[BTCC] BTCC 2021

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by steve_r

but the very same youtube channel introduction is a montage of bad crashes . Makes me think that actually the person who put this together is a complete hypocrite. Do they like motorsport for the sport or are they are they just gleefully enjoying the bad accidents?

To be honest - I think this is a bit of an image problem that BTCC has struggled to shake, and they do themselves no favours on this.
If you look at montages or clip videos that the BTCC puts together, they include big shunts from the past which at times seems to be celebratory.

Yes - I appreciate that some of the big shunts have been the most memorable moments in BTCC history, but on occasion this is for the wrong reason. As long as the BTCC entices fans with clips of accidents, then fans who want to see accidents is what they will get.

[thetool]

Let's not pretend that typically at least half the crowd at your normal BTCC event isn't waiting for the next big crash, in the same way a NASCAR crowd does.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Fingers crossed for Mr W.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch:

https://youtu.be/DmDywnXM1Vs

What a load of cr&p classic Internet dross

[mprmke]

Originally Posted by peebee2

I’m no fan of his at all but that is actually incredibly easy to do.

Agreed. In a racing car, left-foot braking, just after the start with a hard launch, yes, it is very easy to do.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by mprmke

Agreed. In a racing car, left-foot braking, just after the start with a hard launch, yes, it is very easy to do.

I can only imagine that pushing the clutch down feels just like a jammed throttle or no brakes however ......

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

I can only imagine that pushing the clutch down feels just like a jammed throttle or no brakes however ......

Believe it or not - coming off the throttle and pressing the clutch pedal will feel exactly like having no brakes......

And for those who are wondering how close the clutch and brake pedals are aligned in a BTCC car - the pedals are deliberately mounted to be in direct alignment:

[S griffin]

So now I see why he thought he had a braking problem if he got his pedals mixed up. I agree with Paul O’Neill, he needs to come out and explain and apologise for his mistake

[thetool]

If the guy can't find the brake pedal then he shouldn't have a road license let alone be on a racetrack.

[billy bleach]

[QUOTE=crmalcolm;4051485]Believe it or not - coming off the throttle and pressing the clutch pedal will feel exactly like having no brakes......


I think that’s what I said

[peebee2]

Why do I suspect those who doubt have probably never driven a racing car in anger.

It’s incredibly easy to do.

[bella]

oh i don’t think anyone doubts that’s the real cause. i think they’re just not very impressed…

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by peebee2

Why do I suspect those who doubt have probably never driven a racing car in anger.

It’s incredibly easy to do.

These are supposed to be the best drivers in the country not clubbie novices. Anyone who can't master the basics of a difficult pedal box can't call themselves one of the best drivers in the country and questions should be asked.

And yes I have raced, yes I still compete and yes I know what the pressures inside the cockpit are.


Sent from my AC2003 using Tapatalk

[Adam43]

It’s a surprise it doesn’t happen all the time!

Seriously, when was the last time you heard of this happening?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by midgetman

These are supposed to be the best drivers in the country not clubbie novices. Anyone who can't master the basics of a difficult pedal box can't call themselves one of the best drivers in the country and questions should be asked.

And yes I have raced, yes I still compete and yes I know what the pressures inside the cockpit are.

Interestingly there is at least one other driver on the grid, with BTCC victories to their name, who has gone on public record to state that they feel it's an understandable mistake to make (pressing clutch, not brake). They also admit that they have done similar in a touring car....

[Adam43]

Who was it?

[billy bleach]

https://youtu.be/xI8bGAHwaQA

That’s how you do it!

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

https://youtu.be/xI8bGAHwaQA

That’s how you do it!

That's how you do it if you brake with your right foot. Neate is a left foot braker so that video is totally irrelevant.

The suggestion from Paul O'Neill's video is that Neate was looking at Jade's car to the side of him and didn't see the cars in front lift off. He panicked, went to hit the brake but got the wrong pedal. I stress that is still partly speculation on O'Neill's part. It's a plausible explanation, albeit one that shows a lack of spatial awareness and a lack of understanding that cars will naturally bunch up at the first corner.

