[BTCC] BTCC 2021

[redshoes]

Seems odd starting a 2021 season thread when the 2020 season hasn't started yet, but here we are.

http://www.btcc.net/2020/07/20/2021-...dar-announced/

3/4 April Brands Hatch (Indy)
17/18 April Donington Park (National)
8/9 May Thruxton
15/16 May Oulton Park (Island)
12/13 June Croft
31 July/1 August Snetterton (300)
14/15 August Knockhill
28/29 August Thruxton
25/26 September Silverstone (National)
9/10 October Brands Hatch (Grand Prix)

[crmalcolm]

Back to two visits to Thruxton then...

[Evantra]

Shame, didn't even race it this year and they've gotten rid of it. Much rather that than the second Thruxton. Or even the national circuit.

[Matt K]

Huge shame Silverstone International was dropped, I'm curious what was the reason behind it. Going twice to Thruxton seems pointless given two Silverstone layouts are just like two different racetracks.

[redshoes]

Can't find the original story from a few years ago, but I thought it the idea was to rotate the extra round across the different circuits where possible. Maybe the plan was to have 2 rounds at Thruxton on alternate years, being BARC's home circuit.

I can understand dropping Silverstone International if they tried it and it didn't work that well, but seemingly it's been dropped without ever being used.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Can't find the original story from a few years ago, but I thought it the idea was to rotate the extra round across the different circuits where possible. Maybe the plan was to have 2 rounds at Thruxton on alternate years, being BARC's home circuit.

I can understand dropping Silverstone International if they tried it and it didn't work that well, but seemingly it's been dropped without ever being used.

https://www.motorsport.com/btcc/news...ayout/4475521/

“We had a ‘spare’ round after Rockingham dropped out of the calendar after 2018, and we said we would move that event around the country. There are two visits to Thruxton in 2019, but we always had it in mind to look at other venues.

“Silverstone was keen for another round and it ticks the boxes because it has different layouts we can use. We will give the International circuit a try, and it will be great to be based out of the Wing pitlane.”

[touring fan01]

someone asked alan gow the silverstone question on his forum. his reply;

Silverstone themselves wanted their event on the National circuit, and not the International, for next year. It was entirely their decsion.
Just as it was also entirely their decision to have the one BTCC event and not take up the option of a second, for next year.

[S griffin]

Well that solves it then. Shame really, would have been nice to see a different layout. Let's see if we still have racing of the highest order with this calendar, there is still plenty of good circuits on the calendar

[Moneyseeker]

BTCC is such a fan friendly event, I could never see that working stuck out in the wing anyway.

[RS67]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

BTCC is such a fan friendly event, I could never see that working stuck out in the wing anyway.

I have seen a few race meetings held from the Wing, only problem I can see is access for the pit lane walkabout/autograph session if you are on the outside of the track. But then again since the bridge was removed from the old start/finish straight, that isn't exactly much better either.

[Sodemo]

Are they building a bridge over the new start finish straight? Reason I ask is that in the newest F1 game, the Silverstone track has a bridge there now.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Are they building a bridge over the new start finish straight? Reason I ask is that in the newest F1 game, the Silverstone track has a bridge there now.

https://www.racefans.net/2018/09/10/...t-silverstone/

'The Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone will offer views of the circuit and connect directly to the Silverstone Wing pit and paddock complex via a bridge over the straight.'

[mark_l]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

https://www.racefans.net/2018/09/10/...t-silverstone/

'The Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone will offer views of the circuit and connect directly to the Silverstone Wing pit and paddock complex via a bridge over the straight.'

...and will no doubt cost an eye watering arm & a leg to get a room.

Hotel 'officially' opens March 2021 but not taking reservations at the moment.

[antnee]

Interesting to find out that it is down to Silverstone - I bet it costs them more to put on a race through temporary facilities hence sticking to the national.

