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

[Pickles]

I quite enjoy watching people argue about stuff that no one can possibly know the correct answer to, that won't be relevant for over a year.

Isn't this what the Internet was invented for?

[crmalcolm]

The other strong link for 2023 is the Max Coates / Graves Motorsport deal that has the ultimate goal of being on the BTCC grid for 2023.

Dave Graves : “We are planning another season with Max and a number of other drivers in the MINI’s next year, but we will also use the start of the 2022 season to assess carand licence options for the BTCC as they enter the new and exciting Hybrid Era."

[crmalcolm]

With the introduction of hybrid regulations for the 2022 season, a number of teams openly stated that they had settled on their model prior to the 2021 season so that they could concentrate on the engine requirements.

With a full season under their belts, will we see new models on the grid? One likely candidate is Team Dynamics and the 11th Gen Civic that is due to be released in Europe late in 2022.

The withdrawal of Honda makes this an interesting situation.
Keeping the FK8 for a further season offers little indication of their future.
A switch to a different marque would be worthy of note - given that they have used Honda in the past without manufacturer support.
A switch to the 11th Gen might indicate that TD still have an association with Honda that they want to carry forward.

The choice of models will be interesting across the whole grid too. The introduction of hybrid has resulted in the CoG being further rearwards in all cars - will this influence future model choices?

[crmalcolm]

Tom Ingram becomes the second (publicly) confirmed driver for 2023 it seems:

https://www.touringcartimes.com/2022...-excelr8-deal/

[Ant25]

Team Parker bringing in Alfa?

[crmalcolm]

Goff's departure message included an intent to return in the future - are we just looking at one year away?

Goff: "This has been the hardest decision for me, but I hope to be back in the future."
Gilham: "Our friendship off track will continue and we hope Jack can race one of our cars again someday."

[antnee]

Was there mention at the weekend of Dan and Ash, along with NAPA being a 2 or 3 yr deal?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by antnee

Was there mention at the weekend of Dan and Ash, along with NAPA being a 2 or 3 yr deal?

At Media Day :-

Cammish: "it was kind of a no-brainer that I wanted to be involved in this programme. Not just for this year, but for the coming years."

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by antnee

Was there mention at the weekend of Dan and Ash, along with NAPA being a 2 or 3 yr deal?

Ash said in an interview (was it after R3 or earlier? I don't remember) that it's a multiyear deal and it's good because he wants to be around for years to come (or something like that). Anyway, he highlighted the fact it's a multiyear deal for him.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Ant25

Team Parker bringing in Alfa?

Fact or wishing?

[S griffin]

We haven't got anything confirmed atm, however I'm sure Hyundai, Honda, BMW and Ford will still be in it, plus a few others

[Evantra]

Jack Mitchell joins Motorbase's driver academy. So a link to Motorbase, I guess only at the expense of Ollie Jackson as the other 3 are fairly locked in!

[crmalcolm]

Ash Hand is also on a 'multi-year' deal:
"The deal we have put together, I believe, gives me the best possible chance of achieving this. A multi-year deal securing my future in BTCC is the holy grail of deals as a race driver."

[antnee]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Jack Mitchell joins Motorbase's driver academy. So a link to Motorbase, I guess only at the expense of Ollie Jackson as the other 3 are fairly locked in!

Motorbase seem to be assembling a few drivers within their 'academy'. Teamed up with JWB (Minis and TCR) along with Assetto (Ginettas and GT).

With Ollie Jackson being a director at Mountune, I would expect his seat at Motorbase is fairly secure.

[crmalcolm]

Chilton has said in interview that he is on a 'minimum 2-year' deal with EXCELR8.