BTCC 2024 News & Rumours

[MarcusH26]

Absolutely staggered they're back on the grid. Autosport saying they're in talks with race winning drivers too.

[InYourMirrors45]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

Absolutely staggered they're back on the grid. Autosport saying they're in talks with race winning drivers too.

Proctor and ?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Toyotat112

Believe me, they will never be returning to a paddock ever again.

How many believe?

[SV8Predator]

On the BTCC site:


https://www.btcc.net/2024/03/04/hard...nues-for-2024/

[Robin Marriott]

Originally Posted by InYourMirrors45

Proctor and ?

The obvious answer would be Lloyd?

[InYourMirrors45]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

The obvious answer would be Lloyd?

Signed up for PCCGB.

[BtccLee]

Crees and Proctor would not be a bad line up for HARD. Pushes the likely entry to 21-23 cars, so all in all a positive place for the series.

If HARD do things correctly, it will be great to have them still on the grid.

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by InYourMirrors45

Proctor and ?

I think Proctor is the obvious one , I don't see it being Goff and a lot of the other race winners that aren't on the grid are already signed in other series.

Would expect the other seat is a former HARD driver like a Crees or DeLeon.

[Dudley]

Spectacular timing on my part there.

[Robin Marriott]

Originally Posted by InYourMirrors45

Signed up for PCCGB.

Oh yeah good point.

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

Oh yeah good point.

A contract is a contract, until it's rescinded or broken.....

I have a feeling that it'll be different for HARD this time though. The immediate thought for many is that the team with the bargain basement driver bills is back. I think the days of helping young drivers will have to be put on pause as far as BTCC goes. I imagine with two cars that they'll charge a bit more than in the past, so it won't be an option for the likes of Lloyd. To be fair they need to get rid of that image, and do things properly, which I think with two cars and a few lessons learned they will be better off for it.

[TyH]

Incredible to be back on the grid, they seemed down an out, especially with the third party coming in and effectively seizing the Cupra chassis'

Fair play to all involved, it seems a much more sustainable and wise decision to only run 2 cars to a good level rather than overstretch themselves to running 6 cars.

Good luck to them and look forward to seeing the driver announcements

[MarcusH26]

If they can put together a solid 2 car lineup that doesn't change all season and have put things on a sound financial footing then it's a welcome bonus. I didn't expect to see one of those shells that was with the creditors in someone's barn actually making the grid.

[AJD]

Wish them luck. Just hope nobody gets screwed over this season by them.

Hopefully lessons have actually been learned and it's not just a sound bite.

[rdjones]

Didn't see that one coming

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

If they can put together a solid 2 car lineup that doesn't change all season and have put things on a sound financial footing then it's a welcome bonus.

That's a big if

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by redshoes

That's a big if

Absolutely it's a big if , I'm still quite skeptical of the whole thing really.

[crmalcolm]

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	Confirmed in Press Release
Excelr8 Motorsport-3	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8	Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance	Chilton	Confirmed in Press Release
Excelr8 Motorsport-4	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8	Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance	Halstead	Confirmed in Press Release
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 Press Release
Alliance Racing-4	NAPA Racing UK	Ford Focus ST	Osborne	Confirmed in Press Release
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-2	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	Moffat	Confirmed in Press Release
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
Aiden Moffat Racing-1	Team HARD.	Cupra León	???	Confirmed in Press Release
Aiden Moffat Racing-2	Team HARD.	Cupra León	???	Confirmed in Press Release
CBM Racing-1	???	???	???
One Motorsport-1	N/A	N/A	N/A	Taking a ‘pause’ for 2023
One Motorsport-2	N/A	N/A	N/A	Taking a ‘pause’ for 2023
One Motorsport-3	N/A	N/A	N/A	Taking a ‘pause’ for 2023
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

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by rdjones

Didn't see that one coming

Yep same here . Very good news given continued absence of other firmed up seats . Let’s hope that means the last few seats are close to being filled . One driver being overlooked is Bobby T , maybe the Neal family could put him and or Sheddon in a car but it will have to be properly financed and capable of consistent results to keep them interested .

[Matt K]

Also surprised at seeing HARD make it to the grid. Well, at least that's two cars more on the grid. Kind of hoping that having two cars will help HARD being more competitive and better prepared although sadly can't see it happening. Past years made me very sceptical about this team in general but well, fair play for making onto the grid at all. Hopefully it's not two hopeless backmarkers in the cars...

[coffinpilot]

I'm wondering what the ownership structure is. Obviously one car is the Boardley car, and it seems that his TBL isn't being used, I wonder if it has been sold (the car that is)? On here the impression is that car and TBL come as one to pay for his TCR racing, does this dilute things for Boardley?

Is there a possibility that it is HARD in name only with Mr Gilham being employed as a team manager instead of being involved in ownership? Us amateur snoops looking on Companies House will see that nothing has changed since Nov last year and 13 charges are still to be sorted with Team HARD (or if they have they haven't been updated,) and even after that would the credit lines needed to run a BTCC team be opened up? I mean, credit checks and whatever wouldn't be kind I imagine from suppliers.

[Pit Lane Lurker]

Having seen Kieran Gallagher confirming he’s still out of pocket to the tune of £208k+…. I think I’m gonna give the congratulating and back slapping a miss.

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by Pit Lane Lurker

Having seen Kieran Gallagher confirming he’s still out of pocket to the tune of £208k+…. I think I’m gonna give the congratulating and back slapping a miss.

But they're so good to their fans. They are true underdogs. ?

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Pit Lane Lurker

Having seen Kieran Gallagher confirming he’s still out of pocket to the tune of £208k+…. I think I’m gonna give the congratulating and back slapping a miss.

Where did he post that?

[Pit Lane Lurker]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

Where did he post that?

On the BTCC Facebook page.

‘Kieran James
Team HARD. Racing
I suggest before you get yourself onto the grid you contact Cobra Financial Solutions
Ltd to sort the small issue of the £208,000+ they are chasing you for on my behalf.
Slander/defamation doesn't exist here because my information is factual. Before anyone starts their usual pish.
10 years.’