85 replies to this topic

[Massa]

Seems to have the same problem Ben Edwards has...thinks the viewer will tune out or get lost or whatever if he isn't talking non-stop telling us everything we can see.  There's a balance between enthusiasm and just being shouty.  Paul Page has an Emmy Award for his coverage of the Indy 500 in 1989; one of the greatest finishes to Indy ever and he and his team stayed quiet.  Let the race come to them, when they spoke, it was worth it.  It made it so dramatic, so intense.  We need more patient baseball commentators and less ice hockey ALL CAPS ALL THE TIMES commentators, in my opinion.  I've heard Ben Edwards, on multiple occasions, say the same thing over and over just because he was afraid to stop talking.  The BTCC finale last year, at one point, he said "Mat Jackson is out of the championship" after his tire trouble at least four or five times in succession.  Papa Massa and I laughed about that.  I know some people like this style, of course, and think it fits in with the nature of BTCC, so fair to them.  Leigh Diffey and Rick Allen are like that, too, in fact most "younger" motor racing commentators in their late 30s or early 40s are like that (Edwards, I recall, isn't very old) a bit.  I think a lot of these guys are either studying radio commentary or being told this is the right way or what the 18-34 demographic needs to stay engaged.  Not my personal preference; watching the Rolex 24, the difference between Bob Varsha's approach and Leigh Diffey's made one seem like a complete professional and the other seem like a guy in the bleachers.  Maybe they want to have that feel, I don't know...

Sorry for taking a dump in your thread and turning it into "waaah I hate all the commentators."

Carry on.  I always try to catch a lot of these live and then watch the stuff I miss on SPEED in the winter.  It's been a decent system.  Hopefully there's some good racing.

[Rainmaster]

Massa, on 17 February 2012 - 09:36 PM, said:

Seems to have the same problem Ben Edwards has...thinks the viewer will tune out or get lost or whatever if he isn't talking non-stop telling us everything we can see.  There's a balance between enthusiasm and just being shouty.  Paul Page has an Emmy Award for his coverage of the Indy 500 in 1989; one of the greatest finishes to Indy ever and he and his team stayed quiet.  Let the race come to them, when they spoke, it was worth it.  It made it so dramatic, so intense.  We need more patient baseball commentators and less ice hockey ALL CAPS ALL THE TIMES commentators, in my opinion.  I've heard Ben Edwards, on multiple occasions, say the same thing over and over just because he was afraid to stop talking.  The BTCC finale last year, at one point, he said "Mat Jackson is out of the championship" after his tire trouble at least four or five times in succession.  Papa Massa and I laughed about that.  I know some people like this style, of course, and think it fits in with the nature of BTCC, so fair to them.  Leigh Diffey and Rick Allen are like that, too, in fact most "younger" motor racing commentators in their late 30s or early 40s are like that (Edwards, I recall, isn't very old) a bit.  I think a lot of these guys are either studying radio commentary or being told this is the right way or what the 18-34 demographic needs to stay engaged.  Not my personal preference; watching the Rolex 24, the difference between Bob Varsha's approach and Leigh Diffey's made one seem like a complete professional and the other seem like a guy in the bleachers.  Maybe they want to have that feel, I don't know...

Sorry for taking a dump in your thread and turning it into "waaah I hate all the commentators."

Carry on.  I always try to catch a lot of these live and then watch the stuff I miss on SPEED in the winter.  It's been a decent system.  Hopefully there's some good racing.

Warning: I am drunk. But please don't tell me you just criticised Toby Moody! Honestly, if you follow MotoGP you would know he is just a great commentator. He and Julian Ryder are like two friends just watching the race in a pub, and their friendship and humour just comes across so well during the races (so much so that, a lot of people prefer watching Eurosport's delayed MotoGP coverage instead of BBC's). I think you'd grow to love the guy Eric!

Ben Edwards I do not know about, but Brundle and DC were just so good for me that I doubt he can live up to that this year with the F1 commentary.

[Massa]

If you're implying that it's unfair for me to pass judgment after hearing three minutes and change of the guy, then yeah, must be the alcohol.

