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Apologies if this thread exists, but I couldn't find it...

SEAT are pulling out of the BTCC at the end of this year. Fuck.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70472

Jesus, I did not see that coming.

Whilst I hate SEAT, that leaves the BTCC with a big problem having only one manufacturer in the series.

To think they've been developing the S2000 car during the transition. Just as the transition's about to complete, they pull out

I do hope Plato gets another drive, as much of a dick as he is. He's a big draw. At Thruxton he got by far the biggest cheers

Wow that is a surprise

I wonder where Plato and Turner are going to go.

Good riddance to foul rubbish. The BTCC does not sell itself on manufacturers coming out of the wazoo, it sells itself on good racing, and good racing is what they'll get now that the turbos have buggered off.

Would not be at all surprised if this came about after SEAT whined to Gow for another rules break and Gow told them to jog on.

I can see Jason getting a drive somewhere else- 3rd RAC car?, with Darren going to sportscars full-time.

Maybe so, but the question is whether Vauxhall will pull-out now as well considering they have no manufacturers to fight with. An entirely independent championship would not be a secure thing to rely on.

I wonder if an independent outfit will buy the cars. They were probably the fastest cars on the grid, so someone could do pretty well with them.

I don't see why they would. A lot of the teams that compete at the top end are works outfits in almost everything but name. And I could maybe see BMW putting full works support behind either WSR\RAC or Jackson's team.

Think about 2001. Vauxhall was the only works team then, but they showed fantastic commitment to the sport. I believe that they can do the same again.

No they weren't, Peugeot and MG were there too.

This is pretty bad news though, I'll have to find another team to support.

Anyway, didn't Plato sign a contract with SEAT until 2010 either at the end of 2007 or the start of this year? Do you think he would go to WTCC?

Oh yeah.

But they were never in contention for the title. The BTCC was Vauxhall's from 2001-2004. I still believe that they have the dedication to the series that they had then.

Honda were pretty competitive in 2002 and 2003. They didn't win the title, but took six wins in 2003 alone.

Looks like a toys out of the pram move. I'm glad Gow and TOCA refused to bow to the almost constant whining though.

Still, leaves the BTCC looking a bit shaky for the moment... hopefully the resurgence in quality of the racing in the last couple of years will attract a couple of new manufacturers.

2002 was down to Priaulx more than the car, in my humble opinion.

In 2003, Neal was more competitve but still ended up 85 points behind Muller.

My point is that Vauxhall had even less competition then than they do now. They've won less than a third of the races this year, less than all the non-SEATs combined. The competition is still there, and I believe Vauxhall will take it on.

Don't forget Proton :snyder:

SWS was pretty decent, but Hairuman was bloody awful.

David Leslie got them a few podiums, too. Then they also had Phil Bennett who crashed into the podium truck...

Disappointed that SEAT are pulling out, but I feel that they have thrown the toys out the pram because they didnt get what they wanted, but disappointed all the same that another manufacturer are pulling out

I am hoping that this rumoured manufacturer (i.e. Volvo) does come in for next year.

*Breaks out the champagne*

Good riddance to SEAT. I don't think it'll have such a negative effect that some people believe. Vauxhall will stay put and Honda and BMW will be nipping at their heels as independents.

Its a a shame that a major manufacturer has pulled out, but im sure most people wont miss SEAT. Hopefully Plato will stay in BTCC as one of the few major names in the series, but I guess if he's staying with SEAT it'll mean a move to WTCC.

Hopefully another manufacturer will come in and take their place

At least if Plato does go to the WTCC it'll certainly liven things up a bit