BTCC 2024 News & Rumours

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by ACF_

I also think he's a far better driver than some others on the BTCC grid, who are only there because they've got money & not the talent to match

Unfortunately the way motorsport works more often than not… I do think it’d be nice to see him have a shot (well, a second go!) but in honesty I expected a bit more from him in Minis and Porsches given how long he’s been at that level compared to most of the grid.

In reality, if he hasn’t been able to make a move up after 5-10 years on the TOCA package I don’t think it’s going to happen now. Seems like someone who would be an ideal candidate and front-runner in TCR UK if touring cars is his goal.

[ACF_]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Unfortunately the way motorsport works more often than not… I do think it’d be nice to see him have a shot (well, a second go!) but in honesty I expected a bit more from him in Minis and Porsches given how long he’s been at that
level compared to most of the grid.

In reality, if he hasn’t been able to make a move up after 5-10 years on the TOCA package I don’t think it’s going to happen now. Seems like someone who would be an ideal candidate and front-runner in TCR UK if touring cars is his goal.

I hope, for his sake, you're wrong, but I unfortunately have to agree.

[tocatrucky]

Max and Graves have their plans for this year already confirmed and its not BTCC no matter now many times its brought up in this thread.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by BtccLee

The only seats that don’t seem locked down are the 4th WSR entry, and 3rd PMR. Assuming (as Autosport indicated) Halstead has Hyundai N04, and Huff (as everyone seems to believe) is in the 4th Toyota.

Any thoughts on those two seats? Oddly very little chatter about them.

From what I’ve heard the 3rd PMR has a few drivers from last vying for it, I’d imagine Bobby T, Jade, etc. but it could be someone from another series, it’s quite wide open. I can see it going to the highest bidder at deadline day. Think we can rule Creesy out of the running after Adam Weavers recent interview comments.

[SSmith]

NAPA Racing UK lineup officially confirmed as Sutton, Cammish, Rowbottom and Sam Osborne. As per the updated 2024 regulations, Osborne is still eligible for the JST as his podium came due to a penalty/dsq.

https://www.btcc.net/2024/02/19/napa...-btcc-line-up/

[DaviePHD]

I really hope that it's Bobby T, no disrespect to the others but I've always thought he was better than the cars he has been in so far. The Astra was pretty competitive in 2023 and unless Bobby has the cash for the 4th BMW then it's likely to be the best seat still open.

[Rialdeal]

Does everyone now think that One Motorsport is as good as gone? I hope for the series they make it to the grid. Perhaps Gamble could take what many perceive to be good funding there? A great line up would be him and Bobby T, though I know it’s only wishful thinking. So many Tbls seem to be heading back to TOCA.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by SSmith

NAPA Racing UK lineup officially confirmed as Sutton, Cammish, Rowbottom and Sam Osborne. As per the updated 2024 regulations, Osborne is still eligible for the JST as his podium came due to a penalty/dsq.

https://www.btcc.net/2024/02/19/napa...-btcc-line-up/

Three car entry for the MINIs (one in the lower JCW class), seems like no Carrera Cup entry this year.

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by Rialdeal

Does everyone now think that One Motorsport is as good as gone? I hope for the series they make it to the grid. Perhaps Gamble could take what many perceive to be good funding there? A great line up would be him and Bobby T, though I know it’s only wishful thinking. So many Tbls seem to be heading back to TOCA.

Seems like it's way too silent about them to believe in them staying. Honestly can't see that happening, unfortunately.

[MarcusH26]

Can't see One making it , losing Cook,Moffat and LKQ Euro Car Parts feels insurmountable. Coupled with the Civics getting long in the tooth too even if they went back to the TOCA engine I just can't see a situation where they make the grid

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Three car entry for the MINIs (one in the lower JCW class), seems like no Carrera Cup entry this year.

It is good to see the MINI JCW programme continue and have an entry in the new JCW Sport class.

Yes, it seems no Carrera Cup sponsorship. The colour scheme looked good on a Carrera Cup car but last season was a bit hit-and-miss what with three different drivers and a few incidents along the way.

Last year's partner JTR have already confirmed three drivers for this year (which would match their entry from last year). Josh Stanton will probably have a similar livery to last year, Andrew Rackstraw will bring his own sponsors and colour scheme, and Porsche GB Junior James Wallis is (I think) running a Porsche heritage livery.

[ScottChegg]

From Jade Edwards Instagram Q&A she says she has nothing signed for a drive nor is she close to signing but hinted at joining TCR for this year.

[redshoes]

Jade Edwards teasing "something is coming" and "I am going to need all your help with.." images on FB.

Looks like a repeat of her "9 for 9" fundraiser when she was in Clio Cup a few years ago, except now "10 for 10" with a partial BTCC logo.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Jade Edwards teasing "something is coming" and "I am going to need all your help with.." images on FB.

Looks like a repeat of her "9 for 9" fundraiser when she was in Clio Cup a few years ago, except now "10 for 10" with a partial BTCC logo.

