BTCC Brands Hatch 2011

[Allyc85]

Neal fastest in Fp1.

Pos Driver Team/Car Time Gap 1. Matt Neal Honda 1m33.344s
2. Jason Plato Chevrolet 1m33.464s + 0.120s
3. Gordon Shedden Honda 1m33.484s + 0.140s
4. Tom Boardman Special Tuning SEAT 1m33.500s + 0.156s
5. Alex MacDowall Chevrolet 1m33.590s + 0.246s
6. James Nash Triple 8 Vauxhall 1m33.718s + 0.374s
7. Andrew Jordan Eurotech Vauxhall 1m33.817s + 0.473s
8. Paul O'Neill Tech-Speed Chevrolet 1m33.954s + 0.610s
9. Mat Jackson Motorbase Ford 1m33.959s + 0.615s
10. Tom Chilton Arena Ford 1m34.254s + 0.910s
11. Rob Collard WSR BMW 1m34.334s + 0.990s
12. Dave Newsham Special Tuning SEAT 1m34.387s + 1.043s
13. Michael Caine Motorbase Ford 1m34.514s + 1.170s
14. Ollie Jackson Triple 8 Vauxhall 1m34.573s + 1.229s
15. Frank Wrathall Dynojet Toyota 1m34.921s + 1.577s
16. Jeff Smith Eurotech Vauxhall 1m34.942s + 1.598s
17. Tom Onslow-Cole Arena Ford 1m35.027s + 1.683s
18. Martin Byford AmD Volkswagen 1m35.049s + 1.705s
19. Liam Griffin Motorbase Ford 1m35.120s + 1.776s
20. Andy Neate Arena Ford 1m35.159s + 1.815s
21. Nick Foster WSR BMW 1m35.587s + 2.243s
22. Daniel Welch Welch Proton 1m35.590s + 2.246s
23. Rob Austin Rob Austin Audi 1m36.048s + 2.704s
24. Tony Gilham Geoff Steel BMW 1m36.401s + 3.057s
25. Lea Wood Central Group Honda 1m37.128s + 3.784s
26. John George Tech-Speed Chevrolet 1m37.173s + 3.829s
27. Chris James ES Chevrolet 1m39.023s + 5.679s
28. Chris Swanwick Rob Austin Audi 1m39.109s + 5.765s
29. Tony Hughes Speedworks Toyota 1m40.417s + 7.073s
Neal heads Plato and Shedden in first practice at Brands Hatch - BTCC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/94970)

[Allyc85]

Plato quickest in Fp2, Ollie Jackson 10th on his debut!

Pos Driver Team/Car Time Gap
1. Jason Plato Chevrolet 1m32.301s
2. Gordon Shedden Honda 1m32.597s + 0.296s
3. Paul O'Neill Tech-Speed Chevrolet 1m32.814s + 0.513s
4. Alex MacDowall Chevrolet 1m32.907s + 0.606s
5. Alex MacDowall Chevrolet 1m32.999s + 0.698s
6. Matt Neal Honda 1m33.024s + 0.723s
7. Tom Onslow-Cole Arena Ford 1m33.108s + 0.807s
8. Rob Collard WSR BMW 1m33.327s + 1.026s
9. Tom Chilton Arena Ford 1m33.402s + 1.101s
10. Ollie Jackson 888 Vauxhall 1m33.443s + 1.142s
11. Frank Wrathall Dynojet Toyota 1m33.630s + 1.329s
12. Dave Newsham Special Tuning SEAT 1m33.730s + 1.429s
13. Andrew Jordan Eurotech Vauxhall 1m33.750s + 1.449s
14. Mat Jackson Motorbase Ford 1m33.795s + 1.494s
15. Tom Boardman Special Tuning SEAT 1m33.796s + 1.495s
16. Nick Foster WSR BMW 1m33.863s + 1.562s
17. Jeff Smith Eurotech Vauxhall 1m33.912s + 1.611s
18. Andy Neate Arena Ford 1m33.917s + 1.616s
19. Daniel Welch Welch Proton 1m34.196s + 1.895s
20. John George Tech-Speed Chevrolet 1m34.274s + 1.973s
21. Michael Caine Motorbase Ford 1m34.379s + 2.078s
22. Liam Griffin Motorbase Ford 1m34.392s + 2.091s
23. Martin Byford AmD Volkswagen 1m34.4 s + 2.139s
24. Rob Austin Rob Austin Audi 1m35.178s + 2.877s
25. Tony Gilham Geoff Steel BMW 1m35.237s + 2.936s
26. Lea Wood Central Group Honda 1m35.739s + 3.438s
27. Chris Swanwick Rob Austin Audi 1m37.587s + 5.286s
28. Tony Hughes Speedworks Toyota 1m37.911s + 5.610s
29. Chris James ES Chevrolet 1m39.499s + 7.198s

Reigning champion Jason Plato on top in second practice - BTCC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/94975)

[christophulus]

A few punctures there, Honda scoring a massive own goal and letting Plato back into contention.

