BTCC 2010 - Rounds 1, 2 & 3 at Thruxton

[MattL]

The new season gets underway at Thruxton this weekend. Looks like it's going to be a good one!

Looks like the weather may play a part - 'heavy sleet' expected on Saturday afternoon according to Metcheck (http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/today.asp?zipcode=SP11+8PN) - that could stir things up a bit in qualifying!

[Alfa Fan]

Entry List

2 Jason Plato Ray Mallock Limited Chevrolet Cruze LT M
4 Matt Neal Team Dynamics Honda Civic M
5 Mat Jackson Motorbase Performance BMW 320SI I
6 Rob Collard West Surrey Racing BMW 320SI I
11 Steven Kane Motorbase Performance BMW 320SI I
20 Alex McDowall Ray Mallock Limited Chevrolet Cruze LT M
21 Tom Onslow-Cole Arena International Ford Focus ST I
22 Tom Boardman Triple R Racing SEAT Leon I
23 Tom Chilton Arena International Ford Focus ST I
27 Martin Johnson Boulevard Team Racing Vauxhall Astra Coupe I
28 John George Techspeed Racing Honda Integra I
29 Paul O'Neill Techspeed Racing Honda Integra I
30 Martin Depper Forster Motorsport BMW 320SI I
37 Arthur Forster Forster Motorsport BMW 320SI I
44 Andy Neate West Surrey Racing BMW 320SI I
52 Gordon Shedden Team Dynamics Honda Civic M
55 David Pinkney Pinkney Motorsport Vauxhall Vectra I
77 Andy Jordan Jordan Sport Vauxhall Vectra I
88 Phil Glew Triple Eight Vauxhall Vectra I
98 Matt Hamilton TH Motorsport Honda Civic Type-R I
99 Shaun Hollamby AmD Milltek Sport Volkswagen Golf I
888 Fabrizio Giovanardi Triple Eight Vauxhall Vectra I

Cars #30 & #37 still remain doubts.

[mattie007]

Still a fantastic lineup!
Last time we had a grid like this with so many potential winners must of been 1997!

[Alfa Fan]

Just seen a picture of the Motorbase BMWs from Thruxton. They still look awful :(

[RMLCruzeing82]

why is gio number 888 and not number 3?

[Allyc85]

Roll on Sunday, cant wait to spend the day at the complex watching the BTCC boys battling it out :D

[VkmSpouge]

why is gio number 888 and not number 3?

Because it's cooler...or because they had not quite done the deal with Giovanardi and wanted to disguise their intentions to run him until the last minute when the deal would be complete.

[Alfa Fan]

No Forster Motorsport sadly :(

[Alfa Fan]

Neal
Shedden
Giovanardi
Plato
Chilton
Jordan
MacDowall
Jackson
Boardman
Glew
Kane
Rob "I'm behind both Motorbase cars" Collard
Pinkney
Johnson
Onslow-Cole
Hollamby
Hamilton
Neate
O'Neill
George

No sign of

Forster
Depper
Wood (not due until Brands).

[Allyc85]

Shame about Forster motorsport any idea whats up?

[DazzlaF1]

Shame about Forster Motorsport any idea whats up?

Engine troubles apparently, huge shame for them :(

[Alfa Fan]

Engines. Since the failures last month they were always going to be very tight on time.

[MattL]

I wouldn't read too much into the times from the first session. Track was getting dryer at the end of the session and people were trying all sorts of different combinations.

Finish line speeds are interesting - turbos at the top:
Onslow-Cole 99.0
Chilton 98.8
Jordan 98.3
Neal 98.1
Plato 97.8
Jackson 97.8
MacDowall 97.4
Giovanardi 96.8

[VkmSpouge]

Hope Forster Motorsport can make it out for Rockingham. I like the look of the all black Triple Eight Vauxhalls. Any idea why neither of the Tech-Speed cars set a competitive lap time?

[MrJan]

Going to this tomorrow and really looking forward to it (apart from the weather). Not been for a couple of years but reckon we'll be at the chicane. Spent years watching at the complex and have decided to go for a change.

[MG2004]

Interestingly wsrs transporters have 3 names on. Neate. Collard. Turkington!!!

[jonv]

Live timing here: http://www.tsl-timing.com/?loc=major&season=2010&series=BTCC&event=races&source=toca2006&eventid=101303
Qualifying at 15:00.

[MattL]

Interestingly wsrs transporters have 3 names on. Neate. Collard. Turkington!!!

Colin's name isn't a new addition - it hasn't been removed since the end of last year.

[MG2004]

Colin's name isn't a new addition - it hasn't been removed since the end of last year.

But why when they've added the other two?

