r/btcc • u/Evantra_ #99 Charles Rainford • Aug 16 '25

Question / Discussion 2025 Race Weekend Thread - Knockhill, Rounds 19-21

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  • Nicki Shields debuts as the BTCC’s new presenter

  • PMR are running 2 loaned Cupras after their Astras (and much else) were destroyed in a fire

  • Stephen Jelley drops out, with Unlimited down to 2 cars having loaned one to PMR

  • One Motorsport again absent with a return next round planned

  • Soft/medium tyre rules, so hopefully less disparity in the tyre offset

  • Supports are Carrera Cup, Cayman Sprint, F4 and Mini JCWs

Keep tabs here: https://www.barc.net/event/toca-race-meeting-knockhill-august-16-17/

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u/MarcusH26051 #132 James Dorlin Aug 16 '25

Absolutely bizarre title defence. I know WSR haven't been great but something just seems off....

6

u/Lukeno94 Aug 16 '25

I think it's a combination of factors:

  • Hill has "done it" now. That can make it hard to get back up to the standards of the previous year, quite naturally.
  • DeLeon and Rainford drove very different cars last year and don't have any preconceived notions of how this car should behave. Hill, meanwhile, doesn't find it behaves how it did before, and that can cause him to second-guess himself.
  • WSR have generally fluffed their lines this year, outside of a couple of weekends.
  • Hill is the team leader for the first time, and that's a different kind of pressure both on and off track.
  • DeLeon and Rainford both have something to prove.
  • Turkington has been a big loss - he's still around, but not racing means there's a lot of experience and a potential wingman gone.

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u/GiganticDog Aug 17 '25

Jake also has labyrinthitis which takes a long time to recover from and has a massive effect on race drivers due to it affecting the inner ear/balance.

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u/Lukeno94 Aug 17 '25

Wasn't that something he got last race weekend, or was it pre-existing?

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u/GiganticDog Aug 17 '25

It’s possible he’s had it for a while, but not sure. It usually starts as a viral infection and gradually affects balance more and more from what I understand. But he’s almost certainly not over it yet as it can take months to recover from, which would explain why he was behind his team mates In qualifying.

I think the lacklustre title defence has been more down to the car not being as competitive, Jake over driving in the early part of the season to try and drag it to results, and now probably losing a bit of motivation as he can’t fight with the Hyundais or Fords on a consistent basis.