BTCC BTCC Brands Hatch indy rounds 1,2 & 3 2012

skells22 · 30 Mar 2012, 10:47 (Ref:3050782)

time for the talking to stop and the racing begins.
I wonder how the new cars will get on and who will be the 1st driver to get pole this Saturday.
and it look like the weather will be kind to the 24 drivers that be on the grid this Sunday.
I think it is safe to say the UK season starts now!
who do you think will be the 1st one to get the checked flag.

steve_r · 30 Mar 2012, 10:56 (Ref:3050785)

I cant wait...

Its so difficult to make predictions. I suspect that the 4 NGTC Civics will be right up at the sharp end. Maybe the early rounds will see some of the older S2000 cars in with a chance, Newsham was particularly impressive in testing. Matt Jackson will surely be up near the front too... and maybe Rob Austin.

Looking forward to it!

Thaw Daggerslash · 30 Mar 2012, 11:14 (Ref:3050793)

Hopefully Honda's aren't too dominant this year on - would love to see Wrathall or Austin get a victory, and it'd be cool to see Mat Jackson, Collard and TOC do well too...

Should be a good weekend - for anyone who is at the track, make sure you enjoy the nice weather.

Cesco44 · 30 Mar 2012, 13:00 (Ref:3050835)

For me Shedden, Neal, Jordan, Collard and Onslow-Cole will fight for victories in race 1 and two. For race three anything could happen.
However i think that rear wheel drive cars will be very strong at Brands so also Austin could be very dangerous.

Thaw Daggerslash · 30 Mar 2012, 16:05 (Ref:3050899)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cesco44

For me Shedden, Neal, Jordan, Collard and Onslow-Cole will fight for victories in race 1 and two. For race three anything could happen.
However i think that rear wheel drive cars will be very strong at Brands so also Austin could be very dangerous.

Welcome to the forum, Cesco. Good to see some more overseas interest for the BTCC.

Enjoy Brands.

nickyf1 · 30 Mar 2012, 13:37 (Ref:3050845)

I think the works Hondas will be fighting with the Fords, and possibly the BMWs, for the first two races at least.

I can't see the MG's doing too well after such limited running time they've had.

I am really really looking forward to this weekend!

tin-top fan · 30 Mar 2012, 16:34 (Ref:3050910)

Really looking forward to the BTCC starting up again, see the cars are hitting the track this afternoon for a quick warm up. I'm even getting a hospitality and a grid walk on Sunday which'll be fun

The Hondas are apparantly not as quick as expected in testing, can't see that they wouldn't be up near the front though. I'd predict the following at the end of the weekend:

-Jackson
- Neal
- Newsham

A little off topic, but has anyone else seen the Pirtek racing hospitality suite this year: https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...27053818_n.jpg
Talk about swish!

SteveLevin · 30 Mar 2012, 18:28 (Ref:3050965)

I'm looking forward to everything; hopefully the MG's won't be terribly off-song as otherwise I really suspect that it will end up being a Neal/Shedden battle to the end. Not that I'd be sad to see Flash finally win the title, but hopefully it's more than 2009 where it just wasn't clear until the last race how things would turn out.

Steve

nickyf1 · 30 Mar 2012, 21:57 (Ref:3051037)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveLevin

I'm looking forward to everything; hopefully the MG's won't be terribly off-song as otherwise I really suspect that it will end up being a Neal/Shedden battle to the end.

Don't discount Mat Jackson and Motorbase. He led the championship for a while last year, but scored quite a few DNF's towards the end of the season.

MJones94 · 30 Mar 2012, 18:34 (Ref:3050968)

A little off topic, but has anyone else seen the Pirtek racing hospitality suite this year: https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...27053818_n.jpg
Talk about swish![/QUOTE]

Very cool! I saw a Pirtek truck today and they just look so eye catching!

Craner Curves · 30 Mar 2012, 22:00 (Ref:3051039)

Dare I say it, but the MG looks a bit better now. https://twitter.com/#!/AndyNeate/sta.../photo/1/large

redshoes · 30 Mar 2012, 22:31 (Ref:3051049)

Judging by the support race testing today, looks like we are in for some thin grids this year.
25 Clios
21 Porsches
17 Ginetta GTs
14 Ginetta Jrs

Speed-King · 31 Mar 2012, 00:23 (Ref:3051070)

With the exception of the Juniors it's actually not that bad.

Wondering what happened in Ginetta Jr. though - new car more expensive than everybody thought?

Thaw Daggerslash · 31 Mar 2012, 11:49 (Ref:3051235)

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshoes

Judging by the support race testing today, looks like we are in for some thin grids this year.
25 Clios
21 Porsches
17 Ginetta GTs
14 Ginetta Jrs

All in all, I don't think that is really all that bad.

