BTCC - Brands Hatch (Kent), Rounds 1-3, 1-Apr-07

[Hazard]

Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship 2007
Rounds 1,2,3 - Brands Hatch Indy

Results 2006 (Season Opener)

Race 1
1 James Thompson - Seat Sport UK/SEAT Léon - 23:49.571
2 Tom Chilton - VX Racing/Vauxhall Astra - + 1.320
3 Matt Neal - Team Halfords/Honda Integra Type-R - + 2.020

Race 2
1 James Thompson - SEAT Sport UK/SEAT Léon - 20:04.481
2 Colin Turkington - Team RAC/MG-ZS - + 0.543
3 Matt Neal - Team Halfords/Honda Integra Type-R - +1.039

Race 3
1 Jason Plato - SEAT Sport UK/SEAT Léon - 16:43.263
2 Colin Turkington - Team RAC/MG-ZS - + 4.012
3 Tom Chilton - VX Racing/Vauxhall Astra - +5.880

2007 Entry List:
1 - Matt Neal - Team Halfords/Honda Civic - [S2000]
52 - Gordon Shedden - Team Halfords/Honda Civic - [S2000]
3 - Colin Turkington - Team RAC/BMW 320si E90 - [S2000]
33 - Tom Onslow-Cole - Team RAC/BMW 320si E90 - [S2000]
11 - Jason Plato - SEAT Sport UK/SEAT Léon - [S2000]
12 - Darren Turner - SEAT Sport UK/SEAT Léon - [S2000]
5 - Fabrizio Giovanardi - VX Racing/Vauxhall Vectra - [S2000]
7 - Tom Chilton - VX Racing/Vauxhall Vectra - [S2000]
90 - Erkut Kizilirmak - Arkas Racing/Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch - [BTCC]
56 - Dave Pinkney - A-Tech/Alfa Romeo 156 - [S2000]
59 - Richard Marsh - A-Tech/Alfa Romeo 156 - [S2000]
19 - Nick Leason - BTC Racing/Lexus IS200 - [S2000]
43 - Chris Stockton - BTC Racing/Lexus IS200 - [S2000]
48 - Mat Jackson - Jackson Motorsport/BMW 320si E90 - [S2000]
45 - Jim Pocklington - J-Team Motorsport/BMW 320i E46 - [S2000]
28 - Jason Hughes - Kartworld Racing/MG-ZS - [BTCC]
38 - Fiona Leggate - Kartworld Racing/MG-ZS - [BTCC]
23 - Matt Allison - Motorbase Performance/SEAT Toledo Cupra - [S2000]
25 - Gareth Howell - Motorbase Performance/SEAT Toledo Cupra - [S2000]
14 - Eoin Murray - Quest Racing/Alfa Romeo 156 - [S2000]
69 - Simon Blanckley - Sibsport/Honda Integra Type-R - [BTCC]
17 - Rick Kerry - Team AFM Racing/BMW 120d - [S2000]
21 - Adam Jones - Team Air Cool/SEAT Toledo Cupra - [S2000]
15 - Martyn Bell - Team Allaboutproperty.com/BMW 320i E46 - [S2000]
77 - Mike Jordan - Team Eurotech/Honda Integra Type-R - [BTCC]
55 - John George - TH Motorsport/Honda Integra Type-R - [BTCC]

Television Coverage (UK):
16:00 - 17:30 BST - ITV3
10:00 - 18:00 BST - Setanta Sport 2

Live Timing and Scoring:
MST Timing

Race Day Schedule:
10:00 Blaupunkt SEAT Cupra Championship
10:40 Formula BMW UK Championship
11:30 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship
12:10 Formula Renault UK Championship With Michelin
12:40 Lunch Break
13:35 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship
14:15 Formula BMW UK Championship
14:50 Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain
15:30 Elf Renault Clio Cup
16:05 Blaupunkt SEAT Cupra Championship
16:50 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship
17:30 Formula Renault UK Championship With Michelin

Don't forget to enter our predictions competition!

[Wilbo]

Thanks for the info Hazard. Are you going? If so come and see me in the J Team garage.

I think there will be so much to talk about after Brands.

