85 replies to this topic

[JHS18]

HandyNZL, on 26 May 2012 - 06:52 AM, said:

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

Ah no, I never said anything about people with "James" as a last name. Only people with "James" as a first name are really cool. The other way around and you're a bit of a d*ck, as Chris James proves.

[Massa]

I knew someone with James as a surname.  She was strange.

I knew someone with James as a forename.  He was a jerk.

I think two is a large enough sample to conclude that you're an exception.

[HandyNZL]

Lol

He wishes, Eric...he wishes

[JHS18]

Yeah, well, you're all just jealous, because according to Urban Dictionary, James actually means.

Quote

Currently the word James can be used to mean an enormous p*nis and anyone with that name can be assumed to possess a heavy and girthy p*nis.

And don't tell me you haven't searched your name on Urban Dictionary, because you'll be lying!

This thread just got weird.

Edited by JHS18, 29 May 2012 - 11:18 AM.

[HandyNZL]

Only those with small penii search their own name on the internet, UD or Google or otherwise

[JHS18]

Not posted in here in a while (not feeling BTCC right now if truth be told), but this is an unusual story so I'll post it.

Robb Holland to become the first American in 30 years to drive in the BTCC. He'll race a Tony Gilham racing Honda Civic at Snetterton.

Quote

An American driver will contest a British Touring Car Championship round for the first time in over 30 years after Tony Gilham Racing signed Robb Holland.

SCCA World Challenge racer Holland will drive the TGR/Team Hard Honda Civic S2000, campaigned so far this season by Gilham, at the Snetterton and Knockhill rounds next month. Gilham is also expected to appear in another car.

The last driver from the USA to have competed in the BTCC is believed to be Bill Gubelmann in a Ford Capri in 1975. Only one American, Dan Gurney, has ever won a BTCC round, taking victory at Oulton Park in 1963 driving a Ford Galaxie.

Holland, 44, is set to test the turbocharged Honda at Snetterton tomorrow (Friday July 13). "The BTCC is very popular in the States, particularly when it's shown on the Speed channel, plus I've followed it for some time," he said. "I like Tony and the team's attitude and the opportunity was too good to miss.

"This will be a toe-in-the-water exercise, but I've talked to Tony and a few other teams and am planning on being in the championship permanently in 2013."

Gilham, who currently lies 13th in the BTCC standings, added: "We're very happy that Robb has chosen us for his first BTCC races. Coming over to race in the BTCC might be a bit of a culture shock for him - particularly a place like Knockhill! But Robb is massively experienced in touring cars in the States and is a very exciting addition to our team and the BTCC grid."

http://www.autosport...t.php/id/101145

Sounds from that he's just doing the next two rounds. But good to have another car on the grid and best of luck to him.

Not sure if Eric knows anything about him, but if he does, he probably knows more than I know.

Edited by JHS18, 12 July 2012 - 01:16 PM.

[Massa]

I know of Robb Holland, barely.  I'm nearly 100% postive he will be the first African-American driver to ever race in the BTCC.

He races in the SCCA Pirelli World Challenge, in the Touring Car class.

He won at Mid-Ohio last year in a Volvo C30.  This year, he had a best finish of fifth (twice), once in a Honda Civic and once in Volkswagen Jetta.

He's probably not the worst driver on the BTCC grid, though he never stood out to me in the very few World Challenge races I've seen.

[JHS18]

I know I don't post in here very often much, but there was a controversial end to the second BTCC race at Snetterton...it featured (as is normal when there's some controversy) Plato and Neal:

https://www.youtube....h?v=DTXL-gsh1Jc

Good stuff begins at about 4:35.

[Massa]

Exciting stuff.

Typical Plato, in my biased opinion, for two reasons:

1. He didn't take an eye-for-an-eye, not saying that's right, but Neal gives him a push and then Plato responds by taking him off.  There's a big difference.  The retaliation was a lot harsher than the crime.

2. He ruined his own race just to settle a score.  He made a great save and had he been more tactful with moving Neal out of the way, he'd be the race winner.

[JHS18]

I thought it was a bit of a shame for it to end like that - I like the BTCC, it is one of the forms of motorsport along with F1 that I have followed for years and years...but I'm not sure that sort of antics is setting the best example to young drivers. It kind of reminds me of NASCAR's "boys have at it" policy and I'm not entirely sure where BTCC is going with that kind of attitude - you look at the reaction on other forums and half the people seem to love it, the other half thing it is a disgrace and that Plato and Neal should have been thrown out the results.

