[BTCC] BTCC 2023 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[FFSM]

Originally Posted by Protonman

One point I liked was the circuit familiarity . I remember the days of the smaller circuits and really liked the alternative of a street race . I guess one is now considered out of date or too ambitious . What alternatives are their I wonder. Multiple layouts available but currently not being used at silver stone and snetterton . Some May suit BTCC although silverstone GP circuit May not be one . Big empty spaces probably not the way to go .

I think Snetterton 300 is too long a lap for BTCC. I'd prefer the 200 be used.

Silverstone GP is another half a mile, so would be even longer.

[Robin Marriott]

Originally Posted by FFSM

I think Snetterton 300 is too long a lap for BTCC. I'd prefer the 200 be used.

Silverstone GP is another half a mile, so would be even longer.

I don’t think there would be enough overtaking opportunities with the 200 layout.

[kipper]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

I don’t think there would be enough overtaking opportunities with the 200 layout.

Also, and a slight oddity, is that when the 300 circuit is used, spectators near the infield loop see the cars for a greater proportion of time.

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by kipper

Also, and a slight oddity, is that when the 300 circuit is used, spectators near the infield loop see the cars for a greater proportion of time.

I visited both the current layout and the previous one . Your right that viewing is improved but extra length seems to take away some excitement. The old track always seem to have plenty of overtaking opportunities especially in days of group A but they had lots of power to weight and more skittish handling .

[crmalcolm]

The full timetable for each of the ten rounds is now published - https://www.btcc.net/2023/03/14/btcc...ed-timetables/

[S griffin]

Gonna be interesting, especially as various weather conditions could play a big part this year depending on what time each of the races is on

[Ant25]

Strange that more teams haven’t gone testing yet?

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Ant25

Strange that more teams haven’t gone testing yet?

WSR tried last week but it snowed, so they went home.

[Craner Curves]

WSR out at Oulton today.

[cameronpoe]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

WSR out at Oulton today.

Motorbase at Snetterton

[Ant25]

Originally Posted by cameronpoe

Motorbase at Snetterton

Thought more teams might be there?

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by Ant25

Thought more teams might be there?

excelr8 are there too

[S griffin]

So we're just waiting for announcements from Speedworks and Dynamics and also to see if any other team joins the series

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by S griffin

So we're just waiting for announcements from Speedworks and Dynamics and also to see if any other team joins the series

Speedworks just posted a press release welcoming in new personnel and announcing plans to grow into GTs (despite dropping out of BritishGT) so hopefully that’s a positive sign that their BTCC program this year is all good behind the scenes.

Feel like if something wasn’t up with Dynamics, they would’ve made some kind of BTCC related post to reaffirm their presence with all the comments they’re getting. Notice Speedworks have been just as quiet and there’s been zero rumours about them being in trouble. Hope to be wrong!

Highly doubt any new teams will appear with a month to go, unless someone with exceptionally deep pockets has done a deal with the potentially-struggling Dynamics a long while back…

[Jamie Brown]

Originally Posted by S griffin

So we're just waiting for announcements from Speedworks and Dynamics and also to see if any other team joins the series

Think we are waiting on last announcements at One Motorsport (BTC Racing) as well. 3rd Driver and whether there will be a 4th.


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[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Speedworks just posted a press release welcoming in new personnel and announcing plans to grow into GTs (despite dropping out of BritishGT) so hopefully that’s a positive sign that their BTCC program this year is all good behind the scenes.

Feel like if something wasn’t up with Dynamics, they would’ve made some kind of BTCC related post to reaffirm their presence with all the comments they’re getting. Notice Speedworks have been just as quiet and there’s been zero rumours about them being in trouble. Hope to be wrong!

