*** BTCC Begins, Sunday 5th April 09. ***

Grumps82

Grumps82

Grumps82

Soldato
Joined
30 Aug 2006
Posts
3,368
Just a heads up for all you people here. On ITV 4 from 11:45 - 18:00.

All news etc can be found here : http://www.btcc.net/html/home.php

It seems as though Jason Plato will be making an appearance with the Chevrolet Lacetti.

And a rather nice selection of manufacturers :

1 Fabrizio Giovanardi : VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra
3 Jason Plato : RML Chevrolet Lacetti
4 Colin Turkington : Team RAC BMW 320si E90
5 Matt Neal : Vauxhall Vectra
9 Adam Jones : SEAT Leon
10 Tom Chilton : Team Aon Ford Focus ST
11 Robert Collard : BMW 320si E90
12 Jonathan Adam : Airwaves BMW
15 Martyn Bell British : Honda Integra
16 Nick Leason : BMW 120D
17 Harry Vaulkhard : Chevrolet Lacetti
27 Liam McMillan : SEAT Toledo Cupra
28 Jason Hughes : MG ZS
29 Paul O'Neill British : Honda Integra
44 Stephen Jelley : BMW 320si E90
50 John George : Honda Integra
52 Gordon Shedden : Honda Civic
55 David Pinkney : Honda Civic
63 Martin Johnson : Vauxhall Astra Coupe
77 Andrew Jordan : Vauxhall Vectra
85 Dan Eaves : SEAT Leon


Im not a fan of Formula 1 but i do like the door to door racing of Touring cars.

So who is your money on for the championship ?.

Im going for Matt Neal.
 
Im still looking forward to this, i agree about the good ol' days. Used to love the Volvo's tearing up the track.

For me this is still the best motor racing i get to watch (not having sky etc). Formula 1 to me has no excitement.

I hope the weather on Sunday is awful, gives me an excuse to stay in all day and watch it.
 
I think maybe the thing to do is tune in at 11:45 and see what its all about. Im not sure if there are any rule changes but there probably will be.

The excitement of Touring cars has been lost maybe in recent years, lets hope the racing this year is good.
 
Janesy B said:
I blame ITV in a way, I bet it was their stupid idea. A couple of season back didn't they spin a wheel to see who would be on pole? I mean come on, no wonder no one takes the series seriously anymore.
Click to expand...

Yep exactly, something as stupid as spinning a wheel to decide. Not professional in any way.
 
I suppose its lost some of the original bump & nudge racing that touring cars had years ago. Everyone plays it safe now.

Very rare you see cars three a breast round a corner, mind you Matt Neal & Jason Plato are usually entertaining to watch :-)

JP is a dirty bugger.
 
Im still debating whether to go to Thruxton or not as its only an hour away. I have not been for the past two years.

Might see how much the prices have gone up in that time.
 
BTCC leading qualifying times, Brands Hatch :

1. Matt Neal (GBR), VXR Racing/Vauxhall Vectra, 48.857s

2. Fabrizio Giovanardi (ITA), VX Racing/Vauxhall Vectra, +0.020s

3. Robert Collard (GBR), Airwaves BMW/BMW 320si, +0.069s

4. Colin Turkington (GBR), Team RAC/BMW 320si, +0.165s

5. Andrew Jordan (GBR), VX Racing/Vauxhall Vectra, +0.216s

6. Jonathan Adam (GBR), Airwaves BMW/BMW 320si, +0.264s
 
It is such a nice day. I am feeling so guilty for not going outside. If i didn't have a bangover i would probably be outside. The racing has been good so far.
 
Pigeon said:
As for Race 3, the script couldn't be better with Plato drawn on pole. Adam nearly caused a big accident with Plato who did really well to stay on track.
Click to expand...

I watched it on TV, that was a quite incredible recovery. Have you got any photos from today at all ?.

We should make this the official BTCC thread and keep it updated with photos etc from the people that have gone to watch.

Im still toying with the idea of going to Thruxton. Just not sure yet.
 
Here is the save :



It just looks impossible from this angle, but he did save it, incredible. Fabrizio Giovanardi did a similiar thing either last year or the year before. Great stuff.

[[[EDIT]]] Here is Gio's attempt : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMLV...B5568B4F&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=93

Did anyone else see the interview with Tom Onslow Cole ?. He was commenting on the fact that there has been interest from a Volvo team for the BTCC. Now that would be good.
 
Last edited:
Yeah some great shots there. No 2 is awesome. Im looking at going to Thruxton this year. I have not been there for about three years, £22 isnt too bad. Just hope the racing is good.

[[[EDIT]]]

Just looking at your last photo peterattheboro, shows just how good that save was, it seems impossible when you look at that shot.
 
Some interesting news for anyone interested. Didnt see it coming myself,


Thompson replaces Shedden at Dynamics :

James Thompson, the former double British Touring Car Champion, will return to the HiQ-backed championship starting at the next round at Thruxton, Hampshire on Sunday 26 April – replacing Gordon Shedden in the Team Dynamics squad.

Yorkshireman Thompson is one of the most successful drivers in the BTCC’s 50-year history. He won the Drivers’ title in 2002 and 2004 and has also achieved 33 race wins but has not contested the series since 2006.

His return - on what will be his 35th birthday at Thruxton - follows successful tests during the winter months in Dynamics' Honda Civic. It also means there are now four past BTCC Champions on the 2009 grid – Thompson, plus Jason Plato (Champion in 2001), Matt Neal (2005 & 2006) and Fabrizio Giovanardi (2007 & 2008).

Dynamics’ Team Principal Steve Neal commented: “This change in our driver line-up has come about due to contractual commitments. Gordon has been part of Dynamics since 2006 and has been a great performer for us. We are currently negotiating further sponsorship to run a third car for him alongside James and David Pinkney which is hoped will materialise sooner rather than later.

“James’ addition to the Dynamics line-up, meanwhile, is one I have personally hoped for since Matt (Neal) moved to the VX Racing team at the end of 2007. We are all hugely competitive at Team Dynamics and of course wish to return to the same sort of form that enabled us to win the BTCC outright in 2005 and 2006.

"James is truly one of the world’s top touring car drivers and I am absolutely confident that he can take the fight to the opposition and provide us with a further step-up in performance.”


Source : http://www.btcc.net/html/generalnews.php
 
Indeed, that's a real big shame. I hope this does not mark the downturn for manufacturers that take part in the sport.

Although there seems to be a rumour going round about Volvo joining the fray. Lets see what happens.
 
Plato is here till the end :

Jason Plato will contest the remainder of the 2009 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship season in his Chevrolet Lacetti but under the new team name of Racing Silverline.

Is anyone going to Thruxton this year at all ?. I will be going for the first time in years. Really looking forward to it.
 
I'm toying with the idea of viewing from the complex or the final chicane. Just don't know what to do.

I have sat at the complex every year but may decide to do the final chicane this year. I just want to see the most action.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom