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

[Greem]

Originally Posted by mark_l

Perfect excuse for some night races.

At Knockhill, in the winter? The cars have a hard enough time running at Brands Hatch at the end of the season, Knockhill at -2 or -3C in the dark... yeah nah, as our mates down under say.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Pdh

I’m sure the night races weren’t that exciting back in the day, is it just the rose tinted glasses of how amazing super touring was

I am told by more senior people than me the Snetterton night races had an almost LeMans carnival atmosphere but the novelty would have worn off after 2 events. I see Tom Kristensen blew everyone away at the Silverstone event - a sign of things to come!

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by sceptic

Apart from people who sell and install industrial floodlights, who would benefit?

Certainly for me at least, I usually can't watch the night portions of enduarance races, just because with the super bright modern lights you really can't see anything. It's exactly the same action in the day, only you can see what's going on, and you don't have to worry about lighting up the whole track. Obviously in a 24 hour event you can't avoid it, but, yeah, there's not really any point for touring car sprint racing.

[S griffin]

I seem to remember they did a good job with the lighting during the BTCC night races, doing it in places where most of the spectators watched rather than the whole circuit

[Moneyseeker]

If I were AG I would be on the phone to Carey at FOM and suggest adding BTCC to the BGP as a great British motorsport weekend. FOM are desperate for something positive to announce and I think AG might find the usual F1 ratecard might be lost in the post. BTCC on the GP circuit...

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[medius]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

If I were AG I would be on the phone to Carey at FOM and suggest adding BTCC to the BGP as a great British motorsport weekend. FOM are desperate for something positive to announce and I think AG might find the usual F1 ratecard might be lost in the post. BTCC on the GP circuit...

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Never going to happen because... FOM assume all broadcast rights to anything appearing at a GP meeting. See the Supercars fiasco a couple of weeks ago. It would mean no touring cars on terrestrial TV that weekend along with all associated the commcial deals being torn up.

[thetool]

BTCC could use GP circuit any time they want. They don't want to. GP support was last tried in 2004, all the teams pulled out because they weren't able to get the usual hospitality arrangements. Doubt things would be any better this year.

[redshoes]

Most circuits have curfews so realistically it's only Snettetron and Silverstone where you could run a proper night race. Brands usually have a Britcar 'into the dark' race at the end of the season but that 's still prior to the normal curfew simple because it gets dark so early.

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I also don’t understand the comment was that it’s too expensive to run night races. I have been to club events with night races, the Silverstone 24H event again, at night. I also went to a huge fireworks event in 2018 with some 10,000 people and that was all lit and had light stewarding.

H&S requirement for the three men and a dog that turn up to the Britcar race are very different to the requirement for a BTCC-sized crowd. There was a interview/podcast with Gow a few years ago when he talked about the cost just for the lighting rigs. I forget the exact amount but it was well into 6 figures.

[RS67]

Originally Posted by medius

Ladbrokes were the Motorbase title sponsor. No sport now meant they pulled the plug on the Friday before media day.

Ive heard that from two unconnected sources now. One who runs a junior team on the support package, and another driver coach to a Porsche squad.

That's not the sponsor I was told by a Motorbase team member.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by RS67

That's not the sponsor I was told by a Motorbase team member.

Well? Do tell....

[B0U170NS]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Well? Do tell....

He or she won't. They come on here and spout out they know something and then never say anymore.

But I would go along with what has been said about Ladbrokes.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by B0U170NS

He or she won't. They come on here and spout out they know something and then never say anymore.

To be fair, I'm not sure Motorbase would be very happy if he went and told everyone.

[S griffin]

To make up for no BTCC, currently rewatching last season’s ITV review

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by S griffin

To make up for no BTCC, currently rewatching last season’s ITV review

how about the 1987 season review those high powered but low grip Gr. A cars were awesome

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRfsdrb8XX4

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

how about the 1987 season review those high powered but low grip Gr. A cars were awesome

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRfsdrb8XX4

Indeed but we are into the historic realm with these so perhaps a little off topic. Good call BTW.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by S griffin

To make up for no BTCC, currently rewatching last season’s ITV review

And 3 Donington races being streamed on ITV now. Forgot how good 2014 was! Think driving standards have improved a lot since then though!

[Moneyseeker]

Following the government briefing today, the deputy medical officer was indicating social distancing continuing for probably another 6 months, they fear ceasing it too early and a second wave breaking out.

So could be kaput for the UK motorport season as probably larger public events that draw peple from aroud the UK will be one of the last to be back to normal IMO.

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[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

Following the government briefing today, the deputy medical officer was indicating social distancing continuing for probably another 6 months, they fear ceasing it too early and a second wave breaking out.

So could be kaput for the UK motorport season as probably larger public events that draw peple from aroud the UK will be one of the last to be back to normal IMO.

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This is the implication that I understood too; I feel if there are any sporting events this summer they will be behind closed doors; certainly I could imagine horse racing resuming but football and other sports which have close physical contact between competitors and spectators not.

Meanwhile I, like many, expect to be seeking alternative employment in the coming months.

Stay safe folks.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Meanwhile I, like many, expect to be seeking alternative employment in the coming months.

Stay safe folks.

Good luck and thank you.

[Moneyseeker]

OT: But Wimbledon cancellation expected to be announced this week following final confirmation at their board meeting but according to German tennis federation official the decision to cancel has already been made.

Meanwhile Supercars are looking at how to make the series TV covered only and run races behind closed doors by changing some of the format, restricting team personnel numbers and minimum track staff and have some of the TV production elements off site - they want to get to under the magic 500 people on site.

This is in the belief that even when social distancing is slightly relaxed, large public gatherings will still not resume, but 500 people or less events might.

I imagine AG must be looking at the same as the government advisor yesterday was still taking about some form of social distancing lasting 3-6 months or more, I don't think anyone believes it will be back to normal from day 1, we will probably still be in a phased return to normal for the rest of the year.

Whether that is viable for the BTCC business model, who knows - circuits will have to refund tickets but who will pay for that? Even if it were allowed by the government.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Evantra

And 3 Donington races being streamed on ITV now. Forgot how good 2014 was! Think driving standards have improved a lot since then though!

Idk, compared to the mid 00s and early 10s, I’d say driving standards weren’t as bad in 2014

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

OT: But Wimbledon cancellation expected to be announced this week following final confirmation at their board meeting but according to German tennis federation official the decision to cancel has already been made.

I think that was inevitable. Given how all of motorsport seem to be holding replacement eTournaments, are we expecting Pong or Wii Sport Tennis?

[touringlegend]

It might come down to the BTCC being run as a single event end of season TOCA shoutout.

[Matt K]

Supercars is not sole in considering running behind closed doors. NASCAR, according to unofficial information, will be back in May, running without the audience.
Let's face it, given everything that is happening, this is the last chance to have season run. Otherwise, there'll be no BTCC this year, I suppose.

[S griffin]

The fact series are talking about running behind closed doors gives us hope that racing can still go ahead in good time. So if it’s the best option for the BTCC it has to consider it