[BTCC] BTCC 2017 Rumours & Silly Season

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by BLiTZ

Ok maybe not Plato but you know what I mean, it seems like no one's allowed to have a bad word to say about anyone on here.

Stop playing the victim here, because you're not. Everybody is allowed his opinion here, but if you make a bold statement (TD spending their time on fixing Simpsons car rather than running Neal's and Sheddens) you can expect some bold reactions. Man up I'd say.

[BLiTZ]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

Stop playing the victim here, because you're not. Everybody is allowed his opinion here, but if you make a bold statement (TD spending their time on fixing Simpsons car rather than running Neal's and Sheddens) you can expect some bold reactions. Man up I'd say.

I get what you're saying, all opinions are equal just some are more equal than others. Rightio

Originally Posted by thlbtcc

Nice to see Toyota GB tweeting about the BTCC - https://twitter.com/ToyotaGB/status/837408693792739333

They've provided quite a lot of social media support since the early days of NGTC. Was it not April fools day one year when they mocked up some Hiace vans in the Wrathall, Morgan and Hughes liveries and talked about the start of the BTVC (British Touring Van Championship)?

Then they had a nice photo shoot a couple of years later with one of the United Autosport cars on a trailer trying to recreate the old Corolla ad from the 80's.

I guess they get to reap the benefits of Speedworks, Handy and Hard's efforts without having to shell out a Manufacturers entry fee.

Not a bad thing at all as at least it shows they're interested, just would be really good if they could step up and back one of the teams to recreate Toyota Team GB or similar. (Just think if they backed Ingram how well they could do with a bit of cash and input).

[Sodemo]

WSR / BMW mentioned a new engine. Is this still being prepped by Neil Brown and does anyone have any info on it?

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

WSR / BMW mentioned a new engine. Is this still being prepped by Neil Brown and does anyone have any info on it?

Sure they said it was still being worked on by Neil Brown still so wasn't used in this weeks test.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Jiiiiiiim

Sure they said it was still being worked on by Neil Brown still so wasn't used in this weeks test.

Is this the modular engine?

[luckn002]

Originally Posted by thlbtcc

Nice to see Toyota GB tweeting about the BTCC - https://twitter.com/ToyotaGB/status/837408693792739333

Another post now by Toyota with some pretty official looking stills of the facelifted car.... could we have another suprise at Media Day?

[Craner Curves]

Securicor Toyota Team GB

[BLiTZ]

Originally Posted by luckn002

Another post now by Toyota with some pretty official looking stills of the facelifted car.... could we have another suprise at Media Day?

The pics do look well polished, more so than the usual testing shots. Could be something or nothing. I can't see a Manufacturer entering as a one car team though?!

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by BLiTZ

I get what you're saying, all opinions are equal just some are more equal than others. Rightio

Feel free to quote the bit where I said that, as I didn't. What I'm saying is that you're free to post your opinion, but others are free to disagree with you. Hence the name 'discussion forum'. Now stop being a cry baby.

[CarsCarsCars]

Originally Posted by BLiTZ

The pics do look well polished, more so than the usual testing shots. Could be something or nothing. I can't see a Manufacturer entering as a one car team though?!

BMR TBL to Speedworks (being far too optimistic )

[CarsCarsCars]

Race-winning Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship team Ciceley Motorsport unveiled its new sponsor and livery ahead of the 2017 campaign at Silverstone on Saturday.

The Accrington-based squad has secured a three-year deal with Mac Tools to be the headline sponsor of its Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which will be driven by tin-top star Adam Morgan.

http://www.btcc.net/2017/03/04/ciceleymac/

[CarsCarsCars]

I'm going to miss the WIX livery, but the Merc does look good in red.

[jsmee]

Looked like a huge launch - just seen these pics from Silverstone this morning

[porsche962fan]

it still has some WIX stickers, so I guese they either scaled down or MAC Tools offered more money to be title sponsor

[jsmee]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

it still has some WIX stickers, so I guese they either scaled down or MAC Tools offered more money to be title sponsor

If you read the official article it states WIX have scaled down their sponsorship and MAC have stepped up.

[S griffin]

Cosmic livery on the new Merc, the season is now only less than a month away and everything seems to be going well. I'm looking forward to it more and more

[thlbtcc]

Originally Posted by jsmee

Looked like a huge launch - just seen these pics from Silverstone this morning

Wow, that's really nice to see! Big effort activating the sponsorship.

[thlbtcc]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

WSR / BMW mentioned a new engine. Is this still being prepped by Neil Brown and does anyone have any info on it?

Some details are within Team BMW launch at 1:54 and 3:44 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1SgwfISb7c

Race version developed by Neil Brown and it's the recent B48 BMW engine. 2.0 inline-4, direct injection, variable valve lift and interestingly, twin turbo. Whether or not the twin turbo element passes across to the race car, I'm not sure.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by thlbtcc

Some details are within Team BMW launch at 1:54 and 3:44 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1SgwfISb7c

Race version developed by Neil Brown and it's the recent B48 BMW engine. 2.0 inline-4, direct injection, variable valve lift and interestingly, twin turbo. Whether or not the twin turbo element passes across to the race car, I'm not sure.

have to use the spec single turbo like everyone else.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by thlbtcc

Some details are within Team BMW launch at 1:54 and 3:44 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1SgwfISb7c

Race version developed by Neil Brown and it's the recent B48 BMW engine. 2.0 inline-4, direct injection, variable valve lift and interestingly, twin turbo. Whether or not the twin turbo element passes across to the race car, I'm not sure.

Twin-scroll, not twin turbo. Although as said, spec turbo is needed under NGTC regs.

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by thlbtcc

Some details are within Team BMW launch at 1:54 and 3:44 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1SgwfISb7c

Race version developed by Neil Brown and it's the recent B48 BMW engine. 2.0 inline-4, direct injection, variable valve lift and interestingly, twin turbo. Whether or not the twin turbo element passes across to the race car, I'm not sure.

Thanks for the info.

What exactly are the engine rules? Teams keep mentioning "developing engines" however aren't all the engines "balanced" by TOCA anyway?

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by CarsCarsCars

http://www.btcc.net/2017/03/04/ciceleymac/

Looks great

MAC Tools Mercedes vs Laser Tools Mercedes

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Thanks for the info.

What exactly are the engine rules? Teams keep mentioning "developing engines" however aren't all the engines "balanced" by TOCA anyway?

they are only balanced as far as top horsepower at a certain rpm. but teams still develop their engines to give better torque or power delivery at different rev ranges to suit their own cars and drivers.

[BLiTZ]

Originally Posted by CarsCarsCars

BMR TBL to Speedworks (being far too optimistic )

Aye would be great but doubt it'll happen this year.

Originally Posted by jsmee

Looked like a huge launch - just seen these pics from Silverstone this morning

Almost like a NASCAR or Supercars launch, great to see this level of hype behind the BTCC. Though can't help thinking the bumblebee has become a ladybird :P

Originally Posted by FIRE

Looks great

MAC Tools Mercedes vs Laser Tools Mercedes

Was thinking that too!

[luckn002]

Originally Posted by BLiTZ

Aye would be great but doubt it'll happen this year.

I know that teams can't sell / buy TBLs at this point but could they still be distributred by TOCA?

Seems a bit weird that BMR have started testing without their fourth driver (if indeed it is Mark Howard then he needs the testing he can get!)

Must agree with above posters; though I would love to see increased manufacturer support - I know Speedworks tested with Kawashima last year so a Japanese driver for a Japanese brand must be inviting - but I think it is too late this year.

As for Morgan's livery I must say I much preferred the yellow design from last year. To me it has been improved every year since the Mercedes debut, but this year's livery leaves me personally a little disappointed. Still, good to see it is generally liked and it certainly looked like a very professional launch.

Media day can't come quick enough!