The podcast covers key updates for the 2026 British Touring Car Championship season, focusing on team and driver changes. Unlimited Motorsport will not compete due to sponsorship issues, reducing the grid size. The new Napa Ford Focus Saloon is highlighted for its sleek, aerodynamic design and regulatory changes allowing non-UK sale cars earlier than planned. Team Toyota confirms drivers Josh Cook and Max Buxton, continuing with the Corolla hatchback. The hosts discuss the challenges of funding in motorsport and speculate on the impact of these changes on the upcoming season.
WE BRING YOU UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST NEWS IN THE BTCC, PLATO RACING COMPLETE THEIR LINE UP AND NAPA HAVE A NEW SHAPE FOCUS. COOK IS BACK ON THE GRID WITH TOYOTA WHILE UNLIMITED CONFIRM THEY WILL NOT COMPETE IN 2026
"As it turns out, there is a limited amount of motor sport. This is a quick news update."
A limited-slip differential helps your car's wheels get power better so it can drive more smoothly and not slip as much, especially when turning.
A limited-slip differential is a drivetrain component that helps distribute power to the wheels with the most grip, improving traction and handling, especially in racing and performance cars.
"Hello and welcome back to the British Touring Car Podcast. We are back once again to bring you more news,"
The British Touring Car Championship is a racing competition in the UK where cars that look like regular street cars race on tracks.
The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) is a popular touring car racing series held in the UK featuring modified production cars competing on circuits.
"Nothing has really been mentioned about what's going to be happening with their TBLs, just that them as a team have had sponsorship deals fall through,"
TBLs are special licenses that teams need to have to race their cars in the British Touring Car Championship.
TBLs are TOCA BTCC Licences required for teams to compete in the British Touring Car Championship, representing a slot on the grid.
"Nothing has really been mentioned about what's going to be happening with their TBLs, just that them as a team have had sponsorship deals fall through, meaning that they're not going to be able to find it financially viable,"
Sponsorship deals are when companies give money to racing teams so their logos can be shown on the cars and gear.
Sponsorship deals are financial agreements where companies provide funding to racing teams in exchange for advertising and brand exposure.
"...y ran the Cooper as though there are two or four Ford focuses hatchbacks, which we'll get to kicking about in t..."
The Ford Focus is a small car that many people like because it drives well and doesn’t cost too much. It comes in different shapes, like a regular car or one with a back door that opens up (hatchback). People talk about it because it’s a common and useful car.
The Ford Focus is a compact car that has been popular worldwide for its balance of performance, comfort, and affordability. Available in various body styles including hatchbacks, it has been a staple in Ford's lineup since the late 1990s. The mention of multiple hatchbacks suggests a discussion about different Focus variants or generations.
"...tion change that's coming in 2027. However, that element has been brought forward, which means that Napa a..."
The Honda Element is a small SUV that looks like a box and has a lot of space inside for carrying things or people. It was made to be practical and easy to use for activities like camping. People still talk about it because it was different from other cars and useful for many purposes.
The Honda Element is a compact crossover SUV known for its boxy design and versatile interior, which made it popular for outdoor and active lifestyles. It was produced from 2003 to 2011 and is often discussed for its unique utility and cult following. The mention of a 2027 change likely refers to upcoming shifts in Honda's lineup or regulations impacting similar vehicles.
"Focus Saloon, which is not on sale in the UK, but this is not a Honda Integra situation."
The Honda Integra is a small sporty car that people like to race and modify. It's brought up here to explain how the Focus Saloon's racing use is different from the Integra's.
The Honda Integra is a compact car known for its sporty characteristics and popularity in racing and tuning communities. Mentioning it here contrasts its racing situation with that of the Focus Saloon.
"...is not on sale in the UK, but this is not a Honda Integra situation. This has been agreed by all teams and..."
The Acura Integra is a small, sporty car made by Honda’s luxury brand, Acura. People like it because it’s fun to drive and looks cool. It’s not sold everywhere, like in the UK, which is why it might be mentioned.
The Acura Integra is a sporty compact car that was originally a Honda model but sold under the Acura luxury brand in North America. Known for its performance and enthusiast appeal, the Integra has recently been revived with a new generation. The note about it not being on sale in the UK highlights regional market differences.
"We are going to see a car that is going to be very sleek, very aerodynamic and much like the Hyundai in a straight line, I'm expecting."
Aerodynamics is about how air moves around a car when it drives. Cars that are shaped well can go faster and handle better because the air doesn't slow them down as much.
