2020 Touring Car discussion (TCR, BTCC etc.)Touring Cars

[VulcanSpirit]

Since the New Year is almost upon us, I might as well start this thread with TOCA's announcement of the 2020 BTCC entry list.

Of note is that BTC Racing have acquired a third TBL licence, while Aiden Moffat Racing and BMR Racing share one each for the Moffat-Sutton Infiniti duo. No other updates on driver/car/sponsorship deals yet, but they are to be expected in the next few months.

 

[05XR8]

https://autoaction.com.au/2019/12/03/grms-wtcr-aim

“If we ran a wildcard and are successful there, you never know might happen.”

The new Evo version of the Megane RS TCR will feature a front-end designed by GRM, while testing has already been undertaken with the model’s new engine in a testing mule ahead of the planned homologation of the new car early next year.

After GRM announced its withdrawal from the Supercars Championship in October, the team has ramped up its TCR involvement through a growing relationship with Renault Australia that is expected to include rebranding the squad to GRM Team Renault for 2020. A deal has also been completed that has awarded GRM the Australian and New Zealand distribution rights to the Renault Megane RS TCR on behalf of Vukovic Motorsport.

Edit: They are not playin'
https://www.tcraustralia.com/renaul...ers-motorsport-for-2020-tcr-australia-series/

 

[05XR8]

https://www.touringcartimes.com/2019/12/05/aragon-inje-speedium-confirmed-2020-wtcr-calendar/

2020 WTCR Calendar
Apr 5th – Marrakech, Morocco
Apr 26th – Hungaroring, Hungary
May 23rd – Nürburgring, Germany
June 6th – Slovakiaring, Slovakia
June 21st – Vila Real, Portugal
July 5th – Aragón, Spain
Sept 6th – Ningbo, China
Oct 18th – Inje-Speedium, South Korea
Nov 22nd – Macau, SAR China
Dec 13th – Sepang, Malaysia

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Carl Boardley becomes Team HARD's third returnee for 2020. Interestingly, the team have also acquired an ex-WSR 1 Series for him to use:

 

[GTracer38]

I'm guessing eTCR would fit here somewhere. Some Alfa Giulia's being built by Romeo Ferrari for it, which is interesting.

https://www.touringcartimes.com/2019/12/06/romeo-ferraris-announce-alfa-romeo-giulia-etcr-project/

 

[05XR8]

Misa lika disa.

Memories of the 155 and159. Two of my favourites. 👍

 

[VulcanSpirit]

I'm guessing eTCR would fit here somewhere. Some Alfa Giulia's being built by Romeo Ferrari for it, which is interesting.

https://www.touringcartimes.com/2019/12/06/romeo-ferraris-announce-alfa-romeo-giulia-etcr-project/

Especially interesting considering that there isn't an all-electric Guilia on sale yet. Then again, it makes more sense considering that ECTR is based on rear-wheel drive cars, which as far as I'm aware have yet to emerge in regular TCR.

Meanwhile, Colin Turkington announces his 2020 title defence with BMW.

 

[05XR8]

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Tom Oliphant joins Turkington for a second season with Team BMW.

Third WSR seat still to be confirmed, but really hoping that Jordan gets it given how strongly he fought in the 3 Series this year.

 

[05XR8]

Lots of hope for us old dudes.👍

https://www.tcraustralia.com/nsw-state-racer-makes-step-up-to-tcr-in-hyundai/

 

[05XR8]

This is a weird one to be starting up now
https://www.touringcartimes.com/201...ons-new-tcl-category-ahead-2020-introduction/

Touring Car Lite
Eligible Cars: B-Segment Cars 3-5 doors
Mass production: Based on models with ≥5,000 production units
Minimum weight: 1,000 kg
Maximum overall length: 4,200 mm
Maximum overall width: 1,950 mm
Maximum wheelbase: 2,600 mm
Engine: Turbo-charged petrol up to 1333 cc
Maximum Power: 200hp
Powertrain: Front-wheel drive
Few modifications to mass production car: Bodywork and aerodynamic modifications (rear wing, splitter, etc.)
ECU: Specific unit with maximum P-Boost management or single ECU

Cars from the B-segment will be eligible for homologation to the TCL category, such as the Ford Fiesta, Skoda Fabia, Renault Clio and Hyundai i20.

Spec-B with turbos. Okay then.

 

[gregc]

This is a weird one to be starting up now
https://www.touringcartimes.com/201...ons-new-tcl-category-ahead-2020-introduction/

Touring Car Lite
Eligible Cars: B-Segment Cars 3-5 doors
Mass production: Based on models with ≥5,000 production units
Minimum weight: 1,000 kg
Maximum overall length: 4,200 mm
Maximum overall width: 1,950 mm
Maximum wheelbase: 2,600 mm
Engine: Turbo-charged petrol up to 1333 cc
Maximum Power: 200hp
Powertrain: Front-wheel drive
Few modifications to mass production car: Bodywork and aerodynamic modifications (rear wing, splitter, etc.)
ECU: Specific unit with maximum P-Boost management or single ECU

Cars from the B-segment will be eligible for homologation to the TCL category, such as the Ford Fiesta, Skoda Fabia, Renault Clio and Hyundai i20.

Spec-B with turbos. Okay then.

If you have a minute, take a look at this piece by Neil Hudson (good touring car journalist, formerly of TouringCarTimes) - it's mostly about how the Aussie touring car scene is changing, but towards the end of it he also talks about how the European car market is moving towards smaller cars. In the context of that, TCL makes a fair bit of sense to me.

