r/btcc • u/Illustrious-Cow-6733 • 5d ago
Question / Discussion BTCC 2027 - What do we know so far?
Sutton contracted to NAPA until the end of 2031 obviously.
Anything else?
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u/jhenson5 5d ago
Aron Taylor Smith on a multi year deal with Tapybl as a sponsor, not known what car yet
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u/Evantra_ #99 Charles Rainford 5d ago
Charles Rainford just fell to his knees
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
Now just imagine them being team-mates next year!
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u/MarcusH26051 #132 James Dorlin 5d ago
I wouldn't rule that out. WSR need sponsorship from somewhere that's not Rainfords Cognition Land and Water deal and ATS brings a title sponsor.
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
Well, I suppose it could be possible, depending on where AT-S stands with Speedworks.
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
Seats going spare at NAPA and Excelr8 with the retirements of Osborne and Chilton.
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u/SpiritedAd1896 5d ago
I reckon Jamie Osbourne will replace Sam and one of Excerler8’s Mini drivers will replace Tom C.
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u/Illustrious-Cow-6733 5d ago
Fingers crossed it will be Tom Ovenden
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u/Leighcol 5d ago
If it's anyone but, it would be a criminal injustice . Hopefully he and Max Edmundson can make the step up. That was such a dramatic final race
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
Fingers crossed Collard will be able to raise the funds for a full season.
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u/PenGlassMug 5d ago
Judging by the in car footage yesterday, it won't just be fingers crossed gestures Tom will be throwing about!!
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u/SpiritedAd1896 5d ago
Senna Procter might have a shot at replacing Sam as well.
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u/1995pt #24 Hill #27 Cammish #11 Collard 5d ago
I’m not a betting man, and of course this is all speculation. But to me it makes sense that Proctor stays at alliance having spent the last year coaching Osbourne.
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u/SpiritedAd1896 5d ago
He was Teammates with Ash in the past as well so knows him well.
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u/1995pt #24 Hill #27 Cammish #11 Collard 5d ago
Definitely a strong contender. Only issue is he struggled with funding last year and could only manage half a series.
But, with the backing alliance have, and having proven they’re able to offer long term deals with Ash - do you require less of a budget at alliance, as long as you have the skills and ability to back it up?
I’m not sure what personal sponsors the NAPA drivers bring in
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u/SpiritedAd1896 5d ago
I suggested on here a while back Proctor should have taken Dorlin’s place at Restart but someone said why would he leave a paid role coaching Sam/being reserve driver at NAPA to then have to pay to drive at Restart. So I’m assuming he wouldn’t need as much budget, if any, to drive for NAPA.
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u/1995pt #24 Hill #27 Cammish #11 Collard 5d ago
I feel last year Proctor, similar with Collard this year, showed plenty of ability to be in a slightly better team.
Whilst it could potentially be cheaper at Restart, Napa seem to run their team/budget differently to the rest of the field.
Clearly proctor valied the offer Alliance gave him more than trying to source his own budget.
He’s mentioned how keen he is to stay in the series following a year or so out a few years ago. So I was surprised to see him ‘settle’ for the coaching role at the beginning of 26. Clearly alliance/napa can attract talent, regardless of position
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u/Leighcol 5d ago
Hopefully he's over whatever illness caused him to step away this year. Would be the natural replacement for Sam
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u/Jescott71 5d ago
Its also not completely beyond the realms of possibility that Excelr8 will try to replace Chilton with Kawashima, providing he can show some signs of improvement in any testing. If they keep Collard, they'll likely need someone with money.
What does seem rather obvious is that clearly, none of the teams on the grid can afford to run four cars without two pay drivers.
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
Maybe the teams should just be prepared to run less cars then.
I await the slings and arrows....
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u/MarcusH26051 #132 James Dorlin 5d ago
Just noticed an interesting post on Vertus Facebook from last night saying
" Next season is going to look a little different"
Different cars???? Different colour scheme?
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u/FroMcvean #101 5d ago
Possibly a switch to the Elantra if it doesn't have to be a UKDM car like the Focus saloon?
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
A switch from the I30 wouldn't be a bad idea.
It's been racing since 2020.
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u/MarcusH26051 #132 James Dorlin 5d ago
I wouldn't even guarantee it's a Hyundai as there's no backing from Hyundai corporate.
Could be any brand that Vertu have dealers with.
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u/Illustrious-Cow-6733 5d ago
A new manufacturer altogether maybe?
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u/MarcusH26051 #132 James Dorlin 5d ago
This is obviously with no knowledge of anything but I wonder if we'll see one of the many Chinese brands on the grid? BYD and MG will have suitable cars under the new rules.
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
Intriguing...
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u/Mccrilly13 5d ago
Will they keep Tingram, dont know where he goes but I always felt Chilton took most of the budget to the team and helped Tingram. But I would like to see him stay and have cook as a partner. But he might be to good a driver as a partner.
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
At least it would get Cook out of that Toyota. His talent is going to waste the longer he stays in the Corolla.
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u/Mccrilly13 5d ago
Would love to see Toyota a dif car, or do a Napa with Focus
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
Me too
They can't keep running that Corolla forever
There must be some suitable Toyota models from outside the UK they could use.
