[BTCC] Silverstone National

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by Greem

The suspension problems though are a real weakness for the series, not just the toe links. They need beefing up immensely. The number of retirements for wheel-to-wheel contact is silly.

QFT


there are some here who claim that this isn't n issue when it clearly is

heck Colin Turkington lost the title in 2017 because such an issue

[Nononsensecapeesh]

Well I'm certainly happy for Goff, especially since he almost ended up not racing this season, congrats to him and Team HARD and also to Moffat for scoring the Infiniti's first podium!

[Alfisti]

Well I managed to miss the first six laps of the third race, either they brought it forward or I got my times wrong. Well entertaining though... have to watch from the start when ITV upload the race replays. I think there were three #HARD cars in the top ten. I bet TG and the boys are having a party to end all parties, and deservedly so. Never thought the venerable VW would be on the top step again!

Moffatt looked good too, that spin aside. With some work over the winter I can see him and the Infiniti bothering the top 10 pretty much every race.

Idiot of the day for me again was Blunder boy Blundell. He is seriously **** and has caused more damage to other people's cars this year than most drivers do in their career. If he thinks he's going to be better in another car next year then he is deluded. Zero spatial awareness. Zero racecraft. Zero speed. Time to collect the pension.

[Jon411]

Have just seen Cammish has now been given a verbal warning for not letting Jordan back into position during the safety car following a WSR appeal but no change to race position or points.

4 incidents will be looked at when they get to brands including Plato on Morgan and Jordan on Simpson.

From the outside the penalties don't appear to be very consistent this weekend.

[JDMROB]

Which interview did AJ make these comments I'm reading about? Been through my sky recording and cant find anything untoward?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by JDMROB

Which interview did AJ make these comments I'm reading about? Been through my sky recording and cant find anything untoward?

I don't know - but they were described as Race 3 comments before Race 3 had even started.

[Evantra]

Well I just saw race 3.... 😱

[S griffin]

Well I enjoyed my first time at a BTCC meeting since 2014. Good to get both Jelley and Blundell’s autograph, Mark seemed impressed that I was Hertfordshire boy like him. Also glad we got the Woodcote grandstand, where we could shelter from the rain. And so glad the staff were helpful when one of us dropped a programme through a hole in the grandstand. However I wonder why Mike Jordan was standing outside the circuit as we drove in?
Funny also how the scoreboard kept messing up on Saturday

Plato showed he still has speed with pole. However it was good to see Tingram and the Corolla getting another two wins on pace, this bodes well for 2020. Colin was well lucky in R1 he didn’t get collected by anyone when he was spun around, unlike at Knockhill though he at least managed to salvage a couple of points for the race. And yes we did seem to notice Matt was going slowly at the beginning of the race, then seemed to go faster all of a sudden and now having read a few posts on here, it all makes sense

It was good to see Oliphant leading R2, he’s now really starting to be up there more. Just a shame the SC and rain meant he lost that lead. Great drive by Colin, 14th to 2nd, could be crucial. Was really wondering what Dan and AJ behind the SC was all about, but now I’ve read it, why did Dan just get a fine for that?

R3 was the best. What a drive from Goff after starting from the pitlane on wets, to think he was going to be on the sidelines this season and well done team HARD getting their first win, I think that means every team on the grid except the new Xceler8 team has won in the BTCC. I was trying to remember who I’d seen pit for wets to track their progress and it was hard to tell who was on the lead lap, until I looked at the scoreboard and noticed Goff in the lead. Well done Moffat for giving an Infiniti a podium for the first team and good to see Crees up there. Also good to see Blundell in the points for the second time this season and well done Smith for getting his first points. Shame Simpson had that off, he was having such a good weekend till then. Still we had a classic wets vs slicks race, though had there been another SC the slick shod cars might well have been doomed.

