Snetterton Rounds 16, 17 and 18

[AndySpeed]

It's about time the BTCC got going again! Snetterton this weekend, what's everyones opinions and predictions for the races?

It's been said a lot already but my money is on Jason Plato and Mat Jackson to go well, their Lacetti's seem to be great in a straight line and Snetterton has a couple of good ones.

I'm hoping for Dan Eaves to finally get his season back on track and get more of the results he deserves.

And for some good, hot weather!

[BTCC2]

Hope it's not too hot or we could have the BMWs running away with the first 2 races again.

[BDunnell]

The Vauxhalls and Chevys will probably go well, but I'm sure a BMW will win at least one of the races.

[Northern Monkey]

I'm hoping for Dan Eaves to finally get his season back on track and get more of the results he deserves.

There is absolutely NO chance of that happening...

[Northern Monkey]

http://www.crash.net/btcc/news/150498/1/shedden_back_to_btcc_with_cartridge_world.html

[LiamM]

So Dan Eaves looses his seat to Shedden again?

[MG2004]

Great news that Gordon Shedden is back (especially as he'll be able to drive at his home race at Knockhill) but gutted for Dan Eaves. He's had some awful luck this season......and remind me again, who was it who replaced Dan Eaves at Team Dynamics a few years ago? A certain Mr Shedden I believe!

[AndySpeed]

There is absolutely NO chance of that happening...

Not anymore. It's a great shame, his luck is so bad!

[BTCC2]

Not too sure about this one. Although not as fast as Adam Jones his outright pace was OK especially considering how long it has been since he raced. he just seemed to have the most awful luck at times.

[BTCC2]

On another note however it's great to see Flash back in the BTCC so quickly.

[Northern Monkey]

No Martyn Bell due to injury so just one sunshine Honda - http://www.crash.net/btcc/news/150526/1/bell_forced_out_of_snetterton_weekend.html

[tisme]

Not anymore. It's a great shame, his luck is so bad!

It's not bad luck.. it is down to money.. Again!

[AndySpeed]

It's not bad luck.. it is down to money.. Again!

You could say that was down to bad luck, tisme.

[Chris2k6]

Get in! Shedden back and hopefully he can put one over on team dynamics. I'll miss this weekends race as im working but got it sky plused. The BTCC has been amazing this year and i'm sure we're in for another great weekend of racing!

[VkmSpouge]

A shame that Dan Eaves has had his season cut short, that's twice he's been replaced by Gordon Shedden. Good luck to Shedden, it is good to have him back.

I hope Martyn Bell makes a quick recovery.

[thetrooper_uk]

I'm glad Sheddon is back and if he can beat Team Dynamics it'll be so sweet for him. I think there will be a good chance of rain this weekend going by the weather so far this week.
I think Gio will have a good weekend and claw back some points that he badly needs if he's to complete his 3 in a row.

[bt52b]

Great to see Shed's back

Turk preview
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/long-way-to-go-says-turkington-14440231.html

Racin' Jason preview
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/motorsport/2558580/Jason-Plato-looks-ahead-to-this-weekends-racing-at-Snetterton.html

[Les]

no Liam either he says on facebook. :(

[AndySpeed]

Colin's views ahead of the weekend:
http://www.btccaction.co.uk/2009/07/30/turkington-well-be-just-as-competitive

Mat Jackson:
http://www.matjackson.com/news/hoping-history-repeats-at-snetterton/

[Allyc85]

no Liam either he says on facebook. :(

:( How come?

[AndySpeed]

:( How come?

Probably the same ongoing engine dispute with Oreca?

[Northern Monkey]

It is engine related - a shame for his home round and for the grid as a whole with a few other drivers missing out.

[VkmSpouge]

No sign of Alan Morrison in the second Ford either, there was no announcement about that so I wonder why they don't have the second car out?

[Allyc85]

Practice 1 times..