[MG2004]

Colin's name isn't a new addition - it hasn't been removed since the end of last year.

But why when they've added the other two?
They've taken Jelley off. So why not turkington ?

[Alfa Fan]

He's not racing. That's all that matters surely.

[Alfa Fan]

Qualifying just about to start. Wet and cold conditions.

[Alfa Fan]

Gio does one lap in what btcc.net is saying is an increasingly wet track and goes straight into P2.

[Allyc85]

15 minutes left and its the 2 Honda Racing Civics out front with Shedden half a second up!

[Alfa Fan]

I can't believe how far a team can fall in one season. Such a shame.

[Alfa Fan]

btw have AON forgot to fit the Turbo to TOCs car?

[jonv]

Sheddon on Pole followed by Gio, Neal, Jordan, Plato and Chilton

[BDunnell]

Those Hondas are obviously very rapid, aren't they? I'm a bit surprised to see Plato back in fifth — and I'm sure Dave Bartrum will be happy that both his cars have outqualified Collard! As for Neate, qualifying behind Martin Johnson's ancient Astra — well, the less said the better, unless he had specific car problems. Oh, and well done to Hollamby, because I was convinced he'd be the slowest qualifier.

[VkmSpouge]

Qualifying Times:
1 Gordon Shedden 1m24.061
2 Fabrizio Giovanardi 1m24.317
3 Matt Neal 1m24.614
4 Andrew Jordan 1m24.833
5 Jason Plato 1m24.868
6 Tom Chilton 1m25.017
7 Mat Jackson 1m25.289
8 Tom Onslow-Cole 1m25.504
9 Phil Glew 1m25.563
10 Paul o'Neill 1m25.832
11 Steven Kane 1m25.867
12 Rob Collard 1m25.894
13 Dave Pinkney 1m26.362
14 Tom Boardman 1m26.369
15 Alex MacDowall 1m26.967
16 Martin Johnson 1m27.292
17 Andy Neate 1m28.270
18 Shaun Hollamby 1m28.309
19 Matt Hamilton 1m29.045
20 John George 1m29.336

Honda look pretty good but it is difficult to tell where everyone stands as the track is wet.

[MattL]

Interesting session. Impressive stuff from Giovanardi - his Vectra was still being worked on in the 888 awning five minutes into the session. He was straight on the pace when he went out, even though others were struggling to improve. He was one of only a couple of drivers to improve in the closing stages, too. He's a class act.

[Allyc85]

Should be a great first race tomorrow with the qualy being in the wet and tomorrow being forecast as dry!

Gio once again showed his class by being able to get straight on the pace while the Hondas aero work over the winter seems to have paid off. Also glad to see the VW being on the pace of the pack after having a few troubles in the build up, WSR must be gutted though!

[UltimateDanGTR]

cannot wait for the races tommorrow. race 1 id say any of the top 6 could win, and I can sense tommorrow being very exciting (not to mention the F1 beforehand, what a sunday!)

[Allyc85]

Just looked at the time table and having the touring cars last is never a good idea for trying to get people out is it..

5 MICHELIN GINETTA G50 CUP 16 10:45
6 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP 16 11:30
7 PORSCHE CARRERA CUP GREAT BRIITAIN 21 12:10
8 ELF RENAULT CLIO CUP with MICHELIN 12 12:50
9 GINETTA G40 JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP 9 13:30
10 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP 16 14:10
DRIVERS PARADE 14:45 - 15:05
11 MICHELIN FORMULA RENAULT UK CHAMPIONSHIP 16 15:05
12 MICHELIN GINETTA G50 CUP 16 15:45
13 PORSCHE CARRERA CUP GREAT BRIITAIN 21 16:25
14 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP 16 17:15

Was much better last year when the Porsches were last IMO.

[Alfa Fan]

I really don't understand why they do that. Presumably its ITV/exposure for other series, but some compromise of having at least one, even untelevised race afterwards surely must be possible. Over half the meetings BTCC is the final race :( I always stay for all of them, but a lot of the causal fans don't!

[AndySpeed]

Its a little frustrating for, as much as I love the support races, when you've got a 3 and a half hour drive back home it would be nice to leave a little earlier...

[Eurotech]

What's up with WSR? Have they forgotten what "competition" is or something?

[Mp3 Astra]

Maybe that lack of RAC sponsorship has finally come to hurt them, or maybe Colin was a seriously quick driver last year. It has to be a combination of both. I still can't quite believe that a driver of Colin's calibre was unable to secure sponsorship/a drive this season. Money gets you the drive, and it's a shame considering some of the people who have double the money and half the talent. But that's life.

Tomorrow's racing will surely be very exciting. It's been too long since the end of last season. I can't wait.

