[BTCC] BTCC News & Rumours 2025

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by 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.

I read and watched a couple of interviews with Hill where he spoke specifically about that change of attitude, and I think he's at that point now where he can fill gaps and race for each point. Turkington, I feel at least, still has his pace on any given day, and still has the ability to rout the field in a race, but those seventh or eighth places, or fourteenth or fifteenth, he's at the age where away from the glory he seems less motivated to take risks.

As for Jade, if she gets a drive, she gets a drive and fills the back of the grid. All being equal, she's at a level where she'll race Osbourne if she's in a Focus, would have been between Halsted and Pearson in an i30 last season. Alongside Sumpton but behind DeLeon and Smiley in a Cupra. The grid will always have those kinds of driver, irrespective of gender. As for TV, I thought she was a great BTCC pundit, but her commentary needs work - that's not a criticism for the sake of being critical - I think she just needs to spend a little more time in the support paddocks that she's commentating on to get 'the knowledge.' All the other comms team do that, it did show at times.

Still think if someone could push £100,000 or so her way she'd win races and possibly the title in TCR UK, and considering the two don't clash this year that could work.

[coffinpilot]

Okay, I meant ahead of Sumpton.

[porsche962fan]

regarding Jake

see Oulton race 3 , he was 3rd behind both PMR Astras and he did go after them instead of settle for 3rd , knowing full well Double never won a race and he would have put a very stiff fight and possible collisions , even in the final race once he passed Tingram he didn't need to race the other drivers yet he still had a go at them ( also lucky that Cook had a moment) so there still aggression in him

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by 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.

I had 2024 down as a swan song year for Turks but his qualifying performances showed outright pace still on a par with the best . I wonder if removal of hybrid may see him more consistently up the front again . As you say Hill showed aspects of the pragmatism normally associated with his experienced team mate .
Would love to see a couple of young hot shoes in the other Beemers Thompson Pearson and DeLeon maybe even Watson if he can replicate his first season .

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by Protonman

I had 2024 down as a swan song year for Turks but his qualifying performances showed outright pace still on a par with the best . I wonder if removal of hybrid may see him more consistently up the front again.

Quite the opposite, I think - don't forget, in qualifying for most rounds he had more hybrid than Ingram, Sutton and Hill. Still got it done, mind.

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by Millvi

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

I agree, here's hoping - but only provided other parts of the car are developed too. Teams were provided greater freedom in 2024 to move weight around the cars, many creating extra light boot lids, for example.

[MarcusH26]

If the Civic has actually spent the last year being developed there could be something there to work with. Just fear that as a platform it's too long in the tooth to compete.

Re WSR as much as I'd love a Turkington/DeLeon/Hill/Thompson lineup I just can't see it all coming together financially unless Blundell strikes some kind of deal to back Bobby in a second MB entry. Will be interesting to see if DeLeon takes Duckhams or if that was a team sponsor for Un-Limited.

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by BobJones

Quite the opposite, I think - don't forget, in qualifying for most rounds he had more hybrid than Ingram, Sutton and Hill. Still got it done, mind.

True point but lack of hybrid didn’t seem to restrict some unless at Silverstone where it proved a big asset. Turks still had some loss at he was in championship top 5 most if not all rounds also.

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

If the Civic has actually spent the last year being developed there could be something there to work with. Just fear that as a platform it's too long in the tooth to compete.

Re WSR as much as I'd love a Turkington/DeLeon/Hill/Thompson lineup I just can't see it all coming together financially unless Blundell strikes some kind of deal to back Bobby in a second MB entry. Will be interesting to see if DeLeon takes Duckhams or if that was a team sponsor for Un-Limited.

Hasn't there been problems previously with oil sponsors on the WSR cars due to a conflict with the BMW first fill oil supplier (or am I thinking of another manufacturer?)

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

I read and watched a couple of interviews with Hill where he spoke specifically about that change of attitude, and I think he's at that point now where he can fill gaps and race for each point. Turkington, I feel at least, still has his pace on any given day, and still has the ability to rout the field in a race, but those seventh or eighth places, or fourteenth or fifteenth, he's at the age where away from the glory he seems less motivated to take risks.

As for Jade, if she gets a drive, she gets a drive and fills the back of the grid. All being equal, she's at a level where she'll race Osbourne if she's in a Focus, would have been between Halsted and Pearson in an i30 last season. Alongside Sumpton but behind DeLeon and Smiley in a Cupra. The grid will always have those kinds of driver, irrespective of gender. As for TV, I thought she was a great BTCC pundit, but her commentary needs work - that's not a criticism for the sake of being critical - I think she just needs to spend a little more time in the support paddocks that she's commentating on to get 'the knowledge.' All the other comms team do that, it did show at times.

Still think if someone could push £100,000 or so her way she'd win races and possibly the title in TCR UK, and considering the two don't clash this year that could work.

Sorry but TCR is a poor shadow of what was hoped . This year it was obvious who the eventual champ would be as most found it impossible to complete races on a regular basis . Who would want a commit lots of money for so little reward . Shepherd and Newsham might be ok in BTCC midfield but don’t think they could find the readies for a season . Wonder what Boardley thinks of a 3rd year in TCR or whether he seeks pastures new .

