GRAND FINALE! B.H. Rounds 28,29 & 30.

[VX_Rules]

OK Free practice 1:

1. Tom Chilton Team Halfords Honda Civic 49.173secs
2. Tom Onslow-Cole VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 49.230secs M
3. Gordon Shedden Team Halfords Honda Civic 49.312secs
4. Colin Turkington Team RAC BMW 320si 49.336secsI
5. Mat Jackson BMW Dealer Team UK BMW 320si 49.370secs I
6. Darren Turner SEAT Sport UK SEAT Leon TDi 49.386secs M
7. Fabrizio Giovanardi VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 49.391secs M
8. Stephen Jelley Team RAC BMW 320si 49.404secs I
9. Matt NealVX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 49.448secs M
10. Rob Collard Motorbase Performance BMW 320si 49.450secs I
11. Jason Plato SEAT Sport UK SEAT Leon TDi 49.579secs M
12. Adam Jones Team Aircool SEAT Leon 49.651secs I
13. Steven Kane Motorbase Performance BMW 320si 49.794secs I
14. Mike Jordan John Guest Racing Honda Integra 49.874secs I B
15. Andrew Jordan John Guest Racing Honda Integra 49.876secs I B
16. John George TH Motorsport Racing with JAG Honda Integra 50.061secs I B
17. Michael Doyle InTune Racing Honda Civic Type-R 50.293secs I B
18. Harry Vaulkhard Robertshaw Racing Chevrolet Lacetti 50.323secs I
19. Jason Hughes Kartworld Racing MG ZS 50.482secs I B
20. Chris Stockton BTC Racing SEAT Toledo 50.569secs I
21. Martyn Bell Arkas Racing with Sunshine.co.uk Vauxhall Astra 50.724secs I B
22. Alan Taylor Robertshaw Racing Honda Integra 51.514secs I B
23. Erkut Kizilirmak Arkas Racing with Sunshine.co.uk Vauxhall Astra Coupe No time I B

Whats happened to SEAT? :/

And Come on Erkut! Do the old girl proud.

[Eurotech]

Stockton fastest in the Speed traps - 8mph faster that next quickest Turner!

[VX_Rules]

Free Practice 2

1. Tom Onslow-Cole VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 49.352secs M
2. Gordon Shedden Team Halfords Honda Civic 49.399secs
3. Tom Chilton Team Halfords Honda Civic 49.432secs
4. Colin Turkington Team RAC BMW 320si 49.495secs I
5. Darren Turner SEAT Sport UK SEAT Leon TDi 49.511secs M
6. Steven Kane Motorbase Performance BMW 320si 49.582secs I
7. Mat Jackson BMW Dealer Team UK BMW 320si 49.607secs I
8. Adam Jones Team Aircool SEAT Leon 49.608secs I
9. Jason Plato SEAT Sport UK SEAT Leon TDi 49.656secs M
10. Stephen Jelley Team RAC BMW 320si 49.854secs I
11. Fabrizio Giovanardi VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 49.919secs M
12. Rob Collard Motorbase Performance BMW 320si 49.923secs I
13. Andrew Jordan John Guest Racing Honda Integra 49.963secs I B
14. Matt Neal VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 49.994secs M
15. Mike Jordan John Guest Racing Honda Integra 50.091secs I B
16. Harry Vaulkhard Robertshaw Racing Chevrolet Lacetti 50.143secs I
17. Jason Hughes Kartworld Racing MG ZS 50.160secs I B
18. Michael Doyle InTune Racing Honda Civic Type-R 50.303secs I B
19. John George TH Motorsport Racing with JAG Honda Integra 50.498secs I B
20. Martyn Bell Arkas Racing with Sunshine.co.uk Vauxhall Astra 50.877secs I B
21. Chris Stockton BTC Racing SEAT Toledo 50.964secs I
22. Alan Taylor Robertshaw Racing Honda Integra 51.027secs I B
23. Erkut Kizilirmak Arkas Racing with Sunshine.co.uk Vauxhall Astra Coupe No time I B

M denotes manufacturer entry, I denotes Independent runner.
B denotes BTC spec car, all others S2000

How come Stocktons so much quicker??

[Northern Monkey]

The Astra Coupe won't be out again - engine problems.

[Eurotech]

How come Stocktons so much quicker??

He went straight trough the speed trap and into the gravel trap!

presumably screaming the whole time!

