[BTCC] Rounds 4, 5 and 6, Donington Park

[BillWiskins]

Now I don't want to step out of line as a 'new guy', but I figured that since no-one had started a topic for this weekend's BTCC fun, I would.

So, what do we think? First chance for a 'proper' evaluation of this year's cars, now that the first round silliness is out of the way? All of the teams will have a good amount of useful race information (well, most of them) so hopefully a few more will be on the pace.

It'll be a shame not to see Thorney Motorsports out there (I assume they still plan to miss this weekend and Thruxton) - after reading the very candid write-up for the Mirror the other day, I can't help but feel for them.

Anyway, I'll stop rambling. Just wanted to get some BTCC discussion going that isn't about Plato's behaviour at Brands, really

[Raspberry]

I'll go bold with the predictionometer - Plato to be involved in a fracas, just like what he was involved in at Brands...










Ooops.

[BillWiskins]

Well, on the boldness scale, that actually ranks just below 'cars will be driven around the track'

Boldness is this: there will be no contact between any cars at all for the duration of the meeting. Also, Race Three red-flagged due to snow. And earthquakes.

Slightly more on topic: has anyone any information about whether Mr Foster's BMW will be operational?

[codename_47]

Here's one for ya:

The Old Hairpin will be THE place to sit, as it always is

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Raspberry

Plato to be involved in a fracas,

Would that be down to a large straight-line advantage, meaning he has a high closing speed on the straights.

[CTD]

10-Tenths Chatroom
Online right now .

(The link is in the red text and here: http://tiny.cc/tenthschat)

[Greem]

One thing's guaranteed - my arms will be aching by the end of the day as there will be a *lot* of flagging to do...

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by BillWiskins

It'll be a shame not to see Thorney Motorsports out there (I assume they still plan to miss this weekend and Thruxton)

Last I heard they are planning to be there. Whether they have the budget for anything more than a roll of tank-tape is another matter.

[thlbtcc]

I'm off to Donington this Sunday for my first ever live BTCC meet. Very much looking forward to it. Anyone know where is best for photography around the track? I hear that there is a lot of fencing for safety at Donny, which perhaps isn't the best for pictures!

[EastonNeston]

Thorney Motorsport arrived at the track, at their allocated time, on Thursday, Garage 6 i think. Which would suggest they are taking part!

[Greem]

Originally Posted by thlbtcc

I'm off to Donington this Sunday for my first ever live BTCC meet. Very much looking forward to it. Anyone know where is best for photography around the track? I hear that there is a lot of fencing for safety at Donny, which perhaps isn't the best for pictures!

Welcome to the mad and crazy world of spectating! Yes Donington has fences but it also has an awful lot of banking which gets you above it. My personal favourite place is on the outfield above the Old Hairpin. You can see the cars from Redgate through to Schwantz. Opposite there on the infield you can see from Hollywood to McLeans. With a long lens you should get some decent shots from either.

If you walk a bit further round the outside to McLeans you can see the cars head on as they charge down to the Old Hairpin and then up towards you.

If you don't have too long a lens then along the inside of the start/finish straight is pretty close to the action from the Esses to Redgate.

Get there early and have a walk round :-)

[Tom Bee]

I think Andy Jordon is the one to watch this weekend. He was unlucky (thanks to JP. . . oooops sorry) at Brands and he showed good pace in the new Civic. Also he seemed to go well here last year.

On the other hand I am hoping we get another shock Pole position this weekend like we did a Brands. (Come on Tony Hughes!)

[BillWiskins]

Originally Posted by EastonNeston

Thorney Motorsport arrived at the track, at their allocated time, on Thursday, Garage 6 i think. Which would suggest they are taking part!

Then I stand gladly corrected! Thanks you sir, and redshoes, for that. Hope he has a better weekend (and keeps the yellow wheels on) this time.

[FIRE]

Jackson fastest in 1st practice:
http://www.touringcartimes.com/article.php?id=7433

[trebor901]

Sorry but this is utter bull the MG that quick with full ballast, not too much of a fix.

[Tja]

Originally Posted by trebor901

Sorry but this is utter bull the MG that quick with full ballast, not too much of a fix.

So no matter what happens, if Plato's fastest, it must be a fix?! Chevy is clearly paying the FiA as well to be able to run away in the WTCC...

[trebor901]

Originally Posted by Tja

So no matter what happens, if Plato's fastest, it must be a fix?! Chevy is clearly paying the FiA as well to be able to run away in the WTCC...

Well TOCA say they spent all that time working out what the boost should be on certain cars and it was clearly money wasted because whoever done it is clearly crap at their job because it hasnt worked, if a car with full ballast on can still go that quick

[slummingangel]

anyone got the qualifying times?

[grantp]

Originally Posted by slummingangel

anyone got the qualifying times?

Here

[slummingangel]

Originally Posted by grantp

Here

Thanks

[BillWiskins]

Originally Posted by trebor901

Well TOCA say they spent all that time working out what the boost should be on certain cars and it was clearly money wasted because whoever done it is clearly crap at their job because it hasnt worked, if a car with full ballast on can still go that quick

Hmm. Where does Mr Neate fit in to this conspiracy? Shouldn't he have been up amongst the front runners at Brands?
Also, it's not like he was ten seconds clear. Half a tenth of a second, and remember that most of the session was conducted with light but increasing rain, so there's no way to know if any of the other non-'fixed' cars would have gone quicker.

On the subject of Neate, why didn't he set a time?

[trebor901]

Originally Posted by BillWiskins

Hmm. Where does Mr Neate fit in to this conspiracy? Shouldn't he have been up amongst the front runners at Brands?
Also, it's not like he was ten seconds clear. Half a tenth of a second, and remember that most of the session was conducted with light but increasing rain, so there's no way to know if any of the other non-'fixed' cars would have gone quicker.

On the subject of Neate, why didn't he set a time?

yes .05 quicker than a car with no ballast

[slummingangel]

isn't ballast meant to make it harder to win but not make it impossible.

[cos]

Originally Posted by EastonNeston

Thorney Motorsport arrived at the track, at their allocated time, on Thursday, Garage 6 i think. Which would suggest they are taking part!

They've tweeted they won't be racing tomorrow as "too many issues" to sort out.

[mig]

Are all the cars running the same boost and if not why not.Surely if one engine builder builds a better package then the others then they should pull their fingers out. i think once you start limiting boost for one but not anoter it becomes a can of worms.