Touring Car Drivers to be? - Page 2

**Stephen Green** · 22 Feb 2002, 11:00 (Ref:220574)

In fairness, I don't think it's that often that drivers get called up to see the Clerk of the Course. If you guys have a scanner the next time you go racing, you will be able to hear when someone's been a naughty boy and gets the call.

Jonny Apex · 22 Feb 2002, 15:21 (Ref:220676)

Quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Green
In fairness, I don't think it's that often that drivers get called up to see the Clerk of the Course. If you guys have a scanner the next time you go racing, you will be able to hear when someone's been a naughty boy and gets the call.

And in fairness, I think you'll find a lot of drivers do get called up. Sometimes, requests for individuals do not go out on radio in case some people are listening in.

Perhaps you ought to stand outside the clerks office after a Ford Zetec or Clio Cup raceand try counting the number of drivers waiting in the corridor on the fingers of both hands.

**Stephen Green** · 22 Feb 2002, 15:24 (Ref:220677)

Fair comment Jonny, as I am usually standing on the edge of the track waiting to hand in a report to the C of the C then I would be unaware of that.

Jonny Apex · 22 Feb 2002, 17:19 (Ref:220714)

Not only that, but often drivers are called up because they have been protested by another driver over something not reported by observers.

How about the one several years ago at a double-race meeting to be told if his driving in Saturday's race was repeated in Sunday's he wouldn't be taking part on Sunday.

Adrenaline still pumping, he toldthe clerk there was nothing wrong with his driving and he would not be changing his driving. With that, the clerk told him he wouldn't be driving at all. Now in an absolute rage said driver stormed out, kicking open a door further down the corridor - only to watch it swing back in the face of another official. Oops.

The sad thing was that there was no real evidence whatsoever to suggest he had really done anything sinister on the track. Not even an observer's report. The reason he was up there in the first place is because the clerk had 'got wind' that a driver he had overtaken on the track had said that a tyre and sidepod had lightly touched in the manoeuvre, without bothering to listen to the rest of what the beaten driver had got to say - ie, he had throughly enjoyed their battle and there was nothing dirty in it.

A rare example, thankfully, of the judicial system letting the sport down.

rlinter · 22 Feb 2002, 17:25 (Ref:220720)

And in many of the series it is always the same people in the line up - After last years Fiesta race I was beginning to think that certain drivers had a reserved seat they were there so often.

hunttheshunt · 22 Feb 2002, 18:30 (Ref:220760)

Am i missing something here? I didnt follow the Fiestas too closely last year as they were on the Powertour.

STU CLARKE · 22 Feb 2002, 19:00 (Ref:220782)

I too am trying to raise budget to go racing. When Rick P said about Renault's budget for wine being bigger in europe, well that says it all! Us "Young guns" are being forced to go along to the races as billy's!

Each year Jonny marmite walks in with coupious amounts of money and the teams treat them as a god's and forget that there is true natural talent out there with not as much cash. I'm all aware that money makes the world go around but the teams need to start to help them selves by attracting there own sponsorship to then ease the burden on the drivers for the full budget. The knock on effect of this is this is that it will come to the day teams will run drivers from wealth not talent then wonder why there not winning races as much or getting as many podiums or are slower than the lap times from last year.

This will show when one of us gets a chance outing and blows there doors off or does a bloody job not having raced regulary.

**Stephen Green** · 22 Feb 2002, 20:55 (Ref:220855)

Stu,

First of all, you are not the first nor sadly the last driver who has this problem. The only thing I can suggest as someone in marketing myself, is to make yourself as presentable as possible. The better presentation you make both as a person and as a prospective candidate, the more chance you will have of success.

AndyF · 22 Feb 2002, 22:52 (Ref:221003)

Stuart, welcome to the forum.

I would be very suprised if there was a single driver bellow the BTCC who did not have problems gaining sponsorship. It is a shame that it is not a more recognised sport for advertisement.

What are your plans for this year?

STU CLARKE · 24 Feb 2002, 10:34 (Ref:221628)

My plans for this year are the BTCC, but thats now fading away very quickly due to the money situation. There is a Production car ready to go that I know of well and the team manager, he's said to give him a call as soon as I know anything, but the trouble is there are at 3 other guy's doing the same.

