2022 Touring Car Discussion Thread - TCR, BTCC, etc.Touring Cars

[VulcanSpirit]

Another season, another switchover for Tom Chilton who has become the latest driver to join EXCELR8's 2022 assault.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

WSR confirm Colin Turkington and Stephen Jelley as their 2022 Team BMW works drivers.

 

[MagpieRacer]

WSR confirm Colin Turkington and Stephen Jelley as their 2022 Team BMW works drivers.

Jake Hill will also drive a WSR run BMW under the MB Motorsport banner as well. Good lineup.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Rory Butcher remains with Speedworks and the Toyota Gazoo Racing UK outfit for 2022; teammate announcements expected to follow soon.

 

[Michelin Man]

With the extra TBL this season, it will be interesting to see who Speedworks sign alongside Butcher, with speculation that Smelt may be going elsewhere.

Same can be said at BTC and Team Dynamics too, with the extra seats. Some intriguing combinations still to unfold.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

TOCA support paddock stalwart George Gamble completes Ciceley Motorsport's 2022 line-up.



UPDATE: 2022 announcement from Power Maxed Racing due at 16:00 GMT:

 

[Michelin Man]

And with that 4PM announcement, we now know the first of PMR's drivers for this season as Crees makes his return to the BTCC.

Smart choice, now we wait to see who partners him in the second Astra. Whether Plato returns for another season, or perhaps other developments occur.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

And with that 4PM announcement, we now know the first of PMR's drivers for this season as Crees makes his return to the BTCC.

That same article also confirms that the team will be fielding Vauxhall Astras again, though whether it's the current or new-shape model remains to be seen...

 

[Michelin Man]

That same article also confirms that the team will be fielding Vauxhall Astras again, though whether its the current or new-shape model remains to be seen...

Was just thinking the same as I read it. Must admit, I'd be a little surprised to see their ageing Mk7 Astra still on the grid for 2022, as the Mk8 is already on sale and given their links to Vauxhall. Interesting to see what they do going into this hybrid era.

That's not to underestimate the big task of building a new model chassis from scratch, but still the current Astra is probably one of the least efficient shapes aerodynamically, compared to newer models on the grid.

 

[05XR8]

Phillip Island schedule released for Supercheap Auto TCR Australia - TCR Australia

Following a thrilling first round of Supercheap Auto TCR Australia at AWC Race Tasmania, the schedule has been released for the next stop on the calendar at Phillip Island on March 18-20. The Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series headlines a […]

tcraustralia.com

 

[VulcanSpirit]

EXCERL8 reveal their main 2022 title sponsor and livery.





More photos from TouringCarTimes.

Smart design, but I'm already starting to miss the Ginsters backing on Tingram's car.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Rick Parfitt Jr. returns in a Team HARD-run Infiniti. Hopefully the switch to rear-wheel drive machinery will play more to his strengths as a former double British GT champion.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Double BTCC 2022 update.

Team HARD continue their title partnership with Autobrite Direct.



Hyundai-based engines for EXCERL8; outgoing TOCA engine supplier Swindon also involved in an R&D capacity.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Bobby Thompson returns to Team HARD.

 

[Michelin Man]

Jack Butel completes EXCELER8's 4-car line-up, as he signs on for 2022.



Also, BMW/WSR have revealed their 2022 livery for the 330e. I'd say it's an improvement on last years design if nothing else. Though from what we've seen so far, Sutton and Cammish's Napa Racing Focus' are the clear standouts for me.

 

[Michelin Man]

Just a few recent BTCC news announcements:

Great to see that Jade Edwards has been signed on for her second full season with BTC Racing.



Also, MB Motorsport revealed their 2022 livery for Jake Hills Rokit sponsored 330e. Certainly the simplest of all the liveries revealed so far, but it does the job. Eager to see how well Hill will no doubt get on in a RWD touring car this season, given how entertaining he is to watch as a driver.



And finally, as of tomorrow (29th) official pre-season testing will begin at Donington, as the first of 3 Hybrid Installation Tests begins (two more are scheduled for April at Croft and Thruxton). Interestingly, that article also mentions the 3 loaned TBL's set to be used by Team Dynamics, BTC Racing and Speedworks, now won't be used unfortunately. So the grid stays at 'just' 29 cars for 2022.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Two BTCC announcements as official pre-season testing gets underway:

Josh Cook remains with BTC Racing.



