BTCC 2024 News & Rumours

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

No where near enough to fund a drive - maybe a support ride like NAPA or BMW although I hear they charge the most! Also I wouldn't include Watson who clearly covered his PMR ride. Time will tell...

Understood.
Just to take this further then, what is the delta between the funding provided by GS Batteries (Yuasa), LOKRing, Walker Logistics etc. and the amount needed to fund a drive at Speedworks?

[coffinpilot]

A little bit. Race Tech magazine is free to read online at the moment, page 19 in the news section has some pre-release info from the recent BTCC fan survey. According to the report 80% of fans agree with the Hybrid introduction being positive. "Almost universal praise" they claim!!

I take it the survey wasn't shared in the BTCC Facebook groups then!! Or was only open to people allowed into the TCOA truck!!

Okay, maybe a little pedantic, but the article and the mag was shared on Twitter by the publisher here:

https://edition.pagesuite-profession...3-dced606a31e0

[MarcusH26]

Originally Posted by Steel Wheels

I seem to recall Excelr8 didn’t want to run more than 4 cars, but would happily supply cars to another team.

That was my understanding of what they said at Silverstone, Tim Harvey jumped the gun when they announced the extension with BSM to mean they were going to run 6 cars themselves.

But a pair of customer i30s I could see being an attractive deal for someone

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Understood.
Just to take this further then, what is the delta between the funding provided by GS Batteries (Yuasa), LOKRing, Walker Logistics etc. and the amount needed to fund a drive at Speedworks?

As usual I wish I had never posted I think we all know what I am saying

[Ant25]

Originally Posted by Spanner monkey

With Exceler8 moving to the Dynamics workshop's and maybe running 5 cars could Shedden go there???

Didn’t know that they was moving into dynamics workshop? How long has this been planned if it’s true?

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

A little bit. Race Tech magazine is free to read online at the moment, page 19 in the news section has some pre-release info from the recent BTCC fan survey. According to the report 80% of fans agree with the Hybrid introduction being positive. "Almost universal praise" they claim!!

I take it the survey wasn't shared in the BTCC Facebook groups then!! Or was only open to people allowed into the TCOA truck!!

Okay, maybe a little pedantic, but the article and the mag was shared on Twitter by the publisher here:

https://edition.pagesuite-profession...3-dced606a31e0

I struggle to believe that too, it was a similar response last year IIRC. Presumably everyone loves the wonderful option tyres too?

I don’t remember a survey being posted anywhere for this year myself?

[antnee]

There is 170 miles between the Exceler8 and Dynamics workshops. Seems a strange move, more so as Dynamics use it for their historics and TCR car.

[crmalcolm]

Yesterday's announcement also firms up a couple of team names:

2024 TBL	2024 Team	Car	Driver	Status
Excelr8 Motorsport-1	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8	Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance	Pearson	Confirmed for 2 years in press release (24&25)
Excelr8 Motorsport-2	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8	Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance	Ingram	Discussed his 2024 aspirations at AI
Excelr8 Motorsport-3	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8	Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance	???	Title sponsor confirmed
Excelr8 Motorsport-4	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8	Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance	???	Title sponsor confirmed
Alliance Racing-1	NAPA Racing UK	Ford Focus ST	Sutton	Confirmed in Press Release
Alliance Racing -2	NAPA Racing UK	Ford Focus ST	Cammish	Confirmed in Press Release
Alliance Racing -3	NAPA Racing UK	Ford Focus ST	Rowbottom	Confirmed in AI interview
Alliance Racing -4	NAPA Racing UK	Ford Focus ST	Osborne?
West Surrey Racing-1	Team BMW	BMW 330e M Sport	Turkington	Discussed his 2024 aspirations in interview
West Surrey Racing-2	Team BMW	BMW 330e M Sport	Morgan?
West Surrey Racing-3	Team BMW	BMW 330e M Sport	???
West Surrey Racing-4	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	BMW 330e M Sport	Hill	Confirmed in Press Release
Speedworks Motorsport-1	Toyota Gazoo Racing UK	Toyota Corolla GR Sport	Huff?	Team stated they are evaluating
Speedworks Motorsport-2	Toyota Gazoo Racing UK	Toyota Corolla GR Sport	Gamble / Collard?	Team stated they are working on a deal
Speedworks Motorsport-3	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	Toyota Corolla GR Sport	Cook	Confirmed in Press Release
Speedworks Motorsport-4	LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ	Toyota Corolla GR Sport	???
Power Maxed Racing-1	CarStore Power Maxed Racing	Vauxhall Astra	Taylor-Smith	Confirmed in Press Release (24&25)
Power Maxed Racing-2	CarStore Power Maxed Racing	Vauxhall Astra	Doble	Confirmed in Press Release
Power Maxed Racing-3	CarStore Power Maxed Racing	Vauxhall Astra	Watson?	Scheduled for official BTCC filming
Restart Racing-1	Restart Racing	Cupra León	Smiley	Confirmed in Press Release
Restart Racing-2	Restart Racing	Cupra León	Sumpton	Confirmed in Press Release
One Motorsport-1	One Motorsport?	Honda Civic Type R?	???
One Motorsport -2	One Motorsport?	Honda Civic Type R?	????
One Motorsport -3	One Motorsport?	Honda Civic Type R?	???
Aiden Moffat Racing-1	???	???	???
Aiden Moffat Racing-2	???	???	???
CBM Racing-1	???	???	???
Other Rumours
???	???	???	Hamilton	Spoke to ITV stating he is working on a deal
???	???	???	Thompson	Stated he is confident of being on the grid, and supported by Team Dynamics