Anyway - a couple more stories worth posting before the next, and arguably best round of the season at Knockhill in a couple of weeks.

Firstly, Paul O'Neill, following his drive at Croft, will be back in Tony Hughes' Toyota - good move. Had some unfortunate reliability issues at Croft when on for points.

Secondly - it was great to see Dave Newsham take his first BTCC win in the reverse grid draw - he drove brilliantly. Only issue was that idiot who is Chris James (who had already retired from the race) gurning into every camera he could find. Moron.

Lastly - Motorbase surprised everyone at the weekend by turning up to the track with a brand new NGTC Ford Focus ST for Mat Jackson - no reliability issues despite a lack of testing, and finished in the points in I think all three races, definitely the last two anyway. Looked fast as well which is a good sign. It also confirms that the team are looking to stay in the championship for 2013.

It was funny how it came about - basically Liam Griffin's fiery crash at Croft made them take the decision to work on getting the NGTC car ready for Snetterton, rather than getting parts and repairing Griffin's S2000 car which of course, will be obsolete at the end of the year. Plan for the rest of the year is to run Jackson's NGTC car in races to gain mileage and experience before '13 alongside Aron Smith's S2000 car as well. Not sure if Griffin will return later this year or not, but he'll definitely miss Knockhill.

But otherwise, great to have another NGTC car on the grid.




In terms of NGTC cars we now have:
MG 6
Honda Civic
Toyota Avensis
Vauxhall Insignia
Ford Focus
Proton Gen 2
Audi A4

And there's still more teams looking to build NGTC cars. WSR are reportedly aiming to build NGTC BMWs for next season. I was unconvinced on NGTC for a while, and whilst still not completely sold, I think it is definitely getting better as time goes on.

[Massa]

Eh, there's no point to closed-wheel racing if you can't make contact.

But you do end up in a bad place if you follow "have at it boys," which NASCAR got rid of either before last year or before this year (I honestly forget). When NASCAR had that policy, the drivers were so confused about what was "having at it" and what wasn't legal.  If you say "have at it boys" you have to let EVERYTHING under ALL CIRCUMSTANCES go.  And NASCAR didn't do that; there were still huge penalties to guys like Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch.

Still, I think it's exciting to having stock and touring cars make contact.  If a full-bodied car race feels like an open-wheel race, it's not exciting to me, because then it just looks slow; I'd rather watch open-wheel to see a "clean" race.  Hell, even in the ALMS sprint races there can be contact.  Yeah, I want to see good driving, but if good driving means no one can pass, a little push doesn't hurt.  To me, the best part of open-wheel and to an extent sports car racing (particularly the LMPs and in long races...the driving standards in ALMS and Grand-Am are a bit poor at times) is seeing how precise these guys can be when overtaking.  The best part of stock and touring car racing is how huge of risks guys will take knowing they can recover.  I always feel as though every series needs to do something different from every other series, and contact is one way to differentiate.

I just don't want to be the sanctioning body that tries to draw lines because it will always be unclear and it will always be inconsistent and it will always be unfair unless you ban all contact (bad idea) or allow everything to go (bad idea).

[JHS18]

This is brilliant.

In race one at Knockhill, Plato got taken out by Redstone Racing's Aron Smith. He proceeding to have a typical Plato rant, saying that he either did it deliberately and should be banned, or didn't and should be banned anyway for driving like that, as well as saying he's "not very talented", a "pretender" and "deserves to be at the back of the grid."

Redstone Racing's boss today penned this on their website:

Quote

He suggested Aron doesn’t deserve a race licence. Quite frankly, he is the man who needs banning from the championship. Why TOCA didn’t give him points for his revenge mission at Snetterton on Matt Neal is anybodies guess! Probably because he has so many points already. MG & his sponsors should think twice before renewing his contract if he continues to behave like this.

You can listen to Plato's interview, and read Dave Bartrum's full response here:

http://www.motorbase.../boss-blog.html

(And before you ask, no I don't know what the interviewer is asking at times either. Sound like he's drunk.)

Edited by JHS18, 31 August 2012 - 08:52 PM.

