BTCC 2024 News & Rumours

[S griffin]

I do notice the programs have got smaller in size compared to the 90s and 00s. These ones you can easily fit in your pocket

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I do notice the programs have got smaller in size compared to the 90s and 00s. These ones you can easily fit in your pocket

Bit like Chocolate bars

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by tocatrucky

Indeed, programmes are 5 quid alone now. Its on average a £60-70 day out once you've got in the gate. Per person. Which I don't feel is too unreasonable for 10ish hours of stuff to see/do/watch. 8am to 6pm.

That's somewhat misleading as most BTCC Sundays don't kick off until after midday because of noise issues and Church services, so, in reality, it's 6 hours at best less breaks between races and lost time to allow debris to be cleared and, usually, barriers to be repaired.

Yes, you can wander around the paddock in the morning if you want, but at Oulton this year, the paddock was absolutely crammed in the morning which made it uncomfortable; plus the long walk from where we were sitting.

[Andrew Abbott]

BTCC programme in 1989 = £1
BTCC programme in 1999 = £4
BTCC programme in 2009 = £5
BTCC programme in 2019 = £5
BTCC programme in 2023 = £8

All for Donington Park.

[kipper]

Originally Posted by Andrew Abbott

BTCC programme in 1989 = £1
BTCC programme in 1999 = £4
BTCC programme in 2009 = £5
BTCC programme in 2019 = £5
BTCC programme in 2023 = £8

Clearly there was a big leap between the late '80s and '90s. However, applying most figures regarding inflation, £4 in '99 equates to somewhere between £7-£8 now. In other words, in real terms, they haven't gone up much (and in some place, remain at about £5).

Of course, there is a separate debate regarding page counts, information within, etc.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Andrew Abbott

BTCC programme in 1989 = £1
BTCC programme in 1999 = £4
BTCC programme in 2009 = £5
BTCC programme in 2019 = £5
BTCC programme in 2023 = £8

All for Donington Park.

The BTCC wasn’t always the top bill in the 80s don’t forget. I think the last time the BTCC wasn’t the main headline would have been 20 years ago when the CART series came to Brands

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

That's somewhat misleading as most BTCC Sundays don't kick off until after midday because of noise issues and Church services, so, in reality, it's 6 hours at best less breaks between races and lost time to allow debris to be cleared and, usually, barriers to be repaired.

Looking at the scheduled start time of the first and last races at each circuit this year, that's just not true. Oulton and Croft have a late start, and to a lesser Thruxton. All three schedule the pit lane walkabout / autograph session prior to the first race rather than during the lunch break, so it's not as if you are standing around with nothing to do.

Circuit	First Race	Last Race
Donington	09:30	17:25
Brands Hatch	10:00	17:55
Snetterton	09:15	17:15
Thruxton	10:50	17:20
Oulton Park	12:17	17:25
Croft	11:55	17:40
Knockhill	09:20	17:20
Donington GP	09:40	17:25
Silverstone	09:30	17:10
Brands GP	10:05	17:25

[coffinpilot]

I actually thought the Silverstone prog was a good one. A few light articles and interviews with drivers. For a fiver, more BTCC than you get in Autosport for the same price. Some of the £8 ones this year have been entry lists and a hello from the Kwik Fit gaffer and a certain Mr Palmer the corner gardener - very poor, glad they made an effort.
As for food. £10 for a double cheeseburger. Not as good as the £2 one at Towcester Maccy D's! After eating my own food I needed something - to be fair it was nice, but that price is too much. I mean a family day out, or even a lad n dad outing is a tough ask now.

I do recall Stuart Pringle on Radio Le Mans a couple of years back talking about improving the experience for clubs like 750 and the like for the clubbies, he admitted that some of those races made a profit from circuit hore rates that helped the F1 GP.

As for the comment about politics, I get that. It looks like Silverstone is treating BTCC as a mega club event (and BSB too) with a guaranteed income. They seem more interested in bigging up the Silverstone Festival - which must be on par with Moto GP for income now - and they don't want anything national topping that.

