BTCC 2020 Season

There's only a few more weeks left of the year, so now would seem to be as good a time as any to start looking ahead to what 2020 will bring...

 

Has anyone recovered from *that* final round yet? It looked like despite leading the championship for the majority of the year, Colin Turkington was on course to miss out following a controversial race two collision with Matt Neal. It had put him near the back of the grid for the last race of the year, with main rival (and Neal's team mate) Dan Cammish the firm favourite to win the title in just his second year in the championship. Turkington surged through the pack in a remarkable drive, but it still didn't look like it'd be enough. And then...

 

 

Turkington was left to claim his fourth championship (matching Andy Rouse's record in the process) in the most dramatic circumstances imaginable. The top three of Turkington, Andrew Jordan and Cammish were separated by just two points. A fitting end to what has been a typically exciting decade of BTCC action, which has gone from strength-to-strength under the NGTC regulations. Will 2020 come close to matching that drama, as Turkington seeks to become the most successful BTCC driver ever? You'd think it unlikely, but then again, you never know with this series!

 

 

What's new for 2020?

 

Whilst it's rare for many teams to have confirmed their plans by this stage - what we do know is that the series will once again have a very healthy grid of 30 cars. https://www.autospor...5439.1473766647

 

One of the biggest additions from that is confirmed that multiple race winner, BTC Racing, will expand to three cars for the new season. Elsewhere, Speedworks (Toyota) will remain with just the one, whilst BMR - having concluded its partnership with the departing Subaru - slims down to just the one car for 2017 champion Ash Sutton, in the biggest news of the off-season so far.

 

 

The move is part of a new partnership with Laser Tools Racing, which ran the Infiniti Q50 from the middle of 2019. Sutton, remarkably, only took a single win last season as the Subaru showed its age. But surely he begins 2020 as one of the title favourites.

 

His competition is likely to include Colin Turkington - who, whilst not yet officially confirmed as yet, will surely be so imminently. Cammish, who came oh-so-close to winning the championship, is already confirmed. It'll also be interesting to see what progress Speedworks can make in their second year with the Corolla. Tom Ingram, the '18 runner-up, is very likely to be back again. Less clear is for '13 champion Andrew Jordan, following the withdrawal of his longtime title sponsor, Pirtek. Jordan previously spoke of a desire to race elsewhere, but a very strong 2019 campaign might be enough to convince him to stay on, if he can find the budget. Also of interest is rumour of a return from Gordon Shedden following an unsuccessful stint in WTCR. Although if he does return, it will have to be at a different team to the one he won three titles with, unless Matt Neal decides to retire from racing this winter...

 

The other interesting news of the winter so far is news that Excelr8 Motorsport, who made their debut in the series this year with a pair of ancient MG6s, will field a pair of  Hyundai i30 Fastbacks. It's always great to have another new make and car on the grid, so it'll be interesting to see how they do.

 

Calendar

 

There's a couple of interesting changes to the calendar this year. Donington Park opens the season, rather than the traditional Brands Hatch Indy, whilst a first visit to Silverstone takes place in April. There's also a second visit to Silverstone (the vacant round, following the removal of Rockingham from the calendar a couple of seasons ago) - and it'll be the first time the BTCC will race on the International Circuit. That's sure to add some interest towards the closing stages of the year.

 

Rounds                  Date                                 Venue/Circuit
1,2,3                       28/29 March                  Donington Park (National) 
4,5,6                       11/12 April                      Brands Hatch (Indy)         
7,8,9                       25/26 April                      Silverstone (National)       
10,11,12               16/17 May                       Thruxton
13,14,15               13/14 June                       Oulton Park (Island)      
16,17,18                25/26 July                        Snetterton (300)               
19,20,21                15/16 August                  Croft
22,23,24                 29/30 August                 Knockhill
25,26,27                 26/27 September          Silverstone (International)
28,29,30                 10/11 October               Brands Hatch (Grand Prix)

 

The only other change worth noting is that Goodyear replaces Dunlop as the series' tyre supplier. Although given this is really just a change of branding, it's unlikely to really result in any major changes to the racing.

 

Think that's pretty much everything covered up to now! So, how do you see the new season going? Anything you'd like to see? Who are you backing for the title? It's early days, but it's already shaping up to be yet another fantastic season. Roll on March...

Edited by JHSingo, 07 December 2019 - 19:23.

Thanks for the recap. That Brands finale was incredible wasn't it? Should be in the best bits of the decade thread.

