[BTCC] 2014 BTCC speculation, rumours and news

[TimRTC]

With only three meetings left for 2013 and nothing yet announced thought it would be time to start some unfounded rumours about the 2014 season.

What do people think about the calendar - given the consistency of the past few years I would expect it to remain pretty much unchanged. There do not seem to be any plans to return to Mondello Park and while most of the drivers do not seem to enjoy the long drives up to Croft or Knockhill, I'm sure the sponsors like the large Tyneside and Scottish fan bases there.

I did get a chance (at the Donington KX aftershow event) to ask Alan Gow if there were any plans to race overseas, which he categorically turned down, saying that it would do nothing to help the series and would be just an expensive vanity exercise for the drivers - so no Zandvoort or Spa rounds any time soon. However he did mention that since the NGTC vehicles have a larger fuel tank, there was potential for longer races possibly including a driver change.

Personally I cannot see a driver change being attractive for the teams - fine for factory efforts, but complex to arrange for the independents, but I wonder if a double-length, double-points race at one or two of the rounds might shake things up a bit. I would not be surprised to see one of these mooted, maybe for a circuit like Snetterton, next year, particularly if the grid goes all NGTC.

[thetool]

Complex to arrange for the Independents? What? I think they'd be the most in favour. A 2 driver event means double the personal sponsors (which are what run most efforts) for far less than double the cost.

It would have to be more than double length to justify multiple drivers though. The NGTC cars have an 80 litre or 18 gallon fuel tank - so it all depends on the MPG the cars get.

A typical petrol road car gets around 40mpg. But I can't seem to find any estimation of the MPG a touring car would achieve. NASCAR achieves 5mpg, and I'd imagine these cars are a lot more efficient, so you may be looking at the region of 10-15, but that's little more than a guess.

Based on about 10mpg, that would limit the range of races to 180 miles, which would be long enough for a reasonable length endurance race. It could be the MPG achieved is way worse though, I don't know.

[TimRTC]

Originally Posted by thetool

Complex to arrange for the Independents? What? I think they'd be the most in favour. A 2 driver event means double the personal sponsors (which are what run most efforts) for far less than double the cost.

Perhaps I should have said complex to find drivers of sufficient talent. I'm sure that there is a plentiful supply to drivers happy to pay their way into the second seat but finding someone with the talent to compete directly against veteran competitors with minimal practice time would probably require getting out the chequebook. Particularly if the race counted double-points, teams like WSR and Pirtek Honda could not afford to lose ground against the factory drivers.

Originally Posted by thetool

Based on about 10mpg, that would limit the range of races to 180 miles, which would be long enough for a reasonable length endurance race. It could be the MPG achieved is way worse though, I don't know.

That would give a range of some 60 laps of the Snetterton 300 circuit - or five times the distance they travel on each race at the circuit at the moment.

The expression 'Last Man Standing' comes to mind.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Longer races might add F1-esque tactics back into it, but it may improve the driver standards, as they aren't in a rush.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Meanwhile, it'll be interesting to see how Dan Cammish does in his BTCC test with Motorbase. They do have a 3rd car...

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by TimRTC

I did get a chance (at the Donington KX aftershow event) to ask Alan Gow if there were any plans to race overseas, which he categorically turned down, saying that it would do nothing to help the series and would be just an expensive vanity exercise for the drivers - so no Zandvoort or Spa rounds any time soon.

Doh! Completely understandable but a bummer nonetheless

[Sodemo]

I'd like to see perhaps a longer race, even if its only say 10 laps longer than a regular race, however would that then take the place of the third race, so you would only get two races? I remember back in supertouring days, the Brands Indy races used to be a 25 lap sprint, followed by a 50 lap feature race.

[Andrew Abbott]

It's a shame that Gow is categorically against any overseas rounds. The lack of ability in convincingly exporting our car industry to our (predominantly) European cousing is what brought it crashing down in the first place. Why can't we try to export our touring car series? Obviously not into Germany, but certainly France, Belgium and the Netherlands would be viable markets.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Originally Posted by AndySpeed

It's a shame that Gow is categorically against any overseas rounds. The lack of ability in convincingly exporting our car industry to our (predominantly) European cousing is what brought it crashing down in the first place. Why can't we try to export our touring car series? Obviously not into Germany, but certainly France, Belgium and the Netherlands would be viable markets.

