[BTCC] BTCC News & Rumours 2025

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Thompson has won the JST outright before as well as multiple podiums, so he wouldn’t be. Nor Doble as he won it last year.

Thanks I corrected previous to cover my error re Doble

[MarcusH26]

I'd expect DeLeon to win it comfortably. Maybe even a couple of outright wins once he gets up to speed. Zelos if he gets the 4th Excler8 seat would be the only real competition.

[MarcusH26]

https://btcc.net/live/live-audio/

Some interesting interviews on here - Josh Cook confirming he's got something signed but won't announce it yet.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Protonman

Previous experience and matched up well with Moffat in the Infiniti but less impressive in Cupra. How much that was down to low level of finance and development we may see. Like DeLeon he can be feisty and confident. Unlimited certainly pushing the youngsters .
Lloyd tipped at restart of course . Be interesting to see what Bobby T has to say but chances again slipping away . Speedworks maybe !

Has he settled the account at WSR

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Has he settled the account at WSR

You would be assuming that he owes monies to WSR. However, based on what Bennets said at the time, WSR were very much involved in putting together the deal with Zeus, so there is a possibility, possibly a strong one, that Thomson has no outstanding liability as far as that is concerned. But, of course, we are not privy to such matters.

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

You would be assuming that he owes monies to WSR. However, based on what Bennets said at the time, WSR were very much involved in putting together the deal with Zeus, so there is a possibility, possibly a strong one, that Thomson has no outstanding liability as far as that is concerned. But, of course, we are not privy to such matters.

It was briefly mentioned at the start of Bobby's interview today that there might be some bits to tidy up but he didn't seem fazed that it would be anything stopping him being on the grid this season. More surprising was the revelation the deal collapsed the Monday after Snetterton.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

https://btcc.net/live/live-audio/

Some interesting interviews on here - Josh Cook confirming he's got something signed but won't announce it yet.

Hyundai? Just a guess

[tee.1s]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

https://btcc.net/live/live-audio/

Some interesting interviews on here - Josh Cook confirming he's got something signed but won't announce it yet.

phew... what a relief

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Hyundai? Just a guess

Well that turns things on its head a little . If Hyundai I would have expected official announcement by now. Last seat at BMW maybe but always favoured FWD . Maybe an official conformation at One is imminent. They may have done a deal to run customer cars like Restart with Hyundai . If so Fords would be best option . Otherwise continuing with speedworks either with TGR or in a private capacity . Whichever it’s good to hear he is continuing. Just waiting on Turks and Huff.

[AJD]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

It was briefly mentioned at the start of Bobby's interview today that there might be some bits to tidy up but he didn't seem fazed that it would be anything stopping him being on the grid this season. More surprising was the revelation the deal collapsed the Monday after Snetterton.

He's hardly going to sit there and say he's miles off having enough budget and that the deal falling through last season is a mess still is he though? It's in his best interests to come across positive and hopeful otherwise it's pointless him being there on the stage.

He's a quick driver, comes across well and clearly has a lot of fans hoping he can get a drive.

He's had most of last season to be getting his budget together and he still hasn't got anything signed so I'd not be surprised one bit to see him miss out again unfortunately.

[RacingMaverick]

Originally Posted by Protonman

Interesting to review JST entry . Assume DeLeon qualifies, if so he will be strong favourite . Osbourne Patterson and Hall. Maybe Zelos if he gets drive. Would Thompson be eligible ? Hamilton Sumpton and Halstead possible additions . Certainly stronger in terms of numbers .Just remembered Doble won last year so assume not eligible , same with Watson from 2023. They adjusted rules this year so don’t know if that opens up field .

I'm told Ronan Pearson would still be eligible IF he returns.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by RacingMaverick

I'm told Ronan Pearson would still be eligible IF he returns.

How can a race winner be eligible?

[RacingMaverick]

Originally Posted by S griffin

How can a race winner be eligible?

They changed the rules end of season https://btcc.net/btcc-confirms-further-rule-tweaks/

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

https://btcc.net/live/live-audio/

Some interesting interviews on here - Josh Cook confirming he's got something signed but won't announce it yet.