 

I wouldn't even want to try to predict what next season will be like at this stage, but I reckon it'll be exciting whatever happens. I'd like to see Cammish up front again. I think he drove very well this season and in a way it's a good thing he didn't get the championship because of the question marks over Neal colliding with Turkington. Now that's all academic and hopefully he can have another crack at it. I'd like to see Ingram and Speedworks bring that Toyota right to the front too.

 

Always looking forward to new cars. The i30s look good, and hopefully they'll find some speed. Curious to see how Sutton will do without the Subaru.

 

I wonder how long Matt Neal and Jason Plato will carry on.

 

Silverstone International could be good. Just getting a new track on the calendar introduces another variable.

 

I'll be going to Thruxton again in May. Such a good event to go to.

 

Can't wait.

I do not follow Btcc, so probably a stupid question

Why don't they race at the following tracks?
Castle Combe, Anglesey, Mondello Park

I do not follow Btcc, so probably a stupid question

Why don't they race at the following tracks?
Castle Combe, Anglesey, Mondello Park

Not a stupid question!

 

They used to race at Mondello Park, but I believe the cost of getting all the cars over there was not considered worthwhile. Although you have to wonder, given Turkington's recent success, whether it might be a good idea. I'm not from Northern Ireland, so have no idea how much of a well-known figure he is there.

 

I don't believe the series has ever raced at Castle Combe or Anglesey, and definitely not in recent years. There's always chat about potential different venues, but the series seems to have a calendar that works for everyone at the moment and doesn't feel a need to shake it up too radically. A pity, as it would be interesting to see races there, or at a street circuit for example.

Anglesey is one of my absolute favourites. Went there for a club meeting a few years back and thought the place was fantastic.

That Brands finale was mad. It's rare motorsport leaves me speechless but it had everything

Can 2020 really top this year? I hope so!

As for the tracks the BTCC dont go to, even Olton Park is getting a bit narrow and dangerous for the current cars. It would be nice to go somewhere new.

I would like a good street track very near Birmingham or Manchester, somthing Alan Gow is open to but the cost would be prohibitive.

Edited by Pete_f1, 08 December 2019 - 11:59.

I adore the community you built here for the BTCC, JH Singo. Cheers

 

The finale from Brands Hatch was my favorite Motorsport moment of 2019; what a show.

 

I dearly hope my main dude Andrew Jordan stays at WSR. I guess he would go for a World Rallycross campaign if he won't be in the BTCC or whatever other touring car series. I wish him to stay and I think he would've won the championship if he didn't have that horror crash at Donington at the beginning of the season. Of course I would say that as a big AJ fan. Sue me.

 

I miss Rockingham.

I do not follow Btcc, so probably a stupid question

Why don't they race at the following tracks?
Castle Combe, Anglesey, Mondello Park.

Over the many years of the British Saloon Car Championship (from 1958) and then the BTCC, it has also raced at Mallory Park, Crystal Palace, Goodwood, Aintree, Ingliston,Birmingham, Pembrey as well as Mondello Park in Ireland.  But never Castle Combe for some reason.

Btcc at Goodwood would be amazing

Btcc at Goodwood would be amazing

You might have seen this before - but at the Goodwood Revival meeting in September, they always have a historic touring car race. In previous years, they've often included a lot of BTCC drivers (although not this year, as the Revival clashed with a BTCC round), and they are always a real treat to watch:

 

I kind of fell out of love with the BTCC for quite a few years maybe from about 2005-ish, so there’s this massive black hole in my history with the series, before I came back to it around, maybe, 2013. It was basically because it wasn’t 1998 anymore, and that was it. My image of the BTCC was that it was turning into a fun, but not altogether serious national series, with weedy cars crashing into each other, daft stuff like a wheel of fortune thing to decide the race 3 grid and none of the professionalism, money or driving talent of the Super Touring days.

I think that was one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done as a Motorsport fan, to be honest. It’s fantastic, thriving, and pure entertainment. And anyone who says Andrew Jordan, Colin Turkington, Gordon Shedden or Ash Sutton aren’t on the same or an even higher level than Anthony Reid, John Cleland, Alain Menu and so on, they’re entitled to an opinion, but they’re wrong.

For 2020 I’m looking forward to seeing how Sutton gets on in the new car, whether Cammish is able to continue his rapid improvement rate in the Honda and whether Jordan will finally be able to dethrone Colin - I see a bit of an Ogier vs Tanak situation there, Jordan is clearly quicker on his day but the ‘old’ master continues to win title after title with relentless excellence.....could 2020 be the changing of the guard year?

Oh, then there’s the two Grandpa old timers Neal and Plato, who just never really seem to age. I was impressed with Plato in 2019. I didn’t expect him to beat Collard so soundly and he looked genuinely good in the Astra at the end of the year.

