WHY BTCC WORKS

BTCC cars are built to be as equal as they can be. Entrants use an existing bodyshell and floorpan but must incorporate subframe-mounted front and rear suspensions supplied by BTCC’S engineering partner, RML. There are tight rules on body dimensions and clearances. Engines — 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbos with about 350bhp — are either supplied by TOCA (at just £35,000 a season) or can be built by an entrant. Both must use an Rml-supplied ECU and a race gearbox. Outputs are equalised in dyno tests and cars can be ballasted by up to 75kg if they keep winning.

Downforce comes from a Toca-supplied wing, which the ruling body positions on each car in pre-season aero tests. Every car carries cameras and data loggers, whose output is available to the organisers. Tyres are all from series sponsor Dunlop, with numbers restricted per meeting. In the third race of every meeting, there’s a part reversal of the grid. Finally, TOCA’S own scrutineers are on hand to ensure the rules are implemented. BTCC is as close, claims Alan Gow, to providing a level playing field as it can be.