[S griffin]

Hopefully it can be completed in time, even if I'm not fussed either way

[crmalcolm]

For those who long for the return of the MG name, or want to see another estate car in the championship - any chance the latest release might fit the bill?

New MG 5 electric estate headed to UK
'The Ei5 is 4.54m long, just under 1.82m wide and 1.54m tall, making it around 10cm shorter than the Ford Focus Estate, although its 2.67m wheelbase is only 43mm shorter.'

[crmalcolm]

Or as is traditional around these parts - Kia to enter BTCC:

'The as-yet-unnamed EV was first detailed earlier this year as part of the Korean manufacturer's bold, £19 billion 'Plan S' strategy to transition to a producer of EVs and mobility solutions by 2025.'

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Or as is traditional around these parts - Kia to enter BTCC:

'The as-yet-unnamed EV was first detailed earlier this year as part of the Korean manufacturer's bold, £19 billion 'Plan S' strategy to transition to a producer of EVs and mobility solutions by 2025.'

Hmm can we start the Kia AND MG enter BTCC thread?

Actually, I wonder what are the plans for the UK market of MG, I could see them back in the BTCC provided there's a right model to stick to.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Matt K

Hmm can we start the Kia AND MG enter BTCC thread?

Actually, I wonder what are the plans for the UK market of MG, I could see them back in the BTCC provided there's a right model to stick to.

Well it won be Mitsibushi- pulling out of Europe.

[crmalcolm]

Team	Car	Driver	Notes
Confirmed Entries
Power Maxed	Vauxhall Astra VXR	Plato	Confirmed in press release
Power Maxed	Vauxhall Astra VXR	???	Confirmed in press release
Team Dynamics	Honda Civic FK8	Cammish	Confirmed in press release
Likely Entries
Team Dynamics	Honda Civic FK8	???
Excelr8	Hyundai i30	???
Excelr8	Hyundai i30	???
WSR	BMW 330i	???
WSR	BMW 330i	???
WSR	BMW 330i	???
Speedworks	Toyota Corolla	???
Laser Tools	Infiniti Q50	Moffat
Laser Tools	Infiniti Q50	Sutton
Ciceley Motorsport	MB A-Class	Morgan
Ciceley Motorsport	MB A-Class	???
AmD (MB Motorsport)	???	???
AmD (MB Motorsport)	???	???
AmD (Trade Price?)	???	???
AmD (Trade Price?)	???	???
HARD	BMW 125i	Boardley
HARD	???	???
HARD	???	???
HARD	???	???
BTC Racing	Honda Civic FK8	???
BTC Racing	Honda Civic FK8	???
BTC Racing	Honda Civic FK8	???
Motorbase	Ford Focus	???
Motorbase	Ford Focus	???
Motorbase	Ford Focus	???
Team Parker	BMW 125i	???
Possible Entries
Speedworks	Toyota Corolla	???	Stated as planning for two cars at a given point
Entries with doubt

[VXDave]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Good to see the table forming up, cheers.

RE PMR, have they confirmed an Astra VXR for next year? Such a thing doesn't currently exist but wondered if you've seen some confirmation they will run a new model next year?

I was actually wondering if they will run a Vauxhall at all - they seem to get almost no manufacturer support and at the 2020 Media Day, they had stripped all Vauxhall branding from 2019...

Cheers,

Dave.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by VXDave

Good to see the table forming up, cheers.

RE PMR, have they confirmed an Astra VXR for next year? Such a thing doesn't currently exist but wondered if you've seen some confirmation they will run a new model next year?

I was actually wondering if they will run a Vauxhall at all - they seem to get almost no manufacturer support and at the 2020 Media Day, they had stripped all Vauxhall branding from 2019...

Cheers,

Dave.

Oops - that was a typo that slipped on from a previous document (VXR). I'll put a question mark against the VXR in the next update.

The team have said it will still be running an Astra. Adam Weaver - 7 Jul 20: 'It means that we’ve got even more time to develop the Astras and will come out of the blocks fighting next March!'

