The WTCC

[touringlegend]

We've had the news that Team Varta are leaving the BTCC to run a 'factory' team in the WTCC next year, and Dynamics are also considering a move to the World Championship.

I am sure any forward thinking team in any series in the world would jump at the chance of participating in a World series, so how do you plan to persuade the teams to stay on in the BTCC Alan ?

Regards.

[Alan Gow]

If a team wants to do the WTCC, then they are usually doing it for a very different reason (usually sponsor/commercial-led) than competing in the BTCC.

The two championships really are completely different animals and it is not a matter of persuasion to do one or the other. There are unique commercial and cost considerations to doing either one.

The WTCC is a far more expensive championship to do, and the main reason for competing in it is due to particular manufacturer/sponsor needs for a more global exposure.

Likewise, if a sponsor or manufacturer/team wishes to target the British market then the WTCC is of little or no benefit to them particularly given the huge cost increase of doing so.

The reality is that the budgets that 90% of BTCC teams are able to secure would not enable them to do the WTCC, even if they wanted to.

However, the stronger the WTCC becomes the better it is for the long-term growth of the BTCC: it provides us with a growing pool and inventory of manufacturers and cars that can compete in our championship.

There is no competition between the two series...we are complementing each others growth.