[JHS18]

Massa, on 17 February 2012 - 09:36 PM, said:

Seems to have the same problem Ben Edwards has...thinks the viewer will tune out or get lost or whatever if he isn't talking non-stop telling us everything we can see.  There's a balance between enthusiasm and just being shouty.  Paul Page has an Emmy Award for his coverage of the Indy 500 in 1989; one of the greatest finishes to Indy ever and he and his team stayed quiet.  Let the race come to them, when they spoke, it was worth it.  It made it so dramatic, so intense.  We need more patient baseball commentators and less ice hockey ALL CAPS ALL THE TIMES commentators, in my opinion.  I've heard Ben Edwards, on multiple occasions, say the same thing over and over just because he was afraid to stop talking.  The BTCC finale last year, at one point, he said "Mat Jackson is out of the championship" after his tire trouble at least four or five times in succession.  Papa Massa and I laughed about that.  I know some people like this style, of course, and think it fits in with the nature of BTCC, so fair to them.  Leigh Diffey and Rick Allen are like that, too, in fact most "younger" motor racing commentators in their late 30s or early 40s are like that (Edwards, I recall, isn't very old) a bit.  I think a lot of these guys are either studying radio commentary or being told this is the right way or what the 18-34 demographic needs to stay engaged.  Not my personal preference; watching the Rolex 24, the difference between Bob Varsha's approach and Leigh Diffey's made one seem like a complete professional and the other seem like a guy in the bleachers.  Maybe they want to have that feel, I don't know...

Sorry for taking a dump in your thread and turning it into "waaah I hate all the commentators."

Carry on.  I always try to catch a lot of these live and then watch the stuff I miss on SPEED in the winter.  It's been a decent system.  Hopefully there's some good racing.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I think Ben is a pretty good commentator, but he and Tim Harvey have had some good moments and real terrible moments at the BTCC.

Take this for instance:



Okay, I'll admit this was more Harvey's fault than Edwards, blabbering on about how the Audi was involved when it had gone off in a completely seperate incident and it was actually Shedden involved like the track side commentators realised straight away BUUUT someone of Edward's calibre should have spotted that. It's pretty obvious from the multiple replays.

Random shouty moment:

Edited by JHS18, 18 February 2012 - 12:16 AM.

[JHS18]

Another random shouty moment



Actually pretty good Ben Edwards moment:



I'm spotting a general theme. Plato gets Edwards excited.

I'll admit - it'll be a strange change for me. All I've ever associated BTCC commentary with is Edwards. He has been the commentator for the ten plus years I've been following the series. So I think to start with, however good Moody is it'll take me time to really accept the change.

But if the racing's as good as ever, that'll take my mind off it.

Edited by JHS18, 18 February 2012 - 12:19 AM.

[JHS18]

So today, the first proper pictures of the NGTC Civic have been released:

[JHS18]

Also, Thorney Motorsport have released a series of photoshopped liveries ahead of an announcement later this week. According to them:

Quote

These are people we've approached, there is a poll on our FB page, we get enough votes might be persuasive for a sponsor?

A few of my favourites:






You can see the full collection here.

Edited by JHS18, 21 February 2012 - 12:48 PM.

[Rainmaster]

The Monster one looks sharp!

[JHS18]

#46, on 21 February 2012 - 04:24 PM, said:

The Monster one looks sharp!

Yeah, I've always liked the Monster themed liveries that have been in the World Rally Championship and whatnot.

To be honest, I'm quite dubious by some of those. I guess there's a chance the likes of Silverline, Halfords, etc, may become involved seeing as they have history in the BTCC before, but honestly, I think there's more chance in hell freezing over than Red Bull, Monster, Relentless or Mad Croc becoming involved. But I'd be happily proved wrong.

It's nice to see the team causing a bit of interest with this, but they do need a big sponsor. In other classes they've raced in, Tesco Momentum 99 has been their title sponsor, and of course, they're involved with Triple 8 and MG now. But they still seem quite confident they'll get two/three cars out for the season, and all will be revealed some time this week it seems.

Maybe it is me being a tad cynical, but perhaps the most likely one is Unipart on the basis there's two mocked up versions of that and no others. I really would be quite shocked if at this stage a deal hadn't been done - particularly with this announcement.

To borrow Eric's Sparknotes: They probably have a sponsor already.

[JHS18]

Motorbase are the latest team to confirm their plans. Nice to see they're doing the season with three cars. Good that Jackson and Smith return, not so bothered about Griffin.