I think that was one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done as a Motorsport fan, to be honest. It’s fantastic, thriving, and pure entertainment. And anyone who says Andrew Jordan, Colin Turkington, Gordon Shedden or Ash Sutton aren’t on the same or an even higher level than Anthony Reid, John Cleland, Alain Menu and so on, they’re entitled to an opinion, but they’re wrong.

I absolutely agree with you there.

 

It's easy to romanticise the past, and sure, the Super Touring era was definitely one of the best in the series' history. The championship was massively popular, helped by the computer games, and had plenty of big name stars/manufacturers. But the memory of it is sorted of tainted by what followed - it was just too good to last, unfortunately.

 

It's fair to say there has been some poor years since then. Remember when the series need a "production" class to increase the grid size? You mention 2005 - I think that was the season when the first round barely had a double digit entry.

 

There's been growing pains in the NGTC days too. I still remember all the acrimony in 2011 when there was a mix of turbo and NA engines. But I think from the mid point of this decade (2014-2015ish) when the grid became all NGTC, it's just been on an upward curve. I'd say the real positive now compared to Super Touring is just the amount of young talent capable of challenging at the front of the grid. The likes of Ingram, Sutton, Cammish, Cook, Goff and a few others who are right on the cusp of becoming regular front-runners too. Yes, it lacks the international feel of Super Touring, but that was a mix of ex F1 drivers, guys who were towards the end of their careers doing it for a bit of fun, and others who'd been around for quite a while. There wasn't much "home grown" talent back then - whereas now, the support package is much better at developing the BTCC stars of the future.

 

And it's great that, whilst they were needed at the time, the championship has moved on from it just being purely the Neal/Plato show too.

 

So yes, let's enjoy this era whilst it lasts - however long it does. I'm always slightly apprehensive about how next season will compare to the most recent one, because as we've seen in the past, the series can have a healthy grid one year and then be struggling the next. But I already feel positive about 2020, knowing what little we do at this stage.

Edited by JHSingo, 09 December 2019 - 01:12.

Turkington will remain with WSR for 2020.  Remaining two drivers to be confirmed "shortly".

Turkington will remain with WSR for 2020.  Remaining two drivers to be confirmed "shortly".

I don't think that was ever really in too much doubt, but great to have it officially confirmed all the same. I'd love to wonder if he did receive any offers to race in WTCR or anywhere else, though.

Good to see Turkington remain. Like him and has to be favourite for the title next year.

Why the confidence for Sutton and Infinity? The cars not been hugely successful so far, we should be expecting BMR to give it the development it needs at last of course but will have to hit the ground running if Ash wants to be in the mix.

Hoping Jordan stays in the series, with WSR. Without the donnington accident he could have been champion.

As for Castle Combe, a track I know well, it’s really a club circuit and not suitable for BTCC, however it would throw up an excellent race. It lacks much in the way of run off and gravel and has no pit garages, huge changes would be needed to the paddock.

Gordon Shedden's team, WRT, will pull out of the World series at the end of the season. Could we see him back in the BTCC?

I’d like to see Flash an a competitive BTCC machine again. Don’t know where that would be though.

Why the confidence for Sutton and Infinity? The cars not been hugely successful so far, we should be expecting BMR to give it the development it needs at last of course but will have to hit the ground running if Ash wants to be in the mix.

 

The Infiniti was definitely making progress towards the back end of the year. Yes, Silverstone was perhaps slightly flukey given the conditions, but it was there or there abouts at Brands. Given a winter testing programme, I'm sure they'll get it fully sorted in time for the opening round. Plus, it's RWD, which is Sutton's specialty - it's not like he has to re-adapt to FWD again.

 

I’d like to see Flash an a competitive BTCC machine again. Don’t know where that would be though.

BTC Racing, perhaps? I read somewhere they'd bought the ex-Moffat A Class, but intend to use it as parts rather than race it. Maybe they'll run another FK8 Civic? They were very evenly matched with Dynamics at most rounds.

BTC Racing, perhaps? I read somewhere they'd bought the ex-Moffat A Class, but intend to use it as parts rather than race it. Maybe they'll run another FK8 Civic? They were very evenly matched with Dynamics at most rounds.

Coming back to a car he’s familiar with would probably be a good way to do it.

Strong rumours from another forum: Shedden in at Motorbase with Butcher and AN Other, driving new Focus's with Vodafone sponsorship.

Again, tis only rumour so might prove to be utter bobbins.

Strong rumours from another forum: Shedden in at Motorbase with Butcher and AN Other, driving new Focus's with Vodafone sponsorship.