Key:
Green/Bold – Confirmed in a press release since the start of 2023 season
Green – Confirmed in a press release prior to 2023 season
Amber – Indicated as happening by comments from official sources
Blue – Rumoured in multiple sources

[BtccLee]

Is it out of the question Car Gods/Gamble could pick up a BMW or two? He went well with Cicely, and then potentially a line-up of Gamble/Watson (spitballing here) could be hugely competitive…

[tocatrucky]

Originally Posted by antnee

There is 170 miles between the Exceler8 and Dynamics workshops. Seems a strange move, more so as Dynamics use it for their historics and TCR car.

Indeed, Dynamics is currently rammed full of Lotus Cortina shells and bits, I delivered another one there on Monday.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

A little bit. Race Tech magazine is free to read online at the moment, page 19 in the news section has some pre-release info from the recent BTCC fan survey. According to the report 80% of fans agree with the Hybrid introduction being positive. "Almost universal praise" they claim!

That issue is dated April 2023. The story is a summary of the story that BTCC put out in Feb 2023 (https://www.btcc.net/2023/02/10/btcc...recent-survey/)

Mrs Brown's Boys was once voted Britain's best sitcom, so don't take any survey results at face value.

[Ant25]

Originally Posted by BtccLee

Is it out of the question Car Gods/Gamble could pick up a BMW or two? He went well with Cicely, and then potentially a line-up of Gamble/Watson (spitballing here) could be hugely competitive…

Now that would be a competitive line up! Would like to see that happen tbh

[Protonman]

Now that the livery is revealed is it too obvious to pencil in Moffatt as cooks team mate . If so one must ask why he also wasn’t named at same time as cook or maybe beforehand. Just to test the water and drawing from previous rumours , can we expect the unexpected . Theirs the rumour of one or two returning stars , how about Sheddon or Plato . JP especially formed a great partnership with Cook and showed him more respect than he is normally known with other team mates . I also wonder why he didn’t follow through on promises of a new beginning in another series. Waiting for a good drive in the BTCC maybe . If that seems a long odds option then perhaps Edwards . Been talking up prospect with more optimism than recent years and a good working relationship with Cook . Also a great commercial prospect given that women can’t seem to buy a chance in the championship . Just look at what’s happened in other sports by having a female profile . She may also surprise a few speed wise , given a car that doesn’t break under her regularly .

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by redshoes

That issue is dated April 2023. The story is a summary of the story that BTCC put out in Feb 2023 (https://www.btcc.net/2023/02/10/btcc...recent-survey/)

Mrs Brown's Boys was once voted Britain's best sitcom, so don't take any survey results at face value.

Didn't spot that! Time for Specsavers (Vision Express costs too much on the old goggles!)

