BTCC 2019 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[touring fan01]

fantastic to see the new 3 series back and the commitment from bmw to develop the new car just for btcc

[Robin Marriott]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

What are you basing that on?

We don't know how long they've been working on the car, and teams have won titles in the past with a new car.

I’m basing it on previous years when new cars from big teams have come to the grid and not won the championship.

I’d be willing to bet on them not winning this year, same with Toyota.

It’s hard to get a new car ready on 6 months and have it winning straight away.

[BLiTZ]

I expected WSR to stick with the 125's until the new FWD replacement is released, allowing TOCA to ban RWD. This looks like a move to stick with RWD for as long as possible, and potentially shows BMW's future commitment to the series.

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

I’m basing it on previous years when new cars from big teams have come to the grid and not won the championship.

I’d be willing to bet on them not winning this year, same with Toyota.

It’s hard to get a new car ready on 6 months and have it winning straight away.

Dynamics did well with the Civic in 2012 and they built 4 of them for that season!

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by BLiTZ

Dynamics did well with the Civic in 2012 and they built 4 of them for that season!

And essentially took pole in round 1 last year with a driver new to the BTCC... granted it took a bit longer to be winning races though!

[Alfisti]

Yeah, thinking about it maybe WSR strongly believe (like JP did) that RWD is the way to go.

Logically if they wanted to stay RWD and were to continue to remain relevant to BMW then the 3 series was inevitable as the new 1 is FWD.

So makes sense.

Whatever the reasons, good to see continued manufacturer involvement and a new car.

[CaptRustyNail]

Wow, spend a couple of days zoinked out with flu and some many big BTCC stories.

Might be chance for some of the more established midfield teams to score some podiums with the bigger teams developing their cars. Should be an interesting season.

[btccbloke]

Ok I will accept this as Matt Salisburys "big surprise"

[Sodemo]

Great news. I always thought that the 1 series looked one of the most elegant given NGTC's propensity for somewhat ugly plastic bodykits, so I hope the 3-series looks as good.

[Alfisti]

Does this mean the Unicorn Racing factory Kia squad can just stick some unicorn stickers and Kia badges on the old WSR cars?

[pimmy]

Great to have the 3 series back. The more saloons, the better.

[Matt K]

I agree, I wish more and more manufacturers switched to saloons, just like in the 1990s.

Nevertheless, it's great to have a new BMW and hopefully this stresses the manufacturer's involvement in BTCC for next years. Can't wait to see it in proper liveries!

[RS67]

Nic Hamilton gives a bit of an insight to the changes he requires for his race car.
https://youtu.be/EqByEA-HmKM

[mark_l]

Originally Posted by Matt K

I agree, I wish more and more manufacturers switched to saloons, just like in the 1990s.

Nevertheless, it's great to have a new BMW and hopefully this stresses the manufacturer's involvement in BTCC for next years. Can't wait to see it in proper liveries!

I don't see many Saloons on the road, most manufacturer ranges are hatchback cars that would be eligible for BTCC.

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by mark_l

I don't see many Saloons on the road, most manufacturer ranges are hatchback cars that would be eligible for BTCC.

And this is why most touring cars nowadays are hatchbacks...

[Sodemo]

Yep, most car makers now just want to sell small hatchbacks or massive SUV's and not much in between, which sucks a bit.

I'm not sure why there aren't more cars like the new Honda Civic or the Audi A3 saloon which I think are a great size for a road car and also for a tin-top race car too.

[Evantra]

Not surprisingly, James Cole confirms he won't be on the grid this year.

[Ant25]

When is this 2nd mg gonna be announced? Anyone know?

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by mark_l

I don't see many Saloons on the road, most manufacturer ranges are hatchback cars that would be eligible for BTCC.

Maybe it's regional but I can't move for Mondeos, A4s, 3 Series, Passats here.

[mprmke]

Originally Posted by Ant25

When is this 2nd mg gonna be announced? Anyone know?

No, but seeing as they were one of the very first to announce their first driver, it gets to wondering why they’ve waited until last to announce their second driver, after other teams have made some of the most high-profile announcements of the winter.....

[mprmke]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Maybe it's regional but I can't move for Mondeos, A4s, 3 Series, Passats here.

There’s no shortage of them on the roads and your “prestige” marques still support them, but a lot of manufacturers seem to have moved away from your traditional “family” saloon car. Nissan and Renault spring to mind and there seem to be more Focus’ and Kugas about that new Mondeos etc.

That said, with the new Peugeot 508 and Alfa Guilietta maybe they’re making something of a comeback.....

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Maybe it's regional but I can't move for Mondeos, A4s, 3 Series, Passats here.

Well stop sleeping in Sainsbury's car park!

[Alfisti]

Saloon ain't dead yet but it's been a shrinking market.

The prestige German stuff shifts well enough, Peugeot have really upped the new 508 so it looks and feels of German quality.

The Mondeo is dying on it's backside as corporate fleets want so-called premium, and your family buyer is attracted to SUVs. Although I do know many people ditching SUVs and headed back to hatches, estates and saloons due to mahoosive fuel bills and bouncy castle handling. Puking kids ain't no fun...

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Puking kids ain't no fun...

I did ride passanger in 70s Mercedes W114 (or W115)

that thing had a heavy body and soft springs and plenty of leg room it was so confortable , the ride was so confortable you could harldy get sick in one of those


today seems all manufacturers arr utter ********s who only know to set them (very) stiff that you feel every damn hole on the road because everyone has to do slamos al the time

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Ant25

When is this 2nd mg gonna be announced? Anyone know?

Does anyone care?...

[RS67]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Maybe it's regional but I can't move for Mondeos, A4s, 3 Series, Passats here.

The Mondeo hatchback and saloon have very similar profiles. Chances are a lot of what you have seen were hatchbacks as they sell in greater numbers in the UK.