[BTCC] Season Finale! Brands Hatch GP, 7/8 October, Rds. 28/29/30

[fergus_r]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

That's possibly true, but at least you are unlikely to have great big tents and gazebos blocking your view which seems to have become a bit of a tradition at Croft, and to a lesser extent at points around Oulton.

In the last few months, “no gazebos” signs have appeared around Brands. Whether it makes a difference remains to be seen. I personally don’t go to bigger meetings (like BTCC) anymore, but when I was a regular attendee, the gazebos were quite often an issue for the people unfortunate enough to be impeded by them. Not least the amount of space they take up and how unnecessary they are in the first place!

As for the fencing, the one other thing to note (that can’t be seen very well from pictures) is how much further back it is, to accommodate the runoff at Paddock being extended over the winter. For those who are regulars at Brands, it is a noticeable difference, particularly towards the bottom/exit of the corner - very much feels a lot more like Silverstone or Donington.

It also cuts the spectator area down by around half of what it was - the fencing goes right back to the gravel path. This will apparently be improved over the winter but, until then, I can envisage there being a few issues this weekend and at the upcoming BSB and Trucks meetings.

[Sodemo]

It’s a shame because just like Star Wars The Phantom Menace, it will never be “undone”, it will be around forever. I used to think photography at Brands was a real boon because in a lot of sections there were just those waist high sorta cattle type fences which made taking photos a real breeze.

[S griffin]

I’m sure there are plenty of other places on the circuit you can still take quality photos

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I’m sure there are plenty of other places on the circuit you can still take quality photos

The GP loop was the best place but I believe a lot of that has succumbed to the 12 foot high fence plague.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

The GP loop was the best place but I believe a lot of that has succumbed to the 12 foot high fence plague.

There's a section around Hawthorn with no fence, presumably because the spectators are elevated above the level of the track. Everywhere else on the GP has fencing

[thetool]

Quite the field spread in FP1: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=T...4003fp1trg.pdf

James Gornall 5 seconds a lap slower than his fastest team-mate, Nick Halstead 3 seconds off his and Jade Edwards 2.4 seconds off hers.

[S griffin]

It is a longer lap, so that might contribute, but 5 seconds is still quite a gap

[ahobson98]

I mean he only did 9 laps, 6 laps of which were outlaps so I don't think his lap time really means anything....

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by thetool

Quite the field spread in FP1: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=T...4003fp1trg.pdf

James Gornall 5 seconds a lap slower than his fastest team-mate, Nick Halstead 3 seconds off his and Jade Edwards 2.4 seconds off hers.

Multiple red flags interrupted runs, and several drivers only did one proper flying lap.

FP2 much more representative, 1.8secs covering the field. Cook, Collard, Thompson, Doble, ATS the top 5.

[Mike Harte]

So much for the live coverage of everything today; for me it's not yet started (it stated 12:45 on screen), and it's only covering 4 pieces of action!

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

So much for the live coverage of everything today; for me it's not yet started (it stated 12:45 on screen), and it's only covering 4 pieces of action!

ITV screwed up with the start time, racing begins today at 13.50.

There's only 3 races on the timetable this afternoon so we're getting every race. There'll be a gap (likely filled with BTCC interviews) between the MINI JCW race and BTCC qualifying as ITV aren't scheduled to cover PCCGB qualifying.

There are only two races tomorrow pre-BTCC Race 1, both of which will be shown in this YouTube stream - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nT7zPh1J78c

[AnnoyedMoose]

Don't know why ITV keep screwing up the start times on YouTube. They've had todays stream showing as starting at 9am but the first race isn't until 10:05. Not a good look for those who go there at 9 expecting to see racing.

Might be something to do with time zones perhaps but given it's geo locked to the UK they should be accounting for that when scheduling with a simple time in the video title if YT is the issue.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by AnnoyedMoose

Don't know why ITV keep screwing up the start times on YouTube. They've had todays stream showing as starting at 9am but the first race isn't until 10:05. Not a good look for those who go there at 9 expecting to see racing.

Might be something to do with time zones perhaps but given it's geo locked to the UK they should be accounting for that when scheduling with a simple time in the video title if YT is the issue.

Yeah both were scheduled an hour early.

[redshoes]

Sounds like they are using UTC, and viewers are using BST

[Evantra]

Wow this MINI race has been a disaster!

[Matt_123]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Wow this MINI race has been a disaster!

I don't think they've had enough safety cars...

[thetool]

Sutton champion again, with two races to spare.

[BtccLee]

Felt like a fitting way for it to go, brilliant from Ash and Tom in that race.

Last two races should be open-season now!

[Evantra]

Well he and the team certainly deserved it, congratulations to him. Somehow don’t think it’ll be his last!

Thompson podium!!

[porsche962fan]

a far cry from say 2019 finale

[Matt K]

Sutton is, I believe, already one of the best drivers ever (although that's always difficult to say) and some may say it's boring but for me it's a pure pleasure to see this happen. Really can't see him stopping here, especially as I feel this is the first time in his career he's got a really top team (and car) behind him.

Nice to see so much respect between Ash and Tingram, they're clearly one of the best drivers on the grid at the moment.

[redshoes]

That first race reminded me that we need to talk about Ingram. He's not been the quickest on track, but he's been consistently there or thereabouts all season. In any other year that would have been more than enough for another title.

[Adamcas87]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

a far cry from say 2019 finale

lol

[PlatoFan89]

Well done Ash Sutton! Fantastic season

[Evantra]

Some golden additions to Sutton’s car:

https://x.com/naparacinguk/status/17...T11pmdgnSSDQzA