Aerodynamics refers to how air flows around a car, affecting its speed, stability, and fuel efficiency. In racing, better aerodynamics can improve straight-line speed and cornering performance.
"and much like the Hyundai in a straight line, I'm expecting. The livery as well. It looks so good."
Livery is the special paint and design on a race car that shows team colors and sponsors. It makes the car look unique and helps fans recognize it.
Livery refers to the paint scheme and graphics applied to a race car, often including sponsors' logos and team colors. It plays a role in the car's visual identity and branding in motorsports.
"It looks just like a NASCAR car. You say NASCAR car, is it? NASCAR because cars in mass. Yeah, I don't know."
NASCAR is a type of car racing in America where cars look similar and race on oval tracks. The cars being talked about look like NASCAR cars in style.
NASCAR is a popular American stock car racing series known for its distinctive style of cars and oval track racing. Mentioning NASCAR here relates to the design style of the race cars being discussed.
"that we did have a couple of years ago, everybody moving to the hatchbacks apart from a couple of teams, but most people moved across to the hatchbacks and now we're seeing a regression back to saloons."
A hatchback is a car where the back door opens up to the inside space, making it easy to carry things. These cars are usually lighter and can be faster on the race track.
A hatchback is a car body style featuring a rear door that swings upward to provide access to the cargo area. Hatchbacks are often lighter and more aerodynamic compared to saloons, making them popular in racing for certain advantages.
"...think perhaps that comes down to some of the weight distribution that is different between a hatchback and a saloon. And they may well be looking at thinking..."
Weight distribution means how the car's weight is spread out between the front and back wheels. This can change how the car drives and handles, especially around corners.
Weight distribution refers to how a vehicle's weight is spread across its axles. It affects handling, traction, and tire wear, especially important in racing and performance cars.
"...when Napa really hurt last year's when they had to run the hard tyre, we saw Camish fall through from 30 to 17. Whereas we saw Ingram take a fourth, I think, on the hard tyre..."
Hard tyres are special racing tires that last longer but don't stick to the road as well as softer tires. Drivers use them when they need tires that won't wear out quickly.
Hard tyres are a type of racing tire compound that is more durable but offers less grip compared to softer compounds. They are used to manage tire wear over longer race distances.
"...they've got everything bolted on with the extra wheel arches and everything like that. Yes, and number plates cannot be magically sucked into the air intake..."
Wheel arches are the parts of the car body that go around the wheels. Sometimes they are made bigger to fit bigger tires or help the car move better through the air.
Wheel arches are the curved sections of a car's body that surround the wheels. In racing, extended wheel arches can accommodate wider tires and improve aerodynamics.
"...Toyota. Yeah, who haven't moved to the Corolla saloon, they're sticking with the Corolla hatchback. For now, we might see something next season..."
The Toyota Corolla hatchback is a small car with a back door that opens up to the cargo area. It's popular because it's reliable and easy to drive.
The Toyota Corolla hatchback is a compact car known for its reliability and efficiency. It features a hatchback body style, offering a versatile cargo area and sporty appearance.
"But yeah, as you say, a lot of driver changes as well. So hopefully for Buxton, he can complete a season in the touring cars and get the chance to build on what he put forward last year"
Driver changes mean that different people are driving the race cars, which can change how well the team does.
Driver changes refer to the switching of racing drivers within teams or series, which can impact team performance and dynamics.
"So hopefully for Buxton, he can complete a season in the touring cars and get the chance to build on what he put forward last year and Cook is Cook."
Touring cars are regular cars changed to race on tracks, making them faster and safer for competition.
Touring cars are race cars based on production models, modified for performance and safety, competing in various national and international championships.
"So obviously, at the end of the season, we saw Toyota moved to the M Sport engine. Are they were better? They were definitely better. Obviously, Cook took a win right at the end, didn't he?"
The M Sport engine is a special kind of engine made by a company that tunes engines to make cars faster and better for racing.
The M Sport engine refers to a performance-tuned engine developed by M Sport, a motorsport and engineering company closely associated with BMW, often supplying engines for racing applications.
"But it just seems to me he's always either in a Honda Civic or a Toyota. And whilst both are perfectly servicable race cars and perfectly competitive, when's the last time either of those"
The Honda Civic is a small car that is popular for racing because it is reliable and can be made fast.
The Honda Civic is a compact car often used in motorsports including touring car racing due to its balance of performance and reliability.
