JANUARY 2026 BTCC NEWS UPDATE
About this episode
January 2026 brings a quiet start to the British Touring Car Championship news, with hosts discussing TBL allocations, team updates, and the upcoming season calendar. Notable news includes the return of One Motorsport and Speedworks Motorsport's new partnership with MB Motorsport. The episode also highlights the anticipated debut of a Mercedes Coupe in the series, driven by the well-known Jason Plato. Listeners can expect insights on team dynamics, driver changes, and the excitement surrounding the new season's schedule.
WE BRING YOU UP TO DATE WITH ALL OF THE NEWS FROM JANUARY IN THE BTCC. LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS
Audi
"...Paramax Racing, who we know are running Audi's for this upcoming season, have got three. I'll come back to that in a minute."
Audi is a car brand from Germany that makes luxury cars. They are known for their high-quality vehicles and have a history in racing.
Audi is a German automotive manufacturer known for its luxury vehicles and advanced technology. The brand is part of the Volkswagen Group and has a strong presence in motorsports.
BMW
"...West Surrey Racing, or BMW, have got three, which equates to 26. Now it is key just to point out at this stage,..."
BMW is a popular car brand from Germany that makes luxury and sporty cars. They are known for their performance and stylish designs.
BMW is a well-known German car manufacturer that produces luxury vehicles and high-performance cars. The brand is recognized for its sporty design and engineering excellence.
GT racing
"...has gone on to do more international GT racing. And there were speculation over to whether MB were going to stay..."
GT racing is a type of car racing that uses fast sports cars. These cars are built for both speed and comfort, making them great for racing on tracks.
GT racing refers to a category of sports car racing that features grand touring cars, which are high-performance vehicles designed for both racing and long-distance driving. This type of racing emphasizes speed, handling, and endurance.
Toyota Corolla
"...they're going to be racing the Toyota Corolla out of the Toyota garage. And we know that they have got Aaron Taylor Smith staying at the team..."
The Toyota Corolla is a popular small car that many people use for everyday driving. It's known for being dependable and good on gas.
The Toyota Corolla is a compact car known for its reliability and efficiency. It has been one of the best-selling cars worldwide for decades, appealing to a wide range of drivers.
Donington GP
"Yeah, so we'll be ending the season at the Donnington GP as we normally do. That's what I meant, sorry. Franz Hatch GP circuit to round off the season, where hopefully..."
Donington GP is a racetrack in the UK where many car races happen. It's famous for its exciting events and beautiful scenery.
The Donington GP refers to the Donington Park circuit, a popular motorsport venue in the UK known for hosting various racing events, including British Touring Car Championship races.
Hyundai
"...he's looked at the Hyundai and gone, that's quick. What can I use as a system of shape?"
Hyundai is a car company from South Korea that makes many different types of cars, including affordable ones and SUVs. They are known for making reliable vehicles.
Hyundai is a South Korean automotive manufacturer known for producing a range of vehicles, from economical sedans to SUVs. They have gained a reputation for quality and value in recent years.
Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe
"...he's found himself the Mercedes at CLA Coupe rather than the hatchback. Yeah, it's going to be interesting to see how Mercedes run a Coupe."
The Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe is a small, stylish car made by Mercedes. It's designed to look sporty and has a lot of modern features.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe is a compact luxury car that combines sporty design with advanced technology and performance. It is part of Mercedes-Benz's lineup of stylish vehicles aimed at younger buyers.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
"I think this is the first time I'm going to have a Saloon car. We've never seen the C-Class. In our lifetime, anyway, there might have been the old, like the DTM style in the 80s..."
The C-Class is a small luxury car made by Mercedes-Benz. It's known for being comfortable and stylish, making it a popular choice for many drivers.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a line of compact executive cars produced by Mercedes-Benz. Known for its blend of luxury, performance, and technology, the C-Class has been a popular choice in its segment since its introduction.
dog leg gearbox
"...the old, like the DTM style in the 80s with the dog leg gearbox, etc. which, according to James May, Martin Brundle said, was the greatest rear wheel drive chassis on the road."
A dog leg gearbox is a special type of manual transmission where the gears are arranged differently than usual. This helps drivers shift gears faster, especially in racing.
A dog leg gearbox is a type of manual transmission where the gear pattern is arranged in a non-standard way, typically with first gear located down and to the left. This design is often used in racing cars to facilitate quicker gear changes.
rear wheel drive
"...which, according to James May, Martin Brundle said, was the greatest rear wheel drive chassis on the road. But in terms of out here, not in modern era..."
Rear wheel drive means that the power from the engine goes to the back wheels of the car. This can make the car handle better, especially when driving fast or in turns.
Rear wheel drive (RWD) is a vehicle configuration where the engine's power is sent to the rear wheels. This setup often provides better handling and balance, especially in performance cars.
NGTC spec
"...not since sort of like NGTC spec, if we've seen a Merck like this. So it'll be interesting to see one, how it acclimatizes to the championship."
NGTC spec is a set of rules for racing cars that helps make sure all the cars are similar in performance. This way, different brands can compete fairly against each other.
NGTC spec refers to the Next Generation Touring Car specification, a set of technical regulations for touring car racing. It aims to create a level playing field among different manufacturers and promote competitive racing.
front-wheel drive
"...in this era of Mercedes, there's a front-wheel drive, isn't it? This version. So it's also quite interesting that a few seasons ago..."
Front-wheel drive means that the front wheels of the car are the ones that get the power from the engine. This can help the car grip the road better, especially in bad weather.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a vehicle configuration where the engine's power is directed to the front wheels. This setup can improve traction in certain conditions and is commonly found in many passenger cars.
Toca spec engine
"...when they swapped back to the Toca spec engine and were able to improve their results almost 10-fold. So yeah, it'll be interesting to say I assume he is going to run a Toca setup engine-wise..."
The Toca spec engine is a type of engine used in a racing series to make sure all cars have similar performance.
The Toca spec engine refers to a specific engine configuration used in the TOCA Touring Car Championship, which is designed to ensure competitive parity among teams.
baseline performance
"...because it's a base standard that he kind of knows what results he should get and what performance goals he should get from it. Plus, don't forget from next year..."
Baseline performance is the expected level of how well a car should perform based on past results or standard setups.
Baseline performance refers to the standard level of performance that a team or driver aims to achieve, often based on previous data or specifications.
Ford
"right, we're going to stick a Ford powertrain in this or whatever. Here's a thought for you."
Ford is a well-known car company that makes many types of vehicles, including popular cars and trucks. They have been involved in racing and performance cars for many years.
Ford is an American multinational automaker known for producing a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. The brand has a long history in motorsports and is recognized for its performance-oriented models.
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