[Eurotech]

At least the Civics have found some pace again and the SEATs arn't dominating!

[Eurotech]

its 1-1 in Team Eurotech this is gonna be decided in Qualifying!

[ash1751]

The Astra Coupe won't be out again - engine problems.

When you say it won't be out again do you mean just for qualifying or for tomorrow's races aswell?

[Northern Monkey]

Won't be out full stop. The team has headed off to get the second Sport Hatch instead.

[ash1751]

Won't be out full stop. The team has headed off to get the second Sport Hatch instead.


Oh thats a shame :( Was looking forward to seeing it out there :(

....how did you find that out?!?!

[Eurotech]

Why can't they put a Sport Hatch Engine in the Astra Coupe?

[Northern Monkey]

From speaking to the team. As for putting a Sport Hatch engine in the car, they probably have to stick to what is homologated and I assume they are different.

[BDunnell]

Well, there's probably the shock of the season — Jelley on pole! Well done him, after such a difficult year.

[VkmSpouge]

Qualifying Result:
1. Stephen Jelley BMW 49.297 0_o
2. Mat Jackson BMW 49.359
3. Darren Turner SEAT 49.401
4. Matt Neal Vauxhall 49.424
5. Gordon Shedden Honda 49.427
6. Colin Turkington BMW 49.465
7. Rob Collard BMW 49.498
8. Adam Jones SEAT 49.504
9. Steven Kane BMW 49.570
10. Jason Plato SEAT 49.572
11. Fabrizio Giovanardi Vauxhall 49.578
12. Tom Onslow-Cole Vauxhall 49.606
13. Tom Chilton Honda 49.642
14. Andrew Jordan Honda 49.755
15. Jason Hughes MG 50.002
16. Michael Doyle Honda 50.087
17. John George Honda 50.195
18. Martyn Bell Vauxhall 50.626
19. Alan Taylor Honda 50.955
20. Chris Stockton SEAT No Time
21. Mike Jordan Honda No Time
22. Erkut Kizilirmak Vauxhall No Time
23. Harry Vaulkhard Chevrolet Times Disallowed

Well done Stephen Jelley! It might be late on in the season but it looks like he's finally found his feet with the car. Hopefully he can go on to get some good results tomorrow. I would not have bet on him being the one to end the run of SEAT poles.
Rob Collard also with his best qualifying of the season in 7th place.
The field is very tight even for the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit. Less than half a second covering the top 14 and good times by Hughes, Doyle and George too.
Four cars not setting a time. Mike Jordan (he never has any luck at the end of season races), Chris Stockton (doesn't seem to have any luck at all) and Kizilirmak I assume all with car problems, Harry Vaulkhard also somehow failed the ride height check twice in qualifying. Shame we won't see the Astra coupe.

[Northern Monkey]

Mike Jordan - diff
Chris Stockton - fuel pressure
Erkut - Car en route

[NoahsGirl]

Well done to Stephen Jelley!

Interesting to see who is 10th and 11th and there isn't the preverbial cigarette paper between them!

[dwf1]

I'm so chuffed for Mr.Jelley!!! Woo bring on the first win tomorrow!!

[VX_Rules]

Ive got a worrying feeling for tommorrow. What has Plato got to lose if he: A) shunts off Gio, B) Wrecks his Leon, C) Does the hell what he likes.

I can see Drama ahead...

And Jelley. Where did that come from?

Astra Coupe :'(

[VkmSpouge]

What has Plato got to lose if he: A) shunts off Gio, B) Wrecks his Leon, C) Does the hell what he likes.


It would lose Jason Plato the title because wrecking his Leon means wouldn't be able to score the 10 points more than Giovanardi he needs in race 1 to keep the championship alive. Don't know why you're worrying, Jason Plato would do anything like that.

[Eurotech]

6 Thousandths of a second between Gio and Plato - Can SEAT make it a Championship win in their last season?

[Eurotech]

Did anyone get any pics of the Astra Coupe?

[Northern Monkey]

Did anyone get any pics of the Astra Coupe?

http://www.crash.net/picture_view.asp?cid=0&category_id=&event_id=&search_string=erkut&pid=1&news=y

Still badged as an Opel....

