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

[Sodemo]

I guess if further down the road the engine rules change they could use smaller displacement engines, though would reliability suffer if they had to get 380bhp from a 1.8 or a 1.6 engine? If we follow the way the wind is blowing, they could well be moving towards more hybrid integration anyway, in which case the power derived from the ICE could well be up for review if say they are getting 100bhp from an electric motor.

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by Evantra

On TTT he said something along the lines of almost getting what would've been the biggest brand in the BTCC on board, but a deal fell through.

Red Bull? After the season he posted #RedBull #givesyouwings hashtags, something I've seen for the first time in his feed. But let's not read too much into this, the same as to the fact that he's just got a brand new road car from BMW UK

[VictoriaYorks]

Originally Posted by Evantra

On TTT he said something along the lines of almost getting what would've been the biggest brand in the BTCC on board, but a deal fell through.

A red bull bmw would have looked great

[RS67]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I guess if further down the road the engine rules change they could use smaller displacement engines, though would reliability suffer if they had to get 380bhp from a 1.8 or a 1.6 engine? If we follow the way the wind is blowing, they could well be moving towards more hybrid integration anyway, in which case the power derived from the ICE could well be up for review if say they are getting 100bhp from an electric motor.

To get that level of power and reliability from 1.6 or 1.8 engines, you are looking at a lot of expense. That is why the ngtc engines are 2.0 capacity as opposed to the 1.6 used in WRC.

[mprmke]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

I think more likely that WSR are pitching to BMW UK to increase the budget to entirely fund 2 cars leaving the 3rd car as a pay car. Didn't AJ tweet a while back from BMW HQ when he arrived for a meeting.

Sent from my AGS2-L09 using Tapatalk

I think it's looking increasingly likely that Jordan will effectively take the Oliphant Seat, which makes it look more likely that a 3rd driver would be in a separately branded car. Who could take that then? Blundell?

[steve_r]

Red Bull sponsor one of the Australian Supercar teams, and seem to be involved heavily in most motorsports, so I would not be surprised to see them step up in BTCC. They are usually involved at the sharp end of the grid....

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by mprmke

I think it's looking increasingly likely that Jordan will effectively take the Oliphant Seat, which makes it look more likely that a 3rd driver would be in a separately branded car. Who could take that then? Blundell?

From Oliphant's blog it sounds like he's hoping to be back in the BMW next season:

"On the whole it has been a mega first season with WSR and BMW"

"Looking ahead, I really think we have laid some good foundations to continue moving forward next year. I’ve had podiums and been a regular in the top ten, so next up is to chase wins and championships - I’m really excited for the future."

That sounds like a man expecting to be in one of the BMWs next season.

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

From Oliphant's blog it sounds like he's hoping to be back in the BMW next season:

"On the whole it has been a mega first season with WSR and BMW"

"Looking ahead, I really think we have laid some good foundations to continue moving forward next year. I’ve had podiums and been a regular in the top ten, so next up is to chase wins and championships - I’m really excited for the future."

That sounds like a man expecting to be in one of the BMWs next season.

Oliphant has the funds available so I really can't see why he wouldn’t continue, he improved as the season went along and started to run his teammates close. The added bonus is his backers don’t need a full car livery so he’ll happily run in BMW or team colours

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by steve_r

Red Bull sponsor one of the Australian Supercar teams, and seem to be involved heavily in most motorsports, so I would not be surprised to see them step up in BTCC. They are usually involved at the sharp end of the grid....

Mr M pulled funding on his NASCAR backed outfit (which closed down as a result) and disappeared from Indy. I know it was said if he wasn't winning he wasn't interested.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Jiiiiiiim

Oliphant has the funds available so I really can't see why he wouldn’t continue, he improved as the season went along and started to run his teammates close. The added bonus is his backers don’t need a full car livery so he’ll happily run in BMW or team colours

I fully expect him back in the BMW, same arrangements as this year. He has the backing and he is definitely getting the hang of the BMW. He can bring a lot to the party, has skill, years ahead of him and learn from Colin too. Win win is how I see it.

[S griffin]

I want to see Oliphant back. He certainly has got closer to Colin and AJ as the season has gone on. It will be good to see him make good use of that progress

[porsche962fan]

in light of the very dirty move by Neal maybe WSR needs someone who could do the same to Dynamcis come final if they both have drivers in the title fight

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

in light of the very dirty move by Neal maybe WSR needs someone who could do the same to Dynamcis come final if they both have drivers in the title fight

Reidy back out of retirement then? Lovely bloke, absolutely badass, a T Rex had better watch out when Reidy's about, never mind a Honda!

[aland]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Reidy back out of retirement then? Lovely bloke, absolutely badass, a T Rex had better watch out when Reidy's about, never mind a Honda!

nah just get collard back, he want afraid to use the bumper

[Robshillito1990]

BMR have confirmed the Subaru split. And also have said they're committed to a future in btcc so clearly they havent sold up.

[S griffin]

Now that’s all confirmed, anyone have any ideas on what they are likely to run if at all in 2020? Could they run the Scoobys independently for example?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Robshillito1990

BMR have confirmed the Subaru split. And also have said they're committed to a future in btcc so clearly they havent sold up.

Interesting how things are 'spinned' in the comments from the team:

'Team bosses say that changes to the technical regulations of the series mean that it is only possible to run the flat-four-style boxer powerplant in the Subaru Levorg.

Also, BMR says that changes in the aerodynamics rules of the BTCC mean that the estate-shaped car does not have the same advantages as some of the smaller models.'

When the car was initially released, the flat-four engine and aerodynamic performance of the chassis were given as the reasons for it being the best choice of car for BTCC.

BMR committing to a future in the BTCC could mean anything:
Running a full team,
Sponsoring a driver,
Managing a driver,
or just holding onto TBLs that are leased to others.

HMS Racing are committed to the BTCC, but we haven't seen them on the grid this season......

[crmalcolm]

Team	Car	Driver	Notes
Confirmed Entries
Excelr8	???	???	In talks about new build - title sponsor announced
Excelr8	???	???	In talks about new build - title sponsor announced
Team Dynamics	Honda Civic	Cammish	2yr contract confirmed in press release
Team Dynamics	Honda Civic	Neal	Confirmed as driver pairing in press release
Likely Entries
HMS Racing	Alfa Giulietta	Austin	Hold TBL - have been testing
WSR	BMW 330i	???	???
WSR	BMW 330i	Oliphant	Has talked about next year with the team
Power Maxed	Vauxhall Astra	???	???
Power Maxed	Vauxhall Astra	???	???
Speedworks	Toyota Corolla	???	???
Motorbase	Ford Focus	???	???
Motorbase	Ford Focus	???	???
BTC Racing	Honda Civic	Smiley?	New cars for 2019
BTC Racing	Honda Civic	???	New cars for 2019
Laser Tools	Infiniti Q50	Moffat	selling Merc+TBL
Possible Entries
BMR	???	???	State they are committed to BTCC future
BMR	???	???	State they are committed to BTCC future
AmD	Honda Civic	???	???
AmD	Honda Civic	???	???
TradePrice(Amd)	???	???	???
TradePrice(Amd)	???	???	???
Team Parker	BMW ?	???	???
HARD	VW CC	Thompson	Claims to have exciting 2020 news on social media soon
HARD	VW CC	???	???
HARD	VW CC	???	???
HARD	VW CC	???	???
Ciceley Motorsport	MB A-Class	Morgan	???
Ciceley Motorsport	MB A-Class	???	???
Simpson Racing	Honda Civic	Simpson	???
Motorbase	Ford Focus	???	TBL on loan for 2019
???	MB A-Class	???	TBL+Car on sale from Laser Tools
???	Jag ?	Crees	Rumoured by Crees in a Facebook interview
Laser Tools	Infiniti Q50	Sutton	Sutton tested car (BMR leaving?)
WSR	BMW 330i	Jordan	Lost Pirtek sponsorship, says he wants to stay in the BTCC, but only with WSR
Entries with doubt
???	???	Shedden	Speculation about wanting a return
???	???	M.Jackson	Linked to half of the teams on the grid
???	???	Blundell	Stated that he is undecided about a 2020 return
???	Subaru Levorg	???	Car not viable as NGTC entry (according to BMR)
???	Subaru Levorg	???	Car not viable as NGTC entry (according to BMR)

[aland]

suggest you look at bmr's accounts on companies house, https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/09356881

the phrase up the creek with no paddle comes to mind

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

in light of the very dirty move by Neal maybe WSR needs someone who could do the same to Dynamcis come final if they both have drivers in the title fight

I’ve watched the replay of that incident a few times now, and whilst at the time I was pretty angry at what I thought was a rash move on a driver that I support, I have come to the conclusion that the move was on, and Neal was 3/4 up the inside of Turkington at the apex. It galls me to say it as a huge BMW and Turkington fan, but the move was fair, Turkington just didn’t expect it and thought that Neal would back off, but Turkington pinched Neal at the apex and got turned around because of it. In that scenario Turkington always had much more to lose than Neal, and you could say it was a cynical overtaking attempt by Neal and aggressive, but in no way do I think he tried to take him off deliberately. I’m no Matt Neal or Plato apologist, I think they have done their fair share of bad driving, but I just think it was a racing incident and nothing more. I note a similarity to the move Butcher did on Turkington at Knockhill, Turkington took the apex despite the Honda being there and got clipped and spun around. As much as I support Colin and the BMW team, I think perhaps he was a little bit naive in both situations there, in thinking the guy behind would back out. I know to the letter of the law in racing terms the driver ahead has the corner, but at some point you have to concede and know when you are beaten.

[S griffin]

The Butcher incident was more clear cut, as Rory hadn’t got the overlap, yet didn’t back out of the move and left his nose in when he shouldn’t have

[aland]

just have a look at btcc teams on companies house and their accounts, wsr and team dynamics in the black, few others in the red, some just about in the black

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by aland

suggest you look at bmr's accounts on companies house, https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/09356881

the phrase up the creek with no paddle comes to mind

How is that going to provide any more of an insight than 12 months ago?
What has changed in that time, since many people were expecting them to disappear last winter?

I think we might be looking at BMR leaving the series if they are not careful

I think the end of BMR, but not the Subaru.

And, if they [BMR] make the start of the season, will they see it through?

It was only a few months later when:

I find that BMR still have Subaru backing AND are going to be on the grid to be the biggest surprise of the winter!!

All those people writing off BMR earlier in the Winter, posting their accounts and company details, i hope you're all enjoying that humble pie!

[Evantra]

Hmm, well if BMR do continue in the BTCC, I suppose they'll be looking at building new cars because I'm not sure there's too many chasis going unused. Unless they pick up the Alfa program or something?

Perhaps their intent to continue in the BTCC may be directed at the long-term future, and they may take a sabbatical (whether they return after that or not is a different question!)

[Matt K]

Shame to see Subaru's factory deal end but I didn't expect anything else to be honest. I'm quite surprised that BMR say they are committed to the BTCC because somehow I was convinced they would quit the series. I'm curious what they are planning and if Sutton is part of their plans.