Do Believe The Hype: NGTC Injects New Energy Into The BTCC.

By Charles Oladeji.

Last year’s MSA Dunlop British Touring Car Champion,  Jason Plato,  may have come out leading 38 points after the first three 2011 races at the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit driving a S2000 spec Chevrolet ;  but,  there’s little doubt that the star attraction as this season which got under way on Sunday, was and may continue to be, the 1.6cc turbo charged engines of the Next generation Touring Car (NGTC)  adopted by rival teams.

Believe the hype; the BTCC is going through a revival.  The introduction and expectations attached to the NGTC are profoundly responsible for a new level of excitement being expressed about the series this season.  There are some doubters of course, but the majority of views are overwhelming supportive of TOCA’s new spec regulations.  Positive reviews are being vividly endorsed by the ten manufacturers involved this season, including beleaguered Toyota with its NGTC Toyota Avensis. 

The BTCC Director Alan Gow can hardly hide his glee at being at the helm during this transition period which has brought the Championship back from the brink and could see the complete implementation of the NGTC in 2013.

Three years ago, things looked grim all round in the world of Motorsports.  The BTCC seemed like it was bound to spend a significant amount of time in the Doldrums, an inevitable consequence of an all engulfing economic downturn.  

The signs were ominous. Despite winning the BTCC with VX Racing’s Fabrizio Giovanardi lost his place in the series, as manufacturers Vauxhall announced the intention to withdraw citing the need to cut costs.  Vauxhall’s decision to withdraw from the BTCC at the time was almost akin to Ferrari withdrawing from Formula One.

Compounding Giovanardi’s woes, after a herculean struggle to find a driving seat with independent team Triple Eight Racing (888), a sponsor suddenly withdrew,  leaving the  2007-08 Champion with no option but to withdraw early 2010. With high costs and lack of sponsorship, the BTCC was in imminent danger.

That threat has somewhat subsided, and the NGTC is helping allay future fears.  The cost reduction of approximately £100,000 in capital costs and 50% of running costs respectively have stuck a cord with the fans and media alike. 

In spite of some technical disadvantages involved with  NGTC (30 kilos extra weight, increase tyre wear, harder overall car handling) the new spec has had a very positive showing, and aims to further equalise racing.   

But, not everyone is enthused by NGTC.  BMW has expressed its dissatisfaction with new regulations and would like to discourage the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship (STCC) from going down the NGTC route.

 

On Sunday Jason Plato also established a new record of BTCC wins.  But, prior to Plato pooping an  NGTC celebratory party this weekend,  his arch rival Matt Neal driving  for Honda Racing Team had displayed the prowess of the NGTC engine (in S2000 chassis)  qualifying in pole position with alarming pace. Despite crashing out of the inaugural  race jostling for position with Plato’s  team Mate Alex Macdowell, Neal managed to win the final race while another contender Matt Jackson driving a Blue Oval  (NGTC engine) for Airways Racing is in 2^nd place overall with 30 points.  Unfortunately, Dynojet and Speedworks teams both using  full spec NGTC Toyota Avensis scored no points.