[BTCC] Knockhill - Rounds 19, 20, 21

[richrad smith]

Originally Posted by MagnetON

From where I was it did look like Plato was slightly punted.

Its no like he aint handed it out over the years is it?????

what goes around comes around!!!!!!

[MagnetON]

Originally Posted by richrad smith

Its no like he aint handed it out over the years is it?????

what goes around comes around!!!!!!

I'm only commenting on a specific incident and one that I had direct (non-tv) visibility of, I'll leave it to yourself and others to comment on past events.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by AndyS

I'd agree about British GT being a play ground for the rich, but I'd have to mention that there are also some very good younger drivers competiting. I've watched all the races this year (highlights granted) and there has been some fantastic good clean racing, Rockingham stood out particularly. I've stopped watching the BTCC as I am absolutely sick up to the back teeth of the Neal/Plato thing, Plato's whinging and the driving standards in general.

Agreed... there are some very talented drivers in the British GT championship and some of the racing this year has been very exciting.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Sportscar fans.

according sportscar fans themself

[medius]

Originally Posted by AndyS

I'd agree about British GT being a play ground for the rich, but I'd have to mention that there are also some very good younger drivers competiting.

Plenty in the BTCC over the last few years too, such as Wrathall, Onslow-Cole, Jordan, Nash, Adam, Glew, Kane, etc.

I think a LOT of British motorsport dislike the BTCC for whatever personal reasons they have, but the fact of it is, it makes money, it gets people through the gates who may never be interested in motorsport and its varied and enjoyable to watch. Where else on live TV on 10 weekends a year can you sit in your armchair and watch everything from Clios to Ginettas for 7 hours? And ask around at your work, I bet at least one colleague has attended a BTCC raceday.

I class myself as a motorsport purist (I'm regularly at Cadwell or Mallory for BARC/CTCRC club events, even Mallory testing, work permitting) but the BTCC is ''my championship'' so I have stronger opinions of it than any other form of motorsport. And I'm not alone, so to say it caters for the crash-junkies does me and my fellow supporters a massive disservice. A bit like pidgeon-holing all other types of racing (single seaters for Rich Daddies to live through No.1 Son or daughter, Endurance Prototypes for Rich Doctors or Lawyers/Bankers to spend our money etc).

Don't discriminate, apprieciate.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by medius

And ask around at your work, I bet at least one colleague has attended a BTCC raceday.

Ah - but my colleagues have also been to DTM, Rallycross and truck racing

Originally Posted by medius

I class myself as a motorsport purist (I'm regularly at Cadwell or Mallory for BARC/CTCRC club events, even Mallory testing, work permitting) but the BTCC is ''my championship'' so I have stronger opinions of it than any other form of motorsport. And I'm not alone, so to say it caters for the crash-junkies does me and my fellow supporters a massive disservice. A bit like pidgeon-holing all other types of racing (single seaters for Rich Daddies to live through No.1 Son or daughter, Endurance Prototypes for Rich Doctors or Lawyers/Bankers to spend our money etc).

Don't discriminate, apprieciate.

BTCC is the ITV of motorsport - lowest common denominator entertainment for the masses. It's racing that involves no thought on the part of the spectator. GT is BBC4. Each is fine in it's own way - but I wouldn't want to watch one exclusively over the other. I think I should probably end that analogy there

[medius]

Good point. WRC is like Channel 5. Sounds alright on paper but we can never get to see it.

And back to the topic....

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

BTCC is the ITV of motorsport - lowest common denominator entertainment for the masses. It's racing that involves no thought on the part of the spectator. GT is BBC4. Each is fine in it's own way - but I wouldn't want to watch one exclusively over the other. I think I should probably end that analogy there

So that would mean the purists are Babestation or Smile TV on at unsociable times and attracting a small number of hardcore fans only

[AndyS]

Originally Posted by medius

Plenty in the BTCC over the last few years too, such as Wrathall, Onslow-Cole, Jordan, Nash, Adam, Glew, Kane, etc.

I think a LOT of British motorsport dislike the BTCC for whatever personal reasons they have, but the fact of it is, it makes money, it gets people through the gates who may never be interested in motorsport and its varied and enjoyable to watch. Where else on live TV on 10 weekends a year can you sit in your armchair and watch everything from Clios to Ginettas for 7 hours? And ask around at your work, I bet at least one colleague has attended a BTCC raceday.

I class myself as a motorsport purist (I'm regularly at Cadwell or Mallory for BARC/CTCRC club events, even Mallory testing, work permitting) but the BTCC is ''my championship'' so I have stronger opinions of it than any other form of motorsport. And I'm not alone, so to say it caters for the crash-junkies does me and my fellow supporters a massive disservice. A bit like pidgeon-holing all other types of racing (single seaters for Rich Daddies to live through No.1 Son or daughter, Endurance Prototypes for Rich Doctors or Lawyers/Bankers to spend our money etc).

Don't discriminate, apprieciate.

Agree with you about some good younger drivers in the BTCC and its profile. Where did I say it catered for the crash junkies and all the fans fell into that bracket though? At the BTCC events I've been to I've never seen anything to suggest the specatators around me were crash junkies and I'd never suggest as such. Certainly happy for people to watch and ensure interest in motorsport in the UK persists. I'm not discriminating against anybody.

[medius]

That part was more aimed at those commenters on this thread that only seem to appear whenever someone is stuffed into the hedgerow, that strangely aren't bothered by the BTCC until there is another outcry over driving standards. Apologies for not making that bit clearer.

[AndyS]

Originally Posted by medius

That part was more aimed at those commenters on this thread that only seem to appear whenever someone is stuffed into the hedgerow, that strangely aren't bothered by the BTCC until there is another outcry over driving standards. Apologies for not making that bit clearer.

No probs, I'm not always that good at making things clear either, so my wife says!

[richrad smith]

Originally Posted by MagnetON

I'm only commenting on a specific incident and one that I had direct (non-tv) visibility of.

so was I!!!!! have been trackside on several occasions when the aforementioned Mr Plato has taken a dislike to the rear quarter of an opponents vechile!!!!

[W.A Trichlorostyrene]

Sorry for the small bump, but what happened at the start of race 2 exactly? The replay didn't show it very clearly, but it if I recall correctly it looked like Chris James accidently braked with two wheels on the inside grass, lost control and collected a few cars in mid-pack... Very odd crash!