BTCC 2024 News & Rumours

[ACF_]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

Zelos in a " satellite" Excler8 entry backed by Davanti would be interesting. Is there a spare i30 shell around that's not the crashed Lloyd car to make this feasible?

Or a spare Dynamics/One Motorsport Civic shell perhaps?

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

Zelos in a " satellite" Excler8 entry backed by Davanti would be interesting. Is there a spare i30 shell around that's not the crashed Lloyd car to make this feasible?

Unless Excelr8 have built a new one over the winter, the only spare is the somewhat bettered ex-Lloyd car.

I would be a little surprised if Davanti would want to be involved in a series where Kwik Fit were the title sponsor. Kwik Fit don't stock Davanti tyres and are a direct competitor to the independent tyre fitters and garages that make up Davanti's customer base. As a team/driver/sponsor it's very difficult to put out any press release or promotional material that doesn't mention the mention the full title of the series and therefore reference Kwik Fit.

[Pickles]

I know there was a compromise with Dynamics running Goodyear number plates instead of Kwik Fit, but if it was that much of an issue then surely Halfords wouldn't have wanted to promote their Autocentres in a Kwik Fit sponsored series? I'd have thought Davanti would jump at the chance to be involved in the headline act on a TOCA weekend.

[redshoes]

Kwik Fit may be a direct competitor to Halfords Autocentre but Halfords do much more than that. You don't see Kwik Fit selling bikes or general automotive accessories. It's much less of a clash

[Evantra]

Halstead livery - black in place of the Bristol Street blue

https://x.com/thmotorsport_/status/1...T11pmdgnSSDQzA

[Millvi]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Halstead livery - black in place of the Bristol Street blue

https://x.com/thmotorsport_/status/1...T11pmdgnSSDQzA

More images here :

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5JCA8QNdKT/?igsh=MXNpbXpsYmo3NDQxag==

Looks really good I think.

[Mondeo Man33]

Originally Posted by Millvi

Looks really good I think.

I agree, it’s nice to see something a bit different!

[Greem]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Halstead livery - black in place of the Bristol Street blue

https://x.com/thmotorsport_/status/1...T11pmdgnSSDQzA

Ah, that's why we couldn't get the safety car through that bit of the Donington paddock today! I wondered what all the people were clustered round.

I think we probably went past it later on but didn't notice. What we did notice was all the confetti, it blew everywhere!

[InYourMirrors45]

Anyone got an update on the entry lists for all the support category’s? Someone posted one a month or so back and it didn’t look too healthy.

[SV8Predator]

Originally Posted by InYourMirrors45

Someone posted one a month or so back and it didn’t look too healthy.

More negativity!

[InYourMirrors45]

Originally Posted by SV8Predator

More negativity!

Someone posted an entry list and I think the Porsche Caymans and Mini’s in particular were very short on numbers, so wondered if anymore entries had been confirmed within the last month or so. Was just wondering out of curiosity, simple question really but never mind if it seems to of triggered you.

[coffinpilot]

I'll add to that negativity. The Sprint Series. Doesn't matter if there's 3 or 30 cars, it's just time to go grab a couple of beers!!

Hope it picks up this year, because I like the cars (unlike F4, love the racing but that engine noise drones like my wife snoring after five or six pints of Guinness!!)

[billy bleach]

Honestly all the Naysayers why don’t you stop torturing yourselves and go and find something that actually interests you ? Maybe Model aircraft flying or knitting? Noise , liveries, drivers, grid sizes, costs, crowd sizes - will it ever end?!

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Honestly all the Naysayers why don’t you stop torturing yourselves and go and find something that actually interests you ? Maybe Model aircraft flying or knitting? Noise , liveries, drivers, grid sizes, costs, crowd sizes - will it ever end?!

It ended in 2000, and has been downhill ever since.

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Honestly all the Naysayers why don’t you stop torturing yourselves and go and find something that actually interests you ? !

be careful what you wish for

apathy is far more deadlier for a series than criticize it

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

be careful what you wish for

apathy is far more deadlier for a series than criticize it

says one of the most negative people on this forum


but it’s just a normal forum thing
pretty much any forum for any series is full of negativity

I guess that’s why forums in general are dying unfortunately

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by InYourMirrors45

Anyone got an update on the entry lists for all the support category’s? Someone posted one a month or so back and it didn’t look too healthy.

