BTCC 2024 News & Rumours

[MarcusH26]

Ricky and Rob Collard confirmed at Barwell in BGT

Another comment about the BTCC budgets being out of control


But ever-increasing budgets in the touring car championship mean Collard Jr has decided to focus his efforts elsewhere for the foreseeable future.
“It’s a shame. When I joined back in 2018, I jumped straight in the car, no testing, no experience, just went out and had podiums and consistent top-10 finishes,” added Collard, who was also a McLaren Autosport BRDC Award finalist in 2015 and 2016.
“I enjoyed it, whereas the last couple of years with Toyota have been quite difficult for whatever reason.
“Budgets are increasing all the time in touring cars, and it’s just financially impossible. I’d love to have stayed in the championship, but it’s crazy.”

[Evantra]

Collard confirmed in British GT, again cites a rising BTCC budget - “Budgets are increasing all the time in touring cars, and it’s just financially impossible. I’d love to have stayed in the championship, but it’s crazy.”

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Millvi

Mention in MSN of Bobby T and a seat away from the BTCC for 2024....

Confirmation or just allusions?

[ACF_]

Originally Posted by ACF_

That would mean Huff to WSR then I reckon

I could also see Chilton at Speedworks with Watson & Dan Zelos Moving up the ExcelR8 Ladder from JCW.

[Adamcas87]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Collard confirmed in British GT, again cites a rising BTCC budget - “Budgets are increasing all the time in touring cars, and it’s just financially impossible. I’d love to have stayed in the championship, but it’s crazy.”

I find collards budget excuse a load of tosh seen as though his dad owns a multi million pound waste management company

[ACF_]

Originally Posted by Adamcas87

I find collards budget excuse a load of tosh seen as though his dad owns a multi million pound waste management company

Sounds like he's using that as an excuse for him not performing well enough in the BTCC to me.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Adamcas87

I find collards budget excuse a load of tosh seen as though his dad owns a multi million pound waste management company

There's a difference between 'impossible to raise the finances required', and 'impossible to justify the financial commitment'.

[Adamcas87]

Originally Posted by ACF_

Sounds like he's using that as an excuse for him not performing well enough in the BTCC to me.

Yeah this guy gets it

[InYourMirrors45]

Originally Posted by ACF_

Sounds like he's using that as an excuse for him not performing well enough in the BTCC to me.

A - He’s not wrong
B - His results weren’t poor

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by ACF_

Sounds like he's using that as an excuse for him not performing well enough in the BTCC to me.

Ricky has always courted controversy but it must be a wrench to step back having not achieved the victory he felt was deserving . Needed to mature a little but speed was not lacking . All of this is proving that you can rumour and counter rumour as much as you like but little is more surprising than the truth . I am confounded that Toyota didn’t also confirm Moffatt in the third seat and just wondering if his sponsors have thrown their all behind Cook who is clearly a championship contender . However we are assured the livery will be on two cars so let’s wait and see . Testing starts soon and all these teams will want to use it fully in order to catch the Fords . Potential new name at PMR as seat is still open as of yet and who knows the identity of the last driver at WSR . I thought Gamble was ideal with Car Gods livery on his and possibly Morgan’s entry . Turkington would then enjoy all the backing from Bavaria and his own individual livery . Would be good PR for what is likely to be his last championship effort . However if not Gamble then who , oh the suspense . All of this does indicate we can expect an entry closer to 20 cars than 30 this year. All those Spare licences will probably be handed back .
For those who are grumpy about budget I notice TCR is not getting bigger despite their optimism and lower budget while GT racing is now big business despite requiring 2 drivers and very expensive machinery. Nothing makes much sense it seems .

[crmalcolm]

With Watson already virtually confirmed as on the grid, we were just waiting to see what seat he would be in.

We also know that Collard will not be on the grid in 2024.