I think part of the issue is if that is genuinely what happened, then just put your hand up and admit you made a mistake. Don't try to pass it off with some BS about a problem with the car.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Believe it or not - coming off the throttle and pressing the clutch pedal will feel exactly like having no brakes......

And for those who are wondering how close the clutch and brake pedals are aligned in a BTCC car - the pedals are deliberately mounted to be in direct alignment:

I can buy the story of getting the wrong pedal, or multiple pedals. That pedal box is very compact.

Many years ago as an inexperienced driver in an unfamiliar car - a dinky Pug 106 - I had to slam on the brake to avoid an idiot coming out of a side street but ended up with the car accelerating. The cause being close together pedals and big feet - I had slammed the brake to the bulkhead but taken the throttle down with it. Accident thankfully avoided due to quick reactions and the nimbleness of the little Pug!

[AnnoyedMoose]

Neate had to swerve to avoid the BMW that shot up the inside so he was probably all over his mirrors rather than looking forwards. As Harvey said in the first race the first corner is normally flat out from a standing start so he probably wasn't thinking about braking. Personally I think the armchair critics are being way too harsh on him considering the series but I do worry about his spatial awareness at times.

After all the touch Turkington had on Sutton could have caused just as spectacular a crash if there were more cars around and the Shedden one could have been a total train wreck very easily. If Neate had been the offending driver in either case people would still have been calling for him to be hung from the nearest tree.

I liken coverage outside of the top 10 in BTCC to a reality TV show. How you are perceived is totally in the hands of what the ITV director chooses to show. The armchair critics think Neate crashes every race because they only show him when he does as they also think that Hamilton is in the gravel or having incidents every race as they also only show him when he does.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Who was it?

Ollie Jackson. He has also gone to great lengths to explain the difference between left and right foot braking, and why being a left foot braker makes it complex at the start of the race (line lock, holding car with right foot etc.)

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by redshoes

That's how you do it if you brake with your right foot. Neate is a left foot braker so that video is totally irrelevant.

The suggestion from Paul O'Neill's video is that Neate was looking at Jade's car to the side of him and didn't see the cars in front lift off. He panicked, went to hit the brake but got the wrong pedal. I stress that is still partly speculation on O'Neill's part. It's a plausible explanation, albeit one that shows a lack of spatial awareness and a lack of understanding that cars will naturally bunch up at the first corner.

I think part of the issue is if that is genuinely what happened, then just put your hand up and admit you made a mistake. Don't try to pass it off with some BS about a problem with the car.

I think you will find Van Gisbergen manages to use both!

[Robshillito1990]

Originally Posted by bella

oh i don’t think anyone doubts that’s the real cause. i think they’re just not very impressed…

I doubt it and don't care what people think of that. My opinion with his track record. First it went from jammed throttle, to failed brakes to pressing the clutch instead. Just a book of excuses.

[Alfisti]

He hasn't used the classic "the guy in front reversed into me" one yet!

In his defence, for once, he was probably in a state of shock during and after the accident, and shock can badly affect us all. Recollection of events can be become jumbled.

[Matt K]

Whatever the reason behind his accident is, I don't think it's a coincidence that quite a number of times already where an accident was, Neate was there as well.
He may not be as much of an idiot on track as some of us think of him but he's just not good enough for BTCC - his pace, spatial awareness, being accident-prone and now he's going to deal with his unfortunate comment that tried to put a blame on his own team. I understand he's got a passion for motorsport and has money to do it but BTCC should be about the best touring car drivers in country so it's clearly not a place for him.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Robshillito1990

I doubt it and don't care what people think of that. My opinion with his track record. First it went from jammed throttle, to failed brakes to pressing the clutch instead. Just a book of excuses.

Its a point of view. However when the baying for blood stops surely it is plausible that in the melee of the first corner a brain on overload could mistake disengaging the clutch with a stuck throttle or brake failure. How about accepting it was just a mistake? A stupid mistake but a mistake. Telling deliberate lies it almost certainly wasn't. Just hope the team and Edwards / Geddy get a proper genuine apology.....