BTCC 2024 News & Rumours

[samchevron]

19 cars here (unless the now-named "Unlimited Motorsport" Cupra Leon gets out). 20 in the official preview.

That is a good number considering how other series have also lost entries as well.

[thetool]

This has to be the lowest key media day for the series, ever. Still no publically available entry list as far as I can see, just a single tracking shot posted from the morning, only on the BTCC Instagram.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

https://btcc.net/2024/04/16/top-quality-line-up-confirmed-for-2024-btcc/

Season preview has " A Third WSR entry could still be confirmed"

So - DeLeon's entry is under the banner 'Unlimited Motorsport'.

And Laser Tools don't get a mention when listing the teams entered.
I think Hill might be a bit miffed that the breakdown of entries overlooks their participation.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by thetool

Still no publically available entry list as far as I can see,

I think the efforts to fill the final WSR seat means that a full 'official' entry list is being held back currently.

[BtccLee]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I think the efforts to fill the final WSR seat means that a full 'official' entry list is being held back currently.

20 confirmed, 21 with the TBC for the 3rd WSR seat but reading that entry list the quality really seems to be there. Reading through the regulation changes, theoretically, this should be one of the most open and interesting years in recent memory. Cannot wait.

[thetool]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I think the efforts to fill the final WSR seat means that a full 'official' entry list is being held back currently.

Surely a simple "TBA" would suffice, like it has in many years past? I understand the championship is trying to manage the situation of their being a lower entry than in the past, but even the Facebook BTCC fans can see there's lots missing and the fact there isn't an entry list published doesn't help matters.

In the grand scheme of things it's not really that big a deal, up until the last decade or so the entry list at media day was only ever a rough guide as to who to expect at round 1, usually with a plethora of TBA and some that would never turn up, but at least it was a transparent statement of the current state-of-affairs.

[Moneyseeker]

Entry list
https://btcc.net/wp-content/uploads/...ist_120424.pdf

[thetool]

Thanks!

No doubting the strength of the top 10 or so. Not much to shout about after that though.

Amusingly the document is still titled 2023 on the file, understandly they've just edited last years, but you'd think there would be a bit more diligence!

[MagicBoy]

Originally Posted by thetool

This has to be the lowest key media day for the series, ever. Still no publically available entry list as far as I can see, just a single tracking shot posted from the morning, only on the BTCC Instagram.

https://btcc.net/wp-content/uploads/...ist_120424.pdf

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

So - DeLeon's entry is under the banner 'Unlimited Motorsport'.

One website states that he is using the Moffatt TBL.

[porsche962fan]

so many "works" drivers and so few independents it's almost super tourer days on paper

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

One website states that he is using the Moffatt TBL.

Correct.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

so many "works" drivers and so few independents it's almost super tourer days on paper

5 for the Independents (conversely 15 ‘manufacturer’ cars in loose terms is a strong figure) and 6 for the Jack Sears.

Sumpton is the only rookie.

If Napa, Excelr8, WSR and Speedworks are all fairly evenly matched it should be really great.

[S griffin]

Be good if we could allow a few one car teams in, but we should be in for a good season all the same. Sumpton could find it tough though

I wonder if Alliance could have a tough season. Especially with WSR, Speedworks and Excelr8 looking good

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Be good if we could allow a few one car teams in, but we should be in for a good season all the same. Sumpton could find it tough though

I wonder if Alliance could have a tough season. Especially with WSR, Speedworks and Excelr8 looking good

For such teams to be "allowed" first there needs to be an interested party. There is no at the moment, not one that could put it all together at least.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I wonder if Alliance could have a tough season. Especially with WSR, Speedworks and Excelr8 looking good

The Napa cars appear to be holding their own, so far. However, they or other teams could be sand-bagging and, of course, during testing sessions no-one is aware of how they are running their cars, e.g. what tyres or what amount of fuel, etc., obviously apart from the individual teams.

[Moneyseeker]

Interesting video from The Race Bay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZzU323Ef6g

[Mike Harte]

DeLeon eventually managed an out lap, so has not recorded a proper time, and the session has now finished.

[SSmith]

https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=TOCA/2024/241641trg.pdf


Results pdf for those interested

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

Interesting video from The Race Bay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZzU323Ef6g

Didn't someone post a link to this at the end of last year, or did they have another one the previous year?

[tocatrucky]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Didn't someone post a link to this at the end of last year, or did they have another one the previous year?

Yes the video there is from last November.

[mick bennett]

Well worth watching, v good. thanks

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

DeLeon eventually managed an out lap, so has not recorded a proper time, and the session has now finished.

Looking at the sector times, did they get a load of people to push him out of the pit lane and see if he could build up enough momentum down Craners to coast round the rest of the lap.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

So - DeLeon's entry is under the banner 'Unlimited Motorsport'.

From Autosport - https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/...test/10599489/

"The apparent rebirth of Team Hard has now moved under the name of Unlimited Motorsport with new ownership, although Hard boss Tony Gilham was in evidence at Donington for the one-car Cupra Leon effort."

Companies House shows a company called Un-Limited Motorsport was incorporated on March 4th, and based near Brands Hatch.

Also in the article, "Power Maxed Racing chief Adam Weaver confirmed that his team will slim down to two Vauxhall Astras for this season, with Aron Taylor-Smith and Mikey Doble, due to the lack of drivers with a budget to take part." AND "WSR has entered its fourth BMW but has not nominated a driver, with team boss Dick Bennetts confirming that the squad is still working on a deal to get Bobby Thompson onto the grid for the opening round back at Donington on 27-28 April."

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Pickles

It was pushed out onto the grid and then pushed back into the garage, looks like it needs a lot of parts. I doubt they'll get it running today. No sponsors on it except Bartercard, Autobrite are on Daryl's suit but they've pulled out.

Are there are any photos of the livery or was it blank apart from the sponsors?