Our car industry isn't going down...

...if Gow won't let that happen, why don't the drivers go out and prove themselves. Turks is doing the Superstars round at Donington this weekend, and he'll surely be up there, and AJ wants to do Bathurst, but I can't see a deal happening this season, despite the Pirtek links. The guys at the top of BTCC are some of the best touring car drivers in the world.

[TimRTC]

Originally Posted by AndySpeed

The lack of ability in convincingly exporting our car industry to our (predominantly) European cousing is what brought it crashing down in the first place.

Well since there are only two factory teams and Honda have representation in almost every touring car series anyway, I can't see them doing a Euro round just for MG.

Originally Posted by Greem

Anyway, 2014... it would be nice to see bigger grids in the support series. I aim low

Sadly can't see this happening - the new format Clio Championship is likely to only have a few entries given the expense of running an all new car (particularly when the BARC are expanding their Clio Cup to allow all of the current models - this will certainly attract any of the privateer entries). FFord will really be lucky to see in 2014 at its current race, MSV's F4 has won that battle and the potential return of FRenault could dilute the grids further. The running of the newer Porsches in the Carrera Cup should allow more entrants from the European series' next year but might lose some of the domestic teams as again the cost of running the new car might prove too high.

At least the Ginettas should stay strong.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Originally Posted by TimRTC

Sadly can't see this happening - the new format Clio Championship is likely to only have a few entries given the expense of running an all new car (particularly when the BARC are expanding their Clio Cup to allow all of the current models - this will certainly attract any of the privateer entries).

You should read this: http://www.renaultsport.co.uk/champi...or-2014-season

[Craner Curves]

I think it's more the teams who wouldn't want to do it. They do enough whining about Croft and Knockhill, never mind going abroad. And remember the shambles that was the short-lived non-championship British GP support race that never happened? The budgets are pretty tight it seems.

[BertMk2]

An overseas round would be expensive in terms of travel costs and bring no real benefit to most of the teams - unless the teams are running large multinational companies as sponsors there's no benefit to them going overseas. You'd probably find a large proportion of the grid not travelling - and that would just weaken the BTCC 'brand'.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

And, of course, it is the BRITISHTouring Car Championship. If the teams want to race abroad I'm sure they'll find a way, but it won't be through touring cars. Luckily the crowds at Croft and Knockhill are huge.

[porsche962fan]

speaking about 2014 any news regarding KIA entry ?

[thetool]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

speaking about 2014 any news regarding KIA entry ?

This is getting really old.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

And what about Matt Hamilton? He was going to enter 2012 in an NGTC Skoda, but that has never happened.

Dave Pinkney was supposed to drive for Ron Austin full-time in 2011, but never even raced after car problems put him out of Brands, and he hasn't returned since. Mark Hazell was meant to run in Will Bratt's car in 2012, but similar problems put him out of Brands, and yet again Austin had another driver giving up on him.

Shaun Hollamby was planning on getting an NGTC-spec Vauxhall Astra for the end of this season.

So much has never happened in recent years. Take Thorney Motorsports as an example of people trying, but not succeeding. I reckon that at least half of the things that are proposed on here will not succeed, which is quite sad really.

[medius]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

And what about Matt Hamilton? He was going to enter 2012 in an NGTC Skoda, but that has never happened.

Didn't get a headline sponsor to fund it, so got shelved. TH Motorsport were to build and run the car.

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

Dave Pinkney was supposed to drive for Ron Austin full-time in 2011, but never even raced after car problems put him out of Brands, and he hasn't returned since. Mark Hazell was meant to run in Will Bratt's car in 2012, but similar problems put him out of Brands, and yet again Austin had another driver giving up on him.

Rob Austin you mean. Pinkney was disillusioned with driving standards the season before, and funding most of the RAR A4 build and getting an absolute dog of a car provided to him was the final straw in his BTCC career (for now). The car has improved a lot the last three seasons but I don't think he wanted to invest so much money without seeing a more immediate return, considering he'd bought race-ready TD Integra and 888 Vectra from the previous seasons.

I believe Mark Hazell got divorced and understandably that isn't a cheap process.

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

Shaun Hollamby was planning on getting an NGTC-spec Vauxhall Astra for the end of this season.

