Brands Thread were OFF!!!

[Rusty]

well better get started ready for weekend, can somebody post up live timing link as ive lost again please...

[Steelrat]

http://www.msttiming.com/meeting.asp?source=toca2006&event=71303

[Seat/Plato Fan]

http://www.sportsync.net/sportsyncaccesspages/LiveTimingTOCA.html

[Rusty]

Thanks Guys...

[MBailey06]

From me also. Its really interesting to see comparative times as they go.

[gover]

any 1 no y the session got red flagged?

[mattie007]

What time does the BTCC qualifying KO?

[Ian McC]

First free practice

1. Mike Jordan Team Eurotech Honda Integra 49.743secs I B
2. Tom Chilton VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 49.832secs M
3. Fabrizio Giovanardi VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 49.862secs M
4. Jason Plato SEAT Sport UK SEAT Leon 49.870secs M
5. Colin Turkington Team RAC BMW 320si E90 49.913secs I
6. Adam Jones Team Air Cool SEAT Toledo 50.024secs I
7. Darren Turner SEAT Sport UK SEAT Leon 50.037secs M
8. Matt Neal Team Halfords Honda Civic 50.061secs
9. Mat Jackson Jackson Motorsport BMW 320si E90 50.072secs I
10. Eoin Murray Quest Racing Alfa Romeo 156 50.112secs I

11. Tom Onslow-Cole Team RAC BMW 320si E90 50.139secs I
12. Gareth Howell Motorbase SEAT Toledo 50.173secs I
13. Matt Allison Motorbase SEAT Toledo 50.244secs I
14. Gordon Shedden Team Halfords Honda Civic 50.291secs
15. Jason Hughes Kartworld Racing MG ZS 50.497secs I B
16. Dave Pinkney Team A-Tech Alfa Romeo 156 50.637secs I
17. John George TH Motorsport Honda Integra 50.888secs I B
18. Erkut Kizilirmak Arkas Racing Vauxhall Astra 50.901secs I B
19. Simon Blanckley Sibsport Honda Integra 50.941secs I B
20. Richard Marsh Team A-Tech Alfa Romeo 156 51.292secs I

[Ian McC]

What time does the BTCC qualifying KO?

That's at 15:25

[reidy_fan]

think that has answered the question ate the BMW's fast, good show from CT and Mat Jackson

[mattie007]

How close is that! BTC Integra leading the way!

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Good show from Adam Jones :up: 2nd best SEAT!!

[Ian McC]

Just looking at MST it's good to see all 26 cars made the track

[Brown, Jon Brow]

5 different makes and 7 different models in the top 10 :D Far much more veriety than the WTCC

[Northern Monkey]

any 1 no y the session got red flagged?

Blanckley and Pinkney in the gravel, one at Druids, one at Clearways.

[Ian McC]

I am sure Matt and Gorden will be glad they got 24 and 27 laps in (hopefully) without too much difficulty.

[LiamM]

Has Mike Jordan not been given the script for this year?

The Vectras seem quick (1&2 in the speed traps), I think SEAT still maybe sandbagging tho - at least I hope they are, its good to see Adam Jones sixth too!

Roll on free practise 2!

EDIT - actually I withdraw my sandbagging comment, I read the times wrong!

[nik]

Has Mike Jordan not been given the script for this year?




Why should he let all the big names to the top, you go Mike!! :D

Where's Kelvin Burt?

[tin-top fan]

Burt is only a driver coach for Bell at the moment, hes not actually doing any racing. He is trying to get out in a 2nd car ( a new bmw) later in the season though

[LiamM]

Why should he let all the big names to the top, you go Mike!! :D

Where's Kelvin Burt?

I'm a big Mike Jordan fan, I just didnt really expect him to be first in the first practise! Was a big shock!

[Ian McC]

Second free practice is underway

[tin-top fan]

Pit lane action at Brands! Looks so good:

http://www.btcc.net/images/gallery/lg_2809_04c2.jpg

[Ian McC]

I'm a big Mike Jordan fan, I just didnt really expect him to be first in the first practise! Was a big shock!

Actually he went faster in last years first free practice.

[VkmSpouge]

Bit of a traffic jam in that pitlane. Of course it is Brands Hatch but the field is pretty close in practice. Jordan, Jones, Murray, Jackson all showing good pace. Team Dynamics not doing badly. Kizilirmak has certainly improved from last year. John George's pace looks fairly decent, same with Simon Blanckley.
Only Leason, Pocklington and Kerry well off the pace and in truth it was expected Kerry would be down on pace.

