[BTCC] Silverstone National Rds. 25/26/27

[InYourMirrors45]

Ironically probably benefits Hill more than Ingram although he’s inherited pole position. Strange how Sutton had a complete lack of pace. I know he’s explained the reasons for this but Cammish qualified alright with only an extra second or two of hybrid so perhaps more of a underlined set up/balance issue. Looks like it’s going to be fully wet all day tomorrow so I’m sure he’ll somehow manage to thrust himself back into contention.

[TinTopGrumpy]

Surprised they messed up the ride height given how much time they had to do the changes compared to a pit stop in a dry to wet race.

[tee.1s]

Originally Posted by InYourMirrors45

Ironically probably benefits Hill more than Ingram although he’s inherited pole position. Strange how Sutton had a complete lack of pace. I know he’s explained the reasons for this but Cammish qualified alright with only an extra second or two of hybrid so perhaps more of a underlined set up/balance issue. Looks like it’s going to be fully wet all day tomorrow so I’m sure he’ll somehow manage to thrust himself back into contention.

After croft I fully expected sutton to go guns blazing for the rest of the year... Hasn't rlly happened lol

[Matt K]

Sutton hasn't really been himself for much of the season. Quite curious what's the reason behind it but the performance of the car reminds me somehow of 2022. Just can't see this aggressive, super fast Ash anymore. And surprisingly, Cammish had the upper hand in a few rounds too. That's pretty worrying and I'm still standing by my word that unfortunately it's all over for Ash in battle for this year's title. Not mathematically of course, but looking logically and reasonably, just can't see it happening. Will be Hill v Ingram at Brands

[SV8Predator]

Originally Posted by TinTopGrumpy

Surprised they messed up the ride height given how much time they had to do the changes compared to a pit stop in a dry to wet race.

Don't understand your comment. They have hardly any time to change the tyres in such short qualifying sessions.

[hen henths]

Originally Posted by Matt K

Sutton hasn't really been himself for much of the season. Quite curious what's the reason behind it but the performance of the car reminds me somehow of 2022. Just can't see this aggressive, super fast Ash anymore. And surprisingly, Cammish had the upper hand in a few rounds too. That's pretty worrying and I'm still standing by my word that unfortunately it's all over for Ash in battle for this year's title. Not mathematically of course, but looking logically and reasonably, just can't see it happening. Will be Hill v Ingram at Brands

I just hope it's nothing to do with physical health. There was that race weekend he showed up ill. To me though it looks like issues with the car more than anything plus he's been more hampered by damage and DNFs this year I think. I mean, he seemed in great form at Donington until that damage in the third race.

Also was extra hybrid giving Dan Cam the upper hand? Remember the effect of the hybrid was cranked up fairly significantly this year.

[MarcusH26]

I just think Alliance might have squeezed everything they can out of the Focus, Ash will still win races because he's an exceptional talent but it will be interesting if they can develop the car over the winter much beyond this season's.

Silverstone they knew was always going to be a weak track anyway with the Hyundai having an aero advantage. But tomorrow's weather forecast could throw a complete spanner in the works.

[Sodemo]

It has been suggested that the Focus’ strengths are mid corner, of which there are only 4 of those at Silverstone, so their advantage will be somewhat muted at this track.

[TinTopGrumpy]

Originally Posted by SV8Predator

Don't understand your comment. They have hardly any time to change the tyres in such short qualifying sessions.

It's all relative. Far more time than trying to do it mid-race without really losing anything given how short the lap is.

Plus they changed to wets in quali 2 so if they had struggled to do the ride height change properly they had time to check it before/during quali 3.

[TinTopGrumpy]

Could be a great first race. Stopped raining and no more due until the race is over so might be a chance of a dry line forming. Late SC could see some gambling hopefully.

EDIT: Maybe not. Track looks a lot wetter than I expected.

[porsche962fan]

so WSR finally adopted team tactics

[v8supes]

Incredible isnt it? They manage to get the title contenders 1,2,3 in the race after Sutton passes most of the field in 12 laps... Always seems to happen like this at this point in the season

Thought Cammish would let Sutton through tbh

[porsche962fan]

how come Cammish didn't let Sutton thru ?

Hill 333
Tingram 329
Sutton 310

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

how come Cammish didn't let Sutton thru ?

Hill 333
Tingram 329
Sutton 310

Because there is still a theoretical possibility that Cammish could take the championship. Unlikely probably, but why no team orders yet, although that could change later today or at Brands.

[porsche962fan]

drive-thru penalty for Sutton

that's his title hopes gone

[v8supes]

Manipulating the championship

[porsche962fan]

Turkington much more on pace of Hill, maybe setup change similar to Hill's

Hill 354
Tingram 343
Sutton 315

Turkington 301
Cammish 296

top 6 reversed , finally Hill has a lucky hand !

[TinTopGrumpy]

Originally Posted by v8supes

Manipulating the championship

How? The mechanics are either off the grid on time or they're not.

[AJD]

Now I'm not normally one for accusations or conspiracies very few things are cut and dry in Motorsport. The draw for race 3 certainly didn't look great on T.V.

[cxx666]

Indeed it did not. I thought straight away that it looked off, and in no time at all Facebook and Twitter had plenty others all making the same comments. It definitely looked like he had looked into the bowl, and was keeping the all important #6 to hand while swirling the others around.

Steve Rider said before the Porsche race that Smiley is on pole for the final BTCC race. You'd have thought by that stage the officials would have been aware something looked very amiss about that ball draw, so presumably they're allowing the result of the draw to stand

[AJD]

Originally Posted by cxx666

Indeed it did not. I thought straight away that it looked off, and in no time at all Facebook and Twitter had plenty others all making the same comments. It definitely looked like he had looked into the bowl, and was keeping the all important #6 to hand while swirling the others around.

Steve Rider said before the Porsche race that Smiley is on pole for the final BTCC race. You'd have thought by that stage the officials would have been aware something looked very amiss about that ball draw, so presumably they're allowing the result of the draw to stand

Joking comments about lowering the table too. All a little bit suspect. Could be absolutely nothing in it however it didn't look great.

[porsche962fan]

^ wasn't Giovanardi and Rob Austin caught doing that a decade ago and then for a few years they had someone other usually a guest do the draw but now for some reason they let the winning driver do it again

[AJD]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

^ wasn't Giovanardi and Rob Austin caught doing that a decade ago and then for a few years they had someone other usually a guest do the draw but now for some reason they let the winning driver do it again

Yeah reading through the carnage on Facebook Rob Austin and 2015 is mentioned numerous times, not that I remember it myself.

I'm not even sure why they have that giant bowl that they can see inside anyway.

[porsche962fan]

LOL Tingram hinting at Hill cheating

[cxx666]

I can't remember what race weekend it was, but I definitely remember the Rob Austin incident, and if I recall correctly TV/trackside commentary said the draw had been redone afterwards.

Originally Posted by AJD

I'm not even sure why they have that giant bowl that they can see inside anyway.

The logical reason would be that it lets observers see in to ensure that all balls are present and that the draw is above board. With that in mind, it's making many question why the result was allowed to stand, as something clearly didn't look right about Hill's hand and where his eyes were immediately before putting his hand in the bowl.