British GT's Castle Combe - Page 2

gixxer · 27 Jun 2005, 09:56 (Ref:1340899)

The two tvr's were by far the noisest cars on the circuit,as Nathan Kinch pointed out that even though it would be great for the crowds to hear the cars unsilenced but regulations are set and we have to meet them so we just get on and do it!

Thought was a great attitude to have

Rod Birley · 27 Jun 2005, 10:18 (Ref:1340916)

Might need him at our next council meeting.

superMINI · 27 Jun 2005, 11:03 (Ref:1340947)

Two decibels is hardly 'way over the noise limit'.

Paul V · 27 Jun 2005, 11:40 (Ref:1340981)

Quote:

Originally Posted by superMINI

Two decibels is hardly 'way over the noise limit'.

What is your souce for this no.?

The actual figure was 118db(a) making it 4 over the limit.

Don't forget an extra 3dB(a) is twice the level.

E. Becclestone · 27 Jun 2005, 12:34 (Ref:1341059)

Taken from another website, and (allegidly) posted by Laurence Tomlinson:
"Hi

just to be clear about a few things with regard to team LNT.

The cars were not the loudest on track

They were noise tested (statically) at 106 - well below the limit.

The exhaust exits on the LH side of the car and the noise meter on track therefore penalises the TVRs unfairly as they are not creating any more noise than other cars at the track.

noise levels from the pit wall showed we were quieter than other cars (fact)

after qualifying session one we had a problem with the #42 car and it did fail a static test (exhaust damage)this was rectified

as the noise meter is closer to our exhaust than any other car we felt we would be black flagged in the race and could see no point continuing.

our withdrawal from the BGT is due to a number of technical issues not being checked on other cars and various decision which have been incorrect according to the rules

we have developed cars that can beat the Ferraris and Porsches and we will find a more level playing field to prove this

there is no point distracting our effort in a series that currently does not enforce the rules fairly, someone has to make a stand

i would like to apologise to any TVR fans who made the effort to come to combe. i asked the commentator to announce the withdrawal of the cars as soon as possible and had this posted on daily sportscar.

we will continue to win with TVR

"

Mathias · 27 Jun 2005, 12:38 (Ref:1341062)

Naturally disappointed that the TVRs went home - does this really mean there are only Ferrarsis and Poorsches (

) in British GT?

While we were out in Italy the other week, we popped into Monza for the Italian GT Championship qualifying, and while their field does include a lot of Ferraris and Porsches (*yawn*) it does also include a handful of Maseratis, a beautiful Lamborghini (in the hands of Gianni Morbidelli) and a handful of others like Vipers and Saleens.

Not that I want you to think that I'm putting Ferraris and Porsches down, of course, although I am, but that are a little on the ubiquitous side.

Then again, they don't seem to object to noise in Italy - they seem to relish it...,

Mathias · 27 Jun 2005, 12:39 (Ref:1341063)

And thanks for that Mr Becclestone, sir.

SALEEN S7R · 27 Jun 2005, 13:16 (Ref:1341105)

British GT's dosent just consist of Porsches and Ferrari's in GT2 no. There is also a Mosler and a Nissan 350z, really we are a victim of our own sucess in some ways. Look at how strong our numbers are in the International sportscar scene, more cars out there than anyone, unfortunatly though as a result our national championship isnt quite as strong as others at the moment.

If we didn't have as many top LMP and GT1 and GT2 teams racing Internationally as we have then we probably would have a much stronger British GT championship than we have now. What would you rather have though, a strong British GT championship with less teams racing in International series, or a slightly weaker British GT championship with lots of teams racing in International series? Personally I would choose the latter.

jase · 27 Jun 2005, 13:22 (Ref:1341110)

How about somewhere in the middle? A Strong BGT series as well as teams running Internationally

Mr Becclestone, can you please provide a link to the comments made.

SALEEN S7R · 27 Jun 2005, 13:29 (Ref:1341112)

That would be the ideal scenario Jase, but its hard to strike that balance isnt it. Teams dont want to just stick to British GT these days, why? Because they know they are capable of doing well on the International scene, why stick to British GT if you can go to the LMES or FIA GT championships and do a good job? The one hope for British GT IMO is if it ever gets some sort of LIVE TV coverage, that in itself may well attract more teams to join the series and existing teams to stay. Will it ever happen though?

E. Becclestone · 27 Jun 2005, 13:41 (Ref:1341123)

jase, see here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...89029&f=37&h=0

Mathias · 27 Jun 2005, 17:01 (Ref:1341244)

Hmmm... I've had some very similar debates with regard to British F3 vs European level single-seaters, and I have to conclude that there's no easy answer, but I do think it's important to have a strong national-level series in any racing category to give people a chance to hone their race-craft in a relatively affordable competitive environment etc before going on to the big league stuff - whether that's British GTs or some other formula doesn't really matter, I guess, but it's probably never going to get live (or even "as live") TV coverage until TV bosses realise that motorsport is at least as interesting as some of the other dross they're always showing.

MSportUK · 27 Jun 2005, 17:05 (Ref:1341247)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathias

...does this really mean there are only Ferrarsis and Poorsches (

) in British GT?

