BTCC 2024 News & Rumours

[Millvi]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Perhaps a GT racing convert, a wealthy Am maybe.

Andrew Jordan? We can’t rule anything out after all the revelations so far…

[Millvi]

Originally Posted by Millvi

Andrew Jordan? We can’t rule anything out after all the revelations so far…

These 3 cars for sale as well https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/ViewByUser/276885/JRT77

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by Millvi

Andrew Jordan? We can’t rule anything out after all the revelations so far…

there are probably more chances of the Gallagher brothers making up and reunite Oasis


all this troubles started by that useless Hybrid

[Millvi]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

there are probably more chances of the Gallagher brothers making up and reunite Oasis

How things are at the moment don’t rule those reunions out either!!!

[porsche962fan]

there is even a video on the dwindling grid numbers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDPedCUlqS4

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Perhaps a GT racing convert, a wealthy Am maybe. Can’t think of too many in touring car circles that aren’t accounted for / can afford it? Not least being ‘WSR calibre’, although I’m sure the money is a more important factor!

This is where I'm really really struggling, the BTCC known quantities that aren't accounted for currently are drivers that we know have had budget issues at smaller teams than WSR. Most of the quick GT options will be signed across British GT and GTWC.

Which leaves you with either putting a chequebook driver in just to fulfill the TBL and run the car , or someone completely left field that even this forum wouldn't have considered.

[Pickles]

I'm wondering if WSR might end up running 3 cars.

[Matt K]

If I were to gamble I'd bet on WSR scaling down to three cars. But perhaps there's some kind of Andy Neate-ish driver waiting with pots of money...

[Millvi]

Originally Posted by Matt K

If I were to gamble I'd bet on WSR scaling down to three cars. But perhaps there's some kind of Andy Neate-ish driver waiting with pots of money...

Proctor perhaps in with a shout at PMR or Speedworks or WSR? Decent in RWD or FWD and perhaps brings a better budget than Huff, Bobby T or Jade?

[Craner Curves]

Ironic that Proctor allegedly has a good budget, when you consider his dad was being applauded for scraping through a season on £50k back in the old ex-Collard Astra.

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by Millvi

Proctor perhaps in with a shout at PMR or Speedworks or WSR? Decent in RWD or FWD and perhaps brings a better budget than Huff, Bobby T or Jade?

Certainly an option although given that he disappeared from the BTCC in 2021 and hasn't returned since, makes me think his financial/commercial situation is not good enough to race for a WSR seat. Would like to be wrong though.

[tocatrucky]

Originally Posted by Millvi

These 3 cars for sale as well https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Vi...r/276885/JRT77

Those are for sale because they have built new ones for 2024 with the the tricks they've learned on customer cars, Andrew was testing the new Cortina and A40 at Donington on Tuesday.

WSR are not averse to taking chequebook drivers rather than solely race winners/title contenders, see Andy Neate and Nick Foster. The overall bills have to be paid somehow. and its no secret BMW UK have reduced their involvement even further over winter.

[redshoes]

Interview with Alan Gow in Autosport today. Don't think there was anything new revealed, mostly what we already knew.

Reduction if grid size to 24 cars had been stated aim for some time. He would have liked it to be a more gradual reduction that all in one off-season.

No plans to ditch hybrid as WRC are doing. WRC use a different system with different requirements, so no need to follow what they do.

Current NGTC ruleset remains until 2026. New rules from 2027, although details still in discussion. Aim to allow current NGTC to carry over or be upgraded.

RML, Cosworth, ITV and TOCA's own contract are all up for renewal at the end of 2026.

[Redshift]

Originally Posted by tocatrucky

Those are for sale because they have built new ones for 2024 with the the tricks they've learned on customer cars, Andrew was testing the new Cortina and A40 at Donington on Tuesday.

I didn't see any Cortinas or A40s amongst the British GT cars at Donington on Tuesday

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Interview with Alan Gow in Autosport today. Don't think there was anything new revealed, mostly what we already knew.

Reduction if grid size to 24 cars had been stated aim for some time. He would have liked it to be a more gradual reduction that all in one off-season.

No plans to ditch hybrid as WRC are doing. WRC use a different system with different requirements, so no need to follow what they do.

Current NGTC ruleset remains until 2026. New rules from 2027, although details still in discussion. Aim to allow current NGTC to carry over or be upgraded.

RML, Cosworth, ITV and TOCA's own contract are all up for renewal at the end of 2026.