Quote

British Touring Car squad Motorbase Performance has signed Aron Smith to complete its three-car line-up for this season.Smith, who made his BTCC debut with Triple Eight Engineering at Knockhill last year, will drive alongside Motorbase regulars Mat Jackson and Liam Griffin. All three will drive the Ford Focus S2000 chassis, with Mountune turbo engines, that the team fielded in 2011.

Team boss David Bartrum has already been impressed with Smith after the former Renault Clio Cup ace tested at Brands Hatch and Snetterton.

"Aron settled straight in to the team and I'm sure he will be competitive very quickly this year," he said. "We've been talking to him for a long time and he's a great prospect.

"He was very quick and very positive [at the tests]. We've already spoken about 2013 and it's nice to have the stability, and that buzz of a young driver who can work with Mat."

Smith (22), who was the 2011 Motorsport Ireland Dunlop Young Racing Driver of the Year, added: "I couldn't be more excited about this season. The past two years have literally been building up to this moment.

"Motorbase is the type of team I know I'll feel right at home in, this all feels like a dream come true and I can't wait for the racing to begin."

[JHS18]

Okay, so I haven't updated this in a while.

Thorney made their announcement - they still haven't got a title sponsor, but do have a major tie-up with The Sun newspaper. Also, they confirmed that Britcar front runner Rob Hedley will be in the second Insignia. Have to admit, I don't know too much about him, but it seems as if he has potential. The second car will run from the fourth round at Oulton Park onwards.

So basically the grid is almost confirmed. All we are waiting for now is:

Rob Austin Racing - Confirmed two car entry a long time a go, so they'll definitely be there. Just waiting for driver confirmation. It looks as if Rob Austin could be driving one of the two cars again, but the second car is very open. Turkington still has a chance, but there's also Chris Swanwick, who did Brands and Silverstone with the team last season.

Dynojet - Again, practically confirmed. Title sponsorship from Mac Tools means it is very likely rookie of the year Frank Wrathall will once again be on the grid. Single car entry. New shape Avensis.

Welch Automotive - Also very likely. Confusion over whether the team will remain a one or two car outfit. Initially it looked likely it'd be two cars, and the team confirmed a "new car" was being built. Whether that is a second car or simply an evolution of the existing car remains to be seen.

Tech Speed - Team famously runs on a shoe string budget and has been very quiet over the winter. If they return, it will most likely be with turbo engined Cruzes, one for John George looks likely, but there's still uncertainty surrounding Paul O'Neill's future.

Special Tuning Racing - Confirmed two car team a long time ago, but yet to confirm any drivers. With Newsham at ES Racing and Boardman returning to the WTCC, some remain sceptical as to whether they'll return at all. Once again may only see one car out for the start of the season, like in 2011.

Geoff Steel Racing - Still hoping to field a single car entry, a NGTC engined BMW which they ran at Silverstone. Been very quiet over the winter and Gilham's left the team, so again, some doubts remain over their future.

TH Motorsport - Had been hoping to run an NGTC Skoda Octavia before a major backer pulled out. Conflicting sources as to whether the car has actually been started or not, but unlikely we'll see it out this season. Still a chance the team could run a Vectra for Matt Hamilton.

Otherwise the grid is looking very strong at the moment. It is likely that there could be 24-25 cars on the grid for Brands Hatch, and traditionally that only grows throughout the year. Remember, Media Day is on the 19th of March.

Edited by JHS18, 29 February 2012 - 01:08 PM.

[JHS18]

Honda Racing revealed their livery today - have to say I like it. Andy Jordan's at the presentation too, so maybe a chance we'll get to see his livery later today.  

[Massa]

Have to figure Honda take the title this year...

[JHS18]

Hmm, possibly, although they have been having some engine issues in testing.

It'll be interesting to see what MG can do - and of course, don't discount someone like Jackson either. He's in an S2000, but he's always a contender. Could have done it last year had it not been for some terrible luck Knockhill onwards.

I'm curious to see if WSR can improve now they have turbos too - and of course, there's still RAR, Dynojet, Welch Automotive and Speedworks who all have a year of NGTC experience over Honda. I think this year will be competitive.

Andy Jordan's tweeted his car will be revealed this Thursday. Media Day is on the Monday.

[Massa]

I'm sure it'll be competitive, always is, but I just figure Honda are going to be competitive more frequently than any other team can be.  Testing kinks get worked out, and the races aren't too long.

And me figuring they'll take the title doesn't mean they will.

[JHS18]

As promised, Andy Jordan's car has been revealed for this year.