There are several official test days for Porsche, MINI and F4 coming up during the first fortnight in April so we should hopefully get more of an understanding of how many entries to expect then. I'll try to keep an eye on any social media updates and TSL and will update these lists.

PCCGB has a very strong Pro category, I'd expect a few more Pro-Ams and maybe another couple of Ams to emerge during testing. F4 grid seems largely complete, there may be a few drivers who join late. Porsche Sprint Challenge announcements have been scarce although their season starts late at Snetterton owing to the late delivery dates for the new car. The MINI JCW field will likely be smaller this year as both Graves and Hybrid Tune won't be entering.

I have probably missed some announcements and, as ever, some entries may not materialise.

PCCGB:

Dan Lloyd - Toro Verde GT (Pro)
Jack Butel - Toro Verde GT (Pro-Am)
Hugo Ellis - Team Parker Racing (Pro)
Sid Smith - Team Parker Racing (Pro)
Stephen Jelley - Team Parker Racing (Pro)
Matthew Rees – Team Parker Racing (Pro)
Lee Mowle - Team Parker Racing (Am)
James Wallis - JTR (Pro) - Porsche GB Junior for 2024/2025
Josh Stanton - JTR (Pro-Am)
Andrew Rackstraw - JTR (Pro-Am?)
Josh Malin - Race Drive (Pro)
Oliver White - Race Drive (Pro-Am)
George Gamble – Rosland Gold by Century Motorsport (Pro)
Will Burns – Rosland Gold by Century Motorsport (Pro)

British F4: No official entry list yet so driver numbers may change – drivers marked[*] have appeared in official F4 tests but have not been confirmed as competing by the organisers.

#3 - Nina Gademan (NED) - Fortec
#8 - Kai Daryanani (IND) – Fortec
#48 – Alex Berg (CAN) - Fortec
#4 - Mika Abrahams (RSA) - Hitech Pulse-Eight
#5 - Reza Seewooruthun (GBR) - Hitech Pulse-Eight
#6 – Gabriel Stilp (GBR) – Hitech Pulse-Eight[*]
#7 - Deagen Fairclough (GBR) - Hitech Pulse-Eight
#9 – Emily Cotty (GBR) – Phinsys by Argenti[*]
#42 - Rowan Campbell-Pilling (GBR) – Phinsys by Argenti
#56 - Yuanpu Cui (CHN) – Phinsys by Argenti
#87 – Matus Ryba (SVK) – Phinsys by Argenti[*]
#11 - Chloe Chong (GBR) - JHR
#22 - Joel Bergstrom (SWE) – JHR
#33 - Leo Robinson (ALG) - JHR
#44 - Ella Lloyd (GBR) - JHR
#9 - Abbi Pulling (GBR) - Rodin
#12 - Alex Ninovic (AUS) - Rodin
#18 - James Higgins (GBR) - Rodin
#78 - Jack Sherwood (GBR) – Rodin
#23 – Zack Scoular (UAE) – Xcel Motorsport
#17 – Maxwell Dodds (GBR) – Virtuosi Racing[*]
#24 – Martin Molnar (HUN) – Virtuosi Racing
#99 – Yuhao Fu (CHN) – Virtuosi Racing
#66 – Chloe Grant (GBR) – Chris Dittmann Racing[*]
#77 – Bart Harrison (GBR) – Chris Dittmann Racing

Porsche Sprint Challenge GB (season starts at Snetterton):

Will Jenkins - Team Parker Racing
Oscar Dix - Team Parker Racing
Oliver Meadows – Team Parker Racing
George Jaxon - JW Bird
Darelle Wilson - JW Bird
Max Coates - Graves Motorsport?

