ITV coverage of the BTCC
Discussion
Guy's,
I have a bit of a complaint...... watched the BTCC this afternoon - think its the first time this season I've watched it as it's on ITV900 and I keep forgetting about it!
Anyway they've ditched VBH and got Ted Kravits and Louise Goodman (only missing James Allen
) presenting it now - and would you believe it - every interview or sound bite they mentioned Lewis Hamilton!!! 
Why do ITV continually A$$ Ki$$ Lewis H? - granted brilliant talent and seems a nice bloke - but this is getting boring now.
Didn't think much of the racing - seemed too much banging and barging, although only the BMW's and Vectra's look like proper touring cars!!
Chris
I have a bit of a complaint...... watched the BTCC this afternoon - think its the first time this season I've watched it as it's on ITV900 and I keep forgetting about it!
Anyway they've ditched VBH and got Ted Kravits and Louise Goodman (only missing James Allen
) presenting it now - and would you believe it - every interview or sound bite they mentioned Lewis Hamilton!!! Why do ITV continually A$$ Ki$$ Lewis H? - granted brilliant talent and seems a nice bloke - but this is getting boring now.
Didn't think much of the racing - seemed too much banging and barging, although only the BMW's and Vectra's look like proper touring cars!!
Chris
The coverage was awful, I hate both of those clowns with a passion, Kravitz summing up at the end 'well Seat have a comfortable margin in the constructors cham..... well two points anyway'
His suggestion that Plato performed abrilliant 'save; in race 3 to leave the circuit level on points was laughable also, I dont think he had a lot of involvement in Giovanardi being taken out did he
They truly have no idea whatsoever.
The camera work wasnt great either and in race 3 even Tim Harvey suggested the 3 series went off with a puncture when it was clear that whilst he may have had apuncture he was knocked off bt the private Seat.
His suggestion that Plato performed abrilliant 'save; in race 3 to leave the circuit level on points was laughable also, I dont think he had a lot of involvement in Giovanardi being taken out did he
They truly have no idea whatsoever.
The camera work wasnt great either and in race 3 even Tim Harvey suggested the 3 series went off with a puncture when it was clear that whilst he may have had apuncture he was knocked off bt the private Seat.
Really, I thhought it was clearly a Lexus. Whatever it was it was hardly the driver's fault, the BMW was crawling around the track half on the racing line.
What I noticed was that in the first race Matt Neal seemed to deliberatly try and spin the BMW going around the outside of his car. There seemed to be a bit of a left turn straight into the other car's rear quater. Infact a few of the "senior" drivers have been deliberatly ramming the BMWs in the middle of corners much harder than they'd ram any other car.
What I noticed was that in the first race Matt Neal seemed to deliberatly try and spin the BMW going around the outside of his car. There seemed to be a bit of a left turn straight into the other car's rear quater. Infact a few of the "senior" drivers have been deliberatly ramming the BMWs in the middle of corners much harder than they'd ram any other car.
Woody said:
Guy's,
I have a bit of a complaint...... watched the BTCC this afternoon - think its the first time this season I've watched it as it's on ITV900 and I keep forgetting about it!
Anyway they've ditched VBH and got Ted Kravits and Louise Goodman (only missing James Allen ) presenting it now - and would you believe it - every interview or sound bite they mentioned Lewis Hamilton!!!
Why do ITV continually A$$ Ki$$ Lewis H? - granted brilliant talent and seems a nice bloke - but this is getting boring now.
Didn't think much of the racing - seemed too much banging and barging, although only the BMW's and Vectra's look like proper touring cars!!
Chris
Shite! I thought it was on ITV666 arrrrrhhhhhhh I have a bit of a complaint...... watched the BTCC this afternoon - think its the first time this season I've watched it as it's on ITV900 and I keep forgetting about it!
Anyway they've ditched VBH and got Ted Kravits and Louise Goodman (only missing James Allen
) presenting it now - and would you believe it - every interview or sound bite they mentioned Lewis Hamilton!!! Why do ITV continually A$$ Ki$$ Lewis H? - granted brilliant talent and seems a nice bloke - but this is getting boring now.
Didn't think much of the racing - seemed too much banging and barging, although only the BMW's and Vectra's look like proper touring cars!!
Chris
I tend to enjoy the BTCC but like you, since it has been taken over by the Lewis Hamilton appreciation society I have got really pissed off with it.
