[BTCC] Future regulations for BTCC?

[Sodemo]

So what do people think that the future regs for the BTCC will be?

Will they be an evolution of NGTC? TCR regs? Or will they be something totally different?

For me, I would personally like to see the cars lightened as much as possible and also for some small level of "individuality" brought back to the cars.

If they were to go with their own rules or a variation of NGTC, my laundry list of changes;

- Free/open wheel supplier (still 18")
- Free placement and design of exhaust system
- "Lighten" the cars as much as possible

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

So what do people think that the future regs for the BTCC will be?

Will they be an evolution of NGTC? TCR regs? Or will they be something totally different?

For me, I would personally like to see the cars lightened as much as possible and also for some small level of "individuality" brought back to the cars.

If they were to go with their own rules or a variation of NGTC, my laundry list of changes;

- Free/open wheel supplier (still 18")
- Free placement and design of exhaust system
- "Lighten" the cars as much as possible

they’ve already announced they will be an evolution of the current regulations plus hybrid.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

they’ve already announced they will be an evolution of the current regulations plus hybrid.

Which should hopefully attract some new manufacturers in without changing the quality of the racing.

Just hope that the costs are low enough for smaller teams (eg. BTC Norlin) to be able to fight for wins.

[Alfisti]

If the hybrid system is developed by a TOCA nominated supplier to become an "off the shelf " component for the teams then costs could be relatively low.

If however we have different manufacturers developing kit then it could snowball: I've heard staggering numbers by the F1 engine giants.

I hope it's the former, it would be in keeping with the desire to keep competition close.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

If the hybrid system is developed by a TOCA nominated supplier to become an "off the shelf " component for the teams then costs could be relatively low.

If however we have different manufacturers developing kit then it could snowball: I've heard staggering numbers by the F1 engine giants.

I hope it's the former, it would be in keeping with the desire to keep competition close.

It's reported as a 'specified hybrid unit fitted to all cars'

TOCA controlled spec unit should keep costs reasonable.

[Robin Marriott]

Regarding the exhausts, why do you think more freedom would be good?

The regs currently only sitipulate they have to exit in front of the NSR wheel, the design other than that is free.

As all the circuits (bar Rockingham, which doesn’t matter now) are clockwise, this was presumably to ensure there was enough noise for the spectators as turbo cars should have been quieter.

Genuine question by the way, just wondering what your thought were in it.

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

Regarding the exhausts, why do you think more freedom would be good?

The regs currently only sitipulate they have to exit in front of the NSR wheel, the design other than that is free.

As all the circuits (bar Rockingham, which doesn’t matter now) are clockwise, this was presumably to ensure there was enough noise for the spectators as turbo cars should have been quieter.

Genuine question by the way, just wondering what your thought were in it.

I just like seeing the different design solutions that teams have employed in the past. Single rear centre exit, single offset rear exit, twin double rear pipes etc. Variety is good (as long as it doesn't massively increase costs).

[Racer65]

A lot of this has been discussed in the 2019 season thread already so perhaps they should be merged?

[NaBUru38]

But the hybrid spec won't be for 2019.

[S griffin]

The series is working great the way it is. There have been mutterings of switching it to TCR in the past, but as we have seen with the UK series, maybe not the best solution!

[Matt K]

TCR is just too slow and it's a cheap solution for interseries racing. As far as I'm concerned BTCC should go down their own path and BTCC cars should be faster and louder than TCR cars.

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by Matt K

TCR is just too slow and it's a cheap solution for interseries racing. As far as I'm concerned BTCC should go down their own path and BTCC cars should be faster and louder than TCR cars.

I dont disagree, however faster usually means more expensive. It depends on how its done. I think the current breed of touring cars (both TCR and NGTC) are overweight, so they could do with losing at least 100kg from their base weight. I'm not actually sure what the build weight is of a NGTC car. I know when they were first built they were overweight, but I believe they have come in now well under the 1270kg for FWD. Anyone care to have a guess what the actual weight of one of these things is before they add the ballast?

[Racer65]

Originally Posted by Matt K

TCR is just too slow and it's a cheap solution for interseries racing. As far as I'm concerned BTCC should go down their own path and BTCC cars should be faster and louder than TCR cars.

Given the issues with noise pollution etc the last thing BTCC needs to be is any louder.

In the hands of a decent driver there isn't that much difference in speed and to the trackside observer a pack of cars racing at 1:20 laps looks the same as a pack of cars racing at 1:18 laps.

[BobJones]

I like the hybridisation idea. Perhaps the hybrid element of the rules is a standardised set of parts to help control costs. It won't be cheap either way, but a mild hybrid system would help to keep the series relevant for another five years or so and hopefully attract manufacturer backing.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by BobJones

I like the hybridisation idea. Perhaps the hybrid element of the rules is a standardised set of parts to help control costs. It won't be cheap either way, but a mild hybrid system would help to keep the series relevant for another five years or so and hopefully attract manufacturer backing.

yeah they said the hybrid unit will be a standardised part

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

yeah they said the hybrid unit will be a standardised part

Cool.

[medius]

I can see any largish regulation change being coupled with a format tweak of some sort. Not support races as they organisers of those pay handsomely to TOCA to be on the bill. Maybe a return to two races instead of three, and a qualifying revamp.

[S griffin]

I wouldn’t be surprised if a longer race like at Snetterton appears more often

[btccbloke]

Personally I would prefer more weekends of less races, and potentially 1 off endurance events returning.

Support series could do with a shakeup, Porsche and Formula 4 especially dont seem relevant, would rather they got something like Mini challenge or VW cup but I appreciate they would take up more paddock space

[touring fan01]

this thread is about the future technical regulations.

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by btccbloke

Personally I would prefer more weekends of less races, and potentially 1 off endurance events returning.

And are you going to pay for all the extra personnel costs, travel and hotel rooms to achieve that?

Support series could do with a shakeup, Porsche and Formula 4 especially dont seem relevant, would rather they got something like Mini challenge or VW cup but I appreciate they would take up more paddock space

Support series don't have to be relevant (assuming your definition of relevant is "being a feeder series"). The Porsche Supercup is not relevant to Formula 1. Mazda MX5s aren't relevant to Indycar.

The BTCC is the biggest championship in the UK, and it should have the most prestigious series supporting it: Porsche and F4 are without question the most prestigious.

[Redshift]

Originally Posted by sceptic

The BTCC is the biggest championship in the UK, and it should have the most prestigious series supporting it: Porsche and F4 are without question the most prestigious.

Couldn't it be argued that F3 is more prestigous that F4 given that it is the next step up the ladder?

[FIRE]

No need for major changes.

Hybrid systems to keep it relevant for manufacturers.
Have a good look on changes that improve safety.

[BLiTZ]

FWD with a spec EV rear 'axle' would make for an interesting formula. Say 350hp petrol with another 100hp though the back wheels.

[btccbloke]

Originally Posted by sceptic

And are you going to pay for all the extra personnel costs, travel and hotel rooms to achieve that?

I'll pay the same towards that as others will pay towards their ideas mentioned on here as opposed to those given to Alan Gow as a serious proposition which demand a commercial assesment