Race 2 at Combe had 6 Ferrari 360s, 11 Porsches, 1 Mosler, 1 Nissan 350Z, 1 Morgan Aero 8 and 1 Marcos Mantis. Certainly not the variety we've come to know and love. We'll have to pursuade some of the Porsche teams to swap kit - the series is much nicer with Ultima, TVR, Corvette, even the Z3Ms to add a bit of spice. We already have one Porsche Cup GB.

That said, there was a good old battle going on at the fronts of both classes at Castle Combe. A real shame to keep losing cars though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathias

...until TV bosses realise that motorsport is at least as interesting as some of the other dross they're always showing.

Agreed. Do we really need both BBC channels showing this Wimbedon tat at the same time? Can't they show THAT in the stupid early morning slots that motorsport is usually left with? Who can actually sit through more than about 5 minutes of televised tennis?

jase · 27 Jun 2005, 18:56 (Ref:1341310)

Quote:

Originally Posted by E. Becclestone

jase, see here: other forum

Cheers

jase · 27 Jun 2005, 19:00 (Ref:1341315)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

That would be the ideal scenario Jase, but its hard to strike that balance isnt it. Teams dont want to just stick to British GT these days, why? Because they know they are capable of doing well on the International scene, why stick to British GT if you can go to the LMES or FIA GT championships and do a good job? The one hope for British GT IMO is if it ever gets some sort of LIVE TV coverage, that in itself may well attract more teams to join the series and existing teams to stay. Will it ever happen though?

Totally agree, it really is a tough balance.

Some decent TV slots (not truely bothered about live TV as I tend to be there) and what with being stuck in the house atm, I listened to the race radio webcast, woulda been better if there had been some live timings aswell. But beggars can't be choosers!!

MSportUK · 27 Jun 2005, 19:53 (Ref:1341378)

Think it a bit odd that all the non-live coverage is still on Sunday, when the people interested should really be out and about watching other races. A nice Sunday evening slot to watch while sorting the days pics would be cool. Thought it odd seeing British GT at Thruxton on Channel 4 on Sunday morning, then heading to British GT at Combe.

Few pics from Sunday are now online at MSportUK.com.

RobC · 27 Jun 2005, 20:36 (Ref:1341432)

Doesn't anyone get MotorsTV, the usually show both races a week after the event and repeat it a number of times over the following week. They also show the support races as well

SALEEN S7R · 27 Jun 2005, 20:41 (Ref:1341436)

Yeah Rob I know, and great coverage it is too. Just a shame that they dont give full coverage of both races, and that the coverage isnt LIVE. Still, with the BTCC looking much weaker than it normally is perhaps one day we could see LIVE British GT coverage.

RobC · 27 Jun 2005, 21:05 (Ref:1341463)

Maybe GT/F3 should join the BTCC package?

MSportUK · 27 Jun 2005, 21:13 (Ref:1341474)

BTCC seems to be in a similar position of losing entries. The grid has been pitiful this year. Is the EERC swallowing up all the other National championships into Britcar and ProdS1?!

Would be a good race package - seem to remember a British GT and BTCC "Super Weekender" event at Silverstone a couple of years back when MG were first back into Touring Car and the GT series had a Lister and a Speed 12. Ah, those were the days! Would it be possible now? How well do Messers Gow and Ratel get along?

Off thread slightly, is the Brunswick RX7 still going to join British GT, or will that be heading the way of Britcar with their Alfas?

RobC · 27 Jun 2005, 21:17 (Ref:1341482)

BTCC entries always seem a bit up and down, like the years when they had the privaters entries..huge grids then. Also noticed on TV the spectators seem to be lower as well, maybe a GT/F3/BTCC event will draw in more punters thus sponsors/entries.

MSportUK · 27 Jun 2005, 21:52 (Ref:1341506)

I'm sure they could pull together a fantastic event between them. The one at Silverstone was one of those all-action family type days. Loads of track demos (MG Lola and uncontrollable XPower TF500 IIRC), air displays and the like. Could absolutely pack somewhere like Donington on a summers day, Touring cars on early, GTs running into the evening and the best of the support packages - VWs, Ginettas, Clios and Cupras - keep it strictly closed-wheel.

Would make a great package for the whole year. If they can sort out their differences with MSV, get the BTCC deal for hiring the tracks and maybe even include Palmer Audi as a token open-wheel series since it always provides plenty of action. Would bring a whole new audience to GTs and give the series the shot in the arm it needs right now.

TheNewBob · 27 Jun 2005, 21:57 (Ref:1341514)

I remember that happening in '02 - BTCC/GT/F3 - what a great idea it was to have the BTCC podium before the GT race and let them spray champagne over the track... Still, was the largest audience for a GT race I've seen at Donington - although i think most only really stayed for the start and the first ten mins (remember a bonnet flying off one of the Saleens in the opening laps... dunno why I remember that!)

Graham Goodwin · 28 Jun 2005, 06:24 (Ref:1341681)

I remember the medevac helicopter leaving as the GTs formed up on the grid, a total absence of any paddock lighting as the team packed up and the crowd left and an absolute total lack of traffic control - the stewards had gone home after the BTCC race (but most of the crowd hadn't). All in all the BTCC didn't exactly bend over backwards to make the GTs feel welcome.

Redlake27 · 28 Jun 2005, 07:10 (Ref:1341712)

I can see a MSV package with Palmer Audi, decent support races and BritCar, but not GT, happening next year.

As for BTCC and BGT on the same bill.......SRO have undone their relationship with the BTCC title sponsor, so I don't see that working well.

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