Time to knock it on the head

[Spanner monkey]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Time to knock it on the head

I'd rather Jess Hawkins was given a chance at a full season now

[RED55]

Anyone that can raise the budget and have the relevant racing licence and some experience can pick a seat in this championship. It's not a question of having a chance , if you want to drive you have to pay for it . This is the current issue . Drop the hybrid and we will see an influx , it's probably time for a 2 tier NGTC championship, allow non hybrid older cars and have a different championship for it . The cars could race together or in separate races as a support series , even the teams currently on hybrid would benefit because they can run extra lower budget cars at an event they are already at .

[antnee]

Originally Posted by RED55

Anyone that can raise the budget and have the relevant racing licence and some experience can pick a seat in this championship. It's not a question of having a chance , if you want to drive you have to pay for it . This is the current issue . Drop the hybrid and we will see an influx , it's probably time for a 2 tier NGTC championship, allow non hybrid older cars and have a different championship for it . The cars could race together or in separate races as a support series , even the teams currently on hybrid would benefit because they can run extra lower budget cars at an event they are already at .

Hybrid isn't the breaking point for the budgets. The yearly cost of the hybrid will be around £30k (up from the £20k target before introduction). If you want to be at the right end of the grid, your total budget has to be around £500k. With Hard gone, I would guess the cheapest seats are now £350k+

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by antnee

Hybrid isn't the breaking point for the budgets. The yearly cost of the hybrid will be around £30k (up from the £20k target before introduction). If you want to be at the right end of the grid, your total budget has to be around £500k. With Hard gone, I would guess the cheapest seats are now £350k+

Depends on what end of the grid you are. For the likes of WSR and Alliance, they just absorb that as part of the cost of being at the front. For someone at the other end of the scale who is doing everything short of selling a kidney to be on the grid, that's nearly 10% of their total budget. That's a not insignificant increase over pre-hybrid costs.

Plus unlike the rest of the budget, it needs to be paid up-front and can't be spread in instalments over the year. Cosworth won't deliver until they have been paid.

[TinTopGrumpy]

Personally I would have thought accident damage was a far bigger consideration than the hybrid costs for a driver struggling for budget. At least the hybrid is a fixed amount that you know full well going into it. Reducing the amount of avoidable contact would do far more for budgets than ditching hybrid IMO.

[AJD]

Look at the country at the moment man everything is more expensive! Houses/mortgages, food, energy and insurance or is hybrid to blame for all that as well? It's the way things are at the moment, things are more expensive than they were.

Some people are struggling to pay bills and others are struggling to pay the required price to go racing. That's the top and bottom of it.

Be for or against hybrid but to suggest it's the reason that certain drivers (the ones who usually struggle for sponsors) aren't on the grid is daft.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by RED55

Anyone that can raise the budget and have the relevant racing licence and some experience can pick a seat in this championship. It's not a question of having a chance , if you want to drive you have to pay for it . This is the current issue . Drop the hybrid and we will see an influx , it's probably time for a 2 tier NGTC championship, allow non hybrid older cars and have a different championship for it . The cars could race together or in separate races as a support series , even the teams currently on hybrid would benefit because they can run extra lower budget cars at an event they are already at .

What % do you think the Hybrid accounts for on a season of racing?

[antnee]

The way to bring down costs is for a design change of the control parts. Not to make the parts cost less, they just need a different design - like the change from GPRM to RML.

When a rule set is stable for so long (and so strictly controlled) it becomes a lot more expensive year-on-year to make the car a tenth quicker. When a rule set change comes in, everything reverts back to '0'. There was mention in 'On The Limit' about how much effort is required now to make the car quicker compared to a few years ago, the margins are very fine now.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Spanner monkey

I'd rather Jess Hawkins was given a chance at a full season now

Whilst it probably won't be in the BTCC, it seems she is getting a chance to race somewhere in 2024. Matt Bishop has written a great column on Jess Hawkins' role with Aston Martin F1 for Motor Sport and adds that alongside her AMF1 role, "she has a number of exciting opportunities to race in 2024, and, whichever she selects, she will do plenty of racing over the next few months"

[Robin Marriott]

Originally Posted by antnee

The way to bring down costs is for a design change of the control parts. Not to make the parts cost less, they just need a different design - like the change from GPRM to RML.

When a rule set is stable for so long (and so strictly controlled) it becomes a lot more expensive year-on-year to make the car a tenth quicker. When a rule set change comes in, everything reverts back to '0'. There was mention in 'On The Limit' about how much effort is required now to make the car quicker compared to a few years ago, the margins are very fine now.

That’s a great point.

The NGTC rules have stagnated, 13 years is a long time with minimal changes.

[BtccLee]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

That’s a great point.

The NGTC rules have stagnated, 13 years is a long time with minimal changes.

This is pretty much the gist of the issue, speaking to people who should know. Yes the global socio-economic situation isn't helping, but the difference between say 2016 and today is that the performance parameters are so equal, to have an advantage and be successful takes so much more investment. Arguably this is what has ultimately killed off the smaller entries and led to larger teams running multiple cars or satellite operations.

I would be surprised if there isn't a regulation tweak for 2025/26. A cost-cap type solution as a potential or rule-set tweaks. Hybrid won't be going anywhere, whether it is liked or not, the sustainability messaging is key to the survival of motor sport, especially at BTCC level and above.