[BTCC] BTCC 2021

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by redshoes

I seem to recall the regs were changed a few years ago to apply BOP based on engine/chassis combination so for example a TOCA engine in a Civic would be treated differently to a TOCA engine in a VW.

I would have thought that would would be the only way to do this. any oter way would be totally unfair.

[antnee]

If that is the case, it explains why BTC would want to switch to the TOCA engine. Dynamics were supposedly running some upgrades during 2020 which BTC didn't want, if the upgrades gave a significant improvement which then results in a slight boost reduction, BTC end up with a much slower car. By being the only team with the FK8 + TOCA engine, it is only their success which determines boost levels.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by antnee

By being the only team with the FK8 + TOCA engine, it is only their success which determines boost levels.

Maybe it's a genius move to have Crees and Edwards then! They'll be down the back of the grid, indirectly giving Josh loads of boost

[BTCC frog]

I really dislike the different boost levels that different cars are allowed. Most of the gimmicks used in the BTCC to make the racing closer and more exciting do that without being unfair, such as reverse grids and success ballast, because it mostly punishes all the title contenders equally. However, different boost levels just doesn't seem fair to me as one title contender can be given a much greater boost reduction than the other.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by BTCC frog

I really dislike the different boost levels that different cars are allowed. Most of the gimmicks used in the BTCC to make the racing closer and more exciting do that without being unfair, such as reverse grids and success ballast, because it mostly punishes all the title contenders equally. However, different boost levels just doesn't seem fair to me as one title contender can be given a much greater boost reduction than the other.

they dont have different boost levels for each car
all toca engines run the same boost as each other toca engine
all civic engines run the same boost as each other civic
all 3 series engines run the same boost as each other 3 series
all focus engines run the same boost as each other focus

very simple

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by redshoes

I seem to recall the regs were changed a few years ago to apply BOP based on engine/chassis combination so for example a TOCA engine in a Civic would be treated differently to a TOCA engine in a VW.

I don't think that is the case.
When the 3-series was subject to bop measures in 2019, Parker's 1series was also affected.
The measures were applied to the engine, regardless of chassis.

[BTCC frog]

By each car I meant the Civic was allowed a different amount of boost to the Focus which is allowed a different amount of boost to the 3 series. I remember in 2012 the Honda Civic was the best car by far, so it was given a boost reduction and all the Hondas really struggled in Silverstone, while Plato's MG was allowed more boost and won two races. I think it would have been unfair if that had given Plato the title over one of the Hondas, when Team Dynamics had built the best car/driver combination and deserved it.

[AmD Tuning]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

they dont have different boost levels for each car
all toca engines run the same boost as each other toca engine
all civic engines run the same boost as each other civic
all 3 series engines run the same boost as each other 3 series
all focus engines run the same boost as each other focus

very simple

This is correct.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by BTCC frog

By each car I meant the Civic was allowed a different amount of boost to the Focus which is allowed a different amount of boost to the 3 series. I remember in 2012 the Honda Civic was the best car by far, so it was given a boost reduction and all the Hondas really struggled in Silverstone, while Plato's MG was allowed more boost and won two races. I think it would have been unfair if that had given Plato the title over one of the Hondas, when Team Dynamics had built the best car/driver combination and deserved it.

back in those days boost was also changed on lap time calculation

now its just a boost limit for each type of engine and thats it

[RED55]

Of course in the Toca bus sits a big control panel , a bit like a DJs mixing table , it controls the track limits sensors, the weather, the boost, the reverse grid and the ride height roller .................... its being upgraded for 22 to include a remote hybrid push to pass function .

But all the teams have had a go on it at some point, its just that some made the most if it and others didnt

thats entertainment

[AnnoyedMoose]

Originally Posted by BTCC frog

By each car I meant the Civic was allowed a different amount of boost to the Focus which is allowed a different amount of boost to the 3 series. I remember in 2012 the Honda Civic was the best car by far, so it was given a boost reduction and all the Hondas really struggled in Silverstone, while Plato's MG was allowed more boost and won two races. I think it would have been unfair if that had given Plato the title over one of the Hondas, when Team Dynamics had built the best car/driver combination and deserved it.

Problem is if you don't equalise performance with such a spec set of parts the logical conclusion is everyone would end up running the same car which would do far more damage to the series than the odd race where the boost calculations may look wrong to the fans.

[BTCC frog]

Originally Posted by AnnoyedMoose

Problem is if you don't equalise performance with such a spec set of parts the logical conclusion is everyone would end up running the same car which would do far more damage to the series than the odd race where the boost calculations may look wrong to the fans.

Fair enough. Consider me proved wrong. I do think the boost calculations are much better now than they’ve been in the past.

[S griffin]

I agree that the boost levels can be a bit too random and that the regs are fine enough as they are that they don’t need that boost level reduction. For me the problem is, is that it isn’t ‘set’ like success ballast is

Another thing that got me was what they did to RWD cars start advantage last year. Of course it’s good to have cars of equal performance, but you still need cars with different sttrengths and weaknesses, because if you try to equalise all the same areas, it won’t help the racing

[Alfisti]

I have always found racing can be very interesting in near identical cars; the Minis this year and Clips previously have been more enjoyable to watch than the main event on many occasions. Keeping the BTCC cars closely matched is good as far as I'm concerned.

