[BTCC] BTCC News & Rumours 2025

[Matt K]

Intriguing... whenever you think of some options they either wouldn't fit BTCC or GT3. A FWD saloon seems like Audi or Merc, possibly Mazda. But the first two can't be as they already have GT3 cars and Audi's withdrawing from there. Nissan? Sounds reasonable in terms of their good presence in Britain and would fit in GT3 but what about BTCC? Qashqai is not a saloon and doesn't seem a natural touring car (not for now anyway). Anyway, hopefully it happens, whatever it is.
Wonder how much they can improve the Focus for 2025.

[S700UBO]

I was thinking maybe the Octavia?

[Sodemo]

The Octavia is actually a decent looking motor.

[Mike Harte]

I'm surprised that no one has yet mentioned that old chestnut, KIA.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by S700UBO

I was thinking maybe the Octavia?

Is there a Saloon variant?

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

Can't see anyone developing a new car before the 2027 rules until we know exactly what direction things are going to go in.

this post didnt age well

[TinTopGrumpy]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

this post didnt age well

Presumably the teams know which direction things are going though?

Gow has said in public the cars will be an evolution and existing cars can easily be modified so I expect the teams will know even more.

[antnee]

Originally Posted by TinTopGrumpy

Presumably the teams know which direction things are going though?

Gow has said in public the cars will be an evolution and existing cars can easily be modified so I expect the teams will know even more.

While cars might be modify-able to the evolution rule set, however that might bake in a load of compromises to the vehicle homologation. Most teams will want to wait a year into the updated rules to get their heads around it before designing a new car.

[S700UBO]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Is there a Saloon variant?

Yup both on sale early 2025

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by S700UBO

Yup both on sale early 2025

Ah - I haven't seen any publicity for it. Only the 2024 facelifted Hatchback and Estate versions.

You don't happen to have a link to a press release by any chance?

[S griffin]

Be good to see what car Alliance have in mind, if it does happen. Shame we will probably have to wait for 2026 to find out, rather than next season

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by TinTopGrumpy

Presumably the teams know which direction things are going though?

Gow has said in public the cars will be an evolution and existing cars can easily be modified so I expect the teams will know even more.

Yeah I expect the teams know a lot more internally than an Alan Gow interview to Autosport has let on. It's also great for the series to have a team commit to the costs of a brand new car and bringing a "new" manufacturer to the grid.

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

Yeah I expect the teams know a lot more internally than an Alan Gow interview to Autosport has let on. It's also great for the series to have a team commit to the costs of a brand new car and bringing a "new" manufacturer to the grid.

But the Autosport interview was with Marcus Simmons. I mean he was around BTCC in the Super Touring days and was matey with Gow then, and you see himfreely walking into the TOCA hospo for nuggets.

On the Alliance thing. Is the rule changing about Le Mans. I thought they were only allowing GT3 cars from manufacturers who are in, or confirmed to be soon entering the Hypercar (or LMDH or whateve it's called) category. I'm sure I read somewhere that it had upset the likes of Mercedes, because they won't be allowed in, and with Audi ditching everything away from F1.

By that it narrows things. Aston (coming with a Hypercar), Lamborghini, Ferrari, Caddilac, Porsche, Toyota, BMW, Alpine, Peugeot. What from those could put out a FWD BTCC car and a GT3 machine?

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

By that it narrows things. Aston (coming with a Hypercar), Lamborghini, Ferrari, Caddilac, Porsche, Toyota, BMW, Alpine, Peugeot. What from those could put out a FWD BTCC car and a GT3 machine?

And, which from those, would feel the need to task a British touring car team with no recent GT3 racing experience (let alone development) to build them a car rather than do it in-house or with a proven race car manufacturer?

I feel the lines have been crossed somewhere with the GT3 comment.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

On the Alliance thing. Is the rule changing about Le Mans. I thought they were only allowing GT3 cars from manufacturers who are in, or confirmed to be soon entering the Hypercar (or LMDH or whateve it's called) category. I'm sure I read somewhere that it had upset the likes of Mercedes, because they won't be allowed in, and with Audi ditching everything away from F1.

By that it narrows things. Aston (coming with a Hypercar), Lamborghini, Ferrari, Caddilac, Porsche, Toyota, BMW, Alpine, Peugeot. What from those could put out a FWD BTCC car and a GT3 machine?

I thought it was restricted to those manufacturers represented in the WEC, not just Hypercar.
If so, that would open up Lexus (ES) as an option (although that would have implications for the Toyota entry).

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I thought it was restricted to those manufacturers represented in the WEC, not just Hypercar.
If so, that would open up Lexus (ES) as an option (although that would have implications for the Toyota entry).

Might have been that. I don't follow the endurance stuff much - I don't have the attention span!!

I forgot to add that Hyundai are joining WEC in the top class too. So Alliance would have to elbow WSR to get the FWD BMW 2 series, Speedworks for Toyota/Lexus or Excelr8 for a Hyundai, if they bring a saloon back? Or Pug would need to develop a GT RWD car to go up against Aston, Lamborghini and the like? What about Cadillac building a RHD CT4 for the UK market??!!

