BTCC 2024 News & Rumours

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

Not only BTCC, but we used to have FFord, GT, an Historic race and it was a four day meeting. I believe the main reason for touring cars being dropped was TV rights and I think Bernie had something to do with that. Shame really, because the 4 day meeting, something was happening on track nearly all day. Now a 3 day meeting, all the track action could take place in 2 Days or less.

We went in 2016 for the three days, and it was a disappointment with long gaps between action. The worst day was on Sunday as our passes only permitted general admittance for the day of the GP. So, to make sure that we got a good spot for the day, we drove up from St Albans in Hertfordshire and arrived about half and hour before the gates were opened.

We then had hours to wait before anything happened on track and after the GP finished, at around 3 ish, nothing else happened on track. A huge waste of time in the middle of summer.

The most memorable part of the day then followed when we went and sat outside one of the beer tents in glorious weather and watched Murray win the singles tittle at Wimbledon on a big screen.

[Ant25]

Originally Posted by cameronpoe

I am replying to myself !!!!! , it’s Wednesday day 1 shakedown!!!

Is that meant to be private?

[Greem]

Originally Posted by Ant25

Is that meant to be private?

No. That was a correction to the previous post, having got the days wrong.

[InYourMirrors45]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

We went in 2016 for the three days, and it was a disappointment with long gaps between action. The worst day was on Sunday as our passes only permitted general admittance for the day of the GP. So, to make sure that we got a good spot for the day, we drove up from St Albans in Hertfordshire and arrived about half and hour before the gates were opened.

We then had hours to wait before anything happened on track and after the GP finished, at around 3 ish, nothing else happened on track. A huge waste of time in the middle of summer.

The most memorable part of the day then followed when we went and sat outside one of the beer tents in glorious weather and watched Murray win the singles tittle at Wimbledon on a big screen.

Agree. I’ve been a few times 2013, 2018 and 2022. It’s an massively overrated day IMO especially now the prices are ridiculously high. Much prefer going to a round of BTCC or GT’s these days.

[S griffin]

I've never been to the British GP, but the atmosphere always seems great judging by watching it on the TV. Just a shame the price is so high. No wonder more go to the BTCC.

[Craner Curves]

Nick Halstead livery reveal tomorrow.

[coffinpilot]

The only reason I brought up the Supercars international F1 support rights was because of Silverstone CEO Stuart Pringle bringing up on a number of occasions that he wants to expand the BGP to a four day meeting, added to Alan Gow speaking about the possibility of BTCC chasing a slot in Autosport earlier this year - I'm sure as a non-championship round.

Personally, I think it would be good for the championship to push for a place if Pringle gets his way. I can see an extra day coming back if it is profitable. The weekend sells out easily and it might be a case of it being an easy way to make more money, instead of adding yet more to the mad F1 ticket price and the system they use now (my son tried to buy a ticket for him his wife and my grandson last year - put it in the basket online and when he was allowed to buy it eight hours later it had gone up by £320! There must be a breaking point with that tactic.)

On the other note, the Halstead teaser looks like it could be interesting. The Red and Black of Crazy Carts might work with a more adventurous design.

[Sodemo]

One of my problems with the BGP has always been the relative lack of races on race day. The last time I went, I think there was 4 races, an F3000 type race in the morning, a Porsche Supercup race before the GP, the GP itself, then a classic grand prix race after. Never really thought that gave great value for money, not when ive been to some BTCC meets and there are 10-12 races on occasion.

[VIVA GT]

I may have mentioned this before (sorry, but repeating yourself is an age thing), but when I started going to The British Grand Prix the BTCC race was held AFTER the Grand Prix in order to delay people from leaving the circuit (and I seem to remember a Historic race was held after that!).

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I've never been to the British GP, but the atmosphere always seems great judging by watching it on the TV. Just a shame the price is so high. No wonder more go to the BTCC.

When was the last last time BTCC had a 350,000+ crowd?!

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

When was the last last time BTCC had a 350,000+ crowd?!

When was the last time the British GP had a 350,000+ crowd?

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by redshoes

When was the last time the British GP had a 350,000+ crowd?

2023

[Robin Marriott]

160,000 on the Sunday.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

2023

The capacity is only 160k?

[Jamie Brown]

350k across the whole weekend is it not?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

2023

Combined total over 3 days maybe, so counting everyone 3 times

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

160,000 on the Sunday.

Ok, so when was the last time a BTCC event ( as defined as being one day ) exceed 160,000?

[Greem]

Apples and oranges.
Chalk and cheese.
BTCC and F1.
Niche national championship which a relatively tiny number of people outside the UK watch against *the* international broadcasting, media and aspirational brand behemoth.

I don't think Mr Griffin really meant what he typed, do you?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Greem

I don't think Mr Griffin really meant what he typed, do you?

Or maybe he did - but in the context that the combined spectator numbers across all BTCC events held in the UK each year exceeds the combined spectator numbers across all F1 events held in the UK each year?

As you say though - not really a worthwhile comparison.

[Steel Wheels]

And back to rumours………A little birdie told me Jade’s not going to make the grid this year sadly.

[Millvi]

Originally Posted by Steel Wheels

And back to rumours………A little birdie told me Jade’s not going to make the grid this year sadly.

Lack of funding? Or all seats now filled?

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Greem

Apples and oranges.
Chalk and cheese.
BTCC and F1.
Niche national championship which a relatively tiny number of people outside the UK watch against *the* international broadcasting, media and aspirational brand behemoth.

I don't think Mr Griffin really meant what he typed, do you?

What I meant was more people seem to be turning to the BTCC championship in this country, despite F1's big status due to better value for money and much better racing.

[Adamcas87]

Originally Posted by Steel Wheels

And back to rumours………A little birdie told me Jade’s not going to make the grid this year sadly.

Oh no……anyway

[SV8Predator]

Originally Posted by Steel Wheels

And back to rumours………A little birdie told me Jade’s not going to make the grid this year sadly.

Too early to state that with any conviction.

[Steel Wheels]

Originally Posted by SV8Predator

Too early to state that with any conviction.

Struggling for budget, so unless a team drops the price of a seat, I’d take it as looking unlikely.