cheezeitthedog Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 Saw this on the BTCC website and thought Id share. Probably old news now but how does everyone feel about the changes?"Technical overview: NGTCThe BTCC has released details of its â??Next Generation Touring Carâ?? (NGTC), to be introduced from 2011. The introduction of these new technical regulations are designed to fulfil the following criteria:â?¢ Dramatically reduce the design, build and running costs of the cars and enginesâ?¢ Maintain present levels of performance until 2013, to ensure performance parity with current S2000 carsâ?¢ Reduce the potential for significant performance disparities between carsâ?¢ â??Future proofâ?? the regulations by being able to easily modify the various performance parametersâ?¢ Reduce reliance on WTCC/S2000 equipment, due to increasing costs/complexity and concerns as to its future sustainability/directionBrief Specifications:â?¢ Front-wheel-driveâ?¢ 2-litre turbocharged production-based 4-cylinder petrol engine, producing approx. 300bhp with a 7,000 rev limit, 0.8 bar of boost and inlet-restrictor. â?¢ 6-speed sequential semi-automatic gearboxâ?¢ Increased minimum length of 4.4mâ?¢ Standardised width of 1875mmâ?¢ 2, 3, 4 or 5 door â?? providing they share the same basic silhouette and dimensions as the 4/5 door saloon versionâ?¢ Fully adjustable subframe-mounted front & rear suspensionâ?¢ Larger wheels/tyresâ?¢ Common major components to be utilised; such as ECU, gearbox, brakes, hubs, steering rack, fuel tank and etc.â?¢ Integrated front aerodynamics to incorporate radiators, cooling ducts and partial flat-floor to a given design parameter/dimension. Specified rear wing profile and size. Each car to be wind-tunnel tested to achieve similar aero equalityâ?¢ Increased driver safetyâ?¢ Stronger and more robust major components with full at-event parts supply service and supportâ?¢ Lower C02 emissions output than currentChassisProduction bodyshell with a standardised roll cage design/specification. Front & rear subframes to incorporate specified suspension/brake components and engine location.Bespoke TOCA-sourced components for some major items such as gearbox, suspension, brakes, dampers, sub-frames and suchlike â?? thus taking tens of thousands of pounds out of the costs of designing and developing these for each team.Teams will have far less of their capital tied up through not having to maintain a large spares inventory â?? the major component suppliers will maintain a sufficient level of inventory to service the teams.Car design/development/build costs will be reduced by some 50 per cent from current â?? with an achievable target price of £100k per car â??ready to raceâ??, plus engine. (A new S2000 car can cost in excess of £200k).EngineThe base engine can be sourced from a manufacturerâ??s broad â??familyâ??, including subsidiary brands under their effective control, with the bore/stroke allowed to be altered to achieve the 2-litre displacement. Items such as camshafts, pistons, dry sump, inlet and exhaust system systems will be free (within set parameters). A 'Technical Review Panel' may review any individual applications to redesign some standard engine components, but only for reliability purposes.A specified turbo, wastegate, intercoolers, injectors and ECU (engine control unit) will be mandated to reduce development costs and opportunities for technical infringements. Each new engine developed will be tested on a TOCA-nominated engine dynamometer to monitor output levels. Even though the new engine will produce more power/torque, the engine development and costs will be dramatically reduced by over 50 per cent from current, with new engines costing around £15k each (after initial development costs). An engine should last a full season without requiring a rebuild, in normal use, with a rebuild cost of around £8k at seasonâ??s end.A â??TOCAâ?? (i.e. unbranded) NGTC engine will be commissioned and available to those teams who do not wish to undertake their own individual engine development programme. These will be available at a fixed cost per engine of £25k a year (leased with full at-event support service) or £20k to purchase. Engine rebuilds will cost £8k. This TOCA engine may also be available for use in upgrading S2000 cars in the future, to reduce engine costs for those teams and extend the competitive life of their current cars.Performance ParityA policy of equivalence in overall performance between the current S2000 and the â??Next-Genâ?? cars will be maintained until 2013, to provide asset protection for the S2000 cars and parity of competition throughout that period.In simple terms, the two specifications of cars will be equally eligible for outright honours â?? and be equivalent in overall performance â?? until 2013.From 2013, whilst S2000 cars will still be eligible, the â??Next-Genâ?? cars/engines will then be progressively increased in performance and a turbo â??over-boostâ?? facility be incorporated to allow a regulated amount of short power boosts during each race.Stability of the new technical regulations will be maintained for at least five years (i.e. to the end of 2016), when they may be reviewed. However, it is the clear intention that the fundamental aspects of these regulations will continue well beyond those first five years and will not be substantially altered beyond minor updates (if appropriate).In all likelihood, the older BTC-spec cars will cease to be eligible from 2011 â?? although this is yet to be confirmed."Seems like this should close up the pack a bit more. Im struggling to think of a large, 2litre, turbo, FWD, petrol cars that would qualify lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 Its pretty close racing anyway tbhSounds good to me, I love watching BTCC but its back to all FWD which is a bit boring.If its going to cost less, in this current climate I dont disagree at all Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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