Voices from drivers and organisers about TouringCarTimes
John Cleland – 1989 and 1995 BTCC Champion
“I’ve kind of always been aware of it for different reasons, but to have dedicated touring car media coverage is great. I’ve been aware of it all the time I’ve been racing and now, 20 years later we’ve got the same kind of stuff and there’s still the same cars!
I think touring cars has always been a global – with the exception of the US, and we did try to get touring cars in the US many years ago but unless it spits flame and has a V8 then they’re not interested, to a degree it was like that in Australia too, but even that’s going to have to change in the future. I think its always been global, the success of it depended on the appetite of the governing body, the competitors and the finances of the region. Even the BTCC went through a horrible story in the early 2000s after the halcyon days of the 90s and I think it does rely on the success of the markets. It’s good to see it be so successful and not be all about single seaters.
If you need a reference on something, it’s even interesting now to go back and look at stuff, with these old historic cars out now to try and make sure we remember a bit about them, TouringCarTimes is good from that point of view as you can remember what happened on the day to some extent. It is the Touring Car lovers bible, the easiest way to describe – a touring car enthusiast’s bible. Best of luck to another 20 years.”
Rickard Rydell – 1998 BTCC and Bathurst 1000 Champion
”Usually you just pick up Autosport in the shop, and then you can go to Autosport.com to check what’s happening in the world of motor racing, but when you want to read about touring cars, you don’t go to Autosport, you go to TouringCarTimes for sure. It’s always been very, very good and up-to-date, so I’m pleased it’s there for us touring car freaks.”
Gabriele Tarquini – 1994 BTCC Champion, 2003 ETCC Champion and 2009 WTCC Champion
”It’s fantastic to have a website that looks at us all of the time and gives full coverage to our race. I always watch the website when I’m at home, and sometimes I’m really surprised as you put some news that I don’t know, even if I’m totally involved, it’s something very special for us and we must thank a website like this that takes care about us.”
Rob Huff – 2012 WTCC Champion
”I like the fact that it’s realistic, and you’re not governed my big marketing companies who are putting you under pressure to say certain things, you say what you want to say. I think that’s fantastic and I like the fact you;’ve kept it that way.
I like the fact it’s a small website, but covers a lot of things. So many journalists are given cars by manufacturers and are employed by manufacturers to say a lot of nice things, and I like the fact that you’re honest, you say it as it is, at the end of the day it’s not necessarily congratulations, it’s he’s won because of this. OK, he’s done well, but I’m sure I’ve got that comes when I win, it’ll say “…and definitely if I want to look at what’s going on in the world of motorsport and touring cars, I go to TouringCarTimes, it’s the only one that’s saved in my favourites bar.”
Jan ”Flash” Nilsson – 1996 and 1997 STCC Champion
”TouringCarTimes was created before the internet existed more or less and before all the different media channels that are available now. This site became the way for me to keep track of all the championships that I am interested. Swedish media was still not properly covering STCC in the late nineties but TouringCarTimes gave us proper coverage. The site made my interest for touring car racing even stronger.”
Mattias Ekström – 2004 and 2007 DTM Champion
”I am one of the few drivers having dedicated my career to touring cars, so TouringCarTimes is of course close to my heart. I started racing in the STCC the year after the site was started and I still visit TouringCarTimes daily.”
Gary Paffett – 2005 DTM Champion
”TouringCarTimes have been a part of my DTM career since my first race for Team Rosberg in 2003. They’re our fans’ first point of call for all things touring cars, as their updates are not only consistent but also fast. And although I find their coverage of my races very flattering, they’ve always been truthful, highlighting mistakes as much as victories. If you want honest touring car reporting and to feel like you’re on track with the drivers, stick with TcT.”
Fabrizio Giovanardi – British, Spanish, Italian and European Touring Car Champion
”I started reading TouringCarTimes when I first joined the British Touring Car Championship in 2006. I was learning English properly at that time, as I hadn’t needed that too much before, so I couldn’t practice. I was told it was like the Bible in touring cars and was encouraged to follow, and haven’t stopped since.
I think TouringCarTimes is so successful because of the level of passion and professionalism. I know a lot of people from the staff and they all are very keen on what they do, so that’s one of the keys that lead to being recognised as the Bible of touring cars, as I was told back in the days – and I think it still is.
I have been through many different championships during the last few years, including a BTCC comeback and a new European title, but also the Superstars Series, and hopefully there’s more to come as I am still very keen on racing and really want to go back as soon as possible, as long as there is a good project. It is incredible how TouringCarTimes was following each series I was in very closely, I can hardly think of a race after which I haven’t been interviewed, be it the BTCC, the ETCC or the Superstars Series.”
Gianni Morbidelli – 2007-2009 and 2013 Superstars Champion
”First of all I would like to congratulate TouringCarTimes for the milestone reached. In this business nothing is for free, so if you get to a point in which you are the reference in touring cars it means a lot.
I started reading TouringCarTimes in my Superstars Series days, so about ten years ago. Since then I enjoyed reading very much. Being a driver, it is part of my job to keep up to date with the world that is around me, and in that way TcT is an important tool, because you can find practically anything with bodywork over the wheels. Many website cover little more than Formula One these days, but there is a whole world in touring cars, and it is a very important source I enjoy reading.
I think the quality and professionalism, as well as the quick updates, are features which led TouringCarTimes to reaching the 20 years milestone. It is only through those qualities that you can provide the best possible service for the readers. I am a curious person, so I check it several times a day, just to make sure I am up to date with everything that goes on in touring cars.
Although results and reports are always important to have, I think you make the difference in telling the readers something they wanted to know about, and sometimes didn’t even suspect was happening. The insights are particularly interesting, and it also helps to show the human aspect of professional racing, which isn’t always easy to tell unless you focus on it. I was very happy to see TouringCarTimes following me in my new adventure in the TCR International Series.”
Matt Neal – 2005-2006 and 2011 BTCC Champion
”TouringCarTimes has become a bible not just for touring cars fans but also competing teams, drivers and associates who can catch up and follow progress of everything that is happening in the world of Touring Cars as it happens and where ever you may be. It’s in depth knowledge and up to minute gossip have made it a must to follow whether you’re doing it via the website or social media routes which mean it’s a key porthole in the world of motorsport journalism. Well done guys and kep up the great work!”
Francois Ribeiro – WTCC Director
“It’s the first thing I do when I reconnect in the morning, checking TouringCarTimes, and probably the last thing I do in the evening before looking after my family.
”I find it really useful and it’s always the best tool that’s possible to keep an eye on the domestic championships are doing. For me, to follow what the three young Argentinians are doing, I know that evey time there is a Super TC 2000 or BTCC, I can look and follow the national championships.
I would love to see web TV. You do so much to promote the touring car category and the different touring car championships, that I think it should be up to each promoter to send you the videos so not only do you have the news and the classifications,
I don’t know what is most surprising, that he [Johan Meissner] started it at 12 or that he’s still running it after 20 years, but both are outstanding achievements.”
Alan Gow – BTCC Director
“I do read TouringCarTimes, especially when we’re not racing and there might be a WTCC race on and I want to get results.
“Certainly on race weekends is when TouringCarTimes comes into its own for me, as I will get much quicker results than I will on other websites because you have reporters there.
“For me, TouringCarTimes does a great job. It’s the quickest way to get results – if you wait for Autosport it’s a little bit too long, and they don’t necessarily cover things like ETCC racing.”
