RE: Plato v Giovanardi
Discussion
bravo Fabrizio!! interesting to see that Matt Neal has joined VXR for next year, I am sorry to see that Tom Chilton has been elbowed out but thats the way it goes!! I wonder if Team Halfords are going to take the cheeky wee scamp on to race with 'Flash' Shedden 
?
p.s anyone know if Alain Menu is coming back to btcc?
?p.s anyone know if Alain Menu is coming back to btcc?
GF350 said:
When is the TV rerun for this?
I need to watch it again, I honestly didn't think Plato was that close to Neal until he cut the chicaine, but I could be wrong.
Plato's tyres must have been quite used in the later stages as he had been really going for it.
Even Plato admited he lost it at the start but he did make a big deal out of the '4th vauxhall' as well.
I think the only way Plato might have stood a chance is if he had cut the chicaine a couple more times and was very agressive (read dirty) with the vauxhalls but he probably would have been disqualified.
The defining point wasn't when he was behind Neal with the two vauxhalls in front it was when Neal let the two vauxhalls through.I need to watch it again, I honestly didn't think Plato was that close to Neal until he cut the chicaine, but I could be wrong.
Plato's tyres must have been quite used in the later stages as he had been really going for it.
Even Plato admited he lost it at the start but he did make a big deal out of the '4th vauxhall' as well.
I think the only way Plato might have stood a chance is if he had cut the chicaine a couple more times and was very agressive (read dirty) with the vauxhalls but he probably would have been disqualified.
Up to the point Neal let the Vauxhalls through (now we know why he has joined them next year) Then Plato always had a chance to keep in touch with Giovanardi.
Once he let the vauxhals through to escape while he held bacl Plato then he had effectivly stuffed Platos championship.
Plato did very well to catch up to the coattails before the end and but for an early red flag would have been right on the vauxhalls at the end despite Neals best efforts otherwise.
Without wishing to enter into an argument, is it possible that Neal braked a bit early for that chicane to try and fox Plato? It seemed like too much of an obvious punt to me. Even the famous Muller/Plato incident from a few seasons ago was way less obvious than that.
The other thing that confused me was Neal's waving through of the Vauxhall drivers. Surely if he wanted to do this it would have been better to fake a missed gear change, or naturally set up an opportunity, rather than saying to the world "look at me! Look at what I'm doing!"...
The other thing that confused me was Neal's waving through of the Vauxhall drivers. Surely if he wanted to do this it would have been better to fake a missed gear change, or naturally set up an opportunity, rather than saying to the world "look at me! Look at what I'm doing!"...
GF350 said:
RobM77 said:
Without wishing to enter into an argument, is it possible that Neal braked a bit early for that chicane to try and fox Plato? It seemed like too much of an obvious punt to me. Even the famous Muller/Plato incident from a few seasons ago was way less obvious than that.
[quote]
Could be, I'd have expected Plato to mention it in the post race interview though.
I'll have to watch it again but it looked at the time like he used Neals car as a way of slowing down for the corner. To be fair at that point he had to go for it and had nothing to lose.
I tell you what, Plato looked totally finished in that interview. Hats off to him for never once whinging about his pain or using it as an excuse.[quote]
Could be, I'd have expected Plato to mention it in the post race interview though.
I'll have to watch it again but it looked at the time like he used Neals car as a way of slowing down for the corner. To be fair at that point he had to go for it and had nothing to lose.
GF350 said:
RobM77 said:
GF350 said:
RobM77 said:
Without wishing to enter into an argument, is it possible that Neal braked a bit early for that chicane to try and fox Plato? It seemed like too much of an obvious punt to me. Even the famous Muller/Plato incident from a few seasons ago was way less obvious than that.
[quote]
Could be, I'd have expected Plato to mention it in the post race interview though.
I'll have to watch it again but it looked at the time like he used Neals car as a way of slowing down for the corner. To be fair at that point he had to go for it and had nothing to lose.
I tell you what, Plato looked totally finished in that interview. Hats off to him for never once whinging about his pain or using it as an excuse.[quote]
Could be, I'd have expected Plato to mention it in the post race interview though.
I'll have to watch it again but it looked at the time like he used Neals car as a way of slowing down for the corner. To be fair at that point he had to go for it and had nothing to lose.
Agreed 
Fallen Angel said:
GF350 said:
RobM77 said:
GF350 said:
RobM77 said:
Without wishing to enter into an argument, is it possible that Neal braked a bit early for that chicane to try and fox Plato? It seemed like too much of an obvious punt to me. Even the famous Muller/Plato incident from a few seasons ago was way less obvious than that.
[quote]
Could be, I'd have expected Plato to mention it in the post race interview though.
I'll have to watch it again but it looked at the time like he used Neals car as a way of slowing down for the corner. To be fair at that point he had to go for it and had nothing to lose.
I tell you what, Plato looked totally finished in that interview. Hats off to him for never once whinging about his pain or using it as an excuse.[quote]
Could be, I'd have expected Plato to mention it in the post race interview though.
