BTCC Brands Hatch: Rounds 22, 23 & 24, 18-19 August

[Hazard]

Having just watched the TV, the camera's certainly missed a lot of the close and good racing between some drivers - but caught probably every bad move/accident. To be honest, if I'd only seen that, I'd agree to an extent with some of the comments on the standards - but having seen it in person too, trust me, there was some nice racing today.

Oh, and Gio's race three slide! You know, we're really unfortunate that Yvan Muller and Giovanardi aren't battling each other somewhere!

Originally Posted by Matt

Well, if they aren't running Neal in the Integra, I'd assume Shedden won't be in a Civic next round, haha.

Hmmm. I think if Halfords fancy the teams trophy (slim chance as it is of 'improving'), letting Shedden race at Knockhill is probably the better idea!

All depends what their goals are. I guess this year's a drop from last year whatever happens, so I can't see them booting Shed's out - I think Neal would be glad of the excuse.

[DWA]

The race 1 shunt from Paddock looking up the hill.

[gachjoel]

Originally Posted by Alan Raine

And why was Tom OC flashing his lights all the time?

I think thats the on track version of throwing your toys out of the pram when you don`t get your own way.

Jackson spun and it caused a bit of a mess.

Gio had a similar spin in the same place...

luck of the draw i guess...

But from what i seen on telly,prob one of the best rounds of the BTCC season.(would have watched it live,but been playing with the bikes this weekend)

[Matt]

Anyone got photos of Mat Jackson's car in race two?

[BootsOntheSide]

Joel, comparing Tony Blair with Lionel Blair would be more sensible. Gio's wasn't on the first lap, in wet conditions, in a car which doesn't perform in the wet. Plus, it was caused by outbraking hismelf while defending a position, not trying to take 3 cars at once by going totally off-line. I've gained a lot of respect for Mat as a driver this year, but this was pretty feeble stuff. A lot of very poor teams will be very angry about it, I'm sure. At least Gio had the decency to apologise to Jordan in the post-race interview; Mat seemed to shrug it off as a daredevil moment.

[Matt]

Yes, but, Jackson had the move done if it wasn't for that painted bit, why the heck is it painted anyways? Pretty daft move by the circuit, imo.

[DSM]

Originally Posted by Matt

Yes, but, Jackson had the move done if it wasn't for that painted bit, why the heck is it painted anyways? Pretty daft move by the circuit, imo.

Spoken from a position of total ignorance of the track layout and its history, I will kindly assume.

[devon kev]

Did Plato get penalised for what looked like a deliberate shunt on Chilton

[rdjones]

No he didn't, but she should have done. I have just watched the TV back and Tom said they will not be taking it further however if it kicks of between him and Gio later in the year then it will be brought up.

[Alan Raine]

Originally Posted by rdjones

No he didn't, but she should have done. I have just watched the TV back and Tom said they will not be taking it further however if it kicks of between him and Gio later in the year then it will be brought up.

But if Plato was penalised so should Gio for taking out Jordan!

[sceptic]

Giovanardi was penalised.

[touringlegend]

Gio got £500 fine and 3 pts for his move. Plato/Chilton, Chilton took his chances by going round the outside.

[JimW]

Originally Posted by Hazard

Having just watched the TV, the camera's certainly missed a lot of the close and good racing between some drivers - but caught probably every bad move/accident. To be honest, if I'd only seen that, I'd agree to an extent with some of the comments on the standards - but having seen it in person too, trust me, there was some nice racing today.

I'm not sure that bits of "nice racing" between episodes of stupid, careless and unskilled savagery are what the BTCC should be offering. Sadly Gow and others seem to disagree so we will just continue with the present situation. Where do they think the muppets in Clios get their bad behaviour from?

Jim

[Alan Raine]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Gio got £500 fine and 3 pts for his move. Plato/Chilton, Chilton took his chances by going round the outside.

Serves me right for not checking first!

I thought Plato was being very careful yesterday.

