Gavin Smith

Paddockman · 16 Apr 2006, 10:17 (Ref:1584855)

Gavin Smith.

Home race coming up.

Is he up to it??

Yes I know in effect he is Vauxhall's 3rd driver but with Giovanardi having to learn circuits have they made a big mistake in the battle for the Manafacturers Championship.

2nd year in works Vauxhall shouldn't he be challenging for race wins?

Hazard · 16 Apr 2006, 13:26 (Ref:1585003)

His performance has been good near the end of last year and this year at Brands. He's no front runner, but I don't think he's significantly poorer then any of Vauxhall's previous third runners, just that he's driving for VXR when they're not as competitive as opposed to O'Neill & Hines.

Draven · 19 Apr 2006, 08:44 (Ref:1588417)

I think it'll be a great chance for Gavin at home, the tight and tecnical nature of Mondello will favour him over Giovanardi (he'll be learning and qualifying comes around pretty quick!). On the other hand though I wouldnt expect miricles, Neal and Turkington have over the last few years shown they have a real nack for mondello. So I think if Gavin manages a couple of podiums he should be proud. I'll give him a good cheer on anyway!

BootsOntheSide · 19 Apr 2006, 09:14 (Ref:1588434)

Gavin had a few races when he wasn't truly competitive last year, but they weren't always on circuits he knew, and by the end of the season he was strong. His pace relative to Muller's was no worse than O'Neill's when he was in the Egg:Sport car in 2003, and probably better than Hines' in 2004. Vauxhall should be more worried about the Driver's title - SEAT seem to have a performance advantage, and their swapping of drivers through the season might help VX snare extra points - they're the only team with 3 drivers as it stands.

sceptic · 20 Apr 2006, 22:23 (Ref:1590290)

Apparently no Irish driver has ever won a BTCC race.

BootsOntheSide · 21 Apr 2006, 08:49 (Ref:1590582)

I bet no Spanish, Finnish or Columbian drivers have either, but there are people who come to mind who could.

Super Hans · 21 Apr 2006, 12:55 (Ref:1590847)

Quote:

Originally Posted by sceptic

Apparently no Irish driver has ever won a BTCC race.

Colin Turkington is Irish and has won more than one BTCC race.

Craner Curves · 21 Apr 2006, 16:44 (Ref:1591008)

He's Northern Irish isn't he?

racingdad · 21 Apr 2006, 19:52 (Ref:1591167)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Gavin had a few races when he wasn't truly competitive last year, but they weren't always on circuits he knew,.

Not True. Gavin did two years in Seat Cupras and so raced at every circuit before joining the BTCC. Seats didn't do Mondello, but Gavin had previously raced their and the didn't do Thruxton in 04, but had done in 03, so he'd been there as well.

And as for Turks - yes he is from the North, not the Republic

Super Hans · 21 Apr 2006, 19:53 (Ref:1591168)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

He's Northern Irish isn't he?

Yes, he's from County Down. That still makes him Irish though.

Craner Curves · 21 Apr 2006, 21:20 (Ref:1591227)

My girlfriend's from County Down and she disagrees.

sceptic · 21 Apr 2006, 21:39 (Ref:1591237)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Hans

Yes, he's from County Down. That still makes him Irish though.

No, it makes him British. As was Alan Morrison.

Kicking-back · 21 Apr 2006, 21:42 (Ref:1591241)

Unless we're talking Rugby, when he would be Irish!

As for Gavin Smith - he's largely anonymous - you don't really notice he's there.

racingdad · 21 Apr 2006, 21:51 (Ref:1591249)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

As for Gavin Smith - he's largely anonymous - you don't really notice he's there.

Needs to return to the pink hair and distinctly iffy haircuts of 04 - then you can't help but notice him

redshoes · 22 Apr 2006, 08:44 (Ref:1591604)

Quote:

Originally Posted by racingdad

Needs to return to the pink hair and distinctly iffy haircuts of 04 - then you can't help but notice him

Doesn't help much once he's got a helmet on. A driver should be remembered for his results on track, not his barnet.

He surprised me with his pace at Brands, as he was largely average for most of last year. I'd be interested to see if it's the start of a genunie improvement in pace or simply a one-off.

racingdad · 22 Apr 2006, 09:21 (Ref:1591619)

Gavin was always quick in the Seat Cupras, but not consistent.

**touringlegend** · 22 Apr 2006, 15:26 (Ref:1591877)

It was interesting to see he recently said that prior to last season he did no training at all, but he got caught out because of it.

speedy king · 22 Apr 2006, 20:23 (Ref:1592074)

I was going to mention that. That's no attitude for a driver of his calibre to have. You can ask a 9 year old who's just starting karting and they will tell you how important fitness is. You'd have thought he'd have made more of an effort especially if he's paying all that money for a VXR drive

matt feeney · 23 Apr 2006, 22:37 (Ref:1593247)

Ever heard of a guy called Alec Poole?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sceptic

Apparently no Irish driver has ever won a BTCC race.

matt feeney · 23 Apr 2006, 22:40 (Ref:1593251)

Paul O'Neill is a First Generation Irishman & I think you'll agree Colin Turkington comes from that other island.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sceptic

Apparently no Irish driver has ever won a BTCC race.

matt feeney · 23 Apr 2006, 22:41 (Ref:1593254)

Irish is still Irish...........................

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

He's Northern Irish isn't he?

***MagnetON*** · 23 Apr 2006, 22:47 (Ref:1593259)

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt feeney

Paul O'Neill is a First Generation Irishman & I think you'll agree Colin Turkington comes from that other island.

Hi Matt, nice to see you joining in and not lurking!

Guys: Matt is probably about the best source for information on Irish racers, I know he's certainly the best man to ask which of them gets the beers in!!!

And he most certainly had one of the best views of todays racing!

matt feeney · 23 Apr 2006, 22:50 (Ref:1593260)

Way over my head MangneON

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagnetON

Hi Matt, nice to see you joining in and not lurking!

Guys: Matt is probably about the best source for information on Irish racers, I know he's certainly the best man to ask which of them gets the beers in!!!

And he most certainly had one of the best views of todays racing!

***MagnetON*** · 23 Apr 2006, 22:53 (Ref:1593264)

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt feeney

Way over my head MangneON

Lol, nah, you were way over my head!!! About three floors of the tower above my head!

Motormouth · 24 Apr 2006, 12:13 (Ref:1593709)

Ah, good man Matt!!
Smith was very disappointing imo, might be time to come home and get a real job..................
What does anyone else think??

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