31 replies to this topic

[JHS18]

After a long winter's break, Britain's premier touring car championship returns this weekend.

2011 ended in spectacular fashion at Silverstone as five drivers in four different types of car went into the final round with a chance of becoming champion.

In the end, it was the Honda duo of Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden who succeeded - with Neal taking his third BTCC title. His other two came in 2005 and 2006, and after a couple of difficult seasons at Vauxhall Neal proved why he can be considered as one of the best drivers on the grid.

After finishing third in the championship in 2010, Shedden finished a respectable second. Could this be the season he takes his first BTCC title?

Certainly, it is not out of the question, as 2012 sees some big changes.

The NGTC regulations heralded the arrival of the future of the series last year and after a challenging start to the season, improved dramatically by the end of the year. Despite an NGTC car having not taken a victory so far it was clear now was the time for many existing teams to change to the new specifications.

Defending champions Honda Dynamics is one of those teams. Brands Hatch will see the debut of the new shape Honda Civic NGTC car. The team, which is now a fully backed manufacturer entry has an unchanged driver line up of Neal and Shedden for a third straight season and goes 2012 as the clear favourites. However, after difficulty in testing they may struggle here. Watch out for Andy Jordan in a similar machine, whilst Jeff Smith could cause a surprise result.

Chevrolet are gone, but MG returns to the sport as a manufacturer since 2005. Jason Plato endured a difficult 2011 season, but in a turbo powered MG 6, it'll be interesting to watch his progress. The MG project was a little late and will go to Brands with next to no testing, so Brands may simply be a testing game for Plato and his team mate, Andy Neate. Triple 8 Engineering know their stuff though, so expect to see the cars running more competitively as the weekend progresses.

Other names to look out for include Frank Wrathall and Rob Austin. Both came close to taking maiden victories for NGTC cars a couple of times last season, and with a year of experience should be competitive from the start. Also, keep track of John Thorne in the Vauxhall Insignia and Dan Welch in the Proton, whilst Mark Hazell, Tony Hughes and Adam Morgan, the defending Ginetta Supercup champion, completes the list of NGTC cars entered for this event.

A mix of older S2000 cars including Ford Focuses, BMWs and Vauxhall Vectras and a sole Honda Civic completes a solid 24 car entry. Mat Jackson, as ever, will be one to watch in Ford Focus entered by the newly renamed Redstone Racing team alongside his team mates Aron Smith and Liam Griffin, whilst Rob Collard, Tom Onslow-Cole and Nick Foster are all candidates for strong results in their newly turbo powered BMW 320sis. Also - remember to look out for Dave Newsham, Chris James and Lee Wood in their newly acquired Vauxhall Vectras. Completing the line up is Ollie Jackson in the popular VW Golf, in what should be its third and final year in the BTCC and Tony Gilham, who will drive a brightly liveried S2000 Honda Civic under his own team banner.

(Will post some more information later)

Edited by JHS18, 27 March 2012 - 01:29 PM.

[JHS18]

These first three races take place on the short Brands Hatch Indy track, and has produced a great mix of fast and frenetic action over recent years. Overtaking is tricky, but not impossible and the three most popular places to overtake remain Paddock Hill, Druids and Clearways.

Last year, Jason Plato overtook Andy Rouse's record for the most wins with victory in races one and two, whilst Matt Neal recovered to take victory in the finale. Up until that point, it had been a tricky weekend for Honda when Shedden suffered a big crash in practice, and it didn't get much better in the races as Neal was punted out at only the second corner of race one.

For those new to BTCC (in the hopes some people may actually read this thread ) this is how it works in terms of determing the grids:

Race 1 is determined from a half an hour long qualifying session, and race 2 is formed around the results of the first race. The third encounter, however, is formed around a reverse grid. Anyone who finishes from sixth to tenth place in race two could be elected to start on pole position for the final race of the day. The rest of the grid forms around that accordingly.

Timetable of events.

Unofficial spotter's guide.

[Massa]

You know you can't bold things in your post, because then all I'll read are the bold terms.

Might be able to catch the second race live.

[JHS18]

Massa, on 27 March 2012 - 03:15 PM, said:

Might be able to catch the second race live.

Glad to hear it, if you do get to see it, make sure you enjoy it.

Looks like there's going to be big crowds at the opening round. Great that the series is enjoying such good crowd numbers at tracks and TV viewing figures at the moment.

Quote

Indeed circuit owner MotorSport Vision recently reported pre-sales of  BTCC tickets were at record numbers and, due to demand, it has this week  extended the booking deadline by an extra 24 hours until midday this  Thursday (29 March).

http://www.btcc.net/...ail.php?id=2891

Edited by JHS18, 27 March 2012 - 07:47 PM.

[JHS18]

At the time of writing the cars will be doing a shake down test. I doubt any times will mean anything at this stage.

Few atmosphere shots:

[JHS18]

Times for practice one.

Main stories - Honda still struggling, RWD cars looking strong. Meanwhile, there's been a couple of casualties already.

Mark Hazell's Audi has been withdrawn from the weekend - the team citing he needs more time in the car before commiting to three races.

Meanwhile, John Thorne could be done for the weekend. Had this heavy impact and it doesn't appear they have time to make necessary repairs.



Practice two currently underway.

[JHS18]

Times for practice two.

Shedden still struggling with tech problems as other NGTC cars show improvement. Top 15 cars covered by just over one second.

Qualifying starts at 3:15.

Edited by JHS18, 31 March 2012 - 01:20 PM.

[JHS18]

Qualifying about to start. For those interested, you can watch live action here.

[JHS18]

Surprise result already:

1. Newsham
2. Neal
3. Collard
4. Jordan
5. Onslow-Cole
6. Plato
7. Austin
8. Wrathall
9. Shedden
10. Foster

Top 15 covered by less than a second this time.

Should be a great day's racing tomorrow.

Edited by JHS18, 31 March 2012 - 03:02 PM.

[Massa]

You need a British IP address to use your link.

[JHS18]

Massa, on 31 March 2012 - 03:02 PM, said:

You need a British IP address to use your link.

I have one, so no worries.

No, on a serious note - if anyone is interested in watching the action tomorrow - justin.tv will probably have a stream. I checked last year and someone was showing it, so I guess there's a fair chance someone will again.

[Massa]

Yeah, it's been streamed every year since 2009.  Maybe before that, but 2009 was when I started looking.  Probably going to miss all the races this weekend, though.

[JHS18]

Latest on the Thorney Motorsport situation.

Quote

The guys are doing a blinder it's looking hopeful for tomorrow

https://twitter.com/#!/ThorneyMS

[JHS18]

Massa, on 31 March 2012 - 03:19 PM, said:

Yeah, it's been streamed every year since 2009.  Maybe before that, but 2009 was when I started looking.  Probably going to miss all the races this weekend, though.

Alright, well that's good to know. I may do race updates after each of the three BTCC race in here tomorrow, so I'll make sure you don't miss anything.

[JHS18]

First controversy of the new season. Chris James once again shows what a total classless tw*t he is.

Edited by JHS18, 31 March 2012 - 04:08 PM.

[Massa]

Chris James seems like an idiot, but Andrew Jordan should let it go.  Starting fourth in BTCC isn't the end of the world, and with three races all set differently, it really doesn't matter at all.  Teach him a little respect on the track, then quit sulking about it and Tweeting about it and go do your job.

Speaking of doing jobs, that commentator...augh...maybe I'm glad I'm going to miss it.

[Massa]

Made it for race three.

I have no idea who any of the drivers are or what cars they are in.

[Massa]

Toby Moody has therefore already annoyed me.  Therefore drowning him out with music.  Therefore my experience is not as pleasant.  Therefore I would like Ben Edwards back and I don't really like him much either.

Dave Newsham is Scottish.  I learned that today.

Volkswagen on pole...that means the Volkswagen finished eighth...how...

Man Toby Moody is tough to take.

Ollie Jackson craps all over himself at the start, Collard leads.

[Massa]

"This is bumping and this is on the graaaaaaaaaass."  This guy is awful.  I am losing interest.

What kind of car is Dan Welch in?  That's an odd one.

Shedden pulling out...worse as birth control than in racing but still bad.

Oil in turn one, seven cars wreck led by Ollie Jackson.  "Spins right round like a record baby" says Moody.  I can't.

Red flag.

[Massa]

"Dust"...it's kitty litter...or SpeedyDry for a brand name...you Brits are strange.

Just as they say that, they call the gravel trap kitty litter.  What.

[Massa]

Working on Newsham's car under red...is that legal?  It's not in some series so I'm just checking.

[Massa]

"Dunlop tires are proud sponsors of the BTCC."  That's an ALMS car in your commercial, Dunlop.

How much oil did they put down?  This shouldn't take so long.  I'm out.

[JHS18]

A lot happened today...it is hard to remember it all.

So let's start with race one:




Feel sorry for Newsham there - totally the innocent party in that. Plato should have known three wide into Paddock Hill Bend doesn't work...

Quite a chaotic race this - Collard eventually won with Neal second and Onslow-Cole third.

[JHS18]

Second race a lot calmer - actually a very decent battle between Neal and Plato for the victory, with Neal coming out the victor:



Nick Foster won the award for the first roll of the season in this one - although with no replays, nobody is really quite sure what happened...

Also have to post this dumb moment from race one:

Edited by JHS18, 01 April 2012 - 05:57 PM.

[JHS18]

Massa, on 01 April 2012 - 04:20 PM, said:

"This is bumping and this is on the graaaaaaaaaass."  This guy is awful.  I am losing interest.

What kind of car is Dan Welch in?  That's an odd one.

Shedden pulling out...worse as birth control than in racing but still bad.

Oil in turn one, seven cars wreck led by Ollie Jackson.  "Spins right round like a record baby" says Moody.  I can't.

Red flag.

Yeah, I can't stand Moody either - but no doubt later tonight I'll have ordered my thoughts.

It's a Proton Gen-2. I guess inevitably, you either don't have that car in America, or it named something completely different.

Massa, on 01 April 2012 - 04:23 PM, said:

"Dust"...it's kitty litter...or SpeedyDry for a brand name...you Brits are strange.

Just as they say that, they call the gravel trap kitty litter.  What.

I've never heard it refered to as kitty litter before - that is the gravel you foolish Yanks!

Most commonly refered to as cement dust here, but I've heard SpeedyDry used before.

Massa, on 01 April 2012 - 04:24 PM, said:

Working on Newsham's car under red...is that legal?  It's not in some series so I'm just checking.

They interviewed Newsham after the race and he said they asked before they started work and the officials said it was fine.

Massa, on 01 April 2012 - 04:31 PM, said:

"Dunlop tires are proud sponsors of the BTCC."  That's an ALMS car in your commercial, Dunlop.

How much oil did they put down?  This shouldn't take so long.  I'm out.

Haha, actually, it's a VLN car. Won the Nurburgring 24 hours last year or the year before.

Shame you didn't stick with it. Turned out to be a really good battle between Jordan and Plato with your favourite driver ever coming out victorious.

Driver of the day for me goes to Newsham - but honourable mentions must go to Collard, Plato and Neal too.

Edited by JHS18, 01 April 2012 - 06:04 PM.

[Massa]

Thanks for clearing some stuff up.

The only reason I walked out was that I had set aside 20 minutes to watch the race before I had planned to do something else...seeing that the race was going to run over, I had to get back to that.  Would have liked to have seen it...

...but then I saw Plato won so I guess I'm glad I didn't.

[JHS18]

Massa, on 01 April 2012 - 06:02 PM, said:

Thanks for clearing some stuff up.

The only reason I walked out was that I had set aside 20 minutes to watch the race before I had planned to do something else...seeing that the race was going to run over, I had to get back to that.  Would have liked to have seen it...

...but then I saw Plato won so I guess I'm glad I didn't.

Haha. Hopefully the same guy puts in on YouTube, because it was really entertaining between Collard-Jordan-Plato before Jordan and Plato got by.

Think oddly, after the restart, race three seemed to be the cleanest race of the day. Race one was definitely a mess, race two was better, race three post restart was fine.

[JHS18]

All races today seemed a bit of a mess actually. I recall only one race that didn't feature a safety car. The award for the messiest start goes to the Clio Cup however. Thankfully everyone was okay in this:



I'll get onto Moody's commentary later. I need to look at the dictionary to find enough suitable words to describe how bad it was.

[Rainmaster]

I'm not surprised there was carnage in that Clio Cup race, the cars could barely fit on the grid, which is never a good sign. As for the BTCC, are they just rusty or always so inclined to drive into each other? Messy stuff but entertaining nevertheless.

[JHS18]

Rainmaster, on 01 April 2012 - 06:29 PM, said:

I'm not surprised there was carnage in that Clio Cup race, the cars could barely fit on the grid, which is never a good sign. As for the BTCC, are they just rusty or always so inclined to drive into each other? Messy stuff but entertaining nevertheless.

You raise an interesting point which I've thought about quite a bit.

Basically, a lot of teams/drivers on the grid run on really small budgets. It rubbishes the popular misconception that everyone in motorsport has bags of cash - a lot of deals came together very late. Even though the BTCC winter is much longer than say, F1's winter, not many teams do pre season testing because they can't afford it. BTCC, other than Media Day, doesn't have any group tests - and as such, the last time a lot of guys were racing was the last race of last season, way back in October. So yeah, I think it is fair to say that they do get rusty. However using the bumpers (or fenders if you're American ) has always been part and parcel of the BTCC.

It's funny in a way to look at fans' different opinions. One the one hand, okay, I'll admit, things can get a little too crazy like we saw at the start of race one. It is never nice to see expensive cars getting smashed up, especially when deals came together so late, or work was only finished on the cars this weekend. It is never nice to see drivers/marshals potentially getting hurt - there were a few close calls today that I was worried about, and could on another day, have had very different outcomes.

But then people complain about something like WTCC/DTM , championships which probably have - dare I say it - better driving standards than the BTCC, but people complain there's not enough action in them as BTCC and that they are boring.

BTCC's perhaps not the most clean form of racing, nor the purest, but this weekend, MSV reported record ticket sales. There were more than 30,000 fans trackside today, and viewing figures on TV are now regularly reaching the two million mark. It has 6-7 hours of live coverage on TV. None of Britain's other top championships, British GT, Formula 3, whatever, can claim to enjoy the same sort of success. Neither can WTCC or DTM, in this country at least.

The recipe works. BTCC offers exciting, affordable and fan friendly racing. Comapre that to F1 (which only does exciting, and sometimes not very well) and it strikes me as no surprise why the BTCC is in such rich health at the moment.

Edited by JHS18, 01 April 2012 - 07:15 PM.