BTC Touring
BTC Touring | |
---|---|
Motor racing formula | |
Category | Touring cars |
Country or region | United Kingdom |
Championships | BTCC |
Inaugural season | 2001 |
Status | Defunct |
Folded | 2011 |
In motor racing, BTC Touring (BTC-T) was the set of new regulations for the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) introduced in 2001 BTCC, after the demise of the Supertouring category.
The cars were based on standard bodyshells, but allowed plenty of modification to turn the car into a racecar and differentiate it from the Super Production class that would run alongside BTC Touring in the 2001 BTCC.
Models
In chronological order of their appearances, the cars were:
- BTC-T Vauxhall Astra Coupe
- BTC-T Peugeot 406 Coupe
- BTC-T Alfa Romeo 147
- BTC-T Lexus IS200
- BTC-T MG ZS EX259
- BTC-T Honda Civic Type-R
- BTC-T Proton Impian
- BTC-T Peugeot 307
- BTC-T Vauxhall Vectra
- BTC-T Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch
- BTC-T Honda Integra Type R
Gallery
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Matt Neal demonstrates a Team Dynamics BTC-T Honda Integra Type R at the 2005 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
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Tom Chilton driving a VXRacing prepared BTC-T Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch at Brands Hatch.
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Martin Johnson's BTC-T Vauxhall Astra Coupe as seen during 2009 season.
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Matt Neal's BTC-T Honda Integra Type R which won him the 2005 and 2006 Drivers Championships.
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Several BTC-T Spec. Cars (with S2000 cars) at Brands Hatch in 2006. (BTC-T Spec. cars are 2x Astra, 2x Integra and 1x MG ZS).
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Rob Collard in a Team RAC BTC-T MG ZS.
History
A year after the regulations began, the European Touring Car Championship launched its Super 2000 regulations. As the latter allowed manufacturers to have their cars seen internationally, most major companies opted for this, meaning that the BTCC suffered from small grids until it allowed Super 2000 cars to compete (with rules designed to equalise the two). In 2007 BTC-T cars were made ineligible to win the main championship, although as of 2010 a handful are still ran by small teams.
The 2010 season was meant to be the last year BTC Touring cars would be eligible to enter the championship, however Series Director Alan J. Gow has since announced BTC Touring will be allowed to compete in 2011, with their base-weight +50 kg on 2010. Only cars that competed in 2010 will be eligible to race in 2011.[1]
References
- ↑ Hudson, Neil. "BTC-spec cars get another year". touringcartimes.com. Retrieved 2011-02-26.