[BTCC] BTCC Brands Hatch Indy rounds 1,2 & 3 2015

[cds_uk]

Originally Posted by BillWiskins

The difference in tyre performance between Mr Priaulx and Mr Neal was very dramatic. I know the track conditions had changed somewhat, but still. Anyway a great day of racing (and as it turns out, the answer to the question "Plato or Turkington?" turns out to be "Aron Smith" ).

Apart from the way Plato disappeared into the distance in race two of course until the puncture ruined the rest of his weekend.

[Bramzel]

Happy to see Priaulx up there, no Giovanardi-Experience for him!

[GT6]

The weekends races show that plenty of drivers have a chance of victories this year and that we will not see to much domination of one make of car over the others, the new regulations and a good variation of cars should mean that 2015 is a vintage year for BTCC

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by GT6

The weekends races show that plenty of drivers have a chance of victories this year and that we will not see to much domination of one make of car over the others, the new regulations and a good variation of cars should mean that 2015 is a vintage year for BTCC

Except that it is all artificial. The results will, to different degrees according to track, weather and previous success (or even lack of it), depend to a large extent on circumstances beyond the control of the competitors. I am aware that the "penalties" are the same for all the teams, but the consequences may not be equal.

For example, the teams had to nominate on Saturday in what race on Sunday they would use the softer compound, and that became a lottery not an exhibition of driving skill or car preparation. This was demonstrated by all the teams that chose to run the softs in the 1st race, when it quickly became evident that the tyres couldn't remain competative for a whole race, which meant that Collard went from hero to zero over just a couple of laps.

Yet later in the day when both the air and the track were somewhat warmer, Neal carrying ballast was able to win.

Does this prove that a) Neal is a better driver, b) that the Honda is a better car than the BMW or I would contend, c) neither because outside influences artificially distorted the results.

I appreciate that it would probably turn people off if one car or team kept winning all the races. However, I don't believe that justice is done to the teams that produce the best overall package of driver and car by artificially adjusting the way the races are run by choosing the grid based on fastest laps in a race, nor making them use tyres that potentially punish the driver or piling on ballast to slow it down.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

For example, the teams had to nominate on Saturday in what race on Sunday they would use the softer compound, and that became a lottery not an exhibition of driving skill or car preparation. This was demonstrated by all the teams that chose to run the softs in the 1st race, when it quickly became evident that the tyres couldn't remain competative for a whole race, which

but thats nothing new. ever since the soft tyre was introduced they had to nominate it on the Saturday and the soft tyre is also exactly the same they used last year. obviously some teams got their setup wrong when they used the soft tyre on the sunday, thats all. and some got it right like Neal.

[porsche962fan]

something else from this weekend

it seems the Hondas weren't sitting ducks on the straight anymore

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Does this prove that a) Neal is a better driver, b) that the Honda is a better car than the BMW or I would contend, c) neither because outside influences artificially distorted the results.

I think it means that a) Neal is more experienced/skilled in managing the soft tyre, b) TD have built a car that can work the soft tyre more effectively, and also c) that conditions helped a bit to allow the results.

[Sodemo]

The thing about the soft tyre, is that it doesn't seem to yield any extra pace. My philosophy of a soft tyre would be, quicker in the first 10 laps, then a more gradual drop off after that. At the moment it seems the soft tyre is as quick as the medium, but just goes off faster after half distance. Of course this varies somewhat depending on the team and car, but that's how it panned out in 2014 and seems the same in 2015.

[mark_l]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/118381

It seems that TOCA have taken heed of Rob Austins sleight of hand.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

The thing about the soft tyre, is that it doesn't seem to yield any extra pace. My philosophy of a soft tyre would be, quicker in the first 10 laps, then a more gradual drop off after that. At the moment it seems the soft tyre is as quick as the medium, but just goes off faster after half distance. Of course this varies somewhat depending on the team and car, but that's how it panned out in 2014 and seems the same in 2015.

Didn't Shedden go fastest with it in R3 when he didn't have to manage it for a whole race?

[porsche962fan]

speaking of other drivers who got away with it , didn't GIO draw himself at least twice for pole ?

[cerdic]

I've always wondered why they get a top ten driver to do the draw. The temptation to cheat must be immense.

When the reverse grid was first introduced, I'm sure they used to get someone neutral to do it. Usually some passing 'celebrity' or other!

In a way, Sunday's incident shows Rob Austin is not used to cheating 'cos he was rubbish at it....

[Bramzel]

Small hat-tip to Chris Stockton by the way, the Power Maxed team has made a massive jump. And while the new input from Power Maxed undoubtly will have helped there, Stocktons ground work from last year (before he left) must have meant a lot as well.

[S griffin]

Also as I've said before, Dave Newsham is very good at getting a car perhaps higher than it should be.

[Bramzel]

While Newsham isn't exactly slow, the fact that Cook could be found in the same part of the field shows they did book significant progress.

[S griffin]

There's no doubt the car is good. Aiden Moffat's (who also had a good weekend at Brands) lack of experience meant it took him a while to get it in the points lSt year.

[Craner Curves]

Which car are we referring to though? The hatch or the saloon? Interesting to see on the coverage that Mike Jordan is completely out of Eurotech, not just a part sale.

[CaptRustyNail]

That's a shame, I don't see Eurotech being up the top again

[Craner Curves]

Indeed no. Although he has set up Jordan Racing Team to prepare cars in historic championships for other customers.