MINI JCW:

Max Hall - EXCELR8
Dominic Wheatley – EXCELR8
Jamie Osborne - NAPA Racing UK
Lewis Selby - NAPA Racing UK
Chris Mackenzie - Bitcoin Racing
Trevor Keates – Mannpower Motorsport
Marlo Cordell – JamSport
Lydia Walmsley – Lydia Walmsley Racing
Nelson King – Laser Tools Racing
Cameron Richardson - NAPA Racing UK (JCW Sport)
Albert Webster – JRW Motorsport (JCW Sport)
Ben Crossley – JamSport (JCW Sport)

Of the series joining as a guest: Legends will probably be a capacity entry; the CTCRC Pre-66 field attracted 30+ entries for its season opener this weekend; Mini Miglias and Mini Se7ens both achieved 30+ entries this weekend; the MINI Trophy I would expect a field in the middle-to-high 20s. Caterhams and Radicals I know very little about.

[Evantra]

Thanks as ever SSmith. F4 looks excellent and Carrera Cup should be a real close battle at the front. The other two are more worrying although I think there’s usually a late flourish with the Minis.

[antnee]

Originally Posted by Daverb

I don’t agree with this.

Driver wise it looks great although it’s a shame we have lost a lot of drivers and some who want a drive can’t get one.

Team wise it’s poor. Good teams, poor numbers.

It doesn’t have anything to do with negative outlooks it’s just facts.

Out of the 20 announced entries, only 7 aren't previous race winners. Only 2/3 haven't had a podium (If Pearson didn't have to follow team orders at KH).
I would say there are only 4 drivers who genuinely don't have the ability/car to win a race - Osborne, Halstead, DeLeon and Sumpton.

I would say that is the best grid in a long, long time.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Thanks as ever SSmith. F4 looks excellent and Carrera Cup should be a real close battle at the front. The other two are more worrying although I think there’s usually a late flourish with the Minis.

My pleasure!

I completely agree. All of the PCCGB Pro-rated drivers are capable of winning races. The F4 promoter and car changes made in 2022 to bring the UK more inline with F4 racing in Europe and the Middle East has borne fruit once again. Its important that there are 4 young women confirmed on the grid - Gademan, Chong, Lloyd and established talent Pulling

[ACF_]

Originally Posted by SSmith

My pleasure!

I completely agree. All of the PCCGB Pro-rated drivers are capable of winning races. The F4 promoter and car changes made in 2022 to bring the UK more inline with F4 racing in Europe and the Middle East has borne fruit once again. Its important that there are 4 young women confirmed on the grid - Gademan, Chong, Lloyd and established talent Pulling

Not sure if they're both confirmed, but there's actually 6 on the list if you include Emily Cotty & Chloe Grant

[ACF_]

Originally Posted by ACF_

Not sure if they're both confirmed, but there's actually 6 on the list if you include Emily Cotty & Chloe Grant

Actually, scrap that, I've just realised they're both marked as unconfirmed. Fingers crossed they'll be confirmed soon

[coffinpilot]

Oliver Cottam confirmed on his social media last week that he's shifted from TCR UK to the Porsche Sprint series for this year.

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by SSmith

There are several official test days for Porsche, MINI and F4 coming up during the first fortnight in April so we should hopefully get more of an understanding of how many entries to expect then. I'll try to keep an eye on any social media updates and TSL and will update these lists.

PCCGB has a very strong Pro category, I'd expect a few more Pro-Ams and maybe another couple of Ams to emerge during testing. F4 grid seems largely complete, there may be a few drivers who join late. Porsche Sprint Challenge announcements have been scarce although their season starts late at Snetterton owing to the late delivery dates for the new car. The MINI JCW field will likely be smaller this year as both Graves and Hybrid Tune won't be entering.

I have probably missed some announcements and, as ever, some entries may not materialise.

PCCGB:

Dan Lloyd - Toro Verde GT (Pro)
Jack Butel - Toro Verde GT (Pro-Am)
Hugo Ellis - Team Parker Racing (Pro)
Sid Smith - Team Parker Racing (Pro)
Stephen Jelley - Team Parker Racing (Pro)
Matthew Rees – Team Parker Racing (Pro)
Lee Mowle - Team Parker Racing (Am)
James Wallis - JTR (Pro) - Porsche GB Junior for 2024/2025
Josh Stanton - JTR (Pro-Am)
Andrew Rackstraw - JTR (Pro-Am?)
Josh Malin - Race Drive (Pro)
Oliver White - Race Drive (Pro-Am)
George Gamble – Rosland Gold by Century Motorsport (Pro)
Will Burns – Rosland Gold by Century Motorsport (Pro)

British F4: No official entry list yet so driver numbers may change – drivers marked[*] have appeared in official F4 tests but have not been confirmed as competing by the organisers.

