BTCC 2024 News & Rumours

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

The 2019 boost cuts being referred to here were not based on straight line speed, or the current body shape.

Ok… what were they based on?

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Ok… what were they based on?

It is what TOCA refers to as "performance parameters". This is the same as I referred to when, according to the Autosport article, TOCA reduced the boost of the Swindon and M-Sport engines at the start of this year's season after they installed re-profiled camshafts that increased their power output.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Ok… what were they based on?

Depends on who you ask / believe.

Some will tell you it was based on the 1-series performance in 2018 (with the same engine).

Remember, the same adjustments (boost and CoG) were also applied to the 125i that Team Parker Racing were running - so it can't be related to the body shape.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by SSmith

I can see where you're coming from, but this series seems (to me at least) to be positioned as "the future of high-level junior racing within the UK" rather than as a BTCC feeder series.

When viewed as a "high-level" junior series in the market it makes sense. Cash in on the prestige of the BTCC support slot (if this "prestige" exists) and provide a more premium junior series than a conventional club racing event. Whilst some of the young drivers they are targeting with this series probably will move up to MINIs or the BTCC, lots will use it (as remains the case for Ginetta Juniors) as a platform to get a year or so of car racing experience before a British F4/GB4/Formula Regional/GB3 season or stepping up to GT racing - all of which are RWD.

Okay I understand, but TOCA engine and front/rear subframes sounds very BTCC/NGTC. That gives the impression it's the first step in the BTCC pyramid.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Okay I understand, but TOCA engine and front/rear subframes sounds very BTCC/NGTC. That gives the impression it's the first step in the BTCC pyramid.

I would say that it is more that TOCA want to have control over the new series, much in the same way that Ginetta controls the Juniors and other cars that race in their various other series. And a way to control cost so that it is not up to a wealthy entrant to just pour money into their child's, assuming that it is their offspring, desire to conquer the racing world.

And, as no manufacturer appears to have any involvement in the new series, it is up to TOCA to source everything and try to keep everything equal for all competitors. Whilst, I assume, letting any team/driver sort out their own settings as, presumably, will be allowed by the ruleset.

[Craner Curves]

Rob Huff again stating on Greg Rust's podcast that he's just moved back to UK and would like to race in the BTCC if the right opportunity arose.

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Depends on who you ask / believe.

Some will tell you it was based on the 1-series performance in 2018 (with the same engine).

Remember, the same adjustments (boost and CoG) were also applied to the 125i that Team Parker Racing were running - so it can't be related to the body shape.

It’s all as clear as mud. Full of contradictions and single case exceptions (seemingly).

[Evantra]

First post-season driver announcement coming up at 11:00 from PMR!

[Ant25]

Originally Posted by Evantra

First post-season driver announcement coming up at 11:00 from PMR!

I think it’s doble

[InYourMirrors45]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Rob Huff again stating on Greg Rust's podcast that he's just moved back to UK and would like to race in the BTCC if the right opportunity arose.

Where can I find this podcast?

[Evantra]

https://powermaxedracing.com/blogs/n...n-taylor-smith

Two year deal at PMR for Taylor-Smith. He certainly found his form, really puts the Team Hard issues into perspective!

“I can’t wait to see what Aron and the team can achieve with a proper winter to test and work through the car’s weaknesses.” Sounds like the Astra is staying then.

[Evantra]

Confirmation too of Huff’s test with Speedworks, who state a commitment to retaining Butcher, Collard and Gamble (as any team would say).

https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/...test/10544663/

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Evantra

https://powermaxedracing.com/blogs/n...n-taylor-smith

Two year deal at PMR for Taylor-Smith. He certainly found his form, really puts the Team Hard issues into perspective!

“I can’t wait to see what Aron and the team can achieve with a proper winter to test and work through the car’s weaknesses.” Sounds like the Astra is staying then.

Or bearing in mind the apparent upturn in performance for both the Vauxhall and the SEAT did the TOCA motor get a leg up ?

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Or bearing in mind the apparent upturn in performance for both the Vauxhall and the SEAT did the TOCA motor get a leg up ?

Yes, both the Swindon and M-Sport engines had work done on them including a re-profiled camshaft, however TOCA reduced their boost to ensure that they met TOCA's performance parameters.

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by InYourMirrors45

Where can I find this podcast?

Just search for Rusty's Garage.

[psq43]

Originally Posted by InYourMirrors45

Where can I find this podcast?

https://podcastaddict.com/rusty-s-ga...sode/166482412 via @PodcastAddict

[Evantra]

Not really connected to the BTCC anymore, but looks like the Clio Cup is getting a more club-orientated reboot next year with the 2024 cars on the MSVT package.

https://www.msvr.co.uk/news/2023/nov...io-cup-in-2024

[Sodemo]

Love the Clio cup. I drove one a couple of years back, fantastic car, really progressive, twitchy but easy to drive for a long time.

[tocatrucky]

Legends Elite Cup champion Connor Mills had a run in a Cupra this week at Donny.

[Ant25]

Originally Posted by tocatrucky

Legends Elite Cup champion Connor Mills had a run in a Cupra this week at Donny.

I think team hard will go down to 2 or 3 cars next season

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by tocatrucky

Legends Elite Cup champion Connor Mills had a run in a Cupra this week at Donny.

Quite the interesting livery! If he struggled for the budget for three rounds of Legends, seems like rather a huge jump to get into the BTCC should that be the intention?

[S griffin]

Looks like he’s gone for the old Dave Pinkney livery. That brings back memories

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by tocatrucky

Legends Elite Cup champion Connor Mills had a run in a Cupra this week at Donny.

I'm assuming its Legends, Team HARD or one of his personal sponsors giving him a special present for winning the Legends Elite Cup? Either way good to see someone new getting some BTCC test miles and it's a nice colour scheme.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by SSmith

I'm assuming its Legends, Team HARD or one of his personal sponsors giving him a special present for winning the Legends Elite Cup? Either way good to see someone new getting some BTCC test miles and it's a nice colour scheme.

Looked on his Instagram and he's shared a video of him testing the car.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Czg5crvI3ET/

The accompanying caption can be interpreted in two ways. Either he's targeting sponsorship to get on the BTCC grid specifically or targeting sponsorship to get on any motorsport grid.

As an aside, in the video he's shared there's somebody else testing for Team HARD in a 2023 Millers Oil liveried car - looks like Lloyd's car but with #99 in the corner of the window.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by SSmith

looks like Lloyd's car but with #99 in the corner of the window.

Shall we start the Jason Plato to Team Hard rumours!