BTCC Mid Season Report

[rdjones]

Well we are now half through this years BTCC and it time for my mid-term report. This are my thoughts on the year so far.

VX Racing:- So VXRacing launched the new Sports Hatch at the beginning of the year, the car seems to reliable and quick, but at present IMO it doesn't seem to have the pace of the old Astra Coupe. The team are working hard and thick they become a lot stronger in the 2nd half of the year. 9/10

Yvan Muller:- What can you say about the French master he is quick and is having a good year and he is always there or there abouts. 9/10

Colin Turkingon:- He made soiled start to the year and got pole for the 1st race off the year, but just doesn't seem to be getting to grips with the new Sport's Hatch, I expect to see a big improvement in him over the 2nd half of the year, it was good to see him back on the pace this weekend at Croft. 8/10

Gavin Smith:- His switch from the Seat Cupra championship to VXRacing shocked a lot of people, for me he is not setting the world on fire, but its his first season in the BTCC and is on very steep learning curve. 7/10

Seat Sport UK:- What's gone wrong at Seat, last year they hit the ground running and where quick straight out of the box but this year it has all gone wrong. I think switching the from RML to in house team maybe part of the problem. I also think that the loss of Rob Huff has hit them hard, as he provided a lot of back up to Plato, where as IMO Pickford and Hines aren't at present. 8/10

Jason Plato:- Jason is having a very quite year and in my view seem to have gone of the boil, that maybe controversial but he doesn't seem to be on the same form he was in last year and I don't know why, lets hope things go better for him in the 2nd half of the year. 8/10

James Pickford:- Its a big step up from the Seat's Cupra Championship to the BTCC. Like Gavin Smith he is on very steep learning curve, he is getting there but Rob Huff is a hard act to follow, in the 2nd works Seat seat. He seemed to find his pace during the 3rd race yesterday, he just needs to build on it. 7/10

Luke Hines:- When he jumped ship from Vauxhall to Seat at the end of last season I expected him to be right up there at the front, but for some reason's he's not, it will be interesting to see how he gets on in the 2nd half of the year. 7/10

Team Halfords:- We all know that Team Dynamics are good at running other peoples cars, but this year they have built there own and well by the looks of things they are pretty good at that too. 10/10

Matt Neal:- Well he is leading the championship at the half way stage and I can't see anyone beating "the people's champion" to the overall title. He is strong in the races and qualifying. 10/10

Dan Eaves:- For me man of the season so far. The three wins at Thruxton where fantastic and he has gone for a soiled midfield runner to potential race victor over the winter, he shown this again at Croft yesterday. 10/10

WSR:- It's a know fact that WSR are on a tight budget again this year and again Dick Bennetts is working miracles, we all know how good the MG ZS is, the question for the 2nd half of the year is when will Rob turn it into a race winner again. They need to get the 2nd driver on board and soon. 8/10

Rob Collard:- How much bad luck can one man have. He always seems to be there or there abouts, but never seems to be able to turn a good race position or grid position into podium or even a race win. We all know how good the MG ZS is, the question for the 2nd half of the year is when will Rob turn it into a race winner again. 8/10

Synchro Motorsport:- For a team of people that run the car in there "spare time", I think they do a good job, the Type-R is a quick car and times they have shown a lot promise, but they just seem to never get the final results. They should keep plugging away as one day they will take that race win. 7/10

James Kaye:- He seems always seems to be at the bottom end of the top 10, but has a fair share of bad luck, I have lost count of the amount of time I have seen him retire from a strong position. He seemed to be more on the pace this weekend at Croft. 7/10

Arena Motorsport:- The car was park in a farm shed all winter, they got it out dusted it down and with no development work done on the car over the winter they put it on pole at its return to the championship at Thruxton, I think that shows what a sorted car that Civic Type R is. 8/10

Tom Chiton:- What can you say about Tom Chilton, he is the quickest and most spectacular driver in this years BTCC. He was a man on mission and with a point to prove in qualifying at Thruxton, and boy did he prove it since then he seem to have calmed down about bit. He will be up there challenging in the 2nd half of the year. 8/10

Friends Reunited with HPI Racing:- The team have made a massive step up from the Clio's to the BTCC and it some ways it tells. It was brave move to develop there own car instead of buying one of the shelf, the start of the year has been tough for them. The car its self looks good and may have bit of potential and once the engine problems are sorted out then I think they will start to move forward. This weekend at Croft the cars seemed to have more pace and it looks like they are finally getting there. 6/10

Ian Curley:- It's difficult to sum up Ian Curley's year so far as he has had so many problems with car. I think he will do OK in the 2nd half of the year, but it all depends on the car, but the sign's where good at Croft, IMO he seems to just have the edge of Richard Williams. 6/10

Richard Williams:- Read my above comments and removed Ian Curley's name and replace it with Richard Williams. 6/10

