[BTCC] BTCC News & Rumours 2025

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Protonman

The article neither increases or decreases the chances of Lloyd or other drivers like him being on the grid.

How do you know? Is it in the actual newspaper or just online? Could a local company look a it and think 'you know, the 3 grand package, I might have some of that.' Or even bigger.

Okay, these kinds of things rarely play out, but getting the message out to an audience wider than the usual BTC fan/reader/casual follower might just tip the balance by grabbing a medium/small company who'd love to be involved in F1, but are far from that budget. but might get him across the line, so I'd say getting the story out to a wider audience increases the chances, even if it's just by 1%. Much better than sitting on his hands, and it suggests he must have a reasonable part of the financial package already.

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

How do you know? Is it in the actual newspaper or just online? Could a local company look a it and think 'you know, the 3 grand package, I might have some of that.' Or even bigger.

Okay, these kinds of things rarely play out, but getting the message out to an audience wider than the usual BTC fan/reader/casual follower might just tip the balance by grabbing a medium/small company who'd love to be involved in F1, but are far from that budget. but might get him across the line, so I'd say getting the story out to a wider audience increases the chances, even if it's just by 1%. Much better than sitting on his hands, and it suggests he must have a reasonable part of the financial package already.

Sounds like he's 80% there and it's about putting his name out there to get the other 20% which I assume is smaller packages. Smart to get something in the regional press.

[AJD]

Originally Posted by BobJones

Amazing article review, thank you.

My pleasure BobbyJ.

[Craner Curves]

Ronan Pearson and Aiden Moffat hanging out. Hmm....

[coffinpilot]

DeLeon on Linkedin looking for a title partner.
Makes me jump to the assumption that they have the money themselves, but want to claw back - not unusual, but I'd expect it'd put the ball into the park of a potential partner in terms of how much it'll cost. Could be a brilliant deal for a sponsor to climb the grid and experience stuff at the WSR rather than PMR end of the field (not that I'm being negative about PMR, or suggesting a sponsor switch!)

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

DeLeon on Linkedin looking for a title partner.
Makes me jump to the assumption that they have the money themselves, but want to claw back - not unusual, but I'd expect it'd put the ball into the park of a potential partner in terms of how much it'll cost. Could be a brilliant deal for a sponsor to climb the grid and experience stuff at the WSR rather than PMR end of the field (not that I'm being negative about PMR, or suggesting a sponsor switch!)

I assume Duckhams aren't an option because there's probably some clash there with existing sponsors. Makes it pretty concrete that we won't be seeing the "works" BMW livery on the grid then.

[Pickles]

Un-Limited also seeking a title sponsor so guessing Duckhams aren't back with them.

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by Pickles

Un-Limited also seeking a title sponsor so guessing Duckhams aren't back with them.

It’s looking like all bar the top 3 teams are looking for headline backing and sadly that is less likely in the current climate . But at least the others are all together in that boat and many remain hopeful if not completely secure . Still feeling likely that a grid of 20 or more will make it and steps will be taken moving towards 2026 to cost cut a little . Can see clearly why hybrid had to be set aside but excited by the promise of lighter more agile cars and some quick drivers to peddle them . Still going to be an exiting season , just keep the faith. WSR seem to have the money for 3 of the 4 cars with DeLeon taking care of himself . Be interesting to see who is chosen for the 2nd LKQ entry , a fast known entity or someone with a little extra dosh .

[ScottS]

While this thread is in a bit of a lull patch, I'm going to throw something out there. I was just watching a Jake Hill video where he was saying that all being well, he should be out testing in mid-March if the British weather improves. For all those more educated about BTCC than myself, is there a limit as to how much testing you can do before the season starts?

I only ask because I'm surprised that the bigger teams (WSR, NAPA, Exceler8) don't pack up their stuff and head for warmer climates in Europe to do some testing. Especially seeing as BTCC cars seem to really suffer in hot conditions and the teams that have the best cooling packages seem to do the best. Or is testing in Europe that expensive that it's not feasible for the bigger teams to do it?

Seeing as qualifying in the BTCC is so close in particular, I'm surprised teams aren't putting in laps already seeing as 1 tenth in lap time is now massive.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by ScottS

While this thread is in a bit of a lull patch, I'm going to throw something out there. I was just watching a Jake Hill video where he was saying that all being well, he should be out testing in mid-March if the British weather improves. For all those more educated about BTCC than myself, is there a limit as to how much testing you can do before the season starts?

I only ask because I'm surprised that the bigger teams (WSR, NAPA, Exceler8) don't pack up their stuff and head for warmer climates in Europe to do some testing. Especially seeing as BTCC cars seem to really suffer in hot conditions and the teams that have the best cooling packages seem to do the best. Or is testing in Europe that expensive that it's not feasible for the bigger teams to do it?

Seeing as qualifying in the BTCC is so close in particular, I'm surprised teams aren't putting in laps already seeing as 1 tenth in lap time is now massive.

Two parts to the question I see:

Part One - limit on testing.
Testing is unrestricted from the completion of the last race in the season until the launch day.

Part Two - testing overseas.
Some teams have done this in past. But, it is expensive and that cost has to be passed on to someone. There is also the additional risk of expensive repair bills - as seen from a BTCC overseas test below.

All teams require their drives to bring at least some budget to run the cars for the season. If that requirement was increased by the introduction of overseas testing, you would see even more drivers dropping out being unable to raise those funds.



Plus - the weather sometimes isn't as warm as was expected. - https://www.facebook.com/OfficialBTC...5555582606016/

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Two parts to the question I see:

Part One - limit on testing.
Testing is unrestricted from the completion of the last race in the season until the launch day.

