2026: BTCC chat & discussion

[Sebring440]

Here's an interesting one to start off 2026:

https://btcc.net/laser-tools-racing-with-mb-motors...

Who are the drivers going to be...?

[Milkyway]

Sebring440 said:

Here's an interesting one to start off 2026:

https://btcc.net/laser-tools-racing-with-mb-motors...

Who are the drivers going to be...?

Anybody in the MInis looking for promotion.
(Other series are available...or any other returnees.)

Sounding good...along with JPR joining as well.

Will 'Turks' return...ooh the suspense.

Qualifying Regs:
BTCC Qualifying Race Regulations Ratified BTCC https://share.google/3uiXHQhy2BD8Uwxd2

Edited by Milkyway on Tuesday 25th November 15:12

Edited by Milkyway on Tuesday 25th November 22:36

[Sebring440]

Well, we now know who ONE of the drivers is:

https://www.lasertoolsracing.co.uk/blogs/news/lase...

https://btcc.net/laser-tools-racing-with-mb-motors...

[Sebring440]

And now, the second one:

https://www.lasertools.co.uk/article/Three-time-BT...

[Rockatansky]

I'll wade in with the gossip that I've heard, and we'll see how well it stands up over time...

Not sure what happened with MB & Speedworks, but apparently there's no money from Toyota any more so Speedworks had to get creative to keep going.

Team Plato will be Mercedes A class saloons, sponsors will be Tesco or a sub brand (think momentum, kx etc) and also cataclean - you can guess one of the drivers from that....

[Sebring440]

Rockatansky said:

Team Plato will be Mercedes A class saloons, sponsors will be Tesco or a sub brand (think momentum, kx etc) and also cataclean - you can guess one of the drivers from that....

I think (judging by his behaviour) that Robo had made the decision to leave Alliance quite some time ago. His ambition is to win the championship, and once he's done that he'll go. Job done. There was no realistic chance of him winning the championship while he was in a 4-car team with Sutton, so let's look for pastures anew.

The original thoughts on Plato's cars were the CLA, but (as you have) I've heard the A-Class mentioned this week. A strange choice if it's true, as it's been done before and the A-Class was never very aerodynamic (which the CLA is recognised as being very good). Laser Tools Racing developed the aero on the A-Class as much as they could, then ditched it for the Infiniti (which was the right "shape" for potentially good aero).

Sponsor-wise for Plato, there was meant to be "news" in October, but nothing forthcoming. It will be sponsors signing up that will be delaying things, as that's who will be paying for all this. Very surprised if Tesco would become involved again.

[Milkyway]

So with Robo 'orf... will NAPA plump for somebody with BTCC experience or a rookie.
( Obviously, this can also include any returnees... If JPR doesn't nab any of them first)

WSR aren't the force that they used to be...with or without 'Turks'... wonder if they will just concentrate on a two car team.

Edited by Milkyway on Sunday 30th November 17:32

[airbusA346]

The 2026 TBL Holders have been announced today.

Entry Name	Number
Alliance Racing	4
Excelr8 Motorsport	4
One Motorsport	2
Plato Racing	2
Power Maxed Racing	3
Restart Racing	2
Speedworks Motorsport	4
Un-Limited Motorsport	2
WSR	3
Total	26

https://btcc.net/toca-announces-2026-btcc-tbl-hold...

[Milkyway]

That's a nice healthy grid...nice to see ALL the teams are back.
( so it's just Plato Racing...thought it was going to be JPR).

[airbusA346]

Plato Racing to enter a pair of Mercedes-AMG A35 Saloons.

RML to design and build them.

https://btcc.net/plato-racing-confirms-mercedes-be...

[Speed Badger]

If the Plato Mercs end up being the best car out there, I wonder how tempted JP would be to jump back in one and try and get those 3 wins?

[SpudLink]

The A35 is four wheel drive, so is there a possibility they could run it as a rear wheel drive car? It’s been a while since the BMWs had a rear driven rival in the championship.

[DanielSan]

SpudLink said:

The A35 is four wheel drive, so is there a possibility they could run it as a rear wheel drive car? It s been a while since the BMWs had a rear driven rival in the championship.

Transverse engine so it'll be front wheel drive same as the old A Class

[someguycalledtom]

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....

[Wish]

Dan Cam is just a fluffer for Ash at NAPA. If he wants any chance of a championship he’s going to need to change teams and hope the cars fast.