1. Jason Plato Racing Silverline Chevrolet Lacetti 1min 12.482secs I
2. James Thompson Team Dynamics Honda Civic 1min 12.636secs I C
3. Matt Neal VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 1min 12.691secs C
4. Fabrizio Giovanardi VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 1min 12.701secs C
5. Andrew Jordan VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 1min 12.861secs C
6. Colin Turkington Team RAC BMW 320si 1min 12.930secs I
7. Harry Vaulkhard Bamboo Engineering Chevrolet Lacetti 1min 13.074secs I
8. Paul O'Neill Sunshine.co.uk with Tech-Speed Honda Integra 1min 13.188secs I B
9. Stephen Jelley Team RAC BMW 320si 1min 13.298secs I
10. Mat Jackson Racing Silverline Chevrolet Lacetti 1min 13.352secs I
11. Rob Collard Airwaves BMW BMW 320si 1min 13.395secs I
12. Jonathan Adam Airwaves BMW BMW 320si 1min 13.404secs I
13. James Nash RML Chevrolet Lacetti 1min 13.575secs I
14. Dave Pinkney Team Dynamics Honda Civic 1min 13.587secs I C
15. Tom Chilton Team Aon Ford Focus ST 1min 13.673secs I C
16. Gordon Shedden Cartridge World Carbon Zero Racing SEAT Leon 1min 13.849secs I
17. John George TH Motorsport with JAG Honda Integra 1min 14.759secs I B
18. Martin Johnson Boulevard Team Racing Vauxhall Astra Coupe 1min 16.216secs I B
19. Adam Jones Cartridge World Carbon Zero Racing SEAT Leon No time I

C denotes eligible for Manufacturers/Constructors title
I denotes Independent runner
B denotes BTC spec car, all others S2000

[Allyc85]

Practice 2..

1. Colin Turkington Team RAC BMW 320si 1min 12.434secs I
2. Matt Neal VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 1min 12.502secs C
3. Fabrizio Giovanardi VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 1min 12.620secs C
4. James Thompson Team Dynamics Honda Civic 1min 12.631secs I C
5. Andrew Jordan VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 1min 12.637secs C
6. Jason Plato Racing Silverline Chevrolet Lacetti 1min 12.705secs I
7. Jonathan Adam Airwaves BMW BMW 320si 1min 12.809secs I
8. Harry Vaulkhard Bamboo Engineering Chevrolet Lacetti 1min 12.854secs I
9. James Nash RML Chevrolet Lacetti 1min 12.866secs I
10. Paul O'Neill Sunshine.co.uk with Tech-Speed Honda Integra 1min 12.871secs I B
11. Mat Jackson Racing Silverline Chevrolet Lacetti 1min 13.045secs I
12. Rob Collard Airwaves BMW BMW 320si 1min 13.262secs I
13. Adam Jones Cartridge World Carbon Zero Racing SEAT Leon 1min 13.373secs I
14. Stephen Jelley Team RAC BMW 320si 1min 13.381secs I
15. Dave Pinkney Team Dynamics Honda Civic 1min 13.653secs I C
16. Gordon Shedden Cartridge World Carbon Zero Racing SEAT Leon 1min 13.714secs I
17. Tom Chilton Team Aon Ford Focus ST 1min 13.885secs I C
18. John George TH Motorsport with JAG Honda Integra 1min 15.192secs I B
19. Martin Johnson Boulevard Team Racing Vauxhall Astra Coupe 1min 40.852secs I B

C denotes eligible for Manufacturers/Constructors title
I denotes Independent runner
B denotes BTC spec car, all others S2000

[jonv]

Plato on pole but the fast starting Turkington is P2.

[VkmSpouge]

Snetterton Qualifying Times:

1 Jason Plato 1m12.247
2 Colin Turkington 0.101
3 James Thompson 0.152
4 Matt Neal 0.152
5 Andrew Jordan 0.219
6 Fabrizio Giovanardi 0.221
7 Jonathan Adam 0.371
8 Mat Jackson 0.425
9 Paul o'Neill 0.448
10 Stephen Jelley 0.540
11 Harry Vaulkhard 0.583
12 Adam Jones 0.812
13 Gordon Shedden 0.902
14 Rob Collard 1.003
15 Dave Pinkney 1.072
16 Tom Chilton 1.143
17 John George 2.859
18 Martin Johnson 4.699
19 James Nash No Time

Good qualifying session for Jason Plato but with Colin Turkington right beside him I would bet on the BMW leading into the first corner.
James Thompson also doing well the Honda Civic.
Fairly poor qualifying for Rob Collard, even with the BMW's fast start he will have to fight even to get into the points tomorrow.
I wonder why James Nash couldn't take part?

