[BTCC] BTCC predictions 2022

[BTCC frog]

The usual predictions for the new championship season. Mine are as follows:

Laser Tools

Aiden Moffat continues to race with the team that probably had the fastest car last season, but losing Ash Sutton and BMR could be a major blow to Laser Tools Racing. Moffat is still a quick driver and I could see him taking a win, perhaps at Knockhill, but I would be surprised if he made the top ten in the championship again. His new teammate is Dexter Patterson, a relatively unknown rookie, so it is difficult to know how good he will be, but I suspect he will be on a similar level to Carl Boardley and score a handful of points.

Predicted championship positions: Aiden Moffat 16th, Dexter Patterson 24th

BTC Racing

If the Infiniti wasn't the fastest car last year it was the BTC Honda, but I think they will have a tougher time in 2022 due to being a relatively small team and others having a head-start on the hybrid system. Josh Cook is still among the best on the grid and surely will get a few wins, probably at Thruxton, but I don't see him being quite as close to the championship battle this year and instead more of an outsider. The signing of Jason Plato was a very exciting one and I hope he has a strong final year in the championship, driving a dirty Honda. I suspect Plato will win a race but doubt he will get to 100. A true legend of the sport The third driver is Jade Edwards, who will likely be towards the back again but will be a little closer on pace.

Predicted championship positions: Josh Cook 9th, Jason Plato 13th, Jade Edwards 26th

Team Dynamics

Last year was one of Team Dynamics' most difficult seasons in the championship for some time (their worst finish since 2018, and before that 2009), but given the experience in the team I think they will be one of the first to get on top of the hybrid system and Gordon Shedden will be a championship contender once again. Dan Rowbottom is also improving and I suspect both will win multiple races, with Oulton Park and Thruxton two places where they are likely to achieve these. I suspect both could go into the final round with a mathematical shot at the championship, but Shedden is more likely to take it to the final race in a close battle with Turkington and Sutton. However, I don't think he will quite manage the fourth title.

Predicted championship positions: Gordon Shedden 3rd, Dan Rowbottom 7th

WSR

West Surrey Racing have looked quickest in testing thus far and have the second-strongest driver line-up on the grid, and so I think they will be the team to beat at the start of the season, and in Colin Turkington they have one of the greatest of all time. However, while he will definitely be in the title hunt, over the whole season my money would still be on Ash Sutton. Turkington will still win multiple races and I predict the first race at Donington will be among them. Jake Hill is a strong signing for the team and will also be around the championship battle but perhaps not quite on Turkington's level, and in these two drivers WSR also have the two best at Croft, so will surely win a race there. Stephen Jelley is a solid driver and will probably take more podiums and maybe a win, but won't challenge for the championship.

Predicted championship positions: Colin Turkington 2nd, Jake Hill 5th, Stephen Jelley 14th

Excelr8

The Hyundai team have made huge steps forward during their short time in the championship, and Tom Ingram as their lead driver will once again be challenging for the championship, after coming close many times before. However, I think he will yet again fall short, but will win at Silverstone and other places. Tom Chilton is his teammate and will be hoping for a much easier time on his return to FWD. Only four years ago, Chilton finished third in the championship and is not old enough to be declining yet, so it would be a surprise if he were to have a winless season, but he will not be a title contender this time. Dan Lloyd is the third driver, moving from Power Maxed after a strong season, and I think he and Chilton will be very close on pace. He too could win a race, maybe at Brands Hatch. Jack Butel will continue to improve in the fourth car but as others will be doing the same and the overall grid is stronger this year I think he will slip back in the final standings.

Predicted championship positions: Tom Ingram 4th, Tom Chilton 11th, Dan Lloyd 12th, Jack Butel 27th

Motorbase

The team that has had the best pre-season is probably Motorbase, and while it is a travesty that they haven't won a championship before now (coming closest in 2011 and 2016), I think this could be their year. The lineup has echoes of that of Team BMR in 2015. A team that won just two races the previous year signing the reigning champion, generally considered to be the best on the grid, but with him having to adapt to FWD machinery which he hasn't driven in the BTCC since the start of his career, being a RWD specialist, and being joined by another of the strongest drivers on the grid, one of his main rivals, as a new teammate. However, unlike in 2015 when Plato came out on top but both missed out on the championship, I predict that 2022 will be the year that Ash Sutton claims his fourth championship, equalling the record held by Andy Rouse and becoming, unless I'm very much mistaken, the first driver ever to win the BTCC in both FWD and RWD machinery. He might struggle for wins at the start of the season while adjusting but over the whole season Sutton is my pick for champion. Dan Cammish should be in the title battle too and win at Brands Hatch but I don't think he'll be quite there. It's great to have him back on the grid and in these two, Motorbase have the strongest lineup on the grid. Ollie Jackson might get on the podium again but I don't expect to see him win another race, while Osborne is improving and will score more points without challenging for podiums.

