BTCC Croft: Rounds 13-15

[christophulus]

Well, I didn't predict Turkington would be on pole. BMWs finally showing some speed around here. And the previous four champions in P1-4 on the grid - exciting.


2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – Croft – Qualifying
1 Colin Turkington (eBay Motors) 1:24.465
2 Jason Plato (MG KX Momentum Racing) +0.148
3 Matt Neal (Honda Yuasa Racing) +0.165
4 Gordon Shedden (Honda Yuasa Racing) +0.241
5 Andrew Jordan (Pirtek Racing) +0.291
6 Robert Collard (eBay Motors) +0.354
7 Frank Wrathall (Dynojet) +0.678
8 Sam Tordoff (MG KX Momentum Racing) +0.811
9 Tom Onslow-Cole (PPCGB/Kraftwerk Racing) +0.856
10 Adam Morgan (Ciceley Racing) +0.909
11 Mat Jackson (Airwaves Racing) +0.959
12 Nick Foster (eBay Motors) +1.038
13 Dave Newsham (Speedworks Motorsport) +1.126
14 Jeff Smith (Pirtek Racing) +1.127
15 Michael Caine (Addison Lee Motorbase) +1.320
16 Aron Smith (Airwaves Racing) +1.434
17 Jack Goff (RCIB Insurance Racing) +1.618
18 Rob Austin (WIX Racing) +1.647
19 Will Bratt (Rob Austin Racing) +1.736
20 Ollie Jackson (Speedworks Motorsport) +1.919
21 Daniel Welch (Welch Motorsport with Sopp + Sopp) +2.146
22 Lea Wood (Wheel Heaven / Houseman Racing) +2.281
23 Jake Hill (Addison Lee Motorbase) +2.743
24 David Nye (Welch Motorsport with Sopp + Sopp) +3.908
25 James Cole (RCIB Insurance Racing) +3.956
26 Joe Girling (M247 Racing with Tech-Speed Motorsport) +4.675
27 James Kaye (AmDTuning.com) +4.817
28 Warren Scott (Team BMR Restart) +4.857

[BDunnell]

I thought the BMWs would be quick at Croft, and am glad to be proved right. Pleased also that Collard is so much nearer the pace. I didn't like to see him miles behind Turkington at each meeting, because the last two seasons in particular have shown his pace.

Notable performances from Caine in outpacing Aron Smith, Jake Hill for an excellent S2000 grid slot, and David Nye likewise.

[christophulus]

The TV coverage is abysmal today, missed at least three incidents in the first race.

MGs walking away with race 2 in the wet, good tyre call.

Ha, spoke too soon!

[Sarah]

Lovely weather !!! Can Colin win all three...

[BDunnell]

They look to have been three very interesting races. I'm so glad to see Turkington showing his class in the BMW — what a superb performance all day from him. Foster was also really impressive in the first race — he seems happier charging through the field than defending from the front. Collard, meanwhile, is having exactly the sort of year he had when last he was Turkington's team-mate in 2006.

Matt Neal's season also deserves some attention, I feel. In the past I'd always tended to feel that his three titles were down to significant car advantages and/or the fact that whoever was with him in the family team wouldn't be allowed the same chance of winning the championship. Neither is any longer the case, and in 2013 he's been driving both extremely cleanly and very fast, staying out of trouble and racking up the points.

Well done also to David Nye for getting his first Jack Sears Trophy win in probably the best S2000 battle of the season so far. Not bad for the oldest man in the field.

[Alfa Fan]

Collard, meanwhile, is having exactly the sort of year he had when last he was Turkington's team-mate in 2006.

Indeed, he is now behind Nick Foster in the standings, and possibly even on pace, which is most surprising.

[BDunnell]

Indeed, he is now behind Nick Foster in the standings, and possibly even on pace, which is most surprising.

Yes, it is. Despite the fact that Foster is not to be underestimated, you'd definitely expect Collard to be ahead most of the time. While he has undoubtedly suffered the biggest share of that car's teething troubles, just as he seemed to do in 2006 Collard to this outsider appears to be over-driving a bit to try and compensate when he does get a chance.

[BDunnell]

The TV coverage is abysmal today, missed at least three incidents in the first race.

Agreed. The direction was dreadful in places, and did indeed seem to miss a lot. A shame, now that ITV have got the commentary team spot-on.