Regulation reminder - what’s changed for 2015?

On top of the driver changes that have occurred during the off-season, a vast overhaul of several regulations will be implemented in the 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Below you can find out what has been changed by TOCA and the vital information you’ll need to follow the action:

Success ballast

In what is one of the biggest changes over the winter, success ballast has been significantly increased for the new season.

Unlike before, ballast will now be implemented to the top ten drivers on the grid and the championship heading into a weekend instead of five. With more drivers now carrying ballast, the weight has been increased with the maximum being 30kgs heavier than before: 75-66-57-48-39-33-27-21-15-9.

Rear-wheel-drive cars will also be made to carry their ballast as far forward in the cabin to better equalise the front to rear weight balance between both drivetrain formats.

Race two grid

The starting grid for race two will now be determined upon a driver’s fastest lap in the opening encounter. However, driver’s have to finish race one to have their fastest time confirmed for the second grid.

If driver’s don’t complete 90% of race one and take the chequered flag then they will be forced to start race two from the back of the grid, regardless of what lap time was set.

Soft tyre allocations

Each driver must still use the Dunlop Soft Tyre for one race per event but there is further restriction on how and when it is used as opposed to before.

During the course of the season, driver’s must use the soft tyre three times in race one, three times in race two and three times in race three.

As always, the soft tyre will not be used at Thruxton due to the abrasive nature of the circuit. Soft tyre allocations will also be revealed on social media by Dunlop during the morning of race days.

Boost levels

With all engines having been re-tested and re-validated by TOCA as well as an independent company, boost levels will be set for each car/engine type for the season.

Due to the increase in success ballast, the lap-time boost adjustments have been dropped for 2015.

Start line performance analysis

Cosworth and Xtrac are to independently analyse the start-line performances and in-gear acceleration of front and rear-wheel drive cars with a view to equalising them through engine management programming.

New category for the Jack Sears Trophy

Since it’s inception in 2013, the Jack Sears Trophy has rewarded the top S2000 runner and the Independent who has completed the most overtakes. For 2015, the trophy will be rewarded to the top Rookie, upon which there are eight of.