[BTCC] BTCC 2020 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[sceptic]

We're nearly half way through 2019, and I hear that the 2020 calendar is due to be released later today, so how about a new rumours thread...

[Robin Marriott]

Rounds 1-3 28/29 March Donington Park (National)
Rounds 4-6 11/12 April Brands Hatch (Indy)
Rounds 7-9 25/26 April Silverstone (National)
Rounds 10-12 16/17 May Thruxton
Rounds 13-15 13/14 June Oulton Park (Island)
Rounds 16-18 25/26 July Snetterton (300)
Rounds 19-21 15/16 August Croft
Rounds 22-24 29/30 August Knockhill
Rounds 25-27 26/27 September Silverstone (International)
Rounds 28-30 10/11 October Brands Hatch (Grand Prix)


That’s more like it. Big changes from this year, I think Donington will be a better first round, I’m not a fan of Brands Indy anyway.

Glad there’s not two Thruxton rounds and I’m very happy it’s Silverstone joining the calendar as it’s a totally different circuit.

[RS67]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

Rounds 1-3 28/29 March Donington Park (National)
Rounds 4-6 11/12 April Brands Hatch (Indy)
Rounds 7-9 25/26 April Silverstone (National)
Rounds 10-12 16/17 May Thruxton
Rounds 13-15 13/14 June Oulton Park (Island)
Rounds 16-18 25/26 July Snetterton (300)
Rounds 19-21 15/16 August Croft
Rounds 22-24 29/30 August Knockhill
Rounds 25-27 26/27 September Silverstone (International)
Rounds 28-30 10/11 October Brands Hatch (Grand Prix)


That’s more like it. Big changes from this year, I think Donington will be a better first round, I’m not a fan of Brands Indy anyway.

Glad there’s not two Thruxton rounds and I’m very happy it’s Silverstone joining the calendar as it’s a totally different circuit.

There wasn't going to be a 2nd Thruxton round. It will change each year.

[mattcanary]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

Rounds 1-3 28/29 March Donington Park (National)
Rounds 4-6 11/12 April Brands Hatch (Indy)
Rounds 7-9 25/26 April Silverstone (National)
Rounds 10-12 16/17 May Thruxton
Rounds 13-15 13/14 June Oulton Park (Island)
Rounds 16-18 25/26 July Snetterton (300)
Rounds 19-21 15/16 August Croft
Rounds 22-24 29/30 August Knockhill
Rounds 25-27 26/27 September Silverstone (International)
Rounds 28-30 10/11 October Brands Hatch (Grand Prix)


That’s more like it. Big changes from this year, I think Donington will be a better first round, I’m not a fan of Brands Indy anyway.

Glad there’s not two Thruxton rounds and I’m very happy it’s Silverstone joining the calendar as it’s a totally different circuit.

Too many rounds in the spring for my liking when it is likely to be cold. Not enough in the summer.

Donington in March promises to be cold, cold, cold.
Donington always seems to be cold even in the middle of April.

Why only one round in May and June, whilst there are three mettings in March/APril? Doesn;t make sense to me.

I assume it is because next year there are the Euros in the summer, and Alan Gow thinks that will put people off attending/watching the BTCC in the middle of summer. However, I have said it many times and I will say it again - circuit racing to me is a summer sport.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by mattcanary

I assume it is because next year there are the Euros in the summer, and Alan Gow thinks that will put people off attending/watching the BTCC in the middle of summer. However, I have said it many times and I will say it again - circuit racing to me is a summer sport.

no. he explained that itv have commitments for euros and tour de france in June and July and dont have enough broadcasting time available in those months

no point putting btcc events on that cant be televised live!

[Matt K]

For me two Silverstones should stay for the time being, until Lake Torrent is finished I'm joking, it'll never happen but at least having Silverstone National and International there is a bigger variety than two Thruxton visits or anything else. And opener at Donington is a good choice.

[Evantra]

Pleased with those changes! Will be great to see a new track (or layout at least!) featured. Should be a good silly season too with quite a few cars due an upgrade...

[Alfisti]

Donington in March. Must get some new shorts, sandals and stock up on sun cream!

Apart from the above it looks good to me.

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Donington in March. Must get some new shorts, sandals and stock up on sun cream!

Apart from the above it looks good to me.

I'm still thawing out from 2005!

Pleased with the extra Silverstone date. Basically a different venue.

[CroftPilgrim]

Croft in August. Might actually be dry....

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by CroftPilgrim

Croft in August. Might actually be dry....

I’d prefer to see them use the Snetterton 200 layout.

[S griffin]

Nice to see they’ve mixed it around a bit, so it’s not the same every season. And having two Silverstone circuits, one in Northants, the other in Buckinghamshire is better than two Thruxton rounds

[mark_l]

Who will have TBL's in 2020?

I would like to see the 2 spare TOCA TBL's go to a new team.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by mark_l

Who will have TBL's in 2020?

