Details of ‘Next-Gen Touring Car’ revealed

TOCA have today revealed the specifications for the new ‘Next Generation Touring Car’ that will come into force from 2011 onwards. The most significant change to the regulations, which are aimed to drastically bring down the costs of competitively competing in the championship, is that they will now feature rear-wheel drive cars.

When the new set of regulations were announced last year they initially excluded rear-wheel drive cars such as BMW’s from being eligible. However the championship organiser’s always said that they would reconsider this and following sufficient interest from teams and manufacturer’s the necessary amendments have been made to the rules.

Series organiser Alan Gow said: “After we released details of the NGTC program last year, I stated that we would revisit the question of incorporating rear-wheel drive in the regulations if there was enough interest or commitment from teams and manufacturers of rear-wheel drive cars to support it. Having now had those discussions, I’m confident that there is and so we have now included it.”

One of the key features of NGTC cars is that they are to feature the use of common components in order to reduce costs. These include standard electronics, brakes, gearboxes and suspension which will bring savings in both the development and running costs of the cars.

TOCA have commissioned GPR Motorsport to carry out the design, validation, prototype manufacture and testing programmes for the new subframe/suspension assemblies. The series organiser has also confirmed that the new regulations will adopt the use of front and rear subframes with double wishbone suspension all around. GPR Motorsport will act in the role of technical support to the BTCC teams throughout the 2011 season, providing sufficient stock of key components at the race track.

Whilst GPR Motorsport, who have experience in touring car racing in both an independent and manufacturer capacity, will be responsible for work on the prototype car, TOCA has also confirmed deals with technical partners XTrac, AP Racing and Cosworth Electronics.

For the introduction of the new rules a technical working group has been established consisting of the teams, suppliers, GPR Motorsport and TOCA, which will meet regularly to provide input throughout the design process.

Significantly, TOCA plan to have a prototype car ready to take part in the practice sessions at the final meeting this year at Brands Hatch, providing fans with their first chance to get a glimpse of the future of touring car racing in the UK. In the meantime the car will undergo extensive testing and development.

Teams will get their first chance to build their own NGTC car at the end of October 2010, when they will be provided with the drawings and specifications for the mandated component assemblies.

Commenting on the new regulations, Alan Gow added: “At the culmination of the design & development program, our teams will have a comprehensive package of component assemblies around which they can more easily build, individualise and develop their own chosen car. And at around £100k, plus engine, they will then have a better car – which is easier to maintain and has greater performance potential – at about half the cost of a current one. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.

“As these NGTC technical regulations provide a much more cost-effective opportunity for teams to compete in Britain’s biggest motor-racing championship, I’ve no doubt that the BTCC ambitions of many new drivers and teams will now be realised.”

Below is a detailed list of the technical regulations straight from TOCA.

• 300+bhp 2-litre turbo-charged direct-injection engine with ‘fly by wire’ throttle control.
• Low cost to develop, build, buy and maintain – either by teams and/or race engine-builders developing their own, or through lease/purchase of the TOCA-BTCC engine
• Engine can be sourced from a manufacturers broad ‘family’ range, including subsidiary marques under their effective control.
• Over-boost function and increased power output from 2013.

• Xtrac 6 speed sequential-shift gearbox.
• AP Racing carbon clutch.
• Drive-train layout (i.e. front or rear wheel drive) as per base vehicle.

• Full front sub-frame incorporating suspension, brakes, transmission and engine location that attaches to specified roll cage locations. Multi-adjustable double wishbone suspension with coil-over dampers.
• Rear sub-frame that attaches to specified roll cage locations. Multi-adjustable double wishbone suspension with coil-over dampers.

• 2,3,4 or 5 door of a minimum 4.4m length. (2 or 3 door cars must share the same basic body profile as the 4/5 door model).
• Equalised width of 1875mm
• Specified front aerodynamic device incorporating flat floor, apertures for radiator, brake cooling ducts, intercooler and side exits.
• Specified rear wing profile
• Stylised front & rear wheel-arch extensions.
• Increased driver protection
• Side exhaust permitted
• 80 litre fuel tank
• Base vehicle must be freely on sale in the UK through the manufacturers normal dealer network
• Base vehicle weights, for front and rear-wheel drive, to be determined.

• Specified 18” centre-lock wheel
• Dunlop: 245 x 650 x R18

• AP Racing specified package
• AP Racing specified pedal-box

• Cosworth Electronics specified package incorporating ECU, dash, data-logging and scrutineering logger.
• Data channels limited to 16.
• Common power management box and switch panels
• Common wiring loom design