Full NGTC Spec Announced

Today the full NGTC specifications have been released, giving us a glimpse of what to expect in next years BTCC.

“Tremendous progress has been made and we are right on schedule. Its genuinely exciting to see how the car is developing – it will be a fantastic piece of kit!” said Alan Gow, speaking exclusively to btcc.net.

With the new Next Generation Touring Car rules, teams will be able to build a complete car, plus engine for £125,000 – a fraction of the cost which some teams have been rumoured to have spent this season. Hopefully with the reduced cost we could see a record number of entrants in the BTCC for many years to come.

Rear wheel drive cars will also be available after concerns over their future were brought forward at the end of last season. “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,” added Gow.

GPR Motorsport will be behind the new project and hope to have a prototype ready for the season finale at Brands Hatch later this year. GPR will be the suppliers of the suspension subframes and associated assembly components. This announcement comes after Swindon Engines were announced as official suppliers of the TOCA Turbocharged engine. Xtrac, AP Racing and Cosworth Electronics have also been revealed as technical partners.

This season has already given us a little insight into what the BTCC will become with Jordan and Pinkney both opting to use the TOCA-NGTC Turbocharged engine in their respective Vauxhall Vectra’s. The turbo engines will be down on power until 2013 where they will be unrestricted, making the S2000 spec cars obsolete.

Engine

• 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.

Drivetrain

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

Suspension

• 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.

Bodyshell

• 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.

Wheels/Tyres

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

Brakes

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

Electronics

• 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

Target Price

• Complete car, less engine: £100,000*
• Engine: £25,000
• 5-10% price-shift possible, depending on final components used by each team