BTCC Brands Hatch - Rounds 1, 2 and 3

**Mp3 Astra** · 3rd Apr 12, 00:01

Very interesting opening three races.

Jason Plato back to his old self, and despite what I think was perhaps a penalty-worthy incident in race 1, you can't fault his efforts in bringing that MG to the top step of the podium in Race 3. Andy Neate was nowhere for most of the weekend, so you must say that a lot of that performance must have been from Plato himself (although it could be argued that Neate's car was the less prepared of the two). But, as I said, his move at Paddock in Race 1 was almost a rookie error; the kind of thing you might have seen Nash and the like getting punished for a few years back.

The Hondas have proved very interesting; they do lack the straight line speed but I'm sure with a bit of turbo re-balancing we will see them win plenty more this season. Shedden couldn't have had worse luck this weekend; I'm really rooting for him this year as he is the one driver on the grid this year who really should have won a championship by now.

Fair play to team eBay and WSR for winning the opening race; in a race without safety cars those machines are really quite fantastic just about everywhere on the circuit, but warming up their tyres after restarts is still a problem that seems to plague them. Collard could be a dark horse this season. Although, we've seen Collard perform well at the start of seasons before and gradually drop back. Hopefully WSR can squeeze every last drop of performance out of the old chassis and new engine to keep themselves in the running.

A special mention has to go to John 'Businessman not racing driver' Thorne who managed to throw his car at every piece of grass at Brands Hatch. I don't know if it's the car or if he is really struggling, but either way a lot of work needs to be done there!

Oh, and Toby Moody: He seemed very much to be sticking to his notes while commentating. If I hear him say 'the 888 guys have done a great job to get that (squeaky voice) BRAND NEW car on the grid this weekend' we may have a falling out. I'm sure he'll improve over the season, but whoever made the Alan Partridge comparison has got it spot-on for the moment!

**BDunnell** · 3rd Apr 12, 00:28

Originally Posted by Mp3 Astra

Fair play to team eBay and WSR for winning the opening race; in a race without safety cars those machines are really quite fantastic just about everywhere on the circuit, but warming up their tyres after restarts is still a problem that seems to plague them.

I found Collard's performance in race three in particular very odd. Same goes for Rob Austin, for that matter. In the past the rear-wheel-drive cars have always looked after their tyres much better to the end of the race — witness Collard and Foster rocketing through the field at Rockingham last year. For whatever reason, that wasn't in evidence at Brands at all. Maybe there's some more set-up work to do.

**Brown, Jon Brow** · 3rd Apr 12, 19:40

Originally Posted by BDunnell

I found Collard's performance in race three in particular very odd. Same goes for Rob Austin, for that matter. In the past the rear-wheel-drive cars have always looked after their tyres much better to the end of the race — witness Collard and Foster rocketing through the field at Rockingham last year. For whatever reason, that wasn't in evidence at Brands at all. Maybe there's some more set-up work to do.

Probably the cooler conditions later in the day played against them.

**Eurotech** · 3rd Apr 12, 20:25

Originally Posted by Mp3 Astra

But, as I said, his move at Paddock in Race 1 was almost a rookie error; the kind of thing you might have seen Nash and the like getting punished for a few years back.

Johnny Adam 2009 anyone? I think that if anything, punting someone off and out of the race entirely is much worse than a tap on the rear that got saved and Plato still finished in second in that race in 2009 (pre-DSQ for Adam). Jason should definitely have got punished for that.

As for Thorne, I'm sure he just needs some time to get used to the car and get the car up to speed. As has been seen from Thorney Motorsport's Dunlop SportMaxx adventures in the past, they do know how to engineer a racing car.

**Wasted Talent** · 3rd Apr 12, 20:47

Originally Posted by Eurotech

Johnny Adam 2009 anyone? I think that if anything, punting someone off and out of the race entirely is much worse than a tap on the rear that got saved and Plato still finished in second in that race in 2009 (pre-DSQ for Adam). Jason should definitely have got punished for that.

Agreed - if Newsham had tapped Plato into retirement there would have been hell to play

WT

**IceWizard** · 3rd Apr 12, 22:04

Just finished watching the action at last. A very exciting and intriguing opening weekend, although some questionable driving and marshalling. The oil at Druids might have caused problems for the tourers but the prize for causing the most carnage has to go to the Clio guys.

**Darlo** · 4th Apr 12, 17:01

[QUOTE=HondaRacingFan;1022642]great job by Newsham, cant say the same for ass of a team mate james for blocking Jordon. Hope TOCA see sense and do something about that.

Seems like Chris James is showing himself up even further by giving Andy some foul mouthed abuse on Twitter and having to be warned about such conduct by Alan Gow

**Allyc85** · 4th Apr 12, 17:40

What is Chris James saying roughly? It was him who convinently cocked it up in qualifying, and Jordan who im sure will go onto achieve things Chris can only dream of!

**Darlo** · 4th Apr 12, 19:37

Although Jordan deleted some of his tweets pretty quickly, the gist I got was that he and Wrathall were having a bit of a laugh about Chris James' constant use of the phrase 'AV IT'. James reacted with some pretty abusive tweets about Jordans appearance and that the two were spoilt daddy's boys.

Agree though - they'll both achieve far more than James can ever dream of.

**m.lowe** · 7th Apr 12, 15:32

Hopefully the word "parity" will be wiped from Plato's brain this season now he has equal machinery
well for now that is until the Hondas start trouncing again

**m.lowe** · 7th Apr 12, 15:33

the MG i quite like it though
Good stock car

**Tixy54** · 9th Apr 12, 16:38

Originally Posted by m.lowe

the MG i quite like it though
Good stock car

Yeah, should be on the small oval at Foxhall Heath or Skegness, preferably with Mr Hotbreath inside it, then we'll see about a 'bit of a tap' and 'rubbin's racin'. Take that......biff.

**Mp3 Astra** · 10th Apr 12, 01:29

Originally Posted by Eurotech

Johnny Adam 2009 anyone? I think that if anything, punting someone off and out of the race entirely is much worse than a tap on the rear that got saved and Plato still finished in second in that race in 2009 (pre-DSQ for Adam). Jason should definitely have got punished for that.

Brilliant example, wish I'd thought of it! I'm a fan of Plato, but I do wish he received a bit more in the way of race-affecting punishments.

**Yin Yang** · 11th Apr 12, 00:36

I can't really say much of interest about this first weekend of racing. A few things I would point out are that Plato absolutely had that corner, and Newsham is entitled to his opinions but doesn't see the far more reasonable side of the story, that Plato should not have received a penalty compared to Shedden's 2011 bumping and banging, and that John Thorne is a menace to the race.

The Honda Civic looked less strong than last year, actually. Also, I'm glad Chris James is finally being revealed for being an immature personality in the paddock, whereas Plato stands his rightful ground.

Hoping to see the same from Plato at Donington. I hope no crashes are involved, because it just raises hopelessly endless controversy.