Techspeed:- They only returned to the championship at Croft, so its a bit difficult to pass comment on them so far, we know they are a good team and as the year goes on I expect them to get stronger. 5/10

Fiona Leggate:- She has only done the one round so far and it is hard to pass comment, she'll get quicker as the year goes on. She was not as quick as I thought she would be, but it was her first meeting and she will get better with time. 5/10

Fast-Tec Motorsport:- The team seem to have had lots of problems with ex Rob Collard Astra, this little team seem to be a little out of there depth in the BTCC. 4/10

Mark Proctor:- He seems to be way out of his league in the BTCC and seems to spend most time at the back of the field rolling round behind the Lexus. He was having his best weekend of the year so far at Croft this weekend and then he had his monstor shunt. 5/10

Overall:- We have seen some fantastic racing so far this year, but the lack of cars is worrying. We are told that there are going cars joining into as the year goes on, but I can't see that happening, what has happen to the 2nd Arena Honda, the 2nd WSR MG, the B&Q/York City/Varta (or what every they are called this year) Honda, the 2 Griftn Racing Peugeot's and the GA Alfa's?.

As for the racing its self that has been fantastic and Dan Eaves three wins at Thruxton have been the highlight of the year. so far, as where all three races at Brands. One other thing I have noticed is there does not seem to the same buzz around the paddock that there was last year, and I don't know why maybe it because the season has not got going to due to the long break's between each meeting 4weeks between Donington and Thruxton and then another 4 week gap to Brands and then we have just had a 3 week gap between Oulton and Croft. Overall I would give the year so far 8/10.

[Chris Y]

Originally Posted by rdjones

..he has gone for a soiled midfield runner

Hope he cleans up afterwards

[Pete Fenelon]

Fiona Leggate:- She has only done the one round so far and it is hard to pass comment, she'll get quicker as the year goes on. She was not as quick as I thought she would be, but it was her first meeting and she will get better with time. 5/10

Given that Fiona was mixing it with the HPi Lexues and Mark Proctor's Vauxhall in race 1, I think her performance in her first BTCC meeting with a newly-converted car was quite credible. Not quite sure what you expected, but I didn't expect to see Fiona doing battle with anyone other than those three! -- from there on up, you're dealing with people who either have significant experience, a good car, or both.

[BootsOntheSide]

Agreed Pete - Fiona did quite respectably on her first weekend, considering that everybody else is now fully adjusted to the championship. On paper she's the best driver out of those 4 stragglers, but there's no substitute for experience.

Otherwise I can't find anything to greatly argue with. Hard to call Eaves 'man of the seaosn' consdierng that Neal has outperformed him 4 meetings out of 5, but maybe it's not easy to match the boss's son, no matter how good you are relative to him. If Halfords can get Howell otu there as well, they'll deserve 11/10.

[maximus]

Originally Posted by rdjones

Jason Plato:- Jason is having a very quite year and in my view seem to have gone of the boil, that maybe controversial but he doesn't seem to be on the same form he was in last year and I don't know why, lets hope things go better for him in the 2nd half of the year. 8/10

Don't agree AT all! He put that car where it shouldn't have been at times and has been light years ahead of his team mates. Jason's still there but the car isn't quite so at the moment.

I also am a little disappointed with VX Racing and Turkington so far and I think you have been too leniant on them.

[runnyhunny]

My thoughts on a few of those mentioned:

Seat Sport UK: Gone backwards because RML have left the operation. Look back at touring cars, and you can see RML's greatness. Any team will suffer without them. Oh, and I'll bet that those WTCC Chevys are on the pace before too long!

Dan Eaves: I'm not sure. He's never seemed to have that last few percent which makes him a regular race-winner (and hence potential champion), but then again, he's usually driving sheds. He has the best car this year, but has he delivered? I think he was pretty special at Thruxton, but hasn't been on Neal's level since.

James Kaye: Constant bad luck! Every time he has a sniff at a top-six position, his car breaks or he gets punted off. I really respect the team, and it's a terrible shame that they don't see their efforts rewarded.

Mark Proctor: How much is it down to him vs. the car? I would say the car, but I seem to recall Michael Bentwood sticking a similar car on pole once or twice last year! Terrible luck at Croft.

Colin Turkington: Always seems to have a poor start to the season. He needs to fix this if he ever wants to become champion.

Luke Hines and James Pickford: Completely out of their depth, and totally outclassed by Jason Plato (understandable to an extent).

Fiona Leggate: Don't understand all the biased praise from Tim and Ben - perhaps just usual media spin. Thought that she should be way ahead of the HPI and FTM cars, considering that it's a 2004 championship-winning car! I've no idea how the fuel change affects the performance, and I suspect we'll never find out.

