MOTORSPORTIMAGES/JEP8 AUTOSPORT.COM 25 JULY 2019BTCCCosworth Electronics has won the
tender to supply the standardised
hybrid powertrain in the British Touring
Car Championship from 2022, which will
lead to the scrapping of success ballast.
The BTCC currently uses weight to
slow down the most successful cars, but
that will be replaced with restrictions
on the percentages of power each
competitor can use from the new
hybrid-energy system.
Series bosses also confi rmed that drivers
will activate the system via a push-button
to use the power boost to defend or attack.
Cosworth Electronics has designed
a 60-volt system, which will weigh no
more than 64kg when the full equipment
is installed in the cars. In its purest form,the hybrid boost will be available for a
maximum of 15 seconds per lap and provide
a power gain of approximately 40bhp. There
is no limit on how often the boost button
can be pressed during the lap.
On Cosworth’s performance simulations
using the Silverstone circuit as a base, a car
deploying hybrid power would gain eight
metres on a rival coming out of Copse.
The boost lasts until the driver presses
the button a second time, or it will
deactivate when the brakes are used, at
the time or energy limit, reduced throttle
or sudden deceleration or acceleration.
Regeneration will take place during
the car’s braking phase. Hybrid power
will not be available to drivers until after
the fi rst lap and it will only be available
when a car is not wheel-spinning.
When the driver activates the hybridsystem to attack or defend, fans will be
alerted by an LED display on each car.
Each vehicle must also travel the length
of the pitlane on full electric power.
The system will be made available to
each team on an annual lease scheme from
Cosworth Electronics for a fee of £20,500.
BTCC chief executive Alan Gow
said: “We’ve gathered the best
experts together, which has resulted
in formulating an excellent package.
“We’ve left no stone unturned in
defi ning the cleverest way for the hybrid
system to work, and we have come up
with what are some very neat solutions.
“Introducing it in 2022 gives Cosworth
plenty of time to refi ne and prepare. What
I’m particularly pleased about is the cost
at which the system will come in.”
MATT JAMESWRCWales Rally GB will open
and close chapters in the
history of one of rallying’s
most famous families.
Petter Solberg will end his
professional World Rally
career in Llandudno, while
his 17-year-old son Oliver
starts his in the same place.
The Solbergs will enter a
pair of Volkswagen Polo GTI
R5s for an event that Petter
dominated for four years(2002-05) and where he won
his fi rst world title in 2003.
Solberg Sr will drive Rally
GB as part of his season-
long farewell tour. He said:
“To end my professional
career in this place, where
so much happened and with
Oliver driving alongside me,
will be unbelievable. The
emotions will be a lot.”
Solberg Jr was a hit at the
Goodwood Festival of Speed
earlier this month. In his
fi rst season of four-wheel-drive rallying, he’s won
the USA’s most famous
rally, the Olympus, and
become the youngest
winner of a European
championship round.
“The chance to compete
in Wales alongside my papa
is massive for me,” he said.
“My father is my hero and
for as long as I’ve been able
to think and talk, I’ve been
hearing about him driving in
places like Dyfi and Hafren.”
DAVID EVANSSolbergs to star together at Rally GB
Success ballast out, hybrid boost in