Media Day Discussion

[ATF]

Maybe we should have a general thread about all media day related topics to keep it simple?

Seen the photos on the BTCC pages and have to say, I didn't actually think VX could have a worse livery than last year (it looks such a mess at the front) - Adam Jones' Toledo isn't much better either!! Also, Leggate has got a facelifted MG but Hughes hasn't, maybe he will for the first race? No Civic pics - are TD there?!

[taffy]

No mention of the 2 Astra`s from Peter Enckelman either.. Have to say though the cars look great and it`s an impressive amount of cars to start the season.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Are the cars running on track today?

[Pilfp]

Mat Jackson, the Dynamics boys and BTC racing aren't in the BTCC pages photos, does anyone know if they are there?

[ATF]

The cars should be testing now (1-5pm is it?) - live timing isn't working though!

Apart from the photos, I don't know who else is there, we'll probably have to wait until people start getting home with more info?

[Neil Adams]

some more pics in the 'pages gallery now, td are there!

[VkmSpouge]

Mat Jackson, the Dynamics boys and BTC racing aren't in the BTCC pages photos, does anyone know if they are there?

I believe that one of the BTC Racing cars is there in the pictures, I believe it is under a cover: http://www.btccpages.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1547

Also Team Dynamics are there: http://www.btccpages.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1616

Might be unfinished underneath though.

[ATF]

That Civic looks awesome!! Have to say i'm impressed with the BTC livery too, looks very professional. No pink has appeared on the Alfa yet, but there's time...

[acorn]

is there an obvious reason why the lexus are the only ones with circuit sponsorship ie rockingham?

[Allyc85]

jeez how ugly is the front of the vectra, the bumper looks a right mess even before its hit anything!

[Scuderia ferrari]

AHH, nice! I was starting to get dissapointed when i saw no pictures on autosport or BTCC.net but this has made up for it.

[VkmSpouge]

Just had a thought:
Fiona Leggate is listed as #38 on the entry list but her car has the number 82 on the side: http://www.btccpages.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1535

[BTCC2]

Here are the testing times for today

http://www.msttiming.com/toca/2007/71141trg.pdf

[tin-top fan]

1. Fabrizio Giovanardi 1:24.806 57 Laps
2. Mike Jordan 1:24.872 62 Laps
3. Colin Turkington 1:24.938 70 Laps
4. Darren Turner 1:25.022 22 Laps
5. Jason Plato 1:25.110 25 Laps
6. Tom Chilton 1:25.384 63 Laps
7. Mat Jackson 1:25.625 33 Laps
8. Gareth Howell 1:25.879 19 Laps
9. John George 1:26.451 37 Laps
10. Erkut Kizilirmak 1:27.540 32 Laps
11. Martyn Bell 1:27.593 31 Laps
12. Simon Blanckley 1:28.247 30 Laps
13. Jim Pocklington 1:31.442 19 Laps
14. Fiona Leggate 1.34.031 10 Laps


Interesting to see that only 14 cars actually took to the track. Also, that Hughes, Allison and Onslow-Cole didn't take part but their team mates did.

[cos]

Well that was a good afternoon's day out! Rockingham is a great place, never been there before, but the facilities were great (and the diner chips not too bad either...) Good turnout too - over 100 or so people there I reckon?

I'm a bit confused by the test times given, as Onslow-Cole, Allison and Hughes were definitely all out on track at some stage. At one point it looked like Erkut was keeping pace with Onslow-Cole quite well! I did leave before the end, but Kerry, the Marsh-ney Alfa, the BTC Lexus and whatever team Adam Jones is with didn't look like they were venturing out at all.

First car I saw on the track was actually Chilton's Astra from last year! Not sure who was in that or why it went out. SEAT also had a Leon Cupra car parked in a garage as well.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

?Good testing times for the championships view.

4 different makes in the top 4. Vauxhall, BMW and BTC-cars (Jordan) all very quick.

[cos]

Forgot to mention that Owy was loitering round the pit garages today as well. Also spied what I presume is Pinkney's very nice Aston Martin Vanquish with registration P1NK D!

[LiamM]

I'm a bit confused by the test times given, as Onslow-Cole, Allison and Hughes were definitely all out on track at some stage. At one point it looked like Erkut was keeping pace with Onslow-Cole quite well! I did leave before the end, but Kerry, the Marsh-ney Alfa, the BTC Lexus and whatever team Adam Jones is with didn't look like they were venturing out at all.

Not sure if TO-C was out, both drivers names was on the car, i guess it must have been Turkington.

EDIT: Was also impressed with the lengths people went to get there:- A school trip was taking it a bit far!