[Ian McC]

We have a red flag for someone!

[jonv]

Session Red Flagged

[MBailey06]

Plato snuck to the top at the end of the second free practice session, again Adam Jones very impressive in the SEAT.

[SEATFreak]

What is the cause of the red flag?

On the subject of Session 1 special congrats go to the 3 J's of messers Jordan, Jones and Jackson for doing well to be among the big guns certainly in terms of secor times.

But I notice that both 320i's are in the bottom 4 whilst the 320si's are doing quite well. What does that say about the 320i's if anything?

http://www.msttiming.com/toca/2007/71303trg.pdf

[mattie007]

Could be Neal, his last lap was very slow.

http://forums.xpowerforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=10118&d=1175342872

[LiamM]

But I notice that both 320i's are in the bottom 4 whilst the 320si's are doing quite well. What does that say about the 320i's if anything?


It means there older than the newer spec 320si's?

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I'm expecting a good battle between Jones and Murray. Both are faster than the other teams running the same car.

[LiamM]

Jones is only quicker than Howell by 0.046. And what was Matt Neal saying about people not writing them off, they must be hoping for that reverse grid!

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Fair play to Jason Hughes :up: Faster than Shedden and Jordan, quickest BTC runner in 2nd practice.

Bell also made a big improvement in lap time in the 2nd session, nearly a second faster :up:

[dwracing23]

Just spoke to a few guys at Brands and he said that Jones was on the same rubber for practice sessions 1 and 2! While the other drivers - both of the other Toledos, Murrey etc all had brand new rubber on! Dont think Murrey will come close to Jones in the next session when Jones has some new rubber on - infact I think 4th on the grid is a good target. He was 4th for a long time in the 2nd practice.

[LiamM]

Has Kerry got himself a wing yet?

Qualifying has just started

[cos]

Has Kerry got himself a wing yet?

Doesn't look like it!

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Good early pace by the BMW's in qualy Turks. T-o-c, and Bell 1,2,3 at one point

[LiamM]

TOC and Turks nearly had identical laps for a time

TOC - 50.543
Turks - 50.544

[LiamM]

Red flag, someones off

[Brown, Jon Brow]

red flag

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Shedden and Marsh yet to put in a fast lap

[MBailey06]

Stockton seems to have set a good pace, he could be one to watch for a couple of points tomorrow.

[norwichsam1]

who's off?

[LiamM]

I believe its Marsh, he's sitting 26th, and hasnt put a lap in for a while

[MBailey06]

Murray in 11th hasn't set a lap for a while either.

[VkmSpouge]

Marsh went out just after the session went green again, Murray hasn't been out since so I suspect it was Murray.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Turner has only put 9 laps in

[cos]

Murray just put his best lap in.


Quali over, Turkington takes pole by just 0.016 from Plato, Turner, Gio, Chilton, Jackson, the OC, Jordan, Neal and Jones.

[LiamM]

So Turks is on pole followed by Plato

I have a suspicious that this qualifying session will pave the way for the season, with a Plato vs Turkington title battle, while Turner and the Vauxhalls are close behind to pick up the piece, and of course Matt Neal down in 9th. Bet WSR are glad they got to BMW before TD!

[MBailey06]

[quote="cos"]Murray just put his best lap in.

If its the 50.062 time then thats been there for a while.

[VkmSpouge]

Brands Hatch Qualifying Times:
1. Colin Turkington West Surrey Racing BMW 320si 49.532s
2. Jason Plato SEAT Sport UK SEAT Leon 0.016
3. Darren Turner SEAT Sport UK SEAT Leon 0.120
4. Fabrizio Giovanardi VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 0.155
5. Tom Chilton VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 0.204
6. Mat Jackson Jacksons Motorsport BMW 320si 0.218
7. Tom Onslow-Cole West Surrey Racing BMW 320si 0.230
8. Mike Jordan Team Eurotech Honda Integra 0.251
9. Matt Neal Team Dynamics Honda Civic 0.367
10. Adam Jones GR Asia SEAT Toledo 0.501
11. Matt Allison Motorbase Performance SEAT Toledo 0.508
12. Eoin Murray Quest Racing Alfa Romeo 156 0.530
13. Gareth Howell Motorbase Performance SEAT Toledo 0.581
14. Gordon Shedden Team Dynamics Honda Civic 0.630
15. Jason Hughes Kartworld Racing MG ZS 0.806
16. Chris Stockton BTC Racing Lexus IS200 1.061
17. Dave Pinkney A-Tech Alfa Romeo 156 1.098
18. Martyn Bell Geoff Steel Racing BMW 320i 1.109
19. Erkut Kizilirmak Tech-speed Motorsport Vauxhall Astra 1.256
20. Fiona Leggate Kartworld Racing MG ZS 1.342
21. Simon Blanckley Graham Hathaway Engineering Honda Integra 1.633
22. John George TH Motorsport Honda Integra 1.657
23. Jim Pocklington J-Team Motorsport BMW 320i 3.108
24. Nick Leason BTC Racing Lexus IS200 3.502
25. Rick Kerry Team AFM Racing BMW 120d 4.054
26. Richard Marsh A-Tech Alfa Romeo 156 7.973

