BTCC 2008 - Brands Hatch (1) Discussion

[Rusty]

Has anybody got a link for live timing today please as the old one won't work??

[VX_Rules]

http://www.tsl-timing.com/?loc=major&season=2008&series=BTCC&event=races&source=toca2006&eventid=81303

:)

[SEATFreak]

So far Gio has the best time with 49.881. Good to see Jelley in the best 6 times.

Install the latest Java and it should work well Rusty.

[VX_Rules]

Stocktons looking good!
Cant say as much for the SEATs.

[SEATFreak]

Turners best is 51.996 in 10th and Jase way down with 55.804 in 21st. :(

[SEATFreak]

Session stopped. Why?

[VX_Rules]

:) that is a shame!

[VX_Rules]

someone must be off.

[mikecapener]

Turners best is 51.996 in 10th and Jase way down with 55.804 in 21st. :(

I cannot believe that those Seat times are representative yet seatfreak. I don't say that as a hopeful Seat supporter, I say it as a worried VXR supprter ;)

[VX_Rules]

Neal just got towed back to the pits.

[SEATFreak]

:) that is a shame!

Nobody likes a smart alec! :)

Are we the only ones watching Live Timing?

[VX_Rules]

Cars fine though! few.

[VX_Rules]

Haha, i reckon so Freak? lol. Ive got the live timing and VXRwebcam up at the same time.

[SEATFreak]

I cannot believe that those Seat times are representative yet seatfreak. I don't say that as a hopeful Seat supporter, I say it as a worried VXR supprter ;)

I am sure someone said sometime recently the TDi hasn't been tested in the rain yet properly.

I cannot remember a race last season where Tarquini and Muller (and Gene at the end) raced in the wet.

How is the forecast for tomorrow?

...still we are up and running again.

[VX_Rules]

Rain, :D haha, well it's dodgey, i think wet track/rain for first race, other two dry possibly.
You going tommorrow?
And platos 4th now :@

[mikecapener]

Good Lord! Look how quick Plato just went :rolleyes:

(Seat once again not fooling anyone with their preseason fun and games!)

[SEATFreak]

Me worried?! Nah!

Though Turks has just gone the fastest with 49.600

[VX_Rules]

Session over. Its interesting how the top 15 are within 1 second. I think the qualifying is anyones guess, but the new boys come race day wont be able to mix it with the big boys i reckon.

[mikecapener]

Paper paper everywhere under the bonnet of Matt's Vectra

[SEATFreak]

but the new boys come race day wont be able to mix it with the big boys i reckon.

Pheww!....wait till I catch my breath....you reckon? Kane seemed to come on strongly at the end.

....just waiting for the first qualifying session in the SCC to start.

[MBailey06]

Steven Kane was very quick in 5th, he could be a surprise, but the majority of the field look pretty close.

[VX_Rules]

Dont mention the paper on the floor MIKE! Shush!

I mean that sure Kane and Jelley are on pace, and im sure they will qualify well, but once the lights go green, we'll just see where they end up...

[mattie007]

When does qualifying start as Im leaving for Dartford soon!

[VX_Rules]

1540-1610.

http://www.tsl-timing.com/timetables/2008/81303.pdf

[mattie007]

Cheers pal

[SEATFreak]

Steven Kane was very quick in 5th, he could be a surprise, but the majority of the field look pretty close.

The races though do seem to be a good leveler.

We do seem to see the wheat sorted from the chaf to coin another cliche. SEAT and VXR the strongest competitors for the lead with TD and Team RAC also fighting well.

[VX_Rules]

Yeah, definately, all the experts are saying that it will be 10 way etc etc, It wont, it will be the top 4 last Year.

VXR V Seat.
TD V Team RAC (Vs occasionally Jackson, Motorbase, Eurotech)
And then there will be ALOT of action mid pack.

Still good, but definately not a "10 way".

[tin-top fan]

Looking at the results from the practice it seems the Seats are going pretty well- I guess those saying they were sandbagging were pretty much on the mark (maybe they were ballasted quite a lot in testing?)

