[DTM] Race 7 - Brands Hatch (GBR), 6th Sep 2009

[Elio]

Don`t get me wrong, I do like the DTM cars - they look good, sound great, and are just mighty impressive all round. Some of the drivers aren`t too shabby either.

But.... I like Formula Renault, and Formula 3 as well (), however, unless the weather forecast is for rain, I KNOW that if I go to watch a race at Brands Indy it will absolutely suck !!!!!!

I seriously doubt whether I will see more than one, or at the most two, serious overtaking manoevres for position at Brands during the race on Sunday, AFTER the opening lap.

[Andy 308GTB]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Regardless of the technical regs and how good the cars and drivers are, the DTM still promotes itself as fan-friendly entertainment. Judging by the timetable at Brands I don't think they live up to that billing.


I thought the whole point of racing was to try to overtake the car in front. Are you saying that idea race for you would be one where the entire field goes nose to tail for umpteen laps and everyone finishes in the same order that they started? If that's the case then why bother with the race at all, just declare the result after qualifying.

+1 I wanted to say that, surely the OP saw it coming

However, I just got clearance for a very truncated visit (it's a busy weekend at home)
So if you see a Red 308 rock up in the South Bank car park 15 minutes before the start of the DTM race and depart as it finishes, say Hi.

[helgi]

Oh,shame on me! I've always thought that the main idea of racing is to identify the best combination driver+car+team on a certain track in certain circumstances and conditions. And overtaking is secondary to that main reason of racing. It's spicy but not necessary.

OK. Let's better stop that debate - we are looking for different things watching racing. It's normal. I've just pointed my point of view,it can be wrong.

And,yes,I've watched Knockhill. I like that circuit since Toca Race Driver 2,and I decided to drive some more laps in a mod for GTR2. I've always said that narrow tracks with huge elevation changes are the best for touring cars.

And as for sportscars (prototypes,which are closer to DTM) - the long layout is better. I've watched '88 WSC event,and it was very interesting.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Elio

But.... I like Formula Renault, and Formula 3 as well (), however, unless the weather forecast is for rain, I KNOW that if I go to watch a race at Brands Indy it will absolutely suck !!!!!!

I'm willing to overlook your love of spindlies (almost without exception tedious to watch) but all races on Brands Indy suck? The Trucks are good value on there, as are Legends, Pickups and the DMN saloons (I know you've seen those). BTCC isn't exactly shabby and the supports for that usually put on a good show as well.

Anyway, back to DTM - shame about the timetable this year, I quite liked the free practice being on the Friday also a bummer about the inside of Druids being unavailable again, that's a great spot.

[Morris Dancer]

Is there any 'live timing' - not only DTM but the support categories - at this race meeting?

[Andy 308GTB]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Anyway, back to DTM - shame about the timetable this year, I quite liked the free practice being on the Friday also a bummer about the inside of Druids being unavailable again, that's a great spot.

What's the reasoning behind closing off the inside of Druids?
Not somewhere I go very often but it's got to be one of the best places for photographers without a press pass...

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Andy 308GTB

What's the reasoning behind closing off the inside of Druids?

"Safety"

[Last2LiftOff]

Originally Posted by Morris Dancer

Is there any 'live timing' - not only DTM but the support categories - at this race meeting?

Not that I know of Morris, unfortunately. Just leaderboards they call live timing.

DTM Leaderboard & F3ES Leaderboard. GWlus

[Andy 308GTB]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

"Safety"

Feeble.

It must have something to do with the TV Coverage.

With 4 hours of track time spread over 8 hours on the Sunday, why don't they just have the race behind closed doors and be done with it

[helgi]

Sad news for russian fans. 7tv stop broadcasting DTM and all racing series including national because of transformation into an entertainment channel from a sports one.

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by Andy 308GTB

Feeble.

It must have something to do with the TV Coverage.

With 4 hours of track time spread over 8 hours on the Sunday, why don't they just have the race behind closed doors and be done with it

It's to do with the big spinning camera on a cherry picker isn't it?

[Andy 308GTB]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

It's to do with the big spinning camera on a cherry picker isn't it?

That'll be it... only seen it once before but I reckon you must be right

[Elio]

I think if it was just because of the swingy camerman then the very top bit of Druids would be fenced off, but the rest left open. I was told by the guys who shut it that it was lack of debris fencing. That is the very same reason that "heras" fencing is currently in place at Surtees, to move everyone back from the huge amounts of debris that are constantly coming into the spectator area down there!!!

Paddock strangely "open" today but expect it will be diff tomorrow.

(Re my previous post - I meant that single seaters with too much grip and too little downforce are always tedious around Brands Indy. Everything else is fine, apart from the saloons which are trying to be single seaters of course (WTCC, BTCC, DTM etc)).

