BTCC: BTCC is back!

In a bid to attract a wider variety of cars and more entrants, the BTCC is changing the regulations for the 2007 season, adopting the S2000 rules used in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) that runs across Europe.

According to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship series director, Alan Gow, ‘The cars that ran previously were very much to a domestic formula, but we felt that it had pretty much run its course. By changing to the S2000 regulations we believe that it will open up the championship to other car manufacturers and there will be a greater variety of cars on the grid.’

WTCC-spec cars have been running in the BTCC for the past three seasons – most visibly the SEATs – but have carried weight penalties.

Last season’s BTCC-spec machines will still be able to compete in the 2007 championship but won’t be eligible to contest the drivers’ or manufacturers’ titles. However, Gow reckons that the cars will still be competitive enough for top-ten placings in individual races.

Not everyone’s happyWhile Gow is upbeat about the changes, there’s rather less enthusiasm amongst some of the teams and drivers, including the 2005 and 2006 BTCC drivers’ champ, Matt Neal.

‘In some ways it’s good that we now have cars that comply with internationally recognised regulations,’ Neal explains, ‘but on the negative side the costs have escalated massively. What was always good about the BTCC regulations is that they did an excellent job of curbing costs.

‘What’s slightly frustrating is that the new cars are almost exactly the same as the BTCC-spec ones, but they’re also completely different in lots of very small but very expensive ways. And the BTCC rules were designed so that everyone could design a car to be on the pace – in the world series rules there are various little dispensations and concessions for certain teams, so there’s not a single standard we’re all working to.’

Neal, who will be driving an S2000-spec Civic in the 2007 season, has other concerns: ‘While in WTCC there are certain restrictions, say, in the suspension area, where you need to keep components similar to the road-car items, in other areas you have total freedom. The shells, for instance, are a ridiculous amount of money.’

But he adds: ‘All that said, it’s not the end of the world and we’ll be going all out to win. But it will be tough against the well-proven SEATs, especially as we’re starting from scratch.’

The 2007 BTCC season kicks off at Brands Hatch on March 31.

Regulations: New S2000 vs old BTCC

Bodyshell

Production no.New S2000: Minimum volume 2500 within a 12-month periodOld BTCC: Minimum volume 2500 within a 12-month period

Rear wingNew S2000: Must fit into a 150 x 200mm space. Fixed profileOld BTCC: TOCA-supplied component. Position unique to individual cars

WeightNew S2000: Front-wheel drive: 1110kg inc driver. Rear-wheel drive: 1140kg inc driverOld BTCC: 1175kg including driver

EngineNew S2000: Based on road-going unit with a minimum production of 2500 units. Maximum capacity 2000ccOld BTCC: Based on a road-going unit with a minimum production of 2500 units. Engine can come from a different model in the range as long as its maximum capacity is 2000cc

Rev limitNew S2000: 4-cyl: 8500rpm. 5-cyl: 8750rpm. 6-cyl: 9000rpmOld BTCC: 8500rpm

Other engine regulations New S2000: No turbocharging or forced induction. Engine block and cylinder head must be as fitted to standard production modelOld BTCC: No turbocharging or forced induction. Engine block and cylinder head must be as fitted to standard production model

GearboxNew S2000: Five-speed H-pattern gearbox. Internals can be modified but must use road-car casting and ratios. Six-speed sequential gearbox incurs 30kg penaltyOld BTCC: TOCA-supplied clutch and six-speed sequential gearbox. First gear ratio is fixed, the rest to be chosen from a supplied selection of 26

SuspensionNew S2000: Production uprights and hubs must be used. Mounting points may be moved up to 20mm on chassis side and 40mm on wheel sideOld BTCC: TOCA-supplied wheel hubs must be used and road-car suspension concept retained. Mounting points may be moved up to 20mm on chassis side with no restriction on wheel side

BrakesNew S2000: Front: maximum 332mm diameter discs, maximum four-pot callipers. Rear: maximum two-pot callipersOld BTCC: Front: TOCA supplied 343mm diameter discs, six-pot callipers. Rear: TOCA supplied 290mm diameter discs, two-pot callipers

WheelsNew S2000: 17 x 9in, 4/5-stud fixing, 9kgOld BTCC: TOCA-supplied 17in alloys with centre-lock fixing