At the other end of the scale, F1, it is literally just a question of how much Hamilton wins by. Unless he makes a screw up or the team screw something up that lad will win pretty much. Good for his trophy cabinet maker but does nothing for me.

[Moneyseeker]

Confirmed in today's M News, it is Butcher and Smelt in the Speedworks Toyotas.

[S griffin]

Good move in getting Butcher. Smelt didn't exactly do anything of note in 2018, despite having a full season to show what he could do. Let's see if he manages to improve

[Evantra]

Sam has a loooot of work to do...

[Alfisti]

One season with little prior experience and in a pretty meh car. Give the lad a chance

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

One season with little prior experience and in a pretty meh car. Give the lad a chance

Counting two seasons of BGT too.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

One season with little prior experience and in a pretty meh car. Give the lad a chance

Hopefully Sam will put some effort and work to learn touring cars rather than just trying to rely on talent and expect to do okay this time.

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by Overboost

Hopefully Sam will put some effort and work to learn touring cars rather than just trying to rely on talent and expect to do okay this time.

I think that’s alluded too by what Christian Dick says in his interview, that he’s matured & developed. So hopefully we’ll see a better season from Sam at his 2nd attempt.

[Matt K]

Well the lineup doesn't look quite as impressive as many of us had hoped but it was easy to predict that none of these great expectations would come to fruition.
Butcher should be a genuine title contender, hopefully he'll be able to back off a little when needed.
I hope Smelt will be able to develop and move higher and higher in the order. He's not Andy Neate after all!

[crmalcolm]

Team	Car	Driver	Notes
Confirmed Entries
Power Maxed	Vauxhall Astra	Plato	(Re-)Confirmed in press release
Power Maxed	Vauxhall Astra	???	(Re-)Confirmed in press release
Team Dynamics	Honda Civic FK8	Cammish	Confirmed in press release
Team Dynamics	Honda Civic FK8	Shedden/Neal?	Confirmed in press release, Neal talked about options away from racing and trying to get a deal for Flash
Autobrite (HARD./BMR)	Cupra Leon	Goff	Confirmed in press release
Autobrite (HARD./BMR)	Cupra Leon	Geddie	Confirmed in press release
HARD./BMR	Cupra Leon	Taylor-Smith	Confirmed in press release
HARD./BMR	Cupra Leon	???	Confirmed in press release
Laser Tools (HARD./BMR)	Infiniti Q50	Moffat	Confirmed in press release
Laser Tools (HARD./BMR)	Infiniti Q50	Sutton	Confirmed in press release
Laser Tools (HARD./BMR)	Infiniti Q50	Boardley	Confirmed in press release
Ciceley Motorsport	BMW 330i	Morgan	Confirmed in press release
Ciceley Motorsport	BMW 330i	Chilton	Confirmed in press release
EXCELR8 Trade Price Cars	Hyundai i30	Smiley	Confirmed in press release
EXCELR8 Trade Price Cars	Hyundai i30	Butel	Confirmed in press release
EXCELR8 Trade Price Cars (Ginsters?)	Hyundai i30	Ingram	Confirmed in press release
EXCELR8 Trade Price Cars (Ginsters?)	Hyundai i30	???	Confirmed in press release
MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square	Ford Focus	Hill	Confirmed in press release
MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square	Ford Focus	O.Jackson?	Rumours of car/driver connected to Motorbase/Hollamby
Motorbase (AmD)	Ford Focus	Neate?	Confirmed in press release
Motorbase (AmD)	Ford Focus	Osborne?	Confirmed in press release – Osborne family involved with purchase of team
WSR	BMW 330i	Jelley?	Parker no longer on grid
WSR	BMW 330i	Oliphant?	Reported in motorsport.com as a confirmed 3-car entry
WSR	BMW 330i	???	Reported in motorsport.com as a confirmed 3-car entry
BTC Racing	Honda Civic FK8	Cook	Confirmed in press release
BTC Racing	Honda Civic FK8	Crees	Confirmed in press release
BTC Racing	Honda Civic FK8	Edwards	Confirmed in press release
Speedworks	Toyota Corolla	Butcher	Confirmed in press release
Speedworks	Toyota Corolla	Smelt	Confirmed in press release
Likely Entries
???	???	Rowbottom	In this very thread from the driver!
???	???	Proctor	Talk of ‘deal being done’
Possible Entries
???	???	Parfitt Jr	Publicising an attempt to be on the grid
Entries with doubt
Team Dynamics	Honda Civic FK8	???	Intention for 3rd car reported in MN - depending on TBL
All entries could be marked '*' due to COVID

[porsche962fan]

so the only title protagonist left to be confirmed is Colin Turkington ...

[Robshillito1990]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

so the only title protagonist left to be confirmed is Colin Turkington ...

He will be there. Along with Oliphant who has been posting on twitter about how good the bmw m5 was in the snow. Just wondering who will drive the 3rd car. Could be anyone.