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

[porsche962fan]

wouldn't the old Civic of BTC Racing make perfect sense ?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

wouldn't the old Civic of BTC Racing make perfect sense ?

For what?

The team already have some former model cars, their intention is for a new build.

[porsche962fan]

those "old" cars surelly did it for AMD


why new cars when those FK2 are tried and proved time and time again

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Yep, and they are considering other models to replace the MG for next year.

And if I understood what Justina Williams was saying, it could be a Mini variant body on another manufacturer's chassis, so therefore overcoming the shortness of the wheelbase. And it will be "blessed" by BMW Mini but not financed by them.

[Johno.UK]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

And if I understood what Justina Williams was saying, it could be a Mini variant body on another manufacturer's chassis, so therefore overcoming the shortness of the wheelbase. And it will be "blessed" by BMW Mini but not financed by them.

How would that be legal? The cars have to be on sale to the general public in the UK.

[yellowbeard]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

And if I understood what Justina Williams was saying, it could be a Mini variant body on another manufacturer's chassis, so therefore overcoming the shortness of the wheelbase. And it will be "blessed" by BMW Mini but not financed by them.

I took it to mean that they might be considering another vehicle from the parent company of Mini .... BMW.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

those "old" cars surelly did it for AMD


why new cars when those FK2 are tried and proved time and time again

Because they're at the end of their development cycle, and isn't there also a rule saying that the road car must've been on sale in the last 5 (?) years meaning it wouldn't be allowed in following seasons?

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by yellowbeard

I took it to mean that they might be considering another vehicle from the parent company of Mini .... BMW.

So where does that leave WSR ? Have they lost their deal?

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

So where does that leave WSR ? Have they lost their deal?

Yeah, this exactly. I can't see WSR losing BMW, especially since it's highly likely they'll be 1-2 in the championship this year, and the only other brand under the BMW umbrella is Rolls-Royce.

So I struggle to see how WSR are going to get a BMW / Mini brand on the grid unless they get WSR to build a couple new 330s.

[Pickles]

Good to see a team genuinely looking to bring a new brand in though, rather than the usual Kia/Volvo/Skoda rumours... I still think the Countryman is a possibility, its marginally longer than the Clubman

[S griffin]

I still see Mini as more a rally car nowadays, even if they did race Minis in the series back in the 60s

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Pickles

Good to see a team genuinely looking to bring a new brand in though, rather than the usual Kia/Volvo/Skoda rumours... I still think the Countryman is a possibility, its marginally longer than the Clubman

Centre of gravity/ aesthetics of a brick go against it.

If BMW are involved in some way with Excelr8 then the 1 or 2 series could be possibilities. Then BMW would have 2 distinctly seperate cars aimed at different buyers on the grid. New 1 series is FWD and hybrid versions will be on sale early in the product cycle. From a BMW marketing point of view the idea has legs.

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

If BMW are involved in some way with Excelr8 then the 1 or 2 series could be possibilities. Then BMW would have 2 distinctly seperate cars aimed at different buyers on the grid. New 1 series is FWD and hybrid versions will be on sale early in the product cycle. From a BMW marketing point of view the idea has legs.

Very good point. 2 Series would probably have same issues as Countryman but 1 Series is a good shout. Even though the old one was also too small :/

[antnee]

I read the article as they would be looking at other manufacturers altogether, not just BMW/Mini. If they need backing of some form, they could take inspiration from HMS and get 'manufacturer' backing from a dealer group instead.

I think it is highly unlikely that BMW would put any money/support towards developing a 2nd BMW model. Mini is OK as they have completely different target audience.

[CarfanLUFC]

Is Austin and the Alfa actually coming back next year?

[Johno.UK]

Originally Posted by CarfanLUFC

Is Austin and the Alfa actually coming back next year?

If they can get the money together I don't see why not. Some of his sponsors have been working with Speedworks so there's the longer shot of a 2nd Toyota I suppose.


Given the way the economy (world wide not just the UK) is likely to go I wouldn't be surprised to see some different faces on the grid next year and maybe even some gaps.

[CarfanLUFC]

Originally Posted by Johno.UK

If they can get the money together I don't see why not. Some of his sponsors have been working with Speedworks so there's the longer shot of a 2nd Toyota I suppose.


Given the way the economy (world wide not just the UK) is likely to go I wouldn't be surprised to see some different faces on the grid next year and maybe even some gaps.

Yeah that was my thought as well. I wonder if we will again see a bit of an influx of 'gentleman' drivers who have the money.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by antnee

I read the article as they would be looking at other manufacturers altogether, not just BMW/Mini.

Having seen the full article now, that is how I read it too.
The wording suggested that their partner understands that it is not practical to base a BTCC entry around their brand, and so a different manufacturer altogether will be used.

If they are still keen on keeping their 'Britishness', then perhaps the Nissan Leaf would be the best model to use?

[CarfanLUFC]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Having seen the full article now, that is how I read it too.
The wording suggested that their partner understands that it is not practical to base a BTCC entry around their brand, and so a different manufacturer altogether will be used.

If they are still keen on keeping their 'Britishness', then perhaps the Nissan Leaf would be the best model to use?

Would only have the range for 4 laps then have to have a 6 hour pit stop.

[S griffin]

If Austin and Alfa has been testing, I think there is a fair chance they will be back next season budget permitting

[medius]

Originally Posted by S griffin

If Austin and Alfa has been testing, I think there is a fair chance they will be back next season budget permitting

The only time the car has run on a track in 2019 has been the Dunlop tyre test at Snetterton in July.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by antnee

I read the article as they would be looking at other manufacturers altogether, not just BMW/Mini. If they need backing of some form, they could take inspiration from HMS and get 'manufacturer' backing from a dealer group instead.

I think it is highly unlikely that BMW would put any money/support towards developing a 2nd BMW model. Mini is OK as they have completely different target audience.

1 series and 3 series have a different target audience too.... not many people go hunting for a shiny new executive saloon and end up with a compact hatch. And vice versa.

[Sodemo]

I think the 2 series would have been the ideal car size and shape wise fort the BTCC however outright coupes aren’t allowed and there is no 4 door 2-series.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I think the 2 series would have been the ideal car size and shape wise fort the BTCC however outright coupes aren’t allowed and there is no 4 door 2-series.

Fair point! I'd not realised that there wasn't a 4 door 2. BMW seem to have a billion variations of most models... 2 series excepted!

[Petoli]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I think the 2 series would have been the ideal car size and shape wise fort the BTCC however outright coupes aren’t allowed and there is no 4 door 2-series.

While their isn't a 4 door 2 series, their is a 5 door version