2024 TBL	2024 Team	Car	Driver	Status
Excelr8 Motorsport-1	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8	Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance	Pearson	Confirmed for 2 years in press release (24&25)
Excelr8 Motorsport-2	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8	Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance	Ingram	Discussed his 2024 aspirations at AI
Excelr8 Motorsport-3	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8	Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance	???	Title sponsor confirmed
Excelr8 Motorsport-4	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8	Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance	???	Title sponsor confirmed
Alliance Racing-1	NAPA Racing UK	Ford Focus ST	Sutton	Confirmed in Press Release
Alliance Racing -2	NAPA Racing UK	Ford Focus ST	Cammish	Confirmed in Press Release
Alliance Racing -3	NAPA Racing UK	Ford Focus ST	Rowbottom	Confirmed in AI interview
Alliance Racing -4	NAPA Racing UK	Ford Focus ST	Osborne?
West Surrey Racing-1	Team BMW	BMW 330e M Sport	Turkington	Discussed his 2024 aspirations in interview
West Surrey Racing-2	Team BMW	BMW 330e M Sport	Morgan?
West Surrey Racing-3	Team BMW	BMW 330e M Sport	???
West Surrey Racing-4	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	BMW 330e M Sport	Hill	Confirmed in Press Release
Speedworks Motorsport-1	Toyota Gazoo Racing UK	Toyota Corolla GR Sport	Watson	Confirmed in Press Release
Speedworks Motorsport-1	Toyota Gazoo Racing UK	Toyota Corolla GR Sport	Huff?	Team stated they are evaluating the option
Speedworks Motorsport-3	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	Toyota Corolla GR Sport	Cook	Confirmed in Press Release
Speedworks Motorsport-4	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	Toyota Corolla GR Sport	Gamble?	Team stated they are working on a deal
Power Maxed Racing-1	CarStore Power Maxed Racing	Vauxhall Astra	Taylor-Smith	Confirmed in Press Release (24&25)
Power Maxed Racing-2	CarStore Power Maxed Racing	Vauxhall Astra	Doble	Confirmed in Press Release
Power Maxed Racing-3	CarStore Power Maxed Racing	Vauxhall Astra	???
Restart Racing-1	Restart Racing	Cupra León	Smiley	Confirmed in Press Release
Restart Racing-2	Restart Racing	Cupra León	Sumpton	Confirmed in Press Release
One Motorsport-1	One Motorsport?	Honda Civic Type R?	???
One Motorsport -2	One Motorsport?	Honda Civic Type R?	????
One Motorsport -3	One Motorsport?	Honda Civic Type R?	???
Aiden Moffat Racing-1	???	???	???
Aiden Moffat Racing-2	???	???	???
CBM Racing-1	???	???	???
Other Rumours
???	???	???	Hamilton	Spoke to ITV stating he is working on a deal
???	???	???	Thompson	Stated he is confident of being on the grid, and supported by Team Dynamics

Key:
Green/Bold – Confirmed in a press release since the start of 2023 season
Green – Confirmed in a press release prior to 2023 season
Amber – Indicated as happening by comments from official sources
Blue – Rumoured in multiple sources

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Protonman

For those who are grumpy about budget I notice TCR is not getting bigger despite their optimism and lower budget while GT racing is now big business despite requiring 2 drivers and very expensive machinery. Nothing makes much sense it seems .

I think TCR is depending on the Gen One cup to fill out the grid, doesn't look like it's working so far. Also think they're hoping some ousted BTCC drivers land in those new Lynk and Co cars.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

I think TCR is depending on the Gen One cup to fill out the grid, doesn't look like it's working so far. Also think they're hoping some ousted BTCC drivers land in those new Lynk and Co cars.

Whilst I agree with some of the comments on here relating to TCR UK (which should probably be discussed in the TCR UK thread), there will probably be a batch of late announcements shortly before Rd. 1 (so nearly two months away). It seems like TCR UK deals come together quite late. In much the same way as BTCC, a lot can change in two months. Sponsors can arrive or drop out. Teams can fold. Cars can change. etc. etc. etc. I agree that "Gen 1 Cup" is likely a tease to boost entries, and that the Lynk & Co announcement is probably designed to try and lure a few budgeted drivers to the series in a well-run and up-to-date TCR car.

