2024: BTCC chat & discussion

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Notwithstanding all the Team Hard rumours (!), good news today with the Pre-'66 Classic Touring Cars supporting at Croft next year:

https://www.btcc.net/2023/11/30/classic-touring-ca...

Plus a lot of things to be announced before Christmas I think.

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zeb said:

I hope the pre 66 stuff gets on more often as it’s always a good watch.

Agreed. Can't wait!

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Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

Only if BMW are withdrawing and I haven't heard anything on that front.

WSR are currently prepping the cars for the 2024 season.

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Megaflow said:

Ah, that. That has been going around for years, probably not helped by the... errr... shady... accounts.

You obviously know a lot about it? Care to share?

Although, maybe you don't, as Team Hardship went bust weeks ago, and you asked: "What are the Team Hard rumours?"

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Jake Hill stays with Laser Tools Racing:

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

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I'm interested to see who the third driver will be at WSR/Team BMW.

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agent006 said:

So you're hinting that you know that either Morgan or Jelley isn't continuing with WSR.

It's common knowledge that Jelley is not continuing!

https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/hill-stays-put...

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emicen said:

Pretty significant changes with Toyota if what I’m hearing is correct, wouldn’t have seen any of them coming really.

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richhead said:

tbh they were all about selling the hospo side of things, and gve alot of drivers cheap deals on the back of this, shame if they go, as not all drivers can afford half a million a year

"Shame if they go"...?

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emicen said:

Tongue in cheek aside;
- zero drivers carry over
- you get what seems to be your dream (Which I think will be an underwhelming performance personally vs. the godlike status some attach to the chap
- 2+2 branding/livery split

Even with your "explanation", it's still incomprehensible.

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emicen said:

What bit is sticky?

Zero drivers carried over
Milky gets his Huffy
4 cars run as 2+2

Why don't you put it in plain English?

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First of the new signings:

https://www.btcc.net/2024/01/10/scott-sumpton-to-r...

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Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

i think what he is saying, is that last years driver's are not continuing ( at least with this team/car) Rob Huff is one of the drivers, and they will be running 4 cars, but likely two sides of the garage or maybe two main sponsors/

It's a bit like a crossword puzzle, isn't it?

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Milkyway said:

Patterson off to TCR.

Does he know that?

He thinks he's racing alongside Steven Michael Lake in the European GT4 series in the all new Lotus Emria GT4 race car.

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emicen said:

Mystic Malc’s prediction, the four Corollas this year will be:
Huff & Watson (GR Racing)
Cook & Moffat (Starline)

You don't have to be very mystic to come up with that line-up. I think it's a given.

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I've heard that the 2024 season launch is 16 April at Donington.

I'm trying to confirm that.

Here we go:

https://www.btcc.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20...

Page 58:
A pre-season Season Launch/Test day – Tuesday, April 16, Donington Park National Circuit.

Edited by Sebring440 on Saturday 20th January 21:45

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That's an interesting one Milkyway. He's been chasing the WSR seat (so I believe), but they want huge money.

And there's the problem with the BTCC. It's simply costing too much. The NGTC formula was brought in to address that. But it has now spiraled out of control, with the "hybrid" system a recent accomplice.

To TOCA: Maybe time for a re-think?

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Milkyway said:

PS: I reckon that the Jack Sears Trophy will be hotly contested this year...

Or not, of course.

Who would be there to contest it?

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Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

Personally I think the BTCC needs to limit the number of people on an event, 3 techs per car, 1 race engineer per team

One race engineer per driver, surely? It's meant to be a professional championship. One race engineer for two (or more) drivers is a very poor compromise.

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

Limit the tyres to 1 set of wets or dries per day.

So a tyre blowout or similar damage means you stop racing?

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

No engine rebuilds during the season (maybe allowed 1 spare) .

So engine damage means you stop racing? For the rest of the season? Damage in Race 1 of the first round at Donington means you can't race for the rest of the season?

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

Allow the drivers to use track’s side footage for their own media channels.

That was introduced last year.

I'm glad you're not in charge of the championship!

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Milkyway said:

Rumour mill... Bobby Thompson to BMW.

There's no rumour mill regarding that. You've just made it up yourself.

If he couldn't afford to run with Team Hardship last year, where's he going to find the £600K + to run with WSR?