[BTCC] 2016 BTCC news & rumours

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

Whilst I think the concept is good I would question a few points

a) During the summer break which the teams wanted to enable staff to have breaks
b) Mid-season will teams want to risk damage to cars in a non-championship, mid-season event
c)Costs - budgets are already under strain so this will be extra costs unless of course it is funded by extra income/guest drivers
d) The overall costs of the event, at the moment the teams turn up and do their thing. That is a big difference to a promote that has to hire a circuit and be the underwriter of the event and put an EVENT on in total.

Given points a, b and c, how would you explain the 16 July tyre test which saw '25 drivers completing an incredible 1645 laps of the 2.97-mile layout'?

Alongside this, you will probably find that a lot of teams conducted at least one other test session during the summer break. I'm wondering if this 'festival' is designed to allow an entry fee to be charged at what would effectively be a test day? Tyre tests and car development could be conducted alongside a family-friendly day out.

I was also under the impression that the summer break was initially included to avoid TV clashes with other big sporting events? This potential event would allow ITV to broadcast a highlights package midweek, and still show every racing lap live.

[NaBUru38]

I'd love a two-driver race. Some suggestions for guest drivers:

Motorbase Ford: Winterbottom, Mostert.
Power Maxed Chevrolet: Norberto Fontana.
Speedworks Toyota: MatÃ*as Rossi.
Dynamics Honda: Gabriele Tarquini, RIckard Rydell.
Morgan Mercedes: Paul di Resta, Will Davison, AgustÃ*n Canapino.
Pro Infiniti: Rick Kelly, Lucas Ordóñez.
West Surrey BMW: Spengler, Farfus.
BMR Volkswagen: Ekström, Green.
Other: Lowndes, Whincup, Van Gisbergen, Tander, Courtney.

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Given points a, b and c, how would you explain the 16 July tyre test which saw '25 drivers completing an incredible 1645 laps of the 2.97-mile layout'?

Alongside this, you will probably find that a lot of teams conducted at least one other test session during the summer break. I'm wondering if this 'festival' is designed to allow an entry fee to be charged at what would effectively be a test day? Tyre tests and car development could be conducted alongside a family-friendly day out.

I was also under the impression that the summer break was initially included to avoid TV clashes with other big sporting events? This potential event would allow ITV to broadcast a highlights package midweek, and still show every racing lap live.

Testing and racing do not cost the same or carry the same risks - surely... and have different objectives.

I doubt that entry fees would cover the costs of a public promoted event with all that entails - who knows it may be fully sponsored already though.

[Greem]

Three or more one-make races, with cars from different suppliers, all at a "lower" spec to the BTCC; all drivers to race in all types. That way you could have a driver, team and manufacturer (based on lap times, maybe?) trophy at the end of the day.

Or something like a rerun of the BTCC Masters race in '04, where Plato & Watts had the massive crash at the Old Hairpin - that was a good demo of the Leon, lots of great drivers, *lots* of panel bashing, very entertaining.

[gregc]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

Testing and racing do not cost the same or carry the same risks - surely... and have different objectives.

I doubt that entry fees would cover the costs of a public promoted event with all that entails - who knows it may be fully sponsored already though.

One important point is that, as proposed, this is not a TOCA event - presumably the teams and others putting this together would also hold the commercial rights, so any deals they do will be putting money in the pot. I imagine they wouldn't be looking to do it if there wasn't a way to make it worth their while...

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by gregc

One important point is that, as proposed, this is not a TOCA event - presumably the teams and others putting this together would also hold the commercial rights, so any deals they do will be putting money in the pot. I imagine they wouldn't be looking to do it if there wasn't a way to make it worth their while...

Yep, but they also have to underwrite it - which means hiring the circuit and all the costs of putting on a public event and the add ons that go with it.

Don't get me wrong - I lke the idea, but to me it sounds just that an idea not a reality, yet.

[Sodemo]

They need a cup to win or some kind of "hook" to make it more marketable.

"The UK Touring Car Cup" or something like that.

[S griffin]

In other news BMR are moving factory

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by gregc

One important point is that, as proposed, this is not a TOCA event - presumably the teams and others putting this together would also hold the commercial rights, so any deals they do will be putting money in the pot. I imagine they wouldn't be looking to do it if there wasn't a way to make it worth their while...

Yep

Of course this brings also risks, e.g. if it fails to attract spectators.

Personally would like to see an endurance race with international touring car drivers alongside the regular driver.

[jsmee]

News from Andrew Jordan on the 28th

[ExplodeTheApex]

Originally Posted by jsmee

News from Andrew Jordan on the 28th

Certainly a new team then as that's then exactly two weeks after season's end, which is when he mentioned his MG contract was up. Be interested to see how purple looks on the Focus...

[BillWiskins]

Could it not just be a 'contract extended' announcement?

[850Estate]

Looks like Josh Cook'll be back with PMR:

https://twitter.com/UKPMR/status/655803172401881089

[ExplodeTheApex]

Originally Posted by BillWiskins

Could it not just be a 'contract extended' announcement?

I suppose it could, but then why couldn't they just announce that now?

[CarsCarsCars]

Originally Posted by ExplodeTheApex

I suppose it could, but then why couldn't they just announce that now?

Hypothetically, a new manufacturer.

[BillWiskins]

Originally Posted by ExplodeTheApex

I suppose it could, but then why couldn't they just announce that now?

Because you've got to build the hype! Even if the announcement is 'next year I'll be proud to be wearing Primark Driving Socks in the BTCC!', you've got to build the hype. See also: adverts for movie trailers.

[Greem]

Originally Posted by BillWiskins

you've got to build the hype. See also: adverts for movie trailers.

Ah, but BTCC Silly Season doesn't simply shoehorn all the good bits of the forthcoming season into the teaser trailer...

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by ExplodeTheApex

Certainly a new team then as that's then exactly two weeks after season's end, which is when he mentioned his MG contract was up. Be interested to see how purple looks on the Focus...

I'd be more surprised if it were a different announcement to be honest.

Not in the same line It is interesting to see AmD looking at 3 cars next year if they can get the TBL's! Certainly going to be a bun fight for them over the winter.

[CM388]

Originally Posted by Jiiiiiiim

Not in the same line It is interesting to see AmD looking at 3 cars next year if they can get the TBL's! Certainly going to be a bun fight for them over the winter.

I'd imagine we'll be seeing some of the smaller, single car teams either merging with others or disappearing altogether.

OR we'll have a few newly-built NGTCs sat in garages gathering dust!

[BillWiskins]

Must soon be time for the list of existing cars vs. proposed entries for next year...

[porsche962fan]

I fear it will also be a mess regarding the new RML kit as it would be needed for potentially 32 cars as existing cars have to be updated too

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

I fear it will also be a mess regarding the new RML kit as it would be needed for potentially 32 cars as existing cars have to be updated too

After Brands, one of the teams (I think it was Jeff Smith) referred to upcoming test(s) in 2015.
They said that they were hopeful that RML will have all the kit ready for their test, but may have to run 2015-spec as RML will only release parts once they have enough to supply all teams [that wish to use the kit] at the same time.

It might mean that each team will only get one kit initially, but while Nov was hoped for, there seemed to be no concern that all kits will be delivered in plenty of time.

It is also wrong to say that existing cars have to be updated, the choice lies with the teams:

'Initially this will involve concentrating on some technical updates which will be available to all teams for the 2016 season onwards – the vast majority of which will be compatible and interchangeable with current components. A team can then choose to use some or all (or none) of the updates, purely depending on their own requirements and budgets.'
'RML has already invested very considerable time and resources into this programme, with supply commencing in November for teams wishing to either build new cars or update their existing ones.'

[850Estate]

Originally Posted by BillWiskins

Must soon be time for the list of existing cars vs. proposed entries for next year...

Let's give it a go

2015

4 x BMR VW CC
2 x Motorbase Ford Focus
3 X WSR BMW 125iMSport
2 x Speedworks Toyota Avensis
2 x Welch Proton Gen-2
1 x Dextra Ford Focus
2 x Cicely Mercedes A-Class
2 x PMR Chevrolet Cruze's
1 x AMD Ford Focus
2 x SOPR Infinti Q50
1 x Team HARD. Toyota Avensis
2 x Honda Yuasa Honda Civic Type-R
1 x AMD Audi S3 Saloon
2 x Eurotech Honda Civic
2 x 888 MG6GT
2 x RAR Audi A4
1 x Houseman Toyota Avensis

Total = 32 Have I missed anyone?

2016 Proposed

4 x BMR CC
2 x Motorbase Focus
3 x WSR BMW
3 x Speedworks Avensis
2 x Welch Hyundai i30
2 x Cicely A-Class
2 x PMR Cruze
1 x AMD Focus
1 x HARD. Avensis
2 x Yuasa Type-R
2 x AMD S3
3 x Eurotech Type-R
2 x RAR ?????
1 x Houseman Avensis

I make that 30! And that's without 888 who obviously aren't confirmed yet which would make it a 32 capacity!

[Jiiiiiiim]

On the proposed list above, as well as nothing from 888, you could include Dextra's TBL which team Parker have (I think it did actually trade hands from Motorbase), plus although only loaned this year I' sure SOPR would argue for a TBL as with one car they did complete the season etc, though they are manufacturer backed now!

[850Estate]

Originally Posted by Jiiiiiiim

On the proposed list above, as well as nothing from 888, you could include Dextra's TBL which team Parker have (I think it did actually trade hands from Motorbase), plus although only loaned this year I' sure SOPR would argue for a TBL as with one car they did complete the season etc, though they are manufacturer backed now!

I'll stick in a TBC bit on the bottom for that.

Pre-qualifying in the BTCC must be the way forward

Or at least I would if it would let me edit it. Damn.