[BTCC] BTCC News & Rumours 2025

[rdjones]

Less than 48 hours after the first round of the 2024 season the 2025 calander has been released

https://btcc.net/2025-btcc-calendar-announced/

26/27 April Donington Park (National)
10/11 May Brands Hatch (Indy)
24/25 May Snetterton (300)
07/08 June Thruxton
21/22 Jun Oulton Park (Island)
02/03 August Croft
16/17 August Knockhill
30/31 August Donington Park (GP)
20/21 September Silverstone (National)
04/05 October Brands Hatch (GP)

Exactly the same as this year apart from the dates....

[Matt K]

Shame there's no variety, as much as I like all the BTCC circuits (from the spectator's view), it'd be great to have some new circuits coming in. I know this will probably never happen but would be great to see some smaller tracks upgraded so that they could host BTCC.

[Greem]

If you could arrange for all of the neighbours of every other circuit in the UK to ignore the noise and the huge numbers of spectators, go for it!

The planning people and the various restrictions they've imposed on all the other circuits might want to have a chat though...

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by Greem

If you could arrange for all of the neighbours of every other circuit in the UK to ignore the noise and the huge numbers of spectators, go for it!

Well, I can't do that unfortunately, that's why the only thing left for me is to keep dreaming... and be happy with what we have

[stuart thompson]

Originally Posted by Greem

If you could arrange for all of the neighbours of every other circuit in the UK to ignore the noise and the huge numbers of spectators, go for it!

The planning people and the various restrictions they've imposed on all the other circuits might want to have a chat though...

Sad thing is, the circuits in most cases were there before the residents, why buy a house near a race circuit then complain about the noise?

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by stuart thompson

Sad thing is, the circuits in most cases were there before the residents, why buy a house near a race circuit then complain about the noise?

Because all the houses near Airports are sold

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by stuart thompson

Sad thing is, the circuits in most cases were there before the residents, why buy a house near a race circuit then complain about the noise?

I’m not super familiar with the case but I believe that’s what happened with Castle Combe

[antnee]

They buy the house next to a track because it will be cheaper (due to the track proximetry). They then moan enough for the track to get shut down (or no longer have a viable business case) and their house value goes up

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by antnee

They buy the house next to a track because it will be cheaper (due to the track proximetry). They then moan enough for the track to get shut down (or no longer have a viable business case) and their house value goes up

This happened at Brands Hatch and Mallory Park. As you say, why buy a house near a race circuit? NIMBY'S all of them!!!

[S griffin]

Still early days, prefer to wait for more of this season to have happened before thinking of next season

[S griffin]

I have some sympathy for residents who find the noise to happen more than expected, but a lot of them should know what they are getting into

[Craner Curves]

Pink and green sky last night. Does this mean Tony is back?

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Pink and green sky last night. Does this mean Tony is back?

I'm sure he's coming back with a Kia.

[Pickles]

He was keeping a very low profile this weekend.

[Mike Harte]

I wonder whether one of the teams may consider using the 2024 1 Series BMW that has just been released. Although the basic car is still going to be front drive, they are also keeping the 4 wheel drive version, which I seem to remember from conversations on 10ths means that it can be "converted" to just rear wheel drive.

Or do others feel that the 2026 regulations might possibly ban rear wheel drive create a "level" playing field?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I wonder whether one of the teams may consider using the 2024 1 Series BMW that has just been released. Although the basic car is still going to be front drive, they are also keeping the 4 wheel drive version, which I seem to remember from conversations on 10ths means that it can be "converted" to just rear wheel drive.

Or do others feel that the 2026 regulations might possibly ban rear wheel drive create a "level" playing field?

I think it is still a transverse engine, so FWD only under NGTC regs.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I think it is still a transverse engine, so FWD only under NGTC regs.

OK, but what difference does it really make when compared to an inline engine? I think that teams are allowed to move the engine by a certain amount, and would assume that they would try to move it back to improve the COG balance, and I would assume that it is easier to move an inline engine backwards than a transverse one? Does this make sense, in which case, why not allow a transverse engine with rear wheel drive?

Or am I on the wrong track?

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

OK, but what difference does it really make when compared to an inline engine? I think that teams are allowed to move the engine by a certain amount, and would assume that they would try to move it back to improve the COG balance, and I would assume that it is easier to move an inline engine backwards than a transverse one? Does this make sense, in which case, why not allow a transverse engine with rear wheel drive?

Or am I on the wrong track?

And with a transverse fittment how does the drive get to the rear axle?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

OK, but what difference does it really make when compared to an inline engine? I think that teams are allowed to move the engine by a certain amount, and would assume that they would try to move it back to improve the COG balance, and I would assume that it is easier to move an inline engine backwards than a transverse one? Does this make sense, in which case, why not allow a transverse engine with rear wheel drive?

Or am I on the wrong track?

The real heart of the matter is in the gearbox.

NGTC cars must have the engine in the same orientation as the roadgoing model.
Cars with a transverse engine must use the P1546 Xtrac gearbox.
The P1546 has an output flange that is integral to the differential and can only deliver to the front wheels.

[crmalcolm]

To put the requirement into pictures - everything in green and beige is mandated in the regulations from control items.

[Ant25]

What world TCR drivers would you like to see come over and give the Btcc a go?

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Ant25

What world TCR drivers would you like to see come over and give the Btcc a go?

Erlacher.
Saw an interview a little while back where Chilton reckoned that he, Sutton and Ingram are the three best FWD Tin Top drivers on the planet. Would love to see him in a BTCC car.

[MarcusH26]

https://btcc.net/btcc-officially-opens-invitations-for-two-new-teams-in-2025/

Invitations open for 2 " High quality 2 car teams" to apply join the grid for next season.

[BtccLee]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

https://btcc.net/btcc-officially-opens-invitations-for-two-new-teams-in-2025/

Invitations open for 2 " High quality 2 car teams" to apply join the grid for next season.

For me, the most interesting line covers the 2027 regulation changes.

“Those updates will actually be cost-saving updates, and we won’t be making any current cars redundant.

“Therefore, cars purchased or built by current or new teams will also be valid to use during that next phase of the regulations.”

Hopefully encourages prospective entrants, and new teams, to invest knowing they are secure moving forward. Be interesting to see if new outfits, or teams from the support series, decide to make that step up.

[codename_47]

Frustrating that BTCC following the recent trend of capping grid numbers as we all know bigger grids lead to better racing as well as more opportunities for up and coming drivers and team personell to gain a start within the championship

I'd be fine with it if they said "We can't go any higher than 24 because we're going to Castle Combe/Anglesea and we can't fit any more cars in the pits there" but it's never for logical reasons like that....