[BTCC] BTCC 2023 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[Protonman]

Hi new to chat room having just joined . I used to own lots of protons and was a great fan of Dan Welch . Pity he no longer has the budget for such things . Any thoughts on Rick P junior . Last year ran own team using elderly cat that needed update. He also used the boardly tbl . Could he do same using updated ex ltr cars or maybe a new Cupra. Would like to see the Infiniti again only rwd alternative to beemer and was a championship winner only 2 years ago

[Protonman]

Forgot to mention I saw the parfitt truck in Essex a few days back . Intrigued me as to what he may have planned

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by Protonman

Hi new to chat room having just joined . I used to own lots of protons and was a great fan of Dan Welch . Pity he no longer has the budget for such things . Any thoughts on Rick P junior . Last year ran own team using elderly cat that needed update. He also used the boardly tbl . Could he do same using updated ex ltr cars or maybe a new Cupra. Would like to see the Infiniti again only rwd alternative to beemer and was a championship winner only 2 years ago

Welcome!

The Proton had quite a bit of potential that was unfulfilled for sure.

RPJ is having the year off of full time racing to focus on his band, he may make the odd guest appearance in GT’s or something else!

[tocatrucky]

Originally Posted by Protonman

Forgot to mention I saw the parfitt truck in Essex a few days back . Intrigued me as to what he may have planned

Tractor unit or trailer? The unit is owned and operated by Upton Steel as part of their working fleet. Trailer belongs to Gilham.

[Steel Wheels]

I know it came up a few pages back, but seen the rumour of Dynamics not being on the grid has resurfaced.

Can’t help thinking, there is no smoke without fire……….

[Jay87]

Originally Posted by Steel Wheels

I know it came up a few pages back, but seen the rumour of Dynamics not being on the grid has resurfaced.

Can’t help thinking, there is no smoke without fire……….

I don't think they've mentioned btcc in any social media posts for quite some time either

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by tocatrucky

Tractor unit or trailer? The unit is owned and operated by Upton Steel as part of their working fleet. Trailer belongs to Gilham.

I saw the unit pulling an Upton steels trailer . Given your knowledge makes sense to assume it may not have been his transporter but it bore a close resemblance to that I saw at snet last year. Unit was distinctive as it had his race number on it . Bit sad that brave privateers are becoming rare . Independent championship only has cars now from Hard and former BTC .
Any news on George Gamble . He seemed quite upbeat when closure of circley was announced and he had a bit of personal backing . Cars that remain are all fwd which he has limited or no experience of but he was clearly quick . Would be good fit at either dynamics or Toyota .
Given the late withdrawal of the third Toyota last year and the dropping of the plan of Michael crees can we take it as read Toyota with only 2 cars rather than 3

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by Jay87

I don't think they've mentioned btcc in any social media posts for quite some time either

The situation is looking a bit bleak that has to be said . Given previous illustrious history can see no benefit in soldering on with limited budget and pay drivers, hence desire to push for sheddon deal .
Also team is technically a manufacturer entry , so needs high profile driver who is quick and well funded . Could sell up to a privateer and become an Indy team but will that include the Honda engine or mean switch to toca unit . Given that their are two such cars already in this state will it make sense to add two more .
Would love to see the sheds and Plato combo . Quick if potentially toxic . jp was happy to help develop cook and Edwards but probably not so with his old foe of many years . Keep fingers crossed I guess . If they drop out theirs no quick way back it seems and it’s tocas loss .

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Steel Wheels

I know it came up a few pages back, but seen the rumour of Dynamics not being on the grid has resurfaced.

Can’t help thinking, there is no smoke without fire……….

Maybe, but on their website they talk about 'check back soon for our 2023 plans' in the BTCC section.

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Maybe, but on their website they talk about 'check back soon for our 2023 plans' in the BTCC section.

That'll be TCR then, and probably historics

[coffinpilot]

I saw a rumour that after the Mugello 12 hours (where they are running a customer car) Dynamics are due to receive a couple of their own TCR cars and will be at Spa in May with some wealthy pay drivers. Which clashes with a race weekend for TCR over here.
If it's all about money in touring cars that's a place to be at the minute, creaming from wealthy enduro racers.

On the other BTCC/TCR thing I see Boardley has gone there after all, whoever spotted that wheel thing was bang on!
It makes sense. Any driver in the last third of the BTCC grid would be a regular challenger for podiums/wins in TCR. Why would you choose a GT seat where you won't have much of a sniff over that?

[Evantra]

So if the Dynamics are true… Shedden to Speedworks? Hence why they are also being quiet?

[mphplastering]

Originally Posted by Evantra

So if the Dynamics are true… Shedden to Speedworks? Hence why they are also being quiet?

If sheds goes to Speedworks it sets up neal and plato

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by mphplastering

If sheds goes to Speedworks it sets up neal and plato

The Dynamics rumours being they won’t be on the grid at all. Missed a word, whoops!

I get why a Neal and Plato pairing would excite people but in 2023 it wouldn’t be one that wins races.

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by mphplastering

If sheds goes to Speedworks it sets up neal and plato

How?

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by mphplastering

If sheds goes to Speedworks it sets up neal and plato

Does he have backing? More likely one of their previous pilots returning methinks

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Does he have backing? More likely one of their previous pilots returning methinks

He’s always had backing before now.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by peebee2

He’s always had backing before now.

Enough to entirely fund a ride?

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Enough to entirely fund a ride?

And take a "wage".

[Evantra]

Crees to British GT in a GT4 Ginetta.

https://twitter.com/britishgt/status...T11pmdgnSSDQzA

[Steel Wheels]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Crees to British GT in a GT4 Ginetta.

https://twitter.com/britishgt/status...T11pmdgnSSDQzA

Good to see he’s got a deal somewhere, shame it’s not BTCC as he’s definitely been making progress since his debut.

[S griffin]

I'm gonna wait and see on Dynamics. While there have been suggestions of leaving the series, there still hasn't been enough to suggest they are actually leaving. So while they may be quiet on their BTCC plans, that doesn't mean they aren't doing it

[Ant25]

Anyone know of any announcements this coming week?

[techspeed]

If a series stalwart such as Team Dynamics no longer feel it is financially viable/sustainable for them to be competitive or to continue then it does suggest the BTCC is not in a great place. See also, the trend of fewer teams running more cars, less unique models on the grid and less new models/builds.

I've been thinking about why this may be; did the season impacted by Covid have
a knock on effect, is it the current state of the British economy, the general decline in the appeal of touring cars with petrol engines (see also. WTCR).

I think it was admiral to mandate the hybrid element, and I'm glad it replaced success ballast, but I wonder if it was too ambitious. Undoubtedly it comes with an extra cost for the teams, perhaps undermining the success of the NGTC regs. If it was designed to attract manufacturer interest, I think it is safe to say that ship has long sailed and are the sorts of brands/companies that have financed btcc through sponsorship for the last two decades really that concerned with sustainability? I'd suggest if that was a point of principle, you would steer clear of any Motorsport with petrol engines involved (although F1 with it's high profile may be an exception).

This is purely conjecture by way.

[kipper]

Originally Posted by techspeed

I'd suggest if that was a point of principle, you would steer clear of any Motorsport with petrol engines involved (although F1 with it's high profile may be an exception).

This is purely conjecture by way.

It's an interesting point. Also, even in the case of ,F1 manufacturer interest (on terms of the number of makes) is a fair bit lower than previous levels.