[BTCC] 2016 BTCC news & rumours

[BtccLee]

There is a lot of talk of teams expanding and getting new TBLs up and down the grid. If true we are going to see some casualties this off-season. Am I the only person wondering about 888? Without a new manufacturer or increased MG support for a new car who will want to go there, in terms of top end drivers?

[850Estate]

Originally Posted by BtccLee

There is a lot of talk of teams expanding and getting new TBLs up and down the grid. If true we are going to see some casualties this off-season. Am I the only person wondering about 888? Without a new manufacturer or increased MG support for a new car who will want to go there, in terms of top end drivers?

I've wondered that myself, it would be a shame, but not a surprise to see them drop off the grid after so many successful years. Surely they can't stick with the MG though?

[Ry44]

on the subject of the TBL this article reveals there is at least 1 new team looking to be on the grid next year

http://www.insidebtcc.com/teams-handed-tbl-warning/

[porsche962fan]

meanwhile race 2 grids will revert back to the old system of Race 1 results

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Alan Gow says he isn't sure how many additional TBLs there'll be, but there'll be very few.

In other news, the grid for race 2 will return to being race 1 results. I quite liked the variations on the grid but I guess with more cars taking to the pit lane for R1, even from clear points positions such as Goff in Silverstone, and with wheel-to-wheel racing being less in R1 than previous years due to it being both a race and a qually session, it makes sense.

Both taken from TCT: http://www.touringcartimes.com/2015/...ules-for-2016/

[porsche962fan]

they could have made the race 2 grid based on lap times BUT only the first 15 finishers only...

so then you have no business starting from pitlane anymore

[psq43]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

they could have made the race 2 grid based on lap times BUT only the first 15 finishers only...

so then you have no business starting from pitlane anymore

I have a similar idea but only the top ten finishers have their lap times decide the top ten start order for race 2.

Finish 11th or lower, and you start where you finish race 1.

[850Estate]

Andrew Jordan announcement-eve.

[Ry44]

Originally Posted by 850Estate

Andrew Jordan announcement-eve.

http://www.btcc.net/2015/10/28/motor...cing-for-2016/

[CarsCarsCars]

Video interviews:

http://www.itv.com/btcc/video-andrew...mance-for-2016

[Ry44]

Originally Posted by Ry44

http://www.btcc.net/2015/10/28/motor...cing-for-2016/

intrsting how the Autosport Article also states that a 3rd TBL has been applied for adding too the list of people applying

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/121537

[850Estate]

Assuming Jackson manages to secure funding we could be looking at three of the strongest duos in years: Neal and Shedden, Turkington and Plato and Jackson and Jordan!

The strongest front running teams since 2000? Rydell, Menu, Reid v Kristensen, Tarquini, Thomson v Muller, Plato and...erm Vincent Radermacker!

[Ry44]

Originally Posted by 850Estate

Assuming Jackson manages to secure funding we could be looking at three of the strongest duos in years: Neal and Shedden, Turkington and Plato and Jackson and Jordan!

The strongest front running teams since 2000? Rydell, Menu, Reid v Kristensen, Tarquini, Thomson v Muller, Plato and...erm Vincent Radermacker!

well if this tweet is anything to go by it could happen
https://twitter.com/BBCKentSport/sta...12216248885248

wonder who else they will field if they do get the 3rd TBL ?

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by BtccLee

There is a lot of talk of teams expanding and getting new TBLs up and down the grid. If true we are going to see some casualties this off-season. Am I the only person wondering about 888? Without a new manufacturer or increased MG support for a new car who will want to go there, in terms of top end drivers?

Ian Harrison says they have an excellent package, exciting plans and the project will take a step forward for next year, whether this means with MG who knows.

MG only sell less than 3,000 cars per year in the UK, some could say that that is an excellent reason to stay in the BTCC. But the MG3 is too small for BTCC the MG6 is actually based on the old Rover platform I believe and is a diminishing segment car and future MG models are going to be crossover's and SUV's, for which the BTCC is not relevant.

You would also say the current 888 car is at the end of it's development, unless they think the new RML parts will revitalise it?

[BtccLee]

Here's a curveball... James Thompson ain't up to much after quitting the Lada WTCC project. Now maybe from his previous he could make sense for Volvo in the WTCC. But if 888 want AND can afford a top line driver... Mere speculation

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by BtccLee

Here's a curveball... James Thompson ain't up to much after quitting the Lada WTCC project. Now maybe from his previous he could make sense for Volvo in the WTCC. But if 888 want AND can afford a top line driver... Mere speculation

When Volvo last looked at the BTCC with the C30 I believe it was on the basis that it was 3rd party funded with little or no budget from Volvo apart from the cars, which didn't happen.