For god sake ITV, don't you give Lewis enough air time already. What will it be next, FA cup final and the reporter says to the winning team, "Fantastic goal in the last minute of extra time Owen, but what do you think of Lewis Hamilton's drive last weekend?"
NooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooWell, I was there... saw the Setanta guy doing some continuity shots during the pit walk, never really bumped into ITV. I might just delete what I recorded from ITV then on the evidence of this thread!
It's a proper day out in British motorsport and nothing to do with F1, and it cost me a mere 22 quid for the ticket, so ITV have indeed rather missed the point.
I didn't think there was too much argy-bargy by BTCC's usual standards... lots of stealing each other's lines going on into Cascades which I think is why quite a few people fell off in the 3rd race. It was just at that awkward "drying" rather than "dry" stage which might not have come across on TV.
I missed the incident where Giovanardi went off, it was round the other side of the track... Plato was ALL OVER Jackson for the second half of the race.
Plato did make some good overtakes to get as far as chasing him, but I think you're right, I wouldn't put it in the "brilliant save" box either.
Pocklington's car (Tech Tuning 320i) sounded awful for the first race and seemed fitter but not perfect for the second two - off the pace for that reason I suspect... anyone know what the problem was?
Tim Harvey didn't come to much in the Carrera race...!
It's a proper day out in British motorsport and nothing to do with F1, and it cost me a mere 22 quid for the ticket, so ITV have indeed rather missed the point.
I didn't think there was too much argy-bargy by BTCC's usual standards... lots of stealing each other's lines going on into Cascades which I think is why quite a few people fell off in the 3rd race. It was just at that awkward "drying" rather than "dry" stage which might not have come across on TV.
I missed the incident where Giovanardi went off, it was round the other side of the track... Plato was ALL OVER Jackson for the second half of the race.
Plato did make some good overtakes to get as far as chasing him, but I think you're right, I wouldn't put it in the "brilliant save" box either.
Pocklington's car (Tech Tuning 320i) sounded awful for the first race and seemed fitter but not perfect for the second two - off the pace for that reason I suspect... anyone know what the problem was?
Tim Harvey didn't come to much in the Carrera race...!
chrisbr68 said:
I just wish they showed all the races live! They already moved it from 1 to 3 I think, why cant they just show all the races instead of ths highlights?
They'd have to be cutting back and forth to other events if they did that, I guess, the gap between BTCC sessions is 90 mins to 2 hours - and it didn't run to time anyway because of people falling off and making big holes in tyre walls in the Seat and Clio races.EDLT said:
Infact a few of the "senior" drivers have been deliberatly ramming the BMWs in the middle of corners much harder than they'd ram any other car.
Turkington's made a rod for his own back by whining about how easy it is for the BMW's (RWD) to be spun out by a light tap on the rear corner. If he'd keep his gob shut and drive he might do a lot better. freedman said:
The camera work wasnt great either
I watched the whole day on Setanta and the crap camerawork was the first thing i noticed. At least Erkut seemed to agree and attempted to wipe out the Camera position at Old Hall 
Fortunately i didn't have to put up with the Louise & Ted show
The BTCC is stronger than recent years although it has to be said that the back of the grid is beyond poor.
ITV 1 has responded with their worst ever coverage,really not worth watching as no feel for the races as just too short.
Take out the adverts and pathetic interviews, grids and championship points and there is probably less that 10 minutes racing or to put it another way about 3 mins per race.
BUT THE BEST IS YET TO COME - PRESENTED BY THE CITY SLICKER LOOKING FOR A WINE BAR AND AN KISSOGRAM IN A FLASH A MAC!
Come on ITV ship up or ship out.
ITV 1 has responded with their worst ever coverage,really not worth watching as no feel for the races as just too short.
Take out the adverts and pathetic interviews, grids and championship points and there is probably less that 10 minutes racing or to put it another way about 3 mins per race.
BUT THE BEST IS YET TO COME - PRESENTED BY THE CITY SLICKER LOOKING FOR A WINE BAR AND AN KISSOGRAM IN A FLASH A MAC!
Come on ITV ship up or ship out.
Yep, I'm really hacked off with the poor BTCC coverage, used to be able to watch the entire meeting, incl. support races live on Motors TV, now have to wait to see if I remember to watch it on ITV4, several weeks after the event.
I bet you before long BTCC promoters will wander why they spectator numbers are down (given that a large % of them only go to watch it live cos they saw it on TV) and why sponsors, manufacturers etc are dropping out.