Predicted championship positions: Ash Sutton 1st, Dan Cammish 6th, Ollie Jackson 18th, Sam Osborne 23rd

Power Maxed Racing

It may be a difficult season for PMR, losing star drivers Jason Plato and Dan Lloyd over the off-season and still persisting with the ageing Astra. However, although they are likely to experience a winless season, they have a driver lineup good enough for podiums, and I think they'll be back stronger in 2023 with a new car and star driver. Michael Crees improved significantly between 2019 and 2020 and after a season out I think he will continue to score points and possibly get a podium, while Ash Hand was a surprising but excellent signing who challenged Sutton for the Clio Cup title in 2015 and who I think will claim a podium, maybe at Thruxton or Silverstone.

Predicted championship positions: Ash Hand 17th, Michael Crees 20th

Speedworks

Speedworks had a slightly disappointing season last year as Butcher took a while to get on top of the car, but I think they will improve this season and do well with the hybrid system. The problem is, most of their rivals will do the same so they may not make progress in the championship standings. Butcher will still win races, maybe at Silverstone, and I think he will have a mathematical chance of the championship at Brands Hatch. Meanwhile, Ricky Collard is a strong signing for the second driver and Speedworks should finally have two potential race winners for the first time ever. I think Collard will score podiums and maybe win a race but won't beat Butcher overall.

Predicted championship positions: Rory Butcher 8th, Ricky Collard 15th

Ciceley

Another team that had a disappointing 2021 was Ciceley, with two fairly lucky wins for Adam Morgan not being enough for him to break the top ten in the championship. However, another year of learning with rear-wheel-drive will be beneficial to him and I think he'll make that top ten this year, and win a race at Oulton Park. The second drivers at the team have always struggled in the past, but George Gamble has had a decent pre-season and should get a lot of points finishes and challenge for the Jack Sears Trophy.

Predicted championship positions: Adam Morgan 10th, George Gamble 19th

Team HARD

It could be another difficult season for Team HARD, who may go backwards in the pecking order due to others improving. I predict they will have a difficult start to the season but will improve over the course of it and take at least one podium. Jack Goff currently is their lead driver but there are rumours circulating that he has lost his drive in favour of someone with more money, but if he does stay I think he'll be their top scorer and get a podium at Snetterton. Aron Taylor-Smith's last few seasons in the championship have been underwhelming and he seems not quite as good as Aron Smith, but this could be the season he gets back to his past form and I think he won't be far behind Goff, and will be on the podium at Silverstone. Bobby Thompson was a good signing as the third driver but being in the slowest car will struggle to score more than a handful of points. The fourth driver is currently unknown with Nic Hamilton as the favourite, but will probably still be at the back of the field. Meanwhile, HARD are also fielding a fifth car for Rick Parfitt, an Infiniti, and he should be more competitive with rear-wheel drive. However, while he may take his first point, he will probably still be towards the back of the field.

Predicted championship positions: Jack Goff 21st, Aron Taylor-Smith 22nd, Bobby Thompson 25th, Rick Parfitt 28th, Nic Hamilton 29th

[steve_r]

Suttons switch from RWD to FWD means that it is hard for me to pick an outright clear favorite for the title. He will still be in the mix for the title together with Turkington and probably Cook, Butcher and Ingram. Then we have the likes of Sheddon, Rowbottom & Cammish who could also mount a title challenge.

The list of potential race winners probably covers half of the grid. Plus, we don't really know how the switch to hybrid engines will mix up balance of power.

[BTCC frog]

This thread was intended as the five predictions one. My five predictions will be:

1. Ash Sutton will not be leading the championship after Croft but will win it.
2. The hybrid system is not deemed a success for performance balancing and success ballast returns at the end of the year.
3. At least ten drivers will win races.
4. Jake Hill will win at least once at Croft.
5. Sutton, Turkington and Shedden will all have a chance of the championship going into the 30th race of the season.

[Matt K]

Shame there are no more predictions here, I've always enjoyed reading them all and also checking how right or wrong I was.

Anyway, my predictions for the season:

1. Laser Tools Racing will fail to win a race
2. There'll be at least 10 positions in standings of a difference between Aiden Moffat and Dexter Patterson at the end of the season.
3. Dan Cammish will have the upper hand on Ash Sutton in the beginning of the season.
4. Colin Turkington will be the championship leader after round one.
5. Jake Hill won't be in the Top 5 of the championship.

[crmalcolm]

Five predictions for 2022:

1 - Goff will be on the grid at Brands Hatch GP in October.
2 - Honda cars will take all 9 podiums in a weekend.
3 - A driver will admit in interview that they forgot to use hybrid during a race.
4 - Plato will end the season on 99 wins, having finished second to Josh cook in two races.
5 - The overall champion will be driving for a constructor/manufacturer entry.

And for a bit of fun:
1 - Tim Harvey will miss one of the races, having been late getting to the commentary box.
2 - Tom Ingram will accidentally refer to Ginsters in an interview.
3 - The T.I.Ts van and inflatable doll will make another TV appearance.
4 - Steve Rider will get 'dunked' (or similar) by a driver at Snetterton.
5 - A non-scottish driver will appear on the podium at Knockhill wearing a ginger wig and Tam O' Shanter.

