BTCC Round 2 - Donnington Park - 20th April

[steveaki13]

So Round 2 today guys.

I am out and in today so I might have to watch it delayed. Coupled with WEC.

[journeyman racer]

Round 2 today? Is it common in England to have two major race meetings on at the same weekend?

I've dropped off following the btcc long ago, but had a look at it's website now. I had recheck, and recheck again. But there are 11 make represented in the series! I'm a bit embarrassed that guys down here got excited over an extra 3 joing v8supercars, making it 5.

[steveaki13]

It is a bit unfortunate to have WEC and BTCC on the same weekend.

I am going to stuggle to watch both.

It is really good to see extra cars and makes entering the series. Should be a good day at Donnington.

[steveaki13]

Did I just hear correct?

Is someone racing in Race 1 with a passenger? If so thats a bit unfair, assuming it is a compeition winner or sponsor.

[AndyRAC]

Round 2 today? Is it common in England to have two major race meetings on at the same weekend?

I've dropped off following the btcc long ago, but had a look at it's website now. I had recheck, and recheck again. But there are 11 make represented in the series! I'm a bit embarrassed that guys down here got excited over an extra 3 joing v8supercars, making it 5.

Ah, non of them are 'Official' entries.....

But the NGTC has been tremendously successful - as seen by the entries. Other British series should take note; give the customer what they want.

[steveaki13]

Did I just hear correct?

Is Andrew Sheddon racing in Race 1 with a passenger? If so thats a bit unfair, assuming it is a compeition winner or sponsor.

Sorry wrong name.

I heard someone was

[journeyman racer]

Ah, non of them are 'Official' entries..... It doesn't matter atm. That kind of support comes and goes. Independent/private entries are the backbone of Touring car racing.

[MrJan]

It is a bit unfortunate to have WEC and BTCC on the same weekend.

I am going to stuggle to watch both.

It is really good to see extra cars and makes entering the series. Should be a good day at Donnington.

And WTCC. I've currently got BTCC support races on the telly, WTCC and WEC on the laptop. It's going to be a busy day, especially with F1 highlights later!

[BDunnell]

It doesn't matter atm. That kind of support comes and goes. Independent/private entries are the backbone of Touring car racing.

And, funding permitting, more likely to be a consistent presence in the series than are most works efforts.

Anyway, that was an... 'interesting' second race. Giovanardi's struggles show no signs of abating — I struggle to see why Motorbase can't get a handle on that car's problems, especially given the fact Giovanardi was signed up early enough to do some pre-season testing. Meanwhile, Menu is having a very rough time. Looked to me like Foster who spun him out and nearly caused a huge accident. No surprise to hear Menu moaning about the amount of contact — he was never great at coping with close racing in the midfield, as demonstrated best in the final meeting of 1998.

[steveaki13]

It was interesting, but due to carnage and rain we had very few racing laps.

Hopefully its a bit drier in race 3.

[BDunnell]

Utter idiocy from Giovanardi as the safety car boards came out. Two races ruined by a ham-fisted piece of driving, deserving of exclusion.

[Alfa Fan]

Utter idiocy from Giovanardi as the safety car boards came out. Two races ruined by a ham-fisted piece of driving, deserving of exclusion.

I think it's just a simple case of not being able to see the signs/flags where he was on the track.

[BDunnell]

I think it's just a simple case of not being able to see the signs/flags where he was on the track.

Maybe, but everybody else seemed to manage OK, and from the on-board footage from Ingram's car it wasn't as if he or Smith seemed to slow abruptly.

Giovanardi has to be the most disappointing driver in this year's series so far. His performance relative to Jackson, who had virtually no pre-season testing in the revised car, in race three today was another indication. Marc Hynes is another contender, but at least he has the excuse of no prior front-wheel-drive touring car experience. Menu, by contrast, did a pretty awesome job in that race. To go from 29th to ninth is quite something. Good runs too from Collard and Foster again. Nice also to see Lea Wood showing a bit of pace.

[steveaki13]

What an amazing finish to race 3. Sheddon with a chaotic move on the last corner.

Exciting stuff.

I agree about Giovanardi. He seemed completely unaware of the SC coming out. Poor driving. To be honest I was a bit surprised about how long it took for a few to stop the side by side stuff.

[BDunnell]

What an amazing finish to race 3. Sheddon with a chaotic move on the last corner.

WSR have apparently appealed the result, but I don't think they've much to complain about. Shedden was clearly round the outside of Turkington. And Turkington himself, albeit diving down the inside, pulled a very similar move on Giovanardi for the lead at the same place in 2006 without penalty.

[MrJan]

Appeal thrown out, which makes sense. I'm not Shedden's biggest fan but would have been wrong to strip that one from him as Turkington effectively gave Shedden no choice but to take to the gravel because he didn't leave any room.

[steveaki13]

Appeal thrown out, which makes sense. I'm not Shedden's biggest fan but would have been wrong to strip that one from him as Turkington effectively gave Shedden no choice but to take to the gravel because he didn't leave any room.

also Turkington ran wide anyway over some gravel so they both went to some extent off track.

That's the correct decision IMO too.

[tintin]

Giovanardi has to be the most disappointing driver in this year's series so far. His performance relative to Jackson, who had virtually no pre-season testing in the revised car, in race three today was another indication.

I saw Gio at the weekend, and would suggest that he might not be spending as much time in the gym as some of the other drivers.

[BDunnell]

I saw Gio at the weekend, and would suggest that he might not be spending as much time in the gym as some of the other drivers.

Interesting — not least for the contrast with his fellow ex-champion returnee.

[marathonboats]

I agree with It doesn't matter atm. That kind of support comes and goes. Independent/private entries are the backbone of Touring car racing.