BTCC 2024 News & Rumours

[SV8Predator]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

If I'm recalling the quote you refer to correctly, he said that four drivers were in the running. Not that they had four drivers to pick from.

All four of those will have fallen out of the running for various reasons.

Stop all this sensible posting!

[SV8Predator]

Originally Posted by tocatrucky

From what I understand, MSV is interested in buying TOCA whole.

Why would they do that, when the contract is up soon, and MSV can put in their bid anyway?

[touringcarnut]

Originally Posted by v8supes

I told you all that Team HARD were a serious outfit and were set for big things this year but you all mocked me.

Right. Alliance, WSR and Co must be quaking in their boots.

[SV8Predator]

Originally Posted by v8supes

I told you all that Team HARD were a serious outfit and were set for big things this year but you all mocked me.

Originally Posted by touringcarnut

Right. Alliance, WSR and Co must be quaking in their boots.

WHOOSH parrot incoming!

[touringcarnut]

Originally Posted by SV8Predator

WHOOSH parrot incoming!

The point being a "serious outfit" that will well off the pace, languishing in the last place until the money runs out. Feel sorry those who are owed significant money and forced to try and recoup their money by whatever means they can.

[CarfanLUFC]

I went home for a bit so have missed quite a lot of news....

Just thought, are they still awarding points down to 15th even with a 20 car entry for Donnington and probably only 21 at best at the other rounds?

Surely everyone scores points this season if that's the case.

Time to revert back to top 10 only? And any change to reverse grids etc? High attrition or variable weather races could genuinely see 5, 6, 7 or even more cars drop out....might end up with someone off the road but classified 12th getting pole for the 3rd race.

[Pit Lane Lurker]

Originally Posted by CarfanLUFC

Surely everyone scores points this season if that's the case.

Jade will be all the more gutted at this prospect…

[Matt K]

Actually wondering if there might be any changes regarding this too. No issue with Top 15 still being awarded points (provided a driver finishes the race) but the reversed grid should be limited to 10 cars at most. However, haven't seen any announcements as to sporting regulations changes and IMO would be somewhat strange to get this announcement only during the first round of the season. If nothing was said then should we assume nothing changes?

[Mike Harte]

Version 1 of the full 2024 regulations still shows as having points for the first 15 places. However, virtually all the regulations are subject to change and/or at the whim of of the Administer of the series, one Mr Gow.

It is possible that Gow will be speaking to all the team principles and drivers when they have all arrived at Donington for this weekend's event. He usually does like to consult widely about changes before they are implemented.

[tocatrucky]

Originally Posted by SV8Predator

Why would they do that, when the contract is up soon, and MSV can put in their bid anyway?

Because. Quality skilled staff, infrastructure and the small matter that TOCA is a lucrative, scalable business and consistently profitable. MSV currently don't have the means to run a another national championship at the moment. TOCA does and the owner of TOCA isopen to selling for an agreeable price.

[Mike Harte]

It all hinges on whether the BARC want to sell TOCA as they solely own it, and looking at the accounts wonder whether they can afford to relinquish the cash cow that that is TOCA.

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

It all hinges on whether the BARC want to sell TOCA as they solely own it, and looking at the accounts wonder whether they can afford to relinquish the cash cow that that is TOCA.

TOCA wouldn't need to be sold. MSUK who own the championship rights can simply offer it to a different promoter, nobody needs to buy TOCA to promote the BTCC after 2026.

TOCA may well keep it, but how it goes in 2025 and 2026 will have a bearing on that. Gow says they are looking at further cost reductions, but the biggest barrier to entry is that you need to build a car, or buy an old car that a team has finished with.

[Andrew Abbott]

Originally Posted by CarfanLUFC

I went home for a bit so have missed quite a lot of news....

Just thought, are they still awarding points down to 15th even with a 20 car entry for Donnington and probably only 21 at best at the other rounds?

Surely everyone scores points this season if that's the case.

Time to revert back to top 10 only? And any change to reverse grids etc? High attrition or variable weather races could genuinely see 5, 6, 7 or even more cars drop out....might end up with someone off the road but classified 12th getting pole for the 3rd race.

Does it really matter? Points are just a mechanism to decide the championship order.

[auroan]

Originally Posted by SV8Predator

When the BTCC contract to run comes up for renewal, there will be a few interested parties, and (as in recent years), MSV will be on the list.

It's not TOCA being replaced. It's BARC. In the UK the main "big" clubs that run events are BARC, BRSCC, MSV and 750MC. Then you have the smaller ones like CCSC etc.

