[WTCC] Rounds 17 and 18 - Sonoma Raceway/USA

[Craner Curves]

Oh yes quite a lot.

[rich07]

Originally Posted by redshoes

http://www.racesonoma.com/handler.cf...med_id=1502551
This is so cringe-worthy, words fail me

Wow. That is crap! Its like something you'd see by a bunch of second rate hosts on a childrens television show. Its obvious its not a live cross but yet she puts her finger in her ear like she's actually linked up to the drivers. What a joke. The only saving grace being it looks to be me like a Sonoma made video not a vid by the WTCC itself.

Btw who is the bimbo? She appear on the other videos on that page.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by rich07

Btw who is the bimbo? She appear on the other videos on that page.

Mariah - http://www.racesonoma.com/raceway/about/girls/

Looks like the circuit makes regular short videos about what's happening at the track rather than the usual written press releases

[W.A Trichlorostyrene]

According to Neil Hudson's Twitter, World Challenge and BTCC driver Robb Holland will replace Pasquale di Sabbatino at Bamboo.

[I Rosputnik]

Originally Posted by W.A Trichlorostyrene

According to Neil Hudson's Twitter, World Challenge and BTCC driver Robb Holland will replace Pasquale di Sabbatino at Bamboo.

Huzzah!

Now that means there are two Rob(b)s!

On a more serious note, that now clears the lack of an American driver issue!
;-_-

[KA]

Holland confirmed on Autosport:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102719

The entry will be down by one though- Proteam were planning to run a second BMW for Felice Tedeschi, until he shunted it during yesterday's test session...

http://www.fiawtcc.com/news/detail/id/309

[W.A Trichlorostyrene]

Originally Posted by I Rosputnik

Huzzah!

Now that means there are two Rob(b)s!

Still doesn't beat the three Rob(b)s in the BTCC.

Originally Posted by I Rosputnik

On a more serious note, that now clears the lack of an American driver issue!
;-_-

Yes and no... Since it's a very last minute replacement deal it probably won't affect the ticket sales... I bet the average Joe spectator won't be even aware of him until they hear the track announcer.

[tux]

Watching Auto GP there looks to be no more than 100 people watching. Sad really

[I Rosputnik]

Plus there seems to be a lack of any real mention or advertising of it on any of the American car blogs I look at.

I guess we have one more day to see if it is worth the trip. On that note how many people show up for BTCC, STCC or DTM qualifying?

Even if the race is good, the lack of people watching is very worrying. Maybe the WTCC should of tagged along with F1 when it goes to Texas.

[I Rosputnik]

Looks like the Speedhunters are there.

[rustyfan]

If the first AutoGP race is any indication I fully expect the safety car to come out early in the race.

[rustyfan]

Going to be interesting to see if the race director has the balls to give Muller a penalty for sending Engstler off the track.

Edit - Drive through penalty for Muller.

[tux]

Monjes car is not in a safe position! What if someone loses it under breaking or gets tapped into a spin.

[I Rosputnik]

I enjoyed the second race and it was good to see some more people on the grandstands. Comparing it to the times I've played it on Toca or Gran Turismo after seeing it on the TV I've never realised the hills were that steep.

Anyway here's to hoping we have an interesting title battle now that Huffy and Muller are tied. It's almost like a reset for them.

Plus why Norbi does not have a factory drive escapes me.

[W.A Trichlorostyrene]

Originally Posted by I Rosputnik

Plus why Norbi does not have a factory drive escapes me.

But there are so few of them nowadays...

Only 3 Chevys this year. Next year, 2 Hondas and 2 Ladas, and that's pretty much it?

As Paul O'Neil says... It's impossible to make a career out of touring cars these days

[TF110]

Monteiro impressed imo. Good racing!

[FIRE]

I liked the racing. Hopefully Sanoma returns next season.

[I Rosputnik]

Shakedown were at the race. It's an interesting video to watch gives some insight into what they need to do in order to make it work.

According to Neil Hudson's twitter feed, there was about 25K people in attendance. Not bad for something that had very little promotion.

[W.A Trichlorostyrene]

Originally Posted by I Rosputnik

According to Neil Hudson's twitter feed, there was about 25K people in attendance. Not bad for something that had very little promotion.

It wouldn't have imagined this, the grandstands looked very empty. But then Sonoma is quite a large place with many viewing points, of course.

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by W.A Trichlorostyrene

It wouldn't have imagined this, the grandstands looked very empty. But then Sonoma is quite a large place with many viewing points, of course.

The grandstands overlooking the pit lane looked reasonably full but didn't really get shown on TV much.

The bleachers further round the circuit looked hold 60,000+ spectators so they were always going to look sparse.

[werner]

I really enjoyed the races. The track is great, and really suitable for the touringcars. Next year they must do something about the marshalling. When they can't move away Monje's cars in a safetycarperiod when is in the position it was in....

[I Rosputnik]

Jalopnik on the lack/non-existent of main-stream advertising.

Ironic, considering this is the first time they have even mentioned the event.

[TF110]

Some of those grid girls looked less than pleasing. Others were top notch. I wonder if they just call up local modeling agencies or what? There were a couple incidents in the race that screwed others out of a good finish. But it was pretty action filled.

[I Rosputnik]

The drivers say thank you.

[kober]

Nice As Lotti said, Sonoma will be part of 2014 calendar as well.