Alfa Fan
20th June 2011, 17:56
We've reached the mid-season interval in this years BTCC so I think its time for some review of the drivers performances so far this season.
I've done mine strictly on the drivers performance, not on the cars performance. So for example someone like Frank Wrathall or Rob Austin, who have both clearly been doing very well, will still score highly, despite their cars not yet being up to that standard.
Jason Plato
Defending champion, and on the whole has driven well. Has however let the frustration of the disparity between NGTC and S2000 early season hurt his results, particularly at Donington & Thruxton. Calm consistency was the key to his title last year, and its something I feel he's slightly forgotten this year.
7/10
Matt Neal
Leading the championship without ever putting in what you would describe as a great drive so far this season. Car is clearly the class of the field, pegged back or not. A couple of mistakes, most importantly the one at Oulton Park race 2 have lowered his score. In the car he's got he should be further clear by now.
8/10
Tom Onslow-Cole
Seems to have been the main difference to the VW package when he was racing with AmD, as the car moved back to where it was last season once Shaun got back in. Croft saw him race with full weight in the 3rd Aon Ford, so hard to compare him accurately with Chilton & Neate.
8/10
Tom Chilton
This was supposed to be his year, just like 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 were. He's definitely turned in the Coulthard of the BTCC, just not as good! Seems to have got a bit lost with the development of the new Focus, hence the team getting Onslow-Cole back to help sort out the car. Doesn't show the raw speed he used to have 4-5 years ago as often any more. Very disappointing so far.
4/10
Mat Jackson
Solid but unspectacular. Had scored good points at nearly every meeting this season so far, and is showing good pace in the older Focus without LPG. Not sure if he can make that final step up to be a genuine title contender, even though he's in 2nd place at the moment. Team desperately needs to get a good team-mate to help back him up.
8/10
Rob Collard
I'll hold my hands up here. In the past I have been critical of his driving, and in most cases, correctly so. But this season he's been very good. Hidden by the disadvantages the BMW has been struggling with until Oulton. Firmly believe that had all the teams been running S2000 engines this season that he would have had a couple of wins by now.
8/10
Frank Wrathall
Has shown reasonable pace when the car has allowed him to. Clear pedigree from the G50 championship, where he was champion last year, and well deserving of his place on the grid this year. If the car allows him, regular top 10s should be on the cards in the second half of the season.
7/10
David Pinkney
Made an 11th hour U-turn on this decision to take a season out this year to sign up to race for Rob Austin's team. Negative comments even before the start of the season and decided he's had enough (at least for now) once the car failed to run at Brands. Ultimately though its his money and its up to him as to whether he wants to race that car.
N/A
Rob Austin
Pinkney's decision not to race has given us the treat of seeing Rob race his own car. Spectacular and increasingly rapid in recent meetings. Car still needs a fair bit of sorting but Rob's been giving 100% on the driver side.
9/10
James Nash
Has lead the championship a couple of times and is consistently scoring good results. Still hasn't won a race and this is a monkey he really needs to throw of his back in the second half of the season. It's a shame Giovanardi isn't out in of the Vectra's this season to give us a good comparison. If he was I believe he'd be leading the championship in this car!
7/10
David Newsham
Impressive in both the RWD BMW and now FWD SEAT. Could well embarrass the much more experience Boardman in the 2nd half of the season, and might even sneak the teams first win from a reverse grid.
9/10
Nick Foster
The revelation of the season. When you consider the debut seasons other drivers have had in the WSR BMW you'd have to say Nick's is the best - and thats up against the likes of TOC, Jelley & Neate. My surprise of the season for sure. Top effort so far and wins in 2nd half of the season not out of the question.
10/10
Alex MacDowall
When he isn't crashing into people he's been Mr. Anonymous in the races again. The Chevvies weak qualifying this season so far has meant he hasn't been seen much at the front either! Needs to step up.
4/10
Tom Boardman
A lot of bad luck so far this year, but a lot of it he seems to bring on himself. Having Dave in the team might be the encouragement he needs to really step up. I know he's a popular driver, and has definitely shown flashes of speed, but completely lacks composure and consistency. Has fallen asleep behind the safety car twice this season already too.
5/10
John George
Has stepped up to the Chevrolet Cruze at just the wrong time it appears. Seemed to have improved in recent seasons, but not been much evidence of that this season. Took him a while to get up to speed in the Integra, and could be a similar case here. Still one of the nicest blokes in the pitlane though and thoroughly enjoys his racing!
3/10
Paul O'Neill
Big things were expected of Paul this season, in the 2010 BTCC championship winning Cruze. A podium at Brands was a good start, but seems to have lost his way of late. Really disappointing given his form in the Integra over the last couple of years. Along with McDowall, probably the most disappointing driver this year.