A great Performance from Caine after only getting in the car at practice and with 45kg

The support races were great too, though I did worry during the Ginetta Supercup race when that car was left just off the track at Luffield with cars just avoiding it for two laps, then putting the crane out for another lap before putting the SC out. Wanna know why that Ginetta Jr driver spun off from the lead like that, seemed like that was a mechanical problem. Good to see the Clios getting a decent entry with 14 cars, I guess the news that it is to continue next season has something to do with it. Good to see Jade doing well in R2, shame it had to end that way. At least she got a big reception from the crowd as she got out (as did Michael Crees when he waved to everyone on the slowing down lap after each race). Great win by George Gamble after switching to wets in the pitlane on the warm up lap in the Porsches. Good to see Harper taking the title too. F4 was great entertainment, had a good view of the coming together in R2 at Luffield for second

So with one race to go, five are still in it for the title. Turkington will be looking to hold on, but Cammish is looking good too, seems he’s really adapted to touring cars now. Don’t rule out AJ either. Cook isn’t far behind, he’s flown under the radar a bit. Tingram only has a mathematical chance of the title, but it’s incredible achievement in a new car that was underdeveloped at the beginning of the season

[Evantra]

When was the last time Matt Neal didn't win a race in a BTCC season? Sutton, Plato, Collard and Morgan are also yet to win this year.

In the JST, only Butcher and Oliphant have won the JST 'class' since R2 at Brands.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Evantra

When was the last time Matt Neal didn't win a race in a BTCC season? .

2001, however he only competed in the first meeting that season. So 1998 was the last time he didn’t win a full season

[pimmy]

The first Porsche race & third touring car race were quite tricky to follow from trackside. I'm disappointed at how everyone applauded Gamble's wins. He shouldn't be out there, he's as bad as Dan Ticktum. Doesn't really matter though, as Porsche's championship format makes even less sense than NASCAR's, so I don't really give a toss about the results.

The second BTCC race was stopped for no other reason than wimp culture nanny state bullshit.

The Clios & Juniors provided the best racing of the day, as is usually the case.

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by pimmy

The second BTCC race was stopped for no other reason than wimp culture nanny state bullshit.

sorry but that is utter bullshit you're talking


cold slicks after safety car in wet conditions is ultra dangerous and accidents just waiting to happen plus with 2-3 laps to go rather pointless

Turkington even said in post race interview "I was fighting for my life"

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by S griffin

However I wonder why Mike Jordan was standing outside the circuit as we drove in?

It is quite common for a team member, who possibly has nothing better to do at that moment, to wait outside the circuit to escort their guests as they might not a) have the right passes to enter the circuit and/or b) help make sure that the guests find their way to where they are supposed to go.

They often park their golf type buggies just inside the gateway to wisk the guest to their destination.

[Sodemo]

I was impressed and surprised that Cammish was able to hold on for so long in race 3 on slicks. I wasn't sure what Turk's approach was going to be, hang back and lose some of the weight for Brands and let Cammish get the result, or go for it, take the weight but hope that Cammish dropped down the order on the slicks. I bet Turks was hoping Cammish would drop further but he actually held on really well.

Brands being a Honda track, I can see it being a case of Turks trying to hold on, its going to be really tight. I think on paper the 3-series should be a little better than the 1-series has been around there, but who knows. There are so many variables, car setup, weather, it could go either way.

After the SC came out in race 3, I was screaming at the TV to go into the pits and get wets, however the BMW team seemed to dither and it cost them a better result.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

It is quite common for a team member, who possibly has nothing better to do at that moment, to wait outside the circuit to escort their guests as they might not a) have the right passes to enter the circuit and/or b) help make sure that the guests find their way to where they are supposed to go.

They often park their golf type buggies just inside the gateway to wisk the guest to their destination.

Been there, done that... back when a young Irish lad called Colin peddled an Atomic Kitten.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

sorry but that is utter bullshit you're talking


cold slicks after safety car in wet conditions is ultra dangerous and accidents just waiting to happen plus with 2-3 laps to go rather pointless

Turkington even said in post race interview "I was fighting for my life"

The simplistic view, which I thought as I was watching it, was - if it's unsafe, go in and change tyres. Ending the race because no-one could afford to do that if someone stayed out and survived? It did seem a strange way to end a race to me, but then again, I don't watch much BTCC (and don't know whether there are rules which prevent it) and with such a short sprint formula, I guess the outcome was inevitable.

