TOCA limits Fords' performance

Date published : 21 Aug 2010 - 17:27:13

Arena Motorsport's pair of Ford Focus STs have had their performance pegged back by British Touring Car Championship organiser TOCA.Tom Onslow-Cole and Tom Chilton locked out the front row at Silverstone in their turbocharged LPG-powered Focuses, more than half a second up on the best of the normally-aspirated cars.But after qualifying BTCC co-ordinator Dan Mayo issued a bulletin stating that all cars powered by alternative fuels would have their engine performance capped with immediate effect. An upper boost limit has now been imposed on the turbocharged machines with a reduction in the air restrictor size from 36 to 35mm also mandated.The bulletin read: "In accordance with CR 5.3, the Administrator has mandates that any registered cars running to those regulations are now required to run at a maximum boost pressure of 0.7 bar (1.7 bar absolute) and fit a 35mm turbo inlet restrictor with effect from, and including, round 19 of the 2010 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship."Arena is the only team affected by the amendment to the technical regulations.