[coffinpilot]

A thing about Zelos, sorry if it has been mentioned before. Davanti Tyres. On social media there was always a thing from fans you'll have seen 'Zelos can't race with Davanti sponsorship.'

I wonder if that has turned out to be true considering they were nowhere to be seen for the last three rounds? Or could there be a commercial adjustment to allow them in for next year that couldn't be re-negotiated for this year?

Clearly he has the ability to make an impact in BTCC, it was fairly obvious in Minis, but he's come in and (even though Pearson won a race) made people question the difference in ability between him and Pearson that was obvious in JCW, and still obvious now. I wonder what his next steps are. He's shown he's capable, but how strong is his entourage as far as raisning the correct notes without Davanti if that is the case?

[tocatrucky]

Just to throw yet more fuel onto the Alliance-switch fire, Skoda just unveiled their Enyaq RS Race Concept render...and its a swoopy saloon like the i30N Fastback:





''Ever wondered what the Skoda Enyaq would look like if it was given the WRC treatment? Well this might be the result! Introducing the Enyaq RS Race Concept.

This concept is lower, wider, and significantly lighter than the standard Enyaq, shedding over 300 kg. As a pilot project, it showcases ideas for future production models, including the use of sustainable, lightweight materials.

Embracing Skoda's racing DNA, the Enyaq RS Race boasts both visual and technical upgrades, such as a widened, lowered chassis, redesigned bumpers, enhanced shock absorbers, and a roll cage.
"You can drive it fast. It's an electric car, so the onset of power is immediate, it handles great and it's stable under braking. Everything in the cockpit is as I would imagine it, the pedals, the hydraulic handbrake, it's fun," says Oliver Solberg after his test drive of the Enyaq RS Race concept.

Okay so its marketed there towards being potentially a rally car but...so..

[crmalcolm]

To throw another thought into it. It has been repeated on man occasions that the NGTC ruleset requires the model to be available with a combustion engine (and from this, the drivetrain is derived).

Maybe the 2027 rules will allow the model entered to be an EV (in showroom variant) with a combustion engine fitted for use in the BTCC, as a FWD?
And if this is the case, Alliance may have been given permission to run an EV-based model early?

Polestar 5 coming to the BTCC in 2026?
Polestar 6 coming in GT3 form?

[BTCC frog]

I think it will be very interesting to see what Excelr8 do with their driver lineup for next year, amid the talk of Ingram needing more help in the championship.

I think that Sutton, Ingram and Hill are the clear top three drivers at the moment and each have a place in one of the top three teams which is nice.

Behind them, Motorbase have Dan Cammish and WSR have Colin Turkington, but the only other driver on the current grid who I think is on the level of Cammish and Turkington would be Josh Cook, so I wonder if Excelr8 will be considering a move for him. If not, they will have to look away from the current grid.

Dan Zelos and Bobby Thompson both had decent cameos this year and Thompson in particular has the potential to be on the level of Cammish and Turkington so might be a shout for the drive, but I think he will be at WSR. I would imagine Zelos might be in another Hyundai as I don't think Halstead will continue, and also the team might expand anyway.

Or there is also Gordon Shedden and Rory Butcher who are top drivers who departed the series in recent years. Given there has been some association between Excelr8 and Dynamics recently, I wonder if we could see a return for Shedden in the second Hyundai? Butcher had a disappointing 2023 season but was excellent in 2019-2022 so it would be nice to see him back on the grid. I don't know if anything could come from the driver coaching at Motorbase. It would also be good if Adam Morgan got back in a front wheel drive car.

[coffinpilot]

It's funny, because I heard a silly rumour about Cook a few rounds back, didn't even bother to post it here, but might as well now seeing as though it's silly season.

Part of it comes from Cooksport being under a restructuring company, one that specialises in insolvency. The rumour being that the Moffat family paid half of his deal with One Motorsport last year, and half with Speedworks this year.

I mean, it comes across that the Moffat Clan are well off, but I get the impression they earn it through hard work and well practiced business. You don't 'give away' that kind of cash at that level!

If there's one thing I've learned in motor racing, spend enough time hanging around the backs of garages and you'll hear some mad rumours!

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

To throw another thought into it. It has been repeated on man occasions that the NGTC ruleset requires the model to be available with a combustion engine (and from this, the drivetrain is derived).

Maybe the 2027 rules will allow the model entered to be an EV (in showroom variant) with a combustion engine fitted for use in the BTCC, as a FWD?
And if this is the case, Alliance may have been given permission to run an EV-based model early?

Polestar 5 coming to the BTCC in 2026?
Polestar 6 coming in GT3 form?

Why would Polestar want or allow this? Makes no sense for a full electric car manufacturerer.

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Why would Polestar want or allow this? Makes no sense for a full electric car manufacturer.

With the recession in EV's, why would any manufacturer want to race in touring cars? I know we have 'e-racing', but can't see it going much further.

[tocatrucky]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

If there's one thing I've learned in motor racing, spend enough time hanging around the backs of garages and you'll hear some mad rumours!

The truest words which will ever be uttered in this thread for absolute certain!

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

With the recession in EV's, why would any manufacturer want to race in touring cars? I know we have 'e-racing', but can't see it going much further.

The future for ICE touring car racing is bleak, IMO there's a future EV powered racing.