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

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by Overboost

While a nice thought and brief chance for rumour, Cole stepped in as Adam wasn't available and he'd been lined up on standby. So nothing g more to it than that. He did enjoy his run out so maybe the desire for a return is still there?

Thanks for confirming, didn't think there would be much substance in it as Rowbo seems to have his funding covered and obviously it's Adams family team, just a bit of a surprise to see him driving

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Pickles

Thanks for confirming, didn't think there would be much substance in it as Rowbo seems to have his funding covered and obviously it's Adams family team, just a bit of a surprise to see him driving

Adams family team, sounds a bit spooky if you ask me! (I know slightly different spelling)

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

dont' make sense

if he wanted out, business wise it would have made much more sense to try and sell/loan his TBL or find a pay driver (or more) to drive his Civic

Yes, I think TOCA came to an arrangement with him so he didn’t sell it on.

[thetool]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

'Therefore the TBL assigned to Simpson Racing has returned to the control of TOCA and will not be reissued this season.'

You can keep quoting that, but I guarantee you that if the right entry offer came along that situation would change. There's already provision in the regulations to offer two additional entries.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by thetool

You can keep quoting that, but I guarantee you that if the right entry offer came along that situation would change. There's already provision in the regulations to offer two additional entries.

My reason for posting it was to highlight that the statement on their own website specifically included the line that it will not be reissued. If they wanted to retain the option, why bother to include that remark?

I wonder if it was intended to avoid such rumours? Gow has repeatedly said he wants a smaller grid, and they have been clear that it will not be reissued. If they go back on that, they will be questioned on their integrity.

[mj088]

Originally Posted by thetool

You can keep quoting that, but I guarantee you that if the right entry offer came along that situation would change. There's already provision in the regulations to offer two additional entries.

Completely agree, yes Gow wants to reduce the grid but he also changes his mind now and again and its his perogative to do so if he feels its right for the series.
There have always been the 2 spare licenses and if he's that keen to reduce the grid why wouldn't he just say "we scrapped 3 TBLs"?
If circumstances came about that were in the benefit of the championship I'm sure they would be considered a guest entry.
Maybe a major manufacturer wanting to join in 2021 wanting to run a non point scoring entry with a prototype? Or giving the hybrid test vehicle a run in race conditions.
Yes TOCA have said they won't re release it this season but it would not be the biggest shock in my lifetime to see it used at some point

[antnee]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Random shower thoughts, probably nonsense:

There was a recent TOCA press release saying that Cosworth would be starting testing the 2022 hybrid system this year using an existing race car. There are a few unused spare cars that could be acquired for that purpose, notably Moffatt's old Merc. Could this be Cole getting a bit of mileage in a non-hybrid car ready to take up a testing role?

I was wondering about this 'test car' - is a team lending Cosworth an existing car (that isn't being used for the 2020 season) for the hybrid development with the aim of getting some early set up info?

What cars are (mostly) whole which could be used?

[auroan]

Originally Posted by antnee

I was wondering about this 'test car' - is a team lending Cosworth an existing car (that isn't being used for the 2020 season) for the hybrid development with the aim of getting some early set up info?

What cars are (mostly) whole which could be used?

Simpsons Civic

[AJ.fan]

Originally Posted by antnee

I was wondering about this 'test car' - is a team lending Cosworth an existing car (that isn't being used for the 2020 season) for the hybrid development with the aim of getting some early set up info?

What cars are (mostly) whole which could be used?

Simpson's Civic, The Subarus, Moffatts Merc, the Alfa, a Team Hard VW, a Motorbase Focus RS

No way the Subarus will be used tho

[RS67]

Originally Posted by mj088

If circumstances came about that were in the benefit of the championship I'm sure they would be considered a guest entry.
Maybe a major manufacturer wanting to join in 2021 wanting to run a non point scoring entry with a prototype? Or giving the hybrid test vehicle a run in race conditions.
Yes TOCA have said they won't re release it this season but it would not be the biggest shock in my lifetime to see it used at some point

If all those cases are non point scoring, technically a TBL wouldn't be necessary, so not necessary to issue one.

[Evantra]

WSR livery -

https://twitter.com/bmwukmotorsport/...485145089?s=21

Looks really good in black, reminds me of the eBay 1 series days.

[Pickles]

It's a yes from me 😎

http://www.btcc.net/2020/03/12/team-...back-in-black/

[Robshillito1990]

It looks awful in black. Although at this rate no one is going to get to actually see it in person anyway. Pretty certain no public are gonna be allowed at round 1 or the launch day test next week.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Pickles

It's a yes from me 😎

http://www.btcc.net/2020/03/12/team-...back-in-black/

Looks good IMO.

Different colour-scheme, but broadly similar in style to the HARD. RCIB cars this season.


No one referring to them as WSR Team BMW First Racing with Allianz Assistance and cinch yet?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by AJ.fan

Simpson's Civic, The Subarus, Moffatts Merc, the Alfa, a Team Hard VW, a Motorbase Focus RS

No way the Subarus will be used tho

I was wondering whether a Subaru might be considered an option for comparison between RWD and FWD?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by thetool

There's already provision in the regulations to offer two additional entries.

Where in the regulations is that please?

I have looked and the only reference I can see is:

'Guest Competitors may be permitted to compete in the Championship. Please refer to Regulations 1.6.1, 1.11.1.a and Commercial Undertaking 6.5.4.'
'Guest Competitors may be permitted to make guest appearances at the sole discretion of the Administrator and subject to such conditions as he may stipulate from time to time but subject to meeting the requirements of Sporting Regulation 1.3.2. The Administrator, as a condition of registration and entry, will always stipulate that no guest driver may score points or be awarded prize money in the Championship and that his/her Race results will not be used for the determining of weight handicap.'

I might have missed it - but I can't see anywhere that refers to a guest requiring a TBL, or that two TBLs are retained for guests.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by AJ.fan

Simpson's Civic, The Subarus, Moffatts Merc, the Alfa, a Team Hard VW, a Motorbase Focus RS

MG6s and the original Infinitis. Dynamics have a Civic, although that might be used in TCT again. BTC still have 2 Civics they haven't used since 2018.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by redshoes

MG6s and the original Infinitis. Dynamics have a Civic, although that might be used in TCT again. BTC still have 2 Civics they haven't used since 2018.

Time for the Proton to comeback? 😂

[Pickles]

Gow does usually reference the fact that 2 (now 3) TBLs are held by TOCA and can be issued. If he was that hell bent on reducing grids they wouldn't keep these extra licences available, they'd just write them off

[Pickles]

Hyundais breaking cover at Snetterton today:

https://www.facebook.com/12069743796...qcCvBNL9o778K6

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Originally Posted by Evantra

WSR livery -

https://twitter.com/bmwukmotorsport/...485145089?s=21

Looks really good in black, reminds me of the eBay 1 series days.

It looked better in white.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Pickles

Hyundais breaking cover at Snetterton today:

https://www.facebook.com/12069743796...qcCvBNL9o778K6

Look great so far. Brilliant that they also have both cars running before Media Day.

[MagicBoy]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Gow has repeatedly said he wants a smaller grid, and they have been clear that it will not be reissued. If they go back on that, they will be questioned on their integrity.

You mean like happened with Andy Neate?

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Look great so far. Brilliant that they also have both cars running before Media Day.

WICK-ED!

[Sodemo]

I'd prefer the BMW if they ran silver or white rims. Never really liked black rims on race cars or road cars.