BTCC 2014: Donington Park
Our first PHer BTCC race report comes from a very wet and windy Donington Park
It's a murky, overcast Easter Sunday - the perfect day to scoff chocolate and relax on the couch enjoying a day of racing on the telly. Why, then, did so many enthusiasts pour into Donington Park for the second round of the 2014 British Touring Car Championship rather than enjoying the comprehensive coverage on ITV4? With queues of modified hatchbacks stretching out all the way to the M1 and the rain falling, many of those enthusiasts probably found themselves asking the same question.
A major draw for the crowds was the welcome return of BTCC past masters Alain Menu and Fabrizio Giovanardi, their arrival lifting the total number of former champions on the grid to seven. Menu first raced in the BTCC while current champion Andrew Jordan was still in short trousers, setting up the prospect of a fascinating season-long battle between youth and experience.
Experience won out during qualifying, Jason Plato annexing pole with the quickest-ever BTCC lap of Donington Park. This set the tone for MG domination in the first two races - both held in tricky drying conditions - with Plato heading team mate Tordoff in race one and the positions reversed in race two.
There was the usual BTCC chaos behind the MG drivers, with plenty of panel damage and a smattering of safety cars. Regular PistonHeads forum contributor Ollie Jackson suffered the ignominy of prolonging the second safety car period during race two by depositing his steaming, and apparently terminally broken, Proton right on the apex of the chicane. You half expected him to emerge from his reluctant mount and attack it with a branch in true Basil Fawlty style, such was the slapstick timing of its demise.
Race one was all about tyre management, with the whole field nursing their delicate wet tyres as the track dried. Darling of the crowds, Rob 'Roberto Austini' Austin took the risk of pitting for slicks on lap three. His gamble wasn't to pay off in terms of absolute results but his fight back up through the order gave the crowd the dramatic underdog narrative it has come to expect from Austin - and fastest lap to boot.
While neither of these opening encounters was a BTCC classic, the sheer spectacle of the current cars is worth the entrance fee in its own right. Lacking the sabre-sharp dynamics of the legendary Super Tourers of the 1990s they may be, but these are expressive cars. Bucking and bouncing around with belches of flame from their side-exit exhausts, they can slide as well with the odd dab of oppo to please the crowds.
So, interesting strategy, multiple champions, fierce racing and unpredictable weather; what else does the BTCC offer to spectators in 2014? Well, the world's fastest lawnmower performing demo laps for starters. Honda brought along its 116mph ride-on mower, creating a noise more reminiscent of motorcycle racing than a genteel horticultural activity. Then there are the grid girls - you too can make awkward small talk with an attractive lady half your age while posing for a cringe-worthy photo.
It was all to play for in race three, with blue skies poking through the clouds and all drivers running soft tyres on a dry track. By then the howling winds and intermittent showers had depleted the crowds, but those who stuck around - and there were plenty of them - were treated to a thriller. Colin Turkington looked a certain winner but 'Flash' Gordon Shedden had other ideas. Shedden snatched second place from Jason Plato and immediately closed on the leader at the rate of a second per lap.
By the start of the final tour he was right up with Turkington and the pair went into combat. It was all about the chicane - last corner of the last lap. Shedden braved it out around the outside, Turkington defended, the pair vaulted the kerbs and skated across gravel together with Shedden emerging ahead to give the new Civic Tourer its first win, under appropriately contentious circumstances. It was classic BTCC. Subtlety, regulatory purity and saintly driving have no place here. This is motor racing for the masses and the masses love it - come rain or shine.
[Images: LAT]
I hate to see it, but people love BTCC for the crashes, and that was the biggest I've witnessed in a long time.
Just in response, Mike, I actually drafted a much more detailed blow-by-blow race report but declined to submit it after it comfortably topped 1,000 words.
Suffice it to say the Toyota was a real mess. There were two huge accidents in the same spot in FIA GT a couple of seasons ago. Wet grass and fast-moving, gyrating race cars don't mix well. The concrete barriers moved during the GT accidents as well so wonder whether DP will look at it.
Andy
If there had been a wall there instead of kerbs he'd of been out.
If there had been a wall there instead of kerbs he'd of been out.
So... having made such a big fuss, what does the MSA do? Completely ignore an absolute howler of a rule-breach.
In fairness, though, this IS the BTCC, which these days is little different to the F1 circus, only with crappier driving.
If there had been a wall there instead of kerbs he'd of been out.
Sheddon deserved the win, brilliant drive. Colin, as much as I like him, was only in front because of the off the line traction of the RWD BMW, giving him a nice cushion while everyone behind scrambled all over each other.
If there had been a wall there instead of kerbs he'd of been out.
If there had been a wall there instead of kerbs he'd of been out.
So... having made such a big fuss, what does the MSA do? Completely ignore an absolute howler of a rule-breach.
In fairness, though, this IS the BTCC, which these days is little different to the F1 circus, only with crappier driving.
If there had been a wall there instead of kerbs he'd of been out.
A superb billing of Motorsport which the changeable conditions helped make so exciting to watch. Was up until silly o'clock watching it on the sky box. Loads of drama and emotion shown in the formula fords too. Can't wait to get back to Donington as it really is a superb racetrack!
Just one thing - an estate car has won a race in a professional series. Perhaps more significant than might be first considered? Or just amusing novelty/irrelevance?
I hate to see it, but people love BTCC for the crashes, and that was the biggest I've witnessed in a long time.
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