[VX_Rules]

Im not going to be on for the next prctice session but will be back before the qualifying. Can anyone take note of what happens in it for me?

[m0rk]

the timing for past 'events' is all logged on TSL's site anyway, so just look there & click on the sessions you missed

[VkmSpouge]

According to BTCC.net, Michael Doyle had an electrical problem that prevented him taking part in the first practice session. I hope In-Tune Racing get that fixed.

[MBailey06]

Stockton looking actually quite quick at the moment, Plato fastest, Doyle still not on track.

[mattie007]

Is Hughes in the MG?
He's just over a second off the pace so it could be the Integra?

[MBailey06]

No its definitely the MG, he wasn't going to race it until Rockingham if he can get it by then.

[mattie007]

Cool, thanks for the info.
Anyway, Im off! Heres to some spectacular racing!

[VkmSpouge]

Is Hughes in the MG?
He's just over a second off the pace so it could be the Integra?

In qualifying at Brands Hatch last year, Hughes was 1.061 and 0.816 seconds off the pace in his MG.

[Alfa Fan]

I maintain Collard is crap. Look how far off he is from his rookie teammate!! And that's not just in this session....

[Alfa Fan]

Turkington has just done a 48!!!

[VkmSpouge]

I maintain Collard is crap. Look how far off he is from his rookie teammate!! And that's not just in this session....

Collard ain't crap, I would say it is more Steven Kane being bloody good. Half a second off his team mate isn't good but then we don't know what they are doing. Collard could be working purely on race set up while Kane is doing qualifying runs.

[MBailey06]

Looks like qualifying will be tight later if it stays dry. Less than a second covering Turkington who is fastest to Collard in 16th. Giovanardi a surprise down in 13th.

[Alfa Fan]

Well we'll wait and see. But Collard hasn't looked quick in testing and now isn't looking too hot in practice here. Even Autosport pointed out that Collard "has lacked pace in testing".

PS - Could a moderator rename this Brands Hatch BTCC Thread or words to that effect?

[tisme]

I maintain Collard is crap. Look how far off he is from his rookie teammate!! And that's not just in this session....

You still insist on showing your persistant hatred of Rob Collard?

[Alfa Fan]

Nope. I was just shot down when I critised him when he was linked to the drive. I was told that he was going to do well this season. It may be early but the signs don't look good. I will be stunned if Mr Collard isn't involved in at least one shunt tomorrow.

[MattL]

Track's damp at the moment. Just started raining again, too. Seven minutes of SEAT qualifying remaining.

[Alfa Fan]

What happened to stop SEAT qually?

[VX_Rules]

Qualifying is about to begin!

[MattL]

Re. SEAT qualifying: Car in the barrier. Not sure who or where.

[MBailey06]

What a relief for Doyle! He is finally out on the track.

[Alfa Fan]

All 25 cars have now made it out on track for qualifying.

[VX_Rules]

Hes not seemed to have posted a time though. :/

[Alfa Fan]

What a relief for Doyle! He is finally out on the track.

Only to do a Reconnaissance Lap by the looks of it.

[VX_Rules]

Plato and hondas on form...

[Alfa Fan]

Kane's just lost all his times for missing the weighbridge. And Doyle's put in a proper lap. Jordan Jnr to P4. And now a red flag, whats happened Mark?

[ready2rock]

red flag?

[VX_Rules]

Red flag?

[BTCC2]

Re Flag
Doyle has done decent time now
Kane missed weigh scales so has had times wiped

[ready2rock]

btw where are you guys getting the news from all the time?

[MattL]

Red flag is for Erkut who's gone off at Paddock on cold tyres.

Edit - sorry, I think it was Bell.

[VX_Rules]

Silly boy!! :)

[Alfa Fan]

Green

[VkmSpouge]

Times are tumbling, the track must be drying.

[Alfa Fan]

Getting into the mid 51s now, track must be drying. Make that mid 50s.