Will it be a huge train for the first race into turn 1 or will somthing go off?

[werner]

I think it will depend a bit on how they start. On the review-dvd's you can sometime see the cars start really close together, and sometimes more apart. I always wonder how it goes well if they start so close together...

[Jimmy Magnusson]

I'm having trouble finding anyone to support. I still remember Neal from his ST independent days and he seems like a good enough bloke, he's the reigning champion though and I usually cheer for the underdog. Though with Dynamics building their own car, I suppose i can cheer a bit for them.

Oh well, I think this will be the ones I'll cheer for this season:

Matt Neal after all
Motorbase Preformance - go Howell & Allison!
Well, thow in the Alfas there too and there you have it!

[touringlegend]

Contrasting yourself, Jimmy, I have no doubts who my support goes to!

Just look at my avatar. Hoping for a repeat of last year's trio of win's for Seat, and being there in person they probably won't.

[rdjones]

I'm really looking forward to the new season, can't wait to get to Brands on Friday night.

[Rockmunky]

I'm looking forward to seeing how Tom Onslow-Cole (or "The OC") does in his first BTCC race.

It's been a long time but... it's back!

Hopefully i can get to Brands this Sunday.

[gregc]

Can't wait, I've been suffering withdrawal since Silverstone!

I'll be supporting Rick Kerry - I always like to see someone trying something new and different, so best of luck to Rick

I do quite like the Civic too though, and the BMW's, and the - well you get the picture, I just can't wait to get there on Saturday

Support programme looks strong too, I'm really looking forward to the new Seats and Clios so it should be a good couple of days.

[Hazard]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Contrasting yourself, Jimmy, I have no doubts who my support goes to!

Just look at my avatar. Hoping for a repeat of last year's trio of win's for Seat, and being there in person they probably won't.

I know the feeling. As a long time Vauxhall supporter, when 2001 came along and Vauxhall won 24 races on the trot - I made the effort to celebrate their victory at Brands in person.

Felt a bit jinxed when Reid became the first non-Vauxhall winner of the season! At least Bennett won the second race - though I wanted Muller to take the title

[BootsOntheSide]

Dynamics look to be behind the 8-ball so far - Shedden barely did any running yesterday due to technical problems. In theory teams like Motorbase and Jackson could start next season with an advantage over them - SEAT,Vauxhall and WSR certainly do. It's a big field and there should be plenty of action - I just hope the BTC-spec cars aren't too fast.

[Craner Curves]

Behind the 8-ball? Bit James Allen-esque that remark there, Boots.

[Chris Y]

Would that be one of those "Mystic 8-balls"?

All signs point to 'yes'

[Rockmunky]

Contrary to todays weather, numerous reports say we should be in for some nice weather this weekend.

[Rockmunky]

Free Practice 1 Red Flagged with 46 seconds to go.. So that'll be the end of that.
Don't know why either.

Jordan leads with Chilton and Giovanardi 0.089 and 0.119 seconds slower respectively.

Matt Neal down in 8th.

[cos]

Top 23 within 2 seconds of the leader; then it's another 2 sec back to the group of Leggate, Pocklington and Kerry. Jones looking promising in 6th.

[Hazard]