Well done Colin Turkington, getting a fabulous pole and the first championship point of the season. Mat Jackson, Mike Jordan, Adam Jones, Matt Allison and Eoin Murray can all be pleased with their efforts. The Vauxhalls did well. I think Dave Pinkney and Gordon Shedden should be happy with what they achieved considering their cars have only just been completed. John George and Simon Blanckley might be disappointed with their times considering their practice pace. Jim Pocklington should be pleased with his efforts. Pity Marsh couldn't set a representative lap time.

[nik]

Is it still to early to judge Marsh? :rolleyes:

[cos]

I hope Leason's got some problem with his Lexus; otherwise it's a bit embarassing for him being 2.5 sec behind his team-mate...


Is it still to early to judge Marsh? :rolleyes:

Only did a couple of laps in qualifying. in the other sessions he was around 0.6 behind Pinkney.

[LiamM]

Marsh only did 4 laps, must have had a problem.

Rick Kerry didn't do too badly, 2-3 seconds off his realistic pace isn't bad

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Turner crashed

[Jona]

Those Alfas look gorgeous! Not many sponsors on the A-Tech ones. Some pics on here: http://www.sutton-images.com/

[cos]

Those Alfas look gorgeous! Not many sponsors on the A-Tech ones. Some pics on here: http://www.sutton-images.com/

Lurid green wing mirrors on Marsh's car and bright pink ones I presume for Pinkney?

[MBailey06]

I'm impressed with Matt Allison outqualifying his far more experienced teammate Gareth Howell, but whats even more impressive was that Adam Jones outqualified both of them. No wonder TDB was disappointed to see him go from Xero.

[VkmSpouge]

GR Asia of course have had plenty of experience with the Toledo while this is only the second race meeting that Motorbase have had theirs but you are right Adam Jones was pretty impressive and Allison did very well on his touring car debut to beat Howell.

[MBailey06]

I'm very dissappointed that I'm going tomorrow to find out that it looks like Eoin Murray is not going to be on the grid. He looked like a dark horse for tomorrow but he heavily damaged the car in qualifying. Very disappointing!

[Alfa Fan]

Marsh's pace earlier today was reasonable compared to Pinkney.

[SEATFreak]

Brands Hatch Qualifying Times:
1. Colin Turkington West Surrey Racing BMW 320si 49.532s
2. Jason Plato SEAT Sport UK SEAT Leon 0.016
3. Darren Turner SEAT Sport UK SEAT Leon 0.120
4. Fabrizio Giovanardi VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 0.155
5. Tom Chilton VX Racing Vauxhall Vectra 0.204
6. Mat Jackson Jacksons Motorsport BMW 320si 0.218
7. Tom Onslow-Cole West Surrey Racing BMW 320si 0.230
8. Mike Jordan Team Eurotech Honda Integra 0.251
9. Matt Neal Team Dynamics Honda Civic 0.367
10. Adam Jones GR Asia SEAT Toledo 0.501
11. Matt Allison Motorbase Performance SEAT Toledo 0.508
12. Eoin Murray Quest Racing Alfa Romeo 156 0.530
13. Gareth Howell Motorbase Performance SEAT Toledo 0.581
14. Gordon Shedden Team Dynamics Honda Civic 0.630
15. Jason Hughes Kartworld Racing MG ZS 0.806
16. Chris Stockton BTC Racing Lexus IS200 1.061
17. Dave Pinkney A-Tech Alfa Romeo 156 1.098
18. Martyn Bell Geoff Steel Racing BMW 320i 1.109
19. Erkut Kizilirmak Tech-speed Motorsport Vauxhall Astra 1.256
20. Fiona Leggate Kartworld Racing MG ZS 1.342
21. Simon Blanckley Graham Hathaway Engineering Honda Integra 1.633
22. John George TH Motorsport Honda Integra 1.657
23. Jim Pocklington J-Team Motorsport BMW 320i 3.108
24. Nick Leason BTC Racing Lexus IS200 3.502
25. Rick Kerry Team AFM Racing BMW 120d 4.054
26. Richard Marsh A-Tech Alfa Romeo 156 7.973

Naturally pleased as punch for Jase and Darren getting a second and third. Shame it ain't a 1-2 but Jase in a good car was beaten by another very good and strong car by the look of things, so I cannot grumble. WSR certainly made the perfect choice in the 320si and I am very happy for them that they have made a great start. Likewise with VXR with their spanking new motors. But I don't see it relistically challenging the Leon's long term. But I think pressure may be on if Team Dynamics don't make a good start tomorrow.