[mprmke]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

After the SC came out in race 3, I was screaming at the TV to go into the pits and get wets, however the BMW team seemed to dither and it cost them a better result.

Same. I was hoping Turkington would be the first to change. At the same time I was totally unsure which way it would go, but in reality, whichever way it went Turkington would have struggled on a damp/greasy track with the medium tyre on and lots of weight, so should have just gone for it. Epic drive though either way.

[S griffin]

Obviously the earlier you came in the better your chances, so some came in maybe a lap or two too late to take full advantage. Brave of Cammish to stay out on slicks instead of trying to cover his title rivals. If there had been a second SC, he would have had no chance

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by mprmke

Same. I was hoping Turkington would be the first to change. At the same time I was totally unsure which way it would go, but in reality, whichever way it went Turkington would have struggled on a damp/greasy track with the medium tyre on and lots of weight, so should have just gone for it. Epic drive though either way.

I kinda understand the reason why they delayed, they didnt want to be on the wrong tyres if the rain had stopped. However if you look at where they were in the race, stopping for wets was always the right choice given their position. Also the BMW should have been able to keep wets running on a drying track longer than a FWD car due to it spreading the tyre load between the two axles. Turks afterwards said one of the reasons of delaying the switch was because he was thinking back to Brands when they chewed up their wets after being on the wrong tyres.

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

It is quite common for a team member, who possibly has nothing better to do at that moment, to wait outside the circuit to escort their guests as they might not a) have the right passes to enter the circuit and/or b) help make sure that the guests find their way to where they are supposed to go.

They often park their golf type buggies just inside the gateway to wisk the guest to their destination.

Most BTCC teams have specific staff members just for this job. Although MJ was probably just waiting for some guests with their passes, Pirtek generally don't have reps at the gate.

[cameronpoe]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Obviously the earlier you came in the better your chances, so some came in maybe a lap or two too late to take full advantage. Brave of Cammish to stay out on slicks instead of trying to cover his title rivals. If there had been a second SC, he would have had no chance

Hi, I watched the race from the Dynamics Pit, Matts decision to change to Slicks very early was a no brain decision as he had nothing to loose and everything to gain.
Goff was on Wets from Pit Lane at get go, his first flying lap was around 1 min 3 seconds, Dan was doing 1 min 5 seconds and the car was hooked up and Dan likes the greasy conditions and the feel of the car in those conditions, when the Safety Car came there was totally the narrowest window possible to make the decision to change, ultimately as is known he did not change, on restart Dan was consistently in 1 min 5 & 6 , with the chasing pack of wet shod cars needing 1 min 2-3 seconds for a lap, up to lap 18 there was no chance his strategy would fail baring a crash, what changed was the rain came heavier and the track started to flood and the light went, Moffat was on Wets and spun at copse! , from around lap 19 Dans times started to drop into the 1 min 10, then onto 1 min 11 & 12 and his goose was cooked, so there was no brilliant strategy from anybody just vagaries of weather, Jack Goff had nothing to loose and made a call that won him the race, as we saw in R2 if the track goes greasy the 3 series selects reverse so for them to change was a no brainer as well as they were looking at no points and losing the championship lead, at the end it was pure luck that the COC decided to run the race to the end, anybody in the gravel or barrier after lap 19 and the race would probably have been red flagged and possible Dans title chances hinged on needing that moment but alternative to that is he was in the position he was in the points down to misfortune to the two WSR cars at Knockhill so luck swings around over the season.
Whatever anyone thinks of Dan and it can be very polarising, his car control with 42Kg was simply stunning and his bravery is without question, his first crash of the season was at 30 mph into a person driving straight when entering a left hand bend for which he has rightly apologised and will need to write a substantial cheque which will hurt an ordinary guy like Dan who works full time as Maintenance Planner.
On to Brands for the finale, still all to play for but we all agree Silverstone was disappointing it could have been a little better in so many ways or a lot better if there would have been a 20th lap in R2. Note as Dans Dad I am not getting involved in the R2 incident , we all have opinions and mine is obvious what I would say is hopefully next season TOCA will look at allowing the radio traffic to be part of the TV show because if it had been it would have provided balance to the incident that is now sadly lacking, anyway last word from me, sport is about excitement and opinions I was personally drained driving home last night as I expect were the drivers and there families it was a really tough day, congratulations to Speedworks and in particular Team Hard, I Know Tony Gilham a bit and I am really pleased for him, unfortunately his day in the sun turned out to be "****ing down" but you could see how much it meant to him through the gloom!!!!