Is there a chance it will be a VXR?
Vauxhall still recognise the VXR brand on their website, listing past models and celebrating their history. A spokesperson is quoted as saying: 'VXR will survive; [without] six or eight cylinders and a turbocharger or two. It’ll need more efficient power sources. We haven’t lost this sporting brand, and it will remain at the forefront of performance motoring in the mainstream. [VXR] will always be a hardcore offering, with a jump in performance as well as very focussed dynamics.'

[Alfisti]

The VXR brand is on the cards for a return, market conditions being agreeable. And it may be eVXR. Or just plain VXR but with a green R in place of the red one.

The first car will be a Corsa, it will be hybrid and it will share drive train, chassis and pretty much most things with it's Peugeot 208 brother.

An Astra VXR would not be until after the next gen Astra has been around for a year or two and depend on market conditions. Ford, as I understand, do not believe their is a market that makes commercial sense for an RS version of the current Focus - likely PSA will be using similar methods to project product viability. I'm guessing not, unless the world economy is magically cured.

As for BTCC - expect the existing PMR cars back for next year.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

An Astra VXR would not be until after the next gen Astra has been around for a year or two and depend on market conditions.

I'm not saying it is 100% accurate, but some circles are reporting that a VXR-badged Astra will be appearing as soon as 2021:

Carbuyer: 'a plug-in hybrid version of the new Astra will be offered. [...] The Hybrid4 will be badged as a VXR model, Vauxhall’s performance moniker, and it’ll have the acceleration and handling to suit the VXR badge. '

msn: 'But the Astra Hybrid4 VXR, [...] is expected to go on sale shortly after the new Astra’s launch in 2021.'

I guess the chance of 2021 seeing a VXR in the BTCC depends on how much PSA (and the UK dealer network) want to get the VXR brand back in the forefront of the general public? It would mean moving to the new model, which PMR have not indicated as a possibility yet so I expect it is unlikely.

Some might argue that running an Astra VXR in the BTCC does not fit with the showroom model being a 1.6L (rumoured). But that hasn't stopped Motorbase sticking ST on their Focus, when the showroom model is a 2.3L.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I'm not saying it is 100% accurate, but some circles are reporting that a VXR-badged Astra will be appearing as soon as 2021:

Carbuyer: 'a plug-in hybrid version of the new Astra will be offered. [...] The Hybrid4 will be badged as a VXR model, Vauxhall’s performance moniker, and it’ll have the acceleration and handling to suit the VXR badge. '

msn: 'But the Astra Hybrid4 VXR, [...] is expected to go on sale shortly after the new Astra’s launch in 2021.'

I guess the chance of 2021 seeing a VXR in the BTCC depends on how much PSA (and the UK dealer network) want to get the VXR brand back in the forefront of the general public? It would mean moving to the new model, which PMR have not indicated as a possibility yet so I expect it is unlikely.

Some might argue that running an Astra VXR in the BTCC does not fit with the showroom model being a 1.6L (rumoured). But that hasn't stopped Motorbase sticking ST on their Focus, when the showroom model is a 2.3L.

The fast Astra - if it gets production go ahead - will, like the fast Corsa, share it's Peugeot brother's parts bin. So the new 308 in this case. Likely a turbocharged 1.6 petrol with a hybrid gubbins.

Unfortunately the linked articles are typical "Auto Express" style mock up a new car that isn't announced and pad out with any legit sounding reference you can find. Or failing that, invent it. I used to write some of this rubbish in a past life.

I also believe the electric MG estate for sale in the UK story to be ********. The market is not anywhere near to being at a volume where the likes of VW, PSA, Ford can sell an electric estate and turn a profit. Mr Chinaman's tiny market share would certainly not return a margin. Guess we'll see - but estate cars simply don't sell to family buyers anymore - they mostly buy SUV tanks. Sales reps tool around in estates, but they need diesel.