902 replies to this topic

[WonderWoman61]

Here's the calendar at least:

Rounds Date Venue/Circuit
1, 2, 3 27/ 28 April Donington Park (National)
4, 5, 6 11/ 12 May Brands Hatch (Indy)
7, 8, 9 25/ 26 May Snetterton (300)
10, 11, 12 08/ 09 June Thruxton
13, 14, 15 22/ 23 June Oulton Park (Island)
16, 17, 18 27/ 28 July Croft
19, 20, 21 10/ 11 August Knockhill
22, 23, 24 24/ 25 August Donington Park (GP)
25, 26, 27 21/ 22 September Silverstone (National)
28, 29, 30 05/ 06 October Brands Hatch (GP)

[WonderWoman61]

Also, Dan Cammish and Ash Sutton are NAPA/Motorbase as things currently stand.

Jamie Tonks looking to move to the BTCC.

Motorbase selling two of their Focuses.

[PayasYouRace]

I'm glad the calendar is stable. We'll be back at Thruxton next year.

[MattK9]

I say this every year, but i just dont understand why they race at Silverstone National when other layouts of Silverstone are much better.

 

Even if the track could be slightly extended to include Maggots & Becketts and then cross from Chapel to the Loop and back onto the Wellington Straight it would vastly improve the track.

[Burtros]

I'm glad the calendar is stable. We'll be back at Thruxton next year.

Agreed. I’d be gutted if they ever move the finale from Brands GP now. Haven’t missed it in 5 years!

[IrvTheSwerve]

I say this every year, but i just dont understand why they race at Silverstone National when other layouts of Silverstone are much better.

 

Even if the track could be slightly extended to include Maggots & Becketts and then cross from Chapel to the Loop and back onto the Wellington Straight it would vastly improve the track.

 

I'm surprised that the country's premier tin-top series doesn't run on the country's highest profile circuit (i.e. the GP layout). Something to do with operational costs I assume?

[F1matt]

Its only July! We will be talking about Christmas next! 

[WonderWoman61]

Its only July! We will be talking about Christmas next! 

Never too early to start thinking about it...

[PayasYouRace]

I say this every year, but i just dont understand why they race at Silverstone National when other layouts of Silverstone are much better.

 

Even if the track could be slightly extended to include Maggots & Becketts and then cross from Chapel to the Loop and back onto the Wellington Straight it would vastly improve the track.

 

I think on such a fast circuit such as Silverstone, most touring cars look a bit lost. Not sure it would necessarily work to use the full layout. Shame that Covid meant we didn't get to see the International circuit being used. That was part of the 2020 calendar.

 

What you're describing is apparently a possible layout.

 

 

Could be worth a try.

[Silverstone96]

Btcc schedule has become so predictable and stale in the last decade.

Think they should have rounds on all 3 layouts at Silverstone.

[chdphd]

Bring this layout back back (skip to 55s in)

 

Edited by chdphd, 14 July 2023 - 18:11.

[JHSingo]

Its only July! We will be talking about Christmas next! 

 

Probably better to talk about Christmas, given the BTCC is a series where most announcements about the new season are made a few weeks before it starts.    Can't see this thread being all that busy! 

 

And any other news, like Jamie Tonks, is probably going to mostly get a response of "who"? 

[Burtros]

They could look at the other shorter tracks but I think the GP layout is to much for the crowds BTCC draws.

Bring this layout back back (skip to 55s in)

https://www.youtube....nel=Paragleiber

I preferred the 1998 Toca 2 layout without abbey chicane to be honest. It made bridge and priory so much faster!

[PayasYouRace]

 

And any other news, like Jamie Tonks, is probably going to mostly get a response of "who"? 

 

Sounds like a commentator nickname for James Thompson, you know, like, "Tingram".

[PayasYouRace]

I preferred the 1998 Toca 2 layout without abbey chicane to be honest. It made bridge and priory so much faster!

 

The Abbey chicane was never part of the old International Circuit. Codemasters just got that wrong.

 

[WonderWoman61]

Sounds like a commentator nickname for James Thompson, you know, like, "Tingram".

TCR UK Driver Jamie Tonks.

[Burtros]

The Abbey chicane was never part of the old International Circuit. Codemasters just got that wrong.

https://www.youtube....h?v=1x_IerysZG4

Damn, never knew that! I played that wrong track so many times!

[chdphd]

They could look at the other shorter tracks but I think the GP layout is to much for the crowds BTCC draws.


I preferred the 1998 Toca 2 layout without abbey chicane to be honest. It made bridge and priory so much faster!

I forgot about that. Start at 30 seconds. I also forgot we had Tiffany Dell doing the commentary.

 

[F1matt]

Probably better to talk about Christmas, given the BTCC is a series where most announcements about the new season are made a few weeks before it starts.    Can't see this thread being all that busy! 

 

And any other news, like Jamie Tonks, is probably going to mostly get a response of "who"? 

