Organisers of the Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship, today confirmed a host of changes for the 2004 BTCC.
The announcement of a revised and final 2004 calendar includes a welcome return to Scotland's Knockhill after a one year absence. Key changes to the race format include an all-new three race format on race day and no more mandatory pit stops. Important sporting regulations are also being introduced to ensure that European Touring Cars (ETC) and BTC-spec cars benefit from equal performance, without impacting on their differing technical regulations.
To ensure the championship has as wide a geographical spread as possible, Rockingham could not be included in the 10-event 2004 schedule, however, the BTCC has its sights firmly set on a return to the Northampton venue in seasons to come.
The new race format, with three sprint races on race day compared to this season's two-race format, will mean the second race of the day will also feature a reversed top-ten grid.
At each event, the grid for race one will be set from qualifying times and the grid for race two will be set from the finishing order from race one, with the top ten positions reversed. The grid for the final race will be set by the finishing positions from race two. Mandatory pit stops have been dropped, as some venues would not be able to safely accommodate the entire field undertaking pit-stops.
Series Director, Alan Gow, commented: "Three sprint races, with a reversed top ten in the second race, will provide plenty of fast and furious action. With pit stops no longer playing a part in their race strategy, the drivers won't have the comfort of their team's assistance to help them.....it's all down to pure non-stop racing. And with 30 races all counting for the championship, nobody is going to have an easy run to the title
. "
Following news that the championship has been opened up to allow ST2000 specification cars (ie. those competing in the European Touring Car Championship) to race, the overriding principle is that both types of car will have an absolutely equal opportunity of success. Sporting regulations such as weight ballast will be adapted to enable both ST2000 and BTC-spec cars to race on an entirely equal basis, without compromising the differing technical regulations that apply to both types of car.
"The principle has been established and agreed with all the teams...both BTC and ST2000 cars should have an absolutely equal right and opportunity to win races and the championship. This principle is fundamental in establishing and continuing the equivalency between the cars
," confirmed Gow.
The 2004 BTCC announcements come only weeks after the series revealed the support line up for the 2004 TOCA Tour package, which includes the SEAT Cupra Cup, the all new Formula BMW UK Championship and the ever popular Porsche Michelin Carrera Cup GB, Elf Clio Renaultsport UK Cup and the Formula Renault UK Championship.
1, 2 & 3 10/11 April Thruxton
4, 5 & 6 24/25 April Brands Hatch / Indy
7, 8 & 9 8/9 May Silverstone / International
10, 11 & 12 22/23 May Oulton Park / Island
13, 14 & 15 12/13 June Mondello Park / International
2/3/4 July Silverstone (British GP*)
16, 17 & 18 10/11 July Croft
19, 20 & 21 24/25 July Knockhill **
22, 23 & 24 21/22 August Brands Hatch / Grand Prix
25, 26 & 27 4/5 Sept Snetterton
28, 29 & 30 25/26 Sept Donington Park / National
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