[BTCC] BTCC News & Rumours 2025

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

Green Bull?

(Rubbish name)

Sounds cool at least!

[Racing_Dad]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

Will be interesting to see where Ronan Pearson ends up - could be someone to keep an eye on if anything opened up at Speedworks.

I've heard he has some interesting offers on the table both in and out of BTCC. His sudden availability has attracted good interest. I hope he gives BTCC another shot.

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by Racing_Dad

I've heard he has some interesting offers on the table both in and out of BTCC. His sudden availability has attracted good interest. I hope he gives BTCC another shot.

I hope he's back in the BTCC because I think the potential is there if he gets the right car for him to contend. However if British GT came calling it wouldn't surprise me if he went there.

[aland]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

I hope he's back in the BTCC because I think the potential is there if he gets the right car for him to contend. However if British GT came calling it wouldn't surprise me if he went there.

his dad is good mates with jonny adam the aston martin works driver

[BtccLee]

Didn't know if this was one for 2024/2025 but sustainability goals have been outlined by the championship: https://btcc.net/btcc-to-further-rai...t-silverstone/

Interesting to see that 100% sustainable fuel is being tested this weekend at Silverstone.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by BtccLee

Didn't know if this was one for 2024/2025 but sustainability goals have been outlined by the championship: https://btcc.net/btcc-to-further-rai...t-silverstone/

Interesting to see that 100% sustainable fuel is being tested this weekend at Silverstone.

If they were able to use sustainable fuel only at Goodwood the other weekend, I cannot see why they shouldn't be able to do so for the BTCC. I appreciate that some of the fuel monitoring/engine management ECUs may require tweaking, but that shouldn't be beyond the wits of those involved with that sort of thing.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

If they were able to use sustainable fuel only at Goodwood the other weekend, I cannot see why they shouldn't be able to do so for the BTCC. I appreciate that some of the fuel monitoring/engine management ECUs may require tweaking, but that shouldn't be beyond the wits of those involved with that sort of thing.

goodwood wasnt using 100% sustainable it was 70%
btcc currently use sustainable fuel but not yet 100%

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

goodwood wasnt using 100% sustainable it was 70%
btcc currently use sustainable fuel but not yet 100%

Thanks for that; either I missed that important fact, or they were economical with the truth on their broadcasts, including their own publicity inserts during the broadcasts.

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Thanks for that; either I missed that important fact, or they were economical with the truth on their broadcasts, including their own publicity inserts during the broadcasts.

I got that impression about Goodwood too, for the same reasons.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Thanks for that; either I missed that important fact, or they were economical with the truth on their broadcasts, including their own publicity inserts during the broadcasts.

https://www.goodwood.com/grr/event-c...tainable-fuel/
The devil is in the detail
100% of cars were running on 70% sustainable fuel


WEC started using biofuel a few years ago and most big GT series have now switched. It was only a matter of time before it filtered down

[Mike Harte]

I was only going on their broadcasts, and hadn't looked at their website until I was corrected. I really cannot recall any mention over the three days that the sustainable fuel element was only 70%; I had the impression that it was sustainable, which, to me, meant 100% and partial.

I think that I am correct that Virgin Atlantic has now completed a cross-Atlantic flight on 100% sustainable fuel, and that other airlines have also done similar flights elsewhere. If so, I am more than certain that it should be possible for BTCC cars to perform equally well at 100% sustainable fuel.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I was only going on their broadcasts, and hadn't looked at their website until I was corrected. I really cannot recall any mention over the three days that the sustainable fuel element was only 70%; I had the impression that it was sustainable, which, to me, meant 100% and partial.

I think that I am correct that Virgin Atlantic has now completed a cross-Atlantic flight on 100% sustainable fuel, and that other airlines have also done similar flights elsewhere. If so, I am more than certain that it should be possible for BTCC cars to perform equally well at 100% sustainable fuel.

As have the RAF!

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I was only going on their broadcasts, and hadn't looked at their website until I was corrected. I really cannot recall any mention over the three days that the sustainable fuel element was only 70%; I had the impression that it was sustainable, which, to me, meant 100% and not partial.

I think that I am correct that Virgin Atlantic has now completed a cross-Atlantic flight on 100% sustainable fuel, and that other airlines have also done similar flights elsewhere. If so, I am more than certain that it should be possible for BTCC cars to perform equally well at 100% sustainable fuel.

Correction added in Red:

[Ant25]

Here’s something to get you thinking! Some drivers that might be in it next season or looking for a return.
Bobby Thompson
Sam tordoff
Ronan Pearson
Rory butcher
George gamble

[codename_47]

Originally Posted by Ant25

Here’s something to get you thinking! Some drivers that might be in it next season or looking for a return.
Bobby Thompson
Sam tordoff
Ronan Pearson
Rory butcher
George gamble

Hopefully all of them, we need to bump up the car count

One of the reasons this season has felt a bit meh to me is them running around with a third less cars than they usually do....