[SEATFreak]

It means there older than the newer spec 320si's?

Possibly. I know (I think) the si's are an older make of BMW to the i's, but I don't see how age has any bearing on where a car ends up in the order.

[nicemms]

Great news for Colin - new car and on Pole for the first round.

Disapointing placing for Matt especially since Mike Jordan did better than him in an Integra!

[m0rk]

It's going to be very interesting to see how the teams go with their tyres over a race distance 'racing' rather than testing

Remembering last year the Astra's going backwards mid race because they'd used them all up - I wonder if the BMW's will come on strong to start with, then get weaker much faster (or not)

[Subaru WRX]

the times are so close, with the BMW being the 1st, strange, I supposed that with its big siez it will fail on BTCC circuits against the smaller Leon and new Civic

[VkmSpouge]

Such a shame Eoin Murray is unlikely to race tomorrow, I feel so disappointed for him and the team after their excellent pace.

[kerrycox11]

i agree it is a shame. i'm going tomorrow and was really looking forward to seeing him and the alfa. never mind. i was expecting the a-tech alfa to be a bit quicker but i supose they have had limited testing and they're very new cars. anyway can't wait for tomorrow!!!!!

[SEATFreak]

I'm very dissappointed that I'm going tomorrow to find out that it looks like Eoin Murray is not going to be on the grid. He looked like a dark horse for tomorrow but he heavily damaged the car in qualifying. Very disappointing!

Completely agree with kerrycox11. It is going to be such a shame the Quest Alfa ain't going to get it's change against not just the other Alfa's, the N.Technology supported A-Tech Alfa's, but the other cars that looked strong inQualifying. Atleast I am partly sure A-Tech have help from N.Technology.

What caused the damage?

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Can I follow this weekend in any way outside of the UK/Ireland? I have the live timing up, but I want audio or video!

[btccmaster]

Is the pickems list for the whole day. Or do we choose again after the 1st race for the 2nd race and so on?

Sorry a little off track. It's early. :s pinhead:

[nicemms]

Amazing start for Matt on Round 3, starts from row 2 and goes straight into the lead. He led very well especially since he had Giovanardi breathing down his neck, as well as having to cope with two safety cars. Jase' and Seat should be very worried.

Jason did well, though to be honest he didn't have to do much: a poor start by Turks gave him the opportunity to take the lead and that was that he was away. 2nd race more a mixed start but pulled away nicely to take win number 2.

Colin had an unlucky day: poor start race 1 and then crashed off race 3. He'll be happy with a 2nd place in race 2, just disapointing that he didn't win race 1.

[Robinho]

looks like we're in for a bumper season, great to see the VX's and Honda's on the pace form the word go, the BMW's proving that they do work in the UK and the Seats continuing where they left off. i must admit i was stunned with Dynamics/Halfords being right on the money from the word go, but not nearly as stunned as i was at Matt Neal, what has he been eating over the winter, he looked a bit porky.

also great showing from the rookies, particularly Matt Jackson, who looked the equal of anyone out there today.

good performance from Adam Jones, the motorbase guys, was impressed by both Chris Stockton and Martyn Bell, Bell particuarly looks much closer to the pace this year.

also good day for Rick Kerry, finished all three races as wasn't struggling to keep with the field, albeit at the back of it, a good base to develop from.

personally i can see the title being between any one of Plato, Turner, Chilton, Govanardi, Turkington, Neal and maybe even Jackson, and possible race wins for several of the others.

the only disappointments for me were that Eoin Murrays car was too badly damaged to race, the pace of the A-tech bys (they'll get better won't they?) and the MG's disappearing off the road all over the place

[BTCC Fan#1]

Good days racing at Brands, perhaps not as action packed as previous years but still excellent. :) Nice to see those BMW's pretty much on the pace of the SEAT's, Mat Jackson a definate star of the future.
Jason had it easy in the first two races though, Turkington just never quite looked like he was close enough. I haven't seen any of the action on the TV, but trackside it looked like Turner's move on Turkington in Race 3 was a bit harsh.. Quite a late dive, very unlucky for Colin. Astonishing stuff from Matt Neal though, perhaps he had a prozac or two before coming to the grid, amazingly quick start! :p Despite some teething troubles in Race 1 the new Vauxhall looked the business as well. I think were in for a bumper year! :up:

Also have to say that Brands did a superb job with the organisation this year, very quick getting in and out of the circuit.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

How big was the crowd at brands?

