Triple Eight criticises regulation change

Triple Eight is critical over the regulation changes made ahead of the BTCC weekend at Oulton Park.
“I have to admit disappointment that TOCA has again seen fit to penalize the turbocharged cars in the name of equivalency,” said Triple Eight Chairman Ian Harrison.

BTCC organisers TOCA implemented a set of weight breaks for S2000 cars, as well as removing the limited first gear ratio for the BMWs’ and a suspended reduction in turbo pressure for NGTC engined cars of 0.05 bar compared to Thruxton.

“I appreciate that they have a difficult job to do in managing the situation given all the politics and games involved but I didn’t think that a case to apply further measures had been made at Thruxton last time out,” said Harrison.

Harrison instead points towards the S2000 Chevrolet Cruze of Jason Plato and the fact that he has won a third of the races so far this season.

“You can look at all the data you want, power curves, torque and top speeds etc but the data that counts is the race result. Every team knows how to work the system in terms of masking car performance and the last time I looked I noticed that one particular normally aspirated car had won a third of all the races held so far this season – a pretty good return particularly so when you bear in mind that the entry is dominated by turbo cars,” said Harrison.

Despite the change in regulations, Harrison and Triple Eight are hoping to score a victory at Oulton Park.

“Oulton Park is a great circuit to race on. It presents a real challenge for the drivers and it is a favourite for many on the team. Last year James [Nash] took his first podium for us with a 3rd in race three and I’d like to think he will do better than that this time around, hopefully by scoring his first win. Tony Gilham in our other car is looking more competitive too and there is no reason at all why we shouldn’t expect more points from him,” said Harisson.