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u/Mccrilly13 5d ago
Unfortunately they have to do what Toyota say to keep there money
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
Of course....
Well, surely Toyota can see the Corolla is past it's best in the BTCC and a newer model is in order....
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u/Mccrilly13 5d ago
All Toyota see is what is best for selling more cars, and if they're happy, they wont change a thing.
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u/everyopenaye 5d ago
I don't think there is Toyota works backing anymore or if there is, it's far less substantial. Thus the disappearance of TGR as a name and just "Corolla Racing".
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 4d ago
I believe there isn't as much support, if any, and that's why 2 of the cars ran as Independents this year.
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u/Celica44 5d ago edited 5d ago
I’m imagining the new shape Prius as a BTCC car. I know it’s more of a fastback but it’s got a long wheelbase very aero looking shape
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
The Prius?
Well, it would mean another new car on the grid, and Speedworks could do with a newer model.
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u/Celica44 5d ago
I’m no aerodynamicist but the shape of the new Prius looks really slippery and the longer wheelbase (like the Merc) seems to be the way the series is going.
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u/Additional_Hand_2288 5d ago edited 4d ago
Surely Tom has some good sponsors, heard him mention once that they give him race win bonuses
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
In a series that doesn't offer prize money, such bonuses can only be a good thing.
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u/everyopenaye 5d ago
Not convinced WSR will change car unless there's new manufacturer backing or a substantial sponsorship deal. It would appear they've run on a lean budget all year. Which makes what DDL and Rainford have achieved all the more impressive.
I do wonder what a post Dick Bennetts WSR might look like. The man is around 80 if memory serves.
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u/Grumpy-so-and-so 4d ago
WSR as a team have worked so hard for two years, DeLeon and Rainford have pulled results where there really were non. TOCA seem to have kept the car's down on power since BMW left, so it's not likely they will keep drivers or win again unless they get equal power.
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u/Proper-Tumbleweed793 3d ago
Un-Limited planning a return next year, I just can't see it myself as they'd need new cars. The Cupras have never been great but were well off the pace last year.
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 1d ago
Well, we now know Excelr8 has a seat filled with 16yo Noah Young signed up.
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u/FroMcvean #101 5d ago
Not that anyone asked, but:
Been thinking for a while WSR might end up switching hands, maybe even with Colin Turkington as team principle? Maybe a switch from BMW too as the cars are a bit long in the tooth now.
With Swindon and the Hyundais no longer contracted together, Restart to take on the Mercs and Rowbottom?
Excelr8 to switch to a new car, possibly Hyundai Elantra given the regs allow non-UKDM cars. Or will they be the first to switch to a crossover style bodyshape?
Reckon Patterson has put himself in the window for a drive further up the grid (no disrespect to PMR) Hope to Doble and Moffat stay there they are
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
It has been said WSR may ditch the Beemers.
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u/Mccrilly13 5d ago
Cant see Ricky Collard back now. Probably now thinks the championship is against him and his dad again, as for Xlr8, I think if hes willing to pay and they try and give him time in the car, they might try Kaw again. It wouldnt be a wise choice but money talks.
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u/SpiritedAd1896 5d ago
I missed the conversation as I had my one year old crawling all over me, but when Louise was interviewing Jake Hill before race 3(?) she said something at the end like ‘hope you get the drive next year’ or something a long those lines. Is he targeting a return?
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u/Illustrious-Cow-6733 5d ago
Aww....
Sounded like he was.
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u/1995pt #24 Hill #27 Cammish #11 Collard 5d ago
I would love to see Jake come back next year. I don’t really mind who with, as long as he’s in a competitive car.
Collard hopefully stays in the series
Proctor manages to find enough budget for an available seat
Cookie seemed to go okay in the Toyota, but we’ll see.
I genuinely hope for better liveries next year. Most of them were a bit drab. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, just more so than sponsors slapped on the side of a white/black car.
Will alliance keep the ford?
Is Plato planning a come back of sorts?
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u/Illustrious-Cow-6733 5d ago
It was suggested WSR may switch to Volvo at one point.
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u/MarcusH26051 #132 James Dorlin 5d ago
WSR with new cars is something I'd love to see. I think the Beemer is coming to the end of what they can get out of it as a platform and with no works backing anymore and RWD kind of negated I do wonder if they could look elsewhere.
Of course I realise a brand new 3 car lineup would be expensive and they'd need a bit of manufacturer backing to make it happen but I think it would spice things up a bit.
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
Speaking of old cars, how much longer are Speedworks going to persist with the Corollas?
They've been around as long as the Beemers.
Toyota must have some decent models not sold in the UK knocking about.
That's allowed next year as long as the manufacturer involved has a presence in the UK I believe...
...hence why NAPA were able to run the new Focus this year...
...correct me if I'm wrong.
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u/MarcusH26051 #132 James Dorlin 5d ago
Yup I think the Corolla has to be one to be considered to be past it's best too. Then again I don't think anyone but Tingram and Spencer Aldridge have got the best out of it as a package anyway.