He had something signed back before the TOCA awards, 3 different drivers all said he’d signed for One Motorsport when the alcohol was flowing, though he wouldn’t say so himself

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by RacingMaverick

They changed the rules end of season https://btcc.net/btcc-confirms-further-rule-tweaks/

Now that’s confusing. Why did they changed it a format that was working fine?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Now that’s confusing. Why did they changed it a format that was working fine?

Because with a smaller grid (compared to a 32-car entry), the field of JST-eligible drivers also reduces. The tweak is designed to keep the JST field at a suitable size.

If you kept the previous format and there were no changes to the grid, I think you'd only have 3 drivers eligible.

[Matt K]

Honestly can't see the point of JST anymore. Understand if it still remained a de facto 'rookie of the year award' as it was originally but having a separate competition within the championship for 'worst' drivers in the field is completely unnecessary and doesn't bring anything into the championship.
On that note, it also doesn't seem very reasonable to have an independents championship while practically every team is independent of manufacturers' money and technical support...

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Now that’s confusing. Why did they changed it a format that was working fine?

I suspect because if you look at last year hardly anybody would have been eligible

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Matt K

Honestly can't see the point of JST anymore. Understand if it still remained a de facto 'rookie of the year award' as it was originally but having a separate competition within the championship for 'worst' drivers in the field is completely unnecessary and doesn't bring anything into the championship.
On that note, it also doesn't seem very reasonable to have an independents championship while practically every team is independent of manufacturers' money and technical support...

Yeah, although as long as there are the likes of Pearson, Watson, Doble etc. there’s at least going to be a deserving winner out of it.

Agreed with the independents rule, last year was a bit silly with so few teams in it. I guess it’s to give the smaller teams something to fight for. Presumably One will fill that category if they return too, and even WSR if they lose BMW? Or would they still be a ‘constructor’?

[crmalcolm]

Some of it is to do with marketing. The range of trophy for which they compete allows more teams/drivers to have publicity for their sponsors.

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Yeah, although as long as there are the likes of Pearson, Watson, Doble etc. there’s at least going to be a deserving winner out of it.

Agreed with the independents rule, last year was a bit silly with so few teams in it. I guess it’s to give the smaller teams something to fight for. Presumably One will fill that category if they return too, and even WSR if they lose BMW? Or would they still be a ‘constructor’?

Even if theirs no sign of BMW sponsorship WSR will be considered a manufacturer entry . Last years LKQ entry was a separate entity from TGR but still in the manufacturer titles not the Indy ones . This year we hope for 4 teams and 8 cars which makes it appealing to those who feel disadvantaged by lack of financial backing . I was surprised that Cook might go back to Indy ranks, he’s won the title before and it must be largely irrelevant if he were to win again but it’s an incentive and reward for the hard work of the team members . Witness how delighted PMR were last year despite having very little opposition . Would love to see an Indy team win a few races , that hasn’t happened much in recent years . Were One motorsport the last to do that ?

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

I suspect because if you look at last year hardly anybody would have been eligible

So what? It's easier to see who hasn't had a podium, than those who have had only had one. I don't see it necessary to change just because there are less eligible

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Yeah, although as long as there are the likes of Pearson, Watson, Doble etc. there’s at least going to be a deserving winner out of it.

Agreed with the independents rule, last year was a bit silly with so few teams in it. I guess it’s to give the smaller teams something to fight for. Presumably One will fill that category if they return too, and even WSR if they lose BMW? Or would they still be a ‘constructor’?

On that basis NAPA don’t have Ford support and didn’t build the cars

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by S griffin

So what? It's easier to see who hasn't had a podium, than those who have had only had one. I don't see it necessary to change just because there are less eligible

If the eligible drivers total was only 3, do you really think that makes it a worthwhile competition?

[Dudley]

If a "Promising newcomer" competition is open to established race winners, do you really think that makes it a worthwhile competition?

If there aren't enough inexperienced drivers to make it worthwhile then the problem there is your championship is unhealthy and the solution is to fix the barriers to entry not change it to mean it'll be essentially impossible for anyone in the originally intended entry to actually win it.