This year’s British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) will feature a record number of makes and models.
Thirteen models from 10 different manufacturers will be present on the BTCC grid in 2011, the largest since 1993 where nine manufacturers and 11 models featured. A total of 27 entries have been received so far for this year's championship.
There are full works entries from Chevrolet and Honda and a competitive debut for Ford’s all-new Focus. Other cars on the grid include the BMW 320si, Honda Civic and the VW Golf. Jason Plato returns as champion in a Chevrolet Cruze.
New low-cost regulations – called Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) - have been adopted by the championship, leading to Audi’s A4, Toyota’s Avensis and Proton’s Gen-2 joining the grid. These new cars will race on a par alongside S2000 machinery for the next two years. After this, the rules will be changed to make NGTC cars the dominant force.
“It is important to be mindful that 2011 is both the beginning of a new era and of a transitional period, with the previous breed of Super 2000 cars and the newer NGTC machinery being able to fight on an equal footing for the next two seasons,” said series director Alan Gow. “It will make for a fascinating fight.
“The increasing participation by new teams and the involvement of motor manufacturers – whether as official factory teams or ‘behind the scenes’ – is a ringing endorsement of the championship’s appeal. The BTCC’s ‘bang for buck’ rivals and perhaps tops anything that any other major sport can offer in this country.”
Add your comment