Couple of pictures of it testing at Brands today as well:




Quite a few teams testing today including Motorbase, WSR, Honda and ES Racing.

Edited by JHS18, 15 March 2012 - 03:20 PM.

[JHS18]

So today is Media Day, and the grid has been announced. 25 cars to start with - very strong entry. Pictures will come throughout the day.

1. Matt Neal (GBR), Honda Yuasa Racing Team, Honda Civic**
4. Mat Jackson (GBR), Redstone Racing, Ford Focus ST
5. Aron Smith (IRL), Redstone Racing, Ford Focus ST
6. Liam Griffin (GBR), Redstone Racing , Ford Focus ST
8. Robert Collard (GBR), eBay Motors, BMW 320si
11. Frank Wrathall (GBR), Dynojet, Toyota Avensis**
12. Daniel Welch (GBR), Welch Motorsport with Sopp+Sopp, Proton Persona**
17. Dave Newsham (GBR), Team ES Racing.com, Vauxhall Vectra
18. Nick Foster (GBR), eBay Motors, BMW 320si
31. Mark Hazell (GBR), Rob Austin Racing, Audi A4**
33. Adam Morgan (GBR), Speedworks Motorsport, Toyota Avensis**
34. Tony Gilham (GBR), RCIB Insurance & HARD., Honda Civic
38. Tom Onslow-Cole (GBR), eBay Motors, BMW 320si
43. Lea Wood (GBR), BINZ Racing, Vauxhall Vectra
44. Andy Neate (GBR), MG KX Momentum Racing, MG6**
48. Ollie Jackson (GBR), AmD Tuning.com, VW Golf
50. Tony Hughes (GBR), Speedworks Motorsport, Toyota Avensis**
52. Gordon Shedden (GBR) Honda Yuasa Racing Team Honda Civic**
55. Jeff Smith (GBR), Pirtek Racing, Honda Civic**
66. John Thorne (GBR), Thorney Motorsport, Vauxhall Insignia VXR-R**
77. Andrew Jordan (GBR), Pirtek Racing, Honda Civic**
78. Chris James (GBR), Team ES Racing.com, Vauxhall Vectra
99. Jason Plato (GBR), MG KX Momentum Racing, MG6**
TBA. TBA, Rob Austin Racing, Audi A4**
TBA. TBA*, Thorney Motorsport, Vauxhall Insignia VXR-R**

**- full NGTC
*- from Oulton Park.

First reaction - shame not to see Paul O'Neill or Tech Speed there. The team historically runs on a shoe string budget. No STR either, which is perhaps no great surprise.

Edited by JHS18, 19 March 2012 - 08:37 AM.

[HandyNZL]

JHS18, on 15 March 2012 - 03:11 PM, said:

As promised, Andy Jordan's car has been revealed for this year.





Couple of pictures of it testing at Brands today as well:




Quite a few teams testing today including Motorbase, WSR, Honda and ES Racing.

Awwwwww...its a wee widdle one of these....

[JHS18]

Haha yeah, I remember that car too.

Anyway, as promised, pictures. A lot of teams with new/different liveries/looks this year. Here it goes:

[JHS18]

Some more:

[JHS18]

Last but not least, the new MG. Yes, they made it in time.

Attached Files

•  Plato MG.jpg   98.32K   1 downloads

[JHS18]

According to Autosport:

Quote

Notable absentees from the list include Tech-Speed and Special Tuning Racing, though AUTOSPORT understands both teams remain in talks with drivers.

[JHS18]

Last couple of pictures and a run down of today's times.

[JHS18]

Bit of support race news - and it appears as if after a difficult season last year, Formula Renault UK - the series that helped develop the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalainen and a certain Kimi Raikkonen - has died.

Only 6 cars were out at a pre-season test a couple of weeks ago, and the decision has been made for the series to not run this season. It hopes to return to the BTCC package in 2013.

Alan Gow has stated that there are no plans to announce a replacement support series at this stage, however at some tracks there may well be a "guest" support race, similar to the sort of thing we saw at Knockhill last year after the Renault group (Clios and Formula Renault) decided not to make the trip.

It also means that for the first time in many years - certainly in all the time I've been following the BTCC - there will be no single seater support race on the package. The rest of the support race line up remains unchanged, with the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, AirAsia Renault Clio Cup, Ginetta Junior championship and the Ginetta Supercup for G55/G50s.