#3 - Nina Gademan (NED) - Fortec
#8 - Kai Daryanani (IND) – Fortec
#48 – Alex Berg (CAN) - Fortec
#4 - Mika Abrahams (RSA) - Hitech Pulse-Eight
#5 - Reza Seewooruthun (GBR) - Hitech Pulse-Eight
#6 – Gabriel Stilp (GBR) – Hitech Pulse-Eight[*]
#7 - Deagen Fairclough (GBR) - Hitech Pulse-Eight
#9 – Emily Cotty (GBR) – Phinsys by Argenti[*]
#42 - Rowan Campbell-Pilling (GBR) – Phinsys by Argenti
#56 - Yuanpu Cui (CHN) – Phinsys by Argenti
#87 – Matus Ryba (SVK) – Phinsys by Argenti[*]
#11 - Chloe Chong (GBR) - JHR
#22 - Joel Bergstrom (SWE) – JHR
#33 - Leo Robinson (ALG) - JHR
#44 - Ella Lloyd (GBR) - JHR
#9 - Abbi Pulling (GBR) - Rodin
#12 - Alex Ninovic (AUS) - Rodin
#18 - James Higgins (GBR) - Rodin
#78 - Jack Sherwood (GBR) – Rodin
#23 – Zack Scoular (UAE) – Xcel Motorsport
#17 – Maxwell Dodds (GBR) – Virtuosi Racing[*]
#24 – Martin Molnar (HUN) – Virtuosi Racing
#99 – Yuhao Fu (CHN) – Virtuosi Racing
#66 – Chloe Grant (GBR) – Chris Dittmann Racing[*]
#77 – Bart Harrison (GBR) – Chris Dittmann Racing

Porsche Sprint Challenge GB (season starts at Snetterton):

Will Jenkins - Team Parker Racing
Oscar Dix - Team Parker Racing
Oliver Meadows – Team Parker Racing
George Jaxon - JW Bird
Darelle Wilson - JW Bird
Max Coates - Graves Motorsport?

MINI JCW:

Max Hall - EXCELR8
Dominic Wheatley – EXCELR8
Jamie Osborne - NAPA Racing UK
Lewis Selby - NAPA Racing UK
Chris Mackenzie - Bitcoin Racing
Trevor Keates – Mannpower Motorsport
Marlo Cordell – JamSport
Lydia Walmsley – Lydia Walmsley Racing
Nelson King – Laser Tools Racing
Cameron Richardson - NAPA Racing UK (JCW Sport)
Albert Webster – JRW Motorsport (JCW Sport)
Ben Crossley – JamSport (JCW Sport)

Of the series joining as a guest: Legends will probably be a capacity entry; the CTCRC Pre-66 field attracted 30+ entries for its season opener this weekend; Mini Miglias and Mini Se7ens both achieved 30+ entries this weekend; the MINI Trophy I would expect a field in the middle-to-high 20s. Caterhams and Radicals I know very little about.

Because I have other things to do on a Sunday I often record the itv4 coverage and speed through some bits unwatched so I don’t watch all the support categories. Will definitely want to see the Porsche series this year with all those familiar names . However the last few seasons have thrown up real young talent and it’s to be hoped this isn’t stifled by the evergrowing trend for ex touring car drivers looking for a cheaper alternative . Remember this is also a nursery series for sone with serious intent in the GT world. F4 looks strong in numbers but often find the racing too messy and too many Mini races have ended in budget wrecking accidents . Not worried by low numbers as this and the caymans will be supplemented by semi pro drivers who join in without the usual fanfare .

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by antnee

Out of the 20 announced entries, only 7 aren't previous race winners. Only 2/3 haven't had a podium (If Pearson didn't have to follow team orders at KH).
I would say there are only 4 drivers who genuinely don't have the ability/car to win a race - Osborne, Halstead, DeLeon and Sumpton.

I would say that is the best grid in a long, long time.

If Thompson Zelos and maybe Proctor were added it would be doubly so , all 3 lack finance but could take on the established set . Bit harsh on Osborne who needs to temper his driving a little but with that car he definitely stands a chance in a reverse grid race .