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

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by BobJones

If the big logo on the rear quarter is still there, then it's simply timing and Jack is stood there to cover it.

But it won't be there come the weekend. If you don't pay, then goodbye.

That's true, there was another photo without Jack in front of it though.

[AnnoyedMoose]

Government has classed BTCC as elite sport (!) so no spectators allowed this weekend.

[S griffin]

Now that is a turn up for the books, suddenly it’s an elite sport. Does that mean it’ll get even more TV?

Shame we can’t have spectators, it won’t be the same without them

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Does that mean it’ll get even more TV?

What do you mean by more TV?

All races are currently shown FTA...

[GT6]

So does that mean no access to brands as well

[AnnoyedMoose]

Originally Posted by GT6

So does that mean no access to brands as well

I would think so. It's the event rather than the location so anywhere BTCC races spectators won't be allowed. I expect the same will happen with British Superbikes as well.

[fergus_r]

Originally Posted by GT6

So does that mean no access to brands as well

Yes. Spectators can start being 'trialled' in limited numbers, for select sports, from 1 October. I believe BSB is classed as 'elite' as well.

As per the guidance released at the start of July, but for whatever reason it's taken this long for MSV to get confirmation from the DCMS re. the status of BTCC.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Doesn't look like that way

"Rowbottom’s departure means that the Ciceley programme will now run under the Carlube Triple R Racing banner."

Both the entry list posted earlier and BTCC website refer to them as 'Carlube Triple R Racing with Mac Tools', previously it was '.. with Cataclean & Mac Tools'

[S griffin]

So the BTCC is too important to take chances? Kind of understandable, same with BSB. Hope we get some crowds before the end of the season, it doesn’t seem right without them

All depends on how well the trial runs go. I could have seen a big crowd at Brands, but for this unfortunately

[MagicBoy]

Yet British GT at Oulton Park this weekend is fine....

[AnnoyedMoose]

Originally Posted by MagicBoy

Yet British GT at Oulton Park this weekend is fine....

Not elite according to the big wigs....

[MagicBoy]

Originally Posted by AnnoyedMoose

Not elite according to the big wigs....

At least we know where the line is now.

Might go to Oulton instead if the tickets are still available...

[redshoes]

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...ce-step-one--2
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport guidance, including definition of 'Elite Sport', in case you were wondering. It's not clear cut why it applies to BTCC and not British GT/F3; I guess it's a question of degrees.

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by AnnoyedMoose

Not elite according to the big wigs....

British Gt sucks since the Powertour era , then you had super tourer drivers liek John Claland and Tim Harvey doing the rounds

[thetool]

Originally Posted by redshoes

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...ce-step-one--2
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport guidance, including definition of 'Elite Sport', in case you were wondering. It's not clear cut why it applies to BTCC and not British GT/F3; I guess it's a question of degrees.

I wonder if this change in classification is going to cause any logistical problems. My understanding is that as an elite event there are now far more regulations and requirements for them to comply with.

[EastonNeston]

Not really a surprise decision, there's amble evidence of the series being advertised as a "top level" series, therefore the ban on spectators is understandable.
Other sports, and motorsport venues, have followed the regulations, and are now having test events with spectators. For whatever resons, MSV have decided they were above the law and were not going to follow the regulations the rest of the sports and entertainment industry have to abide by.
I'm sure the ECB would have preferred to have had spectators at their games, likewise the FA with football, however they, rightly adhered to the regulations.

[GT6]

MSV has had events at brands with spectators over the last few weeks so they have been doing something

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by thetool

I wonder if this change in classification is going to cause any logistical problems. My understanding is that as an elite event there are now far more regulations and requirements for them to comply with.

TOCA was always going to comply with the rules for being an elite sport.

It was only MSV that is going against the ruling from Motorsport UK about spectators.

[fergus_r]

Originally Posted by GT6

MSV has had events at brands with spectators over the last few weeks so they have been doing something

But those meetings are not classified as elite sport such as BTCC or BSB.

[MagicBoy]

Originally Posted by fergus_r

But those meetings are not classified as elite sport such as BTCC or BSB.

Assuming things are relatively equivalent ... what's the real world difference between a British GT meeting with 2000 spectators and a BTCC meeting with 2000 spectactors if both are held at MSV circuits?

Other than BTCC being determined as Elite?

[Sodemo]

Quite a farcical situation by both the government and MSV. Quite why this kind of event is deemed to be “unsafe” yet Alton Towers is open is beyond comprehension. So a theme park where there is much common touching of surfaces and potential for bunching, is deemed safe, yet an event where people can spread out on grass and never be near one another is unsafe, boggles the mind.

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by GT6

MSV has had events at brands with spectators over the last few weeks so they have been doing something

Technically, they were 'visitors' as MSV was using the example of zoos and theme parks being open for 'visitors' to open their own 'grounds' for 'visitors'.

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by redshoes

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...ce-step-one--2
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport guidance, including definition of 'Elite Sport', in case you were wondering. It's not clear cut why it applies to BTCC and not British GT/F3; I guess it's a question of degrees.

Reading that you can see that it is not intended to cover the BTCC, this is intended for athletics, football and other stadium sport. But this is what happens with catch all regulations sometimes and the BTCC has been snagged in the net, but is not the intended 'catch'. IMO

[RS67]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Quite a farcical situation by both the government and MSV. Quite why this kind of event is deemed to be “unsafe” yet Alton Towers is open is beyond comprehension. So a theme park where there is much common touching of surfaces and potential for bunching, is deemed safe, yet an event where people can spread out on grass and never be near one another is unsafe, boggles the mind.

Neither the government, nor MSV are at fault, there have been increases in covid cases over the last few days. Other countries are experiencing similar. With second waves expected, measures have to be taken to control that. I daresay someone has taken a look at spectator figures for BTCC events and decided that number is way to high and poses a risk, compared to other motorsport events which have much lower attendances.

[bella]

Originally Posted by Moneyseeker

Technically, they were 'visitors' as MSV was using the example of zoos and theme parks being open for 'visitors' to open their own 'grounds' for 'visitors'.

this is what makes me think msv were desperate to get people through the gates. by limiting numbers they were able to keep a lid on the cost of hosting said people. considering there’s a chap with medical experience at the helm, they should be being over cautious about certain stuff and evidence shows they really aren’t.

look at italy. i was at imola last week. i had to hand in a signed declaration that i was clean and that i’d self isolate if i felt even remotely dodgy, was then given a wristband to confirm i’d handed in said declaration and was temperature checked every morning. call it performative, but it was a positive signed declaration rather than a passive agreement, and temperature checking catches the symptom people might not realise they have, especially when it’s 35 degrees plus every day. it felt safe and reassuring.