By Mick Palmer

The release of the 2024 BTCC TBL list for 2024 has, as expected, further ramped up the BTCC rumour mill.

The list as it stands will see the 2024 grid remain as it is with the addition of a license to both WSR (holding four) and Un-Limited (holding two.) One Motorsport has returned to the list with two slots.

A 24 car grid – if all licenses are used – seems to tick the box for the BTCC. Chief Executive Alan Gow has stated in the past that this is the optimum number for the championship, especially when considering how busy things get on the short Brands Hatch Indy and Knockhill tracks.

The license allocation does not necessarily reflect how the final entry list will roll out, but in the interim it seems to suggest that some things are certain. Four entries for WSR will likely mean that four examples of the 330 will run from their garages under both the BMW and MB Motorsport names, but how the cars will be split remains unknown.

Power Maxed, having run three cars in the past look likely to remain at two. Although team boss Adam Weaver stated to Touring Car Magazine late last year that three cars would be no problem if someone had a ‘check big enough.’

The One Motorsport entries are the two that are attracting the most interest. In February the team announced a pause for 2024 with the intention to return in next year. At the time the squad stated that: “While the team may not be lining up on the grid this year, the team aims to undertake an extensive development programme and testing on its fleet of Honda Civic Type Rs, before a planned return to the entry list in 2025.”

Their cars have not been spotted on track, which means nothing at the moment. Rumours have been persistent that the team will return with Honda Civics, but no news as to whether that would be their own versions campaigned up to 2022 with a TOCA engine, or the Dynamics/Neil Brown engine versions they raced in 2023 has emerged.

The other possibility, according to paddock chatter, is that the TBLs under control of the team could be shifted to another outfit, or that another squad could lock, stock and barrel take over the operation. The new Vortx name has been pointed in that direction, although there is no solid evidence to support that – or the rumour that they could ‘adopt’ a pair of Speedworks Toyotas.

Restart Racing have confirmed they will return with two Hyundai i30’s. After confirming a second car is ready for a winter build, Un-Limited Motorsport officially have the go-ahead to commission another Cupra Leon into the championship.

The released TBL list for 2025:

Alliance Racing – 4

EXCELR8 Motorsport – 4

Speedworks Motorsport – 4

West Surrey Racing – 4

Power Maxed Racing – 2

Restart Racing – 2

One Motorsport – 2

Un-Limited Motorsport – 2