MSV tenders to run BTCC from 2017

MotorSport Vision (MSV) has tendered to run the British Touring Car Championship from 2017 and becomes a rival to existing organiser TOCA.

“We have submitted a tender to be the new promoter. We’ve been very successful in British Superbikes and have a lot of resources. We believe we could do a very good job of promoting the BTCC. I would absolutely love it,” said Jonathan Palmer of MSV to Autosport.

The championship is currently being run by TOCA, headed by Alan Gow, and has been since 1991 bar a four-year break between 2001 and 2005. TOCA has tendered to continue running the BTCC.

“There is only one organisation that has made the BTCC into what it is and that’s TOCA. We built it into British motorsport’s powerhouse through the 90’s and then sadly had to stand by and watch the championship flounder in the hands of the consortium of all major circuit owners who took it over from 2000, after the MSA decided to award them the contract,” said Gow to Autosport.

The Motor Sports Association (MSA), headed by Alan Gow, but who is excluded from this process due to the conflict of interest, is expected to announce its decision shortly.

”No doubt there are many people or organisations that would like to take over the rights of the championship, but I really do shudder at the thought of seeing the championship I love to again lurch into another period of great change and misdirection. However that of course is entirely in the hands of the MSA to decide,” said Gow.

Running alongside the championship tender is the TOCA engine supply from 2017, as we reported on earlier this week.