By Rob Andrews

In a recent article in the news section of Autosport Magazine (18th May,) BTCC boss Alan Gow shared with legendary Touring Car correspondent Marcus Simmons that the possibility of ‘adding on’ a non-championship race meeting for the series has been looked at over the last couple of years, and that given the right set of conditions an ‘away’ fixture could be a reality in the future.

As you’d expect, fans would have very different ideas of where an overseas race could take place, so Motor Racing UK decided to jump in and consider 10 venues that we think are not outside of the realms of impossibility when it comes to hosting a BTCC shindig.

To throw our suggestions into the ring we set ourselves a rule – that the trip out of the country would be into Europe only – and by ferry. It’s easy to imagine a rich benefactor deciding to fly the entire circus to the Middle East or China, as both areas have history with that tactic, having imported V8 Supercars and the DTM to race in front of empty grandstands in the past, but nowadays that’s likely to be a flight of fancy.

Even with a financial incentive moving all the teams and their gear, the TOCA infrastructure, and personnel involved in making it all happen, the chances are that ferries or the Eurotunnel would be the only option. So you’d expect that the event would be within a couple of hundred miles of an accessible passenger or freight terminal. You’d also expect the chosen venue to have the ability and facilities to host this level of racing, and travelling spectators, as well as being close enough to a hub for travelling fans, with enough places to stay for Brits on the road.

So here we go, 10 venues that we think (and on socials we’d like to hear you choices) could host a BTCC event.

FRANCE

For most people it’s the first option when travelling abroad by road. Le Harve? Calais? Caen? Ferry or Eurotunnel? Choices for getting across are plentiful. Circuits to consider are also high in number, but we’ve knocked it down to two, for a simple reason each.

1. Le Mans

Not the classic 24 hour circuit – but the smaller Bugatti layout used for national racing, and Moto GP. It’s easy to get to, it has plenty of experience of hosting Brits during the Le Mans 24 Hours, and plenty of Brits have experience of travelling there – in that respect it makes sense.

For profile it’s a cracker of a place to have as a venue for any series. It’s Le Mans for crying out loud – the real birthplace of racing in Europe. The facilities for teams and attendees are superb. Possibly the best on this list. The track isn’t considered by many to be a classic, but that’s usually because it is compared to its bigger sibling. Le Musee and Garage Vert are corners that could deliver overtaking opportunities. And just imagine a full BTCC field pouring through the Dunlop Chicane. Feels or what?

2. Croix-en-Ternois

You could consider Paul Ricard, Magny Cours, Nogaro or Dijon. But they are a fair journey, even as higher grade circuits they might be tempting, but Croix-en-Ternois has been used as an extra track for British Club Racing because unlike those well known places it’s a short journey. Just over an hour from Calais.

Okay it’s a bit little, and the facilities are not on the scale of the big European F1 tracks, but the 1.08 mile long track has a bit of character, kind of like a flat Knockhill. Four switchbacks including a hairpin and a single right hander make it a quirky consideration. It could deliver something Unique.

BELGIUM

Like France, it’s a pretty easy gig getting there. From a travel perspective it’s no different really, and the mayonnaise is outstanding. Oh, and the one circuit we selected here wasn’t Spa, it was the other –  boring – one.

3. Zolder

First off Zolder has a bloody decent modern Touring Car pedigree. The DTM through the 80s and 90s used to kick their year off there, and it delivered racing that was better than Spa for Tin Tops. Okay, the Ardennes track is the test that drivers want, and it would be a hell of a sight to see BTCC cars belting it around there, but the truth is Zolder – which again is pretty easy to get to – is almost perfect for Touring Cars.

The Kleine and Gilles Villenueve chicanes would be a sight (and if we’re in Europe we could skip the MSUK track limits rules) with the Bolderberghaarspeldbocht being a prime overtaking place (and a fun mouthful for David Addison and Tim Harvey) but it’s one of those circuits where flow and momentum can create opportunities. The BelCar series has produced some lines and moves that would entertain, and Zolder – unlike Spa – would provide pack racing  instead of individual brilliance in a break away.

HOLLAND

If we’re in this part of the continent then Holland has to be considered. It has further options on top of driving through France. The option of hopping on a ferry from Newcastle is a bonus for Northern race fans too. And with the venue chosen then it’d be a few minutes from being set down on the continent.

4. Zandvoort

There could be an argument for Assen, and if Max Mania hadn’t forced a totally mad rebuilding of the seaside venue it would have been our choice, but that crazy banking? Yes, we would want to see a full field of NGTC machines tackling those re-profiled corners thank you very much. Plus it’s Amsterdam. Easy to get to with much fun to be had in the city.

The Zandvoort paddock has had a bit of criticism for being a bit tight in F1 circles since it returned to the GP calendar, but it would be ideal for Touring Cars coming into the country. Again, like Zolder, it managed with the DTM during the prime years of the series quite easily, and, the Dutch, probably unlike some of the other prospective venues, would probably come and watch this foreign invasion. The track as it is seems a bit naff for Grand Prix cars but for the BTCC? It’s work.

