RE: BTCC 2016 is go!
Saturday 26th March 2016
There are just nine days remaining until the start of the 2016 BTCC season, which begins at Brands Hatch Indy next weekend. Yesterday saw all the runners and riders for this year confirmed at the Donington Park media day, with a few test laps completed as well.
32 cars confirmed for the 2016 seasonThe big news as far as PH is concerned is the BMR Subaru Levorg, revealed in a sparkling white livery with few visible sponsors. What do you reckon? It's certainly distinctive, far more an estate in appearance than its predominantly hatchback-derived rivals. The big arches work well too. Question is, will it be seen towards the front or the back of this year's grid? Team BMR is optimistic, stating on its website that team is "confident of immediate success."
BTCC 2016 is go!
The Subaru is unveiled and the Civic is really orange (it's fastest too)
32 cars confirmed for the 2016 season
Given how many championships its drivers have won over the years, the Halfords Yuasa Honda team will be hoping for a competitive showing this campaign. The new Civic Type R certainly won't be missed in the trademark orange paint! In yesterday's test laps, Matt Neal recorded the fastest time of the day, which of course bodes well for the rest of the season. Interestingly he was just a tenth of second faster than new boy Ashley Sutton, moving into the BTCC with MG after a championship winning year in the Clio Cup last year.
2016 sees a record 32-car grid compete in the BTCC, promising another year of fantastically close racing. Manufacturers represented include Toyota, Ford, Audi, BMW and Mercedes amongst those already mentioned. Bring on Brands Hatch!
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[Photos: LAT Photo]
Discussion
Having watched it for years I found myself getting a bit bored last year. Some circuits are great, others just don't suit the cars and not much really happens, bit like watching the WTCC.
It's still a great series though and pleasing to see so much interest from manufacturers, teams and sponsors.
It's still a great series though and pleasing to see so much interest from manufacturers, teams and sponsors.
P*ssed off. Took a day off work to see and hear the Levorg, and they'd only wheeled it out for the press. It wasn't running on track for a technical reason. They could at least have had it on display behind barriers so the public could look at it.
Wasted opportunity with the fans.
This one certainly.
Wasted opportunity with the fans.
This one certainly.
PistonSquizz said:
P*ssed off. Took a day off work to see and hear the Levorg, and they'd only wheeled it out for the press. It wasn't running on track for a technical reason. They could at least have had it on display behind barriers so the public could look at it.
Wasted opportunity with the fans.
This one certainly.
It's fairly well known that it's all a bit last minute and the cars are not ready. No offence but it is called Media Day for a reason.Wasted opportunity with the fans.
This one certainly.
Janesy B said:
It's fairly well known that it's all a bit last minute and the cars are not ready. No offence but it is called Media Day for a reason.
Agreed. But I feel it was very short-sighted to bundle the car away so only the press got to see it in the morning, and all the fans didn't get a look in. I just hope they sort things in time, because they're currently running behind versus virtually all the other teams. Brands is just over a week away...
PistonSquizz said:
P*ssed off. Took a day off work to see and hear the Levorg, and they'd only wheeled it out for the press. It wasn't running on track for a technical reason. They could at least have had it on display behind barriers so the public could look at it.
Wasted opportunity with the fans.
This one certainly.
I think they need every minute possible to work on the cars, I don't think any are complete yet! It wouldn't surprise me if they were wheeled back in to a garage to continue building it!Wasted opportunity with the fans.
This one certainly.
They only finished getting that new Levorg together at 2am yesterday morning, which was why it wasnt fully up and running. I think that they have also come up with some interesting ideas with the car which at the moment they don't want to reveal to the other teams....which was why it was hidden away for most of the day.
Busy days ahead to get the rest of the race cars built and ready for the start of the season...but if it's as good as they hope it will be it could be an interesting season.
Busy days ahead to get the rest of the race cars built and ready for the start of the season...but if it's as good as they hope it will be it could be an interesting season.
I went up to Donington yesterday to meet up with Jake Hill who's out in the Team Hard Toyota this year, here's a link to my pictures from the day.
Link: www.lancerregister.com/showthread.php?t=521613
Link: www.lancerregister.com/showthread.php?t=521613
leedsutd1 said:
needssomething to spice it up ,,some of theraces last year were like F1 ,,who is plato driving for
No it doesn't even the most boring btcc race was miles better than any f1 race last year. Not every race will be spectacular.Plato is driving the bmr run Subaru.
As for the Subaru well they aren't finished yet hence why no running. There was an article on touring car times about the project and its been in the planning for a while dates back to mid 2012 when the mg was a new car according to jp and his chief engineer they set out to make the best car for the ngtc regs they come out with the Subaru.
Cant wait for the first rd proper racing back on and oh ph day late on media day but atleast you did a piece about it.
EDLT said:
Does the Levorg (s
t name) still have a boxer engine?
Yes, and rear wheel drive I believe which should make it interesting. Does look a lot bigger than everything else though!t name) still have a boxer engine?Looks like another great season. I agree last year seemed to lack a bit of "fizz" but exciting none the less especially compared to F1. Can't wait for Brands.
StoatInACoat said:
EDLT said:
Does the Levorg (st name) still have a boxer engine?
Yes, and rear wheel drive I believe which should make it interesting. Does look a lot bigger than everything else though!t name) still have a boxer engine?Looks like another great season. I agree last year seemed to lack a bit of "fizz" but exciting none the less especially compared to F1. Can't wait for Brands.
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