[BTCC] BTCC News & Rumours 2025

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Bobby’s most realistic hope is with WSR

I think that’s perhaps his least realistic hope given the cost…

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by SV8Predator

I thought they had folded?

Not technically, but as Tony doesn't really have any cars or equipment, and still owes hundreds of thousands of pounds, another comeback is looking less than likely.

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by Evantra

I think that’s perhaps his least realistic hope given the cost…

Unless something absolutely crazy happens I think his best shot is one of the Cupras.

[SV8Predator]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I wonder if HARD will continue?

Originally Posted by SV8Predator

I thought they had folded?

Originally Posted by Pickles

Not technically, but as Tony doesn't really have any cars or equipment, and still owes hundreds of thousands of pounds, another comeback is looking less than likely.

Not "technically"? They are certainly not trading, which looks very much as if they have folded.

"Tony..."? Is he a friend or acquaintance of yours?

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by SV8Predator

Not "technically"? They are certainly not trading, which looks very much as if they have folded.

"Tony..."? Is he a friend or acquaintance of yours?

Correct, they're not trading, although still listed on Companies House, with Samantha Gilham as the director. I think he was an acquaintance of a lot of people!

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Evantra

I think that’s perhaps his least realistic hope given the cost…

Disagree. He's very highly valued there and they gave him a chance when no one else would

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Disagree. He's very highly valued there and they gave him a chance when no one else would

I guess the only thing that me and Evantra are concerned about is how the whole Zeus Cloud thing went down and if that would stop WSR ever working with him again because it went so wrong or if they've been around Motorsport so long that they know sponsors flaking out on commitments is just one of those things and if a deal could be worked out for 2025.

[tocatrucky]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Disagree. He's very highly valued there and they gave him a chance when no one else would

I fixed the bit in bold for you.

...gave him a a cheap seat on a monthly payment plan when more competitive seats required 50% up front and 50% before the last round

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Disagree. He's very highly valued there and they gave him a chance when no one else would

I think every team would give him a chance, had he had the money. And I would imagine WSR is the most expensive seat going, that’s the problem. I’d give a lot to see it happen though.

[Racing_Dad]

I'd like to see Bobby given another crack at it by WSR, he proved in one weekend how competitive he could be in RWD.

I think the driver/team changes coming over the winter will surprise many, hopefully we don't have to wait too long for announcements.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

I guess the only thing that me and Evantra are concerned about is how the whole Zeus Cloud thing went down and if that would stop WSR ever working with him again because it went so wrong or if they've been around Motorsport so long that they know sponsors flaking out on commitments is just one of those things and if a deal could be worked out for 2025.

Having heard comments made by Dick Bennetts at the time, I got the strongest impression that WSR were also involved in bringing Zeus onboard to facilitate the drive for Thompson, and that they were equally disappointed that it didn't pan out. Bennetts repeatedly used the word "we" when discussing the matter, and I don't think that he used that word in the same way as drivers do when they are talking about how they performed during their time on track, which actually annoys me.

[cxx666]

Originally Posted by Racing_Dad

I think the driver/team changes coming over the winter will surprise many, hopefully we don't have to wait too long for announcements.

I think they will too, but I'm actually hoping it's a while before we get much in the way of confirmation/reminding of stuff that's already known about (those on two year deals etc).
I like it when bits and pieces are drip fed over a period of time during the off season, otherwise it all gets a bit stale with nothing left to be announced and still a while to wait til media day.

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by cxx666

I think they will too, but I'm actually hoping it's a while before we get much in the way of confirmation/reminding of stuff that's already known about (those on two year deals etc).


I like it when bits and pieces are drip fed over a period of time during the off season, otherwise it all gets a bit stale with nothing left to be announced and still a while to wait til media day.

So it's Sutton,Cammish and ATS who are definitely on 2 year deals and are essentially confirmed. Guess a lot of things will depend on when the TBLs are officially confirmed and if we have any new teams to add to the grid or any teams running more cars etc.

I don't think ASI is anywhere near of a prominent thing for the series as it once was but I'd still expect a couple of announcements this side of Christmas.

[Racing_Dad]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

So it's Sutton,Cammish and ATS who are definitely on 2 year deals and are essentially confirmed. Guess a lot of things will depend on when the TBLs are officially confirmed and if we have any new teams to add to the grid or any teams running more cars etc.

I don't think ASI is anywhere near of a prominent thing for the series as it once was but I'd still expect a couple of announcements this side of Christmas.

Yeah ASI used to be a huge highlight and lift the January blues but not any more, far to expensive and more attention to the return on investment rather than just exposure. I do feel it needs more BTCC presence though.

[Racing_Dad]

Originally Posted by cxx666

I think they will too, but I'm actually hoping it's a while before we get much in the way of confirmation/reminding of stuff that's already known about (those on two year deals etc).
I like it when bits and pieces are drip fed over a period of time during the off season, otherwise it all gets a bit stale with nothing left to be announced and still a while to wait til media day.

yeah I agree with the media day piece. It's good to see some activity pre-xmas though, think with nothing we all get a little twitchy about the new season

[BtccLee]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

So it's Sutton,Cammish and ATS who are definitely on 2 year deals and are essentially confirmed. Guess a lot of things will depend on when the TBLs are officially confirmed and if we have any new teams to add to the grid or any teams running more cars etc.

I don't think ASI is anywhere near of a prominent thing for the series as it once was but I'd still expect a couple of announcements this side of Christmas.

I think support race calendars and TBLs this side of Christmas, giving us an idea of the outline of the grid and the weekend format.

Then from January onwards seeing those 24 seats confirmed, agree that there will be some interesting changes this off-season.

[BertMk2]

Surprised nobody has created a table yet with all of next seasons entries ;-)

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Surprised nobody has created a table yet with all of next seasons entries ;-)

And immediately begun arguing about it

[S griffin]

Bobby's too good not to be in the series. Clearly there's some unfinished business for him. Hope he can get a full season deal together

[Ant25]

Back on about the napa car for 2026 I know there’s a while to wait but what about a Lexus! Not seen if they have a saloon car but they have recently been testing a new gt3 car

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Ant25

Back on about the napa car for 2026 I know there’s a while to wait but what about a Lexus! Not seen if they have a saloon car but they have recently been testing a new gt3 car

Or is Napa going GT3.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Or is Napa going GT3.

To recap - https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/...2026/10661596/

Osborne (in response to whether their 2026 car will be a FWD saloon: "Correct. And the good thing about it is that it’ll fetch a new manufacturer into the paddock. [...] The manufacturer that we’re talking to would like us to do a GT3 car and take it to Le Mans,"

So the plan is to switch to a FWD saloon in 2026 for BTCC and a GT3 car with the same manufacturer.

[tocatrucky]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Surprised nobody has created a table yet with all of next seasons entries ;-)

962fan has the question mark gun locked and loaded.

[ArrowBlue]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

To recap - https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/...2026/10661596/

Osborne (in response to whether their 2026 car will be a FWD saloon: "Correct. And the good thing about it is that it’ll fetch a new manufacturer into the paddock. [...] The manufacturer that we’re talking to would like us to do a GT3 car and take it to Le Mans,"

So the plan is to switch to a FWD saloon in 2026 for BTCC and a GT3 car with the same manufacturer.

Could it be Honda ? (would "technically" be a new manufacturer as only been in as privateer in recent years) and the new prelude could be the base for GT3 ???

[Pickles]

I see Un-Limited have been testing for next year already, looks like Mini racer Maximus Hall running some laps in the Cupra