First Practice Results

1 - Mike Jordan [77] - Team Eurotech - Honda Integra Type-R - 49.743
2 - Tom Chilton [7] - VX Racing - Vauxhall Vectra - 49.832
3 - Fabrizio Giovanardi [5] - VX Racing - Vauxhall Vectra - 49.862
4 - Jason Plato [11] - SEAT Sport UK - SEAT León - 49.870
5 - Colin Turkington [3] - Team RAC - BMW 320si E90 - 49.913
6 - Adam Jones [21] - Team Air Cool - SEAT Toledo Cupra - 50.024
7 - Darren Turner [12] - SEAT Sport UK - SEAT León - 50.037
8 - Matt Neal [1] - Team Halfords - Honda Civic - 50.061
9 - Mat Jackson [48] - Jackson Motorsport - BMW 320si E90 - 50.072
10 - Eoin Murray [14] - Quest Racing - Alfa Romeo 156 - 50.112
11 - Tom Onslow-Cole [33] - Team RAC - BMW 320si E90 - 50.139
12 - Gareth Howell [25] - Motorbase Performance - SEAT Toledo Cupra - 50.173
13 - Matt Allison [23] - Motorbase Performance - SEAT Toledo Cupra - 50.244
14 - Gordon Shedden [52] - Team Halfords - Honda Civic - 50.291
15 - Jason Hughes [28] - Kartworld Racing - MG-ZS - 50.497
16 - Dave Pinkney [56] - A-Tech - Alfa Romeo 156 - 50.637
17 - John George [55] - TH Motorsport - Honda Integra Type-R - 50.888
18 - Erkut Kizilirmak [90] - Arkas Racing - Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch - 50.901
19 - Simon Blanckley [69] - Sibsport - Honda Integra Type-R - 50.941
20 - Richard Marsh [59] - A-Tech - Alfa Romeo 156 - 51.292
21 - Fiona Leggate [82] - Kartworld Racing - MG-ZS - 51.636
22 - Chris Stockton [43] - BTC Racing - Lexus IS200 - 51.640
23 - Martyn Bell [15] - Team Allaboutproperty.com - BMW 320i E46 - 51.672
24 - Nick Leason [19] - BTC Racing - Lexus IS200 - 53.767
25 - Jim Pocklington [45] - J-Team Motorsport - BMW 320i E46 - 53.770
26 - Rick Kerry [17] - Team AFM Racing - BMW 120d - 53.946

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Hazard

First Practice Results
26 - Rick Kerry [17] - Team AFM Racing - BMW 120d - No Time

He did set a time - 53.946s

A little surprised to see Jordan at the top. Equally surprised to see Bell so far down.

Leason do a lap until half way through the session so obviously a few teething problems. Jackson and Stockton only did 9 and 8 laps respectively.

4 BMWs in the top 6 at the finish line speed trap.

[Hazard]

Originally Posted by redshoes

4 BMWs in the top 6 at the finish line speed trap.

But strangely Vauxhall's and Toledo's faster at the first trap - so BMW's have the pace on the straight which will be handy when overtaking.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Hazard

But strangely Vauxhall's and Toledo's faster at the first trap - so BMW's have the pace on the straight which will be handy when overtaking.

First speed trap is mid-way along Cooper Straight, which relies on getting a good exit from Graham Hill Bend. The start/finish line is longer drag so more representative of straight line speed. Bell was 5th quickest over the finish line but right at the back over a full lap.

I think that backs up the argument we were having about WTCC BMWs being quicker round Curibita being partly because it had a lot of long straights - the BMWs are definitely quicker in a straight line but lose out in the twisty bits.

[Hazard]

Second Practice

Plato on top, Vauxhall's are close - BMW's move closer.

Murray and Jones pace is astounding.

1 - Jason Plato [11] - SEAT Sport UK - SEAT León - 49.647
2 - Fabrizio Giovanardi [5] - VX Racing - Vauxhall Vectra - 49.659
3 - Mat Jackson [48] - Jackson Motorsport - BMW 320si E90 - 49.696
4 - Darren Turner [12] - SEAT Sport UK - SEAT León - 49.73
5 - Tom Chilton [7] - VX Racing - Vauxhall Vectra - 49.844
6 - Colin Turkington [3] - Team RAC - BMW 320si E90 - 49.919
7 - Tom Onslow-Cole [33] - Team RAC - BMW 320si E90 - 49.943
8 - Eoin Murray [14] - Quest Racing - Alfa Romeo 156 - 50.053
9 - Adam Jones [21] - Team Air Cool - SEAT Toledo Cupra - 50.102
10 - Gareth Howell [25] - Motorbase Performance - SEAT Toledo Cupra - 50.148
11 - Matt Neal [1] - Team Halfords - Honda Civic - 50.265
12 - Matt Allison [23] - Motorbase Performance - SEAT Toledo Cupra - 50.337
13 - Jason Hughes [28] - Kartworld Racing - MG-ZS - 50.402
14 - Mike Jordan [77] - Team Eurotech - Honda Integra Type-R - 50.428
15 - Gordon Shedden [52] - Team Halfords - Honda Civic - 50.443
16 - Simon Blanckley [69] - Sibsport - Honda Integra Type-R - 50.575
17 - Erkut Kizilirmak [90] - Arkas Racing - Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch - 50.838
18 - Dave Pinkney [56] - A-Tech - Alfa Romeo 156 - 50.875
19 - John George [55] - TH Motorsport - Honda Integra Type-R - 50.892
20 - Martyn Bell [15] - Team Allaboutproperty.com - BMW 320i E46 - 50.988
21 - Fiona Leggate [82] - Kartworld Racing - MG-ZS - 51.121
22 - Chris Stockton [43] - BTC Racing - Lexus IS200 - 51.135
23 - Richard Marsh [59] - A-Tech - Alfa Romeo 156 - 51.449
24 - Nick Leason [19] - BTC Racing - Lexus IS200 - 53.127
25 - Jim Pocklington [45] - J-Team Motorsport - BMW 320i E46 - 53.228
26 - Rick Kerry [17] - Team AFM Racing - BMW 120d - 53.874

