Whats Happened to the BTCC ???
Discussion
I used to be a big follower of the the BTCC back in the mid 90s when I was a wee boy. I attended most of the meetings between 94 - 98. I remember the cars being twice as powerful as the road cars, the wheels were 18" - 19" when the road cars had 16" wheels if you were lucky, they were so low that they even put the Max Power boys to shame. There were around 10 Factory entries with most of the grid being either Ex Formula 1 drivers or International Sports Car stars with the odd BTCC veteran thrown in for good measure.
I watch it now and you've got Matt Neal and Jason Plato belting each other in the pit lane. Diesel Seats with 13" wheels and a load of nobodies driving around in cars that look like track day specials. Plus a current Hot Hatch has as much if not more power with bigger wheels and more aggresive looks.
Maybe this has been said before or I'm missing the point buts whats happened? Funds? Lack of Manufacturer support?
Will we see any change? At least the DTM cars come over once a year albeit with 2 or 3 Manufacturers.
I watch it now and you've got Matt Neal and Jason Plato belting each other in the pit lane. Diesel Seats with 13" wheels and a load of nobodies driving around in cars that look like track day specials. Plus a current Hot Hatch has as much if not more power with bigger wheels and more aggresive looks.
Maybe this has been said before or I'm missing the point buts whats happened? Funds? Lack of Manufacturer support?
Will we see any change? At least the DTM cars come over once a year albeit with 2 or 3 Manufacturers.
Janesy B said:
rscott said:
Not sure what you've been watching, but the current BTCC cars are all petrol engined, run 18" wheels and generate 300+ BHP .
That's probably why they've got a capacity grid this year.
Indeed.That's probably why they've got a capacity grid this year.
Out come the rose tinted spectacles. Why is the OP talking about diesel Leons that have not been raced since 2008? The current spec wheels are 18 inches and ex F1 drivers were VERY rare and many of the famous drivers we talk of actually cut their teeth and made a name for themselves in BTCC.
I also went to a few races in the supertouring area and yes it was massive then, but come on, you can do better than mentioning cars that haven't been on the grid for 5 years and making up childish exaggerations.
I suppose the lack of manufacturer funding means that not many teams will pay for the Monaco lifestyle.
em177 said:
Janesy B said:
ex F1 drivers were VERY rare
Gianfranco BrancatelliGuy Edwards
Johnny Dumfries
Slim Borgudd
Roland Ratzenberger
Damon Hill
Tiff Needell
David Coulthard
Jonathan Palmer
Christian Danner
Julian Bailey
Thorkild Thyrring
Jo Winkelhock
Ian Ashley
Eric van de Peole
Gabriele Tarquini
Jan Lammers
Johnny Cecotto
David Brabham
Derek Warwick
Gianni Morbidelli
Nigel Mansell
Jean-Christophe Boullion
Kelvin Burt
All have been F1 race/test drivers and competed in at least 1 BTCC race
Dr Z said:
It is so boring to listen to you, boring old sods going on about the "old days".
You will have nothing to complain about when motor racing is regulated and legislated out. Or when they all run silent electric motors. You'll be dead by then to care. Ooh, they are all 4-pots. Ooh, they are all turbos. What is this, some sort of weird willy waving contest? Bloody hell. Go and support them whilst you still can.
I took a mate who's a very casual F1 fan (never been to any race before), to Brands on Saturday.
As we got to the circuit, Practise session for the BTCC was going on. And you know what, every time the BMWs came past us, he was giggling like a girl hearing the loud bangs during the gear changes. He still hadn't got used to the sound late in the evening. He was still giggling at the end. He had the biggest smile on his face I had seen in ages. I had a huge smile too, listening/seeing the BTCC cars and the others.
You can sit at home complaining, it just means more of us get to watch it live at a much lesser cost. Unlike the scrum to get to/watch an F1 race live. I have booked race day tickets for the Thruxton round and shall be going to WEC @ Silverstone too.
At the end of the day, did I feel I got my money's worth. You bet I did.
How old are you, just out of interest ?You will have nothing to complain about when motor racing is regulated and legislated out. Or when they all run silent electric motors. You'll be dead by then to care. Ooh, they are all 4-pots. Ooh, they are all turbos. What is this, some sort of weird willy waving contest? Bloody hell. Go and support them whilst you still can.
I took a mate who's a very casual F1 fan (never been to any race before), to Brands on Saturday.
As we got to the circuit, Practise session for the BTCC was going on. And you know what, every time the BMWs came past us, he was giggling like a girl hearing the loud bangs during the gear changes. He still hadn't got used to the sound late in the evening. He was still giggling at the end. He had the biggest smile on his face I had seen in ages. I had a huge smile too, listening/seeing the BTCC cars and the others.
You can sit at home complaining, it just means more of us get to watch it live at a much lesser cost. Unlike the scrum to get to/watch an F1 race live. I have booked race day tickets for the Thruxton round and shall be going to WEC @ Silverstone too.
At the end of the day, did I feel I got my money's worth. You bet I did.
EDLT said:
simonigrale said:
Dr Z said:
It is so boring to listen to you, boring old sods going on about the "old days".
You will have nothing to complain about when motor racing is regulated and legislated out. Or when they all run silent electric motors. You'll be dead by then to care. Ooh, they are all 4-pots. Ooh, they are all turbos. What is this, some sort of weird willy waving contest? Bloody hell. Go and support them whilst you still can.
I took a mate who's a very casual F1 fan (never been to any race before), to Brands on Saturday.
As we got to the circuit, Practise session for the BTCC was going on. And you know what, every time the BMWs came past us, he was giggling like a girl hearing the loud bangs during the gear changes. He still hadn't got used to the sound late in the evening. He was still giggling at the end. He had the biggest smile on his face I had seen in ages. I had a huge smile too, listening/seeing the BTCC cars and the others.
You can sit at home complaining, it just means more of us get to watch it live at a much lesser cost. Unlike the scrum to get to/watch an F1 race live. I have booked race day tickets for the Thruxton round and shall be going to WEC @ Silverstone too.
At the end of the day, did I feel I got my money's worth. You bet I did.
How old are you, just out of interest ?You will have nothing to complain about when motor racing is regulated and legislated out. Or when they all run silent electric motors. You'll be dead by then to care. Ooh, they are all 4-pots. Ooh, they are all turbos. What is this, some sort of weird willy waving contest? Bloody hell. Go and support them whilst you still can.
I took a mate who's a very casual F1 fan (never been to any race before), to Brands on Saturday.
As we got to the circuit, Practise session for the BTCC was going on. And you know what, every time the BMWs came past us, he was giggling like a girl hearing the loud bangs during the gear changes. He still hadn't got used to the sound late in the evening. He was still giggling at the end. He had the biggest smile on his face I had seen in ages. I had a huge smile too, listening/seeing the BTCC cars and the others.
You can sit at home complaining, it just means more of us get to watch it live at a much lesser cost. Unlike the scrum to get to/watch an F1 race live. I have booked race day tickets for the Thruxton round and shall be going to WEC @ Silverstone too.
At the end of the day, did I feel I got my money's worth. You bet I did.
Dr Z said:
simonigrale said:
EDLT said:
simonigrale said:
How old are you, just out of interest ?
Good old pistonheads. I bet you clicked on his profile to see what he drives.
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