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Hasn't there been problems previously with oil sponsors on the WSR cars due to a conflict with the BMW first fill oil supplier (or am I thinking of another manufacturer?)

Yes I had forgotten that. Believe it came up last winter actually with Duckhams and Adam Smalley. So I wouldn't expect Duckhams to feature if DeLeon does sign.

[AJD]

Originally Posted by 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.

There's a lot to be said for drivers learning this. Of course it's natural they want to win every race but it's just not possible. Completely agree Hill really turned his attitude round in that respect. Stopped trying to over drive the BMW every race and ultimately claimed the big prize.

[AJD]

Originally Posted by Protonman

Sorry but TCR is a poor shadow of what was hoped . This year it was obvious who the eventual champ would be as most found it impossible to complete races on a regular basis . Who would want a commit lots of money for so little reward . Shepherd and Newsham might be ok in BTCC midfield but don’t think they could find the readies for a season . Wonder what Boardley thinks of a 3rd year in TCR or whether he seeks pastures new .

I do agree that TCR hasnt delivered what was hoped especially last season.

However is pushing thousands into a drive and being in a well ran car and competing for overall wins in TCR a waste of money but being in an underfunded seat in the btcc at the back a great opportunity for her?

For arguments sake let's say Edwards went to TCR to race while doing the BTCC media commitments and wins the championship wouldn't that do wonders for her profile and getting potential backing to get back to a BTCC drive? That wouldn't be a waste of money.

All theoretical I suppose.

[tocatrucky]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

If the Civic has actually spent the last year being developed there could be something there to work with. Just fear that as a platform it's too long in the tooth to compete.

I'm 99% confident One Motorsport have unofficially disbanded and aren't coming back. And of course the same for Team Dynamics so its safe to say the days of the FK8 are over.

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by tocatrucky

I'm 99% confident One Motorsport have unofficially disbanded and aren't coming back. And of course the same for Team Dynamics so its safe to say the days of the FK8 are over.

Makes sense really especially if there's better options available car wise , sabbaticals rarely result in returns in the BTCC it seems anyways.

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

Yes I had forgotten that. Believe it came up last winter actually with Duckhams and Adam Smalley. So I wouldn't expect Duckhams to feature if DeLeon does sign.

I'm pretty sure Duckhams is a team sponsor rather than a personal sponsor of DeLeon.

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by AJD

I do agree that TCR hasnt delivered what was hoped especially last season.

However is pushing thousands into a drive and being in a well ran car and competing for overall wins in TCR a waste of money but being in an underfunded seat in the btcc at the back a great opportunity for her?

For arguments sake let's say Edwards went to TCR to race while doing the BTCC media commitments and wins the championship wouldn't that do wonders for her profile and getting potential backing to get back to a BTCC drive? That wouldn't be a waste of money.

All theoretical I suppose.

Good point if she could find a professional team and reliable car but that’s my point as many are owner drivers trying to run cars on small budgets and reliability suffers accordingly . If teams who ran successfully in other series turned their attention to TCR then they could clean up but I don’t see a big queue forming .

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by Pickles

I'm pretty sure Duckhams is a team sponsor rather than a personal sponsor of DeLeon.

Cheers Pickles , I'm never sure with some of these sponsors who's a team sponsor and who's someone that comes with a driver wherever they are on the grid.

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

Cheers Pickles , I'm never sure with some of these sponsors who's a team sponsor and who's someone that comes with a driver wherever they are on the grid.

Duckhams were in the frame before Millers Oils signed with HARD in 2023, so they already had the contact behind the scenes. That's not to say that they only signed for this year because of DeLeon, if he leaves they may follow him, it may have only been a 1 year deal, etc

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Protonman

Sorry but TCR is a poor shadow of what was hoped . This year it was obvious who the eventual champ would be as most found it impossible to complete races on a regular basis . Who would want a commit lots of money for so little reward . Shepherd and Newsham might be ok in BTCC midfield but don’t think they could find the readies for a season . Wonder what Boardley thinks of a 3rd year in TCR or whether he seeks pastures new .

His car is up for sale at £85k, that might answer it!

https://www.racecarsdirect.com/Adver...ompeticion-tcr

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

His car is up for sale at £85k, that might answer it!

https://www.racecarsdirect.com/Adver...ompeticion-tcr

There was a mention on here that he's also sold his BTCC Cupra, wonder what he's looking to do next?

[ahobson98]

Nick Halstead not at Excelr8 next year.

Sounds like he might be at another team rather than taking a year out.

https://www.touringcartimes.com/2024/11/28/nick-halstead-rules-out-excelr8-return-in-2025/

[kipper]

Originally Posted by Protonman

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

She spent 2024 in British GT (plus retained her ambassadorial role at Aston Martin).

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by ahobson98

Nick Halstead not at Excelr8 next year.

Sounds like he might be at another team rather than taking a year out.

https://www.touringcartimes.com/2024/11/28/nick-halstead-rules-out-excelr8-return-in-2025/

2 good seats at Excelr8 up for grabs then.

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by ahobson98

Nick Halstead not at Excelr8 next year.

Sounds like he might be at another team rather than taking a year out.

https://www.touringcartimes.com/2024...eturn-in-2025/

Gonna throw this out there early... I think he may get involved with Un-Limited. If not as a driver, maybe behind the scenes.