2024: BTCC chat & discussion

[Sebring440]

Milkyway said:

I've heard that there is a new Junior series proposed for 2025... It will be interesting to see what cars will be used.

All the info (so far) here:

https://www.btcc.net/2023/11/06/proposed-toca-juni...

Interested in how they plan to design, develop, test and sign-off a completely new car in such a short time period.

[Sebring440]

Speed Badger said:

Apparently Bobby Thompson had top 10 pace at the Brands Hatch test running without Hybrid in his first time in a RWD touring car and was second only to Ash Sutton in the wet.

I wonder what his times would have been like if he did not have the considerable weight saving of having no hybrid system fitted?

[Sebring440]

Milkyway said:

By my calculations, Nineteen CONFIRMED drivers... to date.

Twenty, I think.

[Sebring440]

Milkyway said:

If your predictions come true... Looks like a decent grid with plenty of talent in there.

Certainly agree with you there, best we've had in a while. Did Creesy not say that he's not in BTCC this year? He's looking at TCR I think.

[Sebring440]

Speed Badger said:

Seems like Nic Hamilton is returning, doesn't say where though, just says he races for Team Hard.

https://news.sky.com/story/amp/nicolas-hamilton-wa...

It's a good interview with him; he's a very articulate young man. Yes, it says "he races for Team Hard" but I've be very surprised if he went anywhere near Gilham again. It was Nic that walked away from it last season.

[Sebring440]

tardelli said:

Is it not the Media Day at Donington tomorrow?

It's not media day, it's a test session. TOCA canned "media day" a few seasons back, as they worked out if it was a "test session", they could get the teams to pay for the track hire.

[Sebring440]

The Wookie said:

Running components beyond their design life, running consumables to the point where there is a performance deficit (eg tyres/brakes/clutch), having volunteers rather than professional mechanics, bodging/repairing damage rather than replacing parts, buying end-of-life or lightly damaged second hand bits from top end teams rather than buying new, not doing any development on the car, ropey old trucks with no O-license, not doing any pre-season testing, even things like blagging workshop space or sharing with another business rather than having a dedicated workshop

Any particular team you're referring to? Won't be too hard to work out...

[Sebring440]

Milkyway said:

It always seemed a very long shot.

Why do you say that? Not speaking from hindsight, of course.

[Sebring440]

TheBinarySheep said:

or do him and his engineer know exactly how to configure the car exactly how he likes it?

Yes, That's exactly how it works.

[Sebring440]

Milkyway said:

Along with the Juniors of course... in whatever form that may take

Do you know something that we don't? I thought the TOCA juniors programme development was well under way.