Considering that the Ginetta junior is really a niche championship, and it doesn't surprise me. Let's face it - a form of racing targeting youngsters to progress in an unconventional championship...most youngsters aim for single seater championships, and not saloons like juniors.

Normally championships draw extra entries as the season progresses, so I don't see anything that disastrous really...

Anyway, Collard fastest in P1 followed by Austin and TOC. Hondas struggling with reliability still. Could be a good day tomorrow for RWD cars. Would be great to see Collard end his win drought.

Sodemo · 31 Mar 2012, 07:09 (Ref:3051121)

Everyone needs to cut costs including the support races. How would it have looked if the F Renault had also turned up with 12 cars? Ridiculous.

Races shouldn't even be green lighted with anything less than an 18 car grid in my humble opinion.

PS, The Clios look better than last year, I think last year they had a 15 car grid turning up to most rounds...?

redshoes · 31 Mar 2012, 08:22 (Ref:3051135)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sodemo

How would it have looked if the F Renault had also turned up with 12 cars?

I don't think FR were even close to having as many as 12 cars this year!

In fairness the Clio grid does seem to be on the up compared to recent years. Both Ginetta classes could do with more entries, especially as we are bound to lose a few during the season.

Sodemo · 31 Mar 2012, 09:00 (Ref:3051150)

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshoes

I don't think FR were even close to having as many as 12 cars this year!

In fairness the Clio grid does seem to be on the up compared to recent years. Both Ginetta classes could do with more entries, especially as we are bound to lose a few during the season.

Yep, I would rather there be two Clio races on the Sunday. They are nearly always the best races. Before that it was the Fiestas, they were amazing too, such a shame they no longer run, it was great seeing a 28 car field of those things piling into the first corner.

ascarmarshal · 31 Mar 2012, 07:29 (Ref:3051124)

#66 vectra was not popular last night at all. Dropped oil on the circuit 5 minutes in to the BTCC session and ended the days running but forced us to work later clearing up the mess and still the BTCC teams wanted us to extend the day!!!!!

davidjones · 31 Mar 2012, 18:35 (Ref:3051357)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ascarmarshal

#66 vectra was not popular last night at all. Dropped oil on the circuit 5 minutes in to the BTCC session and ended the days running but forced us to work later clearing up the mess and still the BTCC teams wanted us to extend the day!!!!!

#66 Vectra? isn't #66 the Insignia of John Thorne? I'm guessing that's why he didn't make it out for qualifying. Just hope they can get it out on track tomorrow, It will be interesting how it compares to the other NGTC machines.

redshoes · 31 Mar 2012, 18:44 (Ref:3051358)

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidjones

#66 Vectra? isn't #66 the Insignia of John Thorne? I'm guessing that's why he didn't make it out for qualifying.

Nope, he binned it in FP1. Lost the back end and went hard into the barriers at Paddock Hill.

https://twitter.com/#!/ThorneyMS/sta...173824/photo/1

Team have admitted they have no budget for spares so even if it's fixable they may not have the parts. Remains to be seen if it's out tomorrow.

Thaw Daggerslash · 31 Mar 2012, 19:33 (Ref:3051376)

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshoes

Nope, he binned it in FP1. Lost the back end and went hard into the barriers at Paddock Hill.

https://twitter.com/#!/ThorneyMS/status/186054168388173824/photo/1

Team have admitted they have no budget for spares so even if it's fixable they may not have the parts. Remains to be seen if it's out tomorrow.

According to them on Twitter it "looks hopeful" that they'll be out for tomorrow. Hopefully they get to join the fun at some stage.

redshoes · 31 Mar 2012, 20:25 (Ref:3051403)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thaw Daggerslash

According to them on Twitter it "looks hopeful" that they'll be out for tomorrow. Hopefully they get to join the fun at some stage.

Indeed, however they have also said "£4k that's my whole parts budget done in one hit", so lets hope nothing else happens tomorrow.

Alfaholic · 31 Mar 2012, 20:06 (Ref:3051390)

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshoes

Nope, he binned it in FP1. Lost the back end and went hard into the barriers at Paddock Hill.

Just caught the end of the incident...

Burp · 31 Mar 2012, 12:06 (Ref:3051242)

John Thorne's Insignia looks a mess after an off at Paddock

kristof14 · 31 Mar 2012, 12:27 (Ref:3051251)

I might be out of the loop a bit, where's the 2nd Audi?

And is the Fiat 500 championship still running? If not that might account for the larger Clio grid.

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