BTCC 2011

Rumour has it that Team Aon have sold their three Focus touring cars to Motorbase.

The BTCC.net homepage has already revealed that Arena are building new cars, most likely the new Ford Focus global touring car with Ford backing.

However, with Motorbase confirming they will run as Airwaves Racing in 2011, and changing their logo accordingly, it's looking like they are the buyers of the previous generation Focus from Aon.

Just have a look at the Airwaves logo on the right of their homepage - http://www.motorbaseperformance.co.uk/ - and compare it with the Ford Racing logo - http://www.1fordracing.com/fordracing/ - see any similarities?

http://www.touringcartimes.com/article.php?id=5628

Just to confirm what Scot said, good call haha

http://www.touringcartimes.com/article.php?id=5603

Kaye and Nash to race in Dubai 24 hours

Oh wow!! Audi are back (sort of)
http://www.btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=2214

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

Brilliant

I wonder if Jaguar will return to the BTCC, seeing how they will be bringing out a 3 series rival in the near future.

My Final Thoughts:

It would be good if someone entered an E-Class into the BTCC.

Pebb wrote:It would be good if someone entered an E-Class into the BTCC.

Think the E-Class eligibility to enter the BTCC has long passed on.

But cracking news on the Audis, heard about these being in the works, looks like the rumours were true, excellent stuff.

That audi will be just as good as the first super-2000 based BMW in the BTCC....2004 was it not? and it was utter pants!

LOL, yeah, maybe.

It's just good to see yet another manufacturer on the grid, and a team taking a chance in doing something different. The way I see it, when the rest of the big teams (WSR, RML, Team Dynamcis, Arena, etc.) move over to NGTC, these new, rookie teams will have had a year's experience with the car at these regs.

Well done to them for making the leap, and well done to Alan Gow, NGTC is starting to really bear fruit.

NGTC...or Nugget Cars?

Will the Audi be RWD?

ADx Garage wrote:NGTC...or Nugget Cars?

Haha, well that remains to be seen. Although I do think NGTC is a stupid name. What happens when the regs change again? NNGTC?

Would be nice if some of these teams could attract some good names. There's plenty of old hands out there that are without drives that would be great, and there's plenty of new talent ready to progress, but as with everything motorsport these days, it's going to be money that talks.

It would be great to see Techspeed graduate to NGTC with Paul O'Neill, because for me he's the most exciting driver on the grid, and in a front-running car he's take wins. I'd love to see him partnering Gordon Shedden at Honda eventually, that'd be a cracking team.

Richy59 wrote:Will the Audi be RWD?

FWD. NGTC regs only permit RWD where the base car is RWD.

The last FWD Audi in the BTCC was in 1998, Yvan Muller and John Bintcliffe, the team pulled out to focus on the LMP Audis (the ones with the roof), in 1999.

Please remember guys, the picture of the Audi is a photoshopped Italian V8 Superstars Audi RS4

nickyf1 wrote:Please remember guys, the picture of the Audi is a photoshopped Italian V8 Superstars Audi RS4

Yeah, was never going to take anything from that pic.

I'm expecting that car not to turn a wheel to be quite frank (biela).

LOL, it's not Team 48 that's behind them!

Updated OP with team and driver status.

Announced

Honda Racing/Team Dynamics
Honda Civic - NGTC Engine/S2000 Chassis
Matt Neal
Gordon Shedden

Team Aon/Arena International
Ford Focus - NGTC Engine/Chassis unknown
TBA - most likely Tom Chilton
TBA

Lots of talk around the development of the new Ford Focus Global Touring Car, with Arena possibly being one of the teams working with Ford to put this on the track. The sale of the 2010 Focus chassis to Airwaves/Motorbase, and photos from the team of Tom Chilton helping with the construction of new cars, lends weight to this theory. Highly unlikely Tom Onslow-Cole will be returning to the team, after the team orders debacle at Silverstone, and his sponsor Calor being dropped from the livery during off-season testing.

YourRacingCar.com/AmD Milltek
Volkswagen Golf - NGTC Engine/S2000 Chassis
Shaun Hollamby

Pirtek Racing/Team Eurotech
Vauxhall Vectra - NGTC Engine/S2000 Chassis
Jeff Smith
TBA - Most likely Andrew Jordan

Airwaves Racing
Ford Focus - NGTC Engine/S2000 Chassis
TBA
TBA
TBA

Dave Bartrum on record saying that there is scope to run three cars in the 2011 season, and he's keen on Mat Jackson remaining with the team, along with one confirmed driver - my bets are on Steven Kane - and that either Bridgman or Collins are a possibility for the 3rd seat.

Special Tuning UK
SEAT Leon - NGTC Engine/S2000 Chassis
Tom Boardman
TBA

Speedworks
Toyota Avensis - NGTC
Tony Hughes
TBA

Dynojet
Toyota Avensis - NGTC
Frank Wrathall

Rob Austin Racing
Audi A4 - NGTC
TBA
TBA

Likely

WSR

Rumours have WSR developing their own NGTC car and engine. Very little news on this teams plans, other than the possibility of a full WTCC package for Colin Turkington.

Silverline Chevrolet/RML

Highly likely the team will be back with Jason Plato to defend his title, having acquired three 2010 Cruzes from the WTCC team. Rumoured to have tested Fabrizio Giovanardi as a team-mate for Plato, and looking at running three cars in 2011

888

Said to be returning with a pair of NGTC engined S2000 Vectras, but seeking a works deal. Highly likely to be involved with the BTCC, as they'll be at the paddock with their PCCGB cars anyway.

Techspeed

Despite money being tight, rumoured to be purchasing the Civic chassis from Team Dynamics to run with NBE NGTC engines. With Paul O'Neill driving, they must be good for a few wins in 2011.

Welch Motorsport

Have been rumoured to be entering the 2011 season with an NGTC car for Dan Welch.

Team 48 will make it to the grid this year

Wasn't their car just a showcar?

It was a borrowed A-Tech (Dave Pinkney's 2007 team) Alfa showcar, yes.

Painted Hideous Green.

So nobody's running the Avensis?

Having Fabrizio Giovanardi in the same team as Plato, does take away some of the fun. But only, when they are racing against each other.

ADx Garage wrote:So nobody's running the Avensis?

Speedworks
Toyota Avensis - NGTC
Tony Hughes
TBA

Dynojet
Toyota Avensis - NGTC
Frank Wrathall

Avensis runners