[Mp3 Astra]

Apologies; I didn't see the thread dedicated to Colin's 2010.

[djparky]

Just looked at the time table and having the touring cars last is never a good idea for trying to get people out is it..

5 MICHELIN GINETTA G50 CUP 16 10:45
6 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP 16 11:30
7 PORSCHE CARRERA CUP GREAT BRIITAIN 21 12:10
8 ELF RENAULT CLIO CUP with MICHELIN 12 12:50
9 GINETTA G40 JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP 9 13:30
10 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP 16 14:10
DRIVERS PARADE 14:45 - 15:05
11 MICHELIN FORMULA RENAULT UK CHAMPIONSHIP 16 15:05
12 MICHELIN GINETTA G50 CUP 16 15:45
13 PORSCHE CARRERA CUP GREAT BRIITAIN 21 16:25
14 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP 16 17:15

Was much better last year when the Porsches were last IMO.

agreed- especially at Thruxton where there is only one exit out of the main car park (or at least there was when I last went down there). I'll see the start of the final race and then I'll be leaving

[Mp3 Astra]

Tyres once again proving to be a problem here... Big shame for the Fords and Hondas; surely they won't make the same mistake in the next race.

[Eurotech]

Very unimpressed with all 3 BMW teams :(
WSR - Terrible Pace this weekend - Andy Neate was almost beaten by Martin Johnson for god's sake and that is not acceptable for a team of their history.
Airwaves BMW - STILL haven't changed their livery and I don't know where Steven Kane went at the start of that race...
Forster - WHERE ARE THEY?

[Alfa Fan]

WSR aren't doing well because their quality of drivers had dropped so much. They now have one bottom of the semi-professional drivers and one amateur driver. As I said in the predictions thread, I expect WSR to really struggle this season.

[VkmSpouge]

Race 1 Results:
1 Fabrizio Giovanardi
2 Jason Plato
3 Mat Jackson
4 Paul o'Neill
5 Tom Boardman
6 Phil Glew
7 Alex MacDowall
8 Dave Pinkney
9 John George
10 Andy Neate
11 Martin Johnson
12 Matt Neal
13 Tom Onslow-Cole
14 Andrew Jordan
DNF Tom Chilton
DNF Matt Hamilton
DNF Gordon Shedden
DNF Shaun Hollamby
DNF Rob Collard
DNF Steven Kane

Nice race, shame for Gordon Shedden to have suffered a puncture when he was in full control of the race. Clearly Honda and Arena have got big issues with tyres. I hope they can get Shedden and Chilton out for the next race.
Well done to Giovanardi, hopefully more of the same will convince Uniq to give Triple Eight the money to run him the whole year.
Paul o'Neill claiming a good 4th place.
Congratulations to Phil Glew and Alex MacDowall on scoring their first points and Tom Boardman for his first BTCC points in this class. John George picking up his first points since 2008. Good, fun scrap between Andy Neate and Martin Johnson for the final point of the race.


Forster - WHERE ARE THEY?

Engine problems a couple of weeks ago meant they could not get them fixed in time for the race weekend.

[BDunnell]

A very good point was made by Tim Harvey in his commentary, namely that, in a race with no success ballast (and before TOCA sees fit to mess around with anything), the mix of cars battling near the front included rear-wheel-drive S2000, front-wheel-drive S2000 with a turbocharged engine running on LPG, front-wheel-drive S2000 with a turbocharged engine running on conventional fuel, and even one built to the old BTC Touring regulations. Surely no further 'equalisation' should be required?

Anyway, a good race, though it was a shame about there being so many punctures. Giovanardi was as classy as ever, O'Neill raced extremely well, Boardman was obviously competitive, and I was pleased to see Pinkney in the points even though he dropped back (tyres?) near the end. Can only agree about WSR — despite Neate's single point, it was a terrible race for them. Was rather hoping Johnson would get 10th!

[Alfa Fan]

TOCA won't intervene unless there's something obviously amiss. The evidence so far is that it is fine.

[Mp3 Astra]

Cars were having issues with no ballast on-board. Will the ballast on the top finishers in the previous race cause issues for race 2? We'll have to wait and see...

[UltimateDanGTR]

interesting that the puncture sufferers; the honda's and the fords, are both shorter hatchbacks instead of longer saloons (like the VX's and chevvies). Thus I'd bet that there is a greater weight distribution in the larger cars, and so they would likely be more gentle on their tyres.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

A very good point was made by Tim Harvey in his commentary, namely that, in a race with no success ballast (and before TOCA sees fit to mess around with anything), the mix of cars battling near the front included rear-wheel-drive S2000, front-wheel-drive S2000 with a turbocharged engine running on LPG, front-wheel-drive S2000 with a turbocharged engine running on conventional fuel, and even one built to the old BTC Touring regulations. Surely no further 'equalisation' should be required?