I also wish that MSV would spend a few quid and sort out the signal at the far end of the circuit in the trees. Every lap it breaks up!

[BDunnell]

A few punctures there, Honda scoring a massive own goal and letting Plato back into contention.

Indeed. The thing that struck me was what a clean, fair race it was, the bit of contact between Collard and Wrathall aside.

[Allyc85]

Not a bad race at all though Honda must be gutted that they didnt just go for points instead of what looks like going with an aggressive car setup.

[BDunnell]

I'm sure some will say Plato is only leading the title race now as a result of the turbos being pegged back, but he is clearly making the most of the opportunity this has given him. And his car is clearly working superbly at Brands.

Foster on pole for race three, but the Hondas are well up. Will their race pace be enough to keep them up front?

[Iain]

The whole situation's an absolute farce. It's all being stage-managed to get the best possible finale at Silverstone. Is this the series I grew up watching and spent many an enjoyable weekend watching in person? No.

[BDunnell]

The whole situation's an absolute farce. It's all being stage-managed to get the best possible finale at Silverstone. Is this the series I grew up watching and spent many an enjoyable weekend watching in person? No.

To that I'd make two points. First, it's not as if all the non-turbo cars have suddenly jumped ahead of the turbos in terms of performance. Second, watching the on-car footage from O'Neill's Chevy, it was clear that the turbo Fords ahead of him were still going away on the straights. I don't like all the arsing-about with the technical regs either, but it's a rod TOCA made for its own back, nothing more.

[RMLCruzeing82]

yup the ford was clearly alot quicker in a straight line compered to O'Neills Chevy, yet fans of turbo teams are saying the championship is a farce. how wrong you all are

[RMLCruzeing82]

g8t 3rd race. well done to Honda with there crazy 5second lead but they were running light so well done to them and well done to Plato for getting 6th. Gutted for O'Neill and Foster. bourdman and neate were very lucky they didn't have a nasty crash.

[Sarah]

It's a sport anything can happen I don't see how it can be stage managed to set it up we've been in this sort of situation before. A big crowd, bigger TV audience if people really didn't like it they would vote with their feet.

[Iain]

To that I'd make two points. First, it's not as if all the non-turbo cars have suddenly jumped ahead of the turbos in terms of performance. Second, watching the on-car footage from O'Neill's Chevy, it was clear that the turbo Fords ahead of him were still going away on the straights. I don't like all the arsing-about with the technical regs either, but it's a rod TOCA made for its own back, nothing more.

I'm just a bit cynical in my old age, Ben. TOCA will be pleased about matters anyway, a three-way title fight at Silverstone. Don't think I'll bother recording it to be honest, I think the arguments this season have finally sapped what little enthusiasm I had left.

[BDunnell]

I'm just a bit cynical in my old age, Ben. TOCA will be pleased about matters anyway, a three-way title fight at Silverstone. Don't think I'll bother recording it to be honest, I think the arguments this season have finally sapped what little enthusiasm I had left.

I know what you mean. But I think there will be far better times ahead for the championship.

[BDunnell]

Oh, and let's not forget that the BTCC has long been prone to silliness regarding technical regulations. Look at 1994 — Alfa's wings and spoilers were perfectly legal, yet TOCA found itself effectively forced into trying to take action against them, leading to Alfa briefly going home until a resolution could be found. Then there were the weight penalties against BMW and Audi. And still I'd rather have any of this, or even this year's turbo/non-turbo debacle, than the cheating that was apparently endemic in touring car racing at one time, long ago...

[steveaki13]

Was at Brands Hatch today for my first visit to a BTCC race. Odd timing I know but have watched on and off for years, and finally thought I'd go.

It was great fun.

[AndySpeed]

The whole situation's an absolute farce. It's all being stage-managed to get the best possible finale at Silverstone. Is this the series I grew up watching and spent many an enjoyable weekend watching in person? No.

To be fair, Plato also set a new lap record with 45kg of weight in the car in race two, suggesting that he (deservedly) has it well hooked up to take two wins.

[BDunnell]

To be fair, Plato also set a new lap record with 45kg of weight in the car in race two, suggesting that he (deservedly) has it well hooked up to take two wins.

And almost all year he has been able to take a win from the front, even before TOCA pegged back the turbos. For a long time it was actually racing them that seemed to be the problem.

[Andrew Webster]

The whole situation's an absolute farce. It's all being stage-managed to get the best possible finale at Silverstone. Is this the series I grew up watching and spent many an enjoyable weekend watching in person? No.

