2026: BTCC chat & discussion
Discussion
VladD said:
someguycalledtom said:
Hope the A35 is the correct choice for Plato Racing.Looking forward to seeing who they bring in driver wise.Id go Cammish for certain....
Looks too slow to keep up with the modern stuff.
Predicting some surprise results at the BH Indy & Knockhill rounds....in the hands of the JordansEdited by Milkyway on Saturday 17th January 16:46
someguycalledtom said:
Rowbo seems a good shout for Plato Racing.Any ideas on the second driver?
Touring Car Times have got it sussed:https://www.touringcartimes.com/grids/
Sebring440 said:
It says TBC. 
NoUserNameAvailable said:
With Rowbo saying he is going to be the team leader I can't see it being a big name.
You would have to wonder about this, Rowbottom has a very bad reputation across BTCC fans and I am sure the NAPA team and sponsors feel the same. It is not a likeable bad boy reputation that Plato had, but an arrogant ar5ehole reputation after last years antics (two most high profile being taking out Sutton and effecively saying I dont care what he thinks and purposely taking out Camish denying the team a title). Plenty of stories about his carryon behind the scenes emerged afterwards, very unprofessional stuff. As a driver I never really rated him, most of his early success came from luck of reverse grids and other drivers having their own troubles and then just as he was starting to find some flow (but still nowhere near title leading form) he self explodes on multiple ocasions. I doubt Plato would have hired him without all the cataclean cash that he is bringing. His arrogance can be summarised by his title of "lead driver", does any other team assign that title publically pre season, pure vanity stuff?
Plato has poured everthing he has into this team and I will guess that Plato had already agreed him to come onboard before the brand hatch nastiness along with his wheel barrow of cash via his sponsor so there was no turning back, I hope Rowbottom doesnt let him down, I really do as Jason has been honest about how much this means to him. However I can only see him getting more arrogant, Plato needs the spotlight on the team and his sponsors not a driver causing chaos.
matt5964 said:
Video is out with Robo stating he is part team owner. So not surprised he is titled as lead driver
There have been plenty of owner drivers over the years who didnt feel the need to call themselves lead driver… What does it even mean, does the no2 driver have to pull over for them from race 1? pure vanity and undermines the team’s professionalism where the driver with the most money gets preferential treatment, and is the other drivers season already destined to be a support driver?
Season one is critical for the success of the team, if they are too focused on their “lead driver”(including dealing with the inevitable aftermath of his antics) they may fail to achieve their goals to allow them move up to the next level in season 2 and beyond and could be just another team hard type outfit.
Sebring440 said:
NoUserNameAvailable said:
airbusA346 said:
It says TBC.
For a while it said Adam Morgan.I always thought Rowbottom was a good, but not great driver, but then had a really good couple of seasons at Dynamics and in the Focus which surprised me and thought fair enough, especially after hearing about his heart surgery. But what he did to Dan Cam at Brands was absolutely d
headish. Made me lose a load of respect for him.
headish. Made me lose a load of respect for him.Speed Badger said:
I always thought Rowbottom was a good, but not great driver, but then had a really good couple of seasons at Dynamics and in the Focus which surprised me and thought fair enough, especially after hearing about his heart surgery. But what he did to Dan Cam at Brands was absolutely dheadish. Made me lose a load of respect for him.
I do think he lost a lot of respect from fans of the series last year, his behaviour towards team mates was pretty appaling TBH. I'm not really a fan of any one driver more of the sport itself, but can't warm to him at all.headish. Made me lose a load of respect for him.If you want to pop along to the season launch at Brands Hatch on 8th April, entry is by ticket only.
They are free from:
https://www.brandshatch.co.uk/2026/april/btcc-seas...
They are free from:
https://www.brandshatch.co.uk/2026/april/btcc-seas...
After the hints and rumours around Alliances replacement car being from a new manufacturer, or at at least a model new to the BTCC, I think it's a bit underwhelming for the championship that the replacement is a different bodystyle of the same car, that already ended production globally last year.
The stumbling block for the teams to enter new models actually on sale in the UK (and therefore any manufacturer interest in the BTCC) seems to be that current trends in car design/tastes of the wider public, mean that many body shapes have too much drag, and won't be competitive against saloons.
TOCA should mandate different size Hanford devices to equalize drag between car models.
The stumbling block for the teams to enter new models actually on sale in the UK (and therefore any manufacturer interest in the BTCC) seems to be that current trends in car design/tastes of the wider public, mean that many body shapes have too much drag, and won't be competitive against saloons.
TOCA should mandate different size Hanford devices to equalize drag between car models.
Edited by clubracing on Friday 27th February 13:01
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff