[BTCC] Round Ten, Brands Hatch GP 23-24 Oct, Races 28,29&30

[crmalcolm]

Finals day is back upon us again, and the BTCC heads back to the Brands Hatch GP circuit.
Brands Hatch has always been a popular circuit for BTCC/BSCC meetings hosting no less than eight rounds and twelve championship races in the inaugural season. Given the association with series, it seems fitting that one of the class winners in the very first BSCC race was Jack Sears, with John Sprinzel the other class winner. That same day, Tommy Sopwith was also a class winner, and the two were tied at the end of the very first finals day, again at Brands Hatch before the shootout.
The layout back then is very similar to the current Indy layout, although with different corner names to those currently used. The design utilising the natural amphitheatre to create a layout that offers great viewing opportunities and significant elevation changes to challenge all types of racer.


The first time we saw NGTC machines running as constructor entries on the Indy circuit, the race wins were taken by Collard in a BMW, Neal in a Civic and Plato in an MG. The results were shared between RWD and FWD cars, and across a range of manufacturers. There appeared to be no specific advantage to any particular setup.

As with most recent years, the series visited the circuit twice. The events of the 2019 finale on the GP circuit are still fresh in many memories, and we recall the close battle between Turkington, Jordan and Cammish that was ultimately decided by a brake failure on the Honda.
Last time round, the Indy circuit was used for the finale, and on this occasion Sutton took the title in the last round after a close battle with Turkington who went into the event with a 9-point lead. Sutton outscored Turkington by 23 points that day, a bigger swing is required this time around for Sutton to be overhauled.

Qualifying is scheduled to be on the ITV Hub at www.itv.com/btcc, and the session starts at 1500hrs. Sunday coverage starts at 10:45 on ITV4. The full timetable can be found at - https://www.barc.net/wp-content/uplo...s-Hatch-GP.pdf - the first BTCC race begins at 11:30.



Early weather forecast shows that Saturday is forecast to be 14deg with light rain.


Sunday 16deg with rain showers.


With one trophy already decided, Rowbottom will be awarded the Jack Sears crown at the end of day podium ceremonies. There are a few others that still need to be decided, and whilst some destinations look fairly certain, I’m pretty sure there will be at least one surprise along the way.
The Goodyear Wingfoot Award currently stands:
1-Colin TURKINGTON-106
2-Rory BUTCHER-95
3-Jake HILL-90
This will be decided on Saturday, and all three drivers are in with a shout.

The Independent Teams’ title sees Laser Tools with a gap ahead of Ginsters, Halfords and BTC Racing.
1-Laser Tools Racing-437
2-Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com-394
3-Halfords Racing with Cataclean-386
4-BTC Racing-377
For any of the teams to overhaul Laser Tools, they need all 3 cars to register a number of concurrent DNFs. This one could be decided in round 28.

The Independent Drivers’ title has become the two-horse race that was predicted between Sutton and Ingram.
1-Ash SUTTON-363
2-Tom INGRAM-330
Sutton has the upper hand, and this could potentially be decided in round 28.

The Teams’ Championship also looks like Laser Tools have one hand on the trophy:
1-Laser Tools Racing-540
2-BTC Racing-463
3-Team BMW-431
BTC and Team BMW have managed to take this to the final event, but Laser Tools will surely have this trophy wrapped up.

In the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ Championship:
1-BMW-793
2-Motorbase Performance/Ford-702
Curiously, the points tally of Motorbase/Ford is the same that BMW had going into Donington - BMW should have this one wrapped up early though.

And finally, the Drivers’. BTCC.net state that five drives have a mathematical chance of taking the title. My calculations suggest this is actually six:
1-Ash SUTTON-316
2-Colin TURKINGTON-284
3-Tom INGRAM-278
4-Jake HILL-278
5-Josh COOK-271
6-Rory BUTCHER-250
A pole, 3 wins, 3 fastest laps and leading all 3 races will see Butcher score 67 points, taking his total to 317. Realistically, the contest is between the leading five and Sutton needs to have a disaster of a day to not take the title.


Here’s hoping that the title is decided without controversy, that the discussion revolves around the on-track talent, the driver-bashing can be put aside for a while and may the best driver win…………..

[S griffin]

This is it. Gonna be hard to predict how the races will turn out, but that adds to the excitement. Not sure the Indy race here will be too much of a guide. But we've had great races in the past so no reason not to again. Although last year was a bit of a weak final on the Indy circuit, but fair play to Sutton for winning it

Rain should add another dimension. Sutton is looking good, but the others will give it their all. A great end to a great season

[porsche962fan]

Sutton to win the title in race 2 ,

Tingram to become vice champion as WSR still don't have a wet conditions setup

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

Sutton to win the title in race 2 ,

Tingram to become vice champion as WSR still don't have a wet conditions setup

I don't think you've taken into account the tricks Mr Gow will have up his sleeve to tighten things up! (Surely I'm not the only one who thought that all of the ping pong balls in last weeks reverse grid draw had number 11 on them?)

[BTCC frog]

Having just been to the third and second best tracks on the calendar, the BTCC rounds off the season, as usual, on the Grand Prix circuit at Brands Hatch, the best track in the world for touring car racing! It feels like we are owed a wet-dry race this year, but this is a track where I feel that the racing is better in the dry. Having said that, the final round in 2019 was in mixed conditions, and that was probably the best day of touring car racing I have ever witnessed.

Although Turkington, Ingram and Hill still have a chance, this championship is really between Sutton and himself/his car’s reliability (both of which have been faultless this year), unless somebody takes him out. I think he will wrap it up in race two, and he and the team absolutely deserve it. Although obviously I would prefer for it to go to the final round. Ingram is probably his most likely challenger, and also deserves second place this year, in my opinion.

It’s also worth noting that this is the final race of the NGTC era.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by BTCC frog

It’s also worth noting that this is the final race of the NGTC era.

Final race of the non-hybrid NGTC era maybe, Next year will still be the same NGTC-spec chassis, most will still be the exact same chassis.

[crmalcolm]

To expand on the NGTC era:


BTCC Technical Stability and Asset Protection;

Now in place is a 5-year extension of the current NGTC regulations – through to the end of 2026.

This provides our teams with both technical stability and crucial long-term asset protection of their investment.

By the end of 2026 the hugely successful BTCC-NGTC regulations will then have been in place for 15 years, with just two updates in that time; i.e. the upgraded RML components and Hybrid.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

To expand on the NGTC era:


BTCC Technical Stability and Asset Protection;

Now in place is a 5-year extension of the current NGTC regulations – through to the end of 2026.

This provides our teams with both technical stability and crucial long-term asset protection of their investment.

By the end of 2026 the hugely successful BTCC-NGTC regulations will then have been in place for 15 years, with just two updates in that time; i.e. the upgraded RML components and Hybrid.

And a new TOCA engine

[porsche962fan]

something just noticed if there are no extra podiums and Turkington somehow manages to equal Sutton , Sutton would still win by more 3rd places!!

Sutton 4 wins , 2 2nd places, 2 3rd places
Turks 4 wins , 2 2nd places , one 3rd place

[S griffin]

That's unlikely to happen, but it shows how much Sutton deserves the title. He may have had it a bit easier, but he's still had to fight for it. Turkington's season has been a bit disappointing, but he's also had plenty of good results too

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

something just noticed if there are no extra podiums and Turkington somehow manages to equal Sutton , Sutton would still win by more 3rd places!!

Sutton 4 wins , 2 2nd places, 2 3rd places
Turks 4 wins , 2 2nd places , one 3rd place

Turkington has 3x 2nd places.....

[BTCC frog]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Turkington has 3x 2nd places.....

Yes, Snetterton R2, Knockhill R2, Thruxton R3.

And if Turkington does force his way back for a tie, then he will surely have picked up more podiums on the way, so I think it is more likely that Turkington wins on countback. Although I still see Ingram as Sutton’s greatest threat for the title. He has three wins (Snetterton R3, Brands Indy R2, Knockhill R3), five seconds (Thruxton R1, Snetterton R1, Silverstone R2, Silverstone R3, Donington R2) and no thirds. So Ingram would need to win a race at Brands Hatch to win on countback, but to be honest he will need to do that anyway to have a reasonable chance of the championship.

[S griffin]

Turkington could have got more, but things haven’t always gone his way

Really at this point it’s Sutton’s to lose, but there are a few unknown factors this weekend. Tingram has a tough job ahead of him. I don’t know how he’s still in contention in that car. He needs to push above his weight again, but it’s a forlorn hope, he needs something to happen to Sutton

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Turkington has 3x 2nd places.....

yes. I miscounted

funny is Turkington would have 5 wins and Sutton only 3 if he didn't mess up last lap at Knockhill...

[S griffin]

It’s been a long season. I think both Turkington and Sutton have done their best and it’s been a better season in terms of things going right for Sutton, although Turkington has missed a few opportunities. He was vulnerable in that second race at Knockhill anyway

[porsche962fan]

I just cheked Turks is now 3rd on all time wins with 60

thing is Matt Neal the 2nd placed driver has 63 so Turks should pass him next season if he stays with WSR

[touringlegend]

https://www.excelr8motorsport.com/ex...9P8TlT08b2wncE

Andy Wilmot replacing Jack Butel this weekend who is still suffering from concussion effects after Donington.

[thetool]

About the most unexciting driver swap imaginable.

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

https://www.excelr8motorsport.com/ex...9P8TlT08b2wncE

Andy Wilmot replacing Jack Butel this weekend who is still suffering from concussion effects after Donington.

Wow, looked like such a minor incident.

[Jiiiiiiim]

Originally Posted by thetool

About the most unexciting driver swap imaginable.

Andy’s a decent pedlar, he might not have the current NGTC experience, but you can’t judge his performance on the dismal Proton season. Whilst that car might not have been bad the power plant was woeful.

[3marinadrive]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Finals day is back upon us again, and the BTCC heads back to the Brands Hatch GP circuit.
Brands Hatch has always been a popular circuit for BTCC/BSCC meetings hosting no less than eight rounds and twelve championship races in the inaugural season. Given the association with series, it seems fitting that one of the class winners in the very first BSCC race was Jack Sears, with John Sprinzel the other class winner. That same day, Tommy Sopwith was also a class winner, and the two were tied at the end of the very first finals day, again at Brands Hatch before the shootout.
The layout back then is very similar to the current Indy layout, although with different corner names to those currently used. The design utilising the natural amphitheatre to create a layout that offers great viewing opportunities and significant elevation changes to challenge all types of racer.


The first time we saw NGTC machines running as constructor entries on the Indy circuit, the race wins were taken by Collard in a BMW, Neal in a Civic and Plato in an MG. The results were shared between RWD and FWD cars, and across a range of manufacturers. There appeared to be no specific advantage to any particular setup.

As with most recent years, the series visited the circuit twice. The events of the 2019 finale on the GP circuit are still fresh in many memories, and we recall the close battle between Turkington, Jordan and Cammish that was ultimately decided by a brake failure on the Honda.
Last time round, the Indy circuit was used for the finale, and on this occasion Sutton took the title in the last round after a close battle with Turkington who went into the event with a 9-point lead. Sutton outscored Turkington by 23 points that day, a bigger swing is required this time around for Sutton to be overhauled.

Qualifying is scheduled to be on the ITV Hub at www.itv.com/btcc, and the session starts at 1500hrs. Sunday coverage starts at 10:45 on ITV4. The full timetable can be found at - https://www.barc.net/wp-content/uplo...s-Hatch-GP.pdf - the first BTCC race begins at 11:30.