"So I'm hoping that's going to be a bring a little bit of experience. Yes, we know it's going to be the saloon or coupe shaped car rather than the hatchback that they had"
A saloon is a type of car that has four doors and a separate space at the back for luggage.
A saloon is a car body style with a separate enclosed trunk and typically four doors, commonly known as a sedan in some markets.
"So I'm hoping that's going to be a bring a little bit of experience. Yes, we know it's going to be the saloon or coupe shaped car rather than the hatchback that they had"
A coupe is a type of car that usually has two doors and looks sportier than regular cars.
A coupe is a car body style typically with two doors and a fixed roof, often sportier in appearance compared to a saloon.
""I'm genuinely worried at this stage about how much or how many people and teams are dropping out... I think that anything short of a 26 car grid is... if we could end up in a situation where there's a 20 car grid... I don't think a 20 car grid is good... I would like a 30 car grid personally.""
The 'grid' means how many cars are racing at the same time. More cars can make the race more exciting, but too few might make it less interesting.
In motorsport, the 'grid' refers to the total number of cars or drivers starting a race. The size of the grid can impact the quality of racing, competition, and how points are distributed among drivers.
""...which means every driver will score points every weekend more or less, because of the way that the point system works.""
The point system is how drivers get scores after each race. The better they finish, the more points they get, which helps decide who wins the championship.
The point system in racing determines how drivers earn points based on their finishing positions in each race. It influences championship standings and can affect race strategies.
"Regulation change may well bring change, not necessarily for the good. See F1 for details."
Regulation changes are new rules in racing that can change how cars are built or raced. Sometimes they make racing more fun, but other times they can make things worse.
Regulation changes refer to modifications in the rules that govern a motorsport series, which can impact car design, performance, and competition balance. These changes can sometimes improve the sport but may also have unintended negative consequences.
F1 is the top level of car racing in the world, with very fast cars and races all over the globe. It often sets rules that other racing series watch closely.
F1, or Formula 1, is the highest class of international single-seater auto racing sanctioned by the FIA. It is known for its advanced technology, global fanbase, and influence on motorsport regulations.
Select text to request an explanation
As it turns out, there is a limited amount of motor sport. This is a quick news update.
Hello and welcome back to the British Touring Car Podcast. We are back once again to bring you
more news, thankfully. It's starting to come much quicker nowadays and we've got plenty of
announcements to get through. We're going to go from least important or least significant,
should I say. It's the most significant.
We have had some interesting bits and pieces off in the off-season, off behind the camera,
and I am stunned that you and your shoddy and your sort of shabby style attire was recognised
before mine. We won't say any more of that for now, but just a quick one today. You were recognised
and got your brand deal quicker than I got mine with boohoo, which is a boohoo moment.
We'll get straight into it then and we're unfortunately going to talk about teams, drivers,
cars that will not be on the grid for 2026. It was released earlier this week. The unlimited
motor sport would not be partaking in the 2026 season. Nothing has really been mentioned about
what's going to be happening with their TBLs, just that them as a team have had sponsorship
deals fall through, meaning that they're not going to be able to find it financially viable,
not that it is anyway, to be able to take to the grid in 2026.
It doesn't come as any great surprise, to be honest. They obviously lost Dexter Patterson
to PMR. I'd be interested to see if Rocket has gone across with him because that was the main
sponsor on the car. I know there's a little bit on the... I was going to say there's a little bit
on the MB Motorsport cars. Technically, I believe that is Rocket Oxygen, which is potentially
a slightly different... It's still Rocket, but again, it could be a slightly different bit of
sponsorship. We have had Rocket on other cars before, across different teams. I'd be interested
to see if that goes across with Patterson. It's a disappointment, obviously. That's now at least
another car, if not two off the grid. I don't think they're ever going to run two from being
brute the honest ones. Patterson had gone, but it's another car off the grid. It's another brand
of car off the grid because they would have probably ran the Cooper as though there are two
or four Ford focuses hatchbacks, which we'll get to kicking about in the touring car graveyard at
the moment. It's a difficult sport. Financial times are tight for business and for people.
We always say that getting on the grid is pretty much 90% of the battle. You've got to find the
sponsors that are willing to shell out the money required to go racing. The actual racing part
of it is very, very small in comparison to all the work that has to be done behind the scenes.
Unfortunately, some drivers are just even better than others at attracted deals or just have the
better contacts. It's as simple as that. There would have been left with Hamilton and jelly as
drivers left over from last year because Max Hall is in TCR. Patterson has moved across.
