[BTCC] 2015 BTCC news & rumours

[touringlegend]

More logically, with the Aiden Moffat tie up with Cicely this season, could we see Moffat in the Merc?

[rich07]

Originally Posted by Spanner monkey

Manufacturer backed! Speaking to the mechanics at Oulton park & they have 7 full time staff at Dynamics including engineers,mechanics and truckies...

Only 7 fulltime staff?

That's surprising, I thought they would've had more considering here in Australia half the V8 grid would have 20 or so fulltime staff and the front runners such as 888/FPR/HRT would have more then that, even double that.

I'm quite surprised about that, makes their achievements look even better with so few fulltime staff

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by rich07

Only 7 fulltime staff?

That's surprising, I thought they would've had more considering here in Australia half the V8 grid would have 20 or so fulltime staff and the front runners such as 888/FPR/HRT would have more then that, even double that.

I'm quite surprised about that, makes their achievements look even better with so few fulltime staff

I doubt (m)any teams in BTCC have more than that...that's just the way it is these days.

[RED55]

Originally Posted by rich07

Only 7 fulltime staff?

That's surprising, I thought they would've had more considering here in Australia half the V8 grid would have 20 or so fulltime staff and the front runners such as 888/FPR/HRT would have more then that, even double that.

I'm quite surprised about that, makes their achievements look even better with so few fulltime staff

Tripleight were up at near 40 staff in 2005 with Vauxhall , even more I think in Supertouring times !

Prodrive were near 50 with the Ford mondeo , work out the budget for that at a minimum 20k Salary ! the staff bills were the same size as what the smaller NGTC teams are spending on the whole team entry and kit .

I think 888 are at about 8 full time now ! and the workshop is a 3rd of the size it was . Motorbase are maybe at a dozen or so and BMR the same , the rest are volunteers or temporary part timers .

but the right staff are as important if not more than a massive budget

[PandaKing]

When do the sporting regulations normally get confirmed, with the current grid size and problems with flags truncating a couple of qualifying sessions this year, what about potential changes to the quali format.

[CarsCarsCars]

Originally Posted by PandaKing

When do the sporting regulations normally get confirmed, with the current grid size and problems with flags truncating a couple of qualifying sessions this year, what about potential changes to the quali format.

I think Gow has said many times, quali wont change for now.

(But then he did say that about extending points to 15th)

[porsche962fan]

does GIO hint at return for 2nd seasos ?

I don’t really know how to explain the race, it is just a nightmare. I think a second season with the team will be a lot different for me. Mat has been faster than me and the car is fast, he took his chance when others messed up. But, I want to see the car win because it is the fastest car on the track.
We have been in the position to win many times but things have happened that have prevented that. I need to become faster in qualifying and suit the car towards my driving style a little bit. There are lots of little factors that we need to get on top of but we aren’t too far from where we want to be

[porsche962fan]

Chris Stockdon announced that they will switch to a Cruze saloon for next year but will reuse most of the parts from their current hatchback

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

Chris Stockdon announced that they will switch to a Cruze saloon for next year but will reuse most of the parts from their current hatchback

So that means it will still break down most races then? I really feel for that team...

[cds_uk]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

Chris Stockdon announced that they will switch to a Cruze saloon for next year but will reuse most of the parts from their current hatchback

Will be good to see them back for next year, i really like the BTC outfit and i rate Stockton very highly as a driver, i can see them getting into the points now and again next season now they have the Toca lump in the car.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

Chris Stockdon announced that they will switch to a Cruze saloon for next year but will reuse most of the parts from their current hatchback

Being slightly pedantic, he has only said he is considering it.

Given how long it took them to complete the the hatchback I wouldn't expect to see a saloon much before 2019

[davyboy]

Well if they do return next year, I hope they'll get some better luck than their recent campaigns. Speaking of bad luck, do we think Team Welch will be back next year ? They've had an awful time of it in 2014... you gotta applaud their stoicism in the face of so many problems. Where does the funding for Dan's car come from ?

[FIRE]

Instead spending money on a new car they could better spending (part of) that money on the current car. Switch to the Cruze saloon doesn't mean problems are solved.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Being slightly pedantic, he has only said he is considering it.

Given how long it took them to complete the the hatchback I wouldn't expect to see a saloon much before 2019

From TCT:

“We will do something – we won’t be back in the hatchback,” said Stockton.

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Instead spending money on a new car they could better spending (part of) that money on the current car. Switch to the Cruze saloon doesn't mean problems are solved.

they need a saloon for a bit better top speed


they wasted a lot of money on the RML engine .... only to siwtch for the proven TOCA unit in stead of investing that money on chassis testing


same mistake by Dan Welsh

if you have a really tight budget a own engine is a big NO-NO

[BillWiskins]

I have it on good authority that assuming they retain the TOCA license, Welch Motorsport will be back next year. I'm told they have been given the lowest boost on the grid with their in-house engine build, which can't be helpful.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

they need a saloon for a bit better top speed


they wasted a lot of money on the RML engine .... only to siwtch for the proven TOCA unit in stead of investing that money on chassis testing


same mistake by Dan Welsh

if you have a really tight budget a own engine is a big NO-NO

Stocktons problems are bigger than only aero issues.
Better a well prepared hatch than spending all your resources on building a new car.

For example Morgan isn't doing bad with his Mercedes hatch.

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Instead spending money on a new car they could better spending (part of) that money on the current car. Switch to the Cruze saloon doesn't mean problems are solved.

My thought exactly...

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by BillWiskins

I have it on good authority that assuming they retain the TOCA license, Welch Motorsport will be back next year. I'm told they have been given the lowest boost on the grid with their in-house engine build, which can't be helpful.

That probably explains their performance deficit. Hopefully that can be addressed before the start of next season.

[RED55]

All engines boost level is set by gasflowing the Head ,(carried out by Lotus engineering) The boost is set according to how efficient the flow across the head is, this means if Welches engine is low boost then the flow across the head is very good as per Honda , this means they either have a poor engine calibration to get the max from it,or the install is very poor.

Or Toca have dealt them a blow because they bad mouthed the TOCA unit last year !

whichever one it is, they are on to a pointless exercise running with a car that is so far behind on power they havnt a hope of competing fairly and just waisting their money.

United Autosports is another, The drivers constanly whining poor performance its down to boost, low boost means they have a good base engine so its either drivers or chassis not getting the time back in the corners.

it sounds crazy but the better the engine is, the less boost you get !

[PandaKing]

Rotek racing still aiming for a 2 car setup next season despite the lack of TBLs. Could there be an opening to combine with another team?

[FIRE]

Any new rumours about Motorbase switching to BMW?

I read BMW is working on a 4-door saloon 1-Series. To make Plato happy: IT"S PROBABLY FWD!

[Sodemo]

I'm not sure what to think of the FWD BMWs, it just seems wrong.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I'm not sure what to think of the FWD BMWs, it just seems wrong.

OMG... God forbid the 2 Series Active Tourer replaces what WSR are using now. Plato will have so much to answer for if his moaning precipitates a disaster like that.

[davyboy]

A really good insight here on the detailed differences between FWD and RWD from Rob Austin. He's clearly opposed to any change, as you'd expect, but his arguments are well founded. He also says that TOCA's boost adjustments are a lot smaller than people imagine... and believes that Dynamics' straight line speed deficit is to do with the aero of the Tourer.

http://www.insidebtcc.com/austin-broken/