TOCA – organiser of the British Touring Car Championship – announced its technical regulations for the next five-year cycle, commencing with the 2027 BTCC season.
The NGTC technical regulations were first introduced in the BTCC during the 2011 campaign before being phased in fully over the next three years, aimed at reducing costs and promoting greater parity among competitors.
Now, in its 15th season and with another year left of the existing specifications, TOCA has again put together an evolution of these successful regulations for a further five years – up until at least the end of 2031.
The goal of the new regulation cycle was to protect the assets of teams by maintaining eligibility for existing machinery, whilst introducing additional car and engine options, thereby expanding opportunities.
Firstly, TOCA has unlocked the necessity for the specific model of the car to be sold in the UK.
From 2027, providing that the vehicle brand is sold within the UK, then any model from that brand can be entered – as long as the car is originally equipped with an internal combustion engine as its primary means of motive power and, of course, conforms to the size and body regulations as per currently.
This change will allow a wider variety of cars to enter the BTCC, thus providing teams with greater flexibility and availability in choosing models that fit their goals, as well as giving spectators the experience of seeing cars compete that they may not have seen before.
Furthermore, TOCA has also unlinked the engine requirements to each respective car, meaning that any BTCC-homologated engine can be used – not necessarily that from the original manufacturer of that specific car.
Registered BTCC engine builders will also be bound to supply its engine to any interested team(s) if requested, although no engine supplier can provide more than 50% of the entered cars – with the exception of the TOCA engine, which is always made available to all teams.
Opening up engine availability and supply will enable teams and engine builders to more easily select their optimum base engine and share development costs.
2027 BTCC Technical Regulations: FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Continuity of Investment
Will current cars and components remain eligible?
Yes, the current cars continue within their normal homologation cycle. These regulations are an evolution, not a reset – thereby protecting teams’ existing investments in their major componentry through 2031.
Is this the end of NGTC?
No. The NGTC regulations remain as the foundation, but with the expanded flexibility and functionality given within this evolution from 2027.
Vehicle Eligibility
Will teams be able to use any car model from a brand sold globally?
Yes, provided that the brand is sold within the UK through a manufacturer’s normal dealer network and that the vehicle meets the (unchanged) homologation requirements relating to body type/size/minimum quantities produced etc. As well, it must have an internal combustion engine as its primary means of propulsion; so, a hybrid-based vehicle would be eligible, but a pure EV-based vehicle would not.
What is different about this compared to previous regulations?
Previously, only car models sold by a manufacturer within the UK were eligible for competition. Therefore, these regulations now open the door for a wider range of vehicles that meet the requirements, but are not sold in the UK. All other regulations regarding the homologation requirements for the base vehicle remain the same.
Will this lead to more variety on the grid?
That’s the intention. Teams will now have far greater scope in choosing from a larger range of eligible vehicles, whilst spectators may also experience seeing new cars compete for the first time.
Are Estates, Crossovers or SUV type vehicles eligible under the new regulations?
Yes – just as they are currently. The BTCC NGTC regulations have always allowed these types to be eligible, within the normal homologation requirements.
Engine Regulations
Can teams mix and match engines and car models?
Yes. Engines are no longer tied to the car’s original manufacturer. So from 2027, any BTCC-homologated engine can be used in any BTCC-homologated car.
Will engine suppliers be required to support multiple teams?
Yes. An engine supplier must make their homologated engine available to any registered team on their normal commercial terms. However, no engine (except the official TOCA engine) can power more than 50% of the grid. This is to ensure the BTCC teams have a variety of available engines and also prevents the Championship from effectively becoming a ‘single make engine’ formula.
Is the TOCA engine still available to all teams?
Absolutely. Its use remains uncapped, is universally available and is the cornerstone of the BTCC engine regulations.
Cost and Accessibility
Will these changes reduce costs for teams?
Flexibility and availability are the clear objectives, whilst reducing costs is also the goal. By opening-up the engine and car options, both the teams and the engine-builders can further share and amortise development costs as well as avoiding brand-specific limitations.
Are these changes aimed at also attracting new entrants?
Yes. The flexibility is designed to make BTCC more accessible to independent teams and new manufacturers, as well as safeguarding the investment, interest and participation of our existing teams.
Any other major changes?
No. These are the significant changes. The rest of the fundamentals of the highly successful BTCC technical regulations remain unchanged, other than the usual minor tweaks and tidy-ups that happen annually. By keeping the fundamental regulations unchanged, it provides significant asset-protection for both current and future teams right through until at least the end of 2031.
