BTCC 2024 News & Rumours

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

That shows that, in reality, Ingram was far more consistent than Sutton throughout the season, which demonstrates that although Sutton is a brilliant driver, at times he does tend to make rash decisions, like he did at Oulton and another circuit which I can't remember.

If we're looking at consistency, then the best measure would be dropped scores. It's a 30-race championship, so let's look at the best 27 results of each:

Sutton is still on 446
Ingram drops six to 394
Hill drops one to 371

Actually it really emphasises Sutton's dominance.

[coffinpilot]

Semantics I suppose - but the Team Dynamics logo has been on the One Motorsport cars.
A tiny sticker - but there nonetheless!

[thetool]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Team Dynamics logo has been on the One Motorsport cars.

Well they remain Team Dynamics built cars.

[redshoes]

Watson at WSR doesn't necessarily mean a 5th TBL. If Turkington is retiring then that immediately opens up a vacancy. Jelley has an option for 2024 but that's still dependant on him finding the budget, and based on his comments on the grid at Brands Hatch that's still got some way to go.

I take a slightly different interpretation of suggestions that WSR has made Watson an offer. Any team serious about (team/manufacturer) championship success then it's not just about taking the driver with the biggest budget, they need one that can produce results. If there was an offer then it's WSR's way of saying that they think Watson is of a suitable calibre for him to be considered. Obviously all that is still budget dependant.

[thetool]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Any team serious about (team/manufacturer) championship success then it's not just about taking the driver with the biggest budget, they need one that can produce results.

The extent to which this is true does vary with the overall strength of the championship at the time. There have been years when any driver, if they could bring £500k to the team, could have a seat with any team on the grid. 2004-2013 most years meet that criteria, hence seeing the likes of Dave Pinkney at Dynamics, Andy Neate at any team he's ever raced with, etc.

[Ant25]

There’s lots of talk about dynamics coming back! I’m sure mr neal has been working hard so that is the case! I would hope they do come back tbh

[Andrew Abbott]

Originally Posted by sceptic

If we're looking at consistency, then the best measure would be dropped scores. It's a 30-race championship, so let's look at the best 27 results of each:

You're saying the best way of assessing consistency is to ditch a top driver's most inconsistent results, and then look at the standings...?

[SSmith]

Autosport mag today:

"SEARS CHAMP WATSON TARGETS SECOND YEAR WITH PMR" The relevant Watson quote is this one:"I'm starting to get the hang of touring cars. I'm happy with PMR. We're on the up but nothing's signed." The short article also states that Doble is hopeful of another season.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by SSmith

Autosport mag today:

"SEARS CHAMP WATSON TARGETS SECOND YEAR WITH PMR" The relevant Watson quote is this one:"I'm starting to get the hang of touring cars. I'm happy with PMR. We're on the up but nothing's signed." The short article also states that Doble is hopeful of another season.

I guess they might now be less inclined to think about any replacement for the rejuvenated Astra, had that been a possibility.

[thetool]

Originally Posted by Evantra

I guess they might now be less inclined to think about any replacement for the rejuvenated Astra, had that been a possibility.

Homologation lasts five years in the BTCC. I'm not sure when it was last done for the Astra. But at whatever point it has to be re-done, the car will become ineligible as it no longer meets the criteria (hasn't been on general sale in the UK - been replaced with the eigth gen model).

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by thetool

Homologation lasts five years in the BTCC. I'm not sure when it was last done for the Astra. But at whatever point it has to be re-done, the car will become ineligible as it no longer meets the criteria (hasn't been on general sale in the UK - been replaced with the eigth gen model).

As I understand it, homologation lasts for 5 years after production of a model stops.

Production of the 7th Generation of the Astra finally stopped in 2022 which was a face-lifted version that commenced in 2019. So it's possible that it could possibly run up to the end of 2027, or possibly earlier in 2024 if it's not the been upgraded to the newer version.

Although the 8th Gen production started in 2021, they were still producing both models 10 months.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Evantra

I guess they might now be less inclined to think about any replacement for the rejuvenated Astra, had that been a possibility.

Originally Posted by TheTool

Homologation lasts five years in the BTCC. I'm not sure when it was last done for the Astra. But at whatever point it has to be re-done, the car will become ineligible as it no longer meets the criteria (hasn't been on general sale in the UK - been replaced with the eighth gen model).

I'm looking forward to seeing what they do next year. If its with the current car, there must be very little left for them to do with it. If its with a new car, it'll be interesting to see what they pick.

This talk of homologation makes me think of the FK8 Civic as well, production for that model ended in 2021.

[SV8Predator]

Originally Posted by SSmith

This talk of homologation makes me think of the FK8 Civic as well, production for that model ended in 2021.

So plenty of time for that model then.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by SSmith

I'm looking forward to seeing what they do next year. If its with the current car, there must be very little left for them to do with it. If its with a new car, it'll be interesting to see what they pick.

This talk of homologation makes me think of the FK8 Civic as well, production for that model ended in 2021.

Isn’t it 5 years from the last UK sale? What seems to have gone under the radar is that the Vauxhall and SEAT have both picked up pace in 2023 - both MSport / TOCA powered?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Isn’t it 5 years from the last UK sale?

The car has to be on sale in the UK at the time of homologation, and then can be used up until five years after it is no longer sold.

[SV8Predator]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

The car has to be on sale in the UK at the time of homologation, and then can be used up until five years after it is no longer sold.

Do you mean like, "5 years from the last UK sale"???

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by SV8Predator

Do you mean like, "5 years from the last UK sale"???

Being really pedantic, but being on sale and the last one sold are not quite the same thing as there could be quite a gap between the two. I don't know what happens to them, but dealers are sometimes left with unsold stock which years ago used to be returned to the factory. As I mentioned before, Vauxhall were actually manufacturing the last but one model for some months even though another factory had already started production of the newer model so both were on sale at the same time.

[Craner Curves]

Colin Turkington testing a McLaren GT4 at Donington today. What does this mean?

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

What does this mean?

He doesn't believe in Friday the 13th!

[thetool]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Colin Turkington testing a McLaren GT4 at Donington today. What does this mean?

That he's a professional racing driver and when the opportunity to get paid to do some driving arises he takes it. Oh, wait, you were baiting the rumour moungers weren't you?

[Greem]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Colin Turkington testing a McLaren GT4 at Donington today. What does this mean?

Guest drive next weekend, maybe?

[Adamcas87]

Originally Posted by Greem

Guest drive next weekend, maybe?

Tingram is racing a Aston Martin gt4 next weekend so maybe Colin’s having a go too

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Greem

Guest drive next weekend, maybe?

Sharing Jason Hughes's McLaren 570S GT4 in the Britcar-run British Endurance Championship this weekend. A fun end of season treat for Turkington, who has shared Hughes's BTC-T MG ZS in the past

[Greem]

Originally Posted by SSmith

Sharing Jason Hughes's McLaren 570S GT4 in the Britcar-run British Endurance Championship this weekend. A fun end of season treat for Turkington, who has shared Hughes's BTC-T MG ZS in the past

Ta. 25 entries for this one, rather more than they've had at points this year.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by SSmith

Sharing Jason Hughes's McLaren 570S GT4 in the Britcar-run British Endurance Championship this weekend. A fun end of season treat for Turkington, who has shared Hughes's BTC-T MG ZS in the past

Looks like a non-starter. BTCC Mercedes A-Class still going there, run by Hard.