Worthy of its own thread away from the 2022 season speculation. Trjgged from a post by crmalcolm:
Quote:
Originally Posted by crmalcolm
While the subject of eligible cars is being mentioned - 2022 will see NGTC become the longest set of regulations in use in the history of BTCC, overtaking ST.
Previously, ST was used from 1991-2000.
NGTC was first used in 2010, (Thompson in FP1 at Brands) and is set to run for quite a few years more.
Has NGTC delivered us everything it promised?
• Dramatically reduce the design, build and running costs of the cars and engines
• Reduce the potential for significant performance disparities between cars
• ‘Future proof’ the regulations by being able to easily modify the various performance parameters
• Reduce reliance on WTCC/S2000 equipment, due to increasing costs/complexity and concerns as to its future sustainability/direction
For some information on NGTC numbers, as we enter a season with a capacity 32-car grid:
Over 100 drivers have now competed in the series at the wheel of NGTC cars.
Not counting bodyshell changes (ST/RS, Tourer/Hatch) Over 21 models of car have competed. |
My view is yes, it has been a success but no it hasn't delivered on the promise of the time.
It was initially cheap but build with many common components carry across between builds, but that saving is offset by the high operating costs. (as vocally stages early in by Thorney Motorsport).
Its regularly reported in interviews that its £400k to run a single car team for a year, which scales down the more cars on the grid. Hence why teams look to quickly expand to 2-3-4 car operations soon after joining.
The setup window NGTC cars have is small, it takes specialist setup skill to extract the most from it. Many people can get a car to 7/10ths but its the last few tenths where the difference is.
Driving wise they race well but at tricky to get up on the limit. Many good racers get in an NGTC and feel like a hero but are miles off the pace. Alain Menu, Fabrizio Giovanardi, Tom Onslow-Cole for example. it seems like a GT background can help you prepare for NGTC (Hunter Abbott, Ricky Collard) but its not a given (Rick Parfitt Jr).
But the races themselves have been close with few instances of runaway gaps built up. Maybe too close with 1 second covering the grid and too many different winners in the season?
I would have liked to see a couple of longer races per season with endurance drivers but the modern way of funding/operating a touring car wouldn't allow it easily.
But what do you think? Has NGTC been a success?