More cars=more action

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by Ant25

Here’s something to get you thinking! Some drivers that might be in it next season or looking for a return.
Bobby Thompson
Sam tordoff
Ronan Pearson
Rory butcher
George gamble

Would expect to see Thompson and Pearson on the grid , Butcher I'm not sure about - could go back to GTs , Gamble I'd expect to do Porsches again or something GT based unless he can get a WSR seat. Tordoff I think just races historics now for the fun of it? Would be very surprised to see him back.

[Matt K]

I'm a bit worried about Thompson's chances tbh but fingers crossed he's finally in for a full-time season. Pearson, well hoping to see back and until recently was pretty sure he's going to be there but there were some rumours about him going to GTs instead. Don't think Tordoff will be back, not sure what to think of Butcher.
I'd like to see Gamble back on the grid in the fourth WSR BMW but honestly pretty sure he's going to stay in Porsche/GT racing. Another thing is, wasn't he somehow linked to Car Gods? In the off-season there were some rumours about them wanting to expand significantly whereas there's no sign of them at all, haven't seen them either on Gamble's car nor anywhere else in the BTCC.

[Ant25]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

Would expect to see Thompson and Pearson on the grid , Butcher I'm not sure about - could go back to GTs , Gamble I'd expect to do Porsches again or something GT based unless he can get a WSR seat. Tordoff I think just races historics now for the fun of it? Would be very surprised to see him back.

Only mentioned him because when he was in the pre 66 races and Croft Louise interviewed him and asked about if he misses the Btcc, and he replied saying he would love to come back and give it another go.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Ant25

Only mentioned him because when he was in the pre 66 races and Croft Louise interviewed him and asked about if he misses the Btcc, and he replied saying he would love to come back and give it another go.

I think that was more if someone hypothetically offered him a drive for free, not having to go through the trouble of funding it himself. Similar case to Andrew Jordan I suppose, in they’d rather have the fun of historics than the stress and commitment that comes with the BTCC.

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by Evantra

I think that was more if someone hypothetically offered him a drive for free, not having to go through the trouble of funding it himself. Similar case to Andrew Jordan I suppose, in they’d rather have the fun of historics than the stress and commitment that comes with the BTCC.

Yeah as much as I'd like to see Sam back on the grid I completely understand not wanting the hassle. Same with AJ although I doubt he'd even have the time anymore with the amount of historics he seems to run with JRT.

[TinTopGrumpy]

Originally Posted by codename_47

Hopefully all of them, we need to bump up the car count

One of the reasons this season has felt a bit meh to me is them running around with a third less cars than they usually do....

More cars=more action

They only want 24 cars on the grid. More cars doesn't mean more action when the cameras never used to bother with anyone outside the top 10.

[pimmy]

It means potentially more action for trackside spectators though. If you lose a few cars during a race now you're left with quite a thin field to watch.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by TinTopGrumpy

They only want 24 cars on the grid. More cars doesn't mean more action when the cameras never used to bother with anyone outside the top 10.

Unpopular opinion maybe, but perhaps there’s been a few times this year when you wouldn’t have minded a couple cars at the back pranging into each other and bunch up the field with a safety car. Obviously you don’t want sub-par drivers to interrupt racing at the front every race or encourage ‘crashing’ in any way, but a little bit of chaos can be exciting and is in the BTCC’s blood!

I agree though, 24 or so is about right and 32 was often a bit much.

[Racing_Dad]

Originally Posted by Matt K

I'm a bit worried about Thompson's chances tbh but fingers crossed he's finally in for a full-time season. Pearson, well hoping to see back and until recently was pretty sure he's going to be there but there were some rumours about him going to GTs instead. Don't think Tordoff will be back, not sure what to think of Butcher.
I'd like to see Gamble back on the grid in the fourth WSR BMW but honestly pretty sure he's going to stay in Porsche/GT racing. Another thing is, wasn't he somehow linked to Car Gods? In the off-season there were some rumours about them wanting to expand significantly whereas there's no sign of them at all, haven't seen them either on Gamble's car nor anywhere else in the BTCC.

I'd like to see Bobby back, he's a talented driver who's never really had a full shot at it, either team/finances holding him back. Can be said for a few though.

I hear through a reliable source that Pearson has strong options on the table so would expect to see him on a grid next year. He's very highly rated in the paddock, just needs a proper shot at it.

Tordoff and Butcher would be great additions but I don't think you'll see either o the grid in 2025.

I spoke to a team recently for my own lad who were close to joining BTCC recently but were put off by the rising costs, think we're seeing the effects of those across the paddock.

[BtccLee]

What are people's genuine thoughts on the grid size for next year. I am feeling somewhere 18-20 unless measures to reduce costs come in this winter.

Maybe if NAPA do develop a new car and sell the Fords there could be scope for a new team/existing team to expand with proven machinery. But I can't see much scope for someone to come in and build their own machinery with new, or rather updated, regulations still be confirmed for 2027.