[BTCC] BTCC News & Rumours 2025

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

I completely agree but why tell the World?

Possibly why do reporters/journalists keep asking the same stupid questions year after year?

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by thetool

Do you need everything spelled out for you?? The obvious inference from his comments is that they want the drivers to know that there's lots of competition for the drive(s) and it would be best to get it sorted (on WSR's terms) ASAP.

Teams such as WSR have no need to do that; any driver wishing to drive one of the BMWs would know that already.

[FIRE]

...

[thetool]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Teams such as WSR have no need to do that; any driver wishing to drive one of the BMWs would know that already.

You've never been in a business negotiation? Sure it's debatable how effective the tactics are, but the person selling a product will always want to make it seem as sought after as possible. Hence why year after year we get these stories of X number of drivers being in contention for a seat and in many cases it ends up with nobody putting the deal together.

WSR have every need to do it, they want to drive up the price they can charge for the seat as high as possible. WSR doesn't exist just to race in the BTCC, it exists to make lots of money for it's shareholders (80% of which is team principal Dick Bennetts).

[RoadFool]

I’m looking forward to next season. Hopefully it’s another spicy one that goes down to the wire. Would also like to see someone new at the sharp end.

First post, be kind lol.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by thetool

You've never been in a business negotiation?

I admit that I only spent about 45 years doing it; I suppose there are still things I need to know, although I did use to have fun being in a position where I ended up supplying competitors.

And if you think that negotiating in Europe can be tough, try it in the Far East which I did for around 20 years.

[thetool]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I admit that I only spent about 45 years doing it

45 years and you've never seen the tactic of creating a false sense of scarcity to increase sales? Seems a bit naive to me.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

I completely agree but why tell the World?

Because it gets mentioned in articles, forums, websites etc, etc, etc,

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by thetool

45 years and you've never seen the tactic of creating a false sense of scarcity to increase sales? Seems a bit naive to me.

In 45 years I never needed or even felt the need to create a false market. And my sales were only limited by scarcities in production which is why I kept on having to create new production facilities and on expanding existing plants.

Please don't assume anything about others that you do not know.

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by RoadFool

I’m looking forward to next season. Hopefully it’s another spicy one that goes down to the wire. Would also like to see someone new at the sharp end.

First post, be kind lol.

Hello and welcome! Mainly a friendly lot on here

If Mr Gow gets his way, it will go down to the wire next year again.

Depending on who ends up in the WSR seats, a few rumoured names could see some new faces at the front. I’d love Bobby T to get a full season and if De Leon gets a ‘promotion’ up the grid (not knocking Unlimited, they did a cracking job at such short notice etc.), but he’s certainly a talent of the future.

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by RoadFool

I’m looking forward to next season. Hopefully it’s another spicy one that goes down to the wire. Would also like to see someone new at the sharp end.

First post, be kind lol.

Welcome to the site, we mostly don’t bite. Waiting with bated breath for the early news . Optimists are predicting a few exiting changes and hopefully competition will be as close as last year, unless someone finds some advantage through the new rules it should be good . If as expected the big names remain in status quo we can expect champion to be from the familiar names but hope for a few surprises. Cook could challenge if in right equipment so will be exiting to hear of his plans . If he was in the 3rd Hyundai he would be a major challenge to Tingram , especially if the reliability improves .

[AJD]

Originally Posted by Protonman

Welcome to the site, we mostly don’t bite. Waiting with bated breath for the early news . Optimists are predicting a few exiting changes and hopefully competition will be as close as last year, unless someone finds some advantage through the new rules it should be good . If as expected the big names remain in status quo we can expect champion to be from the familiar names but hope for a few surprises. Cook could challenge if in right equipment so will be exiting to hear of his plans . If he was in the 3rd Hyundai he would be a major challenge to Tingram , especially if the reliability improves .

I've often thought the same about Cook. But I must admit I'm starting to lose that faith. He just never seems to land somewhere with a car that's out of the box quick.

[Millvi]

Originally Posted by AJD

I've often thought the same about Cook. But I must admit I'm starting to lose that faith. He just never seems to land somewhere with a car that's out of the box quick.

