BTCC 2024 News & Rumours

[coffinpilot]

Interesting format. I'd like to think I can see advantages and disadvantages, or have the ability to predict how it works out, But I can't. it's a 'suck it and see' type of thing for me.
One thing I'm fairly sure of is that a team will figure a way of running it better for the first few rounds, then everybody will copy. These things usually go like that!

The thing is, the BTCC does depend on a decent amount of 'casual' fans - look at the YouTube viewing figures for qualifying, they just want to see the races, if that wasn't the case they'd be in the hundreds of thousands instead of a few thousand for some rounds and 50,000+ for others, so the majority won't care too much. If it doesn't shake up the races (which I very much doubt it would for the most part) they won't care. If the powers that be think a format change is needed somewhere, then I don't think they'll get the results they want from this, but it's enough to satisfy the mantra of 'we are progressing' to stop more extreme ideas like putting the reverse grid race (with places 10-16 drawn for pole) as the second race, with that one deciding the grid for R3!!

[Sodemo]

I still think having two quali sessions would be better and the times for one sorts the first race and the times for the other sorts race 2. I don’t think sorting the race 2 grid in the race 1 finishing order generates the best possible racing.

[pimmy]

I think they've missed a trick by not calling it the "Kwik Six". Would tie-in with the sponsor quite nicely.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by pimmy

I think they've missed a trick by not calling it the "Kwik Six". Would tie-in with the sponsor quite nicely.

Give them a little time in which to read your post!

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Give them a little time in which to read your post!

Not really the PR is back in the days of Ford Capris....lazy and unimaginative

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Not really the PR is back in the days of Ford Capris....lazy and unimaginative

Funnily enough, for at least half of the BTCC rounds this year I've found a set of four or five MK3 Capris on the way to the races pootling along in the middle lane, as you say, lazy and unimaginative - even when I'm a passenger in the wife's Yaris s she bombs past them at 65mph.....

[ChrisA]

I see that TOCA are introducing an ''indy'' style qualifying system next year, leading to a top six shoot out. Could be interesting?

[SV8Predator]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

I see that TOCA are introducing an ''indy'' style qualifying system next year, leading to a top six shoot out. Could be interesting?

See post #391 and all the subsequent replies!

[rdjones]

All cars to receive double amount of hybrid-turbo boost next season

https://www.btcc.net/2023/10/30/btcc...BSwR2uH2j8pEP8

[Robin Marriott]

It’d be interesting to see some actual numbers, because they must be approaching the point where its impossible to make more power work with FWD.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by rdjones

All cars to receive double amount of hybrid-turbo boost next season

https://www.btcc.net/2023/10/30/btcc...BSwR2uH2j8pEP8

Additionally from Autosport - “It is understood that there will likely be no significant changes to the 2023 rules on number of seconds’ usage of hybrid per qualifying lap and number of laps in the race.”

Seems like it was needed, hopefully it makes the difference.

[Matt K]

Not sure if I'm happy with this tweak. I understand the races were not as 'action-packed' in the last two years as before but I'm afraid the 'artificial aspect' will return next year with the best drivers struggling to defend their podium positions and needing to salvage for 4-5th position in most races. With this overtaking can simply be passing with no opportunity to fight. Perhaps pleasing for those who want to see action for action's sake but not necessarily for me. Hopefully the difference will not be so big but I'm sceptical at the moment.

[Robin Marriott]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

It’d be interesting to see some actual numbers, because they must be approaching the point where its impossible to make more power work with FWD.

Had a quick look online. In a Carwow video from 2021 they quote the Corolla at 370bhp and the 2022 Hybrid car as having an additional 40.

That’s the old engine though and I can’t imagine giving a real number, more or a conservative guess.

Either way, that “370bhp” plus the 80bhp from doubling the current hybrid is 450bhp. That’s A LOT.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

Had a quick look online. In a Carwow video from 2021 they quote the Corolla at 370bhp and the 2022 Hybrid car as having an additional 40.

That’s the old engine though and I can’t imagine giving a real number, more or a conservative guess.

Either way, that “370bhp” plus the 80bhp from doubling the current hybrid is 450bhp. That’s A LOT.

Autosport's more conservative numbers came to 375bhp engines and hybrid boost in 2023 being 30bhp. Even accounting for a more conservative estimate you still get 435bhp for 2024 which is a lot in a FWD car.

I'll reserve my full judgement on the impact it'll have on racing action until April 2024, but for now I think its good to see a willingness from BTCC stakeholders to experiment.

[redshoes]

According to a quote from when Cosworth were developing the system, they took the figure of 40 bhp for 15 seconds and worked backward to decide battery capacity, battery voltage, type of electric motors, how much re-gen was required, etc.

Doubling the output is more than just turning a dial. I wonder how much surplus capacity was in the original design or if it will require hardware changes to achieve.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by redshoes

According to a quote from when Cosworth were developing the system, they took the figure of 40 bhp for 15 seconds and worked backward to decide battery capacity, battery voltage, type of electric motors, how much re-gen was required, etc.

Doubling the output is more than just turning a dial. I wonder how much surplus capacity was in the original design or if it will require hardware changes to achieve.

think you might have missed that the extra next year comes from turbo boost

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

It’d be interesting to see some actual numbers, because they must be approaching the point where its impossible to make more power work with FWD.

It will (as currently) only be available above a certain speed and gearing point, when the traction has already been established.

[Robin Marriott]

I missed that too. It’s good news that they’ve gone that way with it, additional boost is free, more hybrid would have had to come with a weight penalty.

[Robin Marriott]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

It will (as currently) only be available above a certain speed and gearing point, when the traction has already been established.

Appreciate that but even in a perfect scenario there’s a limit to how much power the tyre can cope with. Put 800bhp through it and it won’t manage. At some point above the currently power levels, it’ll be a traction issue regardless of any variables like speed.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

think you might have missed that the extra next year comes from turbo boost

I did, although reading the article it will be increased hybrid as well as turbo boost.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

think you might have missed that the extra next year comes from turbo boost

Quote from the BTCC website:

Next year’s increased power levels will be through a combination of both hybrid and turbo boost, with the final figure being double of that available during the 2023 season. The combined hybrid-turbo boost will work completely in tandem and will be deployed via the same original HEM system.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Quote from the BTCC website:

yeah
everyone seemed to have thought the extra came just from hybrid and nobody mentioned the new turbo boost

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

yeah
everyone seemed to have thought the extra came just from hybrid and nobody mentioned the new turbo boost

Political spin.

Call it increased hybrid boost when in fact nothing extra is coming from "hybrid" at all

[VIVA GT]

So, along with the electrical power boost, the drivers will also have additional power provided by more turbo boost at the same time?
This should lead to some topsy-turvey race results!

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by rdjones

All cars to receive double amount of hybrid-turbo boost next season

https://www.btcc.net/2023/10/30/btcc...BSwR2uH2j8pEP8

Bearing in mind how little the Championship leader ( read Ash Sutton!) Had all year things maybe tougher for him next year!