Professional drivers
#1
Posted 17 January 2011 - 11:32
He noted that in his day, which was not that long ago, all the drivers in the BTCC were paid to drive but now none are paid. Virtually all the current BTCC drivers pay to drive the cars by briinging their own sponsorship or money, even the likes of Jason Plato.
It did make me think as to how many current British drivers are paid to race or rally? Probably many fewer than 20 or 30 years ago! Button, Hamilton, McNish, Smith and perhaps a few others in sports cars. A couple in rallying at WRC or IRC level. A few Brits in German touring cars and a few who race in the USA.
Given the large number of wannabes there are in karting and the various "feeder" race series it would seem there is virtually no hope for them to getting a paid drive at the end of it.
Have we seem the best years of "professional" racing and rally drivers?
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#2
Posted 17 January 2011 - 11:38
#3
Posted 17 January 2011 - 11:47
You would think that if these BTCC drivers were paying for their drives they'd look after their cars a bit better in the races
Edited by alansart, 17 January 2011 - 11:47.
#4
Posted 17 January 2011 - 13:29
#5
Posted 17 January 2011 - 16:25
At our motor club dinner we had John Cleland as our guest speaker. He was excellent.
He noted that in his day, which was not that long ago, all the drivers in the BTCC were paid to drive but now none are paid. Virtually all the current BTCC drivers pay to drive the cars by briinging their own sponsorship or money, even the likes of Jason Plato.
It did make me think as to how many current British drivers are paid to race or rally? Probably many fewer than 20 or 30 years ago! Button, Hamilton, McNish, Smith and perhaps a few others in sports cars. A couple in rallying at WRC or IRC level. A few Brits in German touring cars and a few who race in the USA.
Given the large number of wannabes there are in karting and the various "feeder" race series it would seem there is virtually no hope for them to getting a paid drive at the end of it.
Have we seem the best years of "professional" racing and rally drivers?
What a coincidence. I was just trying to find contact details for John Cleland to ask him a question about the Chevron B23 he hillclimbed in 1974. Would you be able to forward an email on to him?
Thanks
Allen
#6
Posted 17 January 2011 - 16:34
#7
Posted 17 January 2011 - 16:40
B23-73-12
Indeed - but that wasn't going to be my question. I don't know who he bought it from or who he sold it to - or do you know that too?
#8
Posted 17 January 2011 - 16:49
#9
Posted 17 January 2011 - 19:30
Thought you might have known the easy bitIndeed - but that wasn't going to be my question. I don't know who he bought it from or who he sold it to - or do you know that too?
I don't know whom he bought it from, except that it was supposedly a/the Red Rose Racing/John Lepp car of 1973
And I don't know where it went afterwards (though I have a horrible feeling I used to...)