BTCC 2024 News & Rumours

[Matt K]

Collard at WSR seems like a disaster waiting to happen, really hope they can choose Watson or Gamble instead of Collard....

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I'm gonna wait and see which other teams actually enter before speculating anymore. See who takes Moffat and Boardley's TBLs

Salient point indeed.

I do wonder about that. If the Boardley/Moffat TBLs create entries, could that mean Speedworks might drop back to three again, will there be less pressure on them to fill the grid? (assuming the One/BTC rumourmongering is baseless.)

[Steel Wheels]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Salient point indeed.

I do wonder about that. If the Boardley/Moffat TBLs create entries, could that mean Speedworks might drop back to three again, will there be less pressure on them to fill the grid? (assuming the One/BTC rumourmongering is baseless.)

Well given Speedworks plans are to run 2 cars under separate team names, I can’t see that happening. They purchased the extra TBL as they wanted it to expand.

[Sodemo]

I know there was some discussion on here about ticket prices, I just took a look at what Silverstone are charging for the F1 this year and from what I can tell general entry for 3 days is over £300. I last went in 2004 when we paid £90 for Fri-Sat-Sun admission.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Steel Wheels

Well given Speedworks plans are to run 2 cars under separate team names, I can’t see that happening. They purchased the extra TBL as they wanted it to expand.

Wasn’t that what happened last year?

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Wasn’t that what happened last year?

Was it last winter there was rumours the fourth car was going to be Nic Hamilton? And then it never happened and Nic went to Hard.

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Steel Wheels

Well given Speedworks plans are to run 2 cars under separate team names, I can’t see that happening. They purchased the extra TBL as they wanted it to expand.

They've had four before, then ran three. I can't recall a statement saying they'd bought a TBL. The last time they (and Dynamics if I remember rightly) were loaned extra TOCA TBLs that were not used. This year there isn't publicly an indication is there? Or am I wrong?

Anybody able to point out if the fourth TBL for Speedworks has been bought from someone else? I know it appears to be one of the HARD (with two going to Restart) but is that solid fact?

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

They've had four before, then ran three. I can't recall a statement saying they'd bought a TBL. The last time they (and Dynamics if I remember rightly) were loaned extra TOCA TBLs that were not used. This year there isn't publicly an indication is there? Or am I wrong?

Anybody able to point out if the fourth TBL for Speedworks has been bought from someone else? I know it appears to be one of the HARD (with two going to Restart) but is that solid fact?

https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/new-team-joins-btcc-with-cupras-as-hard-folds/10558171/

Autosport on the Restart announcement said the fourth Speedworks TBL was from Hard.

[SV8Predator]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Huff, Watson, Moffat, Cook is my prediction.

Looking like this, I think. Across two teams.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by SV8Predator

Looking like this, I think. Across two teams.

There's probably 52 permutations of drivers for the seats.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

There's probably 52 permutations of drivers for the seats.

Sounds like a roster you would get on video games

[Mike Harte]

I must admit I find what has happened at Speedworks in the last 10 years puzzling. When Ingram joined them, they reduced the team to running just one car, and during his time there, he often mentioned that he thought that the team would benefit from running even one more car in order to gain more feedback, and thus improve the team's fortunes.

It wasn't until 2021, 7 years later, that they entered a second car, but that was only after, without any doubt, their best ever driver left the team.

And now it's possible that they are going to be running four cars. I really don't understand the rational.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by SV8Predator

Looking like this, I think. Across two teams.

Which, if so, means - a cause for concern at One Motorsport? And where would Butcher go as a fairly highly-regarded driver? And Collard / Gamble, even if one does go to WSR that still leaves out the other.

I have a feeling if Excler8 were sticking with their line-up, as I assumed they would be likely to, it would’ve been announced by now? Ingram seems all-but confirmed but not seen anything from Chilton, who was apparently on a similar deal?

[S griffin]

To be fair their lineup of Butcher/Collard/Gamble was quite a solid one and certainly they had a competitive enough car last year

[ACF_]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Which, if so, means - a cause for concern at One Motorsport? And where would Butcher go as a fairly highly-regarded driver? And Collard / Gamble, even if one does go to WSR that still leaves out the other.

I have a feeling if Excler8 were sticking with their line-up, as I assumed they would be likely to, it would’ve been announced by now? Ingram seems all-but confirmed but not seen anything from Chilton, who was apparently on a similar deal?

My guess would be Butcher to Excelr8, in place of Halstead possibly?

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by ACF_

My guess would be Butcher to Excelr8, in place of Halstead possibly?

Butcher sadly has nothing like Halstead in terms of backing though!

[ACF_]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

Was it last winter there was rumours the fourth car was going to be Nic Hamilton? And then it never happened and Nic went to Hard.

I know he's previously announced that he won't be on the grid this year, but I'm hoping Nic ends up with a seat at Speedworks.

[ACF_]

Originally Posted by Jiiiiiiim

Butcher sadly has nothing like Halstead in terms of backing though!

It's unfortunate that money talks higher than experience & skill these days.

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/new-team-joins-btcc-with-cupras-as-hard-folds/10558171/

Autosport on the Restart announcement said the fourth Speedworks TBL was from Hard.

Cheers, I didn't check that one out!

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Which, if so, means - a cause for concern at One Motorsport? And where would Butcher go as a fairly highly-regarded driver? And Collard / Gamble, even if one does go to WSR that still leaves out the other.

I have a feeling if Excler8 were sticking with their line-up, as I assumed they would be likely to, it would’ve been announced by now? Ingram seems all-but confirmed but not seen anything from Chilton, who was apparently on a similar deal?

It would be intriguing if it turned out that even though Ingram has been around the doors (well Autosport) with his car liveried in it's 2023 colours (clearly no work on that chassis yet) and was giving us fans no confirmation, but hints that he's staying - that it turned out he was going back to Speedworks with a Toyota cheque in his bank account. That would be magic!

His announcement must be imminent. I mean Hansford have been confirmed as a sponsor with Excelr8, and Chris Hansford was with Tom as usual at the NEC. I wonder why they haven't let it out yet?

[ACF_]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

It would be intriguing if it turned out that even though Ingram has been around the doors (well Autosport) with his car liveried in it's 2023 colours (clearly no work on that chassis yet) and was giving us fans no confirmation, but hints that he's staying - that it turned out he was going back to Speedworks with a Toyota cheque in his bank account. That would be magic!

His announcement must be imminent. I mean Hansford have been confirmed as a sponsor with Excelr8, and Chris Hansford was with Tom as usual at the NEC. I wonder why they haven't let it out yet?

Hansford have been one of Tom's sponsors from pretty much day one, so if they've confirmed as an Excelr8 sponsor, then it does suggest he's definitely staying with them, but stranger things have happened. It is the BTCC after all

[MarcusH26]

Ingram was at St Mary's this week doing sponsor work for Maron Freight in full Excler8 gear with Southampton FC , I guess it's just when they announce it and for how many years he signs.

Would love to see Butcher at Excler8 but I just don't think he's got the backing to make it happen.

[S griffin]

I would surprised to see Tingram leaving Excelr8, but then again, I didn’t think he’d leave Speedworks either

[ACF_]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I would surprised to see Tingram leaving Excelr8, but then again, I didn’t think he’d leave Speedworks either

Going by the write up on BTCC.net yesterday, it looks like he's staying put & it's just a matter of time until Excelr8 release their full line up. But didn't expect him to leave Speedworks either, so we shall see

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by ACF_

It's unfortunate that money talks higher than experience & skill these days.

It has done pretty much since the Supertouring days ended and all the manufacturer money went.