BTCC Circuits

Bez · 1 Jul 2002, 23:50 (Ref:325517)

Does anyone know if there are any plans for the toca tour to visit Castle Combe or Rockingham in the near future.

Peter Scillitoe · 2 Jul 2002, 20:38 (Ref:326097)

Quote:

Originally posted by Bez
Does anyone know if there are any plans for the toca tour to visit Castle Combe or Rockingham in the near future.

I posted on another part of this Forum earlier in the year that Rockingham were now represented on the Board of BMP in the place of Donington. I think that you can read into that the answer "yes". I personally think it unlikely that Castle Combe will get a BTCC round in the near future. Although I love the place to bits, I think the BTCC would ruin the special atmosphere at CC; I also have very severe safety concerns

Alfa Fan · 2 Jul 2002, 20:44 (Ref:326104)

Why would the BTCC ruin the atmosphere there. F3 and GT cuurently go there so why not BTCC?

Peter Scillitoe · 2 Jul 2002, 20:50 (Ref:326112)

Quote:

Originally posted by Alfa Fan
Why would the BTCC ruin the atmosphere there. F3 and GT cuurently go there so why not BTCC?

Just ask any marshal on the Marshals Forum.

redshoes · 2 Jul 2002, 21:00 (Ref:326118)

Reading between the lines it seems all was not well with the recent F3/GT visit to Combe. One or two safety concerns as Peter says, which I think makes a BTCC visit unlikely.

As for Rockingham, I hope not.

EvilPumpkin · 2 Jul 2002, 21:21 (Ref:326135)

Whilst I do have some issues with the organisers of the BTCC, I have to say that apart from the obvious problems, I would still like to see the BTCC return to Mondello - the majority of the drivers/teams were very nice and it's a shame they're developing a bad reputation as a result of the bad behaviour of a few people.

Is there any truth to the rumour that Oulton will not be on the BTCC calendar next year?

Carrie · 2 Jul 2002, 21:25 (Ref:326139)

I hope that's not true EP. From a photography point of view, Oulton is one of my favourites.
As for Rockingham - no thanks.

100%VauxhallFan · 3 Jul 2002, 00:24 (Ref:326241)

Quote:

Originally posted by Carrie
I hope that's not true EP.

Likewise. Also, BMP would be stupid to get rid of one of the few "Northen" races.

From a slighty different point of view, Oulton is an Octagon circuit, and I can't see Octagon wanting a race at one of their circuits being lost.

Craigsy · 3 Jul 2002, 12:28 (Ref:326463)

On the BSB highlights on Sunday afternoon (sorry, but there was nothing else on!) Steve Hislop likened Rockingham to "racing round the car park at Tesco", or words to that effect.

Obviously racing bikes is very different to racing touring cars but it's hardly a vote of confidence is it?

Dave Brand · 3 Jul 2002, 13:00 (Ref:326479)

Quote:

Originally posted by Craigsy
On the BSB highlights on Sunday afternoon (sorry, but there was nothing else on)

Let's see......real racing with lots of overtaking, no team orders, competitors without an exaggerated sense of their own importance, no need for artificial compulsory pitstops, success ballast, etc., to make it interesting......no need to apologise for watching that!

SolemHill · 3 Jul 2002, 14:41 (Ref:326525)

It's hard to believe that BTCC drivers wouldn't want to come to Oulton, they all say it's a circuit you can get your teeth into. But then officialdom is another place and it won't be the drivers making the decision. Is this why Oulton only had one visit this year from the BTCC?

Anyway, the Cheshire crowd for BTCC is always massive - but then, we are only fans after all........

Bez · 3 Jul 2002, 20:25 (Ref:326710)

I know Rockingham doesn't have much atmosphere but you can see virtually the whole circuit from any vantage point.As for Castle Combe,what are the safety implications involved because a touring car race there would be pretty spectacular.

totaltoca · 3 Jul 2002, 20:42 (Ref:326718)

I would like to know why Brands Got 2 meetings this year. Yer its a great track and you can use Indy and Grand Prix but Oulton has Fosters and National and Donington Short and Grand Prix.

