[BTCC] BTCC 2020 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[touringlegend]

Ah now that makes sense. As would reading the full article

[thetool]

If it weren't for the fact that I don't think there will be enough interest yet to take up even 50% of last years activity, that restriction would be very vulnerable to legal challenge.

[andy97]

I still think that for meetings to take place, the current restrictions on camping and overnight stays will need to be lifted as a lot of people do travel significant distances to race and marshal/officiate.
That also probably requires some advanced cleaning measures to be in place for toilets and shower blocks.

[EastonNeston]

The logistics involved in getting any sport running again is complex, especially when TV and other external agencies are involved.


My first question to any event organisers would be about their plans for medical treatment if required for any participants? What provisions have they made to ensure their event does not place an increased load on NHS facilities in the area, especially as some hospitals are closed to new patients due to COVID-19.


There are also concerns with working and HGV drivers hours if participants are unable to stay near the circuit overnight.

[bella]

Originally Posted by EastonNeston

There are also concerns with working and HGV drivers hours if participants are unable to stay near the circuit overnight.

truck drivers kip in the truck. there's no h&s or covid issues there - those who have taken work in the general haulage sector have been doing this throughout lockdown anyway. it's actually harder for the spanners - i've seen one set of regs that specifically ban people sleeping in shared campers at the circuit. it's maybe more of a headscratcher for test days, but that can be solved by not doing two day tests. again, truckie will run up the previous evening and kip in the cab to be joined by everybody else the next morning.

[Alfisti]

Well horsies can run about a bit next week. Just the officials, drivers and mechanics. Plus medical staff in case of mishaps.

So not massively dissimilar to brum brums - other than speed difference, although I'd personally feel safer in a race car than on a horses back.

[S griffin]

Every sport is starting to come back. I think snooker is due back next week. Also footballers are training again and as you say so is horse racing. Now preparations are being made for national motorsport

Also as you say they could learn a bit from horse racing due to quite a few similarities. Either way I do think it will be business as usual before too long. We just have to get over a few hurdles first. I am now looking forward to the return of the BTCC, it should be an exciting season and I am sure worth the wait

[Mike Harte]

Personally, can't see too many drivers or cars for that matter, jumping over any hurdles!

[Peter Mallett]

Yes that would be a bit of a leap.

[crmalcolm]

Although a lame horse requires a lot less people to deal with it than a lame car.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Personally, can't see too many drivers or cars for that matter, jumping over any hurdles!

The Duke Boys in the General Lee have to be clear favourites!

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

The Duke Boys in the General Lee have to be clear favourites!

There is another contender....

I can see Neal and Plato doing a straight jump, Sutton trying something a bit more spectacular.

[BillWiskins]

BTCC / Stadium Super Trucks crossover confirmed?

[bella]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

There is another contender....

I can see Neal and Plato doing a straight jump, Sutton trying something a bit more spectacular.

this photo is making me miss the old dingle dell

[S griffin]

Yes that was fun when you would see four wheels off the ground. That John Cleland image was one of the best. A chicane that was fun

[medius]

Public announcement early next week apparently, after a briefing to the teams from TOCA.

[mark_l]

Originally Posted by medius

Public announcement early next week apparently, after a briefing to the teams from TOCA.

Shall we start a wild rumours thread about what the announcement could be.

[thetool]

Originally Posted by mark_l

Shall we start a wild rumours thread about what the announcement could be.

My best guess would be

a) BTCC going ahead as planned starting in August, with a couple of tests in July
b) No spectators at the track this year
c) The full range of measures to be taken to try and minimise the costs from losing the hospitality side of things

[mark_l]

a) Due to social distancing drivers will have to setup their own cars, fit the tyres and repair any damage without assistance.

b) Louise Goodman will be conducting grid walk interviews with the drivers via zoom, sadly the wifi at the circuits won't support it.

c) Tim and David won't be able to commentate from the same commentary box so David will be at Oulton Park whilst Tim is last seen heading for the Donington spark plug.

[S griffin]

And drivers have to push their own car out of the gravel if they can

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by andy97

I still think that for meetings to take place, the current restrictions on camping and overnight stays will need to be lifted as a lot of people do travel significant distances to race and marshal/officiate.
That also probably requires some advanced cleaning measures to be in place for toilets and shower blocks.

I was checking Premier Inn availability for Thruxton towards the end of July and they are taking bookings, so presumably have been tipped to be allowed to open from July, at least. Of course they and Travelodge etc are easier as basically one rarely sees a staff member apart from check-in and that can easily be handled whilst reception is shielded.....

[davidjones]

Originally Posted by VXDave

Has anyone else picked up that there's going to be a new BTCC computer game? And it's not an add on to a game like Forza; it'll be bespoke like TOCA was. Matt Neal confirmed it on a video recently. In other news, he also confirmed that he and Plato get on alright these days!

https://www.teamvvv.com/news/british-touring-car-championship-game-set-to-release-in-2021-2022/

Looks like this might actually be a thing, and if the rumours are to be believed you will have your wish and it will be a stand alone game too 😁


In a recent podcast Alan Gow revealed that he is in the final stages of negotiations to produce a new BTCC game that hopefully should be coming out in the next 18 months/ 2 years.

Matt Neal also said in a recent Facebook live feed that rather an add-on for another title, this supposed BTCC game will be a standalone experience.

Simbin are known for making Race07, which contained all tracks and cars from the 2007 WTCC Season and had add on packs for the 2008 and 2010 WTCC & STCC seasons.

Dan Camish visited Simbin studios at the end of last year has been a vocal supporter of getting a new BTCC game to the market. GTR3 is still yet to be released and that was originally scheduled for release in 2018 which was then pushed back to 2019.

Rumour has it that a beta of the new BTCC game could be available to play as early as the end of this year.

If this is the case then I would have thought Simbin would be the frontrunner to develop the game given that the have recent experience of developing touring car games and if they already have a game almost ready to go then it shouldn't be too much of a stretch to get this into a working BTCC came by the end of the year.

To bring this back on topic, maybe this Public announcement we are expecting early next week is about the new BTCC game? Have they managed to bring things forward to do some sort of BTCC E-Sports to give us some thing to watch before they go racing again for real at the end of the summer?

I doubt thats the announcement but I can dream 😁

[S griffin]

About time we had a proper BTCC game again. Been too long since TOCA. Really hope this happens

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by mark_l

Shall we start a wild rumours thread about what the announcement could be.

Jason Plato swapping seats with Dan Cam.

That's it, sure as eggs!

[Alfisti]

Seriously though, I fully expect spectator less racing to happen as per Uncle Alan's timetable.

Distancing does NOT have to happen if it cannot as I understand. Certainly NASCAR pitstops with two men on each wheel change, jackman, fueller are all normal.