BTCC 2019 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[MagicBoy]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Well I think that’s not really a great reason for reducing the grid size. If it ain’t broke...

The guy in charge of running the series says there's too many cars, ie it's broke at certain tracks. Perfectly good reason for me.

[antnee]

The BTC situation is a little strange to me, no major sponsors and for a big-budget seat? You would expect all the liveries to be sorted for the media launch/official test day as that is when ITV do a lot of their pictures for graphics to be used throughout the season.

Originally Posted by HopAlong

I would have thought having the car on track getting pictures taken would be a better "sponsor commitment" to be honest.

There has been more talk about him for not being there though

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by sceptic

Exactly. After Neal had spent the day testing at Brands.
The Honda is in a very good position. Expect it to be on pole in 10 days time.

To my mind, the only question is WHICH Honda will win the pole. Unless TOCA turn their boost way down I see the Dynamics pair, the AmD pair and the BTC pair up at the sharp end. I think the FK2 could bag it...

[billy bleach]

Was everyone on the same tyre?

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

It was broke though at 32 cars. The paddock space is one of many problems with a grid that large.....

32 is too big. At Knockhill the back row is down the hill at the hairpin with that many cars. At Brands they're back somewhere near Dartford. Most British tracks were simply never "planned" for grids that big.

Throw in the support package and you end up without enough paddock space. It doesn't seem too long ago I was in a "tent" at Knockhill holding up the canvas with a broom in the inclement weather whilst some hardworking mechanics battled to make a BTCC car straight enough to start a race. And that was a BTCC car. Not a dad and lad Ginetta Junior.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by antnee

There has been more talk about him for not being there though

Yeah! Hub of all knowledge this. Autosport are still hanging around outside the My Little Pony factory hoping to spot Matt coming out having done the sponsorship deal for Team Unicorn...

[geordiecriag101]

Had a cracking day at Brands yesterday, the new format worked a treat with 6hrs of track time and not a single red flag all day, tho i personal wish they had stayed at Donington but used the new format.

Anyway from trackside, the new BMW looked stunning, so controlled, driveable and predictable and to be able to do the times they are doing already shows how how good a job they have done.

The Toyota looked fast, but a real handful, the rear end looked so light and the car was almost in a drift most of the time.

Anyhow, here's my vid of the days action if anyone interested:

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

[bella]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

32 is too big. At Knockhill the back row is down the hill at the hairpin with that many cars. At Brands they're back somewhere near Dartford. Most British tracks were simply never "planned" for grids that big.

Throw in the support package and you end up without enough paddock space. It doesn't seem too long ago I was in a "tent" at Knockhill holding up the canvas with a broom in the inclement weather whilst some hardworking mechanics battled to make a BTCC car straight enough to start a race. And that was a BTCC car. Not a dad and lad Ginetta Junior.

in fairness the worst thing to happen to the non-garage paddock space is all the btcc motorhomes. with the loss of the biggest clio team (wde), there might actually be room to swing a cat at brands this season. though with more juniors it’s probably a case of swings and roundabouts...

you can’t claim to have worked in british motorsport till you’ve lost all or part of an awning

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by geordiecriag101

Had a cracking day at Brands yesterday, the new format worked a treat with 6hrs of track time and not a single red flag all day, tho i personal wish they had stayed at Donington but used the new format.

Anyway from trackside, the new BMW looked stunning, so controlled, driveable and predictable and to be able to do the times they are doing already shows how how good a job they have done.

The Toyota looked fast, but a real handful, the rear end looked so light and the car was almost in a drift most of the time.

Anyhow, here's my vid of the days action if anyone interested:

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

Cheers Craig, always look forward to your videos.

[RS67]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

32 is too big. At Knockhill the back row is down the hill at the hairpin with that many cars. At Brands they're back somewhere near Dartford.

So at Brands the back row is in front of the front row?

[Steel Wheels]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Was everyone on the same tyre?

No I think Dynamics, BTC, AmD, TPR & at least one or two others ran the ‘softs’ at some point. They were quick for a lap or 2 then had big drop off.

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by geordiecriag101

Anyhow, here's my vid of the days action if anyone interested:

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

the newe BMW looks really big compared to other cars

[steve_r]

The BMW 3 series just looks right as a touring car.

[S griffin]

I agree, the new BMW looks alright on track. Also nice to see the old green and black on the MG

Adam Morgan must be the only one who’s kept the same livery from last season

[jsmee]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I agree, the new BMW looks alright on track. Also nice to see the old green and black on the MG

Adam Morgan must be the only one who’s kept the same livery from last season

Adam's livery is different, albeit just an evolution on last year (rear and sides)

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[BobJones]

Still no sponsors for BTC? Oh dear...

[jsmee]

Originally Posted by BobJones

Still no sponsors for BTC? Oh dear...

Does it matter? As long as its funded for the season to compete well. Results will speak for themselves, but they have some of the most professional looking cars out there, again, and with two race winners in the front seats. Good luck to them!

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[S griffin]

I agree. I think the results will be what helps BTC Norlin this season, with two race winners and an up to date car too

[mark_l]

A lot of the circuits were built decades ago, when cars were on 2x2 grid, so 32 cars on a grid didn't take up as much space.

BTCC specifies 1x1 grid so cars are spread out twice as far, hence why the back rows of the grid are in a different postcode to the start lights at some circuits.

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by jsmee

Does it matter? As long as its funded for the season to compete well. Results will speak for themselves, but they have some of the most professional looking cars out there, again, and with two race winners in the front seats. Good luck to them!

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

I agree apart from the fact that there's nothing professional in cars with almost no sponsor stickers at all.

[mark_l]

Originally Posted by Matt K

I agree apart from the fact that there's nothing professional in cars with almost no sponsor stickers at all.

Philip Morris own the rights to the Ferrari F1 car livery but you don't see their stickers on the car. You wouldn't call Ferrari unprofessional.

As long as the bills are being paid then there is no problem, we know some teams that are covered in sponsors and haven't paid their bills.

[MagicBoy]

Originally Posted by Matt K

I agree apart from the fact that there's nothing professional in cars with almost no sponsor stickers at all.

It's the teams choice, the bills are being paid irrespective of it being covered in stickers. It's not a question of professionalism.

[crmalcolm]

Team A are criticised for 'sticker-bombing' and having an unprofessional livery.

Team B are criticised for lack of stickers and having an unprofessional livery.

I know I was critical of the Pirtek BMW, but that was design opinion, not the presence or lack of visible sponsorship.

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by mark_l

Philip Morris own the rights to the Ferrari F1 car livery but you don't see their stickers on the car. You wouldn't call Ferrari unprofessional.

Not for free, they don't, and a lack of incoming revenue is the death-knell.

I, of course, wish them luck and subjectively like the design, but this is an auspicious start after Bert upset Norlin.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by BobJones

Not for free, they don't, and a lack of incoming revenue is the death-knell.

I, of course, wish them luck and subjectively like the design, but this is an auspicious start after Bert upset Norlin.

Upset Norlin?