Early weather forecast shows that Saturday is forecast to be 14deg with light rain.


Sunday 16deg with rain showers.


With one trophy already decided, Rowbottom will be awarded the Jack Sears crown at the end of day podium ceremonies. There are a few others that still need to be decided, and whilst some destinations look fairly certain, I’m pretty sure there will be at least one surprise along the way.
The Goodyear Wingfoot Award currently stands:
1-Colin TURKINGTON-106
2-Rory BUTCHER-95
3-Jake HILL-90
This will be decided on Saturday, and all three drivers are in with a shout.

The Independent Teams’ title sees Laser Tools with a gap ahead of Ginsters, Halfords and BTC Racing.
1-Laser Tools Racing-437
2-Ginsters EXCELR8 with TradePriceCars.com-394
3-Halfords Racing with Cataclean-386
4-BTC Racing-377
For any of the teams to overhaul Laser Tools, they need all 3 cars to register a number of concurrent DNFs. This one could be decided in round 28.

The Independent Drivers’ title has become the two-horse race that was predicted between Sutton and Ingram.
1-Ash SUTTON-363
2-Tom INGRAM-330
Sutton has the upper hand, and this could potentially be decided in round 28.

The Teams’ Championship also looks like Laser Tools have one hand on the trophy:
1-Laser Tools Racing-540
2-BTC Racing-463
3-Team BMW-431
BTC and Team BMW have managed to take this to the final event, but Laser Tools will surely have this trophy wrapped up.

In the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ Championship:
1-BMW-793
2-Motorbase Performance/Ford-702
Curiously, the points tally of Motorbase/Ford is the same that BMW had going into Donington - BMW should have this one wrapped up early though.

And finally, the Drivers’. BTCC.net state that five drives have a mathematical chance of taking the title. My calculations suggest this is actually six:
1-Ash SUTTON-316
2-Colin TURKINGTON-284
3-Tom INGRAM-278
4-Jake HILL-278
5-Josh COOK-271
6-Rory BUTCHER-250
A pole, 3 wins, 3 fastest laps and leading all 3 races will see Butcher score 67 points, taking his total to 317. Realistically, the contest is between the leading five and Sutton needs to have a disaster of a day to not take the title.


Here’s hoping that the title is decided without controversy, that the discussion revolves around the on-track talent, the driver-bashing can be put aside for a while and may the best driver win…………..

Not quite right with the Championship points....Cook has 250, Hill 271....Butcher isn't in the fight and Cook would need a perfect weekend with no one else above doing well to Win it...

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by 3marinadrive

Not quite right with the Championship points....Cook has 250, Hill 271....Butcher isn't in the fight and Cook would need a perfect weekend with no one else above doing well to Win it...

I took the points from here - https://www.btcc.net/standings/drivers/

Do they have it wrong on the official site?

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I took the points from here - https://www.btcc.net/standings/drivers/

Do they have it wrong on the official site?

Yes. They have duplicated the scores for Ingram and Hill as 278 then everything down to Proctor has the score from the line above.

Full chart is on TSL after each round.
https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=T...4003ptstrg.pdf

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Yes. They have duplicated the scores for Ingram and Hill as 278 then everything down to Proctor has the score from the line above.

Full chart is on TSL after each round.
https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=T...4003ptstrg.pdf

On their behalf - oops.

Thanks for the clarification.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

On their behalf - oops.

It's a bit of a moot point anyhow. Replacing Butcher with Cook in your original post, mathematically he could still win it but only if he took maximum possible points and everyone above him scored nothing.

The best anyone has done this year has been a 50-point weekend - Turkington at Snetterton and Butcher at Thruxton. Anything over 40 points would be considered an exceptional weekend.

Turkington has averaged 31.5 points per weekend so far, so a typical weekend for him would see him match barely Sutton's current score. Unless Sutton destroys the car in FP/Q and has to sit out the weekend I don't see that anyone else has a realistic chance.