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Capacity entry list confirmed for 2014 BTCC

By MJP Media | 2 December 2013

The 2014 British Touring Car Championship will have a capacity entry list after all 32 entries and available TOCA BTCC Licences (TBLs) were allocated during the pre-registration process, which closed on Saturday.

Existing teams that applied and competed in at least 50 per cent of the 2013 BTCC season with NGTC machinery received automatic entry for the same number of cars in 2014, whilst existing teams with two or more NGTC cars had priority for one additional entry subject to validation by TOCA. Existing NGTC cars in the hands of new or other current BTCC teams were next to receive priority, whilst completely new teams would have been given the final slots on the entry list if available.

Such was the huge number of applications received from current BTCC teams and other entries running existing NGTC cars, however, that the opportunity for completely new teams to sign up was not forthcoming.

TBLs have now been issued to successful applicants, which will secure each entry until at least the end of the 2016 BTCC season. Teams may sell, gift, lease, assign or loan their TBL to other existing teams or eligible new entries on a season-long basis only, subject to the approval of TOCA as to the integrity of both recipient and transaction.

Possession and retention of a TBL includes an obligation from each entrant to contest all BTCC events for each season entered. An entry that is unused for one event in any season will void its TBL and an entry that misses two events will have its entry rescinded for the balance of the season. In addition, each entrant cannot make more than one change of driver per car during the course of a season except in genuine cases of force majeure.

As well as the capacity entry, there are currently three cars on a 'reserve list' that were unable to meet the strict entry requirements at this stage, but would be in a position to compete should an opportunity arise.

United Autosports, who bought the Dynojet Toyota Avensis, have announced a 2 car line up with Glynn Geddie and James Cole. Team owner and Managing Director Richard Dean was enthusiastic about the squad's graduation the BTCC: "We are really excited to be entering the 2014 British Touring Car Championship. It's a new direction for the team and the BTCC is known across the country as a highly competitive championship so we are looking forward to taking on the new challenge. We have a strong driver line up in James and Glynn; James' BTCC experience and Glynn's pure driving skill will be invaluable to the team in 2014."

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