[mattie007]

Looks like we wont be seeing KWR this year afterall.

[Sarah]

I was listening to Radio Norfolk after quali.

Jason was saying he still thought it was unfair about the rear wheel drive cars but was having a driver moan and if he was in the BMW he wouldn't be complaining. He thought Colin would get past him before the first corner. He also said he wanted to stay in the BTCC.

Alan Gow didn't rule out night races happening again sometime at Snetterton. He thought Colin would beat Jason to the first corner but Jason would get him on the straight and he thought Jason would win the first race.

[Allyc85]

Would love night races again, though im surprised Gow has thought about bringing them back with the costs and the risk of upsetting the enviro-mentalists ;)

[LiamM]

Would love night races again, though im surprised Gow has thought about bringing them back with the costs and the risk of upsetting the enviro-mentalists ;)

Well the constant pestering he gets on the BTCC Forum proves it was popular with fans. And if everything could fall into place again, I'm sure he would jump at the chance. But its highly unlikely now.

However a BTCC with no manufacturers would be a very different place politics wise, so one piece could fall into place. On the other hand its extra expense for the independent teams left.

[thetrooper_uk]

It's looking like the weather is gonna help Turkington in the BMW again today. It's supposed to be the hottest place in the UK today. I wouldn't be surprised to see Turkington take a double win again today.
I'm hoping the Vauxhalls go well today but mainly Gio as I want him to be close on points near the end to make the final round a belter.
Also it wouldn't be Motorsport if the drivers didn't moan about the advantages of the other drivers.

[VkmSpouge]

Race 1 Result:

1 Fabrizio Giovanardi
2 Mat Jackson
3 Paul o'Neill
4 Jonathan Adam
5 Colin Turkington
6 Stephen Jelley
7 Adam Jones
8 Dave Pinkney
9 Matt Neal
10 Harry Vaulkhard
11 Tom Chilton
12 Andrew Jordan
13 John George
14 Martin Johnson
DNF Rob Collard
NCF James Nash
DNF James Thompson
DNF Gordon Shedden
DNF Jason Plato

Seven weeks away and it looked like after lap one that some drivers had forgotten how to drive! 4 spins on the firest lap!
Well done to Fabrizio Giovanardi for taking the race win. Mat Jackson taking a good 2nd place. The best drive of the race was undoubtedly Paul o'Neill, great to see all that emotion on the podium.
Good result for Dave Pinkney too, getting best result of the season with 8th place.
I feel sorry for James Thompson who might well have challenged Giovanardi for victory had his gearbox not failed.

[Sarah]

Owy made me cry that was an amazing result for him and TeamSunshine. Gutted for Jimmy I was looking forward to seeing him go after Fabrizio.

[#1JamesThompsonFan]

THIS IS WHY WE LOVE TOURING CARS BABY! :) ;) :D :eek:

[VkmSpouge]

Race 2 Results:

1 Fabrizio Giovanardi
2 Colin Turkington
3 Jason Plato
4 James Thompson
5 Paul o'Neill
6 Jonathan Adam
7 Rob Collard
8 James Nash
9 Harry Vaulkhard
10 Gordon Shedden
11 Adam Jones
12 Andrew Jordan
13 Stephen Jelley
14 Matt Neal
15 Martin Johnson
16 Dave Pinkney
17 John George
NCF Mat Jackson
DNF Tom Chilton

Two wins out of two for Fabrizio Giovanardi.
Good races by Jason Plato and James Thompson to come from the back to get top 5 finishes.
Another good result for Paul o'Neill who battled valiantly against the lighter and faster Plato and Thompson.
Good drives by James Nash (I think that is his best result in the BTCC) and Gordon Shedden picking up his first point for Cartridge World.

