[BTCC] BTCC 2023 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[Evantra]

Ginetta to leave the TOCA package.

https://twitter.com/btcc/status/1572...634711041?s=21

A massive shame and leaves a big hole in the support paddock. Moving to the British GT package, so perhaps we'll get some of their current support series - Porsche Sprint is the only one that comes to mind, which barely manages a 10 car grid?

[Robshillito1990]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Ginetta to leave the TOCA package.

https://twitter.com/btcc/status/1572...634711041?s=21

A massive shame and leaves a big hole in the support paddock.

The start of the demise. No other series out there that will provide the action that Ginetta series provide over a weekend or the entry numbers for that matter.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Robshillito1990

The start of the demise. No other series out there that will provide the action that Ginetta series provide over a weekend or the entry numbers for that matter.

Interesting. If I'm reading your post correctly - you are saying this is the start of the demise of the TOCA package?

If so - what confidence do you have that TOCA would not be able to find another suitable support series?

[Robin Marriott]

The juniors are a huge loss, I can’t think of anything else which will replace them.

Not so fussed about the Supercup and to be honest it makes much more sense for them to be on the BGT schedule.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Ginetta to leave the TOCA package.

https://twitter.com/btcc/status/1572...634711041?s=21

A massive shame and leaves a big hole in the support paddock. Moving to the British GT package, so perhaps we'll get some of their current support series - Porsche Sprint is the only one that comes to mind, which barely manages a 10 car grid?

Goodness that is a shock! One wonders if the SRO deal connects with things that have been discussed elsewhere - streaming and screen time. We normally have 1 GT4 Supercup and 1 Junior race on ITV(4), sometimes 2 maximum. I'd imagine with SRO every race will be on YouTube potentially expanding the potential audience outside the UK and expanding Ginetta's global outreach - I know they've been trying to get into the US racing scene with SRO in GT4 America, GT America etc., and Asia must be a target too.

I would be surprised if Porsche Sprint Challenge (assuming it survives into next season) joins full time. I honestly don't think its a strong enough series.

The BTCC announcement says series' (plural) so they intend to fill both support slots. As for other decent club series that operate at the quality standard TOCA would probably want - Mini Miglias/Mini Se7ens comes to mind. Maybe Caterham? Radicals?

GT Cup, Britcar (incl. Praga), and Trucks are headliners in their own right and have longer races so that rules them out. GB3 and GB4 are in 'battle' as it were with British F4 so wouldn't make the jump to TOCA. TCR UK is a 'rival' series and seems to be making some progress on its own without joining TOCA.

[SSmith]

Also, Ginetta GT4 Supercup is no more. Instead Ginetta will support GT4 owners to enter British GT.

Ginetta's 2023 series are:

- Ginetta Junior Championship
- Ginetta GT Academy
- Ginetta GT Championship - including a 'new' car and the GT5-spec cars


Source: Daily Sportscar https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/...a-package.html

[redshoes]

Given the costs of running on the TOCA package, the replacement it will probably need to be a series with some manufacturer support or at least a decent title sponsor. Porsche Sprint aside, I'm struggling to think of a suitable candidate.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by SSmith

Also, Ginetta GT4 Supercup is no more. Instead Ginetta will support GT4 owners to enter British GT.[/URL]

I'm not surprised really after this year, strange for them to introduce a new car for one year and then can it though! Be good to see more of them in BGT.

[SSmith]

Following on from my posts and Redshoes's post, do you think we could see a brand new championship get launched to join the TOCA package?

Arguably, the current global economy doesn't necessarily suit a completely new series, and it would be quite a risk for TOCA, but the existing options are incredibly limited.

[Robin Marriott]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Given the costs of running on the TOCA package, the replacement it will probably need to be a series with some manufacturer support or at least a decent title sponsor. Porsche Sprint aside, I'm struggling to think of a suitable candidate.

And this is the problem. More Porsches will be boring, the current ones should already be with the BGTs and the addition of more will just mean more one hour processions.

‘Spec Miata’ would work maybe.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Evantra

perhaps we'll get some of their current support series - Porsche Sprint is the only one that comes to mind, which barely manages a 10 car grid?

I might be mistaken - but isn't the Porsche Sprint already on the TOCA package at some rounds?

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I might be mistaken - but isn't the Porsche Sprint already on the TOCA package at some rounds?

Yes, and BGT on others.

Caterham joined the BARC outfit earlier in the year, wonder if that's an option.

Personally I think a multi-brand series is needed, but not sure there are any outside TCR UK above club level.

[Jo5h]

First post though always enjoy lurking the BTCC threads!

Caterham announced the switch from BRSCC to BARC for 2023, has to be a strong contender to get their main UK series perhaps on the support entry:

https://www.barc.net/caterham-motors...e-2023-season/

https://www.caterhamcars.com/en/late...ham-joins-barc

Massive shame to lose the juniors, would be good to see the JSCC as a support series but I fear they would VERY quickly eat through the supply of any spare Saxos and parts.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Evantra

I'm not surprised really after this year, strange for them to introduce a new car for one year and then can it though! Be good to see more of them in BGT.

Same here to be honest. At most, Ginetta must have only about 14-16 G56 GT4s racing in the UK, we peaked at 10 in Supercup, and then there is Assetto's British GT entry, and the Ginetta 'factory' car that raced in the GT4 race at the Silverstone Classic. There's probably a couple of others in use in Britcar/GT Cup, and a couple of spare cars. I think there are a couple of G56s out in the USA that have made one or two entries in SROs GT4 America and GT America series last year and this year. Plus I think there are a couple in Japan. Added together that's maybe around 25 cars?

The pairing of Robertson and Sansom did well in British GT in 2021, and Tomlinson and Wheeler will probably improve as they get older (I think both must only be about 15-17yrs old?) So the car has got some form. I think its also won races (in a sub-class) in GT4 America, and in Super Taikyu. Hopefully Assetto, Elite and Breakell will run cars in British GT next year given the other Ginetta stalwart Century has a British GT-partnership with BMW.

I'm wondering if this British GT-only announcement was foreshadowed somewhat by Darren Leung and Charlie Robertson's guest entry in Leung's G56 in British GT at Brands Hatch? Testing endurance racing in the GT4 for '23?

[Robin Marriott]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Yes, and BGT on others.

Caterham joined the BARC outfit earlier in the year, wonder if that's an option.

Personally I think a multi-brand series is needed, but not sure there are any outside TCR UK above club level.

Like RC4/R2/S1600 but not WRC. I like it, sign me up.