Rockingham want the BTCC!

**touringlegend** · 2 May 2002, 16:29 (Ref:276519)

According to Autosport this week, Rockingham are very confident that they will have a BTCC race in 2003, to add to their portfolio. I think the road course there is rubbish to be honest.

flyingkipper · 2 May 2002, 16:34 (Ref:276521)

Will that mean we will lose an existing track or a Brands round to keep the season at 10 meetings? If so, I'm not happy about that.

Speedworx · 2 May 2002, 17:46 (Ref:276576)

Rockingham should have a meeting. Its got one of the best tracks around.

El_Gibleto · 2 May 2002, 17:52 (Ref:276584)

I think Rockingham would be a very good addition to the list of btcc venues. The circuit has the best spectator facilities in the country and the paddock facilities for the teams are better than at most other circuits. I feel that the road course is as good as possible within the space restraints of the site.

Admittedly the on track action is distant from most of the spectators, the viewing avalable is unequaled in the uk, it is a different experience been able to see all of a circuit in front of you.

racerguy · 2 May 2002, 18:20 (Ref:276610)

Didn't Richard West say last year that his ideal number of meetings was 11? (I think the article's still on the redshoes site) If he did, Brands won't loose out.

Speedworx · 2 May 2002, 18:23 (Ref:276615)

Rockingham would be a great challenge for the BTCC cars. It will be interesting to see how they handle the banked final corner.

Carrie · 2 May 2002, 20:18 (Ref:276767)

I gave my views on Rockingham when we had a discussion about it pre-season. My opinions haven't changed, if anything after the recent track resufacing then my opinion is lowered.
I hope this is one rumour that's just being used as a space filler by Autosport.

Carrie · 2 May 2002, 20:30 (Ref:276775)

Quote:

Originally posted by racerguy
Didn't Richard West say last year that his ideal number of meetings was 11? (I think the article's still on the redshoes site) If he did, Brands won't loose out.

I'm guessing that you're referring to this article

Peter Scillitoe · 2 May 2002, 20:49 (Ref:276794)

David Grace (Rockingham MD) has just been appointed to the Board of BMP (who run BSB and BTCC). Those loosing seats were Donnington and Knockhill!! Should we read anything into that!!!!

Carrie · 2 May 2002, 21:37 (Ref:276841)

I'm sure anyone who's ever spectated at Knockhill would want the BTCC to race there. It's a fantastic little circuit

As for Donington, well, sitting on the outside of the Old Hairpin on a lazy afternoon takes some beating.

Nissan · 3 May 2002, 14:26 (Ref:277579)

If Donnington or Knockhill lost races to a circuit like Rockingham then that would be a total joke, if that happens then it confirms that national motorsport inc BTCC, F3 and GT's is a pawn on the board room table for groups like Octagon and BMP to make more money to the loss of the general motorsport spectator.

Some of the best races over the last 10 years of BTCC have been at Knockhill and Donnington.

**touringlegend** · 3 May 2002, 15:38 (Ref:277644)

Wouldn't be very British then, would it ? More like the ETCC (English Touring Car Championship).

The fact that Knockhill has 28 grid spaces must be annoying to TOCA, but as I've said to a few people Knockhill is the Monaco of BTCC, it might not be top notch (or the safest)but it has to go on! Donington is another great track that I'd hate to see lose the BTCC, these two as others have said are very good tracks, if you want to lose a track take Silverstone which appears very flat and boring.

Eddie_harasym · 3 May 2002, 18:36 (Ref:277794)

I think Donno is the probally the best in the UK, could do with some of the planned spending though.

Speedworx · 3 May 2002, 19:42 (Ref:277832)

Donington needs an upgrade. As the BTCC is going to tracks ones, its only a matter of time before Rockingham gets a race.

Rambo · 30 May 2002, 13:43 (Ref:300400)

The infield circuits, as with any road/oval, at Rockingham, are ****. We had Hizzy lose his championship, F3s doing backflips and GTs and Fiestas breaking wheels.

It's a bloody awful circuit and I can think of far better places more fun for drivers and fans - Cadwell Park, for instance, or even somewhere like Castle Coombe which always provides great action in the series that go there.

Knockhill is a great circuit, even if it is a little narrow in places. Donnington is one of the best circuits in Europe, not Britain. It's the oldest circuit still in use in Britain, and I'd hate to lose that heritage. It's also got some of the best views for the fans. Donnington lost the Superbikes because the pit-are needs reworking - the track itself is of a very high standard, and capable of running any series in the world.

OVERSTEER · 30 May 2002, 16:31 (Ref:300517)

Castle Combe sounds like a bloody good idea!!! it'll be on my doorstep then

**Stephen Green** · 31 May 2002, 08:13 (Ref:301108)

Yea...lets have a BTCC race at Lydden too

Rambo · 31 May 2002, 10:20 (Ref:301247)

Well, I like watching things like Legends at Lydden, but I can't see the BTCC going there! I take it it's just down the road to you? You've got Brands, haven't you? If I want to watch a race, I have to go right across the country to Croft, or a bit further all the way down to Oulton. I live up in Cumbria, you see, the back of beyond.

Hey, does anyone remeber when the BTCC ran at that street circuit for a couple of years? Birmingham, wasn't it? Ah, nostalgia - I must be getting old!

**Stephen Green** · 31 May 2002, 10:51 (Ref:301303)

Rambo old bean I said Lydden in jest, sorry

Rambo · 31 May 2002, 11:36 (Ref:301343)

Yerrsss, I gathered that. I see I omitted a smiley after my reply.

It iss a cracking little circuit though - apart from the fact it's little more than a farm track on the side of a hill!

What's going on at Pembrey nowadays? That place really needs a makeover. I remeber when the F3s and things used to run there.

**Stephen Green** · 31 May 2002, 11:38 (Ref:301346)

Can't say as I have never been there, sorry

StuiE · 31 May 2002, 11:40 (Ref:301351)

Quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Green
Yea...lets have a BTCC race at Lydden too

a race in WA would be nice too

Rambo · 31 May 2002, 11:41 (Ref:301352)

No, just I don't remember the last time I saw a race there. Just a thought. Don't worry about it old cucumber!

Rambo · 31 May 2002, 11:44 (Ref:301355)

Quote:

Originally posted by gtr69

a race in WA would be nice too

Heh! BTCC flyaway races!

**Stephen Green** · 31 May 2002, 12:01 (Ref:301375)

*thinks* How to get my employer to fork out the relevant air fare so I can go and marshal.

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