[BTCC] BTCC 2022 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I think the NACA ducts being referred to are those above the driver's name:

Yup, that's them AFAIK. Looks like someone pinched the windows off of a NASCAR car.

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Yup, that's them AFAIK. Looks like someone pinched the windows off of a NASCAR car.

don't you know that's WSR secret development for extra speed, if the other teams find out they will all copy it

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by BobJones

WSR, most professional team on the grid to have the foresight to change [...] the bonnet and rear side windows

It seems like they were evaluating options.

Jelley had NACA ducts and louvres, Hill louvres only and Turkington no ducts at all.

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Yup, that's them AFAIK. Looks like someone pinched the windows off of a NASCAR car.

They've been present since the start of NGTC in different forms. I remember the Audi A4s having them.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

...WSR secret development for extra speed...

I didn't realise it was secret. I thought everybody knew it was the big Irish bit that holds on to the round turnaroundy bit!

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

They've been present since the start of NGTC in different forms. I remember the Audi A4s having them.

I wonder if some of it comes down to driver preference?

Looking at the Audi A4s, a quick search of images shows vents being in place for when Abbott was driving the car, but not always when Austin was behind the wheel.



The 1-series was another case - Jelley regularly had some form of venting, but not Turkington as often (likewise with the 330e).




Other cars have had rear-side vents at one point:



It seems to be a more common feature on the longer cars through the years - being seen regularly on the Insignia, VW CC and Avensis. Perhaps it is better suited (or less impactful) on a longer car?

I'm not sure it's really a note to admire in WSR though - just a recognition that they are trying things during testing that have been seen on cars since at least 2014.

[Millvi]

So then (those of you ‘in the know’) are we still of the opinion that there are 3 seats yet to be filled? Or have deals been done?

[Millvi]

Originally Posted by Millvi

So then (those of you ‘in the know’) are we still of the opinion that there are 3 seats yet to be filled? Or have deals been done?

Very careful wording was used with regards to the presence of Plato and Collard the other day I noted.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Millvi

So then (those of you ‘in the know’) are we still of the opinion that there are 3 seats yet to be filled? Or have deals been done?

IF - the '3 seats not signed' was an accurate statement when first made, then deals have been done for at least one of them.

However - as to be expected - some scrutiny on the claim:

6 Feb 22 - 02:46
'Only 3 seats on the grid haven’t been filled yet, and at least one of those is very close to being filled.'

6 Feb 22 - 11:35
'The only 3 not yet signed are 1 at Speedworks and 2 at BTC.'


Which means that, if the statement was accurate at the time of writing:
A Dynamics seat was signed, but is now unsigned (TBL returned).
One BTC seat is unsigned (only one TBL returned).
All Speedworks seats are now signed (one TBL returned).

Or alternatively - some of the seats that were signed are now unsigned, others that were unsigned are now signed, some signed seats have changed, some unsigned seats have been returned.

The only thing we can be certain of - once a seat is signed and publicised, it is confirmed up to the point that the entry is withdrawn. Anything else is speculation in the public domain (even if behind the scenes the details are known).

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by mprmke

Neal will be back driving in 2022.

Which Neal, and in which series?

[Pdh]

Originally Posted by Millvi

So then (those of you ‘in the know’) are we still of the opinion that there are 3 seats yet to be filled? Or have deals been done?

Are we still going on about these so called 3 sear being filled it’s getting rather boring now

[Millvi]

Originally Posted by Pdh

Are we still going on about these so called 3 sear being filled it’s getting rather boring now

Why is it ‘boring’? This entire thread is dedicated to 2022 discussion and rumours!?!?!?!?!?!

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I wonder if some of it comes down to driver preference?

Looking at the Audi A4s, a quick search of images shows vents being in place for when Abbott was driving the car, but not always when Austin was behind the wheel.



The 1-series was another case - Jelley regularly had some form of venting, but not Turkington as often (likewise with the 330e).




Other cars have had rear-side vents at one point:



It seems to be a more common feature on the longer cars through the years - being seen regularly on the Insignia, VW CC and Avensis. Perhaps it is better suited (or less impactful) on a longer car?

I'm not sure it's really a note to admire in WSR though - just a recognition that they are trying things during testing that have been seen on cars since at least 2014.

Is it maybe because the cars do not have a conventional ventilation system due to the front end of the road car being completely removed? Therefore they introduce air via the rear windows?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Is it maybe because the cars do not have a conventional ventilation system due to the front end of the road car being completely removed? Therefore they introduce air via the rear windows?

Quite possibly so. There have been many variations of vents over the years, including window, roof and through-the-bulkhead ducting.

In testing, I would expect to see a number of options being considered, and potentially through the season too as weather conditions fluctuate.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Or alternatively - some of the seats that were signed are now unsigned, others that were unsigned are now signed, some signed seats have changed, some unsigned seats have been returned.

I never had Sir Humphrey Appleby down as a motorsport enthusiast!

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Millvi

Why is it ‘boring’? This entire thread is dedicated to 2022 discussion and rumours!?!?!?!?!?!

What is boring is statements of fact being posted as fact when clearly they are not and then the poster getting stuck into anyone who dares to question them....

[bella]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I never had Sir Humphrey Appleby down as a motorsport enthusiast!

i was gonna say "or armando iannucci" but there's not enough swears in it

[antnee]

As 3 TBLs were handed back, it was true that 3 seats were unsigned

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by antnee

As 3 TBLs were handed back, it was true that 3 seats were unsigned

Ah, but were they the same 3 seats?

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by antnee

As 3 TBLs were handed back, it was true that 3 seats were unsigned

So by that thinking every other seat was sorted back when the great proclamation was made 2-3 months ago which would seem to be at best Fantasy By any measure there are still 4 seats available today

[stuart thompson]

With regards to the vents, I did notice throughout the 5 BMW’s competing at the final round that not all we’re running vents and not exclusive to team, I.e not specific but C.T or Morgan were running vents whereas Jelley and Chilton weren’t. I thought maybe it was car age specific up to that point until realising both Cicely cars were different.

[Craner Curves]

Did anyone mention that Bert has announced he didn't get a licence for this year and is looking at 2023?

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Did anyone mention that Bert has announced he didn't get a licence for this year and is looking at 2023?

Oh really?

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Oh really?

Yes on his Taylor Racing Facebook group. 2 days ago.

[S griffin]

It's a shame he didn't stay with BTC, but it's in decent hands now, although there are still a few unknowns to combat this year