[BTCC] Round One - Donington Park April 22-23 (Races 1, 2, 3)

[SSmith]

Its time for the season to begin!

Here's the provisional entry list. There may be some additional entries.

https://www.barc.net/wp-content/uplo...d-18.04.23.pdf

No surprises in the BTCC list.

23 MINI JCWs, 20 F4s, 24 Porsche Carreras, 19 Porsche Caymans. All in all, a strong support line-up.

MINI JCWs
5 - James Griffith - Graves Motorsport
8 - Steven Lake - EXCELR8 Motorsport
9 - Bill Hardy - Autotech Motorsport
10 - Bradley Gravett - EXCELR8 Motorsport
13 - Ryan Faulconbridge - Hybrid Tune
14 - Dominic Wheatley - Graves Motorsport
18 - Lewis Selby - Napa Racing UK
22 - Barry Ward - EXCELR8 Motorsport
24 - Joe Tanner - Hybrid Tune
26 - Thomas Jack Lee - EXCELR8 Motorsport
27 - Marlo Cordell - Jamsport Racing
31 - Will Orton - Hybrid Tune
35 - Simon Reed - OX4 Racing
42 - Sam Smith - Hybrid Tune
45 - Dan Zelos - EXCELR8 Motorsport
77 - Jamie Osborne - Napa Racing UK
82 - Lydia Walmsley - Lydia Walmsley Racing
86 - Daniel Petters - TEAM PETTERS RACING
88 - Oliver Meadows - EXCELR8 Motorsport
94 - Josh Porter - EXCELR8 Motorsport
95 - Nelson King - Graves Motorsport
96 - Jordan Kerridge - EXCELR8 Motorsport
322 - Jamie Petters - TEAM PETTERS RACING

British F4
2 - Noah Lisle - Rodin Carlin
4 - James Piszcyk - Hitech Pulse-Eight
5 - William Macintyre - Hitech Pulse-Eight
6 - Kanato Le - Hitech Pulse-Eight
7 - Gabriel Stilp - Hitech Pulse-Eight
8 - Kai Daryanani - Virtuosi
11 - Louis Sharp - Rodin Carlin
12 - Coskun Irfan - Rodin Carlin
14 - Aqil Alibhai - Virtuosi
17 - Patrick Heuzenroeder - Phinsys by Argenti
18 - James Higgins - Fortec Motorsport
23 - Gustav Jonsson - Chris Dittmann Racing
26 - Isaac Barashi - Phinsys by Argenti
28 - Douwe Dedecker - Virtuosi
49 - Daniel Guinchard - Chris Dittmann Racing
55 - Dion Gowda - Rodin Carlin
72 - Sonny Smith - Phinsys by Argenti
77 - Jaden Pariat - Phinsys by Argenti
78 - Jack Sherwood - Chris Dittmann Racing
87 - Deagen Fairclough - JHR Developments

Porsche Carrera Cup GB
Pro (10 cars)
5 - Micah Stanley - Richardson Racing
8 - Hugo Ellis - JTR
13 - James Kellett - Rosland Gold by Century Motorsport
14 - Matty Graham - Redline Racing
16 - Harry Foster - Duckhams Yuasa Racing with Team Parker
21 - Adam Smalley - Duckhams Yuasa Racing with Team Parker
46 - Robert de Haan - Richardson Racing
54 - Theo Edgerton - Redline Racing
57 - Gus Burton - Rosland Gold by Century Motorsport
99 - Charles Rainford - CCK Motorsport

Pro-Am (11 cars)
11 - Will Aspin - Team Parker Racing
33 - Ryan Ratcliffe - Team Parker Racing
41 - Jake Giddings - Parker Classic Works
44 - Max Bird - Team Redline Racing
48 - Ollie Jackson - JTR
52 - Angus Whiteside - Century Motorsport
58 - Henry Dawes - Century Motorsport
59 - Ross Wylie - Team Redline Racing
77 - Frazer McFadden - Toro Verde GT
95 - Josh Stanton - JTR
315 - Jason Lockwood - EXCELR8 Motorsport

Am (3 cars)
7 - Justin Sherwood - Parker Classic Works
9 - David Fairbrother - Toro Verde GT
71 - David Stirling - Redline Racing

Porsche Sprint Challenge GB
Pro (9 entries)
11 - Toby Trice - Redline Racing
19 - Matthew Armstrong - Team Parker Racing
26 - Robert Cronin - Parker Classic Works
30 - William Jenkins - Century Motorsport
32 - Ethan Hammerton - Team Omologato by Graves Motorsport
33 - Reece Somerfield - Breakell Racing
56 - Steve Roberts - Redline Racing
71 - Max Coates - Team Omologato by Graves Motorsport
95 - Joe Warhurst - Team Parker Racing

Am (10 entries)
2 - Dimitris Melas - LFP Motorsport
5 - Rupert Laslett - Raceway Motorsport
7 - Neil Tofts - Redline Racing
8 - Edward Stanton - Toro Verde GT
12 - Callum Davis - CCK Motorsport
17 - John White - Parker Classic Works
23 - Danny Dwyer - Xentek Motorsport
25 - Matthew Kyle-Henney - SW Engineering
27 - Marc Warren - Raceway Motorsport
42 - Graeme Mundy - Toro Verde GT

[thetool]

I was never the biggest Ginetta fan, neither the Juniors or the G50s ever seemed to be the most exciting of races, but schedule looks barren without them. They really ought to cut a deal with some of the BSCCC or 750MC series to guest on these weekends, rather than pricing them out.

