[BTCC] Round Four, Oulton Park 11-12 Jun, Races 10,11&12

[BTCC frog]

Originally Posted by Evantra

Nice to see Speedworks on better form.

Team HARD 4 out of the last 5 cars on the grid... Taylor-Smith is the one that surprises me, you'd never think he's a multiple race winner.

It was when he changed his name from Aron Smith to Aron Taylor-Smith that it all went wrong. Probably all that extra ballast from writing more letters on the window.

The qualifying grid really surprised me today. Even though Oulton Park has been moving more towards a Front-Wheel-Drive track I still expected BMWs to be on pole and at the front (I had predicted a 1-2-3 of Morgan, Hill and Turkington). Ingram for pole was nice to see, and I think I will be supporting him for the championship this year as he deserves to have one by now. Great lap also from Dan Lloyd to go third, which reminded me of his second place here in 2016 for Eurotech.

Also, I believe S Griffin is correct about Jason Plato in 2007-08 having the most consecutive points finishes. It is at least true in the time period since moving to 30 races a year.

[Robshillito1990]

Driving standards are absolutely appalling today.

[Robshillito1990]

Sutton passed completely off the track. No doubt he will get away with it.

[Evantra]

Dominant by Ingram.

Bit of a messy race, didn't look great for Butel and Shedden.

Gamble seems to have gone completely backwards since round 1.

[AnnoyedMoose]

I presume Shedden is right about the rule change as I've missed it but it sounds like an odd thing to change. Very difficult for the car in front to know that the car behind has a couple of inches overlap compared to half a car.

[Sodemo]

So how has TOCA hobbled the RWD cars since the last meeting, what secret measures have they imposed which will only be revealed in a passing comment on a little watched qualifying session by Tim Harvey?

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

So how has TOCA hobbled the RWD cars since the last meeting, what secret measures have they imposed which will only be revealed in a passing comment on a little watched qualifying session by Tim Harvey?

They got me to sneak into WSR HQ in my ninja outfit and put lead ballast inside the roll cage tubing. Probably.

[porsche962fan]

so Shedden got penalty

[Jon411]

The WSR pace over the past few years at Oulton has been a bit of a mystery - looking at last year's results the Ciceley cars were stronger then.


Oh what a surprise - RWD has had it's startline boost cut again - it's taken several laps for Colin to get the tyres warmed up and get back onto the back of Butcher

[porsche962fan]

boost cut for RWD....

[Robshillito1990]

Boost cut off the line and in general isn't a bad thing they're definitely a lot more evenly matched with the other cars now

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

boost cut for RWD....

Is there any details of that? Has it been officially announced?

[Matt K]

Some great battles during this race, nice to see Turkington back on the podium. Shame Sutton couldn't fight with Ingram for the win, would be a cracker. Anyway, pleased to see the Focus much speedier than in the beginning of the season.

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Is there any details of that? Has it been officially announced?

Tim Harvey mentioned it

[porsche962fan]

this champoionship is again sinking into the pit of boredom , it was almost another procession

[Evantra]

So the drivers are picking the reverse draws again? Watch Ingram pick out Lloyd!

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by AnnoyedMoose

I presume Shedden is right about the rule change as I've missed it but it sounds like an odd thing to change. Very difficult for the car in front to know that the car behind has a couple of inches overlap compared to half a car.

As a former saloon car racer, albeit from 55 years ago, I can tell you that it should not be that difficult. When I raced back then, for about 5 years in the Redex Special Saloon Car Championship which was possibly the most popular saloon car race series of the late 60s, circuit racing was considered to be a non-contact activity, we would be reminded about how we should be racing at every drivers' briefing.

The rules were pretty straightforward; if a driver attempting to overtake going into a corner had his or her car's front wheels alongside or in front of your car, then it was your responsibility to cede the position, and racing room was always expected to be given at all times.

During those 5 years of racing, I cannot recall one incident of "rubbing", door handle exchanges or mirrors being knocked off. Nor can I recall any driver attempting a push to pass manoeuvrer, either.

As a competitor, you were expected to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and spacial awareness was required so that what is now all too often referred to as racing incidents didn't occur. And our side mirrors were nowhere as good as today's ones are!

[thetool]

It's a similar problem to that which F1 has on some of the older, classic circuits. The cars have outgrown the circuits. They're so wide & heavy these days. 1.89m wide (about 5% wider than ST) and base weight of 1280kg. For comparison S2000 ran at about 1140kg base weight, and Super Touring a mere 975kg. The difference in weight makes the cars look far less "racey" at tracks like Oulton Park.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Is there any details of that? Has it been officially announced?

In a technical bulletin.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

this champoionship is again sinking into the pit of boredom , it was almost another procession

Just a feature of Oulton Park.
The championship race still has plenty of intrigue ahead.

[AnnoyedMoose]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

The rules were pretty straightforward; if a driver attempting to overtake going into a corner had his or her car's front wheels alongside or in front of your car, then it was your responsibility to cede the position, and racing room was always expected to be given at all times.

That's pretty easy to do. I've been racing multiple years and I have no issue with that and do it all the time.

Judging where a car behind you is to the accuracy of a couple of inches is a different matter.

I guess the aim of the new rule is to put the onus 100% on the car in front so if they are not totally sure that they are in front then they shouldn't move over to block rather (as before) putting the onus on the driver behind to pull out of the move if they weren't far enough alongside.

I'm not totally sure I agree with that as the driver behind has a far better view of the situation but let's see how it goes.

[Evantra]

Very messy end to the Ginetta race.

Was it Stewart Lines who ended up in the pit entrance a few years ago? Millar so lucky not to end the same way.

Looked very dodgy and desperate on Somerfield's part.

[mattcanary]

That looked appalling driving from Reece Sommefield. Notice he didn't get interviewed after the race. Ashton Miller was a very lucky boy there too

[Heavyd123]

Have the btc Hondas had a boost cut? Thought cook would have moved up the grid a bit today?

[Evantra]

Butel also reprimanded in R1 for spearing into Powell.

I thought we would see some improvement from him by this point, guess not