Of course the NGTC rules make it cheaper for a manufacturer to be represented and the BTCC is to my mind the spiritual home for Volvo, but I can't see them funding the BTCC and WTCC, so unless someone like BMR can do a semi works deals with say Volvo based on car supply and some tech support - as they seem to have the investment to run, develop the cars and pay the drivers. I think JP was linked to Volvo before so who knows?

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

Ian Harrison says they have an excellent package, exciting plans and the project will take a step forward for next year

Don't take this the wrong way but of course he does. When was the last time you heard a team say they had a mediocre package, boring plans and that the project would stall at the earliest possible opportunity?

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Don't take this the wrong way but of course he does. When was the last time you heard a team say they had a mediocre package, boring plans and that the project would stall at the earliest possible opportunity?

Yep, that was why I mentioned it! I know he would say that and it's clear that whatever is in the pipeline, it wasn't sufficient to convince AJ to stay, so that probably sums it up....

[Hazard]

Originally Posted by BtccLee

Here's a curveball... James Thompson ain't up to much after quitting the Lada WTCC project. Now maybe from his previous he could make sense for Volvo in the WTCC. But if 888 want AND can afford a top line driver... Mere speculation

Volvo dropped James back in 2011, unlikely to resurface there.

And James doesn't bring budget, so unless Triple Eight have landed a manufacturer or a sponsor without designs on having an affiliate, son or MD race, it's pretty much unlikely.

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

Ian Harrison says they have an excellent package, exciting plans and the project will take a step forward for next year, whether this means with MG who knows.

MG only sell less than 3,000 cars per year in the UK, some could say that that is an excellent reason to stay in the BTCC. But the MG3 is too small for BTCC the MG6 is actually based on the old Rover platform I believe and is a diminishing segment car and future MG models are going to be crossover's and SUV's, for which the BTCC is not relevant.

You would also say the current 888 car is at the end of it's development, unless they think the new RML parts will revitalise it?

Whilst all what you said is true, simply seeing that brand win is often enough for a marketing department. There are no "car models" in F1, but that doesn't stop car makers from pouring millions into promoting a product which ultimately has nothing to do with their road car range.

[Hazard]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Whilst all what you said is true, simply seeing that brand win is often enough for a marketing department. There are no "car models" in F1, but that doesn't stop car makers from pouring millions into promoting a product which ultimately has nothing to do with their road car range.

You overuse the word "nothing" there.

The Volvo Ocean Race has close to "nothing" to do with their product. Formula 1, has got cars and engines and stuff like that.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Whilst all what you said is true, simply seeing that brand win is often enough for a marketing department. There are no "car models" in F1, but that doesn't stop car makers from pouring millions into promoting a product which ultimately has nothing to do with their road car range.

Yes but F1's market is a lot larger than the BTCC's and that's why it's generally major manufacturers who get involved (these days).

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Whilst all what you said is true, simply seeing that brand win is often enough for a marketing department. There are no "car models" in F1, but that doesn't stop car makers from pouring millions into promoting a product which ultimately has nothing to do with their road car range.

Yes, but of course unlike F1 the BTCC is based on road cars.

[porsche962fan]

updated


Team Dynamics - Honda Civic Type R
- Gordon Shedden
- Matt Neal

Eurotech - Honda Civic Type R
- Jeff Smith
- Martin Deeper
- ??? 3rd car ?

Motorbase - Ford Focus
- Andrew Jordan
- ????
- 3rd car ???

WIX Racing - Mercedes A-Class
- Adam Morgan
- Aidan Moffat ???


RAR - ?????
- Rob Austin
- ????

BMR - VW Passat
- Jason Plato
- ?????
- ????
- Warren Scott ??

WSR - BMW 125 ???
- Andy Priaux ????
- ????
- ????


Power Maxxed Racing - Chevrolet Cruze
- Josh Cook ?????
- ????

AMD Tuning - Audi S3 - Ford Focus ??
- ???
- ???
- ???


Handy Motorsport - ???
- Simon Belche ???
- ????



does anyone know the situation of DEXTA Racing ?? do they have bought a TBL from Motorbase with the car ?

[Jiiiiiiim]

I believe Dextra acquired the TBL from Motorbase, it would also explain why Motorbase have applied for a 3rd TBL otherwise they could if called theirs back from Dextra had they not sold it.