[rdjones]

Five predictions for 2022 from me

1 - Jason Plato will win the last round of the championship and that will be his 100th and final win
2 - At least 4 drivers will be in hunt for the championship going to the last meeting of the year
3 - A BMW will win at least one race at every round
4 - Team Hard's 4th Cupra will not appear at all
5 - Matt Neal will be on the grid at the last round at Brands for one last head to head with old mate Mr Plato....

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by rdjones

Five predictions for 2022 from me

1 - Jason Plato will win the last round of the championship and that will be his 100th and final win
2 - At least 4 drivers will be in hunt for the championship going to the last meeting of the year
3 - A BMW will win at least one race at every round
4 - Team Hard's 4th Cupra will not appear at all
5 - Matt Neal will be on the grid at the last round at Brands for one last head to head with old mate Mr Plato....

Imagine the fall-out if 5 happened, and as a result prevented 1 from happening?

[hen henths]

My predictions:

1. At least one driver will be disqualified for a ride height infringement in one of the final three weekends.
2. Gordon Shedden will start two races from the back of the grid but finish both in the top 15.
3. Ricky Collard will finish seventh in the championship.
4. Ash Hand will win a reverse grid race.
5. Jason Plato will end the season with 101 wins and will surprise everyone by returning next year!

[porsche962fan]

1. Sutton will win the title
2. there will be moaning and possible restrictions on Beamers
3. Plato will fail to get the 100th win
4. HARD will change at least one driver during season
5. Jade Edwards will fail to get a top 10

[rdjones]

Originally Posted by rdjones

Five predictions for 2022 from me

1 - Jason Plato will win the last round of the championship and that will be his 100th and final win
2 - At least 4 drivers will be in hunt for the championship going to the last meeting of the year
3 - A BMW will win at least one race at every round
4 - Team Hard's 4th Cupra will not appear at all
5 - Matt Neal will be on the grid at the last round at Brands for one last head to head with old mate Mr Plato....

1 - Nope
2 - Yep
3 - Nope
4 - Nope
5 - Nope

1 from 5....

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by Matt K

Shame there are no more predictions here, I've always enjoyed reading them all and also checking how right or wrong I was.

Anyway, my predictions for the season:

1. Laser Tools Racing will fail to win a race
2. There'll be at least 10 positions in standings of a difference between Aiden Moffat and Dexter Patterson at the end of the season.
3. Dan Cammish will have the upper hand on Ash Sutton in the beginning of the season.
4. Colin Turkington will be the championship leader after round one.
5. Jake Hill won't be in the Top 5 of the championship.

1. True - just a single podium!
2. False - although Moffat collected a lot more points.
3. False - Cammish was quite in the shadow of Ash most of the season
4. False - I think it was Ingram.
5. False - close to being a champion actually!

I think my worst predictions to date!
Anyway, hoping the traditional 5 predictions for the 2023 season will also be held and with a revived popularity!

[hen henths]

Originally Posted by hen henths

My predictions:

1. At least one driver will be disqualified for a ride height infringement in one of the final three weekends.
2. Gordon Shedden will start two races from the back of the grid but finish both in the top 15.
3. Ricky Collard will finish seventh in the championship.
4. Ash Hand will win a reverse grid race.
5. Jason Plato will end the season with 101 wins and will surprise everyone by returning next year!

1. Nope. We saw Tingram being extra careful picking up marbles after what happened to him and Sutton, being disqualified from 1st and 2nd at Knockhill in 2018!
2. I think so, yes, at Croft and Snetterton (so long as "back of the grid" means near the back due to a retirement rather than last - would have to check grid positions otherwise). He had 4 retirements this year including R1 at Brands GP.
3. Nope, 16th. For some reason I really underestimated the amount of top talent in the top quarter of the leaderboard this year.
4. Nope, 9th was his best race 3 result.
5. Sadly not to the first part and the second part doesn't sound too likely but who knows?

Originally Posted by Matt K

Anyway, hoping the traditional 5 predictions for the 2023 season will also be held and with a revived popularity!

Yeah, I really enjoyed this.

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

1. Sutton will win the title
2. there will be moaning and possible restrictions on Beamers
3. Plato will fail to get the 100th win
4. HARD will change at least one driver during season
5. Jade Edwards will fail to get a top 10

1) no
2) yes
3) yes
4) yes
5) yes

[hen henths]

It's interesting how far off the poll results were on who would win the drivers' championship. No-one predicted Ingram's win. Votes for Sutton and Hill were arguably the only ones that came close. It was undoubtedly a disappointing season for Turks and Cookie.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by hen henths

It's interesting how far off the poll results were on who would win the drivers' championship. No-one predicted Ingram's win. Votes for Sutton and Hill were arguably the only ones that came close. It was undoubtedly a disappointing season for Turks and Cookie.

For the last three or four of these my top prediction has been 'Ingram wins the championship'. The one year I didn't say it...!