They need a headline sponsor. Its not uncommon for plans to be announced in the hope it flushes out some interested backers.

[thetool]

Originally Posted by medius

Rob Austin you mean. Pinkney was disillusioned with driving standards the season before, and funding most of the RAR A4 build and getting an absolute dog of a car provided to him was the final straw in his BTCC career (for now).

I don't believe Rob Austin saw a penny of Dave's money - not even for the first weekend.

[BtccLee]

This has become more of a random wish-list than a "Speculation, rumours and news thread". Next year there will be 10 rounds at the same circuits as this year, which personally I don't mind as they produce fantastic racing. There will be the same format of 3 races per meeting. Longer encounters may come in 2015 or 2016 but not next year. I expect a couple of alterations to the rule set regarding driving standards which were a lot better at Knockhill. Support races should see grids grow, Renault and Porsche have taken a good number of orders for their new cars. Ginetta will alter the Supercup and Juniors to increase interest. Formula Ford may well become an FIA backed series.Then the Touring Cars. Honda and MG I would imagine remaining with the same drivers as this year and Andy Jordan is a definite too. eBay will be interesting but I can't see them giving up Colin Turkington after one year. Collard who knows? Foster is coming to the end of his stated "Three year plan". Airwaves want to run 3 Focuses and haven't been impressed with their performance this year.
Then new entries. Renault Megane's will be a fantastic addition to the grid and it sounds like the operation is being done very professionally. Rockingham will be very interesting indeed. Then we have KIA possibly.
I think the grid will be 100% NGTC. Also in Motorsport News is that current teams are being given priority entries for next year although how many would sign up early without firm budgets? All in all 2013 has been a cracker and 2014 looks set to get even better. We are in a special era of the BTCC and I for one can't wait to see how it develops.

[BtccLee]

Whatever you think though, you must acknowledge that those behind NGTC need applauding. They have created a rule-set which has allowed such a variety of teams to create cars and be, to varying degrees, competitive. If/when we get 32 NGTC's I think they will feel more than validated. Lets not forget this year has been a corker already. It can only get better...


I forgot Tom Onslow-Cole is signed with HARD for at least another two years...


And hasn't an NGTC Mercedes been spoken of on here...

[Thaw Daggerslash]

Originally Posted by BtccLee

Whatever you think though, you must acknowledge that those behind NGTC need applauding. They have created a rule-set which has allowed such a variety of teams to create cars and be, to varying degrees, competitive.

And why is that? Because of the daft, ever changing turbo regulations! No, I'm not Shedden or Plato, but that's the simple truth of the matter.

The thing that really annoys me about NGTC is there is absolutely no incentive to build a strong car, like Honda have, because you just get penalised for being "too competitive" with reduced turbo boost levels.

You might as well enter a shopping trolley with Jeremy Clarkson as a driver, because at some point TOCA is going to give you a performance break that would allow you to be near the front...it's like Alan Gow spins a wheel of fortune before the weekend to determine who is going to be competitive this time.

It just makes the series look a bit like a joke, if I'm honest, and it goes back to what I was saying about the BTCC having no international credibility or reputation any more.

Plus visually, NGTC doesn't do anything for me. The cars wallow through the corners more than an old American muscle car, and sound awful thanks to the turbos...

I honestly think they've gone the wrong way with the regulations. The last time the BTCC tried to go its own way with regulation, with the BTC cars, it was a disaster.

I used to love the BTCC, and these days it just frustrates me more than anything. It is all a bit too gimmicky these days for my liking, and would much rather see the return of the Super Touring type era, where the best driver/car combo won races. There was no success ballast, no reversed grid races, and most importantly, no stupid turbo boost adjustments either!

[/soapbox]

[BtccLee]

I think if funding could be raised, Jack Goff and Paul O'Neil would be Tony Gilham's dream team for HARD and I believe he is working with both to make it happen....

[BtccLee]

I believe a SKODA UK backed entry has been discussed...

A lot of rumours, it's which as opposed when, they will come to fruition.

[BtccLee]

Here's an interesting interlude. There is a picture of a Mercedes CLA racer floating around on Twitter. Now I think people are reading too much into this but some are calling it a BTCC racer and there were some rumours regarding a Mercedes entry recently...