I'll have to watch it again but it looked at the time like he used Neals car as a way of slowing down for the corner. To be fair at that point he had to go for it and had nothing to lose.
Agreed 
). My only clue was my hand kept flying off the steering wheel in corners, yet I couldn't understand why. I just thought I was knackered, and pist at myself. It felt a bit sore after the race, but then you always do from brusies when you've just had a smack. So I didn't even know I'd done it until the next day when I woke up with a hand the size of a mellon and couldn't move it at all. Quite amazed I was even able to drink a bottle of water after the race, much less rag a car. Adrenaline is the best pain... ignorer... there is. As Plato said. There isn't really a pain barrier to go through once the adrenaline flows. Evolutions' Nitrous for your body...If he'd have moaned about it all the other drivers would be calling him a wuss!
Anyway, I thought the fire and killed the nerves in his neck, so what pain was there to feel?
Edited by mattikake on Monday 15th October 15:27
Rob Dance said:
RB Will said:
Adrian W said:
RB Will said:
car that burns were from was a Caparo. im so happy to see Gio win it. Bloody hate Plato mostly for reasons stated. wish Neal had punted him back though. Wish they had interviewed him after the race on the telly would love to hear what he has to say. think its pretty safe to assume plato was upset with neal being the "4th vauxhall" lol bless him. sorry i sound harsh just hate the guy. just a dirty racer who throws toys out of pram if he is not treated like a princess.
You "hate him" so you know him very well and have met him many times and haveing known him for some time you have decided that you hate him. Don't think i could hate or love someone i've never metGlad to see Fifth Gear showed the incident with Plato. I Wondered why he had both hands bandaged up.
Full respect to him to still give it his most to win the championship.
You could see he was in pain even before the first race when he was trying to sign autographs. He had the longest queue of peeople awaiting to meet him in the whole of the pits. Speeedy Recovery Mr Plato.
smiller said:
I've not watched BTCC for a few years, but I happened upon today's race by accident on telly, looked at the championship standings and thought, "Hm. This could be interesting".
Well. I thought the races were top bo
ocks, and that JP showed tremendous spirit considering the injuries he was carrying. Fair play to the lad, especially considering the advantage that the Vectra's seemed to have 'round the circuit.
Talking of which, I was confused by one of the ITV commentators stating that, "Thruxton is a great circuit to spectate at". Errrrrrmmmmmm. I think not. I've been once for a BSB meeting, and thought it was pants. Number of spectating areas = chicane, start/finish, campbell, cobb, seagrave. All the fast corners 'round the back of the circuit (i.e. Church / Woodham Hill) are off limits.
Totally agree with the limited places to spectate. I guess it is for cost and safety reasons and a used runway being in the middle.Well. I thought the races were top bo
ocks, and that JP showed tremendous spirit considering the injuries he was carrying. Fair play to the lad, especially considering the advantage that the Vectra's seemed to have 'round the circuit.Talking of which, I was confused by one of the ITV commentators stating that, "Thruxton is a great circuit to spectate at". Errrrrrmmmmmm. I think not. I've been once for a BSB meeting, and thought it was pants. Number of spectating areas = chicane, start/finish, campbell, cobb, seagrave. All the fast corners 'round the back of the circuit (i.e. Church / Woodham Hill) are off limits.
Glad Plato didn't do it, never has a driver with so little talent been able to make up for it with so much aggression and absymaly dangerous driving. He is a thug behind the wheel plain and simple and in any other series I am sure he would have been penalised out of the championship. It seems that certain of the BTCC brigade love the bangers and smash mentality though, so in fact it seems the promoters/organisers like to keep him involved.
Granted, he can clearly pedal a car quickly, but his racecraft is appalling as he doesn't overtake using smart moves, just ones that threaten his competitors and often ruin their races. Didn't he basically price himself out of the market the year after he won the championship too - that was very amusing...
Granted, he can clearly pedal a car quickly, but his racecraft is appalling as he doesn't overtake using smart moves, just ones that threaten his competitors and often ruin their races. Didn't he basically price himself out of the market the year after he won the championship too - that was very amusing...
Plato is a damn good driver - you don't win ever race in the Renualt Sport (or what ever that little car was called) without being damned good. Get alot out of that Seat - more than Turner and he is and Autosport Young driver of the year (and all of those are Shit Hot).
Just goes to show that top BTCC driver are VERY Good. i.e. Giovanardi.
Just goes to show that top BTCC driver are VERY Good. i.e. Giovanardi.
jellison said:
Plato is a damn good driver - you don't win ever race in the Renualt Sport (or what ever that little car was called) without being damned good. Get alot out of that Seat - more than Turner and he is and Autosport Young driver of the year (and all of those are Shit Hot).
Just goes to show that top BTCC driver are VERY Good. i.e. Giovanardi.
Nope, Plato is definitely responsible for most of the worst overtaking attempts that I have witnessed since his touring car season began. Just goes to show that top BTCC driver are VERY Good. i.e. Giovanardi.
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