the Infiniti announcement; the luxury Nissan manufacturer has teamed up with game changing ‘Support Our Paras’ Racing, who are a non-profit team who aim to raise awareness and funds for injured paratroopers and their families. This new team will change how we look at motorsport forever. Motorsport has gone from being a simple sport to a vehicle to bring help and affect real change. All the profits made by the team are to be donated and put to a good cause. With such a fantastic new direction for a team to go in, it can only make sense that they would get manufacturer backing. In this case it just happened to be a brand new manufacturer never before seen in the sport. For a revolutionary new project, of course there needs to be a whole new car to act as a spearhead for the campaign.Perhaps it is here that lies a clue to attract more manufacturers to the sport once more. If there are teams in the championship that can provide exciting new opportunities that may benefit a manufacturer. In this case, the charity link will heighten the credibility and reputation of Infiniti as a manufacturer, which combined with the media coverage through competing in each race can only have a direct effect on sales.
Throughout the 1990s, the BTCC was considered the top touring car series in the world, cemented and confirmed by the packed out circuits and prime time television coverage. Therefore it was in the best interest of the manufacturers to enter teams into the championship. For example, as I sit writing this article I am in full view of my prized Nissan poster from 1999, signed by both Laurent Aiello and David Leslie. Atop the poster reads the line:
“The Primera. Britain’s No.1 Touring Car”
The Nissan Primera was on sale throughout its time as the Nissan entry in the BTCC. This simple slogan acts as simple yet truly effective advertising. Unlike the technologically advanced world of Formula One, touring cars are directly based on their road going counterparts. How great would it be to say that you own the same car that is currently dominating the best touring car series anywhere in the world? Ever since the championship changed from the Super Touring specification in 2000, there has been a significant drop in audience numbers. Even the television coverage has switched to ITV4 which is hardly much of a widespread and watched channel compared to that of the BBC.
However, from my going to various rounds of the championship this year it is clear to see that the audiences are indeed returning; there was a record 31 car grid coupled with much improved racing and full race-day coverage on television. Even the famous (or infamous) show Top Gear often now uses or references touring car drivers within its shows; anything that appears in a positive light on that show will always receive increased interest after all. Even Airwaves racing use the BTCC car in its advert for its chewing gum, proving the effect of the ‘Airwaves kick’ can turn you into someone as talented as Mat Jackson in his BTCC Ford Focus. Not only that but it does provide indirect advertising for Ford itself.
With a race win under their belt and a large fan base, could Mercedes not provide some manufacturer backing? Image Credit: BTCC.net
Following the Infinity announcement, the press release that Ciceley Racing is to enter a Mercedes A-Class in 2015 is also significant to this discussion. 2014 was the first year that a Mercedes had entered the championship, and under the control of Adam Morgan and WIX Racing significant results were made and even the first even win for a Mercedes which came in the final weekend of the year. Adam Morgan has always been one of the fan favourites in the championship; there was no one at Brands Hatch that day that was sad to see him win the race. Mercedes are most commonly known for their entrance into DTM and of course Formula One, but with the returning audience figures, a deal with the BTCC would be ideal. Furthermore, some believe that DTM is suffering a downfall in popularity due to decreased entries and driving standards. Surely then switching the focus from the possibly suffering DTM to the ever evolving and expanding BTCC would be beneficial to their interests. As if by some poetic coincidence, as I was forming this section an advert for the Mercedes A-Class came on television and I must say that using the BTCC model in the advert would have worked perfectly. The style, sophistication and speed can be only furthered using a race winning car in one of the most challenging race series around.
In 1992, Toyota was one of the most successful teams in conjunction with Andy Rouse. Can it make a return? Image Credit: BTCC.net
In the case of every other team in the 2014 BTCC (with the obvious exception of Honda and MG), the car they are using has once been a manufacturer-backed team in the championship. Ford are the most successful name in touring car history; I believe that their return would refresh the championship, combining history with modernity with the biggest name in the motoring world. Along with them we also have Toyota who now represent a significant portion of the entries in the current crop of teams. Back in 1992, coupled with the monstrous force of Andy Rouse engineering, Toyota were the biggest and arguably best team in the championship. The same can be said about Vauxhall, who have all but disappeared from the championship having been so dominant in the early 00s. BMW have seen great success as an independent team, which could possibly lead to manufacturer interest in conjunction with WSR. The return of these legendary names may just be the final step in the evolution, revolution and rejuvenation of the BTCC.
