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

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by redshoes

In non-BTCC news, coronation will be help on Sat 6th May
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63172425

That's the same weekend that BTCC is at Brands Hatch. Will we see qualifying and Sat support races cancelled, as happened for Diana's funeral, or will the meeting get re-scheduled?

It's also the FA Cup Final at Wembley! I wonder which event will get the most prominent TV profile?

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

It's also the FA Cup Final at Wembley!

Cup Final is 3rd June. That was the date 'leaked' by the Sun.

Actual date announced by Buck House is 6th May

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by redshoes

In non-BTCC news, coronation will be help on Sat 6th May
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63172425

That's the same weekend that BTCC is at Brands Hatch. Will we see qualifying and Sat support races cancelled, as happened for Diana's funeral, or will the meeting get re-scheduled?

Early talk is that the entire proceedings will last around an hour. So I would expect the Saturday to be adjusted around the timings. Possibly a 90minute 'break'?

[Evantra]

Quote from Dan Lloyd -

“I don’t know where I’ll be yet, I’ve just got to pick the right deal for me. I won’t put myself under this financial pressure again next year. I don’t know what that means or where we’ll be, but we’ll see how the next few weeks go."

'I won’t put myself under this financial pressure again next year' - is that in reference to his accident, or he is outstretching himself at Excerl8? Not another one destined for HARD

[Evantra]

...and Thompson on next year:

'Thompson says this will most likely be via remaining at Team Hard for 2023, and believes there is more pace to unlock from the Cupra.

“There are lots of rumours – the silly season has started extra-early this year,” he said.

“Of course we all know each other [the teams and drivers], but there’s no need to go anywhere else – these guys have given me a top-10 car each weekend."

[antnee]

Butcher hoping to stay with Speedworks too - https://www.touringcartimes.com/2022...n-toyota-seat/

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Evantra

'I won’t put myself under this financial pressure again next year' - is that in reference to his accident, or he is outstretching himself at Excerl8?

Pretty sure that's s reference to the accident. He was left trying to find almost £100K and only finished the year thanks to Bristol Street Motors stepping in at the last minute.

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Quote from Dan Lloyd -

“I don’t know where I’ll be yet, I’ve just got to pick the right deal for me. I won’t put myself under this financial pressure again next year. I don’t know what that means or where we’ll be, but we’ll see how the next few weeks go."

'I won’t put myself under this financial pressure again next year' - is that in reference to his accident, or he is outstretching himself at Excerl8? Not another one destined for HARD

Possibly hinting that he doesn't want to be getting charged £100k for a £60k damage bill again

[touringlegend]

I believe Exceler8 are one of the dearer teams so that wouldn’t surprise me.

[thetool]

Going to be interesting to see what Dynamics are doing over the winter. The Honda clearly isn't the package it once was, more because the quality of the opposition has improved than it has got worse - but the FK8 is widely considered to be an inferior package to the FK2. Dynamics has been extremely loyal to Honda, with and without formal works backing. I wonder if the new Civic Type-R could be on the agenda? Not really a lot of other choice Honda wise for UK-based models these days.

[aland]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

I believe Exceler8 are one of the dearer teams so that wouldn’t surprise me.

you get what you pay for plus to the team owners it is a business

[antnee]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

I believe Exceler8 are one of the dearer teams so that wouldn’t surprise me.

Given they have one of the quickest and most consistent cars, it is no surprise they are asking strong money to drive one.


Are we going to see a potential shift in the pecking order, the likes of Exceler8 seem to have the business model nailed, 4 well turned out cars, own engine development along with 3 good drivers, pulling in some great sponsorship across the board too. Where as Dynamics have been strong over the last 20 years, it was born from Matt starting as a privateer, doing really well and then getting some OEM support. With Matt stepping away along with Honda, it is a radically different operation to 3 years ago - will they be able to turn it around?

[auroan]

Originally Posted by antnee

Given they have one of the quickest and most consistent cars, it is no surprise they are asking strong money to drive one.


Are we going to see a potential shift in the pecking order, the likes of Exceler8 seem to have the business model nailed, 4 well turned out cars, own engine development along with 3 good drivers, pulling in some great sponsorship across the board too. Where as Dynamics have been strong over the last 20 years, it was born from Matt starting as a privateer, doing really well and then getting some OEM support. With Matt stepping away along with Honda, it is a radically different operation to 3 years ago - will they be able to turn it around?

Matt hasn't stepped away though. He's just not driving. I don't see how him not driving has any reflection in team operation.

[S griffin]

I doubt we will see Matt back though. He's probably secretly realises his days of racing are over

[Robin Marriott]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

I believe Exceler8 are one of the dearer teams so that wouldn’t surprise me.

Good chance they’ll put their prices up next year now they’re seen by everyone as a top team, not a new team.