[BTCC] BTCC 2020 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by RS67

Have a word with yourself. Not everyone reads this forum.

No but it was bloody funny for those who do - especially when the bait got taken....

[medius]

Have any teams spoke on the record about the new calendar, bedsides Shaun on here?

[Pdh]

Originally Posted by medius

Have any teams spoke on the record about the new calendar, bedsides Shaun on here?

There was an article on autosport website last week with quotes from dick bennetts

[peebee2]

Did he mention Fridays?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by peebee2

Did he mention Fridays?

Yes, then denied it!

[geordiecriag101]

BTCC related, but can people remember Jonny Smith from 5th Gear? He has his own YouTube called CarPervert and has just done a video of a tour around Swindon Engines were you can see them and everythintg else they do, it a good watch:

https://youtu.be/ArVrokETJ2E

[bella]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Yes, then denied it!

a career as the health minister beckons

look, in all seriousness, before other mods turn up and start reigning with an iron bat, could people please remember that whilst this is a time of high stress levels for everybody, there’s no excuse for throwing toys out of the pram or flouncing off in a tantrum or anything.

if you’re in a strop go and take it out on the tory facebook page or something like every other rational human being

[RS67]

On his breakfast show this morning, Chris Evans was talking to Hancock about the loosening of the lockdown and mass gatherings. His response was any internal events were unlikely for the remainder of the year, but external events were a strong possibility. However people shouldn't be moving from one county to another without good reason. So if you live in Kent, you would be allowed to go to Brands Hatch, Hampshire, you are ok for Thruxton, Norfolk, you are ok for Snetterton, etc. So if the county you live in does not have a race track holding a BTCC race meeting and you aren't working at that meeting, you won't be allowed to attend any meetings.
That should make social distancing very easy for spectators at each meeting. Rest of us will have to watch it all on TV.

[S griffin]

Makes sense to me to do it that way. Of course they would probably have to check people’s postcode to make sure they are from that county. The only problem is Silverstone as that is in two counties, but then again they are using the one that is in Northants

[antnee]

I live by Donington, if you need tickets PM me

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by antnee

I live by Donington, if you need tickets PM me

Tickets, pah!

I've disguised myself as a hedge and dug in at the Craners for the duration...

[KA]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Makes sense to me to do it that way. Of course they would probably have to check people’s postcode to make sure they are from that county. The only problem is Silverstone as that is in two counties, but then again they are using the one that is in Northants

Might be a bit tricky at Donington, which being only a matter of a yards from the Leics/Derbys boundary, actually has a Derby postcode....

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by RS67

On his breakfast show this morning, Chris Evans was talking to Hancock about the loosening of the lockdown and mass gatherings. His response was any internal events were unlikely for the remainder of the year, but external events were a strong possibility. However people shouldn't be moving from one county to another without good reason. So if you live in Kent, you would be allowed to go to Brands Hatch, Hampshire, you are ok for Thruxton, Norfolk, you are ok for Snetterton, etc. So if the county you live in does not have a race track holding a BTCC race meeting and you aren't working at that meeting, you won't be allowed to attend any meetings.
That should make social distancing very easy for spectators at each meeting. Rest of us will have to watch it all on TV.

Damn it, no tracks in my county! Time to get a job sweeping up the garages

[kipper]

Originally Posted by KA

Might be a bit tricky at Donington, which being only a matter of a yards from the Leics/Derbys boundary, actually has a Derby postcode....

One thought that springs to mind is that tickets could be sold in advance only to the occupiers of properties with a postcode within a pescribed distance of the circuit.

[S griffin]

Well my Aunt and Uncle live in Derby and they have been to Donington plenty of times

[GT6]

Well if it happens i will be at brands, but i am doubtful we will see any BTCC this year to be brutally honest.

[S griffin]

I am actually more optimistic it will happen. The way Gow and Palmer are trying to make it happen makes me think we will see racing this season.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I am actually more optimistic it will happen. The way Gow and Palmer are trying to make it happen makes me think we will see racing this season.

Listening to Gow talk, I sensed that he seems a bit more realistic rather than optimistic.

Planning is being done in the hope of racing, but I think his own views were tempered by the scale of the challenge and the external factors that he has little influence over.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I am actually more optimistic it will happen. The way Gow and Palmer are trying to make it happen makes me think we will see racing this season.

I hope you’re right, but I think crmalcolm has it spot on.

Yes they’d like to race (ie. generate revenue) but actually whether it’s permitted is nothing to do with them. It’s 100% a governmental decision.

[Peter Mallett]

I think Palmer's approach is more realistic. I understand him to be advocating the club racing angle as the first steps because you are more likely to be able to social distance at events where fewer people are present. That will bring a modicum of income to the circuits without having to splash out on the full medical and logistical support required by BTCC or GT etc.

If so, then don't expect anything from BTCC and the like until well into the autumn.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I think Palmer's approach is more realistic. I understand him to be advocating the club racing angle as the first steps because you are more likely to be able to social distance at events where fewer people are present. That will bring a modicum of income to the circuits without having to splash out on the full medical and logistical support required by BTCC or GT etc.

If so, then don't expect anything from BTCC and the like until well into the autumn.

Yep - track days, testing (not free practice ) and club racing will be the easiest to get back up and running so I'd expect them to be first back. Bigger meetings will probably be behind closed doors I'd have thought - or very limited advance tickets only.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I think Palmer's approach is more realistic. I understand him to be advocating the club racing angle as the first steps because you are more likely to be able to social distance at events where fewer people are present. That will bring a modicum of income to the circuits without having to splash out on the full medical and logistical support required by BTCC or GT etc.

I had similar thoughts when they first started talking about rescheduled BTCC dates. Given the number of spectator tickets actually sold for most club meetings, you could run it behind closed doors and the revenue hit would be minimal. I seem to recall not that many years ago there was some serious discussion about running club meetings as closed events as a way to save on costs.

[Peter Mallett]

Yes, since its the entrants/drivers who pay the fees the business model is the opposite of a major event. Also limited permits mean lesser logistics and insurances.

[mark_l]

I really can't see circuits being given the go ahead to reopen before July at the earliest, then it will take probably a couple of weeks to get everything ready for the first cars to go around the track.

I am not sure what day to day maintenance is being done behind the scenes to keep the circuits race ready.

[Peter Mallett]

Well, construction companies have, where possible, restarted so an open space should be a doddle.