[The SpeCTator]

I agree with Andy, run the thing behind closed doors, ideally on a Monday.
Its OK to stand inside Druids with trucks thundering by, but the precious Germans must have total control and Druids is another no go area, maybe they are worried that one of their taxi drivers might loose control and the fee paying passenger vomits in the area

[helgi]

Training

1 Paul Di Resta 41.849
2 Timo Scheider 41.970 00.121
3 Jamie Green 42.039 00.190
4 Oliver Jarvis 42.056 00.207
5 Gary Paffett 42.122 00.273
6 Mattias Ekström 42.133 00.284
7 Maro Engel 42.166 00.317
8 Tom Kristensen 42.185 00.336
9 Markus Winkelhock 42.217 00.368
10 Martin Tomczyk 42.233 00.384
11 Bruno Spengler 42.241 00.392
12 Mike Rockenfeller 42.302 00.453
13 Mathias Lauda 42.401 00.552
14 Katherine Legge 42.447 00.598
15 Susie Stoddart 42.525 00.676
16 Ralf Schumacher 42.526 00.677
17 Alexandre Prémat 42.578 00.729
18 Tomas Kostka 42.794 00.945
19 Johannes Seidlitz 43.532 01.683
20 Christian Bakkerud 43.588 01.739

[helgi]

Out:
15. Prémat/FRA 42.258
16. Legge/GBR 42.294
17. Lauda/AUT 42.322
18. Kostka/CZE 42.786
19. Bakkerud/DEN 43.111
20. Seidlitz/GER 43.438

Paul and Bruno are very quick so far. I think, their aggresive style helps to warm up tyres better.

[helgi]

9. Jarvis/GBR 41.773
10. Winkelhock/GER 41.821
11. Schumacher/GER 41.896
12. Rockenfeller/GER 42.035
13. Engel/GER 42.463
14. Stoddart/GBR 42.602

[Last2LiftOff]

Bruno by a nose in 8th there.

[helgi]

5. Tomczyk/GER 41.777
6. Paffett/GBR 41.825
7. Ekström/SWE 41.855
8. Green/GBR 41.986

[helgi]

1. Di Resta/GBR 41.750
2. Scheider/GER 41.831
3. Kristensen/DEN 41.837
4. Spengler/CAN 41.938

I've expected more from Bruno. But 4th - is rather high.

[Last2LiftOff]

Well done Paul Di Resta, at home, sort of.

[helgi]

I have a question. Eki and some other Audis threw sparks under rear axle. Does it mean that rear suspension was softer? If it was soft, they try to overcome understeering? Or oversteering? Or am I completely wrong?

[Hazard]

Grid

1 - Paul di Resta (3) - HWA Mercedes - Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse - 41.750


2 - Timo Scheider (1) - Audi Sport Team Abt - Audi A4 DTM - 41.831


3 - Tom Kristensen (2) - Audi Sport Team Abt - Audi A4 DTM - 41.837


4 - Bruno Spengler (9) - HWA Mercedes - Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse - 41.938


5 - Martin Tomczyk (6) - Audi Sport Team Abt - Audi A4 DTM - 41.777


6 - Gary Paffett (10) - HWA Mercedes - Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse - 41.825


7 - Mattias Ekstrom (5) - Audi Sport Team Abt - Audi A4 DTM - 41.855


8 - Jamie Green (7) - HWA Mercedes - Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse - 41.986


9 - Oliver Jarvis (15) - Audi Sport Team Phoenix - Audi A4 DTM - 41.773


10 - Markus Winkelhock (12) - Audi Sport Team Rosberg - Audi A4 DTM - 41.821


11 - Ralf Schumacher (4) - HWA Mercedes - Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse - 41.896


12 - Mike Rockenfeller (11) - Audi Sport Team Rosberg - Audi A4 DTM - 42.035


13 - Maro Engel (16) - HWA Mercedes - Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse - 42.463


14 - Susie Stoddart (8) - HWA Mercedes - Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse - 42.602


15 - Alexandre Prémat (14) - Audi Sport Team Phoenix - Audi A4 DTM - 42.258


16 - Katherine Legge (21) - Audi Sport Team Abt - Audi A4 DTM - 42.294


17 - Mathias Lauda (17) - HWA Mercedes - Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse - 42.322


18 - Tomas Kostka (20) - Futurecom-TME - Audi A4 DTM - 42.786


19 - Christian Bakkerud (18) - Futurecom-TME - Audi A4 DTM - 43.111


20 - Johannes Seidlitz (19) - Futurecom-TME - Audi A4 DTM - 43.438

[Last2LiftOff]

I missed the interviews but Paul must be feeling pretty good about that wee outing.

WTCC & European Tourers have the best startaufstellungs.

[Last2LiftOff]

Originally Posted by helgi

I have a question. Eki and some other Audis threw sparks under rear axle.Does it mean that rear suspension was softer? If it was soft, they try to overcome understeering? Or oversteering? Or am I completely wrong?

I haven't the least idea Helgi but it didn't slow-up Scheider much. And if I may, how on earth are you watching qualifying live?