The BTC Civic for Cammish was. Cook was left trailing in his wake for that first meeting I seem to recall.

Proctor then came in and was rapid (not at Snetterton 1st time out). But he pushed Cook for the rest of the season and was especially strong at Oulton for the tyre test and then the race weekend.

Jade in the same package was way off the pace.

[tee.1s]

Originally Posted by Millvi

The BTC Civic for Cammish was. Cook was left trailing in his wake for that first meeting I seem to recall.

Proctor then came in and was rapid (not at Snetterton 1st time out). But he pushed Cook for the rest of the season and was especially strong at Oulton for the tyre test and then the race weekend.

Jade in the same package was way off the pace.

Cooky won the first 2 races at Thruxton, with Cammish finishing 4th and 2nd respectively, but yes the Civic in 21 for both BTC and Team Dynamics was very handy. Not better than the BMW or Infiniti though

[MarcusH26]

Would be interesting if the Civic came back next year if any performance could be dragged out of it or if even with a solid driver lineup and some development it would be down the back with the Cupras.

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

Would be interesting if the Civic came back next year if any performance could be dragged out of it or if even with a solid driver lineup and some development it would be down the back with the Cupras.

I have to admit to some scepticism as to whether we will see a Honda on the grid next year but if Cook is to return elsewhere from Toyota then I cannot see him wanting another year in an underfunded private entry . Would be good shout to be Indy champs but likely to be off main pace . Used Ford/Hyundai ?
I guess Alliance/xceler8 may have spares although will they develop a new car for Sutton/Ingram or simply update this years car. The absence of ready made fast equipment is what is making the situation all the more intriguing.
Mentioning Jade , if as suggested she isn’t quick enough or has insufficient funding does anyone think we may see a female entry any time soon. Eaton/Walmesly took wins on the support cast but not likely to have the money to step up. Would love to have a women’s viewpoint as to whether their may be any interest in female participation or it should stay male dominated . Last female driver before Jade was in a previous generation .

[RoadFool]

I quite like Jade as a presenter, I think the pundits should have BTCC racing experience and Jade comes across well imo. I hope she carries on with it.

Cookie’s problem imo is inconsistency, like other drivers like Cammish… Rapid, but not always rapid. I don’t think it’s their driving, I think they struggle to get their cars in the perfect operating window. I think this is where others like Jake and Ash excel, as they’re good at getting the most from their cars. Having said that, I expected more from Sutton this year.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by Protonman

I have to admit to some scepticism as to whether we will see a Honda on the grid next year but if Cook is to return elsewhere from Toyota then I cannot see him wanting another year in an underfunded private entry . Would be good shout to be Indy champs but likely to be off main pace . Used Ford/Hyundai ?
I guess Alliance/xceler8 may have spares although will they develop a new car for Sutton/Ingram or simply update this years car. The absence of ready made fast equipment is what is making the situation all the more intriguing.
Mentioning Jade , if as suggested she isn’t quick enough or has insufficient funding does anyone think we may see a female entry any time soon. Eaton/Walmesly took wins on the support cast but not likely to have the money to step up. Would love to have a women’s viewpoint as to whether their may be any interest in female participation or it should stay male dominated . Last female driver before Jade was in a previous generation .

you forgot Jessica Hawkins did some races in 2020 and 2021
so there were actually two female drivers in the btcc in those two years.

[AJD]

Originally Posted by RoadFool

I quite like Jade as a presenter, I think the pundits should have BTCC racing experience and Jade comes across well imo. I hope she carries on with it.

Cookie’s problem imo is inconsistency, like other drivers like Cammish… Rapid, but not always rapid. I don’t think it’s their driving, I think they struggle to get their cars in the perfect operating window. I think this is where others like Jake and Ash excel, as they’re good at getting the most from their cars. Having said that, I expected more from Sutton this year.

Very much agree with this. Sutton or his team are very good at creating a car that suits his style. They're also very lucky that he can seem to almost drive anything well to start with.

Add into that Ingram and Hill and for me they've ran off into a class of their own.

I don't think the gap to them is that big, I'd be certain other drivers could get to that level just everything needs to align at the right time.

[AJD]

Originally Posted by Protonman

I have to admit to some scepticism as to whether we will see a Honda on the grid next year but if Cook is to return elsewhere from Toyota then I cannot see him wanting another year in an underfunded private entry . Would be good shout to be Indy champs but likely to be off main pace . Used Ford/Hyundai ?
I guess Alliance/xceler8 may have spares although will they develop a new car for Sutton/Ingram or simply update this years car. The absence of ready made fast equipment is what is making the situation all the more intriguing.
Mentioning Jade , if as suggested she isn’t quick enough or has insufficient funding does anyone think we may see a female entry any time soon. Eaton/Walmesly took wins on the support cast but not likely to have the money to step up. Would love to have a women’s viewpoint as to whether their may be any interest in female participation or it should stay male dominated . Last female driver before Jade was in a previous generation .

It hasn't been suggested that she's not quick enough. She's definitely quick enough to mix it at some point in the pack. It's whether she wants to pay a shed load of money to be mixing it where her talent places her. That goes for everyone on the grid.

As for having a female on the grid. One will be there if they have the backing, desire and a to an extent the skill. Just like every male who wants to race. As with everyone it's a finance game.

[RoadFool]

Originally Posted by AJD

Very much agree with this. Sutton or his team are very good at creating a car that suits his style. They're also very lucky that he can seem to almost drive anything well to start with.

Add into that Ingram and Hill and for me they've ran off into a class of their own.

I don't think the gap to them is that big, I'd be certain other drivers could get to that level just everything needs to align at the right time.

Yep, I agree that Ash, Hill and Ingram are in a league of their own right now. Not much in it but their combination of drivers who can max out their cars potential race after race, combined with race engineers who can put a fast car on the grid consistently. I think that’s the difference. Remember when Jake was in the Audi and brought it to the front of the grid? That car had never done so well!

[AJD]

Originally Posted by RoadFool

Yep, I agree that Ash, Hill and Ingram are in a league of their own right now. Not much in it but their combination of drivers who can max out their cars potential race after race, combined with race engineers who can put a fast car on the grid consistently. I think that’s the difference. Remember when Jake was in the Audi and brought it to the front of the grid? That car had never done so well!

Jake has always looked fast. I think he's had all the tools over the last 3 or so seasons to really compete. I finally think this season everything clicked for him as a package.

That's why I think although the three weeks mentioned are ahead of the pack it's not out of the realms of possibilities that someone could get up there with them. There's plenty of fast drivers on that grid. They just need to make it click like the others have managed.

[Millvi]

If ever the Dudman owned Civics were to make a comeback then 2025 seems ideal with the electric hybrid unit and its weight removed + engine development restrictions.

Lots of setup data perhaps now needs all looking at again for base setups and tinkering with other weight distribution etc.

The teams will all be controlled even more by Gow and his turbo boost tweaks I think.

The FK8 Civic with the hybrid weight removed and M-Sport power could be quite a package. Perhaps.

Looking forward to more driver and team announcements.

[Mike Harte]

Leaving aside the fact that WSR improved the BMW package for this year's season, the main reason that Hill managed to just take the title with Ingram almost there, was that he calmed his aggressive driving down. Prior to this season, his mental attitude has seemed to be that every move was all or bust, often resulting in his car damaged in one way or another.

This year, he took a far more pragmatic approach, often settling for points rather than the overall win. This attitude is why Turkington has racked up so many championships, and why Sutton has gained his last few as well.

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

you forgot Jessica Hawkins did some races in 2020 and 2021
so there were actually two female drivers in the btcc in those two years.

I had forgotten , although if I remember she only appeared a couple of times as a try out . Don’t know what she is doing now but clearly BTCC isn’t an option . I wondered if some who were in formula W may see touring cars as an optional career given their is little chance of serious promotion in single seater . Abbie Eaton had a quiet debut in PCGB until looking outstanding and winning in one event . Her car decoration that day depicted how tricky it is for women to progress onwards .