[Abbie44]

Originally Posted by deanowat1

That was, i believe, just the two day meeting at Brands Hatch recently.
Its not just 750MC the same mentality is emerging through all the clubs more so with the junior drivers:- T cars, SaxMax and Gineta they all seem (from reading posts on different 10/10 forums and marshaling) to follow the aggressive full contact racing. BARC, BRSCC, MGCC etc. etc all have problem formula and it is plain to see from a marshaling stand point that they see the BTCC guys doing it and in some instances getting away with it so why cant we.

Safety has to be paramount, there ought to be huge penalties for not obeying flag signals, and this should start at the top with the TV formula's. 2 x yellow flag infringement = exclusion from round. If the CoC and stewards were to get tougher on them then driving standards would improve and there would be less need for safety car intervention which means more racing.

i agree,
and im not saying that we "agressively and purposely" punt people off, thats not the case.
But i do agree that why should BTC Drivers get away with it?
Jason Plato is the worst for it, and he proved it at Snetterton with Matt Neal and also at Brands with Tom Chilton!

[deccerz77]

Just look at Clios, they had to abandon the race yesterday because of crashes on the first lap and the formation lap. And most of the SAXMAX guys are tutored by Clio drivers! A crack down on high-profile championships will defiantly affect the lower-ranked/club championships.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Ok, just seen that. She also says that they won't be at Knockhill due to the amount of work needed on the car, so cross that one off the list already.

Sorry, I'm not clear about the post. Who's this fiance is this comment made by - Matt Neal or Dave Pinkney ? If its Dave Pinkney's, I can understand it... but surely Dynamics can put Neal in Shedden's car for Knockhill if he's a better chance for the championship ?

[Matt]

Originally Posted by DSM

Spoken from a position of total ignorance of the track layout and its history, I will kindly assume.

I know Brands is a historical track, I just do not know why the outside of Paddock Hill is painted. Care to enlighten me?

[touringlegend]

Originally Posted by davyboy

Sorry, I'm not clear about the post. Who's this fiance is this comment made by - Matt Neal or Dave Pinkney ? If its Dave Pinkney's, I can understand it... but surely Dynamics can put Neal in Shedden's car for Knockhill if he's a better chance for the championship ?

It was Pinkney's fiance.

And if it was Neal's, Shedden now has a better chance of taking the title.

Which is about non existant anyway, still mathematically possible but between Plato and Shedden in 3rd is 78pts - there must be around only 100 left.

[Craner Curves]

You won't see a big grid. Not after yesterday's demolition derby, plus a lot of the smaller teams can never find the budget to come North. You'd think they were going to Bulgaria or somewhere......

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by redshoes

I did wonder that myself, especially as Matt has no real hope of winning the title now. Still mathematically possible I know but very unlikely.

However if the rumours are true they don't have any left to run, so they'd have to borrow one. Thinking back it wouldn't be the first time that has happened - TD had to borrow an old Primera for the last round some years back (2000 from memory) after Matt crashed his usual race car.

They had to get it from Brian Chatfield's barn and dust it off for the raceday didn't they?

[mandyh000]

TD have a spare shell they can use to get Matt out at Knockhill but they say Bank Holiday weekend is cancelled and it will be touch and go if they can get the car ready.

[gachjoel]

BOOTS,
wouldn`t class it as a daredevil stunt,
it something that he does a lot,
making up quite a few places on the outside.

I thought the 5 places back was a tab harsh,
at least he didnt hit anyone on purpose like a few others did in that race.
He made the pass and was unlucky with the spin.
If he didn`t spin it would have been classed a great move.

[Matt]

The line between "Great Move" and "Idiotic Move," is ohhhh so thin, as has just been proved again.

[bella]

after watching 2 out of the 3 races yesterday... my opinion has changed of the btcc. it's worse than i remembered. complete pantomime motorsport the whole way through. if it was anything but btcc plato and chilton would have been hauled up to explain themselves for starters.