The new Honda had a dream debut. I'd expect them to get faster at every meeting. The car looks consistent and quick, do we have any speed trap figures for race 3 because on the TV it looked like it had more straight line speed than the Vauxhall. Reliablity is the only concern, what happened to Shedden in race 2&3 ?

BMW's look like the fastest car, but I think that the Civic's, Leons, Vectras, Toledo's are all very equal.

Some good runs today from some of the smaller independants, Jones, Jackson, Stockton and Bell all looked sharp.

Can't wait for Rockingham :D

[Ian McC]

Seemed a good size crowd today, good action on the races, the first Formula BMW was an amazing race!

Think we should be in for a good season.

[Steelrat]

Seemed a good size crowd today, good action on the races, the first Formula BMW was an amazing race!

Think we should be in for a good season.

I may be wrong, but it seemed to be the biggest crowd I've seen there in the last 4 years. I mean, blokes having to queue for the toilets???? Took over an hour to get out but I think there was also an issue with one of the roads ...

P

[The Kitten Kat]

I said at the end of last season that Mat Jackson would be in the Touring Cars this season and that he would be the driver to watch, and from what I saw at Brands, boy was I right!

Seemed to be a very good crowd at Brands today, with most spectating areas well and truly packed out for most races.

I was also very impressed with the organisation today at Brands - I arrived at the circuit early as I was meeting a friend at the campsite so parked in there and done with. I was, however, expecting problems when it came to leaving the circuit at the end of the day. However, when I left towards the end of the last Formula Renault race I was able to just drive straight out of the circuit, with no hold ups or traffic jams. Hit a small queue of traffic on the main road just down by the paddock entrance turning but otherwise nothing. Was home within just under an hour which wasn't bad considering it took me about 40 minutes when I drove down to Brands at 7.30am!

[Allyc85]

Just seen darren turner has been excluded from race 3 for causing turkingtons retirement.

[BTCC Fan#1]

There was quite a crowd, although it definatly wasn't the busiest i've ever seen Brands. Surprised some people had a hard time getting in or out of the circuit, we found it all very professional and well organised. A definate plus-point being the new fencing in the car park preventing the 'mad dash for the single-file gate' of yesteryear! :p

[cos]

There was quite a crowd, although it definatly wasn't the busiest i've ever seen Brands. Surprised some people had a hard time getting in or out of the circuit, we found it all very professional and well organised. A definate plus-point being the new fencing in the car park preventing the 'mad dash for the single-file gate' of yesteryear! :p

I must have been in a different car park! The problem usually is drivers attempting to cut into the main exit queue thinking they can save time, but instead just create another line of cars... so instead of having one or two lines of traffic merging in turn you end up with about 20, hence it takes so long to get out. Nice to see the traffic "management" staff still there at the end of the day, even if they were just standing around and not actually directing traffic...

[suzy m]

Colin had an unlucky day: poor start race 1 and then crashed off race 3. He'll be happy with a 2nd place in race 2, just disapointing that he didn't win race 1.

Up until the start of race 3 Colin was very happy indeed with his whole weekend. The pole position was unexpected. Unfortunately he didn't make the best of starts to race one, but apparently the clutch is completely different in the BMW to the MG he's used and he hasn't been able to practice his race starts at all. Two 2nds and two independant wins isn't too bad a weekend! Just a shame it all went a bit pearshaped in race 3. Naughty DT. :(

[nicemms]

Up until the start of race 3 Colin was very happy indeed with his whole weekend. The pole position was unexpected. Unfortunately he didn't make the best of starts to race one, but apparently the clutch is completely different in the BMW to the MG he's used and he hasn't been able to practice his race starts at all. Two 2nds and two independant wins isn't too bad a weekend! Just a shame it all went a bit pearshaped in race 3. Naughty DT. :(

I know they were saying on ITV3 before the highlights how turner wasn't an agressive driver, then race 3 he knocks Turks off! Glad he got excluded for it.

I think Turkington drove well and I hope he can make a real chance at the title as his skills and car look amazing. Should make good starts too when he gets used to the clutch.