BTCC of yesteryear - Page 5

peebee2 · 4 Feb 2021, 12:22 (Ref:4033415)

Quote:

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

There's some info on the '92 BMWs here - https://tentenths.com/forum/showthre...=128944&page=2

Also remember, the 1991 VL cars were M3s, the 1992 cars were 318s...

Same tech, different badge.

crmalcolm · 4 Feb 2021, 12:27 (Ref:4033416)

Quote:

Originally Posted by peebee2

Same tech, different badge.

I thought the M3 was an E30, and the 318 was an E36? Hence Neal switching later in 1992.

S griffin · 4 Feb 2021, 12:32 (Ref:4033418)

I think there always was some different interpretations of what the BMW models were. Neal didn't do much with the M3 and ended up in the 318 after he wrecked the M3 at Donnington

peebee2 · 4 Feb 2021, 12:38 (Ref:4033421)

Quote:

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I thought the M3 was an E30, and the 318 was an E36? Hence Neal switching later in 1992.

Sorry, what I meant was that how the cars were badged for marketing and what they actually were was basically unrelated.

The M3s started as 2.3s, then 2.5s, then 3.0s, then 3.2s etc. And when the E36 came out there was no M3 for a year or two, the 325i was the quickest one.

crmalcolm · 4 Feb 2021, 12:49 (Ref:4033426)

Quote:

Originally Posted by peebee2

Sorry, what I meant was that how the cars were badged for marketing and what they actually were was basically unrelated.

The M3s started as 2.3s, then 2.5s, then 3.0s, then 3.2s etc. And when the E36 came out there was no M3 for a year or two, the 325i was the quickest one.

Cheers - I just recall there being talk of differences between the 'M3' and '318' in terms of the race builds, and some of the differences were outside of factory changes.

CarfanLUFC · 4 Feb 2021, 13:02 (Ref:4033430)

Ah good stuff. I also didn't realise that Neal had switched from the ex Prodrive coupe to a 4 door self built BMW in 1993. I did note he changed car number during the that season however...

Shame things never worked out with Dowson for Neal and Leslie in 94, the Mazda was a decent mid-field car early on. Leslie posting a couple of 8th place finishes. Then of course Neal had his big accident and a few rounds later the entire programme ended.

Was it the 94 Shoot out where Neal raced the bright green 323? I remember coming over to England and going to that race but can't remember if that was 94 or 95, my memory is hazy from those times.

I certainly remember attending the race, staying in the UK for 4 weeks, flying home and still getting back in time to watch the 'delayed' highlights on SuperSports back in Zimbabwe. It's just the actual years are lost on me.

S griffin · 4 Feb 2021, 14:56 (Ref:4033455)

Yep, good look back. I wonder why Neal made the switch of cars midway through 93? I guess the change of number was to bring more luck. 77 would be luckier than 13

Mazda really didn’t look good in 94, the team did their best and Leslie did get a couple of good results out of it, but the car was nowhere. Neal didn’t look comfortable in that car, although that accident wasn’t his fault

redshoes · 4 Feb 2021, 15:17 (Ref:4033461)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

Yep, good look back. I wonder why Neal made the switch of cars midway through 93? I guess the change of number was to bring more luck. 77 would be luckier than 13

There was rule change coming in 1994 that would require cars to have at least 4 doors, albeit privateer teams would still be allowed to run existing 2-door cars for a period. Switching to the 4-door mid-season was a way of getting ahead of the game.

Number change was for exactly that reason. 13 was considered unlucky, he couldn't use 7 as 1-10 were reserved based on prior year championship finishing order, so used 77 instead.

Craner Curves · 4 Feb 2021, 19:10 (Ref:4033499)

He is very superstitious and tried to beat them by doing away with them all and running number 13. He soon switched back after a run of bad luck.

porsche962fan · 4 Feb 2021, 19:16 (Ref:4033500)

those Mazdas ended up as backmarker in the 1997 NATCC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi21Yeic3KQ

S griffin · 5 Feb 2021, 11:55 (Ref:4033584)

I rewatched my 93 BTCC Season Review video. What a season, great mix of cars and performances could swing race by race. Very competitive season, with plenty of good racing. My favourite race that season would probably be the British GP support race.

One thing that isn’t picked up on is Winkelhock’s recovery in Rd 13 at Brands. After his early incident with Leslie, he worked his way back up to sixth and had the first five in sight, before he locked up, ruined his tyres and went off.

And Radisich really was the form man come the end of the season. A case of what might have been

Nononsensecapeesh · 7 Feb 2021, 11:22 (Ref:4033815)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

I rewatched my 93 BTCC Season Review video. What a season, great mix of cars and performances could swing race by race. Very competitive season, with plenty of good racing. My favourite race that season would probably be the British GP support race.

One thing that isn’t picked up on is Winkelhock’s recovery in Rd 13 at Brands. After his early incident with Leslie, he worked his way back up to sixth and had the first five in sight, before he locked up, ruined his tyres and went off.

And Radisich really was the form man come the end of the season. A case of what might have been

94 might have been his year if it weren't for the Alfas.

Craner Curves · 7 Feb 2021, 11:29 (Ref:4033819)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nononsensecapeesh

94 might have been his year if it weren't for the Alfas.

This comment is seen a lot, but who was the runner up? Not him.

Nononsensecapeesh · 7 Feb 2021, 11:43 (Ref:4033824)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

This comment is seen a lot, but who was the runner up? Not him.

There's a reason why I said "might", he was one of the faves going into 94, Menu could have equalled Rouse's record with better luck.