Jelly, I don't know, he could rather have a WSR and just disappoint you in every way possible,
but to be honest with you, I can't see him wanting to go back there after a fairly disastrous little
cameo there anyway. Then Nick Hamilton, it always depends on the funding and what he can bring to
the table. I think that's a lot harder to do if you're the sole driver of that team without any
of the input from other bits and pieces. Nick had already mentioned or put out on social media that
he has got his race license for 2026. There is a slim possibility that we could still see him take
to the grid, but I think that chance is quite significantly reduced now with the fact that
Unlimited have had to pull the plug on the season basically. There are still drives out there. There
are still teams and cars that need to be filled, some more than others and some we've had absolutely
nothing from. So yeah, let us know your thoughts on Unlimited not being on the grid for 2026,
whether you think that we're going to see them back. They're taking possibly a year.
I'm calling it now that we're not taking a year out or could we still see the Cooper on the grid?
Maybe, maybe one having the Cooper. I don't know. I don't think we're seeing it back. I'm calling it
early. This is similar to some other teams that have come and gone in my view. I won't say any
more there for the sake of lawyers. I don't think we'll see it back. Perhaps we'll see a new team
next year called Unlimited, something, something, something, fronted by somebody who is not somebody,
who is somebody but not. Have you covered yourself? I think, allegedly. I think we're okay.
Realistically, what is going to change next year to, and this is what I don't even say annoys me,
but I just always get a little bit cynical about it, is that what is going to realistically change
next year? Lloyd is different because he's taken a year out to actually focus on a new
business venture. He had the budget, but he's gone, no, I want to look at something different
and secure myself for the next 10 years. That's different. What's going to realistically change?
I don't even might say regs, but I don't see how it's going to make things cheaper. What's going
to change next year to bring them back on the grid? Nothing. Unless they get a multi-millionaire
driver, perhaps Lance Stroll comes across here with less vibrations in the car and he can come
and do it with Big Daddy Stroll. I'm not sure he can cut it either way. I don't see what changes
in the space of 12 months that suddenly magically gets them back on the grid. I'd say cut and paste
one motorsport over the last couple of years that have all constantly been coming back to the grid
and we are yet to see you and hear anything. If I'm being brutally honest, I would be stunned
if we see him this year. Yeah, which unfortunately may lead to a smaller grid than we expected,
certainly when the TBLs were released. We have had driver announcements, thankfully.
We have had a car announcement as well. We'll go to the car because cars are slightly less
more interesting than people most of the time. It's a good looking car. It's a very good looking car.
Hello, NASCAR called. Don't want to enter a touring car. This is the news that Napa,
who we have been anticipating for a while, we're going to change away from the hatchback this
season. Possibly even away from the Ford. That's what we were led to believe originally,
but they have decided to keep the Ford. Now, I need to do a little bit of admin and housekeeping
before we go into this. There has been before people start waving their arms around. Arms
start waving around. There's been a slight tweak in the regulations in so far as that all the teams,
unanimously voted to bring forward the allowing of teams to run cars that aren't on sale in the
UK for 2026. This is originally going to come in 27 of the whole regulation change that's coming
in 2027. However, that element has been brought forward, which means that Napa are running the
Focus Saloon, which is not on sale in the UK, but this is not a Honda Integra situation. This has
been agreed by all teams and everybody is really happy. Yeah, we're not sure how many votes it had
to go through to get to a US decision, but yeah, Napa have got their way and I think it's a good
thing for the championship. We are going to see a car that is going to be very sleek, very aerodynamic
and much like the Hyundai in a straight line, I'm expecting. The livery as well. It looks so good.
It looks so good. It looks just like a NASCAR car. You say NASCAR car, is it? NASCAR because cars
in mass. Yeah, I don't know. The Americans are weird. It looks just like the overracing circle
thing. The Americans like style and it just looks absolutely fantastic. I mean, they call football
soccer as well. That's just wrong. Yeah, as a motorcade, it looks amazing. I can't wait to see
on track for next season. Obviously, just to remind you, that is being driven by four drivers,
Sutton, Camish, Osborne and Selby, who stepped up from the minis. But yes, it's interesting to see
that we did have a couple of years ago, everybody moving to the hatchbacks apart from a couple
of teams, but most people moved across to the hatchbacks and now we're seeing a regression
back to saloons. As it stands, there's only one hatchback in the championship. There was a very,
very slight teaser and you got your hopes up, didn't you, that you thought they might be bringing
a wagon? I thought there was an estate. Yeah, a couple of people as well seem to think that
they might be running the estate. Look, Sutton has of course won a championship in an estate.