The first race has been like that for years now. The BTCC doesn't need ballast to mix it up.

[BDunnell]

The first race has been like that for years now. The BTCC doesn't need ballast to mix it up.

True, but it has been more of a pre-season issue this time than last year, at least, because of the turbos.

[Alfa Fan]

Collard on pole for race 3. He'll be off the track on lap one I think

[VkmSpouge]

Race 2 Results:
1 Fabrizio Giovanardi
2 Matt Neal
3 Paul o'Neill
4 Jason Plato
5 Mat Jackson
6 Alex MacDowall
7 Phil Glew
8 Steven Kane
9 Rob Collard
10 Dave Pinkney
11 Gordon Shedden
12 Tom Onslow-Cole
13 Matt Hamilton
14 Andy Neate
15 Andrew Jordan
16 Tom Boardman
17 John George
18 Shaun Hollamby
19 Martin Johnson
DNF Tom Chilton

Fabrizio Giovanardi ran away with it, Plato simply was not able to challenge the Vauxhall. Interesting battle for second place, as Plato said on ITV4, he ran out of talent when he ran into Neal.
Great to see Paul o'Neill on the podium, he's always great for celebrating a fine performance.
Well done to Shaun Hollamby on getting his Golf to the finish!
Rob Collard on pole with Steven Kane alongside him. The BMWs have not looked great this weekend, I wonder if Phil Glew or Alex MacDowall fancy a maiden win?


Collard on pole for race 3. He'll be off the track on lap one I think

Do you have to add a derogatory comment everytime you mention Collard?

[Alfa Fan]

Do you have to add a derogatory comment everytime you mention Collard?

Forums are designed to express opinions. Do you have to post the most neutral comments in every thread and never get close to expressing an opinion?

[UltimateDanGTR]

moving on, I wonder if Neal would have caught Gio If he had got past Plato quicker, gio didnt seem too far away near the end.

It's great to have Gio back in the championship, I just hope someone else wins race 3 now!

[Alfa Fan]

Collard on pole for race 3. He'll be off the track on lap one I think

Well it took a couple more laps than I thought.

[Alfa Fan]

Giovanardi to make it 3 wins IMO

[Alfa Fan]

Neal "has the worst reputation"? From Collard of all people!!

[Alfa Fan]

And that moment with Shedden shows Giovanardis driving is an absolute class act.

[UltimateDanGTR]

well, that was a good race. although collard is not the perfect person to criticize a competitors agressiveness, he had every right to IMO as I dont know what neal was doing, he seemed to just slam into collard.

well done Stephen Kane and all at motorbase, great performance in race 3!

[VkmSpouge]

Race 3 Result:
1 Steven Kane
2 Mat Jackson
3 Jason Plato
4 Gordon Shedden
5 Fabrizio Giovanardi
6 Paul o'Neill
7 Tom Onslow-Cole
8 Tom Chilton
9 Alex MacDowall
10 Dave Pinkney
11 Andy Neate
12 Matt Hamilton
13 Tom Boardman
14 Andrew Jordan
DNF Phil Glew
DNF John George
DNF Shaun Hollamby
DNF Matt Neal
DNF Rob Collard
DNF Martin Johnson

Great result for Motorbase Performance, I was worried that Jackson and Kane were about to take each other off midway through that race. Congratulations to Steven Kane for taking his first BTCC race win.
Shame for Rob Collard to be taken out by Matt Neal. Unfortunately it was an overly ambitious move by Neal, if he had been a little more patient it could have been Neal on the top step of the podium because he had that Civic really hooked up.
Tom Onslow-Cole scores the first points for an LPG-fuelled car in the BTCC, but it was probably a disappointing day for Arena.
Dave Pinkney scored 5 points today which is exactly half his total from the entire 2009 season.
Very disappointing day for Andrew Jordan, to come away with two 14ths and one 15th after promising so much, I guess he will want to get to Rockingham as soon as possible. As do I :D

[BDunnell]

Three really entertaining races, in my opinion. Neal's attack on Collard really didn't seem on, but I can see why he tried to make the move — Collard did seem to brake heavily and early for the chicane. The teams championship makes pretty awful reading for WSR, with just three points on the board. Neate, sadly, looks very much out of his depth at present. Other than that, hopefully today was exactly what was required to help ensure the continued involvement of both Giovanardi and Motorbase in this year's BTCC.

[Mp3 Astra]

Neal really doesn't help himself with incidents like that. Collard isn't exactly squeaky clean but in that situation he was the innocent party.

Who is George Gardiner, the person to whom they dedicated the end of the show?

Also, does anyone know the song they used all day when talking about the results?

[BDunnell]

Dave Pinkney scored 5 points today which is exactly half his total from the entire 2009 season.

And he brought the car home in all three races, unlike the other turbo Vectra. While Pinkney didn't quite seem able to keep up with the front-runners, I hope he has a decent and productive season, hopefully with further improvement in the car's performance.

[MG2004]

Martin Johnson was a revelation today! He realy impressed me in race 1 and race 2.
Went home before race 3 so not sure how he did in that as he didn't get any TV coverage of course but his battles in the first 2 races were great - as was the battle between Shaun Hollamby and John George in race 2 - highly entertaining!

So, first meeting of the year and we have Gio on the top step again and the annual Collard vs Neal battles have started again....nothing changes :(

[VkmSpouge]

Johnson got a little bit of coverage right at the end of race 1 with his battle with Andy Neate, I was cheering Johnson on again but Neate defended well.

[UltimateDanGTR]

I was impressed by johnson today as well. however, unfortunatly, and even if he has a tiny team, his car livery is really quite lame IMO.

apart from that, you gotta like the guy and his efforts.

[Robinho]

Well it took a couple more laps than I thought.

Hardly Collards fault, and for once i fully agree with him, Matt was a moron, especially trying to put the blame on Rob, he could see what would happen if he kept his foot in and did it anyway. Collard had driven a faultless race until he was taken out.

i've been pretty critical of Collard over the years, but for the last couple he's driven very well and with far more restraint that Neal, who does think he he can drive through anyone. at least in the earlier race Plato had the decency to admit he'd made a mistake

[Robinho]

Gio was on fire today, i was impressed with Glew, pity his car failed when on for a great result in race 3, whilst Paul O'Neill was awesome today, 4th in the table is a great start to the season

[Eurotech]

I was very impressed with Gio, O'Neill and Johnson today - for Johnson to be fighting a WSR car was amazing....

[Superdave08]

I have to say I thought the line up was the best ever..... in the past alot of the field might as well not have been racing but now it seems that everyone has a good chance to get in the top 10 and makes it spectating much better

I also thought the standard of cars throughout the field is quality the Chevy looks beefy and Jordan's Vectra Livery looks awesome! Too many white cars tho, I could hardly tell the difference between Airwaves BMW and WSR) and the honda dont look as good as it used to do.

All in all great day and good results!

Im backing Plato & Jackson, and I have to back Gio cause he drives the vecta!!

[RMLCruzeing82]

great racing from the BTCC drivers

race 1: was great...Gio was running like a scolded cat. glad Chilton was ok that looked scary :eek:

race2: was great good passing moves :)

race 3: was looking to be a good one with collard on pole until the plonker neal though he was a magician and trying to drive though collard :mad: ....FAIL!!!! :p ...why he did that i dont know...o hang yes i do... because he a moron. if he had patience i think neal would of passed collard at campbell & cob.

but im disappointed plato didn't win a race :confused:

[Captain VXR]

I was impressed by johnson today as well. however, unfortunatly, and even if he has a tiny team, his car livery is really quite lame IMO.

apart from that, you gotta like the guy and his efforts.

There's never an excuse for a bad livery unless you're budget is spit and sawdust

Many graphic design companies can make fairly good liveries on the cheap:
http://www.sjsdesign.com/large/cos1.jpg
http://www.sjsdesign.com/large/strom1.jpg
http://www.sjsdesign.com/large/decn2.jpg
http://www.sjsdesign.com/large/ktec1.jpg

I doubt these costed alot and they look fantastic

[Allyc85]

Got back an hour ago after a great day at Thruxton :D

Got to the circuit quite early and mum offered to pay for a paddock pass so I spent the half hour meeting some of the lesser famous, but no worse drivers. Johnson and Pinkney were a good laugh while it was great to see the smile on Andy Neates when I said how great it was to see him racing again.

Some great racing in all the races, and most of it from what I saw was pretty clean, though I need to watch the Tv coverage to be sure lol. Its just a shame that all these punctures ruin the races at Thruxton. Getting them by bad luck is one thing but when teams are pushing there set ups to the limit and chucking many results away I think it looks bad on the BTCC.

The Golf looked and sounded amazing and the battle with George in race 2 bought the biggest cheer of the day with many close calls at the complex.

Took a few pics todya but will sort them out in the next couple days as im knackered!

[BDunnell]

Its just a shame that all these punctures ruin the races at Thruxton. Getting them by bad luck is one thing but when teams are pushing there set ups to the limit and chucking many results away I think it looks bad on the BTCC.

