[BTCC] Rounds 13-15, Croft

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Nic Hamilton joins the back of the grid from here on in, and the wonderful Paras Racing have Max Coates in to replace Donnelly in the second car. Knowing how Coates has only had one-offs at Croft before, he'll probably go after this meeting, but he's a fast driver a maybe could get a top 20!!!

That's it really. The championship will probably remain very close and perhaps Priaulx or another BMW can do something here.

[BtccLee]

I wonder how things are looking for Motorbase? Long gap between now and Snetterton so maybe still time. Yet it has been suspiciously quiet.

[850Estate]

First round I'll be able to get to this season. 380 mile round trip, and it's my second closest! Can't wait

Only 3 more shifts at work to go!

[gary396]

Don't know if already posted but Highways Agency have advised of road closures of relevant parts of the A1 in North Yorkshire from 8pm Saturday until 11am Sunday.

Link to Highways Agency map:

http://assets.highways.gov.uk/roads/...%202014%29.pdf

Takes some working out (well it did for me) but explanation is in the bottom right-hand corner of the map. For those not familiar with the area - the circuit is a few miles south of Darlington off the A167 towards Northallerton (both towns shown on map).

[Mike Harte]

Hi Gray, thanks for the heads-up on the A1 closure; we are coming up from Leeds on Sunday to Croft. How much time do you think that this will add to the journey?

Secondly, have never been to Croft before. Where does anybody suggest is the best viewing spot, especially as will have my youngish grandchildren with us?

[Sodemo]

Probably the large bank around turn 2. Its rather steep though so can be tough to get "comfy". You can see the start, turn 1, turn 2, the chicane and the run into Tower.

I went in 2013, which was a bit of a mission as we live just south of Birmingham, so it was quite a trek.

[gary396]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Hi Gray, thanks for the heads-up on the A1 closure; we are coming up from Leeds on Sunday to Croft. How much time do you think that this will add to the journey?

Secondly, have never been to Croft before. Where does anybody suggest is the best viewing spot, especially as will have my youngish grandchildren with us?

This is a bit 'wordy' but is actually a simpler route than it sounds:

Probably the easiest option is to come off the A1 just north of Dishforth (junction 49 I think) onto the A168 signposted Teesside. Follow the A168 for about 8-10 miles) passing by Thirsk on the left and then turn off left heading towards Northallerton - which is still the A168 (the dual carriageway that you were on continues but as the A19 towards Teesside). No problem if you turn off too early into Thirsk - just look for signs to Northallerton (A168) and follow same as below.

A168 into Northallerton and then once into the town head north onto the A167 this time towards Darlington. There is an inner ring-road from the A168 to the A167 in Northallerton but the easiest route to explain is just come straight into town and keep going straight ahead as follows:

1) take second exit at roundabout before the High Street
2) go straight through the High Street
3) go straight across (second exit again) the next roundabout at end of High Street
4) mini-roundabout (straight on)
5) cross a level crossing
6) bear right at next mini-roundabout (second exit) and you're on the A167 heading out of town towards Darlington. Croft is about 12 miles along the A167 on the left, all well-signed.

From leaving the A1 at jnct 49 to Croft is about 40 mins. Easy run and Northallerton High St won't be busy on a Sunday morning other than excess traffic due to the road closures. There are other routes but as a local that's the way I'd go.

Viewing spots - agree the banking into the first corner is very good. Also the banking as the cars come back towards the end of the lap into the complex. Both areas a bit exposed if weather poor (well very exposed) but the whole circuit is!

Apologies for so many words!

[maximus]

Thanks for the Heads up Gary. What utterly stupid scheduling by the Highways Agency, why not schedule it for a weekend where there aren't any major events!?

[Mike Harte]

Thanks Gary for the excellent directions and Sodemo.

[porsche962fan]

oh noes , the great JP only 12th


great driving from Shedden to prevent a total WSR whitewash

and credit to Hamilton he was "only" half a second slower than the Inifniti

would have expected Ingram a bit higher

[porsche962fan]

well let's see if JP keeps his word

"If it is bone dry in race one, I’m going to start from the pit lane, concede my grid position and then nail a lap to try make the front row for race two"

[S griffin]

Gee I wonder if those points loss will come back to hurt him

[S griffin]

Competent job by Hamilton. At least we're guranteed some action in first race

[BillWiskins]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

well let's see if JP keeps his word

"If it is bone dry in race one, I’m going to start from the pit lane, concede my grid position and then nail a lap to try make the front row for race two"

This might be very interesting. Would seem to make sense - if he does it and it works, I suppose we know what the first rule to be changed for 2016 will be

[touring fan01]

of course he won't do it he's only playing with people's heads as normal. Hes on max ballast. He won't have a chance of bagging anywhere near the front row. his car has been off pace every session.

[porsche962fan]

race 1 prediction, WSR 1-2-3

[porsche962fan]

well congrats to WSR for their first ever 1-2-3 !!!


and to Honda for being best FWD

should be interesting Shedden and Plato on row 2

[porsche962fan]

it didn't took JP long now he moans about the soft tyre

It was a no-brainer for us, we need to scrap the soft tyre though because it is an absolute joke You’re never racing out there, you are just hanging on and in that race, I treated it like a qualifying session. The tyres were ruined after two laps anyway

[tux]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

it didn't took JP long now he moans about the soft tyre

With respect what he says is true the races where they use soft tyres are pointless because the soft tyre runners end up so far off the pace.

One thing i dont agree with though is choosing to start from pitlane with soft tyre just to set a fast lap time for race 2, doesn't seem very "sporting".

[Sodemo]

Indeed, the soft tyre has rarely seemed quicker, it just seems to fade away far earlier.

[porsche962fan]

will Collard be penalized,? he used the banned push to pass

[Lancsbreaker]

Can't help feeling that some large cushion kerbs need fitting at the first chicane - either that or just do away with it, as BTCC completely ignore the corner and straightline it.........I'd have been tempted to exclude about 2/3 of the field for "exceeding track limits".......

As ever, one rule for them, one for everybody else.........although in other races there were also a few "push to pass" incidents , not to mention a collective inability to see yellow flags......

[GT6]

Another great round of the BTCC enjoyed all 3 races and some brilliant overtaking unlike some other series, great day for the bmw's

[S griffin]

Glad Priaulx got that first win and it seems Tordoff will be in the title fight if he keeps this momentum going.

But Jason Plato, he is something else, he can't accept being at a disadvantage, so he takes things into his own hands and makes a mockery of the rules. Much have come as a bit of a surprise for him that Shedden still finished 3rd on the soft tyre in race 3. Shedden's my tip for the title on the strength of this weekend, just got on with it and took the fight to the BMWs.

Great racing throughout

[BillWiskins]

Managed to miss Race Three - do I remember someone posting here that ITV have the races online to watch again? As in, not in highlights form? I couldn't find anything on the site.