[BTCC] 2014 BTCC speculation, rumours and news

[gregc]

I'll be generous, and let Mr G get off with "disingenuous" talking about a full 32 car grid in that interview. Full entry maybe, but unless I missed 4 or 6 cars on one of the grids this year....

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by gregc

I'll be generous, and let Mr G get off with "disingenuous" talking about a full 32 car grid in that interview. Full entry maybe, but unless I missed 4 or 6 cars on one of the grids this year....

Maybe he knows something about the entries for the remaking rounds, but I somehow doubt we will see the 32 car grid in full unles more has been going on behind the scenes with entries that were booked & not fulfilled!

[Sodemo]

The thing is, there is always a car breaking down or not making it due to budget, crash damage or something. I doubt we will ever actually get 32 cars start a race.

[Greem]

Just a thought: if there were 32 paid up entries for all the races this year, that makes the entry cost lower across the board. If there were, say, only 24 then costs for all of those would be higher, which might mean no-shows and much smaller grids than we have had.

It would be nice to see a full 32 car grid, for certain - but it would be nice to see full manufacturer support, high-performing fully independent teams fighting them, loads of overseas drivers... but it ain't Super Touring any more!

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Greem

Just a thought: if there were 32 paid up entries for all the races this year, that makes the entry cost lower across the board. If there were, say, only 24 then costs for all of those would be higher, which might mean no-shows and much smaller grids than we have had.

It's unlikely to work like that - the entry fee is more than likely just a fixed figure no matter how many (or how few) entries there are. Any extra entries once costs have been covered just means more profit for the organiser (hence why club events often have a minimum entry figure quoted - less than that number and the event isn't financially viable, more than that everything's paid for and there's money over).

[Craner Curves]

Yep, the entry fee (before the deadline) is fixed. Then it's a higher fee again after the deadline has passed.

[Greem]

Ah, OK - so the flip side of this is that if you intend to run N races in a year (where N is less than the total), and fee before deadline is less than N*fee after deadline (if per event) then it makes financial sense to enter early and take a grid spot.

Obviously there's a tipping point at which per-event entry makes sense.

Still, next year there will be more second-hand NGTC chassis for sale, which will lower the entry bar somewhat for people wishing to buy one rather than build one. That means more money for entry fees, so hopefully a bigger grid.

What concerns me next year is the support packages... I can't see them growing, realistically, unless something dramatic happens to the economy. And (Clios aside) grow is what they need to do.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

The Clio Cup looks likely to grow, and the Ginetta GT SuperCup will probably get some more entries with the new GT4 G55 being allowed, although I doubt we'll get that many full-season commitments. I have absolutely no idea about the Juniors, although they'll presumably have grids of 10-15 cars (depending on the amount of single-round entries really). The Porsches would be ideal to have about 25, but it would be a miracle if they get 10 for a whole season. And FF is dead. FIA F4 may salvage some grid entries, but 15 is optimistic.

BTCC however...

[porsche962fan]

they could run the Ginetta and Porsches together like a 2 classes race

[BtccLee]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

The Clio Cup looks likely to grow, and the Ginetta GT SuperCup will probably get some more entries with the new GT4 G55 being allowed, although I doubt we'll get that many full-season commitments. I have absolutely no idea about the Juniors, although they'll presumably have grids of 10-15 cars (depending on the amount of single-round entries really). The Porsches would be ideal to have about 25, but it would be a miracle if they get 10 for a whole season. And FF is dead. FIA F4 may salvage some grid entries, but 15 is optimistic.

BTCC however...

Porsches have a new car next year and I expect grids to grow back to the levels of 2011 and 2012. Formula Ford has one season left before FIA F4 in 2015 which will boost entries...


Nobody organising these championships are sitting on their bums though. Efforts are being made, the fruits of which we will see next year and further on...

[Andrew Abbott]

We must be due a 2014 calendar anytime around now...

[Aunt Sally]

Originally Posted by AndySpeed

We must be due a 2014 calendar anytime around now...

Yes..
http://www.btcc.net/forum/showthread...254-2014-dates

[CarsCarsCars]

[CarsCarsCars]

[medius]

Hello....that looks tasty, Focus-like.

[Craner Curves]

Looks beefy!

Waiting for the first "what?! Another hatchback?!" post......

Infinity Sports Management logos on the car. I'm assuming they're behind it. Alex Morgan the Clio driver is on their books.

[Sodemo]

Hmm, so who has built the shells for this? There was a rumour a while back that RML was involved with some kind of Renault project...?

[BtccLee]

So who is the big sponsor behind this? Or do Renault Sport know more than they're letting on...

[redshoes]

Not sure anyone actually built the shell for this. It looks suspiciously like road car with a body kit and wide tyres rather than a real race shell.

[TimRTC]

Originally Posted by AndySpeed

We must be due a 2014 calendar anytime around now...

Aside from the exact dates, does anyone anticipate any calendar changes from this year? I expect the calendar to be completely unchanged.

[touringlegend]

Rear wing reminds me a lot of the early noughties Honda works cars..

So many questions on this Megane however, interesting to see it pitched up outside the Renault hospitality. Does this mean Renault UK are involved? I'm assuming without Formula Renault being about they don't spend as much on the TOCA package as they once did.

[medius]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Not sure anyone actually built the shell for this. It looks suspiciously like road car with a body kit and wide tyres rather than a real race shell.

Looks like 5 stud wheels rather than NGTC-sped centrelocks.

[Hazard]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Not sure anyone actually built the shell for this. It looks suspiciously like road car with a body kit and wide tyres rather than a real race shell.

Yes. The answer to the question is Renault have built the shell for this. It's not NGTC, it's just generally for sale from your local dealer!

[Inside BTCC]

Indeed - for now it's a mocked up road car. Don't believe any direct Renault involvement.

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Not sure anyone actually built the shell for this. It looks suspiciously like road car with a body kit and wide tyres rather than a real race shell.

Spot on, it is purely a 'show car' obviously to try and generate some interest and potential backing. I'll be more surprised if we see two Megane's on the grid next year than Chris James making a successful return!

The car does look good though, I hope I'm proved wrong