[PaulCrossling]

Bartrum has a point about Plato, is he wasnt a 'star' driver he would have been banned for years of running other drivers off the track.

The problem the BTCC has, with Mat Jackson getting used to the NGTC car for next year, Plato is the only one who can get anywhere near the three Hondas in race one or two

[JHS18]

I'm not going to make any apologies for it, but 2012 was not one of my favourite BTCC seasons. I've posted lots elsewhere why, so I won't start again here, but let's have some fun and think about how the grid could look.

The big news is that S2000 cars will still be eligible, however, in a different class. The NGTC cars will be getting a performance boost, meaning it is unlikely that we'll see an S2000 car win a race again. Hopefully it means an end to the ridiculous parity rules that have been in place over the past couple of years then...

NGTC

Honda Yuasa Racing (Honda Civic)
Gordon Shedden
Matt Neal

MG KX Racing (MG 6)
Jason Plato
Andy Neate
? (talk of a third car for winner of KX academy scheme)

Redstone Racing (Ford Focus)
Mat Jackson
Aron Smith

Ebay Motors (possibly an NGTC BMW)
Rob Collard
Tom Onslow-Cole

Dynojet (Toyota Avensis)
Frank Wrathall

Cicely Racing (Toyota Avensis)
Adam Morgan

Speedworks (Toyota Avensis)
Paul O'Neill
Dave Newsham

Pirtek Racing (Honda Civic)
Andy Jordan
Jeff Smith

Welch Automotive (Proton Gen 2)
Dan Welch
? (possibly a second car)

Wix Racing (Audi A4, team hoping to maintain sponsorship deal)
Rob Austin
Will Bratt

AmD (Hopes for an NGTC VW Golf)
Ollie Jackson

Team HARD (Vauxhall Insignia)
?
?

Thorney Motorsport (Vauxhall Insignia)
?

S2000 Cup

Lea Wood Racing (Vauxhall Vectra)
Lea Wood (hoping to go NGTC, but this is probably more likely)

BTC Racing (Chevrolet Cruze with NGTC engine)
?

Techspeed (Chevrolet Cruze)
Joe Girling

ES Racing (Vauxhall Vectra)
Chris James (had hoped for an NGTC, but with talking of Newsham having predictably had enough, not certain)

Redstone Racing (Ford Focus)
Liam Griffin (If funds/time doesn't allow three NGTC Focuses to be built in time, expect this.

Ebay Motors (BMW 320si)
Nick Foster (same situation as Redstone)

Team HARD (Honda Civic)
?

Expect a few more older cars out as well...

Edited by JHS18, 10 November 2012 - 04:42 PM.

[JHS18]

As much as I don't like the way the direction the series is heading in at the moment, I feel obliged to do an update entry list for the zero people who read this. Quite a lot has happened recently that changes the look of the grid considerably.

NGTC

Honda Yuasa Racing (Honda Civic)
Gordon Shedden
Matt Neal

MG KX Racing (MG 6)
Jason Plato
Sam Tordoff

Redstone Racing (Ford Focus)
Mat Jackson
Aron Smith

Ebay Motors (BMW 1 Series)
Colin Turkington
Rob Collard
Nick Foster

Dynojet (Toyota Avensis)
Frank Wrathall

Cicely Racing (Toyota Avensis)
Adam Morgan

Speedworks (Toyota Avensis)
Dave Newsham
?

Pirtek Racing (Honda Civic)
Andy Jordan
Jeff Smith

Welch Automotive (Proton Gen 2)
Dan Welch
? (possibly a second car)

Wix Racing (Audi A4, team hoping to maintain sponsorship deal)
Rob Austin
Will Bratt

AmD (Vauxhall Corsa - will continue to run S2000 Golf for first half of season)
Ollie Jackson

Team Hard (Vauxhall Insignia)
Jack Goff
James Cole

Team HARD (Volkswagen Passat CC)
Tom Onslow-Cole
Howard Fuller/Robb Holland (the two will alternate driving duties over the year)

Thorney Motorsport (Vauxhall Insignia)
?

IP Tech Race Engineering (Chevrolet Cruze)
Andy Neate
? (expanding to a two car team in second half of season)

S2000

Lea Wood Racing (Vauxhall Vectra)
Lea Wood (hoping to go NGTC, but this is probably more likely)

BTC Racing (Chevrolet Cruze with NGTC engine)
?

