The BTCC has entered a new era
The BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) has already undergone a renaissance over the past few years; fans are coming to rounds in record numbers, TV coverage has never been greater and grid numbers are swelling. But series director Alan Gow sees fundamental flaws in the current competition, namely the high costs and the compromised nature of the cars under the old rules. After 18months of behind-the-scenes development, the result was this: the Next Generation Touring Car.
“We set out to produce a better-looking, faster, sexier race car at a much lower cost; I reckon we’ve nailed it,” states Gow.
“To me a touring car is a big, four-door saloon,” he says, adding that some cars on today’s grid are “too small and don’t look good enough”. Gow is clear as to what’s required: “we need bigger cars with a wow factor. That’s what the fans want.”
NGTC is a much bigger car than the BTCC has now. The development car uses the shell of a Toyota Avensis saloon (donated by Toyota specifically for the project) but similarities between road and race cars end there. The new regulations are based around common components – including gearboxes, clutches, electrics and brakes – all designed to reduce costs. All cars will run the same front and rear sub frames – incorporating “proper race car suspension” – designed and developed by Buckingham’s GRP Motorsport. - Autocar
The Next Generation Touring Car has arrived!
Click on the car to enlarge the image!