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Tom Onslow-Cole got a best time of 1m26.170s according to btcc.net ;)

[suzy m]

Interesting to see that only 14 cars actually took to the track. Also, that Hughes, Allison and Onslow-Cole didn't take part but their team mates did.

Onslow-Cole did take part - him and Colin were sharing a car. I believe Colin drove first, then TOC had a stint, with Colin having another run later on.

I wouldn't read too much into any of the times from today. Too many variables to compare them all.

[ATF]

Some more pics appearing on btcc.net now.

[mattie007]

Some drivers went out 'unofficially', thats why they didn't get lap times.
Great day out, Rockingham is immense, the place deserves success.
I think there was more like 500-1000 people there?!
The Vectra does look a tad ugly but also looked lightening quick.
Happy that the MG's are back and nice to see so many cars entered for the first round!
Qucikly saw the Civic which looked a bit odd in Orange, red and black would suit that car!
The BMW's sounded great, would of been nice to see Rick Kerry's 1 start up, but its a great effort that hes actually there.
Can't wait for brands now!

Heres some snaps I took today:

http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u186/ktfcmatt/?start=all

[Robinho]

some interesting entries today, i did not expect Nick Leason to be the second BTC lexus driver, nor Leggate to appear as the second Kartworld driver.

good to see Adam Jones in what i presume is the GR Toledo, great to see the VX's and new BMW's seemingly on the pace, and great to see Eoin Murray confirmed after a winter of no news about the entry.

pity not to see O'Neill in the second Arkas Astra, pity no sign of Enke Sport, and not encouraging news about Xero appreently not making the grid this year at the moment.

[Alfa Fan]

O'Neill may yet be in the second Arkas car......see the Xero thread for more info on them!

[bt52b]

Any talk of RWD v FWD weights? BMW's might not like some of the twisty tracks.

[mattie007]

There was some good sideways action coming out of the hairpin!

On todays performnaces, Id have to tip the Vectra for honours this year, that thing is a monster!

[LiamM]

The Vectra on the pit speed limiter sounds like my housemate getting up in a morning!

[ATF]

some interesting entries today, i did not expect Nick Leason to be the second BTC lexus driver, nor Leggate to appear as the second Kartworld driver.

good to see Adam Jones in what i presume is the GR Toledo, great to see the VX's and new BMW's seemingly on the pace, and great to see Eoin Murray

Leason was a surprise for me too, but much better to have a s2000 Lexus out there than an old Astra Coupe.

Really hope Eoin Murray makes it to the first round, even though he's on the entry list, I'm not convinced.

[Griffin]

On todays performnaces, Id have to tip the Vectra for honours this year, that thing is a monster!
Not just in looks then??? lol!

Glad to hear it. The grid is looking rather thin this year in terms of Griffin badged vehicles!! :(

[Griffin]

The Vectra on the pit speed limiter sounds like my housemate getting up in a morning!
Care to enlighten us?!!

[mattie007]

Compared to the others, it sounded like it didnt have a silencer on, really raw and hard edged.

[Allyc85]

great pics mattie007 :)

[mattie007]

Thanks mate.
Took about 200 photos altogether, got a bit carried away with the new liveries!"

[Ian McC]

pity no sign of Enke Sport


I had forgotten about them, maybe another case of not having enough money?

[mattie007]

As the average Premiership footballer earns £13,000 a week, I doubt money is an issue!

[cos]

Was also impressed with the lengths people went to get there:- A school trip was taking it a bit far!

Obviously the teacher's a fan, couldn't get the day off, so made up a semi-plausible excuse to take the class on an "educational" trip to Rockingham for the day!

[Ian McC]

As the average Premiership footballer earns £13,000 a week, I doubt money is an issue!

Still got all those big houses, fast woman and hot cars to pay for :D

[mattie007]

Obviously the teacher's a fan, couldn't get the day off, so made up a semi-plausible excuse to take the class on an "educational" trip to Rockingham for the day!

I once went on a school science trip to Silvestone!!


Still got all those big houses, fast woman and hot cars to pay for :D

Very true!

[LiamM]

Obviously the teacher's a fan, couldn't get the day off, so made up a semi-plausible excuse to take the class on an "educational" trip to Rockingham for the day!

I appauld him for the lengths he went to! I noticed a coach and a school minibus in the car park....

[Marc W]

Just got back from an excellent day. Both Fiona and Jason had gearbox failures ending their sessions early. Also several drivers didn't do timed laps but were running (Onslow-Cole, Alison etc.)

I'll have some photos up within the next day or so.

[cos]

Just looking through my photos and found the source of my confusion re: Turkington and TO-C: the one E90 RAC ran had Turk's name and number on one side and TO-C's on the other. They'd better not do that in the races, would give the marshals and stewards a headache...

