2022: BTCC and support series

[stevemcs]

A500leroy said:

Excuse me? Jags in the BTCC? REALLY? Yes please!

Please let it be true

[MG CHRIS]

A500leroy said:

Excuse me? Jags in the BTCC? REALLY? Yes please!

Apparently so the current Hyundai team was planning on running jags instead of the Hyundai but plans changed.
From what others are saying BMR Jag with ash driving is pretty much a done deal.

[andy97]

Milkyway said:

The ‘992’ Up from 480bhp to 510.
Lots of changes under the skin & bit more aero.

Minis: Will be interesting to see if anybody can make the move up.
( or a Bobby Thompson return in either)

Edited by Milkyway on Thursday 28th October 15:35

Ooohh, good, a bit more aero….that always improves the racing…..not.

[Tackle.]

F12 Josh said:

Sure they mentioned that the Porsche series will be using a new car next year too, just can't remember the exact numbers.

Looking forward to the Minis again.

The Mini’s are fantastic.

[Dan BSCS]

andy97 said:

Ooohh, good, a bit more aero….that always improves the racing…..not.

Ginetta have gone the other way with the G56. Less aero and more mechanical grip. Should improve the racing as the aero wash is terrible at some circuits with the G55.

[Tackle.]

MG CHRIS said:

Talks of a split between BMR/laster tools/broadley or whatever the mix is. Ash driving a Jag at BMR seems to be a strong deal done sort of thing.
Plato rumours again strong could be anywhere even maybe a Honda at BTC.
BMW may be leaving as well.
Think it's going to be a very mixed up grid next year.

I just hope we have less black cars tbf.

Assume Ash’s Jag will be on tow?

[Scooobydont]

F12 Josh said:

I'm guessing F4 may dwindle a bit next year given the new GB4 (?) series taking a lot of drivers with aspirations of moving up the ladder. Bit of a shame if it does.

Ginetta Juniors are always good to watch, Robert De Haan must be a fair shout for the championship if he returns - Good effort this year as a rookie.

I find the F4 racing the worst to watch and will happily skip it if I have recorded a BTCC weekend, even attending several over the last few years, the F4 is the cue to hit the paddock and visit the merchandise stands.

The other support races are great to watch and entertaining. Porsche in particular has peaked my interest due to Cammish and King, the first race last weekend was fantastic, minis again entertaining to watch.

I guess this 'entertainment' is where things lay and a very fine balance to achieve, it's not possible to please everyone all the time hence F4 is good to watch for some, just not for me.

I can find as much satisfaction watching a 750mc event (planning on attending a few more to spectate next year) as being at a BTCC and it is a lot quieter.

Next year will be interesting to watch to see how things pan out, I am not one for paying attention to rumours (not that interested truth be told) we will all find out in time what does and does not happen with regards to drivers and cars.

I will continue to look forward to the weekends away, a few beers and the smell of rubber and clutch, although that will eventually disappear also I guess...

Edited by Scooobydont on Friday 29th October 10:34

Edited by Scooobydont on Friday 29th October 10:34

[Wh00sher]

Scooobydont said:

I find the F4 racing the worst to watch and will happily skip it if I have recorded a BTCC weekend, even attending several over the last few years, the F4 is the cue to hit the paddock and visit the merchandise stands.

The other support races are great to watch and entertaining. Porsche in particular has peaked my interest due to Cammish and King, the first race last weekend was fantastic, minis again entertaining to watch.

Couldn`t agree more. The problem with most single seaters is that trackside, they don`t look that quick. The cars aren't moving about showing the effort required to make them go quickly.

That translates to utterly dull races from a spectators point of view imo and I simply go and do something else until the F4 has finished.

R1 in the Supercup was brilliant wasn`t it. King is certainly entertaining to watch and skillful at the same time.

[Milkyway]

I have always preferred saloons to single seaters anyway.
Perhaps it’s time for them to be replaced with another saloon series... but not one make.
Somewhere in between Ginetta Juniors & Minis, to follow that progression ladder.
Maybe it could be classed structured like years ago, a lot of variety producing the David v Goliath type racing.

Edited by Milkyway on Friday 29th October 13:38

[Teddy Lop]

What basically is the tech regs and race format for next year? What is the hybrid element and how is it used?

[Milkyway]

I think that there are still a few grey areas to be sorted out.
https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/btcc-reveals-h...

[Sgt Joe Roberts]

Good to know it's not just me who doesn't like the F4. It's usually time for a toilet break, make a sandwich, cup of tea and then settle back in for the rest of the races. I used to feel the same about Porsches until this year. In previous years there was one driver who just steamrollered the rest, King, Harper, Cammish.

The rest of the support races are great, especially the Minis and Ginetta juniors.

