1206 replies to this topic

[Burtros]

PayasYouRace, on 12 Jan 2021 - 18:13, said:

Yeah, maybe the hold up is that Lewis and Toto are thrashing out the details of a works A-Class in the BTCC, leaving Russell to leave lead the charge in F1.

Hey, a man can dream.

Can Hamilton do it on a cold Sunday afternoon at Croft?

[F1matt]

Burtros, on 12 Jan 2021 - 23:47, said:

Can Hamilton do it on a cold Sunday afternoon at Croft?

 

 

He did in Formula Renault...

[wheadon1985]

F1matt, on 13 Jan 2021 - 10:13, said:

He did in Formula Renault...

 

With a collapsed rear suspension too...! I was working for another FR team that weekend and people were quite astounded by it all to be honest. 

[F1matt]

Nice to see Jade Edwards has joined BTC racing full time, taking Tom Chilton's seat to team up with Josh Cook and Michael Crees. 

[Disgrace]

Great news, her debut outing was quite promising until Neate's masculinity was threatened.

[BRG]

Yes, excellent news.  Way overdue to have a full-time female driver again.  When was the last one?  Nettan Lindgren-Jansson (1989-91)?

[midgrid]

Fiona Leggate from 2005 to 2007.

[sportyskells]

Date changes have been said about

[pacificquay]

Five week delay to the season, so there's a higher chance of being able to run rounds with spectators. Sensible move.

[sportyskells]

Here is the updated Calendar
May 8-9 Thurxton
May 15-16 Snetterton
June 12-13 Brands Hatch Indy
July 31- August 1 Oulton park
August 14-15 Knockhill
August 28-29 Thurxton
September 18-19 Croft
September 25-26 Silverstone
October 9-10 Donington
October 23-24 Brands hatch gp

[Rinehart]

The driver changes musical chairs is doing my head in!!! Anyone have an up to date entry list to go with the updated calendar? 

[PayasYouRace]

There's a list at the bottom of the Jade Edwards article.

 

https://www.autospor...honda-btcc-seat

 

"BTCC confirmed entries so far

West Surrey Racing BMW TBA, TBA, TBA
Team Dynamics Honda Dan Cammish, TBA
Laser Tools Racing Infiniti Ash Sutton, Aiden Moffat, Carl Boardley
Motorbase/MB Ford Jake Hill, TBA, TBA, TBA
BTC Racing Honda Josh Cook, Michael Crees, Jade Edwards
Speedworks Motorsport Toyota TBA, TBA
Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai Jack Butel, TBA, TBA, TBA
Ciceley Motorsport BMW Adam Morgan, Tom Chilton
Team Hard Cupra Jack Goff, Aron Taylor-Smith, Glynn Geddie, TBA
Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Jason Plato, TBA"

[JHSingo]

Jade best be hoping Andy Neate isn't still on the grid this year, otherwise it could be a long season for her...

[PayasYouRace]

JHSingo, on 14 Jan 2021 - 20:14, said:

Jade best be hoping Andy Neate isn't still on the grid this year, otherwise it could be a long season for her...

 

She'll be alright. She'll soon be qualifying ahead of him.

[PhilArny80]

PayasYouRace, on 14 Jan 2021 - 19:23, said:

There's a list at the bottom of the Jade Edwards article.

 

https://www.autospor...honda-btcc-seat

 

"BTCC confirmed entries so far

West Surrey Racing BMW TBA, TBA, TBA
Team Dynamics Honda Dan Cammish, TBA
Laser Tools Racing Infiniti Ash Sutton, Aiden Moffat, Carl Boardley
Motorbase/MB Ford Jake Hill, TBA, TBA, TBA
BTC Racing Honda Josh Cook, Michael Crees, Jade Edwards
Speedworks Motorsport Toyota TBA, TBA
Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai Jack Butel, Chris Smiley, TBA, TBA
Ciceley Motorsport BMW Adam Morgan, Tom Chilton
Team Hard Cupra Jack Goff, Aron Taylor-Smith, Glynn Geddie, TBA
Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Jason Plato, TBA"

 

 

Chris Smiley confirmed today for Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai, (have updated your list)

Edited by PhilArny80, 15 January 2021 - 16:39.

