Thruxton testing

[Les]

sorry it's a bit messy but news of the day - Mat Neal started but didn't complete a lap says MST.

5 Jason PLATO GBR 1 1:17.704 44 109.15
4 Yvan MULLER FRA 2 1:18.044 32 0.340 108.67
9 James THOMPSON GBR 3 1:18.289 55 0.585 108.33
27 Phil BENNETT GBR 4 1:18.732 54 1.028 107.72
44 Steve SOPER GBR 5 1:19.981 45 2.277 106.04
22 Dan EAVES GBR 6 1:20.860 27 3.156 104.89
50 Roger MOEN NOR 7 1:22.130 41 4.426 103.27
15 David PINKNEY GBR 8 147 1:22.337 29 4.633 103.01
62 Robert COLLARD GBR 9 1:22.790 49 5.086 102.44
88 James KAYE GBR 10 P 1:22.798 47 5.094 102.43
60 Simon HARRISON GBR 11 P 306 1:22.899 44 5.195 102.31
58 Paul O'NEILL GBR 12 P 306 1:22.938 36 5.234 102.26
66 Peter CATE GBR 13 P 1:23.280 55 5.576 101.84
94 Gareth HOWELL GBR 14 P 1:23.808 28 6.104 101.20
64 Gavin PYPER GBR 15 P 156 1:24.017 18 6.313 100.95
63 Antonio RUSSO ITA 16 P 156 1:24.569 48 6.865 100.29
51 Jim EDWARDS Jnr GBR 17 P 1:24.656 59 6.952 100.18
98 Mat JACKSON GBR 18 P 1:25.272 22 7.568 99.46
97 Richard MEINS GBR 19 P 1:25.675 49 7.971 98.99
77 Tom BOARDMAN GBR 20 P 306 1:25.716 31 8.012 98.95
79 Toni RUOKONEN FIN 21 P 1:26.582 16 8.878 97.96
59 Annie TEMPLETON GBR 22 P 306 1:27.897 56 10.193 96.49
80 Andy NEATE GBR 23 P 1:29.410 16 11.706 94.86

[redshoes]

Well it's another BTCC day so time for another long rambling post from me

A poor showing from the 10-tenths crew, just myself, spoony, fudge and fudglet jnr.

All 4 Astras were there, Peugeot had 3 cars but only 2 drivers (more of that latter), JSM had a single Alfa, but surprisingly no Lexus. In Production most of the teams were there except Synchro and the B&Q's. GA-Janspeed had 2 cars for 3 drivers (Blair's was the missing car obviously)

For reasons as yet unknown Matt Neal never showed up. There was a rumour that Steve Neal (Matt's dad and Team Dynamics boss) had "thrown his toys out of the pram", but why we don't know. Soper had a monster off at Church (110 mph+) and wrecked his car. He later re-appeared in the number 8 car (Matt's) but without Neal's name in the rear window and the Team Dynamics logo on the top of the windscreen taped over.

Half an hour before the end of the day Muller had a similar scare when a front tyre let go again at Church at 190 km/h (that's best part of 120mph in real money). Car was relatively un-damaged. Thompson very spectacular though the chicane, setting new high and distance records in the process.

The JSM Alfa spent much of the day in the garage with the bonnet up and never looked that comfortable on track.

Harrison missed much of the season with engine problems but still put in some respectable times.

Quite suprised to see Collard's Clio so high up the times, although he did get in loads of laps and looked the business.

I've said this before but Gavin Pyper continues to impress. This guy should be giving Muller lessons on how to get sideways It may not be the quickest way around the circuit and it might not do the tyres much good but it was great to watch.

Plenty of locked brakes on the approach to the chicane and the complex. Assuming they all get around Allard I'd recomend the complex as the place to be on the first lap.

[Craig]

Sorry for not showing up Redshoes, some of us have the minor inconvenience of having to work I must say I was very jealous yesterday when I was heading up the M3 onto the M25 at about 7am to see several race transporters going the other way... *******s!

[John Batchelor]

Hi, Sorry for the lack of B&Q cars today.......we had to do a press launch at head office, and they do pay the bills, so we love them. Actually, I have to say, and I know they are my sponsors etc...but they really are genuinely interested, supportive and want us to do well.

[redshoes]

Originally posted by Craig Antill
Sorry for not showing up Redshoes, some of us have the minor inconvenience of having to work

Work ? Hmm, sounds vaguely familiar. Remind me how that one goes again.