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by Protonman

Now that the livery is revealed is it too obvious to pencil in Moffatt as cooks team mate . If so one must ask why he also wasn’t named at same time as cook or maybe beforehand. Just to test the water and drawing from previous rumours , can we expect the unexpected . Theirs the rumour of one or two returning stars , how about Sheddon or Plato . JP especially formed a great partnership with Cook and showed him more respect than he is normally known with other team mates . I also wonder why he didn’t follow through on promises of a new beginning in another series. Waiting for a good drive in the BTCC maybe . If that seems a long odds option then perhaps Edwards . Been talking up prospect with more optimism than recent years and a good working relationship with Cook . Also a great commercial prospect given that women can’t seem to buy a chance in the championship . Just look at what’s happened in other sports by having a female profile . She may also surprise a few speed wise , given a car that doesn’t break under her regularly .

Honestly I really can't see any special value that Plato could bring as a driver. I know it's an unpopular opinion but the guy's almost 60, had his time and his last seasons showed he'd just go around in circles finishing most races somewhere between 8-15th place. Yeah, he's a great name, some time ago had a talent to bring good sponsors but IMO he belongs to the championship's past now whether we like it or not.
Shedden seems like he has some unfinished business in the BTCC, that's true and didn't fare badly in his last two seasons but - again unpopular opinion - I kind of don't miss him either.
As for Edwards, no matter the car, she's proved she's more of a Hamilton/Halstead league, just doesn't end up in gravel traps as often as the mentioned duo. Arguably racing for BTC Racing was her chance to prove she's better than that but failed to deliver. She's likeable and I wish her all the best but IMO she's overhyped.

[InYourMirrors45]

Originally Posted by Matt K

Honestly I really can't see any special value that Plato could bring as a driver. I know it's an unpopular opinion but the guy's almost 60, had his time and his last seasons showed he'd just go around in circles finishing most races somewhere between 8-15th place. Yeah, he's a great name, some time ago had a talent to bring good sponsors but IMO he belongs to the championship's past now whether we like it or not.
Shedden seems like he has some unfinished business in the BTCC, that's true and didn't fare badly in his last two seasons but - again unpopular opinion - I kind of don't miss him either.
As for Edwards, no matter the car, she's proved she's more of a Hamilton/Halstead league, just doesn't end up in gravel traps as often as the mentioned duo. Arguably racing for BTC Racing was her chance to prove she's better than that but failed to deliver. She's likeable and I wish her all the best but IMO she's overhyped.

Agree with this, Plato won 2 races in his last 5 seasons. A legend of the championship and someone who I’ll always miss but reality is nothing last forever and age catches up with everyone at some point. Shedden for me went off the boil post WTCC and whilst he’d still be a top driver I’m not sure he has another title in him. We should be focusing on keeping the likes of Sutton, Ingram, Cook, Hill, Cammish in the series long term.

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by InYourMirrors45

Agree with this, Plato won 2 races in his last 5 seasons. A legend of the championship and someone who I’ll always miss but reality is nothing last forever and age catches up with everyone at some point. Shedden for me went off the boil post WTCC and whilst he’d still be a top driver I’m not sure he has another title in him. We should be focusing on keeping the likes of Sutton, Ingram, Cook, Hill, Cammish in the series long term.

Yep totally agree and great all the above now have secure drives in which they can challenge for title honours . Just wondering if commercially in may benefit by a shock unexpected announcement . Was it Alan Gow hyping up the series by saying we were to expect the return on 2 ex drivers who could stir up the top names . Sheddon Plato and possibly Huff are the only ones I could think of who may have the commercial appeal . Nothing against Aidan Moffatt but he doesn’t turn heads and has never achieved what he first promised as a young rookie . I hope Watson gets a good drive but probably see him continue at PMR , would like to see Hand get the chance given he has battled and matched Sutton in junior series . Likewise would love for Edwards to have a true shot and see what she can do . Even at a good Indy team like BTC (as was) they were struggling with lack of budget and stretching it by fielding 3 cars .

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Protonman

Also a great commercial prospect given that women can’t seem to buy a chance in the championship . Just look at what’s happened in other sports by having a female profile . She may also surprise a few speed wise , given a car that doesn’t break under her regularly .