My other option is maybe GT's or the new Porsche Super Cup. But again it's all down to money. The frustrating thing is that I know a team that are ready to go and prepared once I get some money together, but the thing is that they believe I can do a good job even though I've not raced consistantley since 2000 having seen me race in National Saloons.

redshoes · 24 Feb 2002, 11:09 (Ref:221639)

Don't think I've had chance to welcome you to the Forum yet Stuart. Good luck with whatever the year brings and remember to keep us updated. If it's not BTCC then the folks in the National Racing or GT Forums will still be interested. (Matt that applies to you as well).

There's a bit of an unwriten rules on 10-Tenths that we will offer support (moral not financial that is) to any drivers who takes the time to post.

**Stephen Green** · 24 Feb 2002, 17:50 (Ref:221756)

Stuart, what car did you drive in National Saloons?

STU CLARKE · 24 Feb 2002, 18:19 (Ref:221780)

I drove a Honda Integra Type R in 98' and 99'. it was blue and white No 21. Then before that in 97' I drove Civic VTi also in National Saloons.

**Stephen Green** · 24 Feb 2002, 18:26 (Ref:221789)

Ahh I remember it now!

I'm usually found at Druids Hairpin at Brands where I'm an Observer.

redshoes · 24 Feb 2002, 19:08 (Ref:221845)

Quote:

Originally posted by STU CLARKE
I drove a Honda Integra Type R in 98' and 99'. it was blue and white No 21.

Last seen on track in a delightful shade of orange with the letters "B&Q" and the number 55 on the side.

AndyF · 24 Feb 2002, 20:24 (Ref:221936)

Although probably in better condition to the Integra that was written off on the Silverstone GP support race in 99(??).

STU CLARKE · 24 Feb 2002, 22:49 (Ref:222053)

You boys are on the case! I'm impressed indeed with your knowledge I didn't think many would know that about B&Q's car being mine.

Yes it was the one that got wrote off at the GP in 99', But it was back 2 raecs later at Combe! Anyone remember some blinding overtaking manouver's?

John Batchelor · 25 Feb 2002, 01:40 (Ref:222109)

That would be the one RS! I'm told that for lovers of that particular car (And I'm not sure if I include myself here!) It will be visible in the Britcar championship in all its orange glory!

AndyF · 25 Feb 2002, 07:58 (Ref:222169)

Quote:

Originally posted by STU CLARKE
You boys are on the case! I'm impressed indeed with your knowledge I didn't think many would know that about B&Q's car being mine.

Yes it was the one that got wrote off at the GP in 99', But it was back 2 raecs later at Combe! Anyone remember some blinding overtaking manouver's?

Just to prove how sad I am - I still have that Castle Combe race on video from the 'Best of British Motorsport Programme'!

**Stephen Green** · 25 Feb 2002, 09:19 (Ref:222181)

You....Sad...Andy...Never!

redshoes · 25 Feb 2002, 12:27 (Ref:222264)

Quote:

Originally posted by STU CLARKE
Anyone remember some blinding overtaking manouver's?

Not since the colour change, although I recall the doctor at Oulton Park being mildly impressed.

RickP:Clio51 · 25 Feb 2002, 15:26 (Ref:222346)

Stu my old sparring partner!
Good to see you here, you fountains of knowledge have yet to point out Stu had a few great drives in the Mardi Gras Clio (Dark Red) at the start of 2000 including a great race at Donington.
The same Mardi Gras Clio that was lapping 10 seconds off the pace at the same track at the start of testing for 2001 with a pay driver in it...
Hate to see we're all in the same boat when it comes to money, can't help but feel there are going to be a lot of teams with no-one in the cars come the start of the season because UK corporates are just not putting money into sponsorship in this market environment...
RickP

redshoes · 25 Feb 2002, 16:35 (Ref:222369)

In that case for a bonus anorak point I would mention that said red Mardi Gras clio was pedaled at Silverstone last year by Joanna Clarke, who also drove the afformentioned Integra on a number of occations. I would say that but I don't actually know for sure that it was the same red Clio. Small World.

STU CLARKE · 25 Feb 2002, 21:58 (Ref:222595)

Stu`s gone off for the week so can`t repy in person. He`s off doing the launch of the new 7 series BMW (hell of a life)
Yes the same Clio and the same Integra and name spelt the same (no she`s not his sister or wife)
Sent on his behalf, the empty botomless pocket.

**Stephen Green** · 26 Feb 2002, 09:05 (Ref:222751)

Stu's Mum perhaps?

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