BTCC 2019 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Greem

Can't paste the announcement, but Renault have announced this morning that next year will be the last for the Clio Cup UK. They're not going to support it past the end of the current contract.

Place bets now on which series "moves up" to replace it...

Ah no, that really sucks. Both a great series to watch and a great stepping stone into the BTCC...
Also probably means next year will have a lacklustre field as few teams or drivers would want to splash out on a series that is ending...


I would think the MINI Challenge would fit but there is also the unsupported Clio series in the UK (cant remember it's official name)
And with the I-Pace and Urus series maybe we'll see the Renault Kadjar Cup UK...!

[MagicBoy]

Originally Posted by Evantra

I would think the MINI Challenge would fit but there is also the unsupported Clio series in the UK (cant remember it's official name)

The BARC run Michelin Clio Cup - one for the 3rd gen car?

[yellowbeard]

Originally Posted by Greem

Can't paste the announcement, but Renault have announced this morning that next year will be the last for the Clio Cup UK. They're not going to support it past the end of the current contract.

Place bets now on which series "moves up" to replace it...

I wonder what Paul Rivett will do then ? He's been in it since they had to have a man waving a red flag walking in front of the cars.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by MagicBoy

The BARC run Michelin Clio Cup - one for the 3rd gen car?

Yeah that's it! I think I heard the other day that from next season the 4th gen car is allowed too? (and I think even the 2nd)

Literally came to mind because they were Clios but I guess they are other logistical factors too with fitting it into the TOCA package

[Northern Monkey]

For the record, Renault hasn't actually 'announced' anything about the Clio Cup but someone appears to have shared what would appear to be a confidential letter that was sent to teams

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Greem

Place bets now on which series "moves up" to replace it...

Leaving the door open for TCR UK to become a BTCC support series.

Failing that, maybe another Ginetta series?

[MagicBoy]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Leaving the door open for TCR UK to become a BTCC support series.

I can't see Chairman Gow permitting that.

[Alfisti]

The Renault Clio production run ends in 2019. There is a brand new Clio to replace it, which seems a big improvement from the passenger seat of a prototype. As I understand the hot versions may not appear immediately - maybe 12 months into the production cycle - and will likely feature a mild hybrid setup.

[aland]

ginetta gt5's, got a big grid already and have supported before, the phrase "putting all eggs in one's basket" comes to mind

[btccbloke]

The rationale for Alan Gow wanting to reduce from 32 to 26 cars on the BTCC grid seemed to be focused on not having enough room in the paddock for the full TOCA package at some events.
Rather than wonder about a replacement series, I wonder if the Clios going might suddenly create the room he desired...

[Div]

Originally Posted by MagicBoy

I can't see Chairman Gow permitting that.

Really? Thinking about it I reckon that'd be a genius move. As he is chairman of the FIA Touring Car commission, or something similar he obviously is behind the TCR concept generally, moving it to the TOCA package would both make it more marketable and accessible whilst firmly putting it in the shadow of the BTCC.

[Sodemo]

Damn. Losing the best support series on the grid? That's going to be painful.

[mark_l]

Oh great! No doubt there will be another Ginetta one make series to fill the gap.

It is a shame to see Renault go after all these years, provided good enjoyable racing even if it was a one make series.

I would like to see a multi marque historic series to provide a bit of variety.

[touring fan01]

mini challenge would be perfect replacement for clio. gives a great stepping stone to btcc

[Lola]

Originally Posted by mark_l

Oh great! No doubt there will be another Ginetta one make series to fill the gap.

It is a shame to see Renault go after all these years, provided good enjoyable racing even if it was a one make series.

I would like to see a multi marque historic series to provide a bit of variety.

I second this.

Historic s give the spectator variety and see cars that you may not see racing all too often. Never been a fan of one model racing.

[btccbloke]

Problem with Mini Challenge is that its a much bigger grid, typically around 30 cars as opposed to around 20 on Clio Cup, thats a lot extra to squeeze into the paddock

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Greem

Place bets now on which series "moves up" to replace it...

Or even TCT...?

[Peter Mallett]

Trouble with Historic racing is that it is populated by mostly amateurs who self finance. I expect the cost for a season on the TOCA package would cover about three seasons anywhere else. You'd have to sign up for the full year which means 2 spare engines, 2 spare gearboxes and 2 spare diffs as a minimum.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by btccbloke

Problem with Mini Challenge is that its a much bigger grid, typically around 30 cars as opposed to around 20 on Clio Cup, thats a lot extra to squeeze into the paddock

they can easily put a cap on the grid number

[MagicBoy]

Originally Posted by Div

Really? Thinking about it I reckon that'd be a genius move. As he is chairman of the FIA Touring Car commission, or something similar he obviously is behind the TCR concept generally, moving it to the TOCA package would both make it more marketable and accessible whilst firmly putting it in the shadow of the BTCC.

TCR is too similar to the BTCC, therefore would dilute the main product IMO. Good for the race fans, bad commercially.

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by MagicBoy

TCR is too similar to the BTCC, therefore would dilute the main product IMO. Good for the race fans, bad commercially.

They need to do a junior TCR, so then you could have Fiestas, Clios, Mini's, Fiat 500's, Micra's etc racing together. Make it a 1.6 engine, 200bhp, and costs around £30,000 - £50,000 for a car.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

They need to do a junior TCR, so then you could have Fiestas, Clios, Mini's, Fiat 500's, Micra's etc racing together. Make it a 1.6 engine, 200bhp, and costs around £30,000 - £50,000 for a car.

A more relevant engine would be a 1 litre turbo - lots of the small hatchbacks have moved to smaller capacity engines with a blower so it'd make sense to reflect that change (The same could be said of the rallycross Super 1600 class).

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

They need to do a junior TCR, so then you could have Fiestas, Clios, Mini's, Fiat 500's, Micra's etc racing together. Make it a 1.6 engine, 200bhp, and costs around £30,000 - £50,000 for a car.

This was going to happen under the 'TC Light' name, I believe, but nothing came from that unfortunately.

[touring fan01]

wonder how off topic we can stretch this?

[Robin Marriott]

Originally Posted by Greem

Can't paste the announcement, but Renault have announced this morning that next year will be the last for the Clio Cup UK. They're not going to support it past the end of the current contract.

Place bets now on which series "moves up" to replace it...

Where did you see it? I can’t find anything online.

I’d like it’d be the top Mini Challenge class but there’s the problem, the series runs more than one class, I’m not sure the organisers would want to split it up.

Maybe someone will come along with a new class in a similar format?