 

 

To be fair Wonderwoman61 is an expert on all things BTCC, I am constantly impressed with her posts. Possibly a BTCC insider????

[WonderWoman61]

To be fair Wonderwoman61 is an expert on all things BTCC, I am constantly impressed with her posts. Possibly a BTCC insider????

Just a really keen follower.

[Burtros]

I forgot about that. Start at 30 seconds. I also forgot we had Tiffany Dell doing the commentary.

https://www.youtube....hannel=xDriver4

I still play the game now and again if I’m honest. It’s just so much fun.

Edited by midgrid, 19 July 2023 - 11:47.
Transferred 2023 season news to 2023 BTCC thread

[WonderWoman61]

Rob Huff interested in a return to the BTCC for 2024.

[WonderWoman61]

Ronan Pearson signs for Excelr8 until the end 2025.

[LolaB0860]

I'm surprised that the country's premier tin-top series doesn't run on the country's highest profile circuit (i.e. the GP layout). Something to do with operational costs I assume?

 

BTCC should still be the support act for British GP, just as V8 Supercars is for Australian GP.

 

(And I'd argue that Supercars is far more mainstream for Australia than current BTCC is for Great Britain, so being "demoted" to support race shouldn't be any problem)

Edited by LolaB0860, 24 September 2023 - 13:46.

[PayasYouRace]

I won’t hear any complaints about the National circuit after today.

However, the GP support race was once the highlight of the BTCC season, and the race people wanted to win. Shame we can’t have that again.

[WonderWoman61]

I won’t hear any complaints about the National circuit after today.
However, the GP support race was once the highlight of the BTCC season, and the race people wanted to win. Shame we can’t have that again.

The International Circuit was due to host a BTCC meeting in 2020 until the COVID struck.

[WonderWoman61]

Nicolas Hamilton aiming for a return. Possible retirement for Michael Crees.

[PayasYouRace]

Waiting for the Lewis and Nic team-up in a Mercedes once Lewis is done with F1.

[WonderWoman61]

Waiting for the Lewis and Nic team-up in a Mercedes once Lewis is done with F1.

Imagine that!

[PayasYouRace]

I've renamed this thread BTCC Silly Season for now because it's a bit confusing with both threads on the front page and only 1 number difference. We can change it back next year.

[WonderWoman61]

I've renamed this thread BTCC Silly Season for now because it's a bit confusing with both threads on the front page and only 1 number difference. We can change it back next year.

Understood

[WonderWoman61]

Motorbase Performance changing to Alliance Racing.

[sportyskells]

Qualifying rule change and if you know indycar you know this routine fp1 normal but fp2 will decide the 1st two parts of qualifying who ever in the odd part of the fastest lap will go in q1 and even q2.
Q3 is the quick 6 and will decide the 1st three rows

[Burtros]

I’ve no problem with that. It’s a good change.

[mistakenplane]

I'm surprised that the country's premier tin-top series doesn't run on the country's highest profile circuit (i.e. the GP layout). Something to do with operational costs I assume?

Oof I know this was a long time ago, but it'll be a mixture of cost and value for fans on site. On the National circuit fans get 22 laps to see the cars going past, but on the GP layout that would be just 9 or 10 laps.

 

I don't mind the National circuit for BTCC as it's fast and frantic lap after lap, but I understand why series like F4 aren't going there anymore.

[PayasYouRace]

The GP layout is really too big for anything on the ToCA Tour. Certainly, touring cars will look a bit lost, a bit slow, using the whole track. There's little need to use it. The National Circuit provides good racing. Looks like I provided a similar answer at the time.

 

I'd give one exception though. If we got a Sunday morning support race for the British Grand Prix again.

[Skelly1927]

National Track is probably cheaper and they have a mild chance of recouping costs of hiring the track.

[Silverstone96]

All valid points but it would be nice to see them try the full GP circuit again, try and make something special out of it.

The super tourers never looked lost or slow on it.

Appreciate it would never fly with someone as conservative as Gow though!

[Skelly1927]

All valid points but it would be nice to see them try the full GP circuit again, try and make something special out of it.

The super tourers never looked lost or slow on it.

Appreciate it would never fly with someone as conservative as Gow though!

Empty stands don't look great on TV. Can't hide it at Silverstone.

[Silverstone96]

Empty stands don't look great on TV. Can't hide it at Silverstone.

I went to the Silverstone round last month, was a decent crowd but I think only 3-4 stands were open so even on the national track there were plenty of empty ones.

Guess tv angles can do some tricks, but it would be nice if they tried something different. Jake Hill said recently the calendar needs a real shake up as they are not utilising all the available layouts in the uk.

[PayasYouRace]

Do we think a 12 or 13 event calendar is doable? That was sort of the standard before the collapse of super touring.

Just looking at layouts on tracks currently raced at.

