TOCA introduces Class B for BTCC 2000
8 January 2000
TOCA Limited, organiser of the Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship, today announced the creation of a second tier of competition within the BTCC. For this season, the world's most successful touring car series will be open to cars complying with the FIA Super Production regulations, with some variance, and in line with those regulations of the National Saloon Championship. The new BTCC Class B entrants will compete alongside the current Super Touring BTCC cars, providing teams and drivers with the opportunity to race in front of the largest crowds in national motorsport. The new class will also benefit from being part of the BBC TV Grandstand coverage, which screens every round of BTCC action, including six live races throughout the season. Alan Gow, Chief Executive of TOCA Limited, revealed that the new class has been introduced as a direct result of requests from potential competitors. "In recent times, we have had a number of enquiries from competitors in the National Saloon Championship who wanted to compete in a bigger arena than they currently do. The BTCC is the biggest show in UK motorsport and offers commercial opportunities for competitors and sponsors that cannot be matched elsewhere. "Before Christmas, we had a brief discussion with representatives from some competitors, but it was felt that their plans for 2000 were too far advanced to make a wholesale switch to the BTCC. "However, since then, a number of team owners have indicated that they really do want to compete in the big time, so we have taken the decision to formulate a class for them within the BTCC. "This development is in no way an attempt to high-jack the BRDC-run National Saloon Championship," continues Alan Gow. "We are simply responding to the requests of some competitors by giving them the opportunity to take part in the biggest British motorsport series. In return, the new competitors will bring a more diverse range of cars to the BTCC, which can only be good for the spectacle and the sport." The BTCC was open to two or more classes until 1991 when the current Super Touring 2-litre regulations became the series' standard. Robb Gravett was the last champion of the two-class era, claiming the 1990 drivers' title at the wheel of his Ford Sierra Cosworth. It is envisaged that Class B will be run in exactly the same format as the Super Touring category, with the exception that Class B entrants will not be required to make the mandatory pit stops during the feature races. No technical changes will be required to those cars eligible for Class B. In order to ensure suitable grid sizes, entries for Class B will be accepted on a first come, first served basis from those competitors who commit to running in all BTCC rounds. In this way, all Class B entrants will be guaranteed a race start, even when the requirements of certain circuits limit the numbers on the grid.