BTCC » Bigger, turbo cars for 'half-price' 2011 BTCC

Hmm....well it all sounds too good to be true. I'm very pleased to hear we will be getting rid of the hatchbacks. I also like the bit about trying to run the two types of cars parallel until 2013, as it will help independents run ex-factory cars, much like the BTC cars ran against the S2000s. I can see that being problematical, much like trying to balance Seat in the WTCC, but it's always going to be.

What I'm not sure about is, with all these common components, is it really going to be an appeal to major manufacturers? What's the point in advertising if everyone knows most of the package isn't yours?

Wow. I think BTCC has been limping along since the end of the SuperTouring era, but this sounds like it could really breathe new life into the series. Fingers crossed it all comes good.

These rules have got me exited about BTCC for the first time in about a decade. Turbo's! Proper saloons (not these stupid buzzy little hatchbacks) Hell Yeah! Love the Fwd/petrol only rules, stops farcical situations like in the WTCC. I've never liked the current S2000 cars, which are dull to watch, and apparently fairly dull to drive (compared to super tourers at least.) Bring it on Mr Gow!
As for the common parts thing I think it's a good idea. I brings costs down dramatically as at the end of the day if people see a Vauxhall winning, they say "oh a Vauxhall won", they don't start talking about what gearbox it's got in it. I think alan Gow has realised that you can't assume that Cont:-

cont:- manufactures will come back, maybe they will, maybe they won't. Either way the championship must survive. I think this is a move in the right direction and the WTCC could do worse then follow suit.

Anyone not see that manufacturers such as BMW will be excluded from this new setup. That in itself is a shame as its nice to see different ideas competing. Also most manufacturers now have 2.5 litre turbo engines which would most likely require less modifications to reach the 300bhp figure which equals less cost.

While a move in the right direction i still think this plan needs work.

I think its a move in the right direction, and a big thumbs up to hear that all the teams have been involved and worked towards these rules. If BMW ever wanted to race a factory team in the BTCC again I presume the rules would be looked at and tweaked to allow a RWD car if needed, but I think as a starting point they are right to rule RWD out for now seeing as there are no works teams around and it allows the independents to work towards producing their cars. It will be interesting to see if STCC etc follow BTCC with the NGTC spec, or follow the new S2000 rules when they come into play.

I'm not sure, if this is the right move. It may improve racing and the appearance of the championship, but it may be less attractive for manufacturers. Now BMW develops a 320si S2000 and sells many pieces of it, because it's raced all around Europe. But will another manufacturer develop a special BTCC car? Will there be enough money for private teams to do build the cars? Because one manufacturer comes and it's all over.
Me personally, I like the way GT3 are regulated and something similar should be done in touring cars. So you can race the same car nearly all around the globe.

HOPEFULLY A MOVE BACK TO THE GLORY DAYS OF THE 90s!!!!

Who wants to go back to the 90's? Not me. Don't get me wrong I loved it at the time, but looking back it was insanely expensive. The racing was good in the early/mid 90's but lets face it, it was quite dull in late 90's. I don't think that the championship really needs manufacturers anyway. All they do is drive costs up. As long as the cars are cheap enough for indie teams to build and the racing's good who cares? As for BMW locking them out of the series is unfortunate but RWD has to go. BMW haven't had a factory team in the BTCC since 1996 and it's not like they are going to come back any time soon. The teams currently running bimmers can easily switch to something else.

I just can't see how Alan Gow thinks this is the way forward. How are front wheel drive cars more exciting then rear wheel drive ones, all they do is lock their unloaded rear wheel on the way into corners, pretty boring if you ask me. Furthermore 2 litre 4 cylinder turbo engines sound awful. e.g seat cupra, the sound is totally flat and boring. These new rules will be the end of the BTCC, it will be just like a one make series like all of the support races.Take the latest round at oulton park for instance, if it wasn't for the differences between front and rear wheel drive it would have been a very dull and boring race