BTCC 2012 - Nutters in ordinary family cars.

Cheeveer · PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 6:51 pm

Well, of course! I wouldn't want you to think of less me, y'know

RtN · PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:00 pm

dicksplash wrote:

Good drivers in STCC are wasted talents, even though they are surrounded by other very competent drivers?

The only argument you seem to have is that he only "belongs" in BTCC is because he's British. Man, this "BTCC is the greatest touring car championship in the world because it's British"-attitude is annoying. The best drivers aren't even that special, they whinge and bully around all the time, and nobodies (okay, hard to define) are taking podiums and wins left and right with half-developed cars.

Every driver was a nobody once.

Here's an example to illustrate the difference between the BTCC and the STCC. Fabrizio Giovanardi arrived in the BTCC in 2006, driving for the most funded and most manufacturer-supported team (VXR, aka 888). He didn't win a race until the 8th race weekend.

He rocked up in the STCC a couple of weekends back, in the middle of the season, driving for a team that was also making its debut, and promptly won at the first go.

Cheeveer · PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:11 pm

Quote:

He rocked up in the STCC a couple of weekends back, in the middle of the season, driving for a team that was also making its debut, and promptly won at the first go.

Not really. Hartmann Honda were nowhere near new to STCC and especially not to Jyllandsringen. In fact, that is their home track. Thompson won there last year for them. And also, he won in the 2nd heat, in which he benefited from starting on pole after finishing 8th in heat 1.

To get a better look at STCC, take a look at Tarquini's expedition. Or Turkington or Thompson. All three of them in the best three teams in STCC. None of them have won.
Rydell is lying 2nd in the championship in a Chevy Cruze, which are dominating WTCC this year (I'm sure you've heard about that). Leading is Ekblom, in the VW Scirocco.

BTCC have bigger grids, better tracks, structure, economics, is more popular, but the STCC-field has more depth and I believe is more competitive. But now sadly, thre's only one weekend left of STCC as we know it. The split is happening after that, and that will probably divide the driver pool for next year.

phil1993 · PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:15 pm

BTCC is better because it is.

End of argument.

RtN · PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:19 pm

I suspected that it was a home track for the team, but it was certainly not a track that Gio had ever driven before.

I saw Tarquini's results as well, and you are right, they are crap. However, I would argue that Gabriele's best years are a very long way in the past.

There is no dominant touring car series; the WTCC which should fill that role is dire, and hopefully Alan Gow's direction can steady their ship. Every series has something different, and the vast majority of them are highly enjoyable.

As far as the BTCC is concerned, Gow has now put the series on a path where we can enjoy 8-10 different manufacturers on the grid in relatively equal machinery without any of the spiralling costs. Which is good. It's no fun if the same 3 blokes win every race.

Cheeveer · PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:24 pm

phil1993 wrote:

BTCC is better because it is.

End of argument.

Popularity is one thing, respect is a whole other.

gd49 · PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:27 pm

WSR need to change from the BMW, even with a turbo can't see it being competitive next year. Given teams with much less resources have managed to make NGTC cars competitive, surely thats the path they have to go down?

Can't see Plato going anywhere, sure he'll drive next year.

Macdowall needs replacing, he's a waste of what should be a competitive seat in the Chevy.

kals wrote:

phil1993 wrote:

By my calculations, if all goes well, there'll be 11 different manufacturers on the grid, with some of them sporting different car styles.

STOP MAKING PREDICTIONS!

Everytime you do we get less cars and drivers. Have you never noticed the trend?

Not as bad as on old tbk when Alfa Fan/Jonathan Macloed would predict every single car in Britain would be in the BTCC, only to get 10 cars on the grid at the beginning of the season

phil1993 · PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:27 pm

I will admit that the BTCC perhaps needs more 'star' names, but you have Plato, Neal, Shedden, Jackson and some great rising stars like Nash, Jordan and Wrathall.

kart99 · PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:31 pm

Guys, this is a rumor/news/what happens during a season thread, not bitch about which series is better thread, so can we please just use it as such.

RtN · PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:35 pm

gd49 wrote:

Macdowall needs replacing, he's a waste of what should be a competitive seat in the Chevy.

Do penalty points carry over into the next season?

Because if he somehow avoids a ban this season which leaves him liable to miss half of next season at the first cockup, then I don't think RML will take the risk.

De Cesaris fan · PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:07 pm

How long would a ban apply for, and has it ever happened before? I can't think of any off the top of my head.

RtN · PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:31 pm

It's 3 months.

I don't think anyone ever got a ban for racking up 12 points, but whoever is stewarding for the BTCC this year is certainly harsher than whoever was doing it during Anthony Reid's time.

phil1993 · PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:33 pm

Although if MacDowell isn't on the grid, the happiness of drivers increases by 47%

kals · PostPosted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:57 pm

What about the recent rumour about someone evaluating running an MG next year?

kals · PostPosted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 3:27 pm

http://www.touringcartimes.com/article.php?id=6754

Here are some interesting words from Mike Earle regarding the future of Arena in the BTCC.

phil1993 · PostPosted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 5:05 pm

Calendar (Provisional)

Date, Circuit (lay-out), Location

31 March-1 April, Brands Hatch (Indy), nr Dartford, Kent

28-29 April , Thruxton, nr Andover, Hampshire

9-10 June, Oulton Park (Island), nr Tarporley, Cheshire

23-24 June , Croft, nr Darlington, North Yorkshire

11-12 August, Snetterton (300), nr Attleborough, Norfolk

25-26 August, Knockhill, nr Dunfermline, Fife

22-23 September, Rockingham, nr Corby, Northamptonshire

6-7 October, Silverstone, nr Towcester, Northamptonshire

20-21 October, Brands Hatch (Grand Prix), nr Dartford, Kent

The date of the Donington Park event is yet to be announced, but will not impact the start or finish dates of the 2012 season. BTCC organiser TOCA expects to be in a position to announce that calendar date within the next three weeks.

Gaara · PostPosted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 5:24 pm

Triple 8 will switch to an NGTC car next year.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/94683

De Cesaris fan · PostPosted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 5:24 pm

Pretty much the same as this season but the final is at Brands instead of Silverstone? That's a good thing in my opinion.

kals · PostPosted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 5:27 pm

The season should not start or finish on the Indy circuit, it always underwhelms. The season should start at Thruxton with Indy being round 2 or 3.

kals · PostPosted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 5:37 pm

Definitely great news about 888.

So what do people reckon 888 will build for 2012? They've always been the Vauxhall team in BTCC but without the ties now will they venture over to another manufacturer?

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BTCC 2012 - Nutters in ordinary family cars.

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