I must say I don't recall this ever having been quite so much of a problem until the BTC Touring formula came in, unless my memory is fading.

[Allyc85]

Yea it has been pretty much since then, the super tourers didnt seem to have any trouble before they introduced pit stops.

Maybe they should bring in a certain limit on setup that that teams must keep to, to reduce these failures.

[VkmSpouge]

Gio was on fire today, i was impressed with Glew, pity his car failed when on for a great result in race 3, whilst Paul O'Neill was awesome today, 4th in the table is a great start to the season

Giovanardi was unstoppable in the first two races, if he can do the entire season then maybe he will get his third BTCC title.

Paul o'Neill was superb too. He raced cleanly and had a bit of luck. The Integra of course is well suited to the Thruxton circuit but o'Neill made sure he took the most of his opportunity. I wouldn't have predicted that Tech-Speed would be in fourth place in the Teams' Championship ahead of Honda :D

[52Paddy]

I only saw the third race but what a race it was! Great driving from the Airwaves pair and also from Plato, who seemed to loose a lot of speed through the final chicane.

But Neal was well out of order with that move on Collard. Collard didn't deserve that whatsoever and it's a shame he couldn't finish. He was driving superbly.

[UltimateDanGTR]

There's never an excuse for a bad livery unless you're budget is spit and sawdust

Many graphic design companies can make fairly good liveries on the cheap:
http://www.sjsdesign.com/large/cos1.jpg
http://www.sjsdesign.com/large/strom1.jpg
http://www.sjsdesign.com/large/decn2.jpg
http://www.sjsdesign.com/large/ktec1.jpg

I doubt these costed alot and they look fantastic

totally agree. I mean, how hard can it be? :)

[Eurotech]

I think Martin Johnson needs something better but tbh, judging on yesterday, would you want to change anything on that Astra?

[Allyc85]

;) I think there could be a bit of weight loss..... but he has driven extremely well since he came into the championship and do wonder what he could do in a newer car.

[christophulus]

Matt Neal clearly hasn't changed.. why do people put up with him?

Other than that, good race weekend. The cars are looking very evenly matched and I think we could have a pretty close championship once again. It'll be interesting to see how 888 do without a manufacturer budget, whether Motorbase have the cash to last the season, whether WSR will get back on form..

[52Paddy]

I think Martin Johnson needs something better but tbh, judging on yesterday, would you want to change anything on that Astra?

Well I don't think he can expect to challenge the front runners in a car nearly 10 years old. But he's certainly ringing the neck off it by the looks of things. I have to admit, I like to see some old school cars on the grid. I remember back in 1999 or 2000 some driver (Graham somethingorother?) fielded a Toyota Carina for the last round! That was a flash from the past. But, in all essence, it wasn't as old as Johnson's Astra comparatively speaking.

[Allyc85]

Was meant to ask does anyone know how the driver from the first G50 race of yesterday was after his accident, as I couldnt quite hear the PA when they said.

And also I couldnt help laugh at Rob Huff yesterday, spinning at the complex on his out lap out of the pits haha :D

Great drive by him afterwards though!

[BDunnell]

And also I couldnt help laugh at Rob Huff yesterday, spinning at the complex on his out lap out of the pits haha :D

Great drive by him afterwards though!

He is another classy driver, isn't he? One of the few from the WTCC that I'd like to see in the BTCC (again) some day. And I admire his love of racing in different categories, including historics. Rare in a paid works driver.

[Allyc85]

Yea top, top class, I loved the way he was ever so slightly drifting his G50 through the complex :D

Never here a bad word about him and when I met him a few years ago he seemed a nice bloke and quiet happy to chat for a bit.

[mattie007]

Great racing yesterday!
I seemed to miss all the incidents though, looked clean to me but I will have to watch the highlights later.
Best part of the day was in race 3. Shaun and the Golf got such a massive cheer EVERYTIME he passed through the complex. Think the crowd have taken to him already. When that thing gets its first point, the cheers will be heard all over the UK!
Few pics.....

http://i42.tinypic.com/2d9bfic.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/vr7zwp.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/24qv1ah.jpg

[mattie007]

http://i42.tinypic.com/20uef0i.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/e1ezpf.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/33e4c5d.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/xcnkh0.jpg

[Mp3 Astra]

Was meant to ask does anyone know how the driver from the first G50 race of yesterday was after his accident, as I couldnt quite hear the PA when they said.


I think they actually rebuilt the car and the driver was racing on Sunday! At least that is what I heard on ITV4 :)

[MrJan]

I think they actually rebuilt the car and the driver was racing on Sunday! At least that is what I heard on ITV4 :)

????? :confused:

This was on Sunday. Yellow car went off at Goodwood (or Church...one of those out the back) and looked like a fair bit of front end damage.