[VkmSpouge]

Oh well, at least he got to run a bit and the team have managed to get him the Astra Sport Hatch in time. I better change my notes though Opel Astra coupe it is :p :

[VkmSpouge]

Race 1 Results:
1. Mat Jackson BMW
2. Steven Kane BMW
3. Rob Collard BMW
4 .Colin Turkington BMW
5. Jason Plato SEAT
6. Matt Neal Vauxhall
7. Darren Turner SEAT
8. Tom Chilton Honda
9. Tom Onslow-Cole Vauxhall
10. Andrew Jordan Honda
11. Adam Jones SEAT
12. Mike Jordan Honda
13. Gordon Shedden Honda
14. Fabrizio Giovanardi Vauxhall
15. Michael Doyle Honda
16. Harry Vaulkhard Chevrolet
17. Martyn Bell Vauxhall
18. Erkut Kizilirmak Vauxhall
19. Alan Taylor Honda
R. Chris Stockton SEAT
R. Stephen Jelley BMW
R. Jason Hughes MG
R. John George Honda

BMWs are loving this track. Jackson never looked back when he took the lead from Jelley. I really felt sorry for Jelley getting stuck in gear, great shame especially when everyone else driving a 3 Series was at the front. Very good result for the Motorbase cars, double podium, can they get their first ever BTCC race win in the remaining two races?

Oh yes one more small thing, congratulations to Fabrizio Giovanardi our 2009 Drivers' Champion.

[Allyc85]

What happened to Gio in the race??!

Edit: Just read on crash.net that he just brought the car home safely to secure the championship which IMo he fully deserves! Hopefully he can take a win to finish off another great season.

[VkmSpouge]

I guess his car must have picked up damage after running through the gravel? Ironic the first race he didn't finish in the points was the one he won the title in.

[Eurotech]

Nice to see Jase and Fabrizio talking during that second race - they really are good friends!

Oh and Congratulations to Tim Harvey, Dino Zamparelli and of course Giovanardi!

[VkmSpouge]

Race 2 Results:
1 Mat Jackson BMW 320si
2 Matt Neal Vauxhall Vectra
3 Colin Turkington BMW 320si
4 Rob Collard BMW 320si
5 Steven Kane BMW 320si
6 Tom Chilton Honda Civic
7 Andrew Jordan Honda Integra
8 Tom Onslow-Cole Vauxhall Vectra
9 Gordon Shedden Honda Civic
10 Mike Jordan Honda Integra
11 Adam Jones SEAT Leon
12 Stephen Jelley BMW 320si
13 Harry Vaulkhard Chevrolet Lacetti
14 Jason Hughes MG ZS
15 John George Honda Integra
16 Martyn Bell Vauxhall Astra
17 Erkut Kizilirmak Vauxhall Astra
18 Darren Turner SEAT Leon
R Michael Doyle Honda Civic Type-R
R Jason Plato SEAT Leon
NS Fabrizio Giovanardi Vauxhall Vectra
NS Alan Taylor Honda Integra
NS Chris Stockton SEAT Toledo

Giovanardi's car failing came at exactly the right time in the season for him ie. when he's won the title. Jason Plato now under a lot of pressure from Jackson to hold onto second place in the title. Jackson starting from 8th place in race 3 has a real chance to overhaul Plato's 5 point lead over him in the Drivers' Championship. Turkington looking very good for the Independent Drivers' Championship with a 12 point lead over Jackson (I think ITV were getting those points confused). WSR win the Independent Teams' Championship.

[Eurotech]

lets hope we can get Stockton,Taylor and Giovanardi out for race 3...

[Eurotech]

John Georges Integra will be a write off by the looks of it...

[cos]

That should really be a red-flag incident... the marshals shouldn't have to rescue a car sitting on it's side on the track with a driver still in it whilst cars are still circulating.

[BDunnell]

At least he's OK. Looked like George made contact with Turner at Druids and Plato at Graham Hill Bend before the shunt.

[cos]

That armco looks pretty bent... doesn't it need to be fixed before racing starts again?

[christophulus]

Pretty eventful end to the season then..

Am I right in thinking Jackson has got 2nd overall in the drivers championship?

Edit: Yep, pushes Plato into 3rd by 3 points. Turkington retains the Independents title :up:

[Eurotech]

Well Done Tom Chilton!

[Dave B]

Congratulations to Fabrizio for a second well-deserved championship.

Great to see the relief on Tom Chilton's face, and even better to see John George walking away from his roll.