Motorbase reveal their other 2022 livery and title sponsors - the red Focuses are back.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

Jason Plato to compete in his final BTCC season run this year, joining BTC Racing after a successful test for them at Donington. Autosport and TouringCarTimes are among the sources to confirm his planned retirement.



A bittersweet day for Plato fans, but let's hope that the FK8 can let him bow out on a high.

 

[Michelin Man]

As the rumours suggested a little while ago, Ricky Collard joins the BTCC grid full-time for 2022, as he completes the Speedworks-Toyota lineup in the Corollas. Great addition to the grid, and nice to see the Collard name back once more.



Also, the second official pre-season test went ahead yesterday as more teams got hybrid mileage under their belt. The season launch happens next Thursday at Thruxton (13th), as we tick ever closer to the start of the season on the 23rd. Really can't wait for round 1 to get underway, with the changes to hybrid we're in for a really exciting season.

 

[RYAN]

As a Ford fan/Owner I'm looking forward to following Motorbase again. Having the calibre of driver as Sutton is very exciting. Cammish In the other NAPA car should hopefully be back strong after a year off. Hopefully Ollie and Sam can Improve quite a bit from Last season for the 2 Apec/Beavis Morgan Motorbase Entries.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

2019 British GT4 champion Ash Hand completes Power Maxed Racing's 2022 line-up on a multi-year deal.



The last time Hand was in the TOCA paddock, he finished runner-up to Ash Sutton in the 2015 Clio Cup. Hopefully this will mean that they'll rekindle their rivalry soon enough as he gets to grips with the front-wheel drive Astra.

 

[Uniblab]

 

[Michelin Man]

Halfords/Team Dynamics revealed their 2022 livery today at noon. Whilst a part of me does somewhat miss the full-orange Halfords liveries of years gone by, there's no denying how good the FK8 looks in black in my opinion. And this years livery does that really well, very smart and classy with the mix of white and silver accents in various textures.



And yesterday Team Hard released Rick Parfitts Infiniti Q50, with one the cheesier livery reveals you'll see .



Seems like we're set to have a great looking grid this year, just on the livery front alone. Some nice contrast and plenty of colour across all the cars seen so far. There's a couple more to be revealed, like both the Laser Tools Infinitis and the Speedworks GR Corollas amongst others, which we should see tomorrow on track.

All of this in time for tomorrows final pre-season test at Thruxton, as media day and the rest of the Season Launch kicks off between now and Wednesday.

 

[MagpieRacer]

BTC Racing inexplicably partner with Rich Energy.

I like BTC and they have a good driver line up, but I have to now dislike them just by default.

 

[Michelin Man]

A few more livery reveals from this evening, as the Official Season Launch kicked off with all the various media day prep ahead of tomorrows final test day.

Firstly, great to see Nicolas Hamilton will remain on the grid, as he once again will drive one of the Team HARD Cupra Leons 👍.



Power Maxed have also now shown their 2022 colours for their Vauxhall Astras, which sees a new title sponsor.



And finally, Ciceley Motorsport revealed their 330i BMW's for 2022 as well.

 

[VulcanSpirit]

While we're on the subject of the BTCC launch, two rounds (Brands Indy and Oulton Park) have been confirmed for simultaneous broadcasts on ITV and ITV4. Another worthwhile reason for me to watch ITV's channels this spring along with WRC, MotoGP/BSB, Goodwood and BattleBots 2018.

 

[AudiMan2011]

Hybrid energy deployment limits revealed for the BTCC season.

BTCC reveals details on Hybrid Energy Management System

Organisers of the British Touring Car Championship have released further details on how the new hybrid system being introduced this season will replace the succ

www.touringcartimes.com

 

[CodeRedR51]

If anyone here is watching the TCR Australia qualifying from Bathurst, did you see them cut away from that in-car shot because the driver was flipping someone off? 🤣

 

[05XR8]

Yep. Haha. Me and my wife were laughing. I think it was Dalberto.
Edit: Wasn’t D’Alberto. It was Cameron.

 

[05XR8]

Was waiting to see the 308 speed. They’re fast in Europe. Perfect track here, for them to stretch their legs.

Edit: Muuuuch better racing from when the series began. Not BTCC levels, but good racing.