[BTCC] BTCC News & Rumours 2025

[Pickles]

I think the new Astra has been on people's minds as no one was really sure when the current car is eligible until. This year would have been it's final year.

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by Pickles

That's what's making me wonder with Cook's mention of a long term project. I'd be surprised if anyone brought a complete new car out now with the incoming rule changes for next year though.

I thought in one of Alan Gows interviews with Autosport last year he said all current cars were going to be okay with the new rules. So it would only be a lack of time to get anything done that would stop anyone introducing a new car now.

Will be interesting next season though to see what's eligible...

[aland]

Originally Posted by psq43

I've been dying for someone to bring it up. Sadly, nobody seems to want to talk about it.

Surely that's tailor made for a podcast? Our native podcasts are far too vanilla though.

vic did the time to go with the crime, i am sure he wasn't/isnt the only one to fund motorsport with illegal activities that goes for all levels.

[Protonman]

Cooks options are only speedworks or One Motorsport, but am open to it being either . When one was announced it seemed only that they would bring back the Civic which seemed unlikely and unexciting . But if they are fully funded and announcing a new car then this is a big plus for the series . It could however be Toyota, if they have plans to update and try to be a greater threat . Cook and Huff in 2 TGR badged cars have potential and may be better than 4 cars using lesser talent . They have under achieved since Tingram but they can restore things if budget permits . Having sole access to Toyota gives them an advantage and their engine is among the best . Is their another model that fits the bill , perhaps longer wheelbase and less draggy body . Could perhaps switch to a Lexus badge , are any of them FWD ?

[mick bennett]

Originally Posted by aland

vic did the time to go with the crime, i am sure he wasn't/isnt the only one to fund motorsport with illegal activities that goes for all levels.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vic_Lee_Racing

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

13 seats not named yet, that's more than half announced grid, isn't that worrisome by this point ?

I make it 12 definite *(Sutton/cammish/Ingram/Chilton/Morgan/Hill/Deleon/Moffat/ATS/
Smiley/Patterson/Hall. Add to that the expectation that Ford stays the same (no need to advise that) and the hope behind the last seats at BMW and restart and Cook showing his hand leaves 7 to fill, including the 4 at Toyota . Seem to remember they often don’t pre announce their drivers and they may need to reduce numbers . Leaves up in the air are the One M/sport and remaining seat at PMR .and last Hyundai seat . That’s not too gloomy .
By definite I mean having a signed contract and the team not folding . * Even if they did the driver could find a drive in one of the spare births.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by aland

vic did the time to go with the crime, i am sure he wasn't/isnt the only one to fund motorsport with illegal activities that goes for all levels.

Get the book - Driven to Crime.

[Daverb]

Where would we be now if hybrid hadn’t been dropped? Better off/worse off? More driver signings/less signings?

[porsche962fan]

Vic Lee isn't the only such dude

anyone remember Jonathan France ??

https://jerseyeveningpost.com/motori...n-pound-fraud/

most infamous for running 2004-2005 British GT with certain Ben Collins as driver

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by Protonman

Is their another model that fits the bill , perhaps longer wheelbase and less draggy body . Could perhaps switch to a Lexus badge , are any of them FWD ?

If BTCC kept hybrid, a great choice for a Toyota touring car would be the new Prius. A lot more aerodynamic than Corolla and I imagine would look stunning in a race trim. With hybrid gone though, there's little point in having a car synonymous with this technology equipped with a combustion engine. And Prius is not built in Britain so perhaps Corolla suits Toyota UK better from marketing perspective - if they have much influence, that is.

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

I thought in one of Alan Gows interviews with Autosport last year he said all current cars were going to be okay with the new rules. So it would only be a lack of time to get anything done that would stop anyone introducing a new car now.

Will be interesting next season though to see what's eligible...

Well aware of that, I guess the point I was trying to make was why build a car that's bound to be compromised by having to satisfy 2 sets of regulations. Surely it would make more sense to build a new car to the new regs? Even though it would still be eligible, it might be at a disadvantage from next year onwards.

[psq43]

Originally Posted by aland

vic did the time to go with the crime.

Twice actually!

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Pickles

Well aware of that, I guess the point I was trying to make was why build a car that's bound to be compromised by having to satisfy 2 sets of regulations. Surely it would make more sense to build a new car to the new regs? Even though it would still be eligible, it might be at a disadvantage from next year onwards.

You may well be correct, however, even though we, or certainly I, don't know what the new technical regulations are for 2026, I'm fairly certain that the teams are well aware of what is coming down the road. I wouldn't expect, under today's financial difficulties for teams and drivers alike, that the changes will be too dramatic, so teams will be left with a choice.

They can either transfer all current bits, which are all modular and spec, to a new car on the basis that they can either carry on using it for the period that both specifications will be running concurrently, or they will know that they will be able to modify the cars at the end of this coming season to accept the new specifications.

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by Matt K

If BTCC kept hybrid, a great choice for a Toyota touring car would be the new Prius. A lot more aerodynamic than Corolla and I imagine would look stunning in a race trim. With hybrid gone though, there's little point in having a car synonymous with this technology equipped with a combustion engine. And Prius is not built in Britain so perhaps Corolla suits Toyota UK better from marketing perspective - if they have much influence, that is.

Thanks , so many manufacturers are heavy with SUVs which are not suited that I lose track of the model range available . Also means there are less marques to choose from and the grid is full of cars that are no longer sold or only available elsewhere . When Proton stopped importing no one thought of using their shells anymore as there was no market here to support it. but Welch’s old Gen 2 persona was a pretty sound base for a privateer entry . Wonder what Allliance will do once they ditch their current cars .This is something that must be kept in mind when making new regulations .

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by Protonman

Thanks , so many manufacturers are heavy with SUVs which are not suited that I lose track of the model range available .

maybe this should be the BTCC future

[TinTopGrumpy]

Originally Posted by Protonman

Wonder what Allliance will do once they ditch their current cars .This is something that must be kept in mind when making new regulations .

They've said their 2026 car will be a new manufacturer for BTCC and FWD if everything goes to plan.

[MarcusH26]

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if someone tried the small crossover idea or has at least looked into it. Seems like there's a narrow group of suitable new cars and it will be interesting to see if there's anything in the new rules that opens things up.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by TinTopGrumpy

They've said their 2026 car will be a new manufacturer for BTCC and FWD if everything goes to plan.

I remember them considering switching to Audi in 2023. Would be nice to see that marque back

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Matt K

If BTCC kept hybrid, a great choice for a Toyota touring car would be the new Prius. A lot more aerodynamic than Corolla and I imagine would look stunning in a race trim. With hybrid gone though, there's little point in having a car synonymous with this technology equipped with a combustion engine. And Prius is not built in Britain so perhaps Corolla suits Toyota UK better from marketing perspective - if they have much influence, that is.

The Corolla Hatchback is only available as a Hybrid in the UK, the petrol version was pulled from sale a couple of years back, hence why the company, and the current car, were the ones most aligned with the format.

It does make you wonder though, considering how ingrained in Hybrid Toyota are, why did they not throw a few extra quid and some Toyota engineers at the project - it'd be a drop in the ocean to them compared to what they spend on WEC, and even the South American TCR project for that Corolla. And if they'd won a title under hybrid, would they have shouted about it?