RE: BTCC 2014: Donington Park

RE: BTCC 2014: Donington Park

Monday 21st April 2014

BTCC 2014: Donington Park

Our first PHer BTCC race report comes from a very wet and windy Donington Park



Here we have our first roving reporter, er, report on the BTCC from a PHer. Andy Swift went along to Donington for PH yesterday and here we have his racing overview. We'll be in contact soon for our Thruxton correspondent and any entries are still welcome (email matthew.bird@haymarket.com with your name and preferred round). Big thanks to Andy also!


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.

Donington provided another great day's racing
Donington provided another great day's racing
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.

Plenty of action at the Craners again
Plenty of action at the Craners again
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.

MGs dominated the first two races
MGs dominated the first two races
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]

Author
Discussion

NailedOn

Original Poster:

3,114 posts

234 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the item PH.
A shame that so many laps were lost to the safety car but an eventful weekend of proper racing.

Dinoboy

2,494 posts

216 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
How can shedden be the winner of race 3 when he passed by going across the gravel?
If there had been a wall there instead of kerbs he'd of been out.

Goodsteed

625 posts

183 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Good write up

mike88

362 posts

155 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Surprised to see the article miss out the huge impact between Cole and Holland which not only demolished Cole's car to the point he doubts Thruxton is a possibility, it actually took out a section of the concrete wall and moved it back several feet!

I hate to see it, but people love BTCC for the crashes, and that was the biggest I've witnessed in a long time.

Mawsleycarvalet

278 posts

183 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
NailedOn said:
Thanks for the item PH.
A shame that so many laps were lost to the safety car but an eventful weekend of proper racing.
Yeah but did you see how clean it was. "Well it was at the start of the day lol "

chevronb37

6,471 posts

185 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
I must be honest I've never been nervous submitting copy before...

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

jfxr242

37 posts

195 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Dinoboy said:
How can shedden be the winner of race 3 when he passed by going across the gravel?
If there had been a wall there instead of kerbs he'd of been out.
As you can see from the photo both Sheds and Turks went across the gravel so where's the advantage / what's the problem ? Also Sheds was ahead (just) going into the corner and it was Turks who nudged him into the gravel so don't see any reason to question the result - as vindicated by ebay motor's protest being thrown out

AdeV

621 posts

283 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
jfxr242 said:
Dinoboy said:
How can shedden be the winner of race 3 when he passed by going across the gravel?
If there had been a wall there instead of kerbs he'd of been out.
As you can see from the photo both Sheds and Turks went across the gravel so where's the advantage / what's the problem ? Also Sheds was ahead (just) going into the corner and it was Turks who nudged him into the gravel so don't see any reason to question the result - as vindicated by ebay motor's protest being thrown out
The problem is the MSA has made a big thing about the new rules about what constitutes being on or off track. Basically - a wheel on the green side of a white line, or the green/gravelly side of a kerb = big no-no. Every single driver, no matter what level of motorsport, has been informed of this change - probably to the point of being sick of it. They're even running special briefings to make sure you are aware of the rule.

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.

smartie93

99 posts

164 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Dinoboy said:
How can shedden be the winner of race 3 when he passed by going across the gravel?
If there had been a wall there instead of kerbs he'd of been out.
Sheddon arrives at the corner first, his car rotates but Turkington forces him out hence why the BMW was on the gravel too. Colin did the same a few corners earlier.

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.

Janesy B

2,625 posts

185 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Dinoboy said:
How can shedden be the winner of race 3 when he passed by going across the gravel?
If there had been a wall there instead of kerbs he'd of been out.
Just watch the race again, neither driver was going to make the corner and Turkington pushed Shedden all the way - which was through the gravel. Racing incident, blah blah blah.

Edited by Janesy B on Monday 21st April 18:39

MG CHRIS

9,077 posts

166 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Janesy B said:
Dinoboy said:
How can shedden be the winner of race 3 when he passed by going across the gravel?
If there had been a wall there instead of kerbs he'd of been out.
Just watch the race again, neither driver was going to make the corner and Turkington pushed Shedden all the way - which was through the gravel. Racing incident, blah blah blah.

Edited by Janesy B on Monday 21st April 18:39
Agree with what you said both went through the gravel and both made contact with each other.

jfxr242

37 posts

195 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
AdeV said:
The problem is the MSA has made a big thing about the new rules about what constitutes being on or off track. Basically - a wheel on the green side of a white line, or the green/gravelly side of a kerb = big no-no. Every single driver, no matter what level of motorsport, has been informed of this change - probably to the point of being sick of it. They're even running special briefings to make sure you are aware of the rule.

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.
Where was the howler of a rule breach by one driver (presume you mean Sheds ?) when both went off track ? do you want to penalise both of them ? not sure what your point is sorry

BBS-LM

3,972 posts

223 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
Dinoboy said:
How can shedden be the winner of race 3 when he passed by going across the gravel?
If there had been a wall there instead of kerbs he'd of been out.
Good point, shedden was so far off the track I'm amazed he did not get a penalty, but this was far more entertaining to watch then this weeks F1 race, and the weather made it all the more interesting, the Ginetta race was also good.

fuchsiasteve

326 posts

205 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
BBS-LM said:
the Ginetta race was also good.
Correction the Ginetta race was flipping amazing! That wheel to wheel racing between Charlie Robertson and Andrew Watson was the best I've seen for a long time! What's more they were going at it for 2 laps.

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!

RenesisEvo

3,602 posts

218 months

Monday 21st April 2014
quotequote all
A well written piece, evidently putting to bed all the concerns initially raised about journalism given the discussion has thankfully centred on the racing.

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?

acf8181

797 posts

233 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
quotequote all
mike88 said:
Surprised to see the article miss out the huge impact between Cole and Holland which not only demolished Cole's car to the point he doubts Thruxton is a possibility, it actually took out a section of the concrete wall and moved it back several feet!

I hate to see it, but people love BTCC for the crashes, and that was the biggest I've witnessed in a long time.
There's been a few cars badly damaged against that wall before....in fact in race 3 one of the cars hit the temporary tyres in front if the damaged concrete which saved him from much damage! Time to put tyres there permanently i think!

Reardy Mister

13,757 posts

221 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
quotequote all
Nicely written. An everyman view from someone who can string a sentence together. Give this man a job.

leedsutd1

770 posts

185 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
quotequote all
The BTCC organisers decided to remove the tyres where the big accident occurred, after several crashes caused the tyres to damage the concrete barrier, thus so much damage to the car sunday

Chris71

21,535 posts

241 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
quotequote all
Reardy Mister said:
Nicely written. An everyman view from someone who can string a sentence together. Give this man a job.
+1

Rib

2,548 posts

188 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
quotequote all
the last corner will split many people, I am in the opinion that Sheddon never planned to make that corner, I think turks could have made the corner but decided to try and skip it to stay in front of the rally cross honda. Sheddon knew he couldn't get past him properly so there was only one option for him.