BTC Touring
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.
| BTC Touring | |
|---|---|
| Motor racing formula | |
| Category | Touring cars |
| Country or region | United Kingdom |
| Championships | BTCC |
| Inaugural season | 2001 |
| Status | Defunct |
| Folded | 2011 |
The cars were based on standard bodyshells, but were allowed significant modifications 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:
Gallery
Matt Neal demonstrates a Team Dynamics BTC-T Honda Integra Type R at the 2005 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
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).
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. In 2004, TOCA allowed Super 2000 cars to compete, with rules designed to equalise the performance of both classes. BTC-T cars were eventually made ineligible to win the main championship from 2007.
The 2010 season was meant to be the last year BTC Touring cars would be eligible to enter the championship, however they were allowed to compete for one more season in 2011, with their base-weight +50 kg on 2010.[1]
References
- Hudson, Neil. "BTC-spec cars get another year". touringcartimes.com. Retrieved 2011-02-26.