I'd rather see Jess Hawkins have a go. The W Series experience of working at a high level added to the TCR experience wouldn't be wasted if she got another shot at the BTCC, but I don't think there'd be any wins in the tank, but with drivers coming through the ranks I'd put a bet on that the BTCC gets ahead of F1/NASCAR/Supercars in having a female race winner.

[Greem]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

I'd rather see Jess Hawkins have a go. The W Series experience of working at a high level added to the TCR experience wouldn't be wasted if she got another shot at the BTCC, but I don't think there'd be any wins in the tank, but with drivers coming through the ranks I'd put a bet on that the BTCC gets ahead of F1/NASCAR/Supercars in having a female race winner.

It'd never happen, but imagine Simona de Silvestro in a BTCC car. Y'know, the same Simona who's had 3 full seasons in Supercars plus a bunch of enduro co-driver places...

[ACF_]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

I'd rather see Jess Hawkins have a go. The W Series experience of working at a high level added to the TCR experience wouldn't be wasted if she got another shot at the BTCC, but I don't think there'd be any wins in the tank, but with drivers coming through the ranks I'd put a bet on that the BTCC gets ahead of F1/NASCAR/Supercars in having a female race winner.

I completely agree

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Protonman

Yep totally agree and great all the above now have secure drives in which they can challenge for title honours . Just wondering if commercially in may benefit by a shock unexpected announcement . Was it Alan Gow hyping up the series by saying we were to expect the return on 2 ex drivers who could stir up the top names . Sheddon Plato and possibly Huff are the only ones I could think of who may have the commercial appeal . Nothing against Aidan Moffatt but he doesn’t turn heads and has never achieved what he first promised as a young rookie . I hope Watson gets a good drive but probably see him continue at PMR , would like to see Hand get the chance given he has battled and matched Sutton in junior series . Likewise would love for Edwards to have a true shot and see what she can do . Even at a good Indy team like BTC (as was) they were struggling with lack of budget and stretching it by fielding 3 cars .

Don’t forget Andy Neate

[ACF_]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Don’t forget Andy Neate

I noticed that Senna Proctor posted on his Instagram at the end of last season about making plans for a return. Also, in Mat Jackson was due to return to the championship in 2020 with PMR, but COVID put a stop to it. Could he be going back to PMR in place of Watson, who I guess will then go to WSR or maybe Speedworks?

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by ACF_

I noticed that Senna Proctor posted on his Instagram at the end of last season about making plans for a return. Also, in Mat Jackson was due to return to the championship in 2020 with PMR, but COVID put a stop to it. Could he be going back to PMR in place of Watson, who I guess will then go to WSR or maybe Speedworks?

I don’t think we’ll see Matt Jackson back. When he tested for PMR at Media day before pulling out for the season, he was shocked at how the pace had moved on. Him and Plato were throwing fresh tyres at the car & trying to get a decent time and struggled to get into the top ten.

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by ACF_

I noticed that Senna Proctor posted on his Instagram at the end of last season about making plans for a return. Also, in Mat Jackson was due to return to the championship in 2020 with PMR, but COVID put a stop to it. Could he be going back to PMR in place of Watson, who I guess will then go to WSR or maybe Speedworks?

Ash Hand was only supposed to be sitting out 2023, but no noise from him about coming back at PMR.

Proctor I could see back at One, especially with Cook gone, they need a decent driver there.

[Millvi]

Originally Posted by Jiiiiiiim

Ash Hand was only supposed to be sitting out 2023, but no noise from him about coming back at PMR.

Proctor I could see back at One, especially with Cook gone, they need a decent driver there.

Ash Hand would be a strong Jack Sears contender for someone like One Motorsport.

Proctor and Gamble for One Motorsport with Car Gods perhaps. "Proctor & Gamble" does have a familiar ring to it does it not?

And I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Dudman revert back to the TOCA engined version of the Civic that Proctor did so well in last time out. After the revitalisation of the PMR Astra last year why not the same upward shift in performance from the Civic?

So 2 decent drivers and a strong Jack Sears contender? Like others I think Jade Edwards has had a fair crack at it and there's better options out there in my opinion.