DENMARK

Turn left at Amsterdam and head for the land of former BTCC race winner and Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen. It’s a bit of a drive for the fans – but cheap flights are aplenty. For the teams there are freight ferries to the country – so the Grid Girls wouldn’t be travelling that way!

5. Padborg Park

Last year we threw out a few ideas for alternative tracks and formats in the UK (check it here) and for the tight and twisty almost Kart track the idea of a full BTCC grid piling around is a bit nuts, but why not go with some heat racing? Short races with 10 cars per group qualifying for a grand final? A bit of fun or what?

Okay, we know Denmark can be a bit pricey, and it can be a trek, but we think Padborg could offer something very different.

GERMANY

I’m sure that would be popular with WSR. And Toyota, considering how much of their top level motorsport development is based in Cologne. It’s a big country, and again it’s not a ballache to get too. And the beer and sausages top any of their equivalents in other countries we’ve listed!

6. Nordschleife

There are a few interesting tracks, and as much as the Norisring or the old Airfield circuits would be fun, there’s only one destination. The Nurburgring. The sensible head would say go to the GP track, but the WTCR proved a three lap race around the Nordschleife works as a Nurburgring 24 hour support – if you’re not running crap tyres and being swayed by manufacturers taking a huff like what happened with the cancelled races there last year.

No, it probably wouldn’t be the close battle that we come to expect in the BTCC but come on; “And it’s Hill through Flugplatz,” “What a move by Sutton in Aremberg,” “Ingram leads up the Döttinger Höhe,” or “ Turkington in the BMW at Karussell.” Hearing that alone gets the hairs up on your arms. Come on someone, get this deal done!

IRELAND

For UK based BTCC fans who want to travel, but aren’t too keen on the fancy foods and etiquette of the continent, Ireland is almost a home from home. Like France for punters and teams, it’s easy to get to, with food and drink (naturally) fairly familiar. Unlike other possible trips though, the island of Ireland – North and Republic – has a good representation in the BTCC with a Mr Taylor-Smith from the EU side of the border and a couple of fellas by the name of Turkington and Watson from the North, along with a long history of drivers in past years.

7. Mondello Park

Been there, done that, and repeated calls from fans as the first choice to expand the calendar back to the venue come back every year. Get this, the last time the BTCC raced there was 2006, but it’s still fondly recalled by all who experienced the place.

It is actually harder and more expensive to get to than some of the further flung places, but on arrival you’ll find it’s still a brilliant facility with a layout that would provide great racing. It would also likely sell-out, so the atmosphere would be explosive!

PORTUGAL

The Iberian Peninsula has three circuits we’d consider, two of them being in Portugal. Again the Ferries to Northern Spain and the region work out great, and pre-pandemic it was a popular place for teams to go for pre-season testing. I mean, look at when a number of teams went to Knockhill in March – great for wet weather tyre testing…..

8. Estoril

The former home of the Portuguese Grand Prix. The mandate for F1 nowadays is to ignore places like Estoril. It ain’t glitzy enough. But that category is also obsessed with ‘Destination Events.’ Estoril is a destination that fans love. Nice and warm in October after the Bands Hatch final round, it would replace that end-of-term feeling that isn’t too nice on leaving Brands cold and wet for a dark drive home!

It’s an FIA Grade 1 track so it has all the bells and whistles. It’s considered to be quite narrow for a ‘big’ track, which is good. It’s also a place with a decent history, and the first turn and the chicane would undoubtedly become cracking overtaking zones.

9. Algarve International Circuit

Portimao. It’s all in one. The ultimate motorsport facility in Europe. Yes, compared to Estoril it’s lacking a bit of a bedded in soul, and a full BTCC field might look a bit dwarfed as they crest the hill into turn one, but it ticks all the boxes, for each purpose.

The topography of the track would produce a blinder of a race but when you pick your grandstand seat you’ll probably feel a bit lonely. In that respect it’d probably be the least atmospheric of tracks from the list, but you’d get a canny kip during breaks between races.

SPAIN

Yes. Spain. Like Portugal perfect for a winter sojourn. But it’s a big country, and what would be considered the big tracks are a bit of a trek across the nation if you’re getting off in the Santander region. Barcelona, Jerez, Valencia. They are long drives, so they kind of go against the initial plan of staying within a couple of hours of disembarking – so there is another suggestion – with a practical reason.

10. Navarra

The reason Navarra was left till last is because in a way it’s a home run. Spain. Close to a port. Easy to travel to. Most importantly it’s the only foreign MSV track (if that stumps you, MSV run Brands, Donington, Oulton, Snetterton and Cadwell) has fully up and running (Couvron in France will be added to that roster soon) so from an organisational standpoint it would be a deal with a company that the BTCC spends more than half of it’s year with. A Quid Pro Quo for both.

The track itself is what you’d expect of a foreign modern facility, and it would really stand out as something both different and familiar with the familiar MSV logos popping up everywhere, with a bleached desert surrounding. It works for Touring Cars, and we think it would work for BTCC machines too.

What is your choice for an away day with the BTCC?
Let us know in the socials!