I would like to see the 2 spare TOCA TBL's go to a new team.

cant see that happening
toca said they want to reduce the grid size not increase it.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by mark_l

Who will have TBL's in 2020?

I would like to see the 2 spare TOCA TBL's go to a new team.

Thinking aloud...

3x WSR
2x PMR
2x Dynamics
2x BTC
2x Ciceley
1x LTR
2x Speedworks (+1)
2x Motorbase (-1)
2x Excelr8
2x HARD (-2)
2x AMD
2x TPC
2x TPR (+1)
1x HMS
2x BMR?? How long is the Subaru deal for?

-1 Simpson?? Will he stick around at the rate this season is going, and with an older car?

By my count that's 29, so room for another - though guaranteed to be completely wrong!

[Johno.UK]

If Blundell is still interested in the BTCC after this season I wonder if WSR will pursue a 4th TBL for him as they were his first choice according to reports in the past week?

[TR4racer]

Originally Posted by Johno.UK

If Blundell is still interested in the BTCC after this season I wonder if WSR will pursue a 4th TBL for him as they were his first choice according to reports in the past week?

But was he the WSR first choice?

[Alfisti]

I will go on record now and bet dangly bits TG/#HARD will continue with 4 cars.

I don't see Barty reducing number of cars unless there aren't any takers with £'s. Doubt Nic H will stick around - or rather doubt his sponsors will. He is pushing too hard and driving the car too hard: a bit like Cookie did the MG. Except Cook was strong in a weak car and Nic is the reverse.

In other "making the numbers up with not a hope in heck" one wonders if Simpson will go and compete in a different series. The odd flash of speed but generally lack of combined with the ability to bend metal at a budget sapping rate.

Blundell? He'll run for the season and be off.

Wondering if the first musical #HARD chair will be during the summer break? Not hearing any dissent in the ranks or rumours of stretched budgets, it's definitely a happier camp than last year.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I don't see Barty reducing number of cars unless there aren't any takers with £'s

One of the 3 TBLs is on loan from HMS, so it may depend if they want it back next year.

Jordan has lost Pirtek as a sponsor so I wonder if WSR will drop down to 2 cars if he doesn't find a replacement.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by redshoes

One of the 3 TBLs is on loan from HMS, so it may depend if they want it back next year.

Jordan has lost Pirtek as a sponsor so I wonder if WSR will drop down to 2 cars if he doesn't find a replacement.

I do wonder with AJ. Finding sponsors ain't easy, even if you land a championship as Colin demonstrated twice.

As for HMS their reasons for not running this year did not and do not ring true. They built a shed, piloted by an OK driver with some dealer dollars and it sucked. The car will still be a shed in 2020, there won't be money forthcoming unless HMS prove successful in finding new sponsors... yeah. We'll see I guess. Now if they ditched the shed and got the Avensis out to play...

[btccbloke]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I do wonder with AJ. Finding sponsors ain't easy, even if you land a championship as Colin demonstrated twice.

As for HMS their reasons for not running this year did not and do not ring true. They built a shed, piloted by an OK driver with some dealer dollars and it sucked. The car will still be a shed in 2020, there won't be money forthcoming unless HMS prove successful in finding new sponsors... yeah. We'll see I guess. Now if they ditched the shed and got the Avensis out to play...

I agree the HMS story didn't add up to me, they were at Thruxton on race day with the car, still stickered up from last year seemingly doing hospitality so I guess they are trying to come back. But there is more to this than has been let out the bag. I think the car they made was fundamentally flawed in some way. Makes no sense as a business plan to have built it up then shelve it after a year.

[Matt K]

As for Blundell I'm quite certain he won't be back in 2020. During first or second round he said he's not going to continue if he just makes up the numbers this year and that's basically what he's doing.

When it comes to WSR the question is if they still field three cars after Pirtek exit?

[S griffin]

The fact that HMS were in the paddock at Thruxton and are to take part in the mid season test suggests they are going to try and make a comeback in 2020. I guess they feel there is more to come from that Alfa if they plan to continue using it

[btccbloke]

Originally Posted by S griffin

The fact that HMS were in the paddock at Thruxton and are to take part in the mid season test suggests they are going to try and make a comeback in 2020. I guess they feel there is more to come from that Alfa if they plan to continue using it

Ah yes I forgot that, I do wonder if the test goes really well and they are top 10 Alan Gow will grant a guest entry to them for the last half of the year.
Tho I'm expecting Stewart Lines to offer the same for his TCT/Tcr thing to get the numbers up

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by btccbloke

Ah yes I forgot that, I do wonder if the test goes really well and they are top 10 Alan Gow will grant a guest entry to them for the last half of the year.

Tho I'm expecting Stewart Lines to offer the same for his TCT/Tcr thing to get the numbers up

That would be awesome if they were given an entry after the summer break, would be great to have them back. Although I’m not sure how keen Gow would be on that. We can hope, I see no harm in it