Roll on 2009 :)

[VkmSpouge]

Race 3 Results:
1 Tom Chilton Honda Civic
2 Steven Kane BMW 320si
3 Tom Onslow-Cole Vauxhall Vectra
4 Mat Jackson BMW 320si
5 Colin Turkington BMW 320si
6 Rob Collard BMW 320si
7 Andrew Jordan Honda Integra
8 Matt Neal Vauxhall Vectra
9 Gordon Shedden Honda Civic
10 Mike Jordan Honda Integra
11 Fabrizio Giovanardi Vauxhall Vectra
12 Darren Turner SEAT Leon
13 Jason Plato SEAT Leon
14 Harry Vaulkhard Chevrolet Lacetti
15 Jason Hughes MG ZS
16 Alan Taylor Honda Integra
R Stephen Jelley BMW 320si
R Martyn Bell Vauxhall Astra
R Adam Jones SEAT Leon
R Erkut Kizilirmak Vauxhall Astra
R John George Honda Integra
NS Michael Doyle Honda Civic Type-R
NS Chris Stockton SEAT Toledo

Well done to Tom Chilton for his first victory in three years. I really hope this gives him a much needed confidence boost into 2009, he shows he can still win races despite coming under pressure from Tom Onslow-Cole.
Mat Jackson sneaking second place was pretty good too, he's had an excellent season.
I am very happy John George was able to walk away from that huge crash. That car is a write off, hope he comes back for 2009.

Come on 2009!

[BDunnell]

Great news for Chilton. It was a shame he went winless for so long.

By the way, if it was Mike Jordan's last BTCC race, he joins a strong list of drivers to have scored a point in their final appearance — Andy Rouse and John Cleland amongst them.

[VkmSpouge]

I hope it isn't Mike Jordan's last BTCC race, though I can understand why he would perhaps want to retire in order to help his son's career more from the track side without having to worry about himself.

[VXRDartford]

At least he's OK. Looked like George made contact with Turner at Druids and Plato at Graham Hill Bend before the shunt.


Saw the footage on you tube as was watching at Druids. Turner should be penalised for that turned into him. He could have been seriously hurt!

On another note. I am sure they probably were but it did not seem Seat could be bothered today. Always off the pace.

Well done motorbase.

Great end to a great season

[MG2004]

I have just posted some photos of the John George crash at
http://flickr.com/photos/mike_ward/sets/72157607412715004/

It was horrific to watch, I'm so glad he was able to walk away - amazing.

But why wasn't the race red flagged? The incident happened on lap 1 so there hadn't been a full racing lap yet.

When Tom Chilton came upon the accident on lap 2 the safety car had not yet been deployed, so it was left to him to slow the pack down and pick a path through the debris - but look how many people are on the track (see final photo) - madness!

[VXRDartford]

I think unfortunatly that is what happens when racing to so much dictated by the TV schedules but put marshalls at risk which is not acceptable

[VkmSpouge]

Saw the footage on you tube as was watching at Druids. Turner should be penalised for that turned into him. He could have been seriously hurt!

On the footage you can also see that George was turning across Turner, both were trying for the same bit of track, both drivers to blame. No penalty should be handed out.

[cos]

I think unfortunatly that is what happens when racing to so much dictated by the TV schedules but put marshalls at risk which is not acceptable

Yet the race finished with 20 minutes or so to spare of the ITV4 slot.... what time are they forced to stop racing at Brands these days?

[Allyc85]

Thats shocking that the race wasnt stopped after such a big accident with so many people on the track. Stuff TV (Especially as its only ITV4) the safety of competitors and marshalls is much more important.

It just looks like George turns right as Turner is going left. Just a racing incident in my eyes with a big consequence.

[VkmSpouge]

I'm not sure that handling of the incident had anything to do with TV schedules.

[BDunnell]

I'm not sure that handling of the incident had anything to do with TV schedules.

Me neither. I wouldn't like to cast aspersions on anyone.

[VX_Rules]

Great final rounds to the season, except George's crash of course. Well done to Chilton, not only on his deserved win but on his maturity in the handling of the situation. Seat unfortunately had a disasterous day. Not a great send off. Mat Jackson! What a star! Truely deserves a works BMW drive next year *cough* *cough*. Notice the domination of those Beemers? Good marketing ploy to get BMW on board hopefully. Oh and, take this as an intuitive guess, but I think its definate Team Dynamics shall be a works Honda outfit next year. If you were there today you would have seen the amount of money Honda had put into the day. They paid for I think roughly 250 Type R owners to attend, park in a VIP Area, have hospitality and a grandstand. One step further than what Vauxhall does for the VXR owners. Not only this but they had a lunchtime parade and Honda had sponsored the programme for the day... Me thinks someone wants a bigger slice of the BTCC Pie. All good in my opinion.