There is one great fear in seeing returning manufacturers to the sport, and that is one of finance. One of the driving forces behind the fall of the Super Touring era was one of money; team costs were spiraling out of control. The most famous example of this was the 2000 championship winning Ford team that had a rumoured budget of £12 million. I quite enjoy an interview with series director Alan Gow who said that by the late 90s, the catering budget for the big teams was enough to have run an independent team only a few years earlier. The new NGTC regulations are to make the championship affordable, hence the almost full independent team entrants. If the manufacturers returned, the costs may indeed begin to rise again with the consequential increase in competition. But hopefully the new regulations are strict enough that it prevents too much of a cost increase while fluid enough to provide variability in the entrants. In a world of limited economic availability (apart from maybe Germany, so BMW and Mercedes have no excuse really), it helps having a set of regulations that limit costings which will subsequently appeal to manufacturers who need a new avenue of marketing their products.
In 2002, there were still manufacturers but with smaller budgets. Can we return to that? Image Credit: carenthusiast.com
Seeing manufacturers return would be great for not only the sport but the spectators too. Imagine the strength of Rob Austin and Sherman if there was some direct backing from Audi; many of his downfalls in 2014 were as a result of financial issues and lack of funds after all. Additionally, Team BMR have already grown substantially in 2o14 but with Volkswagen in on the deal as well they would most definitely be challenging for the championship. So many of the teams would become substantially more competitive with manufacturer backing, which would then cause an exponential rise in the overall spectacle and racing with more cars able to challenge for wins. Back in 2002, Proton entered the championship and saw some strong finishes with the late great David Leslie. Sadly, in 2014 the independent Proton entry with Dan Welch struggled to find a competitive pace, yet has always been a fond favourite of mine. I would very much love to see how competitive Welch could be with manufacturer backing, considering his unbreakable determination.
It may not be an easy task, but it is entirely possible that the championship could bring back manufacturers once again. What is clear is that communication is key from both sides to see that the benefits are mutual to everyone concerned. Whether this can be done through an attractive deal such as one with a charity based team that will of course bring in a great deal of media and product coverage, or from the other direction where manufacturers are attracted through existing success and a possible marketing direction, the point remains that the potential is there just needing to be exploited. At the centre of it all will always be the BTCC itself; the championship needs to be successful for manufacturers to return and I believe that 2014 represents a turning point in this theory. In my view, 2014 proved that the BTCC is on the rise to its former glories but is still missing the final piece of the puzzle; that final piece of the puzzle is the manufacturers. The manufacturers bring an added spectacle and glamour to the sport that is seen not only on the race weekends themselves but is echoed across the media in adverts, marketing campaigns and other sponsorship outputs.
Everything we need is there. Let the cogs begin to turn. Lets stop the extinction. Bring back the manufacturers.
I would love to hear what you think about this. How would you bring back the big names?
Follow me on Twitter to continue the conversation @lewisglynn69
Keep Driving People!
Peace and Love!
The famous Volvo Estate; who wouldn’t love to see a return of a manufacturer doing something this wacky? Also, Volvo have entered the V8 Supercars in Australia, why not bring them back to British shores too? Image Credit: ar15.com
"Backyard Mechanics" and Service Support.
Members may have read about a purported lack of support for non dealership mechanics by car companies in Australia. According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, there’s no real detriment being seen, under the current guidelines, to customers. In a review conducted in 2012 by the Australian Treasury, a recommendation was that access to repair information would not become an issue, which appears to have been reached with the FCAI’s Voluntary Code of Practice relating to Access to Service and Repair Information. This represents a minimum standard for the provision of service and repair information to independent repairers, by car manufacturers selling vehicles in Australia.
There’s been assertions that car makers don’t supply information; this is, in fact, incorrect, with a number of manufacturers providing the minimum amout of information required and more to a wide range of independent repairers. Part of this is to do with security. Just as you may have a code for your tablet or smartphone, the Code of Practice allows makers to protect their customers from the release of personal and vehicle information, such as safety, security and legal matters. For example, it allows car makers to help customers protect their vehicles from theft by restricting access to the security codes that would allow any person who purchases the information to access a vehicle. Also, information that an manufactuer is prohibited from disclosing under any law, including privacy laws, will not be made publicly available.
You, as a consumer, have the rightto choose who and where services and/or repairs to your car. You should also expect that crucial and critical systems can be serviced without youself and others being put at risk. The Code is intended to reassure consumers that they can have confidence that their vehicles are being can be serviced safely and appropriately by repairers that have taken the time to ensure their equipment and tools are appropriate, along with up to date information. YOU have the right to have your vehicle serviced and repaired to a high level, a professional standard and why the FCAI will work with the independent service and repair industries.
Disabled Parking: Use and Abuse.
