WTCC » Tarquini: BMW built diesel to stop us

As a BMW diesel driver, I can''t really see BMW''s problem. Surely the WTCC should reflect what''s out there on the roads. After all, one of the reasons that manufacturers compete is to promote their cars to the buying public and therefore they should be promoting what the buyers want. I made the switch to diesel 5 years ago, not really because of the economy, but the torque.

Diesel is where it''s at right now and it is only right that WTCC should reflect this. It would always be good if more manufacturers join in, but if they can''t homogulate a diesel car because they don''t offer them in their market, that''s their problem, surely.

tarquini says seat started the diesel revolution. not quite true, bmw have been racing diesels for several years now, with considerable success, particularly in long distance races where economy is paramount. diesels have better torque but petrols have better braking. a bit of swings and roundabouts really, and both seem relatively well matched. seat are not winning everything, are they?

I'll assume that Tarquini meant it in a WTCC sense, but I think the organisers seem to have it more or less spot on at the moment. I don't like domination in any one championship, but given that BMW have long had the upper hand because of their rear-wheel drive, then SEAT should probably be allowed to make the most of having a diesel. It's their 'rear-wheel drive', if you like.

It is a very hard concept to adopt and they've made it work, so fair enough. I do wonder about the fact that if you start winning one or two too many races you get heavily penalised, then other manufacturers won't want to join in. What's the point in joining, winning and then being held back??

point taken wasabi. and it is agreed that bmw have had their own advantage, as you say. after all havent they won the wtcc for the last four years yet there is another thread where priaulx is "complaining" about watching the rear of seats. i am sure that they were fed up for the last three years watching bmw rears. and yes, it seems to be reasonably equal now.

point taken wasabi. and it is agreed that bmw have had their own advantage, as you say. after all havent they won the wtcc for the last four years yet there is another thread where priaulx is "complaining" about watching the rear of seats. i am sure that they were fed up for the last three years watching bmw rears. and yes, it seems to be reasonably equal now.

What concerns me is that whenever a manufacturer complains about another, the organisers are compelled to fiddle with something. More stringent rules need to be put in place maybe ie. normally aspirated, 2.0-litre petrol engines in a four door saloon body.

Who knows - anyway, it'll be interesting to see whether SEAT switch models in 2009 like has been mooted. Since the TDI kind of negates the disadvantage the Leon has in its unusual shape, maybe they'll go back to petrol if they have a more appropriate machine.

If diesels have any advantage whatsoever on petrols, even torque, let's show it on equal terms! I'm sick of readings posts where ppl seem to forget that ANY turbo charged engine have a better torque than an aspirated one.

Until three years ago, diesels were allowed in all disciplines of motorsports, and some were actually racing, on equal terms (ie same capacity and same equivalence between aspirated and turbo engines). I fail to remember the slightest example of a diesel engine dicing for the win, whether in Rallying, Touring Cars or Endurance.

Diesels are just crap, European manufacturers use it against their US and Japanese competitors and try to make them look efficient by bent rules.

So what? Diesels are just the next phase in motorsport evolution. If we all stood still, what would be the point in it?

European manufacturers use it because of the huge advances made in making diesels more refined, enjoyable to drive and more frugal. The gap between a diesel and petrol in the real world is incredibly slim now. I don't think it is a conspiracy against US and Japanese competitors, and even if it was, manufacturers are a business, so their 'competitors' as you pointed out are just that. They aren't going to follow the crowd to finish second, third or fourth. SEAT may be exploiting a rule, but why the heck not?

Rumour has it that the BMW diesel is 1.3 seconds quicker that the SEAT

Rumour also says that SEAT may withdraw from the championship if they turn up with a diesel as it is claimed that BMW would have an unfair advantage with rear wheel drive.

Let BMW race a diesel if they whish lets see if its as good as the rumours

I hope that the championship is not being rigged in favour of any manufacturer

"Tarquini: BMW built diesel to stop us"

Well duh!