From memory, there's currently 6 "Gen 2" entries (Boardley & Sargeant in CUPRAs, Hutchison likely in a CUPRA, Powell in a Honda Civic FK7, plus two Lynk & Cos) and 3 "Gen 1" (Bloch in an Audi, Kerry in a CUPRA, Alden in an Opel Astra). I'd expect a few Hyundais and Audi Gen 2s to appear as well and there'll probably be a 15-20 car grid.

To get back onto the BTCC. Looking forward to seeing what Watson can achieve in a Toyota and Collard will no doubt enjoy his racing more having left the BTCC to go back to GTs.

[billy bleach]

So Watson signed up for Toyota Kick in the teeth for PMR

[InYourMirrors45]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

So Watson signed up for Toyota Kick in the teeth for PMR

I’m not sure if see it as a kick in the teeth. He’s making a step up no disrespect to PMR but after his performances last season there was always going to be admirers from the teams at the sharper end.

[InYourMirrors45]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

There's a difference between 'impossible to raise the finances required', and 'impossible to justify the financial commitment'.

If 80% of your budget comes from within then your going to be looking around at cheaper alternatives hence the move to British GT.

[Millvi]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Confirmation or just allusions?

A shoot out for a seat at Century Motorsport that was held at Donington Park.

[MarcusH26]

This does make me wonder what's going on at One? No lead driver in Cook probably no Moffat, no title sponsor and no real links driver wise? Unless they have a total surprise lined up it is a bit concerning

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Millvi

A shoot out for a seat at Century Motorsport that was held at Donington Park.

Thanks - I saw he posted that he was testing, and is connected to the team through coaching Darren Leung. Hope he does stay on the BTCC grid (‘fully confident’ a month ago) but just don’t think he has the backing. PMR perhaps the cheapest seat left if One pulls out and the Moffat licenses don’t come to anything. A championship winning team and car in British GT sounds about as good as it can get otherwise!

[Matt K]

Can't say I'll miss Collard in the BTCC, he really disappointed me last year with his silly behaviour.
Really happy about Watson on the other hand, the Toyota will for sure be a step up compared to good old Astra and hopefully we'll see Watson shine.
Curious about the fourth WSR seat. If it's not Collard and not Gamble (what about alleged increased Car Gods involvement though?) then who might it be?

[ACF_]

Originally Posted by Matt K

Can't say I'll miss Collard in the BTCC, he really disappointed me last year with his silly behaviour.
Really happy about Watson on the other hand, the Toyota will for sure be a step up compared to good old Astra and hopefully we'll see Watson shine.
Curious about the fourth WSR seat. If it's not Collard and not Gamble (what about alleged increased Car Gods involvement though?) then who might it be?

I agree about Collard, but I think, with the right driver, the Astra is still a competitive car.
My guess is Huff for the fourth WSR seat.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Matt K

Can't say I'll miss Collard in the BTCC, he really disappointed me last year with his silly behaviour.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Matt K

Really happy about Watson on the other hand, the Toyota will for sure be a step up compared to good old Astra and hopefully we'll see Watson shine.

It will be interesting, however sometimes a driver can get something out of a car that is unexpected, but are then unable to do the same in a different one, albeit it is possibly a better car even.[/QUOTE]

[SV8Predator]

Originally Posted by ACF_

My guess is Huff for the fourth WSR seat.

Huff at Speedworks with Watson.


Moffat at Speedworks with Cook.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

It will be interesting, however sometimes a driver can get something out of a car that is unexpected, but are then unable to do the same in a different one, albeit it is possibly a better car even.

If Huff and Moffat complete Speedworks’ line-up, he’ll certainly have some very tough teammates to prove himself against.

Obviously things aren’t all rosy, but it looks like Speedworks and WSR (and NAPA if they remain unchanged) will have a seriously strong quartet of drivers. Shaping up to be a very high-quality grid.

[ACF_]

Originally Posted by SV8Predator

Huff at Speedworks with Watson.


Moffat at Speedworks with Cook.

Seems likely, but I'm just thinking about options remaining for the 4th WSR seat.