[Carrie]

Originally posted by redshoes

Work ? Hmm, sounds vaguely familiar. Remind me how that one goes again.

Work, yes, some of us had to remember what the inside of a museum looked like again today Can't complain though, we've had a busy Mill and I did say way back that I was only going to come along to Thruxton testing if we were shut with the F&M. So I was quite happy to be at work instead of testing, in any case, I've already been at one test session this week, albeit F1 rather than touring cars.
Someone want to tell me if / when there's testing at Oulton Park. Wouldn't mind heading along to that, bit more local than the idea of doing Thruxton

[fudge]

Must admit Sopers car was a bit of a mess, and Rob Collard surprised quite a few folks there!
Thanks Redshoes, it was great to meet you, even though I got waylaid, at last I have met some others from the forum, so up to now it's Redshoes, Spoonerboro & Les.
Let's hope I meet more on race day!

[Kelvin]

Originally posted by John B & Q
Hi, Sorry for the lack of B&Q cars today.......we had to do a press launch at head office, and they do pay the bills, so we love them. Actually, I have to say, and I know they are my sponsors etc...but they really are genuinely interested, supportive and want us to do well.

John, I would have thought that testing would have proved very valuble, head office could have had a press launch another day. By missing testing it might cost you valuble seconds on race day and a few points!!

Kelvin

[******]

I saw HTML changing a gearbox on Harrisons car not an engine.

[John Batchelor]

Hi Kelvin, yes you are right, testing would have been very valuable to us. It is a very difficult balance at all times trying to measure the performance of the team against the requirements of the sponsors. However, since I set the team up it has always been my plan to use this as a learning year in all aspects of team management. What we really aim to do is to field a two car Touring class team along with a junior team in a lower category run as a scholarship forum for underfunded young drivers. These things can't be done overnight and to get where we want to be, we must always consider the longer view, including building relationships with our sponsors (and I mean it ours are great!) all sounds terribly serious doesn't it!! I am determined, however, that we will at all times be available to our supporters and let them know what we are up to. It isn't very long (two years) since I was in the grandstand wishing that I could do this, I remember at the time how remote many of the teams and drivers were and thinking, if ever I'm in that position........I'm not going to be like that....not knowing that two years later....

[Kelvin]

Thanks for reply John, its good to have a good positive plan for the future!! Coming from the club scene and getting involved in the BTCC you soon notice the big protective wall that goes up around the teams and drivers. But I guess the popoularity would just swamp the teams and drivers on race day!! (as was seen in the pit lane walkabout)

Kelvin

[John Batchelor]

True Kelvin, I suppose what I am trying to say is that if the teams and drivers were more accesible all the time, then scenes like those at Brands during the pitlane walkabout with all of the associated bun fight need not happen. Without the support of the fans, the championship wouldn't exist. I'm in it now, and I still think what I thought when i was watching it, there is an awful lot of bull**** in the paddock and some very precious egos. For example, in most instances, and providing that they are well supervised, there is no reason why the fans shouldn't be allowed to sit in the cars and feel what it is like to be looking at what the drivers look at. If we take safety precautions re: things like the fire extinguishers and provided the cars aren't being worked on I would welcome anyone to come down to the B&Q team and have a sit in our cars. It can only enhance everyone's enjoyment when they actually sit down to watch the race, knowing what the driver is feeling. Although I have to say that there is no way to show you that knot in the pit of your stomach as the lights are about to turn green!!

[Kelvin]

If a few more people went club racing on a regular basis they CAN get close to cars ect, and as you know club racing is very competitive, and breed many a potentional touring car driver!!

How many of you BTCC fans go to other race meetings?
I'm off to Brands Hatch tommorow to see the MGs in action!!
(close racing a cert!!)

http://www.mgcars.org.uk/cambs.mgoc/...0/brands07.jpg


Kelvin

[John Batchelor]

Kelvin, I second that, but why should the pro's, who mainly started in club racing, suddenly think that things are so different?

[Les]

I'll take you up on the sit in your car please John but make sure you have a crane to pull me out afterwards!

I must admit it makes a pleasant change to have a driver talk to us on a serious level. Some of the others are too full of their own self importance and either ignore you or worse treat you like an idiot.

[John Batchelor]

Hi Les, You are always especially welcome at our cars!!

[Sodemo]

I spoke to D Leslie, once, he was quite nice.
Anthony Reid was freindly too.

[Les]

Ahhh - you're a hero!

Well I tell you what John - I'll put in an extra roll of film in the bag and I'll see if I can get some decent shots of the DIY special.