[SSmith]

I always quite liked the Ginetta races - although the last season of GT4 Supercup with the G56s and G55s wasn't great. They will be missed from the BTCC package but all Ginetta races this season are free-to-air on YouTube.

It does feel a bit weird having fewer supports. Fewer support series (only 4 per-meeting) frees up the timetable especially on Saturdays, and some championships will have more races (or more track time i.e., longer races) than usual across the season. Not that we'll see all of the support races, but that's a point that's been complained about to death on this forum and ITV probably aren't going to change their broadcasting model.

We should hear at some point this season about Gow's masterplan for a new "Junior" series aimed at 14-17 year-olds which will take up the 5th support series slot at meetings in 2024. Unless those plans have been shelved?

[Evantra]

Looking good, F4s and Porsche Sprints a pleasantly high number. Good thing too for the latter…

I think only Zelos and Tanner remain from the top 14 overall in the JCWs last year. Of course you expect those drivers to move on to bigger and better things, but that’s a big chunk that I hope isn’t a huge drop in quality. Seems like Zelos should have an easy run.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by SSmith

We should hear at some point this season about Gow's masterplan for a new "Junior" series aimed at 14-17 year-olds which will take up the 5th support series slot at meetings in 2024. Unless those plans have been shelved?

There was an interview with him yesterday on BTCC’s Twitter that mentioned it, essentially saying they will look to 2025 if it doesn’t happen this year. Which I guess means they’ve got no real plans yet. Unfortunately I don’t see it happening in a way that is cheaper or more appealing than the Ginetta, Saxos or Fiestas etc.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Looking good, F4s and Porsche Sprints a pleasantly high number. Good thing too for the latter…

I think only Zelos and Tanner remain from the top 14 overall in the JCWs last year. Of course you expect those drivers to move on to bigger and better things, but that’s a big chunk that I hope isn’t a huge drop in quality. Seems like Zelos should have an easy run.

I think there is scope for the F4 numbers to increase too as the season goes on. Sustaining numbers I think has to be the goal for both Porsche championships - last season started strongly in PCCGB (24/25) and fell to high-teens by season's end after haemorrhaging over 50% of the Am class.

It is definitely Zelos's to lose - hopefully that doesn't place too much pressure on him. Tanner, Wheatley, Smith, and King are all very quick, and I can see Gravett, Lee, and Orton in the top 10 as well. With some testing and pre-season stability, I hope Walmsley can make a sustained step forward as well.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Evantra

There was an interview with him yesterday on BTCC’s Twitter that mentioned it, essentially saying they will look to 2025 if it doesn’t happen this year. Which I guess means they’ve got no real plans yet. Unfortunately I don’t see it happening in a way that is cheaper or more appealing than the Ginetta, Saxos or Fiestas etc.

Ah thank you. Yes, I completely agree. If you try to make a cheap, basic, junior series you end up with what is already out there. The only innovative route (and that matches current car trends) would be a compact crossover/mini SUV series or an electric series for 14-17 year-olds. The costs would be immense though unless a manufacturer were to subsidise it (and the chances of that are zero).

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by SSmith

If you try to make a cheap, basic, junior series you end up with what is already out there.

Funny that, maybe that's because cheap and basic is what works. It's a junior series series after all, there's no point in using expensive complicated equipment.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by thetool

I was never the biggest Ginetta fan, neither the Juniors or the G50s ever seemed to be the most exciting of races, but schedule looks barren without them. They really ought to cut a deal with some of the BSCCC or 750MC series to guest on these weekends, rather than pricing them out.

And who would fund it? Racetracks are mad expensive now and race meetings even more so

[Greem]

I'm baffled by the assertion that the Ginetta Juniors didn't serve up exciting races, tbh. Over the years of their being on the BTCC bill they served up some absolutely brilliant races, some crazy ones, and some downright dangerous ones. "Not the most exciting" seems like a wizard piece of understatement!

