Touring class stabilised until 2006

BTCC boss Richard West said: "Manufacturers and sponsors can now move forward with total confidence. They can plan and budget like anynormal business. We are getting interest now from other manufacturers and theyhave to be able to look at something where they know they can contain costs."

The move from BTCC promoter British Motorsport Promoters got a warm welcome from BTCC teams. "Very positive news for current and potential manufacturers," said Dick Bennetts, managing director of West Surrey Racing,which runs the works MGs. His thoughts were echoed by both works and independent team bosses.

Representatives of Alfa Romeo and BMW ETCC teams are due atThruxton to take a look at rounds five and six of the BTCC today, and West is confident that BTC Touring grids will expand again in 2003. "We could potentially see full 26 or 28-car grids of Touring class cars next year," he said.

The fate of the BTC Production class is less clear, though West stressed that the BTCP teams are important to his plans. The ideal solution would appear to be separate stand-alone races for BTCP and BTCT in 2003. "With Renault Clios, BTCP and BTCT, you would have a very good tin-top ladder," said West. "We will look carefully at how to manage the transfer. We'll put the feelers out to the teams over the next six to eight weeks and andstart to plan for next year."