And finally well done to the Vauxhall drivers:

#1 Gio. #5 Neal. #6 OC Bring on 2009. Its going to be a good season I think.

P.S. Come back Seatfreak, be CarbonZeroFreak!

[Mp3 Astra]

I've never heard a driver as worried as I heard Darren Turner over the team radio. Straight away he was on the radio to SEAT saying that George had turned in front of him. The very next lap, he saw the wreckage and sounded extremely concerned about John. His team told him that they saw it as George's fault which seemed to make him slightly more at ease but he was still very concerned. He sounded extremely relieved once the team notified him that George was out of the car. I'm also incredibly glad he was so lucky and escaped looking a trifle confused, but smiling all the same. I have to say I was stunned that the race was not red-flagged. I know that we can never have the same perspective as the race director, but surely having a car in an awkward position just off the racing line, with debris everywhere and a driver stuck inside warrants an emergency stoppage....

I don't know for sure, but wasn't that the first rolling car in a BTCC race since Alan Morrison in 2000?

Anyway, the championship. Giovanardi very much deserves the win - he's been so consistent and SEAT simply could not match them on that level. Mat Jackson has to be my star of the year and I hope he does great things like a certain Mr Priaulx did after a couple of years in the BTCC.

[Alfa Fan]

No there was a roll later in 2000, Gavin Pyper at Oulton.

Then in 2001, Paul O'Neill rolled his 306 at Brands, and Colin Blair did similar with his 156 at Knockhill.

Then in 2003 Chilton rolled at Brands. I can't think of any since.

[Mp3 Astra]

No there was a roll later in 2000, Gavin Pyper at Oulton.

Then in 2001, Paul O'Neill rolled his 306 at Brands, and Colin Blair did similar with his 156 at Knockhill.

Then in 2003 Chilton rolled at Brands. I can't think of any since.

Oh yeah, I do recall Colin Blair, but I don't remember the other ones. Were they under race conditions?

[Alfa Fan]

Oh yeah, I do recall Colin Blair, but I don't remember the other ones. Were they under race conditions?

Chilton's wasn't; all the others were.

[Mp3 Astra]

Chilton's wasn't; all the others were.

I should probably get the season reviews out then... 6 months with nothing better (BTCC related) to do.

[MG2004]

I am sure I remember someone rolling at the start of thefirst Knockhill race in 2004 too, but I can't recall who it was

[Alfa Fan]

No, not in the race....but you've reminded me, James Pickford rolled his Toledo in qualifying at Knockhill in 2005.

http://btcc.net/images/gallery/lg_1033_ed84.jpg

[touringlegend]

None of them were quite as violent as what John George's car suffered. Gladly Team Dynamics built them strong!

[VX_Rules]

Those Toledos had a hard life didnt they?

[Eurotech]

That one was crashed by Howell at Oulton last year!

[Vez]

I agree that the Race 3 accident with John George should have been red flagged, for the safety of the marshals and the others helping with cleaning up the mess and looking after John.

The event is over and everyone is ok (apart from maybe John being a little sore with a fractured sternum), the racing was thrilling too watch and generally a great end to the season.

It's certainly been an exciting year with 9 different winners and some of the mid pack drivers/teams starting to mix it up at the front with the big boys. There are definately some names to look out for for next year and some stars in the making. Hopefully some new names will come in as well.
If this sort of season happens next year, the BTCC may get bigger, with hopefully some more manufacturers coming in (most likely as independents).
Shame about SEAT leaving, but hopefully others will come in and give VXR - Vauxhall a good decent challenge.

Congratulations to Fabrizio Giovanardi (Overall Champion) and Colin Turkington (Independents Champion).

Also congratulations to the other champions in the support races:
Renault Clio - Ben Winrow
Formula Renault - Adam Christodoulou
Ginetta Junior - Dino Zamparelli
Porsche Carrera - Tim Harvey
SEAT Cupra - Jonathan Adam (though appeal pending with Robert Lawson)

Roll on 2009 :)