Nothing cynical about that, it's the truth. Plato has the most race wins, most poles and STILL moans about the turbos. 4 poles out of the last 5 races. Consistant fastest laps and untouchable upfront yet STILL we get comments like 'Forget it, at Silverstone we wont even make the top 10' PATHETIC!!

I would bet money he gets pole and race 1 & 2 wins. He was clearly sandbagging and still got pole at Brands - he sat in the pits for the last 2 minutes he was that confident no one could touch his time. Strange that his top speed in race 3 was 3mph QUICKER than in qually, race 1 or race 2 when he needed to make up ground and only 7/10's of a second slower than the leading hondas. 0.7mph would not see any car 'flying off into the distance' its not anywhere near enough to overtake.

The weight additions have killed the rest of the field who are forced to run setups that will protect their tyres. It will be a repeat at Silverstone and Plato will win the championship. It was written (probably with the help of funding) from early on this season. Hell even Boardman keeping his race win was to aid Plato, where was O'Neills punishment for exactly the same contact on Austin at Rockingham?

On the subject of O'Neill.. the guy should be fined for admitting, on live TV, that he has been bought off by Plato (who has supplied parts and advise) and has an 'agreement' to let him through should he come up behind him!!!!! that is SHOCKING. That is not racing.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Strange that his top speed in race 3 was 3mph QUICKER than in qually, race 1 or race 2

Not really, he had a slipstream in race 3, not in qualifying, race1 and race 2.

[AndySpeed]

On the subject of O'Neill.. the guy should be fined for admitting, on live TV, that he has been bought off by Plato (who has supplied parts and advise) and has an 'agreement' to let him through should he come up behind him!!!!! that is SHOCKING. That is not racing.

I disagree with you there. That sort of thing has always happened in motorsport and, if you think about it, actually makes quite a lot of sense. You clearly don't like Plato, but if I was Owy in that sort of situation then I'd do exactly the same. Don't bite the hand that feeds, etc...

[BDunnell]

Let's face it, here we have someone who seems to have only joined the forum to make one point over and over again.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I disagree with you there. That sort of thing has always happened in motorsport and, if you think about it, actually makes quite a lot of sense. You clearly don't like Plato, but if I was Owy in that sort of situation then I'd do exactly the same. Don't bite the hand that feeds, etc...

I remember back in 1998/9 Matt Neal had to let the RML Nissans pass him.

[BDunnell]

I disagree with you there. That sort of thing has always happened in motorsport and, if you think about it, actually makes quite a lot of sense. You clearly don't like Plato, but if I was Owy in that sort of situation then I'd do exactly the same. Don't bite the hand that feeds, etc...

Exactly. There is nothing new in it at all, and it's perfectly sensible behaviour. See Leslie and Allam at Silverstone in 1992 for another example.

[m.lowe]

Nothing cynical about that, it's the truth. Plato has the most race wins, most poles and STILL moans about the turbos. 4 poles out of the last 5 races. Consistant fastest laps and untouchable upfront yet STILL we get comments like 'Forget it, at Silverstone we wont even make the top 10' PATHETIC!!

I would bet money he gets pole and race 1 & 2 wins. He was clearly sandbagging and still got pole at Brands - he sat in the pits for the last 2 minutes he was that confident no one could touch his time. Strange that his top speed in race 3 was 3mph QUICKER than in qually, race 1 or race 2 when he needed to make up ground and only 7/10's of a second slower than the leading hondas. 0.7mph would not see any car 'flying off into the distance' its not anywhere near enough to overtake.

The weight additions have killed the rest of the field who are forced to run setups that will protect their tyres. It will be a repeat at Silverstone and Plato will win the championship. It was written (probably with the help of funding) from early on this season. Hell even Boardman keeping his race win was to aid Plato, where was O'Neills punishment for exactly the same contact on Austin at Rockingham?



Agree above

Watching Louise Goodman interview Jason at the end I bet all she could hear was
"Bla bla bla bla bla" then she says thanks Jason see you at Silverstone

He won against the Turbo cars twice and still yaps Arrrrrrrrgggghhh.
I really hope Plato gets a drive next year in the turbo cars

Then there will be another line of excuses and stories
Great racing by all including Jason but please let us enjoy the tv programme without the moaning
The mute button will be getting switched on from now on when he gets interviewed

[Sarah]

On the subject of O'Neill.. the guy should be fined for admitting, on live TV, that he has been bought off by Plato (who has supplied parts and advise) and has an 'agreement' to let him through should he come up behind him!!!!! that is SHOCKING. That is not racing.[/QUOTE]

Owy's comment says it all....

[Sarah]

On the subject of O'Neill.. the guy should be fined for admitting, on live TV, that he has been bought off by Plato (who has supplied parts and advise) and has an 'agreement' to let him through should he come up behind him!!!!! that is SHOCKING. That is not racing.


Owy's comment back says it all

[Andrew Webster]

Owy's comment back says it all

Where?