Whilst it is a shame to lose a support series I think it is fair to say FRUK was the weak link in the paddock last year, with low grid numbers and dull racing, perhaps a legacy of the new car.

Meanwhile, Formula Renault BARC championship continues to go from strength to strength with the old car and the racing at Silverstone last year was some of the best I've seen in ages.

Edited by JHS18, 22 March 2012 - 01:24 PM.

[JHS18]

So I'll keep using this forum to update on news and things throughout the season before/after races. There's some big breaks in the championship this year due to something called the Olympics and some other boring sh*t I'm not in the least bit bothered about, so no doubt this place will still see some action.

I'll do it in a chronological order because I'm clever.

Paul O'Neill was interviewed live on ITV4 about his situation. He said that Tech Speed still have two Chevrolet Cruzes fitted with turbo engines ready to go. They had a short fall in budget just a few weeks ago, but are still trying to get out later this year. O'Neill's still adamant the BTCC's a place he wants to be. That's in contrast to what he was quoted as saying in AUTOSPORT magazine recently,  that he had turned his back on the series and was willing to persue a career in GT/sportscar racing instead.

Tony Gilham was also interviewed on Radio Silverstone's programme Tin Top Tuesday (guess you can't guess when that's on) - he said his long term ambitions were to stay in the championship and go to NGTC next year. He was also asked whether his team would field a second car later this season, and apparently they are willing and able to. However, the only remaining S2000 car that is on the market is Jeff Smith's old Vauxhall Vectra, and he seemed averse to running two different cars in one team due to set up complications etc. It could still happen.

After a sum total of zero races, it has been anounced Mark Hazell will now not race for Rob Austin Racing due to "personal reasons." It is likely Austin will still be out in one car at least for Donington, but it isn't clear whether a driver will be found for the second Audi. If the budget is found, then the most likely candidate is Chris Swanwick.

Further into the future and Chris Stockton - who last raced in the BTCC in a Lexus if my memory serves me correctly - says that he and an undisclosed team will be working on building an NGTC BMW based on the new 3 series for next season. It sounds like an interesting project, so hopefully this doesn't meet the same fate as TH Motorsport's failed attempt to build an NGTC Skoda.

I said I'd share my thoughts on Toby Moody's commentary, but I realised it was so awful it can't have been genuine. I'll wait till Donington Park to see if it is equally bad before giving my thoughts.

Edited by JHS18, 05 April 2012 - 06:53 PM.

[JHS18]

Rather forgotten about this topic, but I have to share this. Chris James, the so called "fan friendly British underdog" went on a bit of a tirade on his Twitter last night. A few of the decent comments:

Quote

Apparently "you" don't like my views & opinions...... I didnt ask you you to like them. If you don't like them go **** yourself & big bro xx

Quote

Oh dear, I'm going to get fined for daring to speak MY mind on MY Twitter account..... You don't own me big brother! Xxx FCUK YOU xxxxxxxx

Quote

Dear Mr xx I'm a frigid pathetic twat & I'm scared of @ChrisJamesBTCC language on Twitter. Please fine & ban him cos I'm a spineless fcuk xx

Quote

@Joey7Barton You don't know me, & in my sport I'm just a 100th of you, but why we should be allowed to be abused is beyond me!? Fcuk em pal

FYI - Joey Barton is an English footballer recently banned for 12 matches for violent misconduct...

Quote

Thanks for all the positive messages xx #GoShopAtFcukNegativeBabies xxxx

Quote

Why do the British build people up to shoot them down? DISGUSTING JEALOUS high street shoppers (FCUKs xxxxx)

Quote

@vectra888racing @newshamracing come & discuss with me face to face with me at Oulton Park #CantWaitToSeeYou xx

Threatening a fan...

Quote

Night night my friends & supporters, all of you I love & appreciate. To all who don't support me, unfollow & go & shop in FCUK xxx

He's quickly becoming one of the most dislikable people in the BTCC. And you know someone who adds that many "x"s to his tweets isn't right in the head...

[Massa]

I was 11 once, too.

[HandyNZL]

xxx tweet tweet xxx

[JHS18]

This caught my eye - Colin Turkington trying to return for 2013. The series would love to have him back. He'd certainly be a much more welcome addition to the grid than Chris James will ever be...

http://www.btcc.net/...ail.php?id=2988

[HandyNZL]

Those bloody people with James in their name....