BTCC 2019 silly season
Discussion
Calendar is out...
April 6/7 – Brands Hatch (Indy)
April 27/28 – Donington Park
May 18/19 – Thruxton
June 15/16 – Croft
June 29/30 – Oulton Park
August 3/4 – Snetterton
August 17/18 – Thruxton
September 14/15 – Knockhill
September 28/29 – Silverstone
October 12/13 – Brands Hatch (Grand Prix)
Quite a lot moved around, Knockhill in September seems pretty brave! Oulton before the summer break rather than Croft and the big one, no Rockingham, with two Thruxton rounds instead.
I appreciate TOCA must have their reasons for dropping Rockingham but I think it’s a shame, it might not have been everyone’s favourite but it’s given us some good racing over the years and two rounds at Thruxton will be boring, nowhere near enough variety in a season with 2 double headers in my opinion. It’s already bad enough with one...
April 6/7 – Brands Hatch (Indy)
April 27/28 – Donington Park
May 18/19 – Thruxton
June 15/16 – Croft
June 29/30 – Oulton Park
August 3/4 – Snetterton
August 17/18 – Thruxton
September 14/15 – Knockhill
September 28/29 – Silverstone
October 12/13 – Brands Hatch (Grand Prix)
Quite a lot moved around, Knockhill in September seems pretty brave! Oulton before the summer break rather than Croft and the big one, no Rockingham, with two Thruxton rounds instead.
I appreciate TOCA must have their reasons for dropping Rockingham but I think it’s a shame, it might not have been everyone’s favourite but it’s given us some good racing over the years and two rounds at Thruxton will be boring, nowhere near enough variety in a season with 2 double headers in my opinion. It’s already bad enough with one...
Rockingham has been dropped due to the circuit possibly being up for sale:
motorsport.com link
I agree that Thruxton isn't really a great replacement. Maybe a return to Mondello Park (or other suitable circuit) could have been looked at.
And I wish they'd stop moving the Knockhill date around. When they had it on the English bank holiday weekend in August it meant more teams in the support races came up to race. But the past few years with it being a different weekend, the race schedule was a little more sparce and as a spectator there in person, the gaps between races were lengthened quite a lot.
motorsport.com link
I agree that Thruxton isn't really a great replacement. Maybe a return to Mondello Park (or other suitable circuit) could have been looked at.
And I wish they'd stop moving the Knockhill date around. When they had it on the English bank holiday weekend in August it meant more teams in the support races came up to race. But the past few years with it being a different weekend, the race schedule was a little more sparce and as a spectator there in person, the gaps between races were lengthened quite a lot.
Really really hoping it’s not for housing. There’s a 5000 house development right up to the fence at the circuit, there will be houses from turn one to turn three of the oval already so it doesn’t look good.
I’ve got my fingers crossed that Palmer buys it. It’s not everyone’s favourite but losing any circuit to houses is a travesty.
I’ve got my fingers crossed that Palmer buys it. It’s not everyone’s favourite but losing any circuit to houses is a travesty.
Much as I love Thruxton, if they were going to use another circuit twice in the year why couldn't they use the Donington GP Circuit? I miss seeing the cars go through Fogarty, round Melbourne and then up to Goddards. With the exception of Plato and Neal (and maybe one or two others) the drivers won't be familiar with it so it may generate some interesting action. Failing that there are other circuits with alternative layouts such as Silverstone, Snetterton and Oulton Park (although Oulton didn't work on the International layout so maybe use Fosters?)
I stand to be corrected if I've missed something glaringly obvious
I stand to be corrected if I've missed something glaringly obvious
Edited by PartsMonkey on Wednesday 13th June 12:11
Kraken said:
Easy to tell which track is the headquarters....
Yep I wonder if BARC pay as much of a fee for their own championship. They could of course used the other BARC circuit, Croft. Maybe would have been more exciting.
I do wonder if Thruxton has been slotted in as a stop gap to see if another circuit steps in?
steve-5snwi said:
You can see most of the track from the stands and can stand on top of the pits, for viewing its much better than silverstone.
Yes but you so far away from the main action areas you can hardly see what the hell is happening. Also the place has no soul to spectate at. Great track too drive though.Robmarriott said:
Really really hoping it’s not for housing. There’s a 5000 house development right up to the fence at the circuit, there will be houses from turn one to turn three of the oval already so it doesn’t look good.
Do we need a "Save Rockingham" petition? Can't imagine the 5000-house development is expecting to be right next door to an active race circuit.Lordy, I hope that calendar is provisional. It's a pity the series only goes to Donington once, usually when it's Baltic! As mentioned above, using the loop could be good but maybe that's my rose tinted specs - bring back the Dunlop bridge too..
Still, if that really is the best Commandant Gow can come up with then at least Oulton no longer clashes with the TT & Knockhill with the Manx Grand Prix.
Still, if that really is the best Commandant Gow can come up with then at least Oulton no longer clashes with the TT & Knockhill with the Manx Grand Prix.
DanielSan said:
7/11 said:
That could be because spectators do not like it!
Awful viewing with no access to turn 2
In need of a lot of investment or a bulldozer.
Isn’t it suffering from subsidence anyway? I’m sure that’s why 2 of the grandstands are now closed off. Awful viewing with no access to turn 2
In need of a lot of investment or a bulldozer.
Any other more definitive links to the Rockingham sale story?
andy97 said:
Any other more definitive links to the Rockingham sale story?
https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/new-...DanielSan said:
7/11 said:
That could be because spectators do not like it!
Awful viewing with no access to turn 2
In need of a lot of investment or a bulldozer.
Isn’t it suffering from subsidence anyway? I’m sure that’s why 2 of the grandstands are now closed off. Awful viewing with no access to turn 2
In need of a lot of investment or a bulldozer.
The main building is impressive, just a pity its almost empty. The oval is never used and the road course is disliked by most drivers. Lets not forget the stupid USA style pit lane. Whilst the main stand lets you see pretty much all the circuit you're still too far back from the start finish straight to really feel part of the races.
Hopefully someone with some sense can buy it and redevelop the infield / barriers / banking so it gets some use. Half the car parks have gone so they'd never be able to get a license for a maximum capacity event again anyway.
Could have been so good, its just never worked out that way.
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