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

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by Petoli

Alongside the announcement that Cadwell is going to hold the BTCC version of the Bathurst 1000?

Someone did mention 2 driver races a few pages back

Sounds good!!

[S griffin]

Cadwell is way too narrow to host a big event like the BTCC. No way would it work

[auroan]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Cadwell is way too narrow to host a big event like the BTCC. No way would it work

Indeed. If I can launch a 139bhp bmw e30 race car over the mountain. Its gonna really screw up the touring cars.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Cadwell is way too narrow to host a big event like the BTCC. No way would it work

I was joking ...... about as likely as Pembrey. It will be Brands or Donington wont it?

[Ant25]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

I was joking ...... about as likely as Pembrey. It will be Brands or Donington wont it?

Just want some news now ?

[mphplastering]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...00063695402439

[Millvi]

Originally Posted by Ant25

Just want some news now ?

Something coming soon from Sam Osborne here:

https://twitter.com/samosbornebtcc/status/1619406280665485314?s=46&t=15LC9WQ7A30I358y003M0Q

What do we make of this then? An intriguing teasing of news….

[Matt K]

Hmm intriguing indeed especially as it seems to suggest Sam won't drive the Focus next year. But if it's going to be the BTCC then certainly it has to be Motorbase, doesn't it?
Or perhaps he's just referring to a new livery and tries to make it sound intriguing

[Ant25]

Originally Posted by Matt K

Hmm intriguing indeed especially as it seems to suggest Sam won't drive the Focus next year. But if it's going to be the BTCC then certainly it has to be Motorbase, doesn't it?
Or perhaps he's just referring to a new livery and tries to make it sound intriguing

Hopefully find out next week!

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Matt K

Hmm intriguing indeed especially as it seems to suggest Sam won't drive the Focus next year. But if it's going to be the BTCC then certainly it has to be Motorbase, doesn't it?
Or perhaps he's just referring to a new livery and tries to make it sound intriguing

I thought it was the livery given he refers to it in particular, but am usually wrong!

[Pickles]

Lots of rumours about a new car for Motorbase, and really can't see Sam going anywhere else...

[Ant25]

Originally Posted by Pickles

Lots of rumours about a new car for Motorbase, and really can't see Sam going anywhere else...

Think there is going to be some massive moves from teams this year! Just have a feeling

[el_cat]

Rick Parfitt Facebook post confirms that he won’t be back in 2023 - taking a year out despite having offers/opportunities to continue

[S griffin]

Probably the best decision for Parfitt, needs time to reflect after two less than stellar seasons

[Matt K]

Would be awesome to see Motorbase with new cars, Focus wasn't up to Hyundai and BMW's level, although after the Audi rumours had died out I thought it's rather obvious they keep Fords for 2023.

As for Parfitt, well, his BTCC seasons were far from good or solid, he's clearly unable to get out of the backmarkers pack in the championship so it's hard to see his decision as a bad one. Personally, I won't miss him on the grid although good luck with whatever he's doing in 2023.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by el_cat

Rick Parfitt Facebook post confirms that he won’t be back in 2023 - taking a year out despite having offers/opportunities to continue

One has to wonder what those “opportunities / Offers were based upon the results unless it was back in GT where he did well

[Pickles]

When I spoke to him towards the end of last year he was expecting to take a year out to concentrate on the gigs. At that point he knew he wouldn't be back in a BTCC car but was looking at a couple of GT options

[Robin Marriott]

Originally Posted by Matt K

Would be awesome to see Motorbase with new cars, Focus wasn't up to Hyundai and BMW's level

There were two Focuses in the top 8, including one in second place. NAPA Racing won the Teams’ Championship and Motorbase came second in the Constructors’.

The Ford, BMW and Hyundai were pretty equal.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

There were two Focuses in the top 8, including one in second place. NAPA Racing won the Teams’ Championship and Motorbase came second in the Constructors’.

The Ford, BMW and Hyundai were pretty equal.

Yeah, don't really understand why the general consensus is that it is a terrible car and in dire need of a replacement. Yes, Sutton wasn't dominating like he was in the Infiniti, and yes, the BMWs were a step ahead, but he nearly won the championship in his first year in the car.

They were certainly no worse than the Civics or Corollas.

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

There were two Focuses in the top 8, including one in second place. NAPA Racing won the Teams’ Championship and Motorbase came second in the Constructors’.

The Ford, BMW and Hyundai were pretty equal.

If we want to maintain statistical purity, worth adding a few more stats.
With 4 Fords, 5 BMWs and 4 Hyundais in the field, BMW won 9 races, Hyundai 9, Ford 4.
BMW scored 5 P1s, Hyundai 2, Ford 1.
BMW scored 8 FLs, Hyundai 8, Ford 4.
BMW scored 31 podiums, Hyundai 15, Ford 16.

Never said Focus is a terrible car, which is allegedly a general consensus I'm unfamiliar with, the point I'm trying to make is Focus seemed a half-step/step behind BMW and Hyundai. Sutton made it to the final round with title chances but that was mainly down to his amazing consistency (some say strange luck ) and ability to defend his position in many (my impression is most) races of the season because defending was the only chance not to drop a couple of spots. Many times it looked like he just couldn't make any progress and just held on for dear life trying to defend. Focus is not a terrible car, just wasn't as racey as Hyundai and BMW.
I'd risk saying that if it hadn't been for Sutton, Motorbase (or NAPA Racing UK) would've been a bit of an upper-midpack team last year. Scoring podiums, having shots at win in a few races but settling for positions 4-8 in majority of them.

[Millvi]

Jack Butel teasing racing plans announcement for 2023 in a week's time. He has tagged BTCC and PitchBTCC, so back for another year? Looks like it.

https://twitter.com/ButelRacing/stat...dS6F1EOR8NEz6w

[crmalcolm]

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Fan Survey 2023 is live if you want to have your voice heard.

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/BTCCFanSurvey2023/

[Andrew Abbott]

Originally Posted by Millvi

Jack Butel teasing racing plans announcement for 2023 in a week's time. He has tagged BTCC and PitchBTCC, so back for another year? Looks like it.

https://twitter.com/ButelRacing/stat...dS6F1EOR8NEz6w

He has also tagged:

• ADAC GT Masters
• 24H Series
• International GT Open
• GT World Challenge Europe

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Andrew Abbott

He has also tagged:

• ADAC GT Masters
• 24H Series
• International GT Open
• GT World Challenge Europe

Going to be a busy year for him then! To be honest I'm not really sure he has much more to show in the BTCC, and certainly Excerl8 need someone quicker in the fourth car.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Fan Survey 2023 is live if you want to have your voice heard.

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/BTCCFanSurvey2023/

Bring back the night race
Hold a street race
Hold a race at Prembry/Anglesey/etc
Have an entry from Volvo/Nissan/Renault/etc

I expect it will be the old favourites