4/10
Tony Gilham
Showed well early on but seems to have dropped off a little bit. But so has his more experienced team-mate Nash and he's never been too far away from him.
6/10
Lea Wood
The Integra, even with 50kg on board is still quick, and Lea seems to be getting the most of it. Good job so far.
8/10
Andy Neate
Starting to show flashes of speed, something that was absent all of last season in the BMW. Needs to put in some good results now.
5/10
Tony Hughes
Tough one to judge. Previous racing history suggests he's not going to be very quick, and he's not, but the car hasn't helped him either. Maybe too big a step up for Tony, and once the car is sorted it would be probably be wise for him to step aside for a junior driver like Shaun Hollamby has. Deserving of his place in the series though.
2/10
Gordon Shedden
Has had more than his share of bad luck this season. Failure in FP1 at Brands taking him out of the whole of Saturday, being harpooned by his team-mate at the final corner at Oulton whilst on for a certain victory. Easily been a match for Matt, and if not for his misfortune would probably be leading the championship.
9/10
Jeff Smith
Fast, erratic, exciting to watch but an accident is never far away. It looks like the series has found its modern day Patrick Watts. Needs to get some good results in the second half of the season, as the car is clearly capable, but the series would be a poorer place without him!
5/10
Liam Griffin
Lots of money but not much talent I'm afraid. Will really hinder Mat's title prospects by not being able to support him. Lot's of accidents, including one on the warm up lap at Brands, so far.
2/10
Andy Jordan
VXR in 2009 was too big a step up to soon, but now back in the factory team he's turned into a properly good racing driver. Quick, clam head, and in with a genuine shot at the title this year. Very impressive.
10/10
Chris James
Completely out of the depth. Car should still be quick, but is consistently miles off. Seemed to see not being last as an achievement at the start of the season when the half-arsed NGTC cars were still behind him. Now is last, nearly every time. I hate to say it, but can anyone remember a more inept driver? Nice enough guy though, very friendly!
0/10
Shaun Hollamby
His pace at Croft showed the car has made leaps forward, and it wasn't just TOC outperforming the car.
8/10
So in conclusion:
Top 3
Andy Jordan
Nick Foster
Gordon Shedden
Bottom 3
Liam Griffin
Tony Hughes
Chris James
I've done mine strictly on the drivers performance, not on the cars performance. So for example someone like Frank Wrathall or Rob Austin, who have both clearly been doing very well, will still score highly, despite their cars not yet being up to that standard.
Jason Plato
Defending champion, and on the whole has driven well. Has however let the frustration of the disparity between NGTC and S2000 early season hurt his results, particularly at Donington & Thruxton. Calm consistency was the key to his title last year, and its something I feel he's slightly forgotten this year.
7/10
Matt Neal
Leading the championship without ever putting in what you would describe as a great drive so far this season. Car is clearly the class of the field, pegged back or not. A couple of mistakes, most importantly the one at Oulton Park race 2 have lowered his score. In the car he's got he should be further clear by now.
8/10
Tom Onslow-Cole
Seems to have been the main difference to the VW package when he was racing with AmD, as the car moved back to where it was last season once Shaun got back in. Croft saw him race with full weight in the 3rd Aon Ford, so hard to compare him accurately with Chilton & Neate.
8/10
Tom Chilton
This was supposed to be his year, just like 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 were. He's definitely turned in the Coulthard of the BTCC, just not as good! Seems to have got a bit lost with the development of the new Focus, hence the team getting Onslow-Cole back to help sort out the car. Doesn't show the raw speed he used to have 4-5 years ago as often any more. Very disappointing so far.
4/10
Mat Jackson
Solid but unspectacular. Had scored good points at nearly every meeting this season so far, and is showing good pace in the older Focus without LPG. Not sure if he can make that final step up to be a genuine title contender, even though he's in 2nd place at the moment. Team desperately needs to get a good team-mate to help back him up.
8/10
Rob Collard
I'll hold my hands up here. In the past I have been critical of his driving, and in most cases, correctly so. But this season he's been very good. Hidden by the disadvantages the BMW has been struggling with until Oulton. Firmly believe that had all the teams been running S2000 engines this season that he would have had a couple of wins by now.
8/10
Frank Wrathall
Has shown reasonable pace when the car has allowed him to. Clear pedigree from the G50 championship, where he was champion last year, and well deserving of his place on the grid this year. If the car allows him, regular top 10s should be on the cards in the second half of the season.