He won one in everything, it feels like. Has he won one in the saloon?
No. Well, the evences technically was a saloon, I suppose. Not evences, they're
infinity, my apologies. But yeah, I was a little bit excited because I like to see an estate car
on the grid because it's just fun and a bit silly. But yeah, they've gone for the saloon version.
And I say it's interesting that the way the regulations and stuff was working that going
back to that saloon, quote, boxy style shape is better than what is normally perceived as the
lighter, sleeker hatchbacks. But yeah. One assumption on the aerodynamics, and I'm going to
get a little technical if that's okay with you, is that I'm assuming it creates a slightly smaller
hole in the air because it will suck some of the air off down the bottom of the car rather than
pushing it up over the top like you will with the hatchback. I'm wondering if they're hoping
it's a little less easy to follow potentially. And therefore, if they're out front, which they're
hoping to be, a lot of people won't be able to get past them because of it. And staying technical,
we saw last year that I think it's fair to say Hyundai's managed the tyre rules the best. And I
think perhaps that comes down to some of the weight distribution that is different between a hatchback
and a saloon. And they may well be looking at thinking, I think when Napa really hurt last
year's when they had to run the hard tyre, we saw Camish fall through from 30 to 17. Whereas we saw
Ingram take a fourth, I think, on the hard tyre. So I think they may have looked at that and gone,
perhaps there is better merit in having a saloon-style car which can have a different weight,
not saying it's better, but a different weight distribution which may be able to help
negate some of those problems of the tyres. And all being well, they've got everything bolted on
with the extra wheel arches and everything like that. Yes, and number plates cannot be magically
sucked into the air intake. But I've seen, they've been out at Donnington Park doing some testing,
there's been some bits across Ash Sutton's and Napa's social media, just the car looks,
I can't wait to see it. I don't care who, whatever liveries are revealed,
that is the delivery of the season for me. And I can't see anything coming close.
Yeah, I believe they've got shape down base, possibly it's netting coming up as well.
And of course, me today in just over a month's time.
Next piece of news then, Toyota. Yeah, who haven't moved to the Corolla saloon,
they're sticking with the Corolla hatchback. For now, we might see something next season.
Team Toyota with Speedworks have announced both their drivers at once, this happened yesterday,
we were recording this on Saturday. And we will see Josh Cook line up alongside Max Buxton,
who finished the season for Speedworks last season and didn't disgrace him.
No, I thought it a fairly strong debut campaign. Obviously, there was lots of problems that
Toyota last year with various engine changes and power and whatnot. And it appears that
Nui looked at that engine and thought, yes, I'll have that in the back of the Aston, please.
But yeah, as you say, a lot of driver changes as well. So hopefully for Buxton,
he can complete a season in the touring cars and get the chance to build on what he put forward
last year and Cook is Cook. Can I say? Oh, here we go. I am slightly disapointed.
This is Russell's hot takes, you might need some yoghurt. I am slightly disappointed that Cook is
there in Safara's, I just want to see him in a front running car and see what he can do. Now,
can I caveat that? Please do before I carry on. So obviously, at the end of the season,
we saw Toyota moved to the M Sport engine. Are they were better?
They were definitely better. Obviously, Cook took a win right at the end, didn't he?
He did, yes. So if he can draw on that and push forward into 2026, then he may well again
finish sixth in the championship. But I haven't actually seen an announcement anywhere to say
whether they're definitely going to be using the M Sport engine going forward. I think it makes sense
if they do because then they know what they're working on and they're building from a basis
which they finished with last season. I completely agree. And we know how poor it started for them.
Yeah, I just always feel with Cook, he's just a car behind as in, you know, everyone else is
moving forward with a new car. I'm not saying the Napa car will be good. We don't know, it might be
terrible. This might be the worst idea Napa have ever made. But the point is that I just always
feel Cook is always getting into a machine that's just a little bit behind what's on the grid. And
I think to myself, had he been able to get in at Napa or Hyundai, then I think he may have had a
better chance at the title. Yeah, I think he's got to be quite strong to get through those doors.
Well, you say there's a seat, there's two seats that Hyundai's will get to in a moment.
There's also seats at WSR. Now, I know he's not driven real drive and that's always a thing.
