Intelligent Money British GT Championship

Intelligent Money British GT Championship

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Gallons Per Mile

1,868 posts

106 months

Thursday 29th October 2020
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Out of interest, when people enter a car for just a race here or a race there, why do they do that? Just for the thrill of the race and trying to win that single event I presume. They wouldn't be able to win any other titles to do with the series off the back of one entry, would they? I know it helps raise the profile of the series when big names come to race and I understand that; I'm asking more from the driver's point of view.

mcdjl

5,438 posts

194 months

Thursday 29th October 2020
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Gallons Per Mile said:
Out of interest, when people enter a car for just a race here or a race there, why do they do that? Just for the thrill of the race and trying to win that single event I presume. They wouldn't be able to win any other titles to do with the series off the back of one entry, would they? I know it helps raise the profile of the series when big names come to race and I understand that; I'm asking more from the driver's point of view.
Some races are just races, as opposed to series or championships. Same as any thing, some people will do the races that interest them, are local, or they get paid to.... That applies to any sport, motorised, running cycling etc.
I'll be at the circuit and hopefully not having to talk to any drivers.

Gallons Per Mile

1,868 posts

106 months

Thursday 29th October 2020
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Thanks, I understand what you mean but I specifically meant a race series like the British GT, where there are events that score points through the year. Apart from the fun on it, being paid to do it or it just being local and you fancy it, you'd miss out on the competitiveness of being there for the full season!

JulianPH

Original Poster:

9,912 posts

113 months

Thursday 29th October 2020
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TimCrighton said:
That's great to hear and I'd obviously missed that. Continuity is important on both sides and starts to help with creating awareness.

When I raced in it (a long time ago now!) it was Privilege as title sponsor they never really leveraged and activated it, something which can be so much better targeted these days too with social and better customer data.

I was coaching with a couple of the guys racing more recently (but I've stopped that so I can go back to being a Bronze thanks for the wonders of the FIA system after a break from competing). I'll have to make it back to a round or two next year to see what it's all about these days and who knows perhaps I'll make the longest return between BGT appearances in history ??
It would be great to see you back there Tim!

I think the major difference between me and other corporate sponsors is that I really care about it and my drive was to grow it into what it deserves to be.

You can see my grid interview 4:00 minutes in here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BekHz4Io1sw

Getting Jenson and Chris there was just part of this.

smile


bigmowley

1,875 posts

175 months

Thursday 29th October 2020
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Gallons Per Mile said:
Out of interest, when people enter a car for just a race here or a race there, why do they do that? Just for the thrill of the race and trying to win that single event I presume. They wouldn't be able to win any other titles to do with the series off the back of one entry, would they? I know it helps raise the profile of the series when big names come to race and I understand that; I'm asking more from the driver's point of view.
I’ve done some occasional BGT races in the GT4 class, a few years ago now mind you. I did it and would possibly do it again for a few reasons. The main one is to push myself to my limit and to compare that to those around me. Especially with the mini endurance race format, I love the fact that the fastest single lap car doesn’t always win, consistency, team work, concentration, all play a big part. For me it’s one of the ultimate challenges for a club racer. It also scares and excites in equal measure, a full house GT3 car driven by pro blasting past with about 2mm to spare in Blanchimont whilst your on your own absolute limit is quite a buzz!
In the words of the great Baz Luhrmann. “The race is long and ultimately it’s only with yourself.”

JulianPH

Original Poster:

9,912 posts

113 months

Thursday 29th October 2020
quotequote all
Gallons Per Mile said:
Out of interest, when people enter a car for just a race here or a race there, why do they do that? Just for the thrill of the race and trying to win that single event I presume. They wouldn't be able to win any other titles to do with the series off the back of one entry, would they? I know it helps raise the profile of the series when big names come to race and I understand that; I'm asking more from the driver's point of view.
Hello mate, in this case (Jenson, Chris, SKY & McLaren) it was just me being part of wanting to put a shining a light on the Championship - and also to have some very serious fun.