Highly doubt any new teams will appear with a month to go, unless someone with exceptionally deep pockets has done a deal with the potentially-struggling Dynamics a long while back…

The Speedworks press release is rather upbeat. New funding/investment from their new managing director (who has some racing experience and a lot of business experience) which allows Christian and Amy Dick to focus on their areas of expertise. There is also a suggestion in the press release that they will once again be registered as a manufacturer entry in BTCC. With this press release out the way, it means they can focus on specific BTCC announcements.

Agreed on Dynamics - something must be going on there. The Speedworks announcement alleviates a lot of my concerns with the future of their BTCC programme.

Agreed on teams as well - if there is any movement on the teams front it would most likely be a merger or working partnership.

[teabag1993]

Originally Posted by SSmith

The Speedworks press release is rather upbeat. New funding/investment from their new managing director (who has some racing experience and a lot of business experience) which allows Christian and Amy Dick to focus on their areas of expertise. There is also a suggestion in the press release that they will once again be registered as a manufacturer entry in BTCC. With this press release out the way, it means they can focus on specific BTCC announcements.

I really think that 2023 could be Speedworks' year. Butcher's run in the last two rounds was incredible- but the Corollas always seem to have a slow start to the season. If Rory could get on the podium right out of the gate, I think he'd be a title favourite for the whole year.

[Craner Curves]

Ronan Pearson livery reveal due soon.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by teabag1993

I really think that 2023 could be Speedworks' year. Butcher's run in the last two rounds was incredible- but the Corollas always seem to have a slow start to the season. If Rory could get on the podium right out of the gate, I think he'd be a title favourite for the whole year.

I definitely agree that if the Toyotas can get a good start to the year then they can challenge for titles. I'm hopeful that Motorbase and Speedworks can challenge WSR in the manufacturer/constructor championship this year.

[coffinpilot]

Three teams at Croft next week too apparently - Wednesday.
A mechanic (former Dynamics) at GT Cup today reckons they've handed their TBL back to Gow and will announce a new programme next week. He reckons the posts about supporting TCR cars in 24 Hours Series is shifting to them running their own cars there - are BTCC cars eligible for the Touring class I wonder?

*I'm not sure mind, could just be pulling my leg, but they are late!

[Robin Marriott]

I hope TD don’t leave, I can’t help but think it would cause others to follow and we’ll end up in 2003 again.

[Matt K]

Have a feeling that too much has now been said about their apparent leaving and not a hint from their side that it's untrue and they're actually staying so I'm afraid that it's true they're leaving, sadly. Would be a huge blow for the championship, no doubt about that but everything has its end....

Shedden and Butcher as Toyota's duo then??

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Matt K

Have a feeling that too much has now been said about their apparent leaving and not a hint from their side that it's untrue and they're actually staying so I'm afraid that it's true they're leaving, sadly. Would be a huge blow for the championship, no doubt about that but everything has its end....

Shedden and Butcher as Toyota's duo then??

It wouldn't be a great look for the series for sure.

If Dynamics leave, I'd also guess Butcher and Shedden as Speedworks' main lineup. As Speedworks have 3 TBLs, I'd guess someone like Hamilton in the 3rd car

[crmalcolm]

Team Dynamics' own website says that they have plans for 2023 in the BTCC.
Gordon Shedden has publicly stated that he is working on the behind-the-scenes plans for his 2023 campaign with Team Dynamics (in the BTCC).

Obviously, this can all fail to materialise for many reasons - but what tangible evidence is there that they are planning to step away from the series, other than a lack of announcement to date?

Mr Gow always likes to have something to reveal at media day - maybe Team Dynamics is the team that has chosen to be the 'big reveal' this season?

[CroftPilgrim]

Originally Posted by SSmith

It wouldn't be a great look for the series for sure.

I don't buy the TD leaving is bad for the series idea. Big teams have left before and the BTCC moves on (Triple Eight Racing for example). Some other team steps in to fill the void.

Also, as I've said before, TD have had their ups and downs over the years. They're in a dip at the moment. It might be the end, it might not. If they do go it will be a shame, but it's no reflection on the series