But it just seems to me he's always either in a Honda Civic or a Toyota. And whilst both are
perfectly servicable race cars and perfectly competitive, when's the last time either of those
cars went on consistent runs of winning races or have ever challenged, I think Ingram challenged
once in the Toyota, which was against this year and it fell away as the season went on.
Since then, I mean, the car has been the championship for a long time. And it hasn't
really set the scene alight as I thought it would when it first came in. And the Honda Civic,
which has also been in has been in for about 55 years. And that has fallen away
dramatically as well. So just a bit, yeah, I'm glad he's in the seat. I'm glad he's in a
a team's car and a bit of manufactured backing or whatever. That's great.
And Toyota across the board with the four cars split across the two garages,
that's a great driver lineup. It really is. But I'd like to see Cook in
the front car so we can really see what ability he's got. Because he's no doubt a fantastic racer.
But is he an elite driver or a great driver? And I don't think we've ever been able to have the
chance to find out. Well, hopefully we will this season. Hopefully he's going to bring back some
of that form that he ended the season with. And we'll see him finish the championship again.
Absolutely. That's now gone. On to the final piece of news, at least. And that is possibly
the biggest news. And the news we've all been waiting for, the final driver at Plato Racing.
Now, there were plenty of rumours as to who this could be, who it's going to be.
I think I said the driver a long time ago. Every single driver seemed to have a
shout at being in with this seat. But it is quite a typical Plato driver, I would say.
I had the graphic ready to go and I panicked last minute. There might be some deal. So I have to
do another graphic just in case. But I had the graphic ready. Well ahead of the announcement.
So I did think it was this driver. Yeah. So Adam Morgan is going to be linking up with
Dan Robotten once again and Jason Plato in an all Mercedes lineup. Something that we've
seen both Adam and Dan run before. So I'm hoping as teammates as well as teammates yet.
So I'm hoping that's going to be a bring a little bit of experience. Yes,
we know it's going to be the saloon or coupe shaped car rather than the hatchback that they had
before. But it's a strong robust lineup, I would say. It is very robust lineup agreed. It's very
Jason Plato in terms of who are the two drivers on the grid that are the most like him. I'd say
I can't really think of anything else I put in that category. Maybe Sutton?
Very much of the old school. Yes. And drivers that won't take much nonsense.
And I think the fact that they've worked together before, they will work well in tandem with each
other. It makes perfect sense. Yeah, exactly. And there seems to be from certainly Adam's
announcement video, he's very excited with the prospect that Plato racing and the team are
bringing in as a whole. He's said very clearly that he hasn't seen the in-depth analysis and
development that they're doing there with any other team that he's been with. And Adam's been
around. He's been at WSR. He's been at Accelerate, two top teams of the era. So if he's saying those
kind of things, are we going to see Plato hit the ground running? Yeah, it makes a lot of sense
in so far as there's no point sticking a rookie in there. He's got to develop a car and a brand
new team who's just going to get lost. The experience those two have in the championship is
vast. They're both multiple race winners. They're both used to running at the front as well.
They're both, to a degree, developed cars with big teams. So that'd be the BMW and the Ford.
They've been involved in developing cars there and bringing the cars forward.
There, I also say that both two drivers at the stage of their career that they're in
almost need this point of reference to go to. Both, I would argue, both Morgan and Robot mean
their teams were probably third choice roundabout. Yeah, I think with Morgan and Chilton, they swapped
depending on BS. But also with how strong Proctor was last season. I think they both need to be
in a team where they're felt like they can be the drivers that will take the team forward.
Moving on from that, though, I think it's a real statement of how much they trust the
Plateau project. They've both left big teams. Some bridges burnt.
Yeah, yeah. Some more on others. But they've both left manufacturer-backed teams that have
both won championships. Whether that be the drivers or the team's championship or the
manufacturers over the last, what, four, five seasons? At least they've picked up,
each team has picked up at least one trophy and they're now going into the complete unknown.
I think that's a testament to how much they obviously believe in the Plateau project
and what he's trying to build and what he's trying to put together because that is a hell of a leap
of faith to leave where you are. It's not like with all due respect, you're leaving an unlimited
or a PMR who are doing very well in their own stakes. But to go here, this is a brave move.
It makes a lot of sense. And I'd say the Plateau, will it hit the floor? Will it not?
I mean, we literally have to say there's nothing so far.
I'm still excited to see the next announcement that comes from them because we know
Plateau obviously said in that interview at the end of 2025 that there are two big sponsors
coming to the grid to support the team that haven't been on touring hard before, basically.