Going back and watching it on TV did surprise me a bit, some of the camera angles made it look like there were more people than were there - image is everything.
Will be interesting to see how Brands goes down, especially with the title almost a foregone conclusion.

[Sodemo]

I paid about 45 quid the last time I went to the WEC, I thought that was pretty steep at the time but on reflection for an international series maybe that was about right? I think the biggest rip off was the Silverstone classic. I recall it being about 90 quid entry. I guess they are trying to compete with Goodwood on the pricing front.

[billy bleach]

Glastonbury 2024 £360 for 3 1/2 ish days. Just saying

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Glastonbury 2024 £360 for 3 1/2 ish days. Just saying

Yes that is definitely something you need to save up for

[coffinpilot]

Glasto is like modern F1.
Stuck in a field with Tarquin and Tabitha (funded by Daddy) with an incredibly dull soundtrack wishing you'd stayed at home and ignored it in the background on the telly!

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Glasto is like modern F1.
Stuck in a field with Tarquin and Tabitha (funded by Daddy) with an incredibly dull soundtrack wishing you'd stayed at home and ignored it in the background on the telly!

Have you been to either? I think there’s more to it than that!

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Have you been to either? I think there’s more to it than that!

Both.
Many times.
I think my two oldest kids were conceived at Glasto, and my eldest grandkids. Wouldn't get that at Silverstone - mind you, some of the European and South American GPs I've been to - I could see it there!

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Both.
Many times.
I think my two oldest kids were conceived at Glasto, and my eldest grandkids. Wouldn't get that at Silverstone - mind you, some of the European and South American GPs I've been to - I could see it there!

Tooooo much information

[Matt_123]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Both.
Many times.
I think my two oldest kids were conceived at Glasto, and my eldest grandkids. Wouldn't get that at Silverstone - mind you, some of the European and South American GPs I've been to - I could see it there!

imma just add a pause in here. pause.

[Ant25]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Both.
Many times.
I think my two oldest kids were conceived at Glasto, and my eldest grandkids. Wouldn't get that at Silverstone - mind you, some of the European and South American GPs I've been to - I could see it there!

This is all really good rumours guys haha so excited for next season now ?

[Matt_123]

Originally Posted by Ant25

This is all really good rumours guys haha so excited for next season now ?

hahahaha always good rumours.

anyways who do we think is getting the 4th Hyundai seat alongside Pearson, Ingram and Chilton

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Matt_123

hahahaha always good rumours.

anyways who do we think is getting the 4th Hyundai seat alongside Pearson, Ingram and Chilton

For better or worse, Halstead. If he wants it he can afford it, and I don’t think there’s many who could ‘outbid’ him.

Would rather Zelos finally gets a chance or someone else who could challenge for wins, but it all comes down to money! At least he’s not quite as magnetically attracted to gravel traps since the start of the season, even if he’s not much quicker!

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Matt_123

hahahaha always good rumours.

anyways who do we think is getting the 4th Hyundai seat alongside Pearson, Ingram and Chilton

Ingram and Chilton aren't guaranteed for next year (as per Marcus Simmons' recent Autosport article) but I'd honestly be surprised if they aren't at the team next year.

Personally, I'd like to see Dan Zelos get a chance. There's little for him to prove in MINIs after multiple titles (assuming nothing major happens at Brands GP), he's raced with EXCELR8 for years, and tested the Hyundai back in 2021. Of course, this doesn't factor in the perennial question of sponsorship.

Alternatively, and perhaps more logically, if Halstead is enjoying the BTCC and wants to continue with his sponsors/investment, I'd imagine him re-signing with the team.

A real wildcard would be someone like Bradley Gravett. Races for EXCELR8 and it seems like he has some decent backers in MINI JCW. There's also the nice storyline of the Gravett name returning for the first time since 1998.

The recent rumours of 6 Hyundais could easily shape the lineup (4 EXCELR8 + 2 customer). I don't think this arrangement would come to fruition but who knows. As a bad and highly unlikely example of how a customer Hyundai team could influence the 4th EXCELR8 seat, say Halstead's old friends at Fox Motorsport wanted in, he would move there which would open up the 4th EXCELR8 seat.