[Rinehart]

PhilArny80, on 15 Jan 2021 - 16:39, said:

Chris Smiley confirmed today for Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai, (have updated your list)

Cheers to you and PYR.

[F1matt]

I am guessing several of those seats are obvious; Colin Turkington and Tom Oliphant are certs for WSR, Matt Neal will continue with Honda now, Ollie Jackson to stay with Motorbase/MB, Rory Butcher to Speedworks, Tom Ingram to teamhard Cupra?

[Kev00]

PayasYouRace, on 14 Jan 2021 - 19:23, said:

There's a list at the bottom of the Jade Edwards article.

https://www.autospor...honda-btcc-seat

"BTCC confirmed entries so far
West Surrey Racing BMW TBA, TBA, TBA
Team Dynamics Honda Dan Cammish, TBA
Laser Tools Racing Infiniti Ash Sutton, Aiden Moffat, Carl Boardley
Motorbase/MB Ford Jake Hill, TBA, TBA, TBA
BTC Racing Honda Josh Cook, Michael Crees, Jade Edwards
Speedworks Motorsport Toyota TBA, TBA
Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai Jack Butel, TBA, TBA, TBA
Ciceley Motorsport BMW Adam Morgan, Tom Chilton
Team Hard Cupra Jack Goff, Aron Taylor-Smith, Glynn Geddie, TBA
Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Jason Plato, TBA"

Is there anything confirming Plato? I can’t find anything other than his name at the bottom of that article

[PayasYouRace]

Kev00, on 16 Jan 2021 - 09:42, said:

Is there anything confirming Plato? I can’t find anything other than his name at the bottom of that article

 

I haven't seen anything specific. I assume he is just still contracted to the team.

[PhilArny80]

Tom Ingram to announce who he is driving for at 8am tomorrow. He is teasing it on social media.

https://twitter.com/...1854085/video/1

[Burtros]

Can’t wait. Hope he’s in a top car.

The 3rd BMW would be amazing.

[PhilArny80]

I think it's Excelr8 Hyundai. They also posted something about an announcement tomorrow at 8am, then deleted it.

[M66R]

Officially off to Excelr8 in a 3rd Hyundai.

[F1matt]

It was probably the best solution for Tom Ingram, and a coup for Excelr8; he gets a car that can be developed quicker as he has team mates and they get a star driver. I can't see him fitting in at WSR somehow. 

[Kev00]

Shame for Ingram as I had him as the title favourite for this year. Seems he really found a sweet spot in that Corolla towards the end of last year. I wonder if Butcher will jump in and immediately take over at the front. As for Ingram I can see him having a fight to get in the top 10 this year.

[Burtros]

It will be interesting to see how Ingram does in the Hyundai. I’d say overall I’d rather have seen him in a better position but who’s to say they aren’t improving after a first season with the car under their belt now.

[BRG]

Agreed, and they didn't exactly have the A-Team behind the wheel last year.  I expect Ingram to challenge, at least for a few wins.

[F1matt]

Ingram did a great job of developing the Corolla, it looked a right handful when it first entered the series but as has been mentioned above he finished last season very strongly as seen as a title contender for this year. With team mates to help develop the car he might surprise. 

[midgrid]

Plato's return with Power Maxed Racing is confirmed.
 
No second driver yet, but the article mentions rumours of former British GT champion Rick Parfitt Jr being considered.

[BRG]

Whatever you want
Whatever you like
Whatever you say
You pay your money
You take your choice

[PhilArny80]

Rory Butcher and Sam Smelt confirmed for Speedworks Toyota

http://www.btcc.net/...itle-challenge/

Edited by PhilArny80, 27 January 2021 - 08:10.

[pacificquay]

Decent line up.

 

Rory is a title contender if the car is up to it.

[MattK9]

sportyskells, on 14 Jan 2021 - 17:00, said:

Here is the updated Calendar
May 8-9 Thurxton
May 15-16 Snetterton
June 12-13 Brands Hatch Indy
July 31- August 1 Oulton park
August 14-15 Knockhill
August 28-29 Thurxton
September 18-19 Croft
September 25-26 Silverstone
October 9-10 Donington
October 23-24 Brands hatch gp

 

I was hoping that the Silverstone Southern Loop would be on the calendar, instead of Thruxton twice.