Not seen any TV coverage but thought that Neal went for a gap that was there on Collard, it was always going to end up in the barriers though. Not sure how much of the kerb he cut but Rob waited a long time to turn in.

Quite well behaved racing really, across all classes. The Formula Renault seems to have been hampered by progression and is following the F1 idea of less passing, the usually bumper Clio grid was looking a bit sparse and even the Ginetta Juniors kept panel beating to a minimum.

I was well impressed with Owy and Glew though, for Phil to be up with Gio for a lot of the racing speaks volumes and hopefully he'll progress this year and be challenging more often for podiums and possibly wins.

[52Paddy]

Not seen any TV coverage but thought that Neal went for a gap that was there on Collard, it was always going to end up in the barriers though. Not sure how much of the kerb he cut but Rob waited a long time to turn in.

As far as I'm concerned, Neal's approach speed for the chicane was way too high anyway. If he had eased off, it may have ended up as Neal nudging Collard and possibly getting by tentatively enough (by BTCC standards!). But, at that speed, it's ludicrous to think you're in the right, even if Collard did turn in late. Neal wouldn't have approached that quickly under normal circumstances.

[MrJan]

As far as I'm concerned, Neal's approach speed for the chicane was way too high anyway. If he had eased off, it may have ended up as Neal nudging Collard and possibly getting by tentatively enough (by BTCC standards!). But, at that speed, it's ludicrous to think you're in the right, even if Collard did turn in late. Neal wouldn't have approached that quickly under normal circumstances.

To overtake surely you need to go faster than usual? You won't pass anyone if you don't brake late. Neal could still make the corner at that speed, got a sniff of a pass and stuck his nose up the inside (quite a long way up the inside), racing incident IMO with neither driver at fault. And I generally have quite a dislike for Matt Neal so wouldn't usually leap to his defence.

[Alfa Fan]

It's hard to see where Neal could have gone. Whilst its Neal's fault for a rather wreckless move, a Giovanardi or a Plato would have avoided the second contact.

[MrJan]

a Giovanardi or a Plato would have avoided the second contact.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[MrJan]

:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

[Allyc85]

A few pics from me.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/Allyc_85/Thruxton%20BTCC%202010/DSC_9274.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/Allyc_85/Thruxton%20BTCC%202010/DSC_9326.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/Allyc_85/Thruxton%20BTCC%202010/DSC_9190.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/Allyc_85/Thruxton%20BTCC%202010/DSC_9173.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/Allyc_85/Thruxton%20BTCC%202010/DSC_9093.jpg

They all be here http://s436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/Allyc_85/Thruxton%20BTCC%202010/?start=all

[Superdave08]

Good Pics Mattie.... The Chev and the Golf look quality!

[52Paddy]

To overtake surely you need to go faster than usual? You won't pass anyone if you don't brake late. Neal could still make the corner at that speed, got a sniff of a pass and stuck his nose up the inside (quite a long way up the inside), racing incident IMO with neither driver at fault. And I generally have quite a dislike for Matt Neal so wouldn't usually leap to his defence.

No, I think it was over ambitious. Late braking is one thing. But barging into the apex of a corner from off the racing line, at a high speed, while the leader is negotiating the turn, is just bad driving. :down:

[tisme]

But that is Matt Neal's style of driving 'let the car in front do the braking'!!!

[Mp3 Astra]

????? :confused:



My bad, I interpreted 'yesterday' as 'Saturday'.

[wedge]

It's hard to see where Neal could have gone. Whilst its Neal's fault for a rather wreckless move, a Giovanardi or a Plato would have avoided the second contact.

Racing incident by if I was to apportion blame then it would go to Collard.

Neal was side-by-side with Collard into the left-hand bit of the chicane. Not sure if he saw him but Collard significantly whacked into Neal, Neal had to gather the car and bounced off the kerbs inevitably back into Collard.

[MrJan]

a Giovanardi or a Plato would have avoided the second contact.

:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

That is still making me laugh...PLATO......AVOIDED CONTACT???. :laugh: ....that is golden.

[Wasted Talent]

Racing incident by if I was to apportion blame then it would go to Collard.

Neal was side-by-side with Collard into the left-hand bit of the chicane. Not sure if he saw him but Collard significantly whacked into Neal, Neal had to gather the car and bounced off the kerbs inevitably back into Collard.

Rubbish. Neal was third as they entered the chicane, went completely of the road and then shot into the side of Collard who had no reason to imagine he might be there (okay, I take that back - it is Matt Neal we are talking about).

