Euro TCs @ Silverstone

redshoes · 12 May 2001, 20:15 (Ref:91605)

Just got back from a very hot and sunny Silverstone. Much as I like the new BTCT regs it was great to see the old SuperTourers again. The Alfas looked just a fantastic as I was expecting, the Audis sounded just as distinctive as ever. Ah, happy days

Matt Neal had a storming 2 free practice sessions but in qualifying could only manage 4th. Tarquini was in a league of his own all day and no surprise to see him on pole. Larini suffered a gearbox fault in qualifying and will start from the back.

In Production Matt Kelly (in the RJN Primera) was fastest non-BMW (6th) during the free practice but had problems in qualifying. Up front it was Peter Kox in the "works" BMW as usual. The little Alfa 147s looked very lively though the corners.

Off to bed now ready for an early start tomorrow.

Lorna · 13 May 2001, 02:39 (Ref:91670)

Ah, how I would love to see Tarquini back in the British Touring Car Championship. Smashing bloke.

redshoes · 13 May 2001, 04:46 (Ref:91677)

Tarquini was "very 'appy" to be on pole.

RIKB · 13 May 2001, 10:33 (Ref:91711)

And I am "very 'appy" for him

**touringlegend** · 13 May 2001, 11:25 (Ref:91726)

Has Matts Primera had a fresh lick of paint? On Eurosport the red looked very shiny, and I noticed the white BF Goodrich part is now black.

vauxhall · 13 May 2001, 16:23 (Ref:91876)

That ETCC was the worst races i've ever seen!
i was so bored! it was all spread out! and know-one done anything!

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

they've got to do something majour with that!

Tim.Lad · 13 May 2001, 17:51 (Ref:91914)

i agree very boaring indeed allso ive never seen such an apaulling live broadcast in my life, shame Matty got punted of by the audi there was just no need

redshoes · 13 May 2001, 18:07 (Ref:91929)

Well if yesterday reminded me why I love SuperTouring, today reminded me why I'm glad we've dropped it. Other than Larini fighting from the back of the grid to 5th (all of which happened in the first few laps) the first race was dire. The second race with a reverse grid was much better though. Tarquini came from back of the grid to win with ease. At the front it was Tarquini, Giovanardi, Larini and Matt Neali in forth.

Production race was an interesting comparison with our own NSC/BTCP. Where as we have 7 or 8 different makes this was 2 thirds BMWs with a few Alfas and Nissans of good measure. As expected Peter Kox ran off into the distance for a convincing win.

Also reminded me when I don't like Silverstone GP circuit for anything other than GTs as the grid always get so spead out.

vauxhall · 13 May 2001, 18:40 (Ref:91942)

it says:

PAGE:29

''the arrical of the super touring teams for the silverstone meeting is a great and rare chance to see what European fans witness on a regular basis - and lament we dont''

i was SOOOOO angry when i read this, the BTCC super tourers from -2000 where better than this!! even when Aiello had a 4,000,000 point lead in the champ!

...and have they not seen the Brands hatch or thruxton rounds yet?

AAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Les · 13 May 2001, 18:44 (Ref:91944)

Never complain about the BTCC again.

4 races and half a paddock (rest had gone home!) all for £28 and the best bit - tried to charge us £15 to sit in Woodcote.

vauxhall · 13 May 2001, 18:49 (Ref:91950)

The best bit of the weekend was:

when i seen a coffee cup roll down the grass bank, that was fun oh and when the Helicopter took off!
i also nearly tripped over, and err...

and i think i seen James Thompson on a m-ped going over the Bridge @ Bridge! i seen him twice!

and i rekon i saw Vic Lee in a Pug

hunttheshunt · 13 May 2001, 19:29 (Ref:91986)

I love ST's but i am also glad we have droped those regs. I hope the FIA do the sensible thing and adopt the BTCC rules for next year's ETCC. However, Matt did a storming job, proving what he's capable of (and why Pug shouldn't have dropped him) as did good old Gabriele!

**Craig** · 13 May 2001, 19:31 (Ref:91988)

As Nigel says, pretty looking cars, but oh so boring...! Let's all get behind Richard West and make sure the new BTCC regs are a success... he deserves it after the work he and his team have put in, and the cars are soooo much more exciting to watch... I can't wait to see a grid of 20 odd BTCC2001 motors...!

Mind you, at least the Super Tourers have white rims...

hehe!

Carrie · 13 May 2001, 21:37 (Ref:92061)

Like many people who've posted in this topic, I went to Silverstone today looking forward to seeing the Super Tourers out on track. What a disappointment. Yes, the cars might look nice, but the racing itself was dull, dull, dull.
I do think Nigel has a point, would we have seen better racing if they'd been using the national circuit - possibly, but at the end of the day, I've got to say, give me the 2001 BTCC, that's been far more fun so far and I'm sure can only get better.

vauxhall · 13 May 2001, 21:45 (Ref:92062)

So the BTCC is a success then?

pink69 · 13 May 2001, 22:01 (Ref:92067)

i agree the ESTC races were dull after Tarquini got to the front as they all spread out and that was it. The only excitment was Larini's charge in race one. The ESPC was very exciting and had lots of action. When the series reverts to their rules we will see lots of exciting racing.

Les · 14 May 2001, 05:43 (Ref:92157)

Why do the manufacturers put the drivers names on their belts?

I spent the whole weekend staring at drivers nether regions trying to work out who the hell they were.

Mind you it was a good job I didn't stare too much at one bloke - he was having a pee in a rubbish bin at Maggots!!!!! Sandra was thinking of getting his autograph - decided not to in the end!

ziggy stardust · 14 May 2001, 17:59 (Ref:92436)

YOu've frgotten the ETC is only a support race to the three hour endurance GT race.

You probably went expecting far too much - rather than savouring agrand day out, with cool friends (at least, I was) and some cracking racing.

WoodyTJ · 14 May 2001, 21:07 (Ref:92530)

Myself I enjoyed the day .... was nice to see a few more cars than in the current BTCC. Perhaps some of the teams/drivers should come over to the UK at the end of the season!?

Come back Matty!!!!!

SPOONERBORO · 15 May 2001, 00:09 (Ref:92606)

i dont know about you but i personally was reminded about how much i really hate silverstone - u have to walk miles to get anywhere, u get charged a fortune they provide no camping facilities for the general public, too much fencing, too far away from the track, expensive grub and drinks, and this is on a day when the weather is good - my letter to the management is coming along very nicely!!

racing was ok Super TOurers werent great GT race was pretty cool, loved the production cars - get them in the BTCP anyday - renault eurocup was a good race not so sure about the historics though

quite glad i didnt get up to go to the pits walkabout - from what i gathered that was it you walked the pitlane!!

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