[PayasYouRace]

MattK9, on 27 Jan 2021 - 17:43, said:

I was hoping that the Silverstone Southern Loop would be on the calendar, instead of Thruxton twice.

 

The plan for 2020 was to use the International Circuit at Silverstone as you say, but obviously that went nowhere. Thruxton is great (and nearest to me. Ha!) so I'm not complaining too much.

[Burtros]

PayasYouRace, on 27 Jan 2021 - 17:48, said:

The plan for 2020 was to use the International Circuit at Silverstone as you say, but obviously that went nowhere. Thruxton is great (and nearest to me. Ha!) so I'm not complaining too much.

Great track and my nearest too. Happy they go there twice, it normally produces great racing in the BTCC and the support series.

Although this year our best hope of seeing anything would be from a lay by on the A303 I fear!!

[PayasYouRace]

Let's see how things are for the August meeting. I'm hopeful there will have been enough vaccinations by then that spectators might be allowed.

 

This got be thinking that actually the calendar is pretty decent as it is. We have the eight major UK circuits represented though it's a shame Rockingham closed. If I could have things my way, all I'd do is add a two more meetings, each with a special "retro" twist.

 

I'd bring back the Donington Park mini-enduro on the Grand Prix circuit. Have it the length of the 3 usual races from each weekend and have it count for triple points. Have a driver change as it was in the old days too, which could give opportunities for drivers from the support classes or special guests from other series.

 

The other one I'd bring back is a British Grand Prix support race on the Sunday morning before the Grand Prix. Obviously not going to happen because of the much more tightly controlled F1 support package nowadays, but I think it would be great for each Grand Prix to have a support race by one of the host country's premier national series.

[MattK9]

PayasYouRace, on 27 Jan 2021 - 19:34, said:

Let's see how things are for the August meeting. I'm hopeful there will have been enough vaccinations by then that spectators might be allowed.

 

This got be thinking that actually the calendar is pretty decent as it is. We have the eight major UK circuits represented though it's a shame Rockingham closed. If I could have things my way, all I'd do is add a two more meetings, each with a special "retro" twist.

 

I'd bring back the Donington Park mini-enduro on the Grand Prix circuit. Have it the length of the 3 usual races from each weekend and have it count for triple points. Have a driver change as it was in the old days too, which could give opportunities for drivers from the support classes or special guests from other series.

 

The other one I'd bring back is a British Grand Prix support race on the Sunday morning before the Grand Prix. Obviously not going to happen because of the much more tightly controlled F1 support package nowadays, but I think it would be great for each Grand Prix to have a support race by one of the host country's premier national series.

 

If we have learnt our lessons from last year, outdoor events during the summer (say May-Sept) should be fine to have spectators as long as they take precautions. I doubt that our esteemed politicians will be able to work that out though. There were riots/marches/protests through the centre of London last year and that didnt really have much of an effect on the spread of covid as rates significantly went down over the summer.

 

If we continue to vaccinated 2m per week and given that you need 2 jabs then by May we should have vaccinated 20m (that roughly 18 weeks away at 2m per week divided by 2 because everyone need 2 jabs + the roughly 4m that already have 1 jab) That is only 1/3 of the country and not everyone in the over 50 bracket. I dont think we will see an end of restrictions until summer next year and even then we need the virus to not mutate into something the current vaccines doesnt protect against.

[Frood]

As per Instagram, Hamilton has signed a contract... Nic, obviously. Announcement should be imminent. I'm guessing whomever he's signed for, he won't be bothering the front half of the grid, but it's nice to have him in the series either way.

[F1matt]

PayasYouRace, on 27 Jan 2021 - 19:34, said:

Let's see how things are for the August meeting. I'm hopeful there will have been enough vaccinations by then that spectators might be allowed.

 

This got be thinking that actually the calendar is pretty decent as it is. We have the eight major UK circuits represented though it's a shame Rockingham closed. If I could have things my way, all I'd do is add a two more meetings, each with a special "retro" twist.

 

I'd bring back the Donington Park mini-enduro on the Grand Prix circuit. Have it the length of the 3 usual races from each weekend and have it count for triple points. Have a driver change as it was in the old days too, which could give opportunities for drivers from the support classes or special guests from other series.