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Ant25

This is all really good rumours guys haha so excited for next season now ?

Indeed!
I think Halstead will stay - he's too invested in Crazy Carts to go elsewhere!

But seriously, on two fronts, he did say that when he moved to the BTCC he wanted to be in a front running car, with no point doing it in halves. He has the backing (it's not all his own money like some seem to think!) and I reckon he wants a second crack. Other drivers in a similar position have given it a second year at least. You can tell when older 'gentlemen' drivers are done. They start moaning - Nick seems quite up with everything still. I think that signifies he's still onboard too.

The second front is related to the Carts though. He's the only driver who has had the gumption to come in and try and change the social/digital aspect of the BTCC - it's a long, long, long way from being where it should be, but without him it wouldn't be were it is right now - which is a few steps forward from 12 months ago (which was the same as 12 years ago if I'm being slightly pedantic.)

If Ingram doesn't stay what's a real option? I bet he doesn't have to bring the budget of Pearson or Halstead. BSM will want him. I can't see him in a RWD. Back to Toyota? Space at NAPA?
Or what about leftfield? An independent Focus or i30? If a team takes up the cars if they come in?

[Matt K]

Nah, I'd be extremely surprised (and disappointed) if Ingram was not retained by Excelr8. I mean, financial stuff can always change things for worse but I'd like to think things are pretty stable at Excelr8. So provided there's no sponsorship-related issues, I just can't see why Tingram would leave. He's far ahead of the other three drivers, built the team around himself. No point in leaving. All other top teams already have their number one drivers so that could be a challenge for Tom to join someone else's 'territory' in another team. Not that he's not strong enough to do it but with his position at Excelr8 there's just no point in doing that.
Btw nice to see some security for Pearson as he seems like a great future prospect. Chilton is quite solid and a good financial support I reckon. Halstead, well, that's just money, isn't it. One of the worst drivers this season and would be nice to see someone a lot stronger at Excelr8 that could bridge the gap between Pearson/Chilton and Ingram. Can't see such a driver though especially as he'd need to have a very strong backing. I'd say an unchanged lineup for Excelr8 in 2024 then.

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Matt K

Nah, I'd be extremely surprised (and disappointed) if Ingram was not retained by Excelr8. I mean, financial stuff can always change things for worse but I'd like to think things are pretty stable at Excelr8. So provided there's no sponsorship-related issues, I just can't see why Tingram would leave. He's far ahead of the other three drivers, built the team around himself. No point in leaving. All other top teams already have their number one drivers so that could be a challenge for Tom to join someone else's 'territory' in another team. Not that he's not strong enough to do it but with his position at Excelr8 there's just no point in doing that.
Btw nice to see some security for Pearson as he seems like a great future prospect. Chilton is quite solid and a good financial support I reckon. Halstead, well, that's just money, isn't it. One of the worst drivers this season and would be nice to see someone a lot stronger at Excelr8 that could bridge the gap between Pearson/Chilton and Ingram. Can't see such a driver though especially as he'd need to have a very strong backing. I'd say an unchanged lineup for Excelr8 in 2024 then.

Agree 100% I just can't see any logic on Ingram leaving, and I think it's a given that if the team lost him they couldn't just slot in a replacement who'd operate at that level. They'd lose at least a year on a title challenge if they could get Cook as a number 1 as an example. Not saying Cook wouldn't be able to do something there, but as you state it's effectively a one man team at the moment, it's built around Ingram and it would be a bigger setback to the team than driver.

Then again. TCR were happy to post a photo of him with a TCR i30 at Brands recently.......

[Craner Curves]

Airbase kicking up a gear by rebranding to Alliance Racing UK. I wonder if many of the staff will relocate?

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Airbase kicking up a gear by rebranding to Alliance Racing UK. I wonder if many of the staff will relocate?

I’m sure that has crossed there minds…