BTCC 2008 Off-season: News & Rumours

[JMeissner]

TouringCarTimes has recieved what seems to be the provisional British Touring Car Championship 2008 calendar. The calendar features 10 races, starting at Brands Hatch in March and ending at the very same track in September.

Please note that the date for the final race at Brands Hatch is scheduled in this calendar at the same day as the WTCC hosts a race at Brands Hatch. This could indicate a joint race or that the calendars still are very much preliminary.

An official version of the calendar is expected to be revealed shortly.

BTCC 2008 Calendar

Mar 29/30 - Brands Hatch Indy
April 12/13 - Rockingham
May 3/4 - Donington Park
May 17/18 Thruxton
May 31/June 1 - Croft
July 12/13 - Oulton Park
July 26/26 - Snetterton
Aug 16/17 - Knockhill
Aug 30/31 - Silverstone
Sept 20/21 - Brands Hatch GP

[FIRE]

The WTCC event at Brands will probably switch with Valencia to solve the "problem".

[Ellmau]

Yes, perhaps, but why does BTCC have the GP track all of a sudden, whereas they haven't run that in years?

[redshoes]

WTCC switching Brands and Valencia was suggested by KSO when their schedule was announced. Problem is that would mean WTCC at Brands on the same weekend as BTCC were at Thruxton. Having 2 big events attracting the same audience within a 2 hrs drive of each other is madness. That said, it's happened before when FIA GT/ETCC package was at Silverstone the same weekend as BTCC were at Thruxton.

Much as I'd love to spend a day watching 3x BTCC and 2x WTCC races around the Brands GP circuit... hang on let me just imagine that for a minute... .... .... sorry, where was I? Oh yeah, can't see that happening

[Ellmau]

Maybe... And I don't think it will happen either. But it is possible they will run together 2 races...

[touringlegend]

Don't think it would happen, too many teams, too few pit garages!

I expected the 6 week gap in June for Euro 2008, and there it is!

[Aunt Sally]

Originally Posted by redshoes

WTCC switching Brands and Valencia was suggested by KSO when their schedule was announced. Problem is that would mean WTCC at Brands on the same weekend as BTCC were at Thruxton. Having 2 big events attracting the same audience within a 2 hrs drive of each other is madness. That said, it's happened before when FIA GT/ETCC package was at Silverstone the same weekend as BTCC were at Thruxton.

Much as I'd love to spend a day watching 3x BTCC and 2x WTCC races around the Brands GP circuit... hang on let me just imagine that for a minute... .... .... sorry, where was I? Oh yeah, can't see that happening

Have you spotted the other clash??

DTM are at Brands when the BTCC are at Silverstone!!!

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Ellmau

But it is possible they will run together 2 races...

Would be more than a little surprised if that happened. TOCA are quite protective about their race format, plus there's the question of car spec. BTCC still allow BTC-T spec cars, I doubt WTCC would be keen on allowing them on track. Then you get the added complication of tyres - Dunlop wouldn't let anyone run on Advans in what was a BTCC championship, and Advan would be the same about what was a WTCC round.

GP track does allow for more starters but as TL has said, there's not the available pit garage space.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Aunt Sally

DTM are at Brands when the BTCC are at Silverstone!!!

Well spotted, hadn't thought to check that.

I suppose once you cross out F1 dates and EuroFooty there's only so many weekends left. Not good though is it.

[Ellmau]

All very true But (wishfull thinking) BTCC have an agreement with STCC, and STCC cars have run in WTCC this year. So car specs won't be the biggest problem if it would happen.

[rdjones]

It's good to see that Silverstone is back on calander for next year, but I had heard that was going to happen earlier in the year.

[touringlegend]

Regarding the clashes, isn't it time we started thinking the other way round ?

Personally I'd take a BTCC day over a DTM day, surely I am not the minority!

[redshoes]

If I had to chose it would be BTCC @ Silverstone. I haven't been hugely impressed by the DTM at Brands the last 2 years and Silverstone is a good opportunity to meet up with some friends.

I'd still rather be able to do both.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Ellmau

But (wishfull thinking) BTCC have an agreement with STCC, and STCC cars have run in WTCC this year. So car specs won't be the biggest problem if it would happen.

BTCC/STCC agreement is for locally homologated S2000-spec cars only. Old style BTC-T cars wouldn't be allowed in STCC or WTCC.

[Aunt Sally]

Originally Posted by Ellmau

Maybe... And I don't think it will happen either. But it is possible they will run together 2 races...

With the possiblilty of 30 plus BTCC cars next year, plus the WTCC factory entries, I don't think so....