2016 BTCC drivers and teams
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So, I did look for a topic on this but couldn’t find anything, and the announcement today gave me ample reason to set one up, so I’ll just leave this here, very big news for the BTCC:
http://www.btcc.net/2016/01/12/subaru-enter-btcc-with-team-bmr/
I thought I’d do a bit of a round-up of what has happened with the major contenders so far over the winter:
This season is shaping up to be a classic, with Team BMR’s move to Subaru works status the latest thing that propels this series back towards the status it enjoyed in the glory days of the late 1990s.
Honda return with veteran Matt Neal and defending champion Gordon Shedden once again pedalling the Team Dynamics prepared cars, while they will also have a third works car for 2016. It hasn’t been revealed who will be driving, but rumours range from Gabriele Tarquini moving over having left the WTCC team, to Jack Clarke, who has been the development driver for Team Dynamics.
West Surrey Racing return with the 1-Series BMW, though it’s unknown who will replace WEC-bound Andy Priaulx, while Rob Collard is unconfirmed to return. It appears Sam Tordoff will be back, while drivers such as Jonny Cocker or Dan Cammish are linked with the IHG-backed seat at the team.
Triple Eight seem to have had a turbulent winter, apparently being bought by Warren Scott who also owns BMR, and will be sharing premises with them this season. The works MG deal remains, while Andrew Jordan leaves.
2013 champion Andrew Jordan set the silly season into motion days after the 2015 finale, announcing his arrival at Motorbase, running a redeveloped Ford Focus which was the class of the field in the latter part of 2015 after a late arrival. The second seat is still not filled, while the team are pushing for a third licence to run another car.
Team BMR have of course made the headlines today, and Subaru backing will surely make this team even more formidable with both Jason Plato and Colin Turkington confirmed with the team.
One of the highlights of the BTCC is the young talent, with drivers such as Adam Morgan, Tom Ingram, Jack Goff, Sam Tordoff and Aron Smith among those tipped to become the star names of future years.
I can’t wait for the rest of the puzzle to fall into place, and it’s certainly going to be a great start to the year at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit!
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