We know that he's already partnering up with Snap-on-Tools.
Well, we think he is.
I've seen it linked. It's already.
I was already linked to it.
Yeah. So he's already partnering up with Snap-on-Tools for all the tool kits and
all the garage materials, basically, to help the team achieve the top. And as we all know,
as car people, Snap-on is top of the top kind of thing.
RIP silver line.
Yeah, exactly. So it will be interesting to see who those big sponsors are.
And then the final one, which I think will probably come on media day, is the livery reveal,
because I think that's going to give it the biggest crescendo.
Can I just pour some slightly cold or even take the water onto the party?
I'm slightly worried that at this stage, a lot of teams at the point where they're shaking down
and they aren't.
No.
Now, I know they've had to build a brand new car and I know that,
but we've seen this week already that NAPRA have to build a brand new car,
four of them, and they're out testing.
We've seen Speedworks out on the track testing.
We've seen WSR having at least released pictures of a built car.
Okay, they're not gone out as far as I'm aware.
But I just, it feels to me that they're, I don't know, intrinsically, it feels that they're behind.
Other teams are out shaking down cars.
From being a new team, they're always going to seem like they're behind.
And all credit to Dan Robott on Morning Social Media being able to show the extent to where
they are at the moment and the fact that they've had the car come back from the paint shop.
They're going through the fitting up process in the last week or two.
Yes, I think they're always going to feel like they're a little step behind,
especially at the start of the season.
But once they're there at media day and they can hopefully get the running that they need and they
deserve and they don't have any technical gremlins, that's going to be crucial,
then they can start to build on what they have.
Yeah, that's fair enough.
But yeah, I say that's my only slight worry at this stage is that other teams seem further ahead.
I think it's the same with PMR and those Audi's.
Yeah, but then of all due respect, I wouldn't necessarily expect anything less
because they're trying to build three cars and haven't got the backing and the links that Jason
Blato has. So yeah, I agree.
Right, that's the news done.
Yes, yes, some thoughts and rumours going forward.
Obviously, we've got media day in around about a month's time now from the release of this.
So there are still announcements yet to be made.
Obviously, we've got drivers possibly still to come at PMR.
We believe we've got two seats to fill there.
The possibility of one's most sport, whether they're going to turn up or not.
Obviously, we now know.
No, no, unlimited are not going to be.
And I imagine in the following week, there'll be a similar cut and paste for.
I just they've made no noise that they're back.
So I get, yeah, I just don't see it.
We have two seats crucially to fill accelerate.
Yes.
So we've already got the two Toms back for 2026.
Obviously, Morgan has now moved away to Plateau Racing.
Proctor was there last season.
Seems to be that he does have offers on the table for a drive in 26.
And it would be a real shame if he doesn't get to drive that home day again.
But it could be still at restart racing where they also have a driver to announce
or WS possibly to.
But we're pretty sure Smiley's there or WSR.
They can't see a running three cars.
So our understanding is that WSR have got two drivers signed
with the possibility of a third still to come.
So it looks like they are going to fill their three driver allocation, as it were,
due to the TBLs that they've got.
Who those drivers are going to be?
We're not 100% sure.
Charles Rainford is probably the number one in line to be in there.
If I was a betting man, I would put that on because of where he was last year
and the good job he did there in.
De Leon had that LinkedIn post earlier this season saying he was looking for more sponsorship.
I imagine he ran no sponsorship pretty much last season.
He'll be on the Jake Humphrey podcast before we know it.
But he could be another driver to fill a seat at WSR.
Yeah, it's strange that that has gone quiet from having these international goals
to it all going very, very quiet.
I wouldn't be unsurprised if he ends up back at WSR this season.
Not me neither.
And whether that be in touring cars or maybe as an extra GT entry.
But I would be surprised if he's away from the WSR package somewhere.
And then, of course, they have Norfolk last season,
who is relatively quiet for a driver of his ilk and he's standing.
He is.
The rumour mill is in overdrive that he has moved to a certain team with four circles
in their badge insignia and taking a load of sponsorship with him.
But I cannot confirm nor deny that.
That is just what the Twitter or X fear is saying.
Dare I say, I think that's the most interesting one yet to come is where Norfolk goes.
Because if he stays with WSR, then I think that's those three drivers set.
If he moves across, then who the hell WSR are taking to possibly fill another one or two seats?
What if they do?
They might just stick it to at that point.