[Hazard]

Qualifying Results - BMW on pole! Halfords a lot of work to do

1 - Colin Turkington [3] - Team RAC - BMW 320si E90 - 49.532

2 - Jason Plato [11] - SEAT Sport UK - SEAT León - 49.548


3 - Darren Turner [12] - SEAT Sport UK - SEAT León - 49.652

4 - Fabrizio Giovanardi [5] - VX Racing - Vauxhall Vectra - 49.687


5 - Tom Chilton [7] - VX Racing - Vauxhall Vectra - 49.736

6 - Mat Jackson [48] - Jackson Motorsport - BMW 320si E90 - 49.750


7 - Tom Onslow-Cole [33] - Team RAC - BMW 320si E90 - 49.762

8 - Mike Jordan [77] - Team Eurotech - Honda Integra Type-R - 49.783


9 - Matt Neal [1] - Team Halfords - Honda Civic - 49.899

10 - Adam Jones [21] - Team Air Cool - SEAT Toledo Cupra - 50.033


11 - Matt Allison [23] - Motorbase Performance - SEAT Toledo Cupra - 50.040

12 - Eoin Murray [14] - Quest Racing - Alfa Romeo 156 - 50.062


13 - Gareth Howell [25] - Motorbase Performance - SEAT Toledo Cupra - 50.113

14 - Gordon Shedden [52] - Team Halfords - Honda Civic - 50.162


15 - Jason Hughes [28] - Kartworld Racing - MG-ZS - 50.338

16 - Chris Stockton [43] - BTC Racing - Lexus IS200 - 50.593


17 - Dave Pinkney [56] - A-Tech - Alfa Romeo 156 - 50.630

18 - Martyn Bell [15] - Team Allaboutproperty.com - BMW 320i E46 - 50.641


19 - Erkut Kizilirmak [90] - Arkas Racing - Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch - 50.788

20 - Fiona Leggate [82] - Kartworld Racing - MG-ZS - 50.874


21 - Simon Blanckley [69] - Sibsport - Honda Integra Type-R - 51.165

22 - John George [55] - TH Motorsport - Honda Integra Type-R - 51.189


23 - Jim Pocklington [45] - J-Team Motorsport - BMW 320i E46 - 52.640

24 - Nick Leason [19] - BTC Racing - Lexus IS200 - 53.034


25 - Rick Kerry [17] - Team AFM Racing - BMW 120d - 53.586

26 - Richard Marsh [59] - A-Tech - Alfa Romeo 156 - 57.505


Car graphics by Andy Blackmore - www.andyblackmore.co.uk

[safc_fan89]

Well, it's certainly close!

[Hazard]

No exaggeration there - the top bunch are incredibly close

[Knowlesy]

Par for the course at Brands Hatch Indy!

Well, I must say, I have quite fancied those Team RAC Beemers. I thought they'd take a while to get going, but pole first time out tends to make that suggestion look daft.

Seat are in prime position to get optimistic and fail again!

[Suze]

Interesting! Didn't expect to see the BMW on pole, that's for sure...