Honda Racing will come to rue the day that they agreed to back Neal and Shedden as their name will become sullied by being associated with the dirtiest pair of drivers ever to apppear in the BTCC

WT

[wedge]

Rubbish. Neal was third as they entered the chicane, went completely of the road and then shot into the side of Collard who had no reason to imagine he might be there (okay, I take that back - it is Matt Neal we are talking about)

http://www.itv.com/sport/btcc/racevideoarchive/default.html

Dunno where you got that idea from. Neal cleanly got round Kane into the chicane round the first right hander and door was open for the inside of the left hander.

[Allyc85]

Only just watched the highlights and I agree with Wedge.

Collard did seem very slow into the chicane and there was a huge gap for Neal to go for. if neal had been locked up and out of control then I would have blamed him but he didnt seem to be making any extra effort to get to that apex first. Will be interesting to see how the stewards see it after viewing the telemetry before Rockingham.

[BDunnell]

Only just watched the highlights and I agree with Wedge.

Collard did seem very slow into the chicane and there was a huge gap for Neal to go for. if neal had been locked up and out of control then I would have blamed him but he didnt seem to be making any extra effort to get to that apex first. Will be interesting to see how the stewards see it after viewing the telemetry before Rockingham.

Having watched it again on YouTube, I agree completely, and feel that it would be harsh on Neal to penalise him. Collard's comments, while understandable given that he got taken out of the race, seem a bit ridiculous in light of the footage.

[trebor901]

the gap was there until Collard turned in and i think that combined with the speed Matt was carrying made the impact harder than it could have been and thats what put Matt on the top of the curbs

[52Paddy]

I didn't previously realise how much Collard had turned in on Matt's gap. I now see that it was more of a racing incident. It would be harsh to penalise Neal, I agree.

[MrJan]

I didn't previously realise how much Collard had turned in on Matt's gap. I now see that it was more of a racing incident. It would be harsh to penalise Neal, I agree.

That's how I read it from seeing it at the time and the TV footage. There was a big enough gap for Matt to have a look at but Rob probably didn't see him coming. You knew exactly how it was going to end but just a racing incident as I see it. Harsh if either driver gets a penalty for it.

[Wasted Talent]

the gap was there until Collard turned in and i think that combined with the speed Matt was carrying made the impact harder than it could have been and thats what put Matt on the top of the curbs

"Collard turned in"......it's called going round the corner...........

WT

[Eurotech]

Collard could have given Matt some more room, I mean the Honda was on the kerb for gods sake, I think that Rob thought that Matt would get scared and back out of it and when he didn't, Rob got upset.

I'll be honest, I don't think it was anyones fault, because thats just what you get with close racing.

[Wasted Talent]

Collard could have given Matt some more room, I mean the Honda was on the kerb for gods sake, I think that Rob thought that Matt would get scared and back out of it and when he didn't, Rob got upset.

I'll be honest, I don't think it was anyones fault, because thats just what you get with close racing.

Why should Collard give him room - he was leading?

WT

[MrJan]

"Collard turned in"......it's called going round the corner...........

WT

You can't just turn in though, that's why there is so much fuss about Schumi and Hill. Neal was far enough up the inside IMO and probably in the opinion of the stewards and pretty much everyone apart from Rob Collard, his team and his fans (or just the people that hate Matt Neal).

If it weren't for how far back Neal came from to fill the gap then I'd lay the blame at Collard's door, as it is I believe that Neal made a move which was there to be made and Collard can be forgiven for not seeing the move being made. In short, RACING INCIDENT.

[trebor901]

Matt was basically level with Rob before Rob turned in and the BMW is left hand drive so he would have seen him alright, he just cant take the fact that if you start something like that with Matt Neal then its not gonna be you that comes out of it with a undamaged car

[tintin]

You can't just turn in though, that's why there is so much fuss about Schumi and Hill. Neal was far enough up the inside IMO and probably in the opinion of the stewards and pretty much everyone apart from Rob Collard, his team and his fans (or just the people that hate Matt Neal).


The stewards haven't heard this case yet, so we can't presume to know what they are thinking. I'm sure their verdict will be published after they meet at Rockingham.

[MrJan]

The stewards haven't heard this case yet, so we can't presume to know what they are thinking. I'm sure their verdict will be published after they meet at Rockingham.

I said 'probably in the opinion of the stewards', nothing definite or presumed. However if they decide to punish either driver then I'd be surprised, as would many others.

[Brooksy]

And he brought the car home in all three races, unlike the other turbo Vectra. While Pinkney didn't quite seem able to keep up with the front-runners, I hope he has a decent and productive season, hopefully with further improvement in the car's performance.
I thought the Turbo cars weren't permitted until next year in the BTCC. Did some one say that the AON focuses are turbocharged ASWELL as running on LPG?