There are other entries for Silverstone (alone) that may have completely different reasons behind them, I would not know about these reasons.

smile


JulianPH

Original Poster:

9,912 posts

113 months

Thursday 29th October 2020
quotequote all
bigmowley said:
I’ve done some occasional BGT races in the GT4 class, a few years ago now mind you. I did it and would possibly do it again for a few reasons. The main one is to push myself to my limit and to compare that to those around me. Especially with the mini endurance race format, I love the fact that the fastest single lap car doesn’t always win, consistency, team work, concentration, all play a big part. For me it’s one of the ultimate challenges for a club racer. It also scares and excites in equal measure, a full house GT3 car driven by pro blasting past with about 2mm to spare in Blanchimont whilst your on your own absolute limit is quite a buzz!
In the words of the great Baz Luhrmann. “The race is long and ultimately it’s only with yourself.”
You should do it again if you want to. You couldn't be more spot on about the distances between the cars - you have to be there to experience it (as you have been, right in the driving seat!), but it is absurd that there is not more physical contact given this. The level of skill is amazing and just doesn't show on TV!


Gallons Per Mile

1,868 posts

106 months

Thursday 29th October 2020
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Thanks everyone, very interesting to hear smile

JulianPH

Original Poster:

9,912 posts

113 months

Sunday 1st November 2020
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We thought this was a nice touch for the Silverstone windscreen banners given the day (and assuming it is still going ahead).



Edited for one of my usual typos! smile



Edited by JulianPH on Sunday 1st November 08:39

df76

3,614 posts

277 months

Sunday 1st November 2020
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Fingers crossed this still goes ahead, Motorsport UK update tomorrow... has the series been considered as elite sport (like the BTCC) so far??

JulianPH

Original Poster:

9,912 posts

113 months

Sunday 1st November 2020
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df76 said:
Fingers crossed this still goes ahead, Motorsport UK update tomorrow... has the series been considered as elite sport (like the BTCC) so far??
It has mate. Waiting to hear tomorrow about Silverstone...


df76

3,614 posts

277 months

Sunday 1st November 2020
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JulianPH said:
df76 said:
Fingers crossed this still goes ahead, Motorsport UK update tomorrow... has the series been considered as elite sport (like the BTCC) so far??
It has mate. Waiting to hear tomorrow about Silverstone...
Well, there's some hope then.

FredericRobinson

3,668 posts

231 months

Sunday 1st November 2020
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It wasn't being treated as 'elite' when spectators were allowed in at Donington or Oulton, hopefully with Silverstone being behind closed doors that won't matter

Kraken

1,710 posts

199 months

Sunday 1st November 2020
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df76 said:
Fingers crossed this still goes ahead, Motorsport UK update tomorrow... has the series been considered as elite sport (like the BTCC) so far??
No, as far as domestic motorsport goes only the BTCC and BSB are classified as elite by the authorities. It would be strange if they changed it after the whole season bar one round has been run.

df76

3,614 posts

277 months

Sunday 1st November 2020
quotequote all
Kraken said:
df76 said:
Fingers crossed this still goes ahead, Motorsport UK update tomorrow... has the series been considered as elite sport (like the BTCC) so far??
No, as far as domestic motorsport goes only the BTCC and BSB are classified as elite by the authorities. It would be strange if they changed it after the whole season bar one round has been run.
That's not such great news then. I'd be very surprised if everything but elite isn't pulled tomorrow.

JulianPH

Original Poster:

9,912 posts

113 months

Sunday 1st November 2020
quotequote all
Kraken said:
No, as far as domestic motorsport goes only the BTCC and BSB are classified as elite by the authorities. It would be strange if they changed it after the whole season bar one round has been run.
I have just had confirmation from SRO that the race is currently going ahead as planned. No spectators though, as before.


JulianPH

Original Poster:

9,912 posts

113 months

Sunday 1st November 2020
quotequote all
JulianPH said:
Kraken said:
No, as far as domestic motorsport goes only the BTCC and BSB are classified as elite by the authorities. It would be strange if they changed it after the whole season bar one round has been run.
I have just had confirmation from SRO that the race is currently going ahead as planned. No spectators though, as before.
Now I have just had conflicting information. Will report back tomorrow when we know what the bloody hell is going on! biggrin


Bo_apex

2,506 posts

217 months

Monday 2nd November 2020
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JulianPH said:
JulianPH said:
Kraken said:
No, as far as domestic motorsport goes only the BTCC and BSB are classified as elite by the authorities. It would be strange if they changed it after the whole season bar one round has been run.
I have just had confirmation from SRO that the race is currently going ahead as planned. No spectators though, as before.
Now I have just had conflicting information. Will report back tomorrow when we know what the bloody hell is going on! biggrin
biggrinbiggrin


df76

3,614 posts

277 months

Monday 2nd November 2020
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Seems like very good news as the series been confirmed as "elite sport".. looking forward to it!

Dinoboy

2,494 posts

216 months

Monday 2nd November 2020
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Fingers crossed.