[andy97]

Dan BSCS said:

andy97 said:

Ooohh, good, a bit more aero….that always improves the racing…..not.

Ginetta have gone the other way with the G56. Less aero and more mechanical grip. Should improve the racing as the aero wash is terrible at some circuits with the G55.

Sounds good.

[On-Rails]

MG CHRIS said:

Talks of a split between BMR/laster tools/broadley or whatever the mix is. Ash driving a Jag at BMR seems to be a strong deal done sort of thing.
Plato rumours again strong could be anywhere even maybe a Honda at BTC.
BMW may be leaving as well.
Think it's going to be a very mixed up grid next year.

I just hope we have less black cars tbf.

Definitely a split between BMR/Laser/Boardley/HARD of some sort, BMR or Laser Linked to PMR tie up. What Boardley does with his TBL’s will probably have the biggest impact on the grid.

Bert Taylor pushing his new Restart Racing team claiming he has a ‘couple of options’, which would almost definitely include Chris Smiley.

Plato won’t be at PMR, so is looking at his options, though Adam Weaver is looking to link up or sell up.

Dick Bennett’s looking at alternatives to replace BMW support, maybe in the form of running cars under a different team name. Word is Oliphant is definitely leaving WSR, taking his money elsewhere.

Some interesting names who are struggling for budget being linked with Team HARD as like with Goff there’s a subsidised drive up for grabs, hence Cook, Cammish & Bushell’s names all in the mix there.

[Milkyway]

So... Not a lot happening in the BTCC circus then.

[Speed Badger]

Silly question, but how do the BTCC teams actually make money? (As in profit). With the cost of the car builds, premesis, consumables, paying all the staff, hospitality etc. Yes the drivers bring sponsorship, but surely that doesn't cover the entire running costs (and more) for the entire team?

[Milkyway]

Speed Badger said:

Silly question, but how do the BTCC teams actually make money? (As in profit). With the cost of the car builds, premesis, consumables, paying all the staff, hospitality etc. Yes the drivers bring sponsorship, but surely that doesn't cover the entire running costs (and more) for the entire team?

As they say, the only silly / stupid question... is the one that is never asked.

Edited by Milkyway on Saturday 30th October 11:24

[MG CHRIS]

Speed Badger said:

Silly question, but how do the BTCC teams actually make money? (As in profit). With the cost of the car builds, premesis, consumables, paying all the staff, hospitality etc. Yes the drivers bring sponsorship, but surely that doesn't cover the entire running costs (and more) for the entire team?

Top teams make money through other things but the lower team god knows BMR accounts were very poor and team hard aren't that great apparently. But most of the money is via drivers bring mony in hence why nick Hamilton is at team hard. Don't forget they run cars in support series and gt racing as well.

[MG CHRIS]

On-Rails said:

Definitely a split between BMR/Laser/Boardley/HARD of some sort, BMR or Laser Linked to PMR tie up. What Boardley does with his TBL’s will probably have the biggest impact on the grid.

Bert Taylor pushing his new Restart Racing team claiming he has a ‘couple of options’, which would almost definitely include Chris Smiley.

Plato won’t be at PMR, so is looking at his options, though Adam Weaver is looking to link up or sell up.

Dick Bennett’s looking at alternatives to replace BMW support, maybe in the form of running cars under a different team name. Word is Oliphant is definitely leaving WSR, taking his money elsewhere.

Some interesting names who are struggling for budget being linked with Team HARD as like with Goff there’s a subsidised drive up for grabs, hence Cook, Cammish & Bushell’s names all in the mix there.

I don't think we going to see one team with the same driver line up maybe motorbase perhaps minus Andy neate. Going to be interesting silly season maybe the most silly one for a good few year.

[Sandpit Steve]

Speed Badger said:

Silly question, but how do the BTCC teams actually make money? (As in profit). With the cost of the car builds, premesis, consumables, paying all the staff, hospitality etc. Yes the drivers bring sponsorship, but surely that doesn't cover the entire running costs (and more) for the entire team?

Not unless they’re a factory works team where it’s part of a bigger company’s marketing budget, or they get lucky with a major sponsor or pay-driver. The bigger teams might have other motorsport interests, such as preparing cars for other series.

I imagine that, for most teams, the line on the budget at the start of the season marked ‘profit’, is a similar number to that marked ‘contingencies’, and that by the end of the season most of the money has finished up in the second column! A lot of the shareholders are passionate racer types, and will just as likely spend any surplus on making the car go faster, rather than returning dividends to themselves.

Keeps a lot of people employed though, thanks to the sponsors and TV cash that makes it all possible!

Edited by Sandpit Steve on Saturday 30th October 11:21