BTCC 2018 in-season discussion

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

I thought the RS was a new car . Is the shell the same? Whats new?

Probably the best way to understand this is look at what an NGTC shell looks like.
https://btcctechnical.wordpress.com/...ont-sub-frame/
Pictures are of a Civic with the older GPRM sub-frames, but the principal is the same on all NGTC cars.

As you can see, there is virtually nothing left of the original shell. Everything forward of the front bulkhead is gone. The TOCA sub-frame attaches to the bulkhead and then all the mechanical parts attach to that. You can't see it in the picture, but there is a big chunk of the rear floorpan missing, which is where the rear sub-frame attaches.

Reduced down to that level, a Focus RS shell would be identical to a Focus ST shell, which would be identical to a Focus Popular Plus, or whatever the base model is called these days. I assume RS road car has different suspension to the regular model, but doesn't matter as none of the components or mounting points carry over to the race car.

The front bodywork and aero-kit are just bolt on fibreglass parts. Changing from ST-style to RS-style bodywork has no impact on the chassis. As all the running gear attaches to the sub-frame, the car would still be drivable with no front bodywork at all.