[Alfa Fan]

Adam Jones P3!! Times into 49s.

[100%hondafan]

looks like it is drying times are coming down ;)

[VX_Rules]

49s.

[Alfa Fan]

WHAT a lap by Chris Stockton!!

[Alfa Fan]

Gio P1
JP P2

[Alfa Fan]

Matt Jackson P1

[100%hondafan]

has doyle done any running in the car yet ??

[Alfa Fan]

Damn sessions been ended early by another red flag.

[100%hondafan]

well done matt jackson!

[VX_Rules]

Who was it this time?
Disappointment by Neal!
And Well done Kane, And Collard is rubbish!!

[100%hondafan]

collard was only 3 tenths off kane so didnt do to bad.

[Alfa Fan]

Jackson Giovanardi
Turkington Plato
Onslow-Cole Turner
Shedden Kane
Chilton Neal
Jelley Allison
Collard A.Jordan
Jones Stockton
M.Jordan George
Kizilirmak Vaulkhard
Oliver Hughes
Taylor Bell
Doyle

[Alfa Fan]

I assume the remaining 1 minute 13 seconds of the session won't be run?

[100%hondafan]

it says session status: Finished

[Alfa Fan]

It does now yeah, didn't when I asked.

[MattL]

Doyle and Stockton both in the gravel at Paddock brought out the second red flag.

[VkmSpouge]

Congratulations to our new championship leader, Mat Jackson! Picking up the first point of the season by getting a good pole :D .
Mike Jordan is likely to be disappointed down in 17th place. I feel both Chris Stockton and Stuart Oliver did very well. Steven Kane is the fastest rookie today.

[SEATFreak]

I missed qualifying as a I was out at the big Sunderland vs West Ham match.

Glad I did miss qualifying now it seems. I think SEAT will really have to start well to overhaul the seemingly dissapointing qualification. Jase will have 3 competitive beemers and the Champion in a car of the calibre of the Vectra.

I just hope the TDi will live up to expectation.

[LiamM]

Was the SEATs impeded by the red flag at the end? Watching the live timing I felt it looked like Jason was going for a last minute flying lap, but the red flags came out with like 1m30 to go

[MG2004]

Mike Jordan was running with the name 'Old Man' on is window today and Andrew Jordan with 'Young Man' !!

Hope they keep this for the race tomorrow. Andrew was following his dad roundin most of the practice laps, but you wouldn't have known it was his first outing in the car - there was little to separate them.

[MattL]

Mike Jordan was running with the name 'Old Man' on is window today and Andrew Jordan with 'Young Man' !!

Hope they keep this for the race tomorrow. Andrew was following his dad roundin most of the practice laps, but you wouldn't have known it was his first outing in the car - there was little to separate them.

As demanded by Mr Gow himself, I understand

[SEATFreak]

Giovanardi wins from Mat Jackson with Jase' in 3rd and Darren Turner in 4th. Mat Neal in his debut for VXR came 5th with former team-mate Gordon Shedden in 6th. Tom Onslow Cole was 7th.

[VkmSpouge]

The weather cost Mat Jackson a victory there. Fabrizio Giovanardi capitalised well. Matt Neal only really came alive in the wet. Steven Kane looked quite good. Colin Turkington struggled but at least got the compensation of fastest lap.

1. Fabrizio Giovanardi Vauxhall
2. Mat Jackson BMW
3. Jason Plato SEAT
4. Darren Turner SEAT
5. Matt Neal Vauxhall
6. Gordon Shedden Honda
7. Tom Onslow-Cole Vauxhall
8. Steven Kane BMW
9. Tom Chilton Honda
10. Adam Jones SEAT
11. Matt Allison Chevrolet
12. Rob Collard BMW
13. Mike Jordan Honda
14. Stephen Jelley BMW
15. Andrew Jordan Honda
16. Jason Hughes MG
17. John George Honda
18. Harry Vaulkhard Chevrolet
19. Erkut Kizilirmak Vauxhall
20. Colin Turkington BMW
21. Alan Taylor Honda
R. Michael Doyle Honda
R. Chris Stockton Lexus
R. Martyn Bell Vauxhall
R. Stuart Oliver Lexus

