BTCC series to include new class

The sport's governing body, TOCA, has introduced a new Class B for cars complying with the FIA Super Production regulations and those which fall in line with the rules of the National Saloon Championship.

The new BTCC Class B entrants will compete alongside the current Super Touring BTCC cars.

The new class will also benefit from being part of the BBC TV Grandstand coverage, which screens every round of BTCC action, including six live races throughout the season.

Chief Executive of TOCA Limited, Alan Gow, revealed that the new class has been introduced as a direct result of requests from potential competitors.

He said, 'In recent times, we have had a number of enquiries from competitors in the National Saloon Championship who wanted to compete in a bigger arena than they currently do.

'The BTCC is the biggest show in UK motorsport and offers commercial opportunities for competitors and sponsors that cannot be matched elsewhere.

'Before Christmas, we had a brief discussion with representatives from some competitors, but it was felt that their plans for 2000 were too far advanced to make a wholesale switch to the BTCC.

'However, since then, a number of team owners have indicated that they really do want to compete in the big time, so we have taken the decision to formulate a class for them within the BTCC.'

The BTCC was open to two or more classes until 1991 when the current Super Touring 2-litre regulations became the series' standard.

Robb Gravett was the last champion of the two-class era, claiming the 1990 drivers' title at the wheel of his Ford Sierra Cosworth.

It is believed that Class B will be run in exactly the same format as the Super Touring category, with the exception that Class B entrants will not be required to make the mandatory pit stops during the feature races.

No technical changes will be required to those cars eligible for Class B.

In order to ensure suitable grid sizes, entries for Class B will be accepted on a first come, first served basis from those competitors who commit to running in all BTCC rounds.