 

[CodeRedR51]

This is a weird one to be starting up now
https://www.touringcartimes.com/201...ons-new-tcl-category-ahead-2020-introduction/

Touring Car Lite
Eligible Cars: B-Segment Cars 3-5 doors
Mass production: Based on models with ≥5,000 production units
Minimum weight: 1,000 kg
Maximum overall length: 4,200 mm
Maximum overall width: 1,950 mm
Maximum wheelbase: 2,600 mm
Engine: Turbo-charged petrol up to 1333 cc
Maximum Power: 200hp
Powertrain: Front-wheel drive
Few modifications to mass production car: Bodywork and aerodynamic modifications (rear wing, splitter, etc.)
ECU: Specific unit with maximum P-Boost management or single ECU

Cars from the B-segment will be eligible for homologation to the TCL category, such as the Ford Fiesta, Skoda Fabia, Renault Clio and Hyundai i20.

Spec-B with turbos. Okay then.

Bring it on.

 

[05XR8]

If you have a minute, take a look at this piece by Neil Hudson (good touring car journalist, formerly of TouringCarTimes) - it's mostly about how the Aussie touring car scene is changing, but towards the end of it he also talks about how the European car market is moving towards smaller cars. In the context of that, TCL makes a fair bit of sense to me.

👍
I read this before just now seeing your post. I was going to comment to him, about this just now revealed TCL series.

Here, in Australia, the small(er) car B-segment was huge. Swift, Festiva, Fiesta, Fiat 500, Mazda2, Hyundai Getz, Polo, Fabia, etc. It's more of the bigger hatches now, like he mentioned in his piece. I still see new small cars like the Fit/Jazz, Yaris, Mazda2 and Kia Picanto, but not so many Fiestas(we still get the ST version) and Polos. The CUV/SUV are replacing those smaller hatches.

It'll be interesting if dealers see requests for some of these smaller hatches.

Bring it on.

Reminds me of not only the USA B-Spec series, but more like old the BTCC Production class. Guess it's time to look for a cheap small hatch again.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Honda will now sell you a PWC TC class Civic Type R for $90k.

https://www.carscoops.com/2019/12/8...breaks-cover-as-americas-sub-tcr-track-racer/

 

[05XR8]

Drive from home to the track?

 

[CodeRedR51]

Kelly Racing will not be participating in TCR next season to concentrate on their VASC Mustang program. Also, not a good idea to run a Holden product (if you want to call it that) when partnered with Ford.

https://www.speedcafe.com/2019/12/1...MEYzhxG_DpqZIEWhNMZj7z7Fpb03G4BTVVvELdZVv2ze0

 

[05XR8]

Shame the FRD CHINA TCR program ceased. I know they're not Penske, but if RP can run different brands in multiple series, KR should be able to as well. Hopefully, a pair of Mazdas.

 

[FPV MIC]

Shame the FRD CHINA TCR program ceased. I know they're not Penske, but if RP can run different brands in multiple series, KR should be able to as well. Hopefully, a pair of Mazdas.

KR should develop their own Focus TCR once they've got their Supercar programme up to speed, and I think the main difference with what Penske is doing is that it's not here in Australia... and he's a fricken billionaire .

 

[05XR8]

Whoops. Thought I've been posting in this thread. Wondered where my posts went.
https://www.tcraustralia.com/jason-bargwanna-secures-peugeot-drive-for-2020-tcr-australia/

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Andrew Jordan secures the third and final 2020 WSR seat.

 

[Diehardracer]

Will the eTCR Series be available to see online or on TV?

Looks cool with not only the Alfa but the Hyundai Veloster which looks amazing in addition to the Cupra.

 

[R55NA]

Andrew Jordan secures the third and final 2020 WSR seat.

Thats a surprise. Rumours of him missing out due to dropping PIRTEK sponsor.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Thats a surprise. Rumours of him missing out due to dropping PIRTEK sponsor.

According to this Touring Car Times article, Jordan had been working to get the deal done for some time:

"Ever since Pirtek – who have been incredible supporters of mine for a decade – told me that motorsport no longer featured in their plans last summer, I’ve been trying desperately to piece together a deal to remain in the BTCC with WSR... I was single-minded when it came to next season and hadn’t talked to anyone else, which is why I’m so honoured that BMW worked so hard to keep me on-board – I know there will have been loads of people knocking on their door for 2020. Having the same three drivers, team and engineers is good from a continuity point-of-view and I think that will help us to find more gains over the off-season."

Very glad he did; I look forward to seeing him carry over the pace he had last season.

 

[05XR8]

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Lestrup Racing outlines plans for a two-car VW assault in STCC TCR Scandanavia:


Following an impressive 2019 BTCC campaign with Trade Price Cars Racing, Jake Hill signs with AmD for 2020:


And Goodyear expands to WTCR:

 

[05XR8]

It'll be interesting to see how the tuning community embrace this tyre. Raised yellow letter tyres on i30N, Mazda3, Golf, etc. Guess I'll replace the Yokohamas on my personal car.

 

[Northstar]

Sadly the Mazda TCR won't debut until 2021.

https://racer.com/2019/12/20/mazda3-tc3-debut-pushed-to-2021/

 

[05XR8]

Good. Hope supply will equal demand.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Bobby Thompson moves to Trade Price Cars Racing: