[BTCC] 2024 BTCC Round 2 - Brands Hatch

[Northern Monkey]

Originally Posted by SSmith

Entry List

MINI Challenge - 20 (14 JCW + 6 JCW Sport)

No AWE or Hannah Chapman (both were one-off guest appearances at Donington). Chris Mackenzie has moved from JCW to JCW Sport. Scott Lear (MC Development) has joined JCW Sport.

The MC Development entry is the one Hannah drove at Donington (although it was under EXCELR8 name there) - it's going to have a different guest driver at each round

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by SSmith

I'm surprised Hosking is a guest given he originally signed up for the full season but there's probably some logic in there.

When he signed up for the full season he probably wasn't anticipating writing off two shells before the season started.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Northern Monkey

The MC Development entry is the one Hannah drove at Donington (although it was under EXCELR8 name there) - it's going to have a different guest driver at each round

Yes it is, the plan is to increase/change the biofuel mixture as well I believe as the season goes on

[ahobson98]

Seems like a weird choice to have a complete racing novice drive a development car - what are they going to learn?

[BtccLee]

Fingers crossed the weather holds out, think this weekend should be a cracker with the difference in hybrid and tyre compounds.

Intrigued to see how it shakes up the order at the front, who might get a jump out of Ingram/Sutton/Hill and Turkington.

[ChrisA]

Just seen on highways website, not only full closure on M25 this weekend in Surrey, but between Junctions 23 to 25 in Essex lane closures in both directions, so could add time if going to Brands this weekend.

[S griffin]

There is a back way you can sneak it. Did a couple of years ago for the finals. Can’t remember the exact route though

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by S griffin

There is a back way you can sneak it. Did a couple of years ago for the finals. Can’t remember the exact route though

Don't forget that if you go inside the M25 you're liable for the ULEZ charge, unless your car is exempt!

[Northern Monkey]

Originally Posted by ahobson98

Seems like a weird choice to have a complete racing novice drive a development car - what are they going to learn?

It's about developing the fuel so every time the car runs there are things to learn regardless of who is at the wheel

[TinTopGrumpy]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

Don't forget that if you go inside the M25 you're liable for the ULEZ charge, unless your car is exempt!

Not strictly speaking true as the ULEZ zone is a long way from the inside of the M25 in most areas but certainly something to be careful of.

[Tim C]

Originally Posted by TinTopGrumpy

Not strictly speaking true as the ULEZ zone is a long way from the inside of the M25 in most areas but certainly something to be careful of.

Junction 23 - 25 Enfield is ULEZ and all of A406 North Circular Road

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Junction 23 - 25 Enfield is ULEZ and all of A406 North Circular Road

That must have been a recent addition then

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by S griffin

That must have been a recent addition then

Not the M25.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

Don't forget that if you go inside the M25 you're liable for the ULEZ charge, unless your car is exempt!

As long as the official diversion routes are followed, no ULEZ enforcement action will take place.

[Evantra]

Not specific to this weekend, but ‘On the Limit’ will be back this year with a focus across the whole grid rather than 3 specific drivers.

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

Just seen on highways website, not only full closure on M25 this weekend in Surrey, but between Junctions 23 to 25 in Essex lane closures in both directions, so could add time if going to Brands this weekend.

AI'm sure I saw a team or driver with a press release headed "all roads lead to Brands." ?

[Tim C]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Junction 23 - 25 Enfield is ULEZ and all of A406 North Circular Road

Not M25 but surrounding roads inside M25

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Not specific to this weekend, but ‘On the Limit’ will be back this year with a focus across the whole grid rather than 3 specific drivers.

I think I saw a bit of that last year. Good they are covering the whole grid, bet they all got stories to tell

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Not specific to this weekend, but ‘On the Limit’ will be back this year with a focus across the whole grid rather than 3 specific drivers.

Great news, the previous season - as entertaining as it was - lacked the broader picture. Will be watching this year's one for sure!

[Andrew Abbott]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

Don't forget that if you go inside the M25 you're liable for the ULEZ charge, unless your car is exempt!

And let's not forget, many, many cars are indeed exempt, unless your car is really old.

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by Andrew Abbott

And let's not forget, many, many cars are indeed exempt, unless your car is really old.

Just as I said in an earlier post.

[v8supes]

Does anyone even understand this qualifying format? Is it needed with just 20 cars?

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by v8supes

Does anyone even understand this qualifying format? Is it needed with just 20 cars?

Think it was better today with the short lap (and no red flag delay) but again I don’t feel the last session really added anything.

I think that’s probably about as much as the hybrid penalty needs to be with Ingram just on the cusp of the top six, though expected Hill to be a lot higher.

[TyH]

Originally Posted by v8supes

Does anyone even understand this qualifying format? Is it needed with just 20 cars?

I think it’s miles better than the old snoozefest format. I’m glad to see seemingly the hybrid disparity appears to be working better this season too

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Think it was better today with the short lap (and no red flag delay) but again I don’t feel the last session really added anything.

I think that’s probably about as much as the hybrid penalty needs to be with Ingram just on the cusp of the top six, though expected Hill to be a lot higher.

My personal feeling remains about the new format and that it's far too disjointed.

As for Hill, again a personal observation is that he overdrives that BMW especially in the early laps, and this is even more detrimental to the tyres when the track temperature is pretty high as it was today. Turkington, in particular, manages to look after his tyres so it was not a real surprise that he took pole.