[Greem]

Tiny nit: MSVR run meetings, MSV run circuits. There is a bit of crossover between the two but the four wheeled racing side is largely different personnel.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by auroan

It's not TOCA being replaced. It's BARC. In the UK the main "big" clubs that run events are BARC, BRSCC, MSV and 750MC. Then you have the smaller ones like CCSC etc.

Alan Gow working for Jonathan Palmer ?! Imagine that!

[CarfanLUFC]

Originally Posted by Andrew Abbott

Does it really matter? Points are just a mechanism to decide the championship order.

Well it matters to me otherwise I wouldn't have asked the question....other people have answered the question

[peebee2]

Anyway, thanks for all that, it was suggested to yesterday that MSV is about to buy TOCA, hence I posted it. Not MSVR. Not BARC.

[cxx666]

Originally Posted by Andrew Abbott

Does it really matter? Points are just a mechanism to decide the championship order.

I was wondering the same thing. I see no reason to reduce the number of points paying positions, simply because the number of entrants is closer to meaning all finishers getting points than in previous years.

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by cxx666

I was wondering the same thing. I see no reason to reduce the number of points paying positions, simply because the number of entrants is closer to meaning all finishers getting points than in previous years.

Not concerned re point allocation in the overall championship. However can anyone clarify who will score in the independent championships . Especially confused as to wherever Cook and Moffat are Indy entrants or considered a factory team . Likewise with Pearson Osborne and Thompson if he should join in later .

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

TOCA wouldn't need to be sold. MSUK who own the championship rights can simply offer it to a different promoter, nobody needs to buy TOCA to promote the BTCC after 2026.

TOCA may well keep it, but how it goes in 2025 and 2026 will have a bearing on that. Gow says they are looking at further cost reductions, but the biggest barrier to entry is that you need to build a car, or buy an old car that a team has finished with.

I was replying to the post immediately above mine, and was in response to the couple of suggestions posted above that one that their were rumours floating about that TOCA could be subjected to a possible sale, which they may or may not want.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Protonman

Not concerned re point allocation in the overall championship. However can anyone clarify who will score in the independent championships . Especially confused as to wherever Cook and Moffat are Indy entrants or considered a factory team . Likewise with Pearson Osborne and Thompson if he should join in later .

Currently, 5 drivers in the Independent Championship and 5 drivers in the Jack Sears.

Although - the official entry list is currently removed from the site.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Protonman

Not concerned re point allocation in the overall championship. However can anyone clarify who will score in the independent championships . Especially confused as to wherever Cook and Moffat are Indy entrants or considered a factory team . Likewise with Pearson Osborne and Thompson if he should join in later .

Independents:
Mikey Doble
Aron Taylor-Smith
Chris Smiley
Scott Sumpton
Daryl DeLeon

JST:
Sam Osborne
Roman Pearson
Nick Halstead
Mikey Doble
Scott Sumpton
Daryl DeLeon

For those wondering why Osborne is still in the JST, it's due to a rule change (Regulation 1.6.6). As his only podium (Donington R2 2023) only came due to later dsqs for others, he's still eligible.

Regarding Thompson, should a WSR drive materialise of course, he would be a Manufacturer entry (and due to a previous podium finish isn't eligible for the JST either).

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by SSmith

Regarding Thompson, should a WSR drive materialise of course, he would be a Manufacturer entry (and due to a previous podium finish isn't eligible for the JST either).

And being a previous winner of the JST means he's not eligible. Fingers crossed he can get the WSR drive sorted from Brands Indy, would love to see him and Jake in equal machinery!

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by SSmith

Independents:
Mikey Doble
Aron Taylor-Smith
Chris Smiley
Scott Sumpton
Daryl DeLeon

JST:
Sam Osborne
Roman Pearson
Nick Halstead
Mikey Doble
Scott Sumpton
Daryl DeLeon

For those wondering why Osborne is still in the JST, it's due to a rule change (Regulation 1.6.6). As his only podium (Donington R2 2023) only came due to later dsqs for others, he's still eligible.

Regarding Thompson, should a WSR drive materialise of course, he would be a Manufacturer entry (and due to a previous podium finish isn't eligible for the JST either).

Thanks very helpful . Both fields look very evenly matched and all should pick up points so it could be a very competitive.series .Also teams will be straight fight between PMR and restart. The former will start favourite as driving strength is higher but theirs hope for both of some decent prize money.