[Scuderia ferrari]

2 Cars stand out as ugly this year for me- the civic (think i'm going to be sick!) and the vauxhall.

Great to see so many new entrants on the grid this year, and hopefully the chevies and enke sport will come soon.

[Brooklands78]

Great day at Rockingham - looks like there will be a lot of white cars this season!!! Here are some photo's:
Pits & Garages:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brooklands78/sets/72157594586855238/detail/
Track action:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brooklands78/sets/72157594586755196/detail/

[cos]

I was quite impressed with the Sibsport crew - not quite sure what I was expecting, but the transporter and garage was very nicely turned out, and the team all had nice new matching shirts and jackets with sibsport.com all over... bit of a shame that website doesn't work yet!!

[Allyc85]

so which circuit was it they were using?

[Allyc85]

and also on crash.net it said that Blanckley and Pocklington had a collision, did anyone see it?

[cos]

so which circuit was it they were using?

The International Sports Car Circuit - uses the whole of the oval at turn 1 (so misses that chicane), round Deene hairpin, right at Ventwood, round Chapman/Pif Paf and the Steel Straight, switch back round Tarzan, then back left round the garages at Brook onto the main straight.

[mattie007]

Didn't see any crashes today. The only incident I saw was Erkut being towed back in.

I think the reason for the white cars is because they haven't sorted there main paintjob and sponsor colours out yet.


The circuit is a bit different to when they last raced there in 2003, but just as good.

[scubie]

so which circuit was it they were using?

They are using the international super sportscar circuit, which means they use the bike link, to come out in the middle of turn 4, so they can run straight through turn one, without using the chicane.

[cos]

and also on crash.net it said that Blanckley and Pocklington had a collision, did anyone see it?

Apparently it was in the morning during the on-track photoshoot. Could have been worse - at the similar event for the 2006 STCC two cars crashed with one needing major repairs! http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=400

[Allyc85]

lol gutted! Cheers for clearing those questions up.

[Brooklands78]

and also on crash.net it said that Blanckley and Pocklington had a collision, did anyone see it?

Didn't see any contact, but there seems to be some slight damage to the front door on Pocklington's car - http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=420333953&context=set-72157594586755196&size=o

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Have Vauxhall been fastest in every Media day since 2001? Maybe even 2000?

I think Chilton was fastest last year, but I don't know about 2005?

[ATF]

Wasn't an MG top in 2003? Not that it meant anything!!

[ATF]

Thanks to BTCC Pages archive:

2007 - Fabrizio Giovanardi (VX Vectra)
2006 - Tom Chilton (VX Astra)
2005 - Matt Neal (Honda Integra)
2004 - James Thompson (VX Astra Coupe)
2003 - Warren Hughes (MG ZS)
2002 - James Thompson (VX Astra Coupe)
2001 - ??

[Alfa Fan]

Yvan Muller topped the 2001 test day at Brands IIRC

[LiamM]

It would have been Muller/Plato/Thompson it was a Vauxhall which is what was asked anyway

[kmchow]

Didn't see any contact, but there seems to be some slight damage to the front door on Pocklington's car - http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=420333953&context=set-72157594586755196&size=o
The costs are starting to pile up even before the season begins--that's not good, especially for the independents! :(

[Alfa Fan]

The damage on Pocklingtons car is insignificant really - obviously nothing internally broken. I'm guessing the contact was nothing more than a normal touring car rub. From the picture, I'm guessing Jim won't even need to replace the panel - just bash out the dent I would of thought.

[Marc W]

My photos from the day. Apologies that the action shots aren't as good as I usually manage, I hadn't been to Rockingham before and it took me a while to get sorted. The race meeting photos will be much better. (Assuming they allow similar access.)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19193662@N00/sets/72157594586879121/

[scubie]

The race meeting photos will be much better. (Assuming they allow similar access.)



There probably won't be access behind the Med centre to view the cars close up as they enter the pits/ go onto the oval, as the medivac helicopter should be parked there, otherwise access should be similar to the media day.

Paul

[Vaughan2005]

Heya,

Some Excellent Photo's in this Forum already...Well Done :)

Here's My Photo's From The Media Day At Rockingham...a Bit Of Pit, Paddock and Testing...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/totalbtcc/sets/72157600000170930/

Enjoy :)

Vaughan

[100%hondafan]

i also see a certain mt john george is getting some tips from a certain mr bennett.

http://www.michael-fordham.photos.cn.com/p39435848.html ;)

[Iain]

Hasn't he always been?

[100%hondafan]

not sure thuaght only once or twice before.