7/10
David Pinkney
Made an 11th hour U-turn on this decision to take a season out this year to sign up to race for Rob Austin's team. Negative comments even before the start of the season and decided he's had enough (at least for now) once the car failed to run at Brands. Ultimately though its his money and its up to him as to whether he wants to race that car.
N/A
Rob Austin
Pinkney's decision not to race has given us the treat of seeing Rob race his own car. Spectacular and increasingly rapid in recent meetings. Car still needs a fair bit of sorting but Rob's been giving 100% on the driver side.
9/10
James Nash
Has lead the championship a couple of times and is consistently scoring good results. Still hasn't won a race and this is a monkey he really needs to throw of his back in the second half of the season. It's a shame Giovanardi isn't out in of the Vectra's this season to give us a good comparison. If he was I believe he'd be leading the championship in this car!
7/10
David Newsham
Impressive in both the RWD BMW and now FWD SEAT. Could well embarrass the much more experience Boardman in the 2nd half of the season, and might even sneak the teams first win from a reverse grid.
9/10
Nick Foster
The revelation of the season. When you consider the debut seasons other drivers have had in the WSR BMW you'd have to say Nick's is the best - and thats up against the likes of TOC, Jelley & Neate. My surprise of the season for sure. Top effort so far and wins in 2nd half of the season not out of the question.
10/10
Alex MacDowall
When he isn't crashing into people he's been Mr. Anonymous in the races again. The Chevvies weak qualifying this season so far has meant he hasn't been seen much at the front either! Needs to step up.
4/10
Tom Boardman
A lot of bad luck so far this year, but a lot of it he seems to bring on himself. Having Dave in the team might be the encouragement he needs to really step up. I know he's a popular driver, and has definitely shown flashes of speed, but completely lacks composure and consistency. Has fallen asleep behind the safety car twice this season already too.
5/10
John George
Has stepped up to the Chevrolet Cruze at just the wrong time it appears. Seemed to have improved in recent seasons, but not been much evidence of that this season. Took him a while to get up to speed in the Integra, and could be a similar case here. Still one of the nicest blokes in the pitlane though and thoroughly enjoys his racing!
3/10
Paul O'Neill
Big things were expected of Paul this season, in the 2010 BTCC championship winning Cruze. A podium at Brands was a good start, but seems to have lost his way of late. Really disappointing given his form in the Integra over the last couple of years. Along with McDowall, probably the most disappointing driver this year.
4/10
Tony Gilham
Showed well early on but seems to have dropped off a little bit. But so has his more experienced team-mate Nash and he's never been too far away from him.
6/10
Lea Wood
The Integra, even with 50kg on board is still quick, and Lea seems to be getting the most of it. Good job so far.
8/10
Andy Neate
Starting to show flashes of speed, something that was absent all of last season in the BMW. Needs to put in some good results now.
5/10
Tony Hughes
Tough one to judge. Previous racing history suggests he's not going to be very quick, and he's not, but the car hasn't helped him either. Maybe too big a step up for Tony, and once the car is sorted it would be probably be wise for him to step aside for a junior driver like Shaun Hollamby has. Deserving of his place in the series though.
2/10
Gordon Shedden
Has had more than his share of bad luck this season. Failure in FP1 at Brands taking him out of the whole of Saturday, being harpooned by his team-mate at the final corner at Oulton whilst on for a certain victory. Easily been a match for Matt, and if not for his misfortune would probably be leading the championship.
9/10
Jeff Smith
Fast, erratic, exciting to watch but an accident is never far away. It looks like the series has found its modern day Patrick Watts. Needs to get some good results in the second half of the season, as the car is clearly capable, but the series would be a poorer place without him!
5/10
Liam Griffin
Lots of money but not much talent I'm afraid. Will really hinder Mat's title prospects by not being able to support him. Lot's of accidents, including one on the warm up lap at Brands, so far.
2/10
Andy Jordan
VXR in 2009 was too big a step up to soon, but now back in the factory team he's turned into a properly good racing driver. Quick, clam head, and in with a genuine shot at the title this year. Very impressive.
10/10
Chris James
Completely out of the depth. Car should still be quick, but is consistently miles off. Seemed to see not being last as an achievement at the start of the season when the half-arsed NGTC cars were still behind him. Now is last, nearly every time. I hate to say it, but can anyone remember a more inept driver? Nice enough guy though, very friendly!
0/10
Shaun Hollamby
His pace at Croft showed the car has made leaps forward, and it wasn't just TOC outperforming the car.
8/10
So in conclusion:
Top 3
Andy Jordan
Nick Foster
Gordon Shedden
Bottom 3
Liam Griffin
Tony Hughes
Chris James