BTCC unveils new cost-cutting regulations

The BTCC has today announced a new set of technical regulations that will come into force from 2011. The regulations, dubbed NGTC (for Next Generation Touring Car) are intended to slash car and engine budgets by as much as 50 percent and are intended to help bring new manufacturers and constructors into the series.

The NGTC rules will mean cars will run more durable two-litre turbo charge engines, and a raft of standardisation. Sub-frames, gearboxes, suspension, brakes and ECU’s would all be standardized, whilst the cars will also utilize many components from standard-production models.

It is expected that an NGTC touring car would cost £100,000 new including the engine, approximately half the cost of a current S2000 machine. Current machines built to the FIA Super2000 regulations would be allowed to continue running in the championship until 2013, with the two specifications running to an equalized formula to match performances in the overlapping years. After 2013, the NGTC machines would be allowed increased performance.

Teams that opt not to use their own powerplant would also be given the option of a TOCA-branded engine for £25,000.

The regulations will also lead to an increase in the size of car on the grid (to 4.4m minimum length), with ‘family-sized’ saloons being the target. Current S2000 regulations allow shorter machines such as the Honda Civic to compete alongside larger models such as the Vauxhall Vectra.

Significantly, rear-wheel drive would not be allowed under NGTC regulations, making the presence of BMW’s on the grid unlikely. Said series director Alan Gow of the decision: “The reality is that the BTCC has not had a rear-wheel-drive manufacturer team for some 14 years so it just doesn’t make sense to compromise a set of new, very clear technical regulations (and bring in other major issues of parity) just for the very remote possibility of perhaps including one manufacturer.

On the regulations on the whole, Gow told the official BTCC website:

“These new cars tick all those boxes and more. Of course the best driver and team will still achieve the greatest success in our championship. But, as these new regulations will be much more restrictive on major expenditure, then a team’s greater bank balance will not necessarily equate to greater success. And, in my view, that is exactly how it should be.

“The outcome is a blueprint for our technical regulations, going forward, which absolutely hits the button as to what we wanted to achieve. In fact, they are an incredibly clever and well researched set of regulations that exceeded our own expectations and actually over-deliver on what we were looking for.

“Of huge significance is the fact that we have now achieved a massive cost reduction for teams to compete in the BTCC, with car/engine build and running costs which will be some 50 per cent below the present level. The fact that most teams will be able to undertake a very serious BTCC effort for around half the cost they have today also makes the dream of competing in the BTCC much more of a reality for many new teams and drivers. “The BTCC’s great success has always been through our incredibly close and exciting racing. These new regulations will absolutely guarantee that those virtues solidly remain at the very core of the BTCC.”