[VkmSpouge]

Interesting second race. Giovanardi had it won after the safety car came in when Mat Jackson made horrible restart. Gordon Shedden made a superb start from sixth to third. Tom Onslow-Cole did well and got the better of his team mate, Matt Neal. Tom Chilton and Steven Kane were responsible for their own demises, Mike Jordan was lucky not to be taken out by Kane. Anyone know why Chris Stockton failed to start? The Lexus seems once again to be unreliable :( .

1. Fabrizio Giovanardi Vauxhall
2. Gordon Shedden Honda
3. Jason Plato SEAT
4. Mat Jackson BMW
5. Darren Turner SEAT
6. Tom Onslow-Cole Vauxhall
7. Matt Neal Vauxhall
8. Colin Turkington BMW (Fastest Lap)
9. Mike Jordan Honda
10. Adam Jones SEAT
11. Stephen Jelley BMW
12. Matt Allison Chevrolet
13. Jason Hughes MG
14. Andrew Jordan Honda
15. Harry Vaulkhard Chevrolet
16. Erkut Kizilirmak Vauxhall
17. Martyn Bell Vauxhall
18. Michael Doyle Honda
19. John George Honda
20. Alan Taylor Honda
R. Tom Chilton Honda
R. Steven Kane BMW
R. Rob Collard BMW
R. Stuart Oliver Lexus
NS. Chris Stockton Lexus

Mike Jordan starting from pole in the third race. I hope he does well.

[BDunnell]

Tom Chilton and Steven Kane were responsible for their own demises, Mike Jordan was lucky not to be taken out by Kane.

Not the first time we've seen that shunt at Brands, as a driver on the outside exiting Clearways doesn't realise that someone is coming up the inside. I remember a really big shunt between Patrick Watts and Paul Radisich in 1995, caused by David Brabham moving over on Watts and pushing him into the pit wall.

Two good races so far today. Giovanardi looks so impressive, Shedden did brilliantly in the second race and Onslow-Cole went very well. Shame about Stockton, again — he had a great first lap of race one.

[VkmSpouge]

Great third race. Colin Turkington withstood Mat Jackson's charge, though Jackson almost made it around the outside of Clearways. Matt Neal did well though I was hoping Mike Jordan would claim third place. Tom Chilton had a great run from the back. Matt Allison had a good race to eighth. Congratulations to Steven Kane (in race one), Andrew Jordan and Stephen Jelley for scoring their first BTCC points. Michael Doyle also seemed to improve with each race. Hopefully In-Tune Racing can get some testing done in their Civic.
Big crash on lap one, I'm glad Tom Onslow-Cole was alright. Plato jinked left to pass Shedden but then Shedden also moved left and they touched. It was unfortunate but having seen the replay I don't think anyone was to blame.
A shame neither Lexus could make the start, I really hope they get their reliability problems sorted because that car does have some pace.

1. Colin Turkington BMW
2. Mat Jackson BMW
3. Matt Neal Vauxhall (Fastest Lap)
4. Mike Jordan Honda
5. Jason Plato SEAT
6. Fabrizio Giovanardi Vauxhall
7. Tom Chilton Honda
8. Matt Allison Chevrolet
9. Andrew Jordan Honda
10. Stephen Jelley BMW
11. Rob Collard BMW
12. John George Honda
13. Jason Hughes MG
14. Harry Vaulkhard Chevrolet
15. Michael Doyle Honda
16. Martyn Bell Vauxhall
17. Erkut Kizilirmak Vauxhall
18. Adam Jones SEAT
R. Alan Taylor Honda
R. Gordon Shedden Honda
R. Tom Onslow-Cole Vauxhall
R. Darren Turner SEAT
NS. Steven Kane BMW
NS. Stuart Oliver Lexus
NS. Chris Stockton Lexus

[BDunnell]

It was really good to see Mike Jordan up at the front again, and Matt Allison showing well in the Chevy. Andrew Jordan did well in that third race, too, and I'm glad Stephen Jelley got a point. That scrap between Turkington and Jackson on the last lap was really something else, though! Fantastic stuff.

[tyreman2]

Great third race. Colin Turkington withstood Mat Jackson's charge, though Jackson almost made it around the outside of Clearways. Matt Neal did well though I was hoping Mike Jordan would claim third place. Tom Chilton had a great run from the back. Matt Allison had a good race to eighth. Congratulations to Steven Kane (in race one), Andrew Jordan and Stephen Jelley for scoring their first BTCC points. Michael Doyle also seemed to improve with each race. Hopefully In-Tune Racing can get some testing done in their Civic.
Big crash on lap one, I'm glad Tom Onslow-Cole was alright. Plato jinked left to pass Shedden but then Shedden also moved left and they touched. It was unfortunate but having seen the replay I don't think anyone was to blame.
A shame neither Lexus could make the start, I really hope they get their reliability problems sorted because that car does have some pace.

1. Colin Turkington BMW
2. Mat Jackson BMW
3. Matt Neal Vauxhall (Fastest Lap)
4. Mike Jordan Honda
5. Jason Plato SEAT
6. Fabrizio Giovanardi Vauxhall
7. Tom Chilton Honda
8. Matt Allison Chevrolet
9. Andrew Jordan Honda
10. Stephen Jelley BMW
11. Rob Collard BMW
12. John George Honda
13. Jason Hughes MG
14. Harry Vaulkhard Chevrolet
15. Michael Doyle Honda
16. Martyn Bell Vauxhall
17. Erkut Kizilirmak Vauxhall
18. Adam Jones SEAT
R. Alan Taylor Honda
R. Gordon Shedden Honda
R. Tom Onslow-Cole Vauxhall
R. Darren Turner SEAT
NS. Steven Kane BMW
NS. Stuart Oliver Lexus
NS. Chris Stockton Lexus
Lexus, pace. I don't think so! Stockton is mega commited in the early laps while everybody is bunched up but as soon as the field spreads out he has no chance!

[VkmSpouge]

I disagree, there were quite were some occasions last year when Stockton was running in the top 10 quite comfortably until he was either punted off or the Lexus broke.

[BDunnell]

I disagree, there were quite were some occasions last year when Stockton was running in the top 10 quite comfortably until he was either punted off or the Lexus broke.

Generally, though, he can never hold a good placing because of the car's lack of speed. It's a shame because Stockton is clearly a very fine racer indeed. Only at Croft, if I remember rightly, did he move through the field into a good position as the race went on and then get punted off (by Turner).

[VkmSpouge]

I think Stockton had been running up in 4th place at Oulton Park in the early stages before he retired. Still the Lexus never really got the chance to show what pace it was capable of today.

[nik]

Stockton was in the top 10 in race one, but then just vanished. No reply either. :angry:

[poole123]

Somethng remarkable happened as well today... 100% reliabilty from jason hughes in the MG. and at times he showed that the MG still has some good pace, he was keeping up with the chevrolets.

[KyKiske]

Was it just me or did the diesel Seats look like they might be rolling road blocks at the tighter tracks this year? We've seen this in the WTCC recently, they get caught, but because they can banzai the straights they stop the chasing cars passing in the 'normal' places, meaning the chasing car spends half a lap catching back up, before finding, once more, a big fat Seat blocking the road. A bit like Stoner's Ducati in MotoGP, just alot wider...

I'm all for diversity, but from what I've seen in WTCC diesel cars in a sprint race format dont make for good racing. Then again our drivers do tend to be a little more agressive than the world lot - maybe they'll help mix things up.

[Superdave08]

Without trying to contridict myself here as a VXR fan but I was GUTTED for Mat Jackson this weekend not getting that first win due to the weather!

I think Mat has some awesome potential this year!