[BTCC] BTCC News & Rumours 2025

[porsche962fan]

isn't printed press essentially dinosaur by this point ?

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by Pickles

Regarding who is going to take the title this year out of Sutton, Ingram or Hill, I think Daryl DeLeon could turn out to be a major contender and a real thorn in Jake's side.

you really rate Deleon above Cook and Cammish ?? cause those 2 are probably right behind that trio

[Matt K]

Adam Smalley hints big news tomorrow. Could it be BTCC-related? 4th seat at Excelr8 or Speedworks possible? Although I'd rather expect him to stay in the GT racing at this point.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

isn't printed press essentially dinosaur by this point ?

It beat every other form of media in breaking the Shedden news!

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Matt K

Adam Smalley hints big news tomorrow. Could it be BTCC-related? 4th seat at Excelr8 or Speedworks possible? Although I'd rather expect him to stay in the GT racing at this point.

Yes I fully agree.

I'd expect him to stay in GT racing given the amount of success he had last year with Garage59 McLaren in British GT and GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup.

I'd anticipate a British GT announcement tomorrow (there's probably scheduled to be one-per-day from the championship this week), and Garage59 are yet to announce their GT World Challenge Europe lineups and he would be a great fit to step up from their Bronze class entry to their Pro class entry.

But he would no doubt be very very quick in BTCC with the right car.

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

you really rate Deleon above Cook and Cammish ?? cause those 2 are probably right behind that trio

I think DeLeon in a BMW will have the same impact as Hill did when he first joined WSR and was immediately taking lumps out of Turkington.

[S griffin]

Give DeLeon time. WSR have shown they are quite good at developing drivers in the past

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by Pickles

I think DeLeon in a BMW will have the same impact as Hill did when he first joined WSR and was immediately taking lumps out of Turkington.

The difference is that when Hill moved to WSR he had 5 full time seasons under his belt and 3 wins + a number of podiums. Was already quite experienced, ready to be a championship contender and WSR was just what was needed to kind of elevate him to the BTCC's 'top league.'

In comparison, Deleon's experience is very limited, he's a lot younger and his best result in the BTCC is 7th place. I've no doubt about his talent but it'd be a big surprise if he was able to challenge Jake. Can he grab a number of podiums? Can happen. But he won't be fighting for the title yet. But let's see, would be nice if he surprised me.

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by SSmith

Yes I fully agree.

I'd expect him to stay in GT racing given the amount of success he had last year with Garage59 McLaren in British GT and GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup.

I'd anticipate a British GT announcement tomorrow (there's probably scheduled to be one-per-day from the championship this week), and Garage59 are yet to announce their GT World Challenge Europe lineups and he would be a great fit to step up from their Bronze class entry to their Pro class entry.

But he would no doubt be very very quick in BTCC with the right car.

Yeah, it's probably about GT as you say, perhaps a GTWC drive or something like that. Although I seem to remember there were rumours about him trying to get a BTCC drive a year or two ago and it'd be great to see him in touring cars. We'll see tomorrow but the more I think of it, the less likely it seems to me it could be about BTCC.

[S griffin]

I think Smalley would take to the BTCC like a duck to water, but like others have said, I’m not sure he would want to leave GTs

[MarcusH26]

Smalley is now a McLaren Junior so no BTCC for him. Would expect him in another BGT/GTWC split programme.

[Racing Harz]

Full GTWC is confirmed for him.

[Millvi]

The Jack Sears competition for 2025 looks to be shaping up well. And even more so if Dan Zelos can land the additional funding to seal him his drive with Excelr8.

[Millvi]

Anyone heard any whispers about PMR? I did wonder if the announcement about Liquid Moly and the TOCA M-Sport engine could perhaps see them have a larger sponsorship deal with PMR and take the main role there and a livery featuring their branding.

If PMR can return and the likes of Huff/Watson/Thompson/Proctor/Doble/Zelos find their way into drives for 2025 the quality of the grid looks to be very strong.

[mf51]

Originally Posted by BobJones

Sensational news - I'm sure Shedden can still deliver, seems like a rabbit has been pulled out of the hat here.

Now... will Huff return?

Will be great to see Gordon back. Question is what budget/sponsor did he bring to the team?

[Ant25]

Originally Posted by Millvi

Anyone heard any whispers about PMR? I did wonder if the announcement about Liquid Moly and the TOCA M-Sport engine could perhaps see them have a larger sponsorship deal with PMR and take the main role there and a livery featuring their branding.

If PMR can return and the likes of Huff/Watson/Thompson/Proctor/Doble/Zelos find their way into drives for 2025 the quality of the grid looks to be very strong.

Apparently on another forum someone has said PMR are sorted! Not sure if to believe that or not.

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by Ant25

Apparently on another forum someone has said PMR are sorted! Not sure if to believe that or not.

I’ve heard from elsewhere PMR have found a saviour, not sure if it’s a new title sponsor, or a driver bringing that along, but it will be great if that’s true.

[InYourMirrors45]

Originally Posted by Jiiiiiiim

I’ve heard from elsewhere PMR have found a saviour, not sure if it’s a new title sponsor, or a driver bringing that along, but it will be great if that’s true.

Potentially Halsted?

[coffinpilot]

Audi have announced the return of the R8 in 2027. Ripe to be developed into a GT3 car, by someone outside of Audi sport - could this link to the Alliance Racing move for 2026 - they said a GT£ opportunity was tied to the deal to develop a new NGTC car for next year...

[S griffin]

It would be good to have the Audi brand represented in the series again, miss their presence

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Audi have announced the return of the R8 in 2027. Ripe to be developed into a GT3 car, by someone outside of Audi sport - could this link to the Alliance Racing move for 2026 - they said a GT£ opportunity was tied to the deal to develop a new NGTC car for next year...

Cannot see Audi going to a non German Team with no GT experiance or indeed car building experiance at all

[Ant25]

Originally Posted by Jiiiiiiim

I’ve heard from elsewhere PMR have found a saviour, not sure if it’s a new title sponsor, or a driver bringing that along, but it will be great if that’s true.

Be really good if true we will have our 24 cars

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by mf51

Will be great to see Gordon back. Question is what budget/sponsor did he bring to the team?

Suggestion is that Toyota were very keen to have Shedden rather than the opposite and a large budget wasn’t part of the issue . His appeal as a recognised name with championship victories and the interest in whether he can do it again may have been incentive enough for existing finances to be raised to cover the cost. Someone has mentioned Yuasa may have stepped into the breech and their ties with Flash would make sense .
The problem most appear to be facing is that the motor industry as a whole has lost interest in commercial sponsorship , but a number of small ones are involved as suppliers , perhaps they and Toyota GB have made up the shortfall.
Hope their is truth in the rumours regarding PMR , losing big sponsors at short notice usually kills teams but at least it happened this time when the team were at a high point , rather than slowly dying naturally. A pay driver may save them but I hope they also attract drivers who can maintain their progress of recent years . A full grid of 24 or even 25 if unlimited were given a 3rd TBL would see the series in very rude health .
Pity no one was able to save Turks and keep him in series . Wish MB and Laser Tools were 2 expand to two cars with Turks or Thompson in the seat . Allegedly WSR were close to commercial sponsors that would have made that happen but BMW GB were unable to help this time . Maybe the industry will perk up sufficiently in the future or are those days dead and buried unless the series becomes more relevant.

[Protonman]

One consolation from my previous thoughts , looking forward to seeing the progress of DeLeon and Rainford at WSR .

[S griffin]

I too hope that PMR are sorted for the season. Be a big shame to lose them and the Astras. They certainly add to the grid