[BTCC] Knockhill, Rounds 22, 23, 24

[helterskelter]

Originally Posted by Franchitti

If O'Neill is not in the next two rounds then this world has gone mad!. He's quick, as proved by fastest lap today in an Integra!!, great PR, genuinely nice guy, but above all, great racer. The works team(s) should seriously look at him. IMO

This world has already proved to have gone mad when Giovanardi went to Thruxton, won two races out of three and then had to sit out for half a season until he went to the Superstars Series.
It seems the sport of the year, to drop the good ones and keep the rich ones... As everyone will tell you, there's no justice in motorsport...

[gregc]

Originally Posted by Franchitti

If O'Neill is not in the next two rounds then this world has gone mad!. He's quick, as proved by fastest lap today in an Integra!!, great PR, genuinely nice guy, but above all, great racer. The works team(s) should seriously look at him. IMO

Originally Posted by helterskelter

This world has already proved to have gone mad when Giovanardi went to Thruxton, won two races out of three and then had to sit out for half a season until he went to the Superstars Series.
It seems the sport of the year, to drop the good ones and keep the rich ones... As everyone will tell you, there's no justice in motorsport...

Owy has proved, to me at least, that he is on a par with the top drivers in any series with what he's done in the Integra this year. And as well as being a fantastic talent he's incredibly media friendly and loved by a huge number of fans. If he can't make the last two rounds this year it would be a travesty.

My perfect scenario for 2011 would be techspeed taken on as a works team with Paul driving. A man can dream...* Sadly, as helterskelter says, there is no justice in motorsport - this is funny but depressingly accurate...

*yes, I know how unlikely this is.

[Last2LiftOff]

A good day and well done all round I thought, great fun to watch. Thanks for that.

Jason Plato vs. Tom Onslow-Cole Knockhill Race 3

[Icebaby]

Originally Posted by Franchitti

If O'Neill is not in the next two rounds then this world has gone mad!. He's quick, as proved by fastest lap today in an Integra!!, great PR, genuinely nice guy, but above all, great racer. The works team(s) should seriously look at him. IMO

You'd be hard pushed to find anyone not agreeing with you, I believe him to have been a better choice over Shedden and Neal for the works drive at Honda. If Giovanardi can go no one is safe which is a shame when others deserve to be out of the series before these guys.

[touringlegend]

The sad fact is that no one is going to get a drive handed to them without money.

Honda / TD aren't truly works teams and neither is Silverline Chevrolet - it appears all these guys have had to bring money with them, MacDowall certainly, Shedden too, Neal's funding comes from the business and I'm pretty certain Plato is behind the Silverline sponsorship. My point is that aside from some miracle Paul O'Neill would still need to be a sponsor hunter even in a 'works' team.

[Last2LiftOff]

Originally Posted by Icebaby

Well there's three potential runners for the title in Plato, Neal and Onslow-Cole which does seem crazy that Aon gifted points to Chilton when he was never really in it against their now No.1 driver. If any team is going to field a third car then Donnington is where it will happen so they go to Brands with less weight.

Arena have said they are looking to field a third car but will they if it helps Tom OC take the title, one has to say no. McDowell is good but cannot back up Plato which leaves the Honda's as the best team for each driver to work together IMO.

If Paul O'Neill is not in the last two rounds the championship will be worse off, he has done magic in keeping the damage minimal to the car this year and drive his heart out, I wish him all the best to find the funds for a return.

One other point is the 888 Vectras who are now drilling out some poor results, have the cars really dropped back that far?, James Nash was quick last year so whats going wrong there?

A tidy little summary for us occasional users, and Donington to look forward to on a few levels.