2019 Touring Car discussion - WTCC, BTCC etcTouring Cars

[05XR8]

https://www.speedcafe.com/2018/10/17/honda-civic-tcr-car-arrives-in-australia/

I don't care who the customer is. Just get Jordan Cox behind the wheel.

 

[Spacegoat]

Have to say that the Civic looks extremely good in racecar trim. Hopefully a few get onboard with this. Hate to see a 10-12 car grid like the Superutes or Formula 4.

 

[05XR8]

Have to say that the Civic looks extremely good in racecar trim. Hopefully a few get onboard with this. Hate to see a 10-12 car grid like the Superutes or Formula 4.

After watching the GT4 race at Hockenheim(only 10 entries) and that 12 car GT race at Hampton Downs, I'm prepared to accept a minute grid.

 

[Jimlaad43]

After watching the GT4 race at Hockenheim(only 10 entries) and that 12 car GT race at Hampton Downs, I'm prepared to accept a minute grid.

To be honest, I saw a 1-hour race of 5 LMP3s at the weekend and it was actually incredible. As long as they stay together, small grids can be ok.

 

[05XR8]

https://www.speedcafe.com/2018/10/23/electric-tcr-series-launched-for-2020-start/

 

[05XR8]

https://www.speedcafe.com/2018/10/30/first-volkswagen-golf-tcr-arrives-in-australia/

It's happeningggggg

 

[Northstar]

IMSA's TCR class is getting some much needed variety in 2019. Hopefully they are one of many as it's a great class.

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/impc/lap-confirms-two-car-honda-tcr-entry-for-2019/

 

[05XR8]

https://www.speedcafe.com/2018/11/05/tcr-australia-reveals-inaugural-2019-calendar/

TCR Australia 2019 Calendar

Round 1: Sydney Motorsport Park, May 17-19
Round 2: Phillip Island, June 6-9
Round 3: The Bend Motorsport Park, July 12-14
Round 4: Queensland Raceway, August 2-4
Round 5: Winton, August 31 -September 1
Round 6: Sandown, September 20-22
Round 7: The Bend Motorsport Park, November 15-17

 

[Spacegoat]

Would have liked to have seen these on the support bill for Bathurst 12hr. That would have been cool.

Calendar looks good though. Now all we need is the grid.

 

[05XR8]

Would have liked to have seen these on the support bill for Bathurst 12hr. That would have been cool.

Calendar looks good though. Now all we need is the grid.

Yeah, even a demo would make sense. I do hope there are some invited to partake in the 12H. Wonder if anyone will bring one to Challenge Bathurst.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Hyundai adding a Veloster TCR to the IMSA MICHELIN Pilot Challenge for 2019. Which makes more sense than the i30 N's they used in PWC last year since that car isn't sold in the states.

https://www.imsa.com/news/112018/hy...prgUWGydSZE43lOKQefBMLYh2dZqTq2qM8-g5VP1vGtlQ

 

[05XR8]

https://www.tcraustralia.com/hyundai-tcr-team-welcomes-first-car-to-australia/


Cool http://www.v8sleuth.com.au/news/2018/11/19/supercars-star-chaz-mostert-tests-tcr-car

 

[05XR8]

https://www.speedcafe.com/2018/11/20/supercars-drivers-impressed-after-tcr-tests/

Not clashing with the Supercars calendar is a plus. Would love to see BJR run a couple of those Audis.

 

[05XR8]

https://www.speedcafe.com/2018/11/22/tcr-australia-to-cap-grid-to-20-cars-for-2019/

Oh well. Makes sense, but hope it doesn't kill grid numbers
https://www.speedcafe.com/2018/11/22/tcr-cars-cant-run-unendorsed-events/

 

[Michelin Man]

Amoungst other BTCC related bits of news, (usual driver changes for next year etc.), saw this big announcement today:

https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/140396/toyota-gb-returns-as-btcc-manufacturer

Toyota are returning as a manufacturer once more next year, partnering up with Speedworks, with a one car effort for next year, with "Tingram" of course, and potential two car effort beyond 2019. Will be using the brand new for next year Corolla, which will look pretty decent if the renders are anything to by so far.

This is awesome news for Ingram and the rest of the Speedworks outfit, they're hard work as a single independent team the last few years has seen them really take to the big manufacturer teams, effectively flying the flag for Toyota themselves with the Avensis. Good to Toyota GB has seen and appreciated that, a manufacturer deal could really bolster them up there with the rest, more so than they have already with what they've done. Just to think what the extra money and resources of a manufacturer deal could do for them...

Either way, this ever increasing manufacturer interest in the BTCC, and interest from other independent teams only shows how well the NGTC package has been set out by Alan Gow. And with the interesting Hybrid regs set out for beyond 2020, things are looking interesting for the future of the BTCC IMO.

 

[05XR8]

I like the look of that BTCC Corolla. Needs a TCR version.

 

[05XR8]

Cool. One of the nastiest liveries, but cool story.
https://www.speedcafe.com/2018/12/02/iconic-btcc-title-winner-rocks-up-at-adelaide/

 

[jake2013guy]

I like the look of that BTCC Corolla. Needs a TCR version.

Would be pretty cool to see. Though from the side, it looks very Honda FK2 to me. At least a slightly squished one.

 

[Michelin Man]

To be honest it's just great to see the manufacturer interest in the BTCC, still booming.

 

[05XR8]

To be honest it's just great to see the manufacturer interest in the BTCC, still booming.

The long standing series always seem to fluctuate. It's like F1, NASCAR, DTM, GT, WTCC/ATCC.

There are times, when each series appears to go into a panic. Just from a fan point of view. Manufacturers leave, return, new ones join, etc. 2019 looks to be one of those years where it's looking up.

 

[jake2013guy]

This 2010 WTCC lineup looks pretty good. Some young guns and established drivers.

 

[Michelin Man]

The long standing series always seem to fluctuate. It's like F1, NASCAR, DTM, GT, WTCC/ATCC.

There are times, when each series appears to go into a panic. Just from a fan point of view. Manufacturers leave, return, new ones join, etc. 2019 looks to be one of those years where it's looking up.

Pretty much bang on, and at the moment the BTCC is thriving well. All since the introduction of NGTC regs, the manufacturer interest seems to have re-blossomed, and it's only getting better it seems. Which with the BTCC is no bad thing considering how good the racing is.

 

[Northstar]

IMSA's TCR class is starting to look pretty good.

2 more Honda's.

 

[05XR8]

IMSA's TCR class is starting to look pretty good.

2 more Honda's.

Those look a bit funky. Like an inverse bimmerworld livery.

 

[05XR8]

https://www.speedcafe.com/2018/12/08/aussie-driver-search-plots-tcr-australia-team/

There's pretty much no way I can see an up and coming driver start at karts, then 86s, then SuperUtes. TCR is going to be that step up from 86s. Then S3, S2. Throw in GT4/GT3 programs. Probably karts->F4->S5000.
SuperUtes was a nice try, but TCR is way better to stay in and make a career or move up each tier.

 

[05XR8]

Make it happen
https://www.speedcafe.com/2018/12/10/grm-considering-tcr-australia-program/

 

[C-ZETA]

Priaulx back.

This Lynk & Co mob mean business, don't they? If this is what puts Chinese cars on the map...well, good on them, I say.

 

[05XR8]

Was just about to post this. Good stuff!

 

[MatskiMonk]

Good news. Glad to see Andy back in a touring car, hopefully this will be more successful for him than his 2015 outing for WSR.

 

[05XR8]