Part Two - testing overseas.
Some teams have done this in past. But, it is expensive and that cost has to be passed on to someone. There is also the additional risk of expensive repair bills - as seen from a BTCC overseas test below.

All teams require their drives to bring at least some budget to run the cars for the season. If that requirement was increased by the introduction of overseas testing, you would see even more drivers dropping out being unable to raise those funds.



Plus - the weather sometimes isn't as warm as was expected. - https://www.facebook.com/OfficialBTC...5555582606016/

Yes if you desire to test on a day that replicates a hot summer day in the UK you may need to do more than simply take a cross channel ferry . Formula one regularly tests in Spain but not in the height of winter and the European races are always held when the weather should be favourable . Even the areas around the Mediterranean are subject to adversity at these times and when brits take winter hols they usually have to visit other continents, which makes them expensive. One advantage to the BTCC is that it’s start date is often later than others series, meaning access to testing in late spring , hence it’s normally done in March . Also means there is longer to sort out deals which means we shouldn’t rush for a full grid of certain entries just yet .
I was amused that the picture shows the Simpson engineering Honda from the past . This was an example of a team that seemed well funded but often suffered lots of car damage which hindered its competitiveness .

[Mike Harte]

Even the FIA have realised that pre-season testing in Spain has drawbacks, with teams unable to adequately keep tyres up to required temperatures, which is why for the last few seasons it has been in Bahrain.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Protonman

I was amused that the picture shows the Simpson engineering Honda from the past . This was an example of a team that seemed well funded but often suffered lots of car damage which hindered its competitiveness .

I think it is a good example of the risk.

Spend on travel and accommodation to take your team (and drivers) overseas - and then a day-1 incident can render the whole test meaningless.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by ScottS

I only ask because I'm surprised that the bigger teams (WSR, NAPA, Exceler8) don't pack up their stuff and head for warmer climates in Europe to do some testing. Especially seeing as BTCC cars seem to really suffer in hot conditions and the teams that have the best cooling packages seem to do the best. Or is testing in Europe that expensive that it's not feasible for the bigger teams to do it?

Most of the grid struggle to find the budget to complete the season, and I'm including bigger teams like WSR in that. Are you really expecting them to spend weeks testing in southern Europe?

[S griffin]

Teams need more funding behind them. I’m sure they can find it though, they have enough to persuade sponsors and manufacturers to go with them.

[coffinpilot]

Foreign testing is a dream for now. But I do find it interesting at which tracks teams put in their off-season programme. Over the last few years it seems Snetterton, Brands and Donington is the easiest for most as far as location/availability goes, and the championship seems to favour Croft which I assume gives the teams many options in terms of corner types?

I remember once, not sure who, saying Oulton was terrible for off-season testing because there's much more chance of a damp track on dry days, and Silverstone/Thruxton not offering anything of worth due to layout.

I wonder if a couple of teams will hit Knockhill before/after Croft as has been the case in the recent past? Croft has a semi-exclusive day a couple of days before the main test, would it make sense for teams to run that before I wonder? I doubt any will take the offer of Donington next month with TCR offering NGTC slots for their media test day, would I be right in thinking most cars will be in pieces even by that point?

[coffinpilot]

One other thing, I did see a reply to a reply on a post now deleted on one of the Facebook pages where racing jobs are advertised that seemed to suggest (but didn't specifically state) that some of the weekend workers from Power Maxed are still waiting on pay/expenses for the last round at Brands.

Yes, it's gossip, but it adds to the pot.

Edit: I should have put full stops in there, I'm out of breath reading it!

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Teams need more funding behind them. I’m sure they can find it though, they have enough to persuade sponsors and manufacturers to go with them.

The days of getting manufacturers to back you for overseas testing are long gone. The backing of manufacturers for race-day support only is virtually non-existent in the BTCC now.

Sponsors too are not interested in funding an overseas test. In fact, they have little interest in funding a UK-based test. Their involvement with the series (in the main) is purely about hospitality or broadcast coverage. Testing provides none of that for the sponsor.

Drivers and Teams are short enough on funds anyway to put any significant effort into an overseas test. The juice simply isn't worth the squeeze. It's expensive and the risk/reward just makes no sense in 2025.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Teams need more funding behind them. I’m sure they can find it though, they have enough to persuade sponsors and manufacturers to go with them.

Are you unaware that most car manufacturers are having serious financial issues at the moment? Having to pay out billions in compensation over the diesel problems they had, and trying to compete with cheap Chinese imports!

Why do you think that once really strong manufacturers such as Honda and Nissan have had to amalgamate so as to achieve massive cost savings?

Long gone are the days when Ford used to say: "Win on a Sunday, sell on a Monday".

[ScottS]

Thanks to everyone for providing such insightful replies .

[aland]

back in the day vic lee racing used to do a lot of testing in holland, can't think why

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by ScottS

Thanks to everyone for providing such insightful replies .

Was a good question to pass the time!

[MarcusH26]

I know sponsorship and budgets are a regular off-season discussion topic but this season more than ever it seems to be even more prevalent.

I know we'll probably never go back to the days of having sponsorships like the Shredded Wheat or Airwaves deals with Motorbase but I'm just wondering where teams will find these major sponsors from bar drivers bringing them as existing links like LKQ Euro Car Parts and Moffat.

[Greem]

Originally Posted by aland

back in the day vic lee racing used to do a lot of testing in holland, can't think why

Oh, Alan, you are a cheeky boy. But well done, I've been expecting someone to bring that up!

[Protonman]

Interview on BTCC website by Tingram at the ASI. No great revelations , he doesn’t know yet who will be in the 4th Hyundai, but he is expecting NAPA to remain as last year along with many others . Also expecting DeLeon to be an added threat at BMW. As others have stated keeping a status quo can help others to improve as it did at PMR