I think what's even more interesting about does happen is that I think that would mark
four teams in four seasons from off it.
I might be wrong and it might need to go back to the maths before people shout at me.
But it was the Civic.
I wonder how many cars he's driven.
It was the fourth in four years.
It was the Civic.
Then it was the Toyota.
Then it was the BMW.
Now it will be if he does go across than Audi.
He's driven so many different races.
If he goes to play racing next year, he'll complete the German set.
Maybe he's going to run a Cooper on his own.
Who knows?
No one's going to run a Cooper.
I wouldn't have thought.
Let us know your thoughts and feelings down in the comments as to which drivers going to end
up where, who's going to be where, how many teams we're going to have by the start of the season.
And if there's any teams out there, I'll take a drive.
I won't.
No?
No, I'll start in minis.
It's okay.
Any thoughts?
I mean, I like to be a bit hyperbolic as we know.
I am genuinely worried at this stage about how much or how many people and teams are dropping
out and I'm worried about where the sport is going.
I know I keep saying, I've been saying for the last couple of seasons.
I do remember the really small grids of the early two and mid 2000s for that matter.
And I, I don't remember it being the best quality racing.
People have been saying online, our smaller grid means better racing.
It does.
If you get 20 top, top, top drives in it for the best wheel in the world,
I don't think that is the case.
I'm already thinking in my head of names that are likely to miss out this season.
And I'm thinking, that's not great.
And as I said about the point of unlimited motorsport earlier,
I don't see how this gets better.
I don't see how more money comes into the sport.
I don't see how more, how it becomes easier for teams and drivers moving forward.
So yeah, I'm going to end up on a downer and say that at the minute,
I think that anything short of a 26 car grid is, you know,
if we could end up in a situation where there's a 20 car grid,
which means every driver will score points every weekend more or less,
because of the way that the point system works.
And I don't think a 20 car grid is good.
I don't, I want, I would like a 30 car grid personally.
That's my, that's, for me, that's the glory days.
It's a 30 car grid or near a 30.
And I say, I think my biggest worry is I just don't see how this gets better.
And I don't think that there's enough thought going into this at the top level.
And I don't think there's a lot of thought about what fans think going into the top level
and the decisions that are being made.
I don't think they necessarily thinking of the consumer experience.
And I have to say, because I've been doing this now with you for five years.
And the rest.
And the, well, the podcast of five years.
Seven.
Is it seven?
Yeah.
Time to time.
Yeah, COVID is very much.
This is our seventh season we get.
Yeah, COVID is very much my perspective of time.
You know, in these seven years, I would have enjoyed it less and less as we've gone on,
just because it's become fairly obvious early on what the story of the season is going to be.
And it, you know, last season, the highlight, which is quite a perverse thing to say,
it was the fact that you burnt down with Pierre Marx.
It created an actual story that made interest,
which is how they would get the cars rebuilt.
And then what, you know, the plight they went through and what they may achieved.
The title was pretty much decided by halfway.
If it wasn't decided who it was going to, you knew of which two giants it was going to.
And the chasm at the top was unbelievable.
Whereas you go back not too long ago and you go into final day, six or seven,
we're in the content you're going to branch out.
And we've had that for the last couple of seasons where the title has been decided
way before the final round.
And that includes the year the Napa dominated as well.
And that wasn't, you know, it was good for them, but not good for the sport.
I don't know.
I'm just not seeing where this goes and where this gets better at the minute.
Regulation change may well bring change, not necessarily for the good.
See F1 for details.
Yeah, exactly.
But we'll see how the season develops.
We'll see how media day turns out.
So stay positive people.
There's lots of people.
Yeah, I can't try and bring this back up now, have I?
So, yeah, let us know your thoughts and feelings down in the comments.
Whether you agree with Russ or call me out.
Completely disagree.
Yeah.
Show me why I'm wrong.
Respectfully.
But show me why I'm wrong.
We'd love to see and read all of your comments across all of our social media platforms.
We try, Ripon, response.
But the last few posts have gone nuclear.
Yeah, we say thank you for.
Oh, absolutely.
But so if you haven't had a response, we are sorry.
We write work jobs, etc., etc.
And the last few have been, yeah, crazy, which has been great for us.
Yeah.
And if you haven't already, do go and subscribe down below.
Make sure you like and follow all of our content.
We appreciate it and it helps us out a lot, even if it's just mentally.
Absolutely.
But until next time.
Keep smiling.
Yeah.
Until next time, we'll see you soon.
Cheerio.
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