EDIT: Allan McNish draws Harry Vaulkhard for pole position. An all Chevy front row with James Nash alongside him. I would expect the Motorbase BMWs will have great chances to win.

[VkmSpouge]

Race 3 Result:

1 James Nash
2 Colin Turkington
3 Fabrizio Giovanardi
4 Matt Neal
5 Andrew Jordan
6 James Thompson
7 Paul o'Neill
8 Adam Jones
9 Jonathan Adam
10 Dave Pinkney
11 Martin Johnson
12 John George
13 Gordon Shedden
14 Jason Plato
DNF Rob Collard
DNF Stephen Jelley
DNF Tom Chilton
DNF Harry Vaulkhard
DNS Mat Jackson

Excellent win by James Nash. He really withstood the pressure from Colin Turkington in the closing laps. I'm not sure about the tap he did on Rob Collard.
The second safety car was deployed very late and it was little wonder there was a near crash as the cars had to slow down very quickly.
Martin Johnson finished 11th place, he was in 10th with 2 laps to go but got passed by Dave Pinkney. Johnson, Chilton and George were the only ones not to score points today.

[rob01]

i thought paul o'neil did a great job not to end up in the barrier!
well done to james nash.

[stevevxr]

Excellent BTCC weekend again.... GIO is back for sure!!! watch out Turks VXR are back... Great to see Paul O'neil in the thick of things... and well done nash on the first win... Whats with Harry Vaulkard ??? He's makin some real stupid moves/mistakes at the mo.... Roll on Knockhill..... BTCC 2009 as got to be one of the best seasons ever !!!

[christophulus]

Nash excluded from race 3 so Turkington takes the win. Pretty harsh, looked to me like a "racing incident"

http://www.btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=1582

[VkmSpouge]

The accident was clearly James Nash's fault, so I guess he deserved some kind of punishment for it.

[Robinho]

harsh, but probably fair, it was a racing incident, but an avoidable one, and ended in an ansty accident.

takes nothing much away from Nash, he's still won the race on the road, had a great drive and hopefully he'll learn from today.

similar to Adam and Plato at Brands - could have gone either way, and on balance probably fair to discourage that sort of incident given the outcome

[Robinho]

great performances from Gio, especially Paul O'Neill ( great drives fella if your reading) and a decent day for Turks in the end

[VkmSpouge]

With James Nash disqualified it gives Martin Johnson his first ever BTCC point. Congratulations, Martin!

[AndySpeed]

Very pleased to see Nash excluded (not that I dslike the guy at all, but it had to be done).

Congratulations to Fabrizio on another two flawless wins, and to Colin on making sure he's always right up there. :up:

[Mp3 Astra]

I think the Nash DQ was justified; he had been hitting Collard very hard on the two laps leading up to the incident; seemingly using him as his brakes on the second part of the Esses, literally. He then went for a gap that wasn't there, and caused quite a major shunt. The stewards have produced penalties for less severe incidents this year, so this DQ is very much appropriate.

Good day's racing, but is it me or was it less busy today than usual (in terms of crowd numbers)?

[thetrooper_uk]

I think it was harsh on Nash as if he had braked then Turkington would of rammed him from behind and the only other thing was to take to the grass and it was Rob that moved over on Nash. As he said he shouldn't have to ease off because Rob made a mistake.
It does show that the stewards are consistent I suppose. Overall a great weekend for Gio to put himself right back in the hunt. Very pleased Paul got a podium as he's been hit with some bad luck this season so far. I would like to see him get a better car next year and see if he can be on the podium more often.
Bring on Knockhill as it's gonna be a weekend that could show us Gio back on the top of the standing (hopefully) To be honest I don't mind which driver wins as I like most of them. I would like to see Turkington get the overall title but also like to see Gio make it 3 in a row. I can't have everything though.

[WSRfan82]

HARSH ON NASH RUBBISH!!!

im not the biggest collard fan but nash was to blame for that

nash nudges collard coming out the at the esses then nash is right up collards rear looking to pass were there was no gap at all to even think about passing yet tried to any way. nash getting excluded was the right thing to do