It’s a situation that burns people with a sense of right and fair play: seeing seemingly non disabled drivers parking in clearly marked Disabled Parking spots. Invariably, there’s no indication of a sticker inside the car, a requirement in order to use these spots. Unsurprisingly, when these drivers are talked to by security personnel, there’s an unleashing of swearing and attitude that would shame an old salt. Yet, like so many things we see on the roads nowadays, there’s no need for this, there’s no need for this attitude. and the NSW state government appears to have finally said “enough”
In a move that the government hopes will dissuade non-legal users of the Disabled car parks, it’s been put forward that demerits points for drivers that are caught improperly using Disabled parking spots be implemented and fines increased. In NSW, fines are currently $519 for using the space without a permit and $623 for improperly using a permit. NSW Roads Minister, the Hon. Duncan Gay, says his office is responding to the numbers of enquiries and complaints in regards to improper usage, including a submission from the Lane Cover council. Ironically, Lane Cove councillor, Karola Brent, was photographed parking her Range Rover in a Disabled car space…
Approximately 800,000 Australians are registered to have a Disabled parking sticker, while in NSW, around 16,000 fines are issued annually to people that have breached the regulations. The tough talking Mr Gay said: “Able-bodied people who steal disabled carparks from people who genuinely need them are low-lifes, plain and simple. I’ve asked Roads and Maritime Services to look at introducing demerit point penalties for people parking illegally in disabled carparks. I have utmost sympathy for the people who are disadvantaged by this sick behaviour.”
If you think over $500 for a fine is steep, consider this: the UK fines people up to Au$1840.00 whilst in San Francisco it’s up to Au$1100.00. The message is clear: don’t park in the wrong spot, take responsibility when you’re hauled up on it and be prepared to be stung when you’re caught.
What do you think: shound demerit points be introduced or should the fines be heavier?
The Road Rules…Or Does It?
Across the globe, there’s commonality now that the internet is part of our lives and we can see that commonality in road rules. Red lights and Stop signs mean stop, green means go, roundabouts confuse. Yet, in real terms, driving on our roads really isn’t that complicated, as so many seem to think. Let’s have a look at some of the more basic rules.
Indication: this is one of the simplest, yet, seemingly, most misunderstood parts of driving. Inside each vehicle, attached to the steering column, will be a stalk, with two and sometimes just one fitted. Most Australian specification vehicles will have this on the right hand side, with an increasing number haviing it on the left. When moved up or down, an amzing thing happens: there’s a ticking noise that coincides with the flashing of an amber light at the front and rear of the car. This is called indicating and is intended to show other users of the road which direction you intend to go. Under New South Wales legislation:
What is changing direction?
(1) A driver changes direction if the driver changes direction to the left or the driver changes direction to the right.
(2) A driver changes direction to the left by doing any of the following:
(a) turning left,
(b) changing marked lanes to the left,
(c) diverging to the left,
(d) entering a marked lane, or a line of traffic, to the left,
(e) moving to the left from a stationary position,
(f) turning left into a marked lane, or a line of traffic, from a median strip parking area,
(g) at a T-intersection where the continuing road curves to the right—leaving the continuing road to proceed straight ahead onto the terminating road.
(3) A driver changes direction to the right by doing any of the following:
(a) turning right,
(b) changing marked lanes to the right,
(c) diverging to the right,
(d) entering a marked lane, or a line of traffic, to the right,
(e) moving to the right from a stationary position,
(f) turning right into a marked lane, or a line of traffic, from a median strip parking area,
(g) making a U-turn,
(h) at a T-intersection where the continuing road curves to the left—leaving the continuing road to proceed straight ahead onto the terminating road.
As you can see, you’re required to indicate at pretty much any time you’re thinking of changing direction, including:
Example 1
Driver indicating change of direction at a T-intersection where the continuing road curves to the right and the driver is proceeding straight ahead onto the terminating road
Example 2
Driver indicating change of direction at a T-intersection where the continuing road curves to the left and the driver is proceeding straight ahead onto the terminating road
Another part of driving on the road involves understanding what three simple colours inside a box on top of a large pole are meant to do. These colours are green, red and amber and according to NSW Legislation: Stopping for a red traffic light or arrow
(1) A driver approaching or at traffic lights showing a red traffic light must stop:
(a) if there is a stop line at or near the traffic lights—as near as practicable to, but before reaching, the stop line, or
(b) if there is a stop here on red signal sign at or near the traffic lights, but no stop line—as near as practicable to, but before reaching, the sign, or
(c) if there is no stop line or stop here on red signal sign at or near the traffic lights—as near as practicable to, but before reaching, the nearest or only traffic lights,
and must not proceed past the stop line, stop here on red signal sign or nearest or only traffic lights (as the case may be) until the traffic lights 
show a green or flashing yellow traffic light or no traffic light.