Indeed they could run any Toyota model they want now, but I suspect Toyota UK like having the UK built Corolla on the grid.
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
Well, they've got to be prepared to move on from the Corolla eventually.
Cook's talent is going to waste the longer he drives that car.
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u/Illustrious-Cow-6733 5d ago
I like to think Cookie would be up there with Sutton and Ingram or closer to them at least with a different car.
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u/SpiritedAd1896 5d ago
Ah man, the S40 was my fave touring car ever, I’d love to see Volvo back.
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u/Illustrious-Cow-6733 5d ago
Me too
They were my favourite team during the Supertouring era
I was bitterly disappointed nothing came of the comeback rumours in 2009/10.
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
I like to think Plato is planning a comeback and it's not just hyperbole on his part.
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u/mlo_66 5d ago
A Plato comeback next year with a different partner back in the Purple would hit different
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
Speaking of partners, how many more bridges can Rowbo burn before he ends up destroying his BTCC career?
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u/MarcusH26051 #132 James Dorlin 5d ago
Genuinely if the CPRL cars don't stay as a team I wonder what the future is for him. I get that any driver that comes with a big cheque and a sponsor ready to go is going to be attractive to anyone in the paddock but it does feel like Rowbo is hard work to actually work with.
Eg I couldn't see him at Excler8 in one of the vacant seats there , I just don't think the personality fit is there.
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u/Illustrious-Cow-6733 5d ago
After what happened at NAPA and Plato's team, Rowbo is running out of bridges to burn.
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u/1995pt #24 Hill #27 Cammish #11 Collard 5d ago
I hadn’t realised Cattaclean weren’t pushing on with the team themselves?
I can’t really stand Rowbo. I also can’t see him at somewhere like Excelr8. He’s got the ego of No.1 driver, and whilst not a bad driver, he’s not up there with the best of the series.
The current CPRL outfit suits him - if they can guarantee some backing
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u/MarcusH26051 #132 James Dorlin 5d ago
Cataclean had guaranteed funding until the end of the season to keep it going but not beyond that I believe.
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
Plus, if they did and rehired Collard, there would be fireworks!
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u/MarcusH26051 #132 James Dorlin 5d ago
How many rounds until those 2 fell out. The personality clash would be ridiculous.
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u/Top-Cunt 5d ago
Hopefully not many more, I always thought he came across as arrogant but the Plato drama has really lowered my opinion of him.
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
If that team has a 3rd car, I hope they can run it next year.
Hope they can retain Morgan. This must have been his best season ever.
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u/Top-Cunt 5d ago
Yeah I hope for Morgan's sake he can stay as he seems really at home in that car, with a full season under the team's belt he could be a real force next season.
Who would you put in a hypothetical third seat? I think Cammish would be quite spicy in that car.
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
Dare I say Collard if he can't afford to stay at Excelr8
Though if Rowbo stayed, well I wouldn't go there if I could help it.
Proctor, if NAPA doesn't work out.
Dan Lloyd maybe.
A Mini graduate perhaps.
Or even James Dorlin
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u/Mccrilly13 5d ago
Did Platos post on x, refer to him maybe able to slip in and get the team back from the administrators
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
Who knows?
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u/Mccrilly13 5d ago
It was a strange post.
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u/Brief-Poetry6434 5d ago
I guess Plato won't let his team go that easily
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u/Mccrilly13 5d ago
As long as someone keeps the team going
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u/Mccrilly13 5d ago
Is there 4 def staying (Sutton 5 year deal, ATS 3 year deal, Hamilton last year of 2 year deal and Halstead last year of 1 1/2 year deal) and 2 leaving (Chilton and Osborne). Rainford pretty much said he was staying with WSR in his interview with Addison. Am I missing anyone?
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u/Grumpy-so-and-so 4d ago
Rainford is not confirmed with BMW but it should be interesting if Taylor Smith heads over there. DeLeon needs a better car then WSR have had for the last 2 years so if WSR don't get more power he can't stay. It will be interesting to see how he gets on in the BMW GT3 this weekend at Portamao.
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u/UnintendedBiz 5d ago
Think likely to see more teams switch cars - both a Toyotas and Beemers will need to be replaced soon. Napa showed the benefits of FWD saloon.
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u/drew_3056 5d ago
Dan Cammish to sign for Team Vertu
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u/Illustrious-Cow-6733 5d ago
So he can be a #2 in a different team?
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u/drew_3056 5d ago
I didn't think of it like that, but now you kention it. I would like to retract my comment 🤣
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u/Illustrious-Cow-6733 5d ago
I'd like to see Cookie at Vertu, anything just to avoid wasting his talent at Speedworks
Alternatively, Speedworks get the opportunity to ditch the Corolla for a newer car.
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u/MarcusH26051 #132 James Dorlin 5d ago
Think it ultimately all hinges on what happens to the Mercs and if someone takes on CPRL as a going concern or if an existing team takes them on.
Will be interesting to see what happens with various TBL allocations and how many cars teams choose to run.
One I'm intrigued by is Cammish. Does he go back to Alliance knowing Ash has a 5 year deal in his back pocket now or does he look to go elsewhere and be a No1?