Article now here: https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/...grid/10587353/

Suspect although he might’ve wanted grid numbers down to 24, he didn’t want the number of teams to reduce quite so much. Sounds like it’ll be limited to 24 TBLs next year.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Interview with Alan Gow in Autosport today. Don't think there was anything new revealed, mostly what we already knew.

Reduction if grid size to 24 cars had been stated aim for some time. He would have liked it to be a more gradual reduction that all in one off-season.

No plans to ditch hybrid as WRC are doing. WRC use a different system with different requirements, so no need to follow what they do.

Current NGTC ruleset remains until 2026. New rules from 2027, although details still in discussion. Aim to allow current NGTC to carry over or be upgraded.

RML, Cosworth, ITV and TOCA's own contract are all up for renewal at the end of 2026.

Yes, it was an interesting read.

There was also an important reminder (with people undoubtedly thinking about SUVs and Crossovers dominating car sales) that nowhere in the rules currently does it say someone can't enter a Range Rover or Ford Puma or Kia Sportage (the latter two the best-selling models in the UK in 2024 thus far).

"Gow gets animated when asked whether the net might be broadened from what currently pass as touring cars – ie your saloon and hatchback staple diet. After all, aesthetically unpleasing as they tend to be, SUVs scoff up a large percentage of the new-car market. “You can do that now – this is the part I don’t bloody get,” he says. “If you want to go and run a Range Rover Evoque, you can. We don’t say in our regulations it has to be a saloon car. We have the minimum dimensions of the car, and we have the subframes you can bolt on – you can make a BTCC car out of SUVs and crossovers. If a team or a manufacturer wants to introduce that, bring it on. That’s exactly why these regulations were designed the way they were.”"

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by SSmith

Yes, it was an interesting read.

There was also an important reminder (with people undoubtedly thinking about SUVs and Crossovers dominating car sales) that nowhere in the rules currently does it say someone can't enter a Range Rover or Ford Puma or Kia Sportage (the latter two the best-selling models in the UK in 2024 thus far).

"Gow gets animated when asked whether the net might be broadened from what currently pass as touring cars – ie your saloon and hatchback staple diet. After all, aesthetically unpleasing as they tend to be, SUVs scoff up a large percentage of the new-car market. “You can do that now – this is the part I don’t bloody get,” he says. “If you want to go and run a Range Rover Evoque, you can. We don’t say in our regulations it has to be a saloon car. We have the minimum dimensions of the car, and we have the subframes you can bolt on – you can make a BTCC car out of SUVs and crossovers. If a team or a manufacturer wants to introduce that, bring it on. That’s exactly why these regulations were designed the way they were.”"

also says both front and rear wheel drive continue in the future

so that shuts down some of the "experts" here that said bmw have been told they have to change to front drive

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by SSmith

There was also an important reminder (with people undoubtedly thinking about SUVs and Crossovers dominating car sales) that nowhere in the rules currently does it say someone can't enter a Range Rover or Ford Puma or Kia Sportage (the latter two the best-selling models in the UK in 2024 thus far).

Regulations may not be an issue; Physics on the other hand...

I can't believe something as non-aerodynamic and top heavy as a Range Rover Evoke would be remotely competitive.

[Greem]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Regulations may not be an issue; Physics on the other hand...

I can't believe something as non-aerodynamic and top heavy as a Range Rover Evoke would be remotely competitive.

That may be the case - but I reckon they'd be a bit less fragile than the current crop!

[Craner Curves]

Might be more entertaining. Anyone seen the SuperUtes?

[S griffin]

I can understand Gow’s desire to have about 24 cars on the grid, but I also feel he should leave it open for more to join. Don’t want it to become a closed shop like F1. If it’s 24, 28 or the maximum 32, so be it

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I can understand Gow’s desire to have about 24 cars on the grid, but I also feel he should leave it open for more to join. Don’t want it to become a closed shop like F1. If it’s 24, 28 or the maximum 32, so be it

Strange he says that but also mentions that the smaller grid could give incentive for new teams to join.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Strange he says that but also mentions that the smaller grid could give incentive for new teams to join.

I take that as being a smaller team possibly leasing TBLs from some of the larger holders.

[porsche962fan]

the future of BTCC ?

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Strange he says that but also mentions that the smaller grid could give incentive for new teams to join.

I think what he means is that if Unimog, or some other new manufacturer, wanted to run a team then TOCA could easily extend the 24 limit. That would be harder to accommodate if all 32 spaces were already taken.