TOCA clarifies TBL amendment for 2017

BTCC series director Alan Gow has clarified that an amendment to the TOCA BTCC Licence (TBL) rules for 2017 will prevent teams from moving licences now that the series’ entry deadline has passed.

Last season, a number of TBLs were moved around following the publication of the list by TOCA, with the likes of Maximum Motorsport, BKR and Team HARD all securing licences after the 32 had been handed out.

In response to an article published by TouringCarTimes this morning, Gow has revealed that similar deals will now not be permitted for the new season, with those teams to have been given a TBL having made a commitment to use them for their own programmes.

As such, the 32 car field expected to line up at Brands Hatch in April will very much mirror the list announced by TOCA, barring any issues that would prevent a team from taking up its place on the grid for the 2017 campaign.

“When the teams made their entry commitments and 50% deposits for the 2017 season, it was on the understanding that TOCA would not approve any subsequent fundamental changes to their entry or operation of the TBL,” Gow said.

“In other words, teams cannot sell or lease or loan etc., their TBL for 2017 once they made their commitment by November 30 and we issued our list. Hence why there were some last minute arrangements prior to the cut-off.

“So the list you have is very much the way it will stay, certainly in respect of those teams operating those TBLs listed. After the November 30 cut-off date, I won’t approve a movement of their TBL or entry.”

The full list of TBLs announced by TOCA yesterday can be seen here.