Regarding those people building their own cars (TD and HPI), the message is clear: you need serious experience. TD have been running cars for years, and were therefore able to switch to a similar (shared running gear) car. HPI came in from no-where, and as a result, we are seeing a 2001 Lexus/Alfa re-run. I do hope they can turn it around, though.

[rdjones]

I have just heard Fiona on Tin Top Tuesday and the 2nd race, the car was 4th quickest through the speed trap.

[Hazard]

But did it make the next bend?

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by rdjones

I have just heard Fiona on Tin Top Tuesday and the 2nd race, the car was 4th quickest through the speed trap.

The Lexus is often one of the quicker cars through the speed trap. Unless you are at Santa Pod that doesn't really count for much.

Originally Posted by maximus

He [Plato] put that car where it shouldn't have been at times and has been light years ahead of his team mates.

Not too surprising given who his team mates are.
Moving from a one-make series to the BTCC is always a bit of a jump. You need to up your game and Pickford hasn't.
I've never especially rated Hines and this year he's done nothing to change my view. In Production he had the best car (Barwell Honda) against minimal opposition; at Vauxhall he had one of the best cars; at SEAT it feels like he's not interested or not trying. I always get the impression he was in motorsports because that's where his dad thought he should be not because that's where he wanted to be.

Originally Posted by rdjones

Gavin Smith:- His switch from the Seat Cupra championship to VXRacing shocked a lot of people, for me he is not setting the world on fire, but its his first season in the BTCC and is on very steep learning curve. 7/10

When getting the drive depends more on the size of you cheque that the size of your tallent what do you expect?

[Craig]

Originally Posted by redshoes

I've never especially rated Hines and this year he's done nothing to change my view. In Production he had the best car (Barwell Honda) against minimal opposition; at Vauxhall he had one of the best cars; at SEAT it feels like he's not interested or not trying. I always get the impression he was in motorsports because that's where his dad thought he should be not because that's where he wanted to be.

I have not followed Luke's career closely, nor do I know him personally, but I remember when he was karting he was never really that interested. In fact, at his first ever kart race, I remember him crying because he didn't want to race... In my mind Luke is fine when things are going well but maybe he needs to up his game a little when things aren't all in his favour.

[Pete Fenelon]

Luke clearly likes looking like the dishevelled young racing ace, and seems to like the PR and image side of it all, but he doesn't seem to have the fire in his belly that other youngsters have - compare Tom Chilton, who I used to think was a bit of a young poser but since last season has buckled down and started driving very well (and you don't go off and do sports car racing if you're not a real enthusiast!) -- I admit, I used to lump Chilton, Hines and Tom Boardman into the same "brat pack" brigade. Boardman was in the BTCC too soon - he was out of his depth and SEATs are clearly more his patch. Hines, well, I don't think he'll ever go much further in the sport without spending a lot of his dad's money, but Chilton seems to be a Proper Racer. Same goes for Turkington, he's the real deal too.

Gavin Smith appears completely lacklustre. It's a pity that other Gavin - Pyper - hasn't got the dosh for that seat because he'd be a real asset to VX - he was doing great things in the GA Alfa and Astra and is a genuinely nice bloke too.

Eaves I've always thought was a bit special, right back to Renault Spyders. Again (a bit like Andy Priaulx who I also thought was superb in that series) it's taken him time to get where he's going but he's getting near the top of his game now.

[Pete Fenelon]

Although it'd be great to see another big team or two in the BTCC what I really miss this year is more depth towards the back of the field. I'd particularly like to see John George and Jason Hughes back in the series, they were both real enthusiasts, improving with every race despite running on a fraction of the big teams' budgets. It'd be great if that little four-car Leggate/Proctor/Curley/Williams tussle was six or eight cars; we've got the depth at the front of the grid already.

[Alfa Fan]

Jason Hughes returns this weekend at Mondello Park, and John George was planning to return in 2006, after his 2005 tie-up with Vic went sour with the drugs scandal.

[redshoes]

Not sure I'd totally agree with Pete about Chilton. There's no denying he's quick but I've always felt he could have used a season or two in something like Clios to improve his racecraft. His return at Thruxton proved he is still a very raw tallent and spectatcular to watch but he needs to learn to temper than speed with some mechanical sympthy, especially if he wants to move to endurance racing.

Boardman is a good example of what should have happened to Chilton. When he first started in BTCC he used to literally drive the wheel off his car. After a couple of years in SEATs he's matured, calmed down a lot yet lost none of his speed.

Eaves is something of a puzzle to me. Having seen him in National Saloons many years ago I know he's very capable. Since then though he's not been really stood out. Always seems to get a good result but more of a steady performer than spectactular.

[rdjones]

I see from today's Motorsport News that Seat are thinking about entering a 4th car later in the year to provided more back up for Plato, possible drivers could be Warren Hughes, Kelvin Burt, Shaun Watson Smith, Anthony Reid or Rickard Rydell.