And then: Stopping for a yellow traffic light or arrow
(1) A driver approaching or at traffic lights showing a yellow traffic light must stop:
(a) if there is a stop line at or near the traffic lights and the driver can stop safely before reaching the stop line—as near as practicable to, but before reaching, the stop line, or
(b) if there is no stop line at or near the traffic lights and the driver can stop safely before reaching the traffic lights—as near as practicable to, but before reaching, the nearest or only traffic lights, or
(c) if the traffic lights are at an intersection and the driver cannot stop safely in accordance with paragraph (a) or (b), but can stop safely before entering the intersection—before entering the intersection,
and must not proceed past the stop line or nearest or only traffic lights, or into the intersection (as the case may be), until the traffic lights show a green or flashing yellow traffic light or no traffic light.
So, again, it’s really not a hard thing to come to grips with.
What does seem to be a source of confusion is when to indicate at a roundabout. In NSW the legislation states:
Giving a left change of direction signal when entering a roundabout
(1) This rule applies to a driver entering a roundabout if:
(a) the driver is to leave the roundabout at the first exit after entering the roundabout, and
(b) the exit is less than halfway around the roundabout.
(2) Before entering the roundabout, the driver must give a left change of direction signal for long enough to give sufficient warning to other drivers and pedestrians.
(3) The driver must continue to give the change of direction signal until the driver has left the roundabout.
Giving a right change of direction signal when entering a roundabout
(1) This rule applies to a driver entering a roundabout if the driver is to leave the roundabout more than halfway around it.
(2) Before entering the roundabout, the driver must give a right change of direction signal for long enough to give sufficient warning to other drivers and pedestrians.
(3) The driver must continue to give the change of direction signal while the driver is driving in the roundabout, unless:
(a) the driver is changing marked lanes, or entering another line of traffic, or
(b) the driver’s vehicle is not fitted with direction indicator lights, or
(c) the driver is about to leave the roundabout.
Going left
- Slow down and prepare to give way as you approach the roundabout.
- On approach you must be in the left lane unless otherwise marked on the road, and indicate a left turn.
- You must give way to traffic already on the roundabout if there is any risk of a collision.
- Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in the traffic.
- Stay in the left lane.
- Keep your left indicator on until you have exited the roundabout.
Going right
- Slow down and prepare to give way as you approach the roundabout.
- On approach you must be in the right lane unless otherwise marked on the road, and indicate a right turn.
- You must give way to traffic already on the roundabout if there is any risk of a collision.
- Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in the traffic.
- Stay in the right lane.
- You must indicate a left turn just before your exit unless it is not practical to do so.
When it comes to some styles of roundabouts, where there’s clearly a change of direction for one or two lanes, the same applies: INDICATE TO SHOW WHICH DIRECTION YOU ARE GOING.
When it comes to overtaking, it seems pretty simple: No overtaking etc to the left of a vehicle
(1) A driver (except the rider of a bicycle) must not overtake a vehicle to the left of the vehicle unless:
(a) the driver is driving on a multi-lane road and the vehicle can be safely overtaken in a marked lane to the left of the vehicle, or
(b) the vehicle is turning right, or making a U-turn from the centre of the road, and is giving a right change of direction signal and it is safe to overtake to the left of the vehicle, or
(c) the vehicle is stationary and it is safe to overtake to the left of the vehicle.
Naturally, don’t overtake a vehicle on the right if that vehicle is turning right.
When it comes to driving with our younger people, again, it should be simple, their safety is paramount and this is how it looks in NSW: If the passenger is less than 6 months old, he or she must be restrained in a suitable and properly fastened and adjusted rearward facing approved child restraint. If the passenger is 6 months old or older, but is less than 4 years old, he or she must be restrained in a suitable and properly fastened and adjusted:
(a) rearward facing approved child restraint, or
(b) forward facing approved child restraint that has an inbuilt harness.
If the passenger is 4 years old or older, but is less than 7 years old, he or she must:
(a) be restrained in a suitable and properly fastened and adjusted forward facing approved child restraint that has an inbuilt harness, or
(b) be placed on a properly positioned approved booster seat and be restrained by either a suitable lap and sash type approved seatbelt that is properly adjusted and fastened, or by a suitable approved child safety harness that is properly adjusted and fastened, or
(c) if he or she is seated in a seating position in a part of the vehicle that is designed primarily for the carriage of goods:
(i) be restrained by a suitable lap and sash style seatbelt that is properly adjusted and fastened, or
(ii) have his or her hip restrained by a suitable lap type seatbelt that is properly adjusted and fastened, and have his or her upper body restrained by an approved child safety harness that is properly adjusted and fastened.
As stated, these are regulations for road users in NSW;( http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/inforce/subordleg+179+2008+fn+0+N) for your home state (and country, for that matter!), please look up the regulations for your area.
Level 2, 9 Help Street