[psq43]

Was I the only one who heard a crew member drop the C bomb in after race 3 during Jack and the HARD crews pit lane celebrations?

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by cameronpoe

Hi, I watched the race from the Dynamics Pit, Matts decision to change to Slicks very early was a no brain decision as he had nothing to loose and everything to gain.
Goff was on Wets from Pit Lane at get go, his first flying lap was around 1 min 3 seconds, Dan was doing 1 min 5 seconds and the car was hooked up and Dan likes the greasy conditions and the feel of the car in those conditions, when the Safety Car came there was totally the narrowest window possible to make the decision to change, ultimately as is known he did not change, on restart Dan was consistently in 1 min 5 & 6 , with the chasing pack of wet shod cars needing 1 min 2-3 seconds for a lap, up to lap 18 there was no chance his strategy would fail baring a crash, what changed was the rain came heavier and the track started to flood and the light went, Moffat was on Wets and spun at copse! , from around lap 19 Dans times started to drop into the 1 min 10, then onto 1 min 11 & 12 and his goose was cooked, so there was no brilliant strategy from anybody just vagaries of weather, Jack Goff had nothing to loose and made a call that won him the race, as we saw in R2 if the track goes greasy the 3 series selects reverse so for them to change was a no brainer as well as they were looking at no points and losing the championship lead, at the end it was pure luck that the COC decided to run the race to the end, anybody in the gravel or barrier after lap 19 and the race would probably have been red flagged and possible Dans title chances hinged on needing that moment but alternative to that is he was in the position he was in the points down to misfortune to the two WSR cars at Knockhill so luck swings around over the season.
Whatever anyone thinks of Dan and it can be very polarising, his car control with 42Kg was simply stunning and his bravery is without question, his first crash of the season was at 30 mph into a person driving straight when entering a left hand bend for which he has rightly apologised and will need to write a substantial cheque which will hurt an ordinary guy like Dan who works full time as Maintenance Planner.
On to Brands for the finale, still all to play for but we all agree Silverstone was disappointing it could have been a little better in so many ways or a lot better if there would have been a 20th lap in R2. Note as Dans Dad I am not getting involved in the R2 incident , we all have opinions and mine is obvious what I would say is hopefully next season TOCA will look at allowing the radio traffic to be part of the TV show because if it had been it would have provided balance to the incident that is now sadly lacking, anyway last word from me, sport is about excitement and opinions I was personally drained driving home last night as I expect were the drivers and there families it was a really tough day, congratulations to Speedworks and in particular Team Hard, I Know Tony Gilham a bit and I am really pleased for him, unfortunately his day in the sun turned out to be "****ing down" but you could see how much it meant to him through the gloom!!!!

Thanks for this insight! The 'first crash' comment in particular I think is pretty amazing, I didn't realise that, but yes he hasn't really been involved in much at all!

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by cameronpoe

Whatever anyone thinks of Dan and it can be very polarising, his car control with 42Kg was simply stunning and his bravery is without question, his first crash of the season was at 30 mph into a person driving straight when entering a left hand bend for which he has rightly apologised and will need to write a substantial cheque which will hurt an ordinary guy like Dan who works full time as Maintenance Planner.
!

what was that kindergarten thing with Jordan during the safety car?


that Jordan wanted to go straight to the Dynamics garage after race

[S griffin]

Welcome to the forum Mr Cammish Sr, nice to have a bit of insight from you