[touringlegend]

To be brutally honest, I think SEAT need all the help they can get this year if they want the manufacturers championship. They should hire all those drivers!!

All of those names mentioned would drive that car as hard as Plato, so it'll be a hard choice for them.

[Alfa Fan]

I wouldnt go for Warren Hughes or Kelvin Burt. I don't think either are up to it. They always seemed to shy away from the more physical nature of the series. Anthony Reid and SWS would be great choices, both fast and exciting drivers - and popular with the UK crowd. Rickard Rydell should be left to concentrate on WTCC IMO

[Gaz]

Muller - 9/10 - I'm not a fan of the Frenchman and I don't like his attitude but you can't fault the man when he gets behind the wheel. He produces time and time again and has quietly brought himself right into contention for the title in a car that shouldn't currently be in the position it is.

Turkington - 7/10 - I think this guys over rated to be honest. Too inconsistent for me. When he's on it, he's on it...but isn't on the same level as team mate Muller and should be achieving better results considering his touring car experience than he is at the moment.

Smith - 5/10 - Size of the cheque counts as has already been stated. Never rated him as anything more than an average racer, and this year he's proving it. Should have achieved at least a podium by now but hasn't.

Plato - 8/10 - Thinks he's doing a super job in a car that clearly isn't at the level it should be at. Always action when Jason's on track but he's a one man band without the help of any quality team mates.

Pickford - 3/10 - Desperately disappointing. Huff a hard act to follow but he's nowhere near where he should be at. The cars not great but he should be at this stage of the season closer to Plato than he is. Looks nervous under pressure and doesn't have the pace to trouble the lead runners. How SEAT must wish Tom Boardman won their series last year right now.

Hines - 3/10 - As desperate as Pickford. Looks uninterested most of the time and spends the majority of the time going backwards, whether thats off the track or just fown the field! Another average racer who any ultra competitive series would find his way near the back...wait a minute he already does find his way near the back week in week out even in the BTCC!

Neal - 9/10 - What can you say, superb job....the boys done good and I think this will finally be his year. Has proved his ability to develop a car from scratch with the team and is reeping the rewards. Consistent, quick...its about time he achieved what he's been looking for several years now.

Eaves - 8/10 - Come on leaps and bounds this year but still isn't quite on the same level as Matt. Not consistent enough to be a champion although Thruxton performance was exceptional. Needs to make the most of this season.

Chilton - 6/10 - Has done OK since returning but nothing exceptional. Car is struggling against the newer Integra's, Vauxhall's and Seat's but still pushing hard and like Plato there's always action when Tom's on track.

Curley/Williams - 3/10 - Hard to rate these guys as they havn't had a fair crack of the whip. HPI have gone well beyond their means with this project. They should have come in and raced a couple of seasons with an older spec car before deciding to build their own as they clearly don't have the expertise or experience as of yet to develop one, nevermind two cars which is a shame.

Kaye - 7/10 - Quietly gets on with the job without really being noticed. Always in there mixing it with the tail end works cars and is doing a super job really considering the budget he has to run with.

Proctor - 3/10 - Another case of ameteur driver/businessman trying to fullfill a dream yet miles out of his/the teams depth. Car well past its sell by date, team don't have the budget or expertise and he really is just making up the numbers but perhaps not for much longer.

Leggate - Too early to decide, although she did a reasonable job over the weekend

[maximus]

Proctors not really an amatuer, he is a pretty quick ASCAR driver! His team seem out of their depth though.

[Grahame West]

The main problem with btcc is the lack of cars on the grid - such a shame when it used to be a good series. The porsche support race even worse only 10 cars - wot a bore. They should invite for free a good series to liven the package up e.g. legends or something similar.

[Pete Fenelon]

Legends just looked lost at Croft when they used to come down to support the BTCC. Nice blokes and all, and they love their racing, but their cars are just too damn small to look impressive. With that much space, *anything* can be four-abreast.

I'd love to see Britsports on the BTCC bill - give the punters a taste of sports car racing, a hour race, maybe, but it'd mean splitting up the EERC package....

The Porsche Cup is dying on its behind, where's the fun in the same three guys finishing in virtually the same order every round?

[Neil Adams]

Originally Posted by Grahame West

The main problem with btcc is the lack of cars on the grid - such a shame when it used to be a good series.

dont agree i believe its is still a very good series, the wtcc has loads of cars but provides no-where near the entertainment of the btcc, the races at croft did seem processional compared to some great racing we've seen so far, imo the croft races where probably the worst races so far this year.

Is it time for the integras to have an addtional weight penaulty like the 4wd audis and rwd cars? becasue watching the live timings in the third race the integras where continually around a second faster every lap than the rest of the field