Again, tis only rumour so might prove to be utter bobbins.

 

Ooh, that's be a strong line up. And excellent for the series to have as recognisable a brand as Vodafone on the grid too.

 

I guess this was the last time they were a sponsor?

 

 

Watch this space, I guess...

Anyone remember the Nissan TV advert of the era where Nissan apologised to all their sponsors for being so fast on track you couldn’t read their logos?

Yes! These days they just apologise for Ghosn.

And it's great that, whilst they were needed at the time, the championship has moved on from it just being purely the Neal/Plato show too.

You should win an award for constructing a sentence which references Neal, Plato and purity in the same line.

Turkington will remain with WSR for 2020.  Remaining two drivers to be confirmed "shortly".

 

Oliphant will continue as one of his team-mates.  I suppose the third seat will come down to Jordan's ability to secure new backing to replace Pirtek.

Oliphant must be bringing mucho dinero to keep wasting a top seat like that.

Oliphant must be bringing mucho dinero to keep wasting a top seat like that.

I'd say it's a tad harsh to describe it as "wasting". Remember, he was only in his second year in the series this year - and it does seem to be one that (unless you're Ash Sutton) it takes a while to acclimatise to.

 

Yes, compared to Turkington and Jordan, it looks like he had a very poor year to not even win a race. But he was unlucky at times not to get better results - I seem to recall him leading a race at Silverstone, only for the changeable weather to mean he didn't finish as highly as he could have if it had stayed dry, for instance.

 

But yeah, if he isn't more competitive next year, then I'm sure pressure will start to increase.

stupid to admit this, but I thought Turkington was Scottish until his interview after he won the title where he kept talking about Northern Ireland

Oliphant has potential, he’s got a decent record but yeah not shown it in the BTCC yet. Clearly funding is a reason for his being there, and that’s fine for me, teams have to pay their way somehow. You never know, he might get up to speed this year!

I'll was thinking about what the BTCC has and potentially doesn't have.

 

The main thing that the BTCC lacks is a major standout event. Most other series have some event that is really big compared to all the others. F1 obviously has it's various Grandes Epreuves which we value much more than the newer events. Indycar has Indy. NASCAR has Daytona. Sportscars have various events for different series. Le Mans in Europe. Daytona and Sebring in the US. For just GTs there's the Spa 24. Aussie touring cars has Bathurst, etc.

 

Now I'm not saying that the BTCC needs to have a standout event, because it's doing very well as it is at the moment. But it's just something I'd like to see. I'm not sure if it ever even had such an event. Maybe the British GP support race when that was a thing? It's not that important, but what sparked this train of thought was remembering the double length Snetterton race recently.

A Rockingham oval race could have been the standout event...unfortunately it's not possible anymore

Silverstone GP support race and the 1999 Snetterton night race jumped into my mind when reading that post.

Liked the double length race too. Would love to see it repeated. Under lights. The 99 event looked fantastic with many cars running liveries to react to the light.

I agree about perhaps having a keynote event. Obviously, an event at the end of the season, where a hard-fought championship is finally decided would be ideal.  But unless you are NASCAR, that isn't something that you can arrange! 

 

A GP support will always be completely overshadowed by the GP, so I don't reckon that is a starter.  Maybe a double distance Superprix at Snett or Donington would be the way to go?  Or could the Oulton Park Gold Cup be recycled as a BTCC event?  Or revive the Tourist Trophy at Silverstone, maybe as an evening race, running into the dark?  Or now that we have road closure powers, a street race?  Cardiff always seems up for a big event, or maybe Birmingham could be revived.

I'll was thinking about what the BTCC has and potentially doesn't have.

 

The main thing that the BTCC lacks is a major standout event. Most other series have some event that is really big compared to all the others. F1 obviously has it's various Grandes Epreuves which we value much more than the newer events. Indycar has Indy. NASCAR has Daytona. Sportscars have various events for different series. Le Mans in Europe. Daytona and Sebring in the US. For just GTs there's the Spa 24. Aussie touring cars has Bathurst, etc.

 

Now I'm not saying that the BTCC needs to have a standout event, because it's doing very well as it is at the moment. But it's just something I'd like to see. I'm not sure if it ever even had such an event. Maybe the British GP support race when that was a thing? It's not that important, but what sparked this train of thought was remembering the double length Snetterton race recently.

Interesting discussion.

 

I remember a couple of years ago, there was talk of interest in setting up a non-championship event, that could feature a longer race distance, pit stops and/or driver changes. Alas, I can't find any articles from that period now. But I do know what you mean.

