Autosport Awards

[thunderbelmont]

Once again, the farce of the Autosport awards is on us.

While the top tier awards like International Racing Driver of the Year (Martin Short ), Racing Car of the Year (Vauxhall Victor VX 4/90, oh what? sorry, Vectra Repmobile), or the Rally titles are without doubt on the case, I have to say that to say that British GT runners fall into "British Club Driver of the Year" is utter bo11s. They should be classified with the National Racer of the Year.

Are you devaluing the BRITISH GT championship to something lowly like FFord just because the cars have a roof, and they are not run (generally) by manufacturer (backed) teams like many front running BTCC teams?

I still feel that the grassroots club racers are, as usual, treated like dirt by Autosport when it comes to these awards. There are drivers out there with brilliance and skill, but without budget, while those with big backing steal the limelight, even if they couldn't drive a pointed stick up a dogs rear end.

I feel that throwing Andrew Jordan into the camp with the Clubbies is also unfair. Rallycross has always been the poor cousin to circuit racing in terms of coverage and respect. A little further up the pecking order than short oval racing in some people's eyes.

And finally, may I suggest that the prize for "International Rally Driver of the Year" be given in honour to our fallen friend Colin McRae.

[anonymous-user]

I doubt Colin would want that, he would want the driver who performed this year to get that, preferably a young gun doing well at international level.

Edited by johnfelstead on Friday 19th October 01:47

[thunderbelmont]

Ooops, sorry. I meant that the award be the "Colin McRae Award for International Rally Driver of the Year" - thus in his honour.

As you say, he was keen to help develop new talent.

[anonymous-user]

Ah, i see. Not sure about that either. They didnt do that for Burnsie, who was just as worthy, especially as he was still an active driver when his illness took him from the sport.

[jellison]

thunderbelmont said:

I have to say that to say that British GT runners fall into "British Club Driver of the Year" is utter bo11s. They should be classified with the National Racer of the Year.

Are you devaluing the BRITISH GT championship to something lowly like FFord just because the cars have a roof, and they are not run (generally) by manufacturer (backed) teams like many front running BTCC teams?

Brit GT is just a Rich Gentlemen championship and there sons and friends of son wanting to have a go in Motorsport - have watched a few Dull

I still feel that the grassroots club racers are, as usual, treated like dirt by Autosport when it comes to these awards. There are drivers out there with brilliance and skill, but without budget, while those with big backing steal the limelight, even if they couldn't drive a pointed stick up a dogs rear end.

[b]AGREE - but then it is said the Best driver in the world is most likely a cabbie in some far flung third world country that will never sit in a race car. All money.

100's of people in the world could do what the top 5 in F1 can.[/b]

Edited by jellison on Friday 19th October 08:41

[rude-boy]

jellison said:

Brit GT is just a Rich Gentlemen championship and there sons and friends of son wanting to have a go in Motorsport - have watched a few Dull

You didn't see many of the races this year then did you?

Yep there is the odd one which can be a bit quiet but on the whole this has been a bumper year for BGT with the title going to the wire and some brilliant racing.

I realise you have your own agenda but please.

Yep, many of the racers do bring family or friend's money. Newsflash, welcome to mortorsport the world over. Horsepower costs money, how fast can you afford to go?

[jellison]

Agenda - who me?

Admittedly not enough cars and series for the level of good driver that there are out there.

But it is a Team / 2 driver event as far as I can work out. Racing is best with one car one driver - gentlemen drivers teamed with real hot shot racers, not BTCC is it!

[rude-boy]

thunderbelmont said:

I have to say that to say that British GT runners fall into "British Club Driver of the Year" is utter bo11s. They should be classified with the National Racer of the Year.

Fully agree with your post. It is nonsensical that they should put it into this catagory and shows, to my mind, a massive lack of understanding of the structure of British motorsport. I'll have to have a proper read tonight but it begs the question who is in the National Racer of the Year of the year other than BTCC and F3 drivers?

[RedexRob]

Just as long as Dario Franchitti our British Italian Scot is also honoured at the awards , those ariel antics could so easily have taken him from us ,winning the Indy 500 and the championship is a very significant achievment , shame we won,t see him in an F1 car , maybe LeMans though