Anyway: *PLEASE* let's have Legends on the support bill at Knockhill; Classic Minis at Thruxton; Bernie's V8s at Brands Hatch, etc etc. Plenty of space for extras

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Greem

Anyway: *PLEASE* let's have Legends on the support bill at Knockhill; Classic Minis at Thruxton; Bernie's V8s at Brands Hatch, etc etc. Plenty of space for extras

Supports for 2023 were announced a long time ago. 4 slots per meeting. This article sums up what's supporting BTCC at each meeting.

https://www.btcc.net/2023/01/13/btcc-2023-support-series-round-up/

[Greem]

Originally Posted by SSmith

Supports for 2023 were announced a long time ago. 4 slots per meeting. This article sums up what's supporting BTCC at each meeting.

https://www.btcc.net/2023/01/13/btcc...ries-round-up/

Ah, thanks, very helpful.
I've been away from press stuff by virtue of having canned using Twitter.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Greem

Ah, thanks, very helpful.
I've been away from press stuff by virtue of having canned using Twitter.

No worries. I'm really grateful that BTCC put together that chart at the bottom, as it got a bit messy trying to keep up with guest series announcements! I like the variety but hopefully 2024 will be a more stable lineup. I like historic racing so I'd love to see a CTCRC or HSCC series support the BTCC - a now vs then kind of thing like we got when the Super Tourers guested at Oulton in 2014. For a historic series though the cost of TOCA track time probably isn't worth it though. Twitter these days is just a minefield, it's great for keeping up with some things but some days its just a mess.

[BTCC frog]

I think the support schedule this season has some ups and downs. I have never really been a fan of Porsche racing so am not too excited about the increase in Porsche races, but the Ginettas weren't a huge amount better (although the Juniors were very exciting), so on that front it is only a minor downgrade. But I am very much looking forward to seeing some of the guest series like Caterhams and legends. And the Mini 7 race at Thruxton will likely be the best race of the season.

In terms of the return of the BTCC, the only real loss this season is Team Dynamics and Gordon Shedden, although I will miss Jason Plato as well. It will be interesting to see how Aiden Moffat and Dan Rowbottom get on in their new teams, and I hope Tom Chilton has a more competitive season. I have also really come to appreciate just how good Ash Sutton is over the last few years and think that it will be an exciting title fight between Jake Hill with the best car and Sutton as the best driver, as well as Ingram who is between them in both categories. Rory Butcher and Josh Cook may be in the hunt as well, but something tells me that Colin Turkington has now won his last championship.

I think the hybrid was a failure last year but think the new way that it is being implicated for 2023 will be an improvement, even if it is still a little ineffective. And the option tyre will be a welcome return, as it is nice to watch the fastest drivers fighting their way to the front from poor grid positions. I know most people don't agree with me on that one, but I think it is far less artificial than success ballast or, the worst gimmick of all because it adds such an enormous element of luck, reversed grids.

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by SSmith

I think there is scope for the F4 numbers to increase too as the season goes on.

There's at least one driver who has been testing preseason who is not on the entry list for Donington because his birthday isn't until next month.

[CroftPilgrim]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Which I guess means they’ve got no real plans yet.

Not necessarily. It could mean any number of things, including that the plans they do have will take a little longer to put together. I suspect there will be several options that are currently being discussed/evaluated

[S griffin]

There is still time for things to change, but we'll see. At least we have a healthy grid atm

[SSmith]

One guaranteed late entry for this weekend in British F4 (taking us up to 21),

57 - Aiden Neate - Fortec Motorsport


Seb Melrose appeared in Porsche testing with Richardson Racing on Tuesday (car #88 in Pro-Am). Not sure if it was just a test or whether he's joining the grid.

[antnee]

The difficulty with junior series on the TOCA package is it wants to have current gen cars - small hatchbacks are £20k+ new these days (a Fiesta ST is 27k!!!). Making it race ready is then another £10-15k with cage, good suspension, wheels, brakes, etc. The Ginetta is a purpose built race car so is ideal for a junior series - there isn't much else that can match it.

[Evantra]

On The Limit is back for this year, with Morgan, Rowbottom and Watson.

https://twitter.com/kwik_fit/status/...T11pmdgnSSDQzA

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by SSmith

Seb Melrose appeared in Porsche testing with Richardson Racing on Tuesday (car #88 in Pro-Am). Not sure if it was just a test or whether he's joining the grid.

Apparently he is well funded now and looking for a touring car drive. This could be a stepping stone.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Apparently he is well funded now and looking for a touring car drive. This could be a stepping stone.

That's interesting, I think Melrose is connected in some way to the Franchitti family? He has been slowest of the Pro-Am runners in testing this week but that can likely be explained by the fact he's probably done the least Porsche mileage of anyone in PCCGB.

[S griffin]

Judging by testing times we're in for another close season. I expect to see BMW up there again. Tingram certainly has a chance of retaining his crown

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by SSmith

That's interesting, I think Melrose is connected in some way to the Franchitti family? He has been slowest of the Pro-Am runners in testing this week but that can likely be explained by the fact he's probably done the least Porsche mileage of anyone in PCCGB.

Godson of Dario, but no relation.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Godson of Dario, but no relation.

Thanks. That's what I vaguely remembered from somewhere, but wasn't 100% sure.