Brands Hatch Indy
Brands Hatch Grand Prix
Croft
Donington National
Donington Grand Prix
Knockhill
Oulton Park Fosters
Oulton Park Island
Oulton Park International
Silverstone National
Silverstone International
Silverstone Grand Prix
Snetterton 200
Snetterton 300
Thruxton

That’s 15. I get that not all tracks could likely support more than one event at the moment, but there’s still room for a bit of expansion without repeats. That’s before considering other circuits.

I think adding two high profile events would be a good idea. One would be the British GP support round, Sunday morning so you catch the big crowd. The other would be bringing back the one hour “enduro” with driver swaps. It would be a good opportunity for both young drivers to get exposure or to have high profile guests. That would have to be at a track with a big enough pit lane though. Donington or Brands are the obvious candidates.

The problem is, getting the money for any of this.

[Skelly1927]

I think adding two high profile events would be a good idea. One would be the British GP support round, Sunday morning so you catch the big crowd. The other would be bringing back the one hour “enduro” with driver swaps. It would be a good opportunity for both young drivers to get exposure or to have high profile guests. That would have to be at a track with a big enough pit lane though. Donington or Brands are the obvious candidates.

The problem is, getting the money for any of this.

F1 isn't going to give BTCC a support slot without an enormous fee. Even then I doubt they'd want the BTCC there anyway. I am not sure what the agreement is that allows Aussie Supercars on the F1 support bill. Australia seems to have always had a tradition like that, hence Superkarts being on the support bill back in the late 80s and early 90s. It'd be fun to see Superkarts support the F1 again, faster than BTCC as well.

Edited by Skelly1927, 26 October 2023 - 10:37.

[PayasYouRace]

BTCC has a longer tradition of supporting the British Grand Prix. Back to the very first season in 1958, and only missing the first couple of Aintree races until the last one in 1996. They even supported the European Grands Prix in ‘85 and ‘93. It’s a tradition that should be brought back.

If a deal can be done for Australia, a deal can be done for Silverstone.

[Skelly1927]

BTCC has a longer tradition of supporting the British Grand Prix. Back to the very first season in 1958, and only missing the first couple of Aintree races until the last one in 1996. They even supported the European Grands Prix in ‘85 and ‘93. It’s a tradition that should be brought back.

If a deal can be done for Australia, a deal can be done for Silverstone.

Australia is part-state funded, so one suspects there may be some certain other factors in play that ensures an Australian Series gets exposure, as well as the event not having the usual F3/F3/Porsche Support classes until last year. So the event had to fill the time with its own support classes. I know last year the Aus GP had F2 etc... but it'll be interesting to see if Supercars survives as it has been somewhat relegated in the weekend program https://www.speedcaf...an-gp-pit-lane/

I just can't see how a deal can be done with regard to BTCC and British GP. I don't think Liberty want it, I don't think the event will even has room for it. I don't think it adds any value to the event. Supercars certainly did to the Australian GP because they were bereft of normal support classes, but even that's now being relegated.

Looking to F1 for promotional benefit is a mistake a lot of motorsports make. 
 

Edited by Skelly1927, 26 October 2023 - 11:12.

[PayasYouRace]

Anyway, cynicism aside, what about the enduro? That doesn’t rely on F1.

[Burtros]

You know it’s TV and media rights that stop it. I’d love to see it but don’t think a GP support race will happen now. I wouldn’t jeopardise the ITV4 coverage for it either.

I’d like to Oulton Fosters back but not at the expense of Island. Using the GP track at Donnington this year was a welcome enough addition though. I miss Rockingham. Went there a few times, you could see the whole track nearly from the right place.

[Skelly1927]

Anyway, cynicism aside, what about the enduro? That doesn’t rely on F1.

I think drivers spending a lot of money will want to share the ride with 'younger drivers'. So what happens is they get sold to highest bidder.  BTCC is not in a strong enough position to talk about 'young drivers' in the context of some extended hierarchy within the sport's structure.

Edited by Skelly1927, 26 October 2023 - 11:17.

[PayasYouRace]

I miss Rockingham. It’s the only racetrack I’ve actually driven in real life (unless you count parts of Long Beach), and in a single seater to boot. Shame it’s become a car park.

[Burtros]

So they are doubling the effect of the hybrid boost system for next year.

https://www.btcc.net...-JpjudE_uMCqfuQ

Now, from 2024 that same push of the button will have double the amount of power output.

Next year’s increased power levels will be through a combination of both hybrid and turbo boost, with the final figure being double of that available during the 2023 season. The combined hybrid-turbo boost will work completely in tandem and will be deployed via the same original HEM system.

I like the sound of this!

Edited by Burtros, 30 October 2023 - 11:18.

[Skelly1927]

So they are doubling the effect of the hybrid boost system for next year.

https://www.btcc.net...-JpjudE_uMCqfuQ

I like the sound of this!

Even less reason to watch. Push button passing is dreadful, especially in a touring car context.

Going back to full manual gearboxes would be far better.