Techspeed (Chevrolet Cruze)
Joe Girling

ES Racing (Vauxhall Vectra)
Chris James (had hoped for an NGTC, but with talking of Newsham having predictably had enough, not certain)
Chris Knox

Redstone Racing (Ford Focus)
?
? (prepared to run two cars for young drivers)


Team HARD (Honda Civic)
?

Team BMR (Seat Leon)
Warren Scott

No doubt not all of these will become reality (particularly Team HARD's plans which seem VERY ambitious) but at the moment, I'd put the grid size of potentially being around the 30-35 cars mark.

Edited by JHS18, 13 February 2013 - 04:15 PM.

[JHS18]

Updated my list from above with recent announcements. They include:

• Tom Onslow-Cole leaves Team Ebay to move to drive Team HARD's Volkswagen Passat CC
  
• James Cole has been confirmed as the second Insignia driver alongside Jack Goff at HARD.
  
• Rob Austin and Will Bratt will continue to race at Rob Austin Racing, which will be renamed Wix Racing for the entire season.
  
• Andy Neate will run an NGTC spec Chevrolet Cruze with his own brand new team. A second car in the year is likely.
  
• AmD have confirmed they will make the switch to NGTC. They will initially continue to run the VW Golf in the first half of the season, before switching to an NGTC spec Vauxhall Corsa later in the season.

[JHS18]

The big news from today is that 2009 champion, Colin Turkington, will return to the series with WSR alongside Collard and Foster. Brilliant news for the series to have someone like Turkington back at long last.

[JHS18]

BTCC will have its third different commentator in as many years.

Toby Moody has increased commitments with ESPN for rallycross and the X Games and therefore hands the mic over to David Addison.

This was the only video I could find of him talking. I recognise his voice, but don't recall watching much where he has been commentating, so it'll be interesting to hear how he does. Hopefully a lot better than Toby Moooooody. The way he elongated certain words was seriously annoying.

[Massa]

No one is worse than Toby Moody was for BTCC.

I think it emphasizes how important chemistry is.  Different setting, probably a better commentator.

Then again, I was kind of cynical watching the few BTCC rounds I did this year because no one seemed to be able to drive within the bounds of the track (or they were just forced out).

[HandyNZL]

No, no, you were right on your firrst assumption, Eric.  BTCC drivers can not drive within the bounds of the track.  It is a well documented and proven fact.

[JHS18]

I agree. I've lost interest in the BTCC of late, for reasons I've gone over a lot previously. That's why I've not really been updating this thread regularly. The likes of DTM, V8SC and NASCAR interest me a lot more at the moment. But hey, the entry looks like it'll be good this year, it is good to see Turkington back for one thing, so I'll probably still watch most of it.

[JHS18]

Couple of new liveries:

[JHS18]

It's media day at Donington Park today. That means entry list unveiled and plenty of new liveries etc.

Good news - 32 cars will be on the grid this year. That of course, includes the AmD NGTC Vauxhall Astra, which won't be ready till half way through the year.

Full entry list here: http://www.btcc.net/html/drivers.php

[JHS18]

Smart livery for Joe Girling:



New livery for the Golf. James Kaye will return to the series and drive.


David Nye's livery on the S2000 Ford Focus, run by Welch Automotive.


Adam Morgan's self run car looking nice in blue.


Both Jordan's and Smith's cars represented in Pirtek colours for this year.


Much nicer livery on the MGs this year. Last year's was eye-searingly awful.


Wix Racing is back for this year...

Edited by JHS18, 21 March 2013 - 01:43 PM.

[JHS18]

Revised livery for Frank Wrathall's car


Griffin's car looks nice in black


Already seen this one - but I really like it.


Fresh look for Honda this year as well.


More pictures to come throughout the day. Important to remember that Team HARD's Passats and Insignias are not there - there was an announcement last night that they are not yet ready.

First race is at Brands Hatch on the 31st. Continued TV deal on ITV4 with all support races live. One change in the support package is that Formula Ford replaces the now defunct Formula Renault championship.

Edited by JHS18, 21 March 2013 - 01:45 PM.

[JHS18]

Picture of Andy Neate's work-in-progress NGTC Chevrolet Cruze. His team will field two cars this year.