[BTCC] BTCC 2018 - Rounds 4, 5, 6 - Donington Park

[porsche962fan]

I almost wish Plato his 3 wins to reach 100 wins and announce his retirement

biggest chance at RWD tracks, Croft, Oulton and Knockhill

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

I almost wish Plato his 3 wins to reach 100 wins and announce his retirement

biggest chance at RWD tracks, Croft, Oulton and Knockhill

Wouldn't you prefer him to keep struggling towards that milestone - and therefore not pose a threat to a Honda driver?

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Probably the latter. It was bitterly cold trackside

Another traditionally freezing Donington round.

Always exacerbates 'twitchiness', provides a few set-up curveballs and surprising results.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Who will pull the plug first on this - Plato, Subaru or BMR?

I do not believe there is much Subaru money. There isn't much BMR money either allegedly. The money is JP and Flux.

Sooner or later JP will either realise he is past it OR look for a ride elsewhere if he believes he still has it. I was gobsmacked this omnishambles continued into this year frankly.

[VIVA GT]

Although my own personal (very low) opinion of the man makes me doubt that he could ever question his own abilities, I wonder if he'll get himself a drive in something else, not necessarily a BTCC Car (and probably in private) just to confirm that he still can peddle?

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Although my own personal (very low) opinion of the man makes me doubt that he could ever question his own abilities, I wonder if he'll get himself a drive in something else, not necessarily a BTCC Car (and probably in private) just to confirm that he still can peddle?

A future peddling historics for other people at Silverstone Classic and Goodwood seems most likely (I know he does that now - I mean he'll just do that in the future). He can sit at home on his not insignificant pile of cash and rock up to drive other peoples cars and have his ego massaged a few times a year.

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by luckn002

My only criticism would be that the differences between tires are a bit too great - the option / prime split seems a bit unnecessary.

I agree. However, the cold temperatures had a big part to play. Don't think the difference will be the same as the year progresses. Many of us thought the same when Donington was cold and dry a couple years back.

[Sodemo]

I was surprised at Turkington's lack of speed in race 3. After he caught the pack up after the safety car I thought he would start to make his way through the field, however I don't think he progressed past last place.

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

Wouldn't you prefer him to keep struggling towards that milestone - and therefore not pose a threat to a Honda driver?

actually yes, a few seasons outside the top 10 is FUN as heck

and why do you mention Honda driver ? I would be fine if guys like Tingram, Morgan or Ginger can get the title but honestly I expect Sutton and the WSR squad to bounce back after Thruxton

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

actually yes, a few seasons outside the top 10 is FUN as heck

and why do you mention Honda driver ? I would be fine if guys like Tingram, Morgan or Ginger can get the title but honestly I expect Sutton and the WSR squad to bounce back after Thruxton

Has WSR ever been fast at Thruxton?

[porsche962fan]

not really, but they were always bloody fast at Croft , it's their track

[3marinadrive]

Originally Posted by thlbtcc

James Cole, most improved driver by far.

Shame for Tordoff.

Well done Cook, great drive.

The new Subaru engine is visibly slower on the straight. Every other car seems equal, but Swindon have some work to do.

'James Cole' ....Has DEFINITELY improved...I'd put Smiley, Proctor, Simpson, Smith etc as having improved....I doubt if David Bartrum was overly impressed when he took out Tordoff and almost hit Chilton at the Old Hairpin in race three!

Agree ..shame for Tordoff...he will win races...

Speaking to a few of the drivers, one thing is very noticeable is just how ballistic the Fords are in a straight line! Chilton especially seemed to be incredibly quick....

Maybe now Mountune are not lumbered with the Subaru stigma then Motorbase have been able to argue for more grunt! It looks that way.

[3marinadrive]

Originally Posted by luckn002

Overall an excellent weekend of racing - Ingram and Goff paving the way for a championship duel.

Great to see Morgan finally add to his win count and see Cook shake off 2017. Smiley got some great results for him and team and Collard looked much quicker than at Brands.

AmD MGs seemed to be quicker than the Audis. Butcher has definitely impressed me!

As others have said James Cole is much improved. Motorbase incredibly unlucky so far, definitely have the pace now in the Focus to challenge for wins.

Terrible weekend for Turkington but as Sutton showed last year you can still be the champion on 9 rounds.

Subarus anonymous again, shockingly after Plato assured all had been fixed.

Disappointing for HARD too on a circuit that should've suited the VWs, Hill really should've been in the mix for podiums and I expected more of Thompson giving his performance in the VW Cup.

Again, to me driving standards were very good despite a slippery looking track.

In Goff and Ingram you have two very fast, very focussed drivers, who both now have a decent amount of experience, are proven winners, and have teams that are 100% behind them....It's very early days - there's still 24 races left! - but they are both looking very impressive.

When the Merc is fast it's REALLY fast - look at how well both Morgan and Moffat got the power down and drove past people on corner exit....mega job all round

Cook was very impressive. The team have clearly found something - two wins and a second plus a Pole...bloody strong results.

Not sure if it's the cars or the drivers that are quicker at AmD...would be interesting to see Rory in the Audi, or someone like Moffat or Hill...I think it's a very good car....

