BTCC @ Brands Hatch - 9th April

[Invader]

I can't go due to a misunderstanding with my goldfish.
He seemed to think I was taking him for a swim down the canal on Sunday.
I'll try to spot you all on the telly.

[RIKB]

I'm planning on being there both days! So I hope I wil finally meet up with you all! kentagon, 10am Sunday it is!

[Craig]

Don't worry about it Dave - we'll not miss you...

As well as Lee arriving late, I just got an email from Maisie saying that she, Chris and her friend will be late too. I suggest that we return to the Kentagon for fresh supplies, and to meet up with the stragglers immediately after the Clio race (which starts at 11am, and runs for 11 laps...)

So, we have Rik, Invader, Maisie, Chris, Lee, Lorna, Woody, and perhaps Tim and Mackperson too. Blimey. I don't think we should be buying rounds for that little lot...!

Does everyone know what we look like ? And have you got my mobile number in case you can't find us ? If not, drop me a line.

See ya there

[Lee Purnell]

I don't know what anyone looks like, but you will not fail to miss me
I am the lanky one wearing yellow and using a walking stick
Oh, and probally looking over my shoulder very afraid at finally getting to a btcc race and not having a clue what to expect

[RIKB]

I have no idea what any of you look like!

Just look out for a short fat guy with lopsided glasses (I Broke em!) and a Ford Mondeo racing hat!

[Craig]

http://tentenths.com/images/misc/gang/

[RIKB]

Phew! what a rogues gallery!!

[TimD]

Drat! And double Drat!

Anyone travelling the M11 southbound near North Weald this morning may have seen a small silver Vauxhall Corsa on the hard shoulder with the bonnet up.

By the time the nice man with the yellow van had confirmed my analysis that the engine management chip was out to lunch, the Thoroughbred GPs had run their race.

With the car running - hesitantly - I decided to cut my losses and go 'ome! Hope everyone else had a fabulous day. I'll try to meet up later in the year.

Anyone want a 1998 Vauxhall Corsa, small kick-shaped footprint in the paintwork?

Didn't think so...

[RIKB]

Well I was held up en route and arrived too late for the 10am rendezvouz! I saw the TGP thanks to it being re started, then returned to the Kentagon after the seriously shortened Clio race (4 laps!! I ask you!!!)

Sadly I didn't recognise anyone, and no one regognised me from my unflattering but none the less accurate description.

Sorry to have missed you guys, we'll have to do better next time eh?

[Craig]

Sorry to miss you both - the organisation was a bit of a balls up, i'm afraid - looks like we need Carrie to organise things again!

I did see Maisie and Chris at one point, and it was good to meet Lee. Of course I saw Invader, and also saw Woody, Lorna and Nigel. (though the last two seemed to disappear into the woods together fot much of the day...! )

Favourite race ? TGP, followed by Fiestas. A good day - if only they can sort out the touring cars, it will truly be a great card...

[Mackmot]

None of you came to my awning

where were you?????????

did any of you meet maxi jass from Faithless who was driving fiestas

[Lee Purnell]

I had a really good day!
Cheers Craig for getting me the ticket, and also for the lift back to the train. Did you find the main road again?
It was good to see the likes of Vincent Apple "racing" in the flesh!!
Havent had time to see the taped tv coverage, I wonder if we were on the tv?? ??
It was good to meet some fellow ten-tenths people, I will definatly be trying to get to some more meetings, unless I am politly asked not to

[Andy H]

My thoughts on the day include:

1) the following items would be a welcome addition to the GP Loop - commentary, toilets for those not prepared to nip off into the trees and food 'cos it is too far to walk back to the Indy circuit.

2) was the crowd smaller than last year? - I think so, although the GP track made it hard to tell.

3) why didn't the TGP blokes leave the cars round in the paddock for us to have a good look at. When I looked in a few Williams were lying about but most teams were getting the stuff straight in the van and nipping off.

4) the ST races weren't great but thanks to James Thompson for your spin it was worth the admission money alone.

5) why was the radio commentary so ****, it wasn't the usual Radio TOCA was it?

6) Dingle Dell corner is lovely.

The big plus point is I do think the works teams and drivers are evenly matched (except Honda?) so it should be less of a one or two horse race than past years.

The support bill looks good as well it's just the main event that needs a kick in the bits to get it going.

Fan of the day: 8 year old "dad why are they called Touring Cars?". Father "cos they tour tracks in the UK racing."

[Peter Mallett]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Craig Antill:
Sorry to miss you both - the organisation was a bit of a balls up, i'm afraid - looks like we need Carrie to organise things again!

I did see Maisie and Chris at one point, and it was good to meet Lee. Of course I saw Invader, and also saw Woody, Lorna and Nigel. (though the last two seemed to disappear into the woods together fot much of the day...! )

Favourite race ? TGP, followed by Fiestas. A good day - if only they can sort out the touring cars, it will truly be a great card...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

S'funny. I thought Fatbloke was going to be there. Didn't you bump into him as well?

[RIKB]

I enjoyed the weekend a lot, as I went for both days.

The Touring car race definatley needs spicing up a bit though!

And as usual Brands Hatch couldn't organise a pi55 up in a brewery! But they certainly knew how to charge!

[Lorna]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Craig Antill:
I did see Maisie and Chris at one point, and it was good to meet Lee. Of course I saw Invader, and also saw Woody, Lorna and Nigel. (though the last two seemed to disappear into the woods together fot much of the day...! )
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I did disapper into the woods with Nigel - it was not for most of the day. At least I disappeared into the woods with someone of the opposite sex unlike you

[Maisie]

Agree with most comments - organisation could've been better, especially with regards to radio commentary or at least PA around the GP loop - the main reason we stayed at Druids to watch most of the races rather than going to Dingle Dell - that and being bloody frozen - plus Chris getting in a strop after being frozen stiff and having one of his contact lenses blow away in a sudden gust

Nice to see Graham Holmes & Vincent Apple in action again! We did pass your awning Mackmot, but were afraid to barge in And we were following your truck towards the motorway for some distance (in case you were wondering who the lunatic in the white Cavalier was!) What happened to your driver? One minute he was doing quite well, the next he just pulled off after Druids? Do tell.

Hope to actually get to meet up with more people at Donington.

[Craig]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lorna:
At least I disappeared into the woods with someone of the opposite sex unlike you <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

And you would know this, how ?

Mr Macperson, we did call your name when we passed your team wheeling the car down the paddock, but we were ignored, so we presumed you were not in the group Come across to Redgate Lodge next time out, huh ?

[Craig]

BTW, does anyone have a spare program from Brands which they wouldn't mind sending this way ? I never got to buying one when I was there, but would mind a read

[Lorna]

Who's program did you have in the Kentagon then Craig?

[Invader]

Mine you two timing trollop.

Oh and I've just mailed it to Reynolds.