 

Personally, I was slightly disappointed the series didn't do more with its 60th anniversary season. I know it's been slightly done to death by NASCAR and Supercars, but even having an event where teams ran retro liveries would make a nice change. Or even bringing back the dusk/night race that they sometimes had in the Super Touring days.

 

The one real flaw the BTCC has, whilst the racing remains consistently great, is that it does risk feeling a bit "samey" from year to year without something different, particularly when it has been going to the same venues for years.

 

Maybe have an event where a guest car is entered, and hope to attract a big name from another series to come and play? The other thing I really enjoyed was the time they did the champions race back in 2003ish (if my memory serves me) when they brought back former champions for a demolition derby race in Seat Cupras. I suppose now that there's a significant amount of former champions already on the grid, that might not have quite the same appeal as before,

 

I shall ponder this some more and see if I can think of anything else!

I agree about perhaps having a keynote event. Obviously, an event at the end of the season, where a hard-fought championship is finally decided would be ideal.  But unless you are NASCAR, that isn't something that you can arrange! 

 

A GP support will always be completely overshadowed by the GP, so I don't reckon that is a starter.  Maybe a double distance Superprix at Snett or Donington would be the way to go?  Or could the Oulton Park Gold Cup be recycled as a BTCC event?  Or revive the Tourist Trophy at Silverstone, maybe as an evening race, running into the dark?  Or now that we have road closure powers, a street race?  Cardiff always seems up for a big event, or maybe Birmingham could be revived.

 

The Tourist Trophy is still held at Silverstone. It's the British round of the WEC.

 

Otherwise some interesting ideas. I like the idea of reviving an old trophy like the Outlon Park Gold Cup.

Have some sort of 6 hour crazy road race om IOM or in Ulster

I'll was thinking about what the BTCC has and potentially doesn't have.

 

The main thing that the BTCC lacks is a major standout event. Most other series have some event that is really big compared to all the others. F1 obviously has it's various Grandes Epreuves which we value much more than the newer events. Indycar has Indy. NASCAR has Daytona. Sportscars have various events for different series. Le Mans in Europe. Daytona and Sebring in the US. For just GTs there's the Spa 24. Aussie touring cars has Bathurst, etc.

 

Now I'm not saying that the BTCC needs to have a standout event, because it's doing very well as it is at the moment. But it's just something I'd like to see. I'm not sure if it ever even had such an event. Maybe the British GP support race when that was a thing? It's not that important, but what sparked this train of thought was remembering the double length Snetterton race recently.

 

I've been suggesting this for years, the BTCC needs its Bathurst, a 1000km 2 driver race at Brands Hatch Gp would be ideal. 

Britain is missing an "epic" circuit

My dream would be:

 

• Endurance-length (~4x current race length) race at full Silverstone circuit.
• Non-championship support race for British GP (I believe Supercars do this at Melbourne) - no ToCA support package.
• Full grid, extra entries permitted if made.
• Mandatory driver change.
• First driver is the team regular; second driver is someone who has not contested a BTCC race during the season so far.

Imagine the full grid supported by the leading drivers in the ToCA support series, ringers from the WCTR and other international series, and perhaps some recently-retired former champions and race winners!

Anyone got an idea of the range/endurance of the NGTCs? They're not kitted out for pit-stop refuelling so I wonder what the maximum length of race would be.

Has/will the BTCC ever race in Europe?

The fuel tank is 80 litres. I don't know how to transfer this to range.

Has/will the BTCC ever race in Europe?

There was a World Touring Car Cup from 1993 and 1994 in which leading British entrants competed. BTCC driver Paul Radisich won it in 1993 and 1994.

This was helped by the fact that all of the major European domestic touring car series ran to Super Touring regulations. At the moment, there's a clear split between NGTC (BTCC) and TCR (continental Europe) regulations, which would preclude a similar thing happening now.

I doubt the BTCC would ever have its own race on the continent as it would be expensive and go against the series' national character.

(I know there were races at Mondello Park in the Republic of Ireland from 2002 to 2006, but in motorsport terms it's easy to classify the UK and ROI together, with a greater difference between the British Isles and continental Europe.)

Get them over to Spa for a weekend!

yeah logistically they could do Belgium or Netherlands without too much hassle

It’s closer to me than Knockhill!

I never watched these races. Are BTCC cars faster than WTCR cars?

I never watched these races. Are BTCC cars faster than WTCR cars?

 

I think the NGTC (TCN-1) ruleset is somewhat faster than TCR cars. I don't have exact data, someone should compare the laptimes with TCR UK.

Not sure overall speed is the best measure for NGTC or TCR formulas. I know very little about TCR if I am honest.