Manufacturers respond to new plans

Successful BTCC drivers will be hit with weight penalties next season as championship bosses attempt to introduce closer competition.

The ballast ruling, one of a number of new innovations for 2000, will affect drivers who finish on the podium.

The winner of a race will have to carry 40kg of ballast at the following meeting, with the second and third placed drivers each receiving 30kg and 20kg respectively.

A maximum ceiling of 40kg will be imposed, so a driver who wins both will not be penalised twice.

From next year there will also be a complete ban on testing during the season.

BTCC bosses hope this will reduce costs and restrict the time available for drivers to set up their cars for each circuit.

Independent drivers will also receive a vastly increased financial package for 2000, with the intention of attracting more privateers.

Nissan motorsport boss Alec Poole believes the changes will be good for the BTCC. 'The new rules will favour less well-funded teams, which is good. Ballast is logical and sensible.'

Other changes for next season include a limited supply of 28 slick tyres for each team during a race weekend, and the discouragement of specially prepared qualifying engines.

Teams that enter three cars will also be able to score points in the constructors' championship.

At the present time, only the best two out of three cars score constructors' points.

David Richards, team boss at Ford, says this will encourage some manufacturers to enter three cars for each race.

'If you want to win the manufacturers' title, three cars will be important next year, but it depends which championship is your priority.'

However, Roland Dane, team boss at Vauxhall, says the changes could create difficulties for the marque.

'We're broadly in agreement with the new rules, but not with the calendar - the way it has been announced,' he commented.

'With three back-to-back races, it will be very difficult for us to run three cars.'

Commenting on the changes to the series, TOCA chief executive Alan Gow, said, 'The BTCC is entering a period of transition as we evolve the series for the future.

'We know that the dramatic transformation of the championship in 2001 will safeguard the long-term health of the BTCC...The cars will be more evenly matched than ever before, creating grids of drivers who all have a realistic chance of winning races.

'That can only be a positive development for the sport.'