Sutton was strong at times...

Don't think I have EVER seen WSR have so many issues - they will get it sorted - DO NOT write off Turkington yet....as Ingram showed at Oulton last year things can all change in just one weekend. Watch out for Turks...

Sorry, still not buying into James Cole. Def. better though...

Team HARD had all sorts of dramas in practice and qually...Caine had a clutch go, Thompson steering issues, Bushell had suspension issues, and Hill was fast in qually but lost his times due to failing the ride height...

Both Hill and Bushell showed what racers they are - Hill went from 25th to 17th in race one, then lost out on the 'hards' in two, and then was mega in three...the pass on Butcher at the Craners was mega!

He won Jack Sears and Forever Forward so technically he DID get a podium!

How Bushell survived the first lap and then STILL got a point. Very good.

Thompson is quick just needs a bit of time. And Caine needs some luck!

Remember Bushell almost matched Sutton's time in testing at Thruxton the other week, so they may be better there.

Overall - cold weather - red-hot action!!! How corny is that!

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by 3marinadrive

Hill was fast in qually but lost his times due to failing the ride height...

...And then lost three more fast lap times by not knowing the rule about needing to get your ride height checked again after you've made it legal. He would have qualified 20th if he'd done that.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by 3marinadrive

'James Cole' ....Has DEFINITELY improved...I'd put Smiley, Proctor, Simpson, Smith etc as having improved....I doubt if David Bartrum was overly impressed when he took out Tordoff and almost hit Chilton at the Old Hairpin in race three!

Agree ..shame for Tordoff...he will win races...

Speaking to a few of the drivers, one thing is very noticeable is just how ballistic the Fords are in a straight line! Chilton especially seemed to be incredibly quick....

Maybe now Mountune are not lumbered with the Subaru stigma then Motorbase have been able to argue for more grunt! It looks that way.

Have a look at sector times The Focus seems to have great mechanical traction out of slow medium corners which leads to higher v max speeds sooner . Haven't seen them blowing past other cars on the straights on the TV . Shame it seemed like the normal power balancing crying had gone away this year all the cars look pretty even - the Vauxhall looks like the real hotrod

[AdrianM]

Originally Posted by sceptic

...And then lost three more fast lap times by not knowing the rule about needing to get your ride height checked again after you've made it legal. He would have qualified 20th if he'd done that.

Which is even worse than at Brands as at least Dan had the excuse of it being his first race. What are the teams doing though? Surely someone should know the rules and remind the driver on the radio?

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by AdrianM

Which is even worse than at Brands as at least Dan had the excuse of it being his first race. What are the teams doing though? Surely someone should know the rules and remind the driver on the radio?

because it was so near the end of the session they didnt have the time to come back in get it checked and then go out again get the tyres up to temp and set a time. so they just kept going around

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Has WSR ever been fast at Thruxton?

2009.

[thlbtcc]

Originally Posted by 3marinadrive

'James Cole' ....Has DEFINITELY improved...I'd put Smiley, Proctor, Simpson, Smith etc as having improved....I doubt if David Bartrum was overly impressed when he took out Tordoff and almost hit Chilton at the Old Hairpin in race three!

I posted after race one, before races two and three...

Originally Posted by 3marinadrive

Maybe now Mountune are not lumbered with the Subaru stigma then Motorbase have been able to argue for more grunt! It looks that way.

Disagree. I don't see that at all.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

because it was so near the end of the session they didnt have the time to come back in get it checked and then go out again get the tyres up to temp and set a time. so they just kept going around

That makes no sense - why keep pounding around if you know the times aren't going to be allowed? Might as well just park it if you haven't got time to come in, get it checked and get out for another flying lap.

[RS67]

Originally Posted by 3marinadrive

Maybe now Mountune are not lumbered with the Subaru stigma then Motorbase have been able to argue for more grunt! It looks that way.

The engine had been down on bottom end torque and the cars weren't as quick as others accelerating out of bends. Mountune did a lot of development on the engine to improve on this and it is obviously paying off.

[AdrianM]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

because it was so near the end of the session they didnt have the time to come back in get it checked and then go out again get the tyres up to temp and set a time. so they just kept going around

Which is pointless seeing as the laps don't count. Why risk a crash or something for no gain? Sure he would have got one lap in that would have counted.

[CroftPilgrim]

Originally Posted by AdrianM

Which is pointless seeing as the laps don't count. Why risk a crash or something for no gain? Sure he would have got one lap in that would have counted.

Not pointless at all if it gives you more data on the car

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by CroftPilgrim

Not pointless at all if it gives you more data on the car

How much data are you going to gain at that point? Surely you'd be better off trying to get a time on the board - a couple of laps of data (after you've done 3 practice sessions already) or a chance to not start right at the back? Which is worth more? Easy right? (It's not the data)

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

How much data are you going to gain at that point? Surely you'd be better off trying to get a time on the board - a couple of laps of data (after you've done 3 practice sessions already) or a chance to not start right at the back? Which is worth more? Easy right? (It's not the data)

how do you know what they changed when the car was in the pits getting its ride height raised? they might have had to also change some settings so wanted to see how it went.