BTCC 2011 Rumours

[Alfa Fan]

I think it's time for this thread, been a few stories recently.

Plus here's a rundown of the current status of entries for next year.

RML

Probably going to return with the Chevrolet Cruze's, and if they do will retain Jason Plato as lead driver. Team-mate will have to bring $$$ but this doesn't rule out it being Alex MacDowell again.

Very likely 2 x Chevrolet Cruze (Plato & TBA)

Dynamics

Rumoured to have retained Honda backing after a strong 2010. Some sort of announcement expected over this weekend on that front. Driver line-up unlikely to change.

Very likely 2 x Honda Civic (Shedden & Neal)

Motorbase

Almost certainly going to continue in the championship, probably with just two BMWs but option of a third car. Jackson almost certain to be retained, Kane dependent on sponsorship.

Very likely 2 x BMW 320SI (Jackson & TBA)

WSR

Doesn't want to spend another year as midfield runners. Could bring Turkington back to the championship if he decides on BTCC over WTCC. Unlikely that driver line-up will remain unchanged.

Possible 2/3 x BMW 320SI (Turkington? Collard? Neate?)

Triple Eight

In the right hands the Vectra can still be very competitive. Expect to see them running two amateur drivers if they can get a package together.

Possible 2 x Vauxhall Vectra (Nash? Lloyd? Walker? Smith? Tordoff?)

Arena

Almost certain to return but may switch to NGTC Petrol engine. Rumoured they could even have a full-NGTC spec Focus up and running for 2011. Tom Chilton an absolute certainty, but TOC has plans to move elsewhere. State they are going to run 3 cars (as they stated in 2009 and 2010)

Confirmed 2 x Ford Focus (Chilton & Onslow-Cole?) + Possible 1 x Ford Focus (TBA?)

Special Tuning

Would like to run 2 cars next year, although YRC's tie-up with AmD has dented this possibility. Also want the TDI engine, which very much depends on SEATs plans for 2011.

Likely 1 x SEAT Leon (TDI?) (Boardman) + Possible 1 x SEAT Leon (TDI?) (TBA?)

Boulevard Team Racing

Car is set to phased out by new rules, although confirmation of this has still not been announced. Talk of expansion to two cars.

Likely 1 x TBA (Johnson) + Possible 1 x TBA (TBA)

Techspeed

JAG going into administration can't have helped finances, just ending this season has been a struggle. Will need major new financial backing to return in 2011. Martyn Bell's return from injury could see the team continue to be represented.

Possible 1-3 x TBA (O'Neill? George? Bell? Kizilirmak?)

Forster

Want to return after tough 2010.

Possible 2 x BMW 320SI (Forster & Depper)

Wood

Unknown

Possible 1 x TBA (Wood)

Barwell

Plan to be out in 2011. Integra may not be eligible anymore.

Likely 1 x TBA (Kaye)

Pinkney

Very Likely 1 x Vauxhall Vectra (Pinkney)

Jordan

Very Likely 1 x Vauxahll Vectra (Jordan)

AmD

Confirmed 1 x Volkswagen Golf (Hollamby) + Possible 1 x Volkswagen Golf (TBA?)

Others

• Joey Foster & Dave Newsham are looking to enter[/*:m:2loj0b37]
• Frank Wrathall to run an NGTC Toyota Avensis[/*:m:2loj0b37]

[Alfa Fan]

If Techspeed return, it won't be with the Integras:

http://www.ten-tenths.com/news/showentry.php?e=1331

[Northern Monkey]

Don't expect a diesel SEAT - doubt we'll see diesel in the BTCC again.

Don't expect to see two Boulevard cars - one might be a huge ask given the Astra can't run and after the unfortunate death of Cliff Johnson.

Triple Eight are chasing manufacturer deals which would rule the Vectra out.

Tech-Speed will be there and JAG has been replaced on the cars since the middle of the season which shows that wasn't an issue in any way.

[Alfa Fan]

The team have said they want to run the diesel - let's wait and see!

Johnson's said he wants 2 cars, and that was after Oulton.

How is the Vectra ruled out? Triple Eight were after a manufacturer deal for this year, didn't seem to rule the Vectra out this year!

Just because Techspeed are struggling along this year, doesn't mean they can make it safely into 2011.

[Northern Monkey]

If Triple Eight can do a deal there would be no Vectra - my point being don't assume the Vectra will be the car they use.

As for Tech-Speed, as I said, they'll be on the grid next season.

[Alfa Fan]

At the moment the most likely car for 888 is the Vectra! Anything else would be pure speculation.

[VkmSpouge]

Dynamics

Rumoured to have retained Honda backing after a strong 2010. Some sort of announcement expected over this weekend on that front. Driver line-up unlikely to change.

Very likely 2 x Honda Civic (Shedden & Neal)

Team Dynamics are switching engines to an NGTC-spec prepared by Neil Brown Engineering.

AmD

Confirmed 1 x Volkswagen Golf (Hollamby) + Possible 1 x Volkswagen Golf (TBA?)

They are switching to an NGTC engine as well, the Swindon or one of their own. I wouldn't hold my breath on any second entry as none of today's press releases mentions it and Autosport.com and Touringcartimes.com say it is only a single car entry.

[Northern Monkey]

Single car for AmD

[Northern Monkey]

At the moment the most likely car for 888 is the Vectra! Anything else would be pure speculation.

At the moment, almost everything is speculation!

[PDS]

The team have said they want to run the diesel - let's wait and see!

They wanted to run the diesel this year and were told they couldn't.

Another team wanted to run a diesel SEAT but walked away from the championship when they were told NO!

The Diesel engine is not allowed in the BTCC. Alan Gows response on future engines in the BTCC his forum was ....

No....the only engines eligible will be either the NGTC engine or the current S2000 2 litre.