El_Gibleto · 3 Jul 2002, 21:52 (Ref:326770)

The toca series was cut to just 10 meetings this season, because the crowd figures were so bad last season. Meaning, in most cases one meeting per circuit.

Somehow, Brands became an exception to the one meeting per circuit rule.

I'd expect that the second visit to Brands will be dropped if Rockingham is added to the circuits visited next year. I know I'd much rather go to Rockingham than Brands.

cos · 3 Jul 2002, 21:59 (Ref:326772)

Quote:

Originally posted by totaltoca
I would like to know why Brands Got 2 meetings this year. Yer its a great track and you can use Indy and Grand Prix but Oulton has Fosters and National and Donington Short and Grand Prix.

the Indy and the Grand Prix tracks are almost completely different circuits - you can't really say that about the Donington Short vs Grand Prix layouts.

Rambo · 3 Jul 2002, 23:00 (Ref:326796)

No, Donnington is still Donnington but Oulton Fosters and Oulton Island/Shell are completely different.

What's happemed to Pembrey? I remember when F3s used to go there... I hated it, but we were promised a facelift which I think never happened.

Brands is one of the most popular circuits for any series. Maybe because it's closer to London than the rest...

Last year attendance was poor because the racing was pathetic. This year, although the ballast system is complete junk (Muller running with NEGATIVE weight???!!!???) the racing is a bit better, with more cars and closer racing, so hopefully things will pick up again.

Rambo · 3 Jul 2002, 23:01 (Ref:326797)

Oh, and did I mention that the Rockingham infiled circuit has to be one of the worst, least planned and badly put together tracks in the entire world?

El_Gibleto · 4 Jul 2002, 05:57 (Ref:326864)

Whilst it isn't perfect, the infield circuit at Rockingham is better than most oval infield circuits, and the spectator facilities at the circuit are far superior to those at any of the Octagon circuits. We should remember that this is a spectator sport and that the spectators are entitiled to good facilities.

Peter Scillitoe · 4 Jul 2002, 19:04 (Ref:327229)

Quote:

Originally posted by Bez
As for Castle Combe,what are the safety implications involved because a touring car race there would be pretty spectacular.

Given the current driving standards in the BTCC, and more particularly in the supports, eg the Clios, a car in the crowd is a strong possibility. Within the last few weeks a racing saloon went over the fence into the spectator area on the approach to Tower Corner.

Dave Brand · 4 Jul 2002, 20:30 (Ref:327296)

Quote:

Originally posted by Rambo
Oulton Fosters and Oulton Island/Shell are completely different.

Not really. Compared with the full (Shell) circuit, the Island circuit just misses out the Shell loop & the Foulstons chicane. The Fosters circuit just goes straight on at Cascades & misses out the Knicker Brook chicane. Not exactly different circuits, just more or less of the same.

Rambo · 4 Jul 2002, 20:50 (Ref:327307)

Island and shell are obviously similar, but Fosters is rather different from the other two, IMHO. Whatever, it's still a nice, picturesque circuit and I like it. It's a real circuit, not some mickey-mouse, fit it into the flat soggy infield piece of junk.

What about running a BTCC round at Cadwell Park?!?

Alfa Fan · 4 Jul 2002, 20:53 (Ref:327309)

I think the BTCC will be at Oulton Park next year. If it is not i am going to be extremly annoyed!

Moggs · 5 Jul 2002, 23:44 (Ref:327974)

I don't live to far from Rockingham, but I would much sooner dive all the way to Oulton Park to watch motor racing than I would pop across to Rockingham to watch scalextric. I've got one of those in the loft! and mine has more corners!

Rambo · 6 Jul 2002, 00:35 (Ref:327986)

Here, Here!

AndyF · 6 Jul 2002, 08:26 (Ref:328067)

If Octagon have a shout, and lose one of the Brands races to Rockingham, they may see finincial sense in replacing Oulton with another Brands round. After all Octagon owns Cadwell, and the BTCC doesn't go there.

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