 

The other one I'd bring back is a British Grand Prix support race on the Sunday morning before the Grand Prix. Obviously not going to happen because of the much more tightly controlled F1 support package nowadays, but I think it would be great for each Grand Prix to have a support race by one of the host country's premier national series.

 

 

I have always thought there is an argument to have a BTCC race after the GP. This would stop everyone leaving the track after the race as some people would stay for the touring cars and would ease the traffic flow. 

[JHSingo]

Apologies for having been AWOL lately - thank you to all of you for keeping this thread updated in my absence! 

 

midgrid, on 22 Jan 2021 - 10:16, said:

Plato's return with Power Maxed Racing is confirmed.
 
No second driver yet, but the article mentions rumours of former British GT champion Rick Parfitt Jr being considered.

 

Well, good to see JP back - that Vauxhall seemed to give him a new lease of life in '19. But I'd still like to see Mat Jackson back in that second car, as was originally planned - it would be a shame for that to be derailed really through no fault of his own. Although it seems like Rick Parfitt has improved in recent years - hopefully he'd go a better job than Kelvin Fletcher, a least! 

 

PhilArny80, on 27 Jan 2021 - 08:09, said:

Rory Butcher and Sam Smelt confirmed for Speedworks Toyota

http://www.btcc.net/...itle-challenge/

 

I suppose the blow of losing Ingram is softened by gaining Butcher. It's probably not an exact like-for-like swap, but pretty close. Butcher has been on the periphery of being a title contender for a couple of seasons now, so it'll be interesting to see how he does. It'll be interesting to compare how Ingram and Butcher do at their respective new teams. 

 

I presume Sam Smelt must bring a budget with him. Although according to Wikipedia, he did drive the Speedworks Supra GT4 in British GT last year, so that makes a bit more sense. He didn't exactly show a great deal in his first year in the BTCC, although in fairness not many rookies do, and he was in that fairly elderly Audi. 

 

Fingers firmly crossed we can actually get to attend some races this year! Although I suspect even if we do, that things will be different. I bet the pit lane walkabouts/autograph sessions may be something that don't return. It would be a shame, because I've always said that's been one of the best things about attending BTCC in person - but it's hard to imagine how that can still go ahead, in a post Covid world. 

[F1matt]

Agreed. One of the highlights of the BTCC and the WEC is the open paddock, it is nice to watch things without getting in the way. Nice to get close to the cars and see the tyres when they come off, I have also seen several arguments between drivers and one physical altercation! The F1 paddock is totally different and even with the right badge you are unwelcome and have intimidating security guards. 

[Branislav]

This will be my second year of watching BTCC. Of all touring car series this one comes in first place

 

1. BTCC

2. DTM

3. Supercars

4. WTCR

[JHSingo]

Branislav, on 01 Feb 2021 - 13:33, said:

This will be my second year of watching BTCC. Of all touring car series this one comes in first place

 

1. BTCC

2. DTM

3. Supercars

4. WTCR

 

The DTM wasn't a touring car series last year (or indeed for a long time before that), and it'll be even less of one this year. 

[Branislav]

JHSingo, on 01 Feb 2021 - 23:47, said:

The DTM wasn't a touring car series last year (or indeed for a long time before that), and it'll be even less of one this year. 

Touring, Grand touring, all of that

 

Nascar is of course out of league

[Dick Dastardly]

I'm half expecting Gordon Sheddon returning to Team Dynamics, replacing Matt Neal.

He said he was looking at maybe a comeback into BTCC then the next thing is MN saying 2020 maybe his last season...

[PhilArny80]

No surprise but Turkington confirmed today for WSR BMW

https://www.btcc.net...itle-challenge/

[M66R]

Sensible decision for both parties really.

[Kev00]

I thought BMW had dropped out

[JHSingo]

Kev00, on 03 Feb 2021 - 14:20, said:

I thought BMW had dropped out

 

Don't know where you would have heard that from?    Are you sure you're not confusing this with Formula E? 

 

Pretty sure I said this about Turks last year: to be expected, but great to have it officially confirmed all the same. Wonder when we'll hear about his team mates? 

[Kev00]

I just thought I heard that BMW were pulling their support this year. So Turkington would have have to find some money or a few rich teammates and WSR would be worse off for lack of factory support.