BTCC news round-up
Jason Plato appealed successfully against a larger than average £1000 fine and a four-point licence endorsement handed down after the run-in with Tom Kristensen that put the Dane's Honda off the track and into retirement in the feature race at Donington. Kristensen still has the right to take things further, but it's not yet clear if he will.
Mark Lemmer is flirting with a licence suspension after adding further points to his licence thanks to an incident with Alan Morrison at Donington. Lemmer, who already had six points before this weekend, and received another two points and an official reprimand after the Donnington rounds. If he reaches 12 points his licence will be in jeopardy.
Gabriele Tarquini has his eye on a European Super Touring Cup programme in 2001. The 1994 BTCC winner has an ongoing Honda contract for 2001 and will race wherever his employer's programme is, but the Euro STC has its attractions. "It's good from a driver's point of view," said Tarquini. "It runs on the best tracks in Europe and in lots of different countries. I would be exciting." The Italian also pointed out that his current team JAS Motorsport has experience in the series, thanks to its 2000 campaign with Dutchman Peter Kox.
Class B driver Nick James was fined £250 after he collected Alain Menu's Ford Mondeo while it was lapping him in the sprint race. Menu was forced to pit to have his bonnet taped down, but still finished eighth.
Draft sporting regulations circulated to BTCC teams could signal the end for pit stops in the category. The proposal is that the current sprint and feature races would make way for two 30-minute races. The One-Shot Showdown could also be on its way out as qualifying would be over one half-hour session with the grid for the second race formed according to the results of the first. Potential entrant Peugeot's motorsport manager Mick Linford is positive about the new ideas. "They'll be fine, provided the grids are good. With big grids you don't need that sort of thing."
BTCC: Brands Hatch Race 3 in 60 seconds
BTCC: Brands Hatch Race 2 in 80 seconds
BTCC: Brands Hatch Race 1 in 80 seconds
BTCC: Thruxton Race 3 in 90 seconds
BTCC: Thruxton Race 2 in 75 seconds
The outright tin-top wins achieved by a forgotten tin-top great
Already established as a formidable force in the British Saloon Car Championship, the Triumph Dolomite became a legend in 1977 when Tony Dron's Broadspeed machine frequently embarrassed the mighty Capris
Five key plotlines to follow in the 2021 BTCC
It’s been a busy silly season in the BTCC since the chequered flag fell to end the 2020 campaign last November. While last year’s top two have stayed put, there’s plenty of talking points elsewhere, which should result in another fascinating year of tin-top action
The giantkilling 'dad and lad' operation taking on the BTCC's best
The Lancashire squad of Ciceley Motorsport has been a BTCC race winner for several years with Adam Morgan and Mercedes. But the switch to WSR-built BMWs and addition of Tom Chilton as a true barometer for Morgan should see the team step up into title contention
How a returning champion is feeling at home again in the BTCC
After topping the times at the end of British Touring Car Championship pre-season testing, it feels like Gordon Shedden has never been away. But after plenty of changes behind the scenes, the three-time champion is bedding himself in to pick up where he left off
Why a BTCC legend remains defiant at '97 not out'
After a year of enforced absence from the British Touring Car Championship grid, Jason Plato is back and hungrier than ever. Despite stellar opposition and some familiar challenges, the two-time champion still has his eyes focused on the biggest prizes
How Ingram's clean slate can end his BTCC title wait
After seven years together, Tom Ingram and Speedworks Motorsport have amicably split and gone down separate paths for the 2021 BTCC season. With engineer Spencer Aldridge joining him at the Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai squad, Ingram is confident he can challenge for titles from the off
How the unlikely Capri-slaying Dolomite triumphed against adversary
The Dolomite Sprint was a potent giantkilling weapon during the 1970s in the British Saloon Car Championship, now known as the BTCC. Tin-top legend Andy Rouse explains how it became such a force
The rollercoaster ride of West Surrey Racing's 40 years
It’s four decades since one of UK motorsport’s most successful teams made its debut at Silverstone in British Formula 3. Now it’s top dog in the BTCC, time to blow out some candles with boss Dick Bennetts