BTCC always manage to muck things up just when things are going well, remember the intro. of downforce etc a few years ago-what a farce!
It's a real shame as I love this series generally.
One good thing to come out of this though is I'm now going to watch much more meetings at my local track Oulton Park, been to loads of meetings this year, most of which have been excellent, if not a bit damp recently.
Down with ITV (and Setanta pay me a fortune to look at TV)!
I bet you before long BTCC promoters will wander why they spectator numbers are down (given that a large % of them only go to watch it live cos they saw it on TV) and why sponsors, manufacturers etc are dropping out.
BTCC always manage to muck things up just when things are going well, remember the intro. of downforce etc a few years ago-what a farce!
It's a real shame as I love this series generally.
One good thing to come out of this though is I'm now going to watch much more meetings at my local track Oulton Park, been to loads of meetings this year, most of which have been excellent, if not a bit damp recently.
Down with ITV (and Setanta pay me a fortune to look at TV)!
Eifion said:
Yep, I'm really hacked off with the poor BTCC coverage, used to be able to watch the entire meeting, incl. support races live on Motors TV, now have to wait to see if I remember to watch it on ITV4, several weeks after the event.
I bet you before long BTCC promoters will wander why they spectator numbers are down (given that a large % of them only go to watch it live cos they saw it on TV) and why sponsors, manufacturers etc are dropping out.
BTCC always manage to muck things up just when things are going well, remember the intro. of downforce etc a few years ago-what a farce!
It's a real shame as I love this series generally.
One good thing to come out of this though is I'm now going to watch much more meetings at my local track Oulton Park, been to loads of meetings this year, most of which have been excellent, if not a bit damp recently.
Down with ITV (and Setanta pay me a fortune to look at TV)!
it's shown live on ITV4 - at least the 3rd race of the day is.I bet you before long BTCC promoters will wander why they spectator numbers are down (given that a large % of them only go to watch it live cos they saw it on TV) and why sponsors, manufacturers etc are dropping out.
BTCC always manage to muck things up just when things are going well, remember the intro. of downforce etc a few years ago-what a farce!
It's a real shame as I love this series generally.
One good thing to come out of this though is I'm now going to watch much more meetings at my local track Oulton Park, been to loads of meetings this year, most of which have been excellent, if not a bit damp recently.
Down with ITV (and Setanta pay me a fortune to look at TV)!
I don't recall the downforce era of BTCC - perhaps it was before my time - beyond the spoilers of the Cosworths and 155s, what dates did you witness it?
I'd also defend Alan Gow when you talk about BTCC - it went downhill when manufacturers started spending tons of dosh at a time when the rules were too loose. This was after Gow left IIRC. The category was in the doldrums until he came back and it seems to be managing the transition to S2000 rules well this season - I live to see Mike Jordan do so well - top driver who has transferred well to FWD.
The Mondeos were particularly advanced - a friend runs someone in BTCC now who also owns a mid '90s Accord, that has some seriously trick bits on it too...you can see where all that money was spent.
Woody said:
Didn't think much of the racing - seemed too much banging and barging, although only the BMW's and Vectra's look like proper touring cars!!
I'm glad to see I'm not alone in thinking that! Most people rave on about how close the racing is, but I just find the cars dull and uninspiring. It should be renamed British Econohatch Championship.If people like banging and bashing of small underpowered cars and find that makes exciting racing, then Clio Cup is the one for them, it's got even more of it that BTCC.
They should use proper sized cars, V8's and RWD. That formula works the world over in making exciting tin-top racing, be it in DTM, Australian V8 Supercars or Nascar.
Chris944_S2 said:
They should use proper sized cars, V8's and RWD. That formula works the world over in making exciting tin-top racing, be it in DTM, Australian V8 Supercars or Nascar.
I concur.Though bring back the old multi-class rules. Where you had all sorts of different cars on the grid, from 1600's to nice V8's....
But let's have some more OVAL - especially with a facility like Rockingham. Imagine the BTCC field screaming around the oval. Mind you, make sure that the V8 trophy cars are not on the same bill as they'll make the high-tech repmobiles look dreadfully steady.
I like the sound of the different cars, but the racing in the btcc is closer and more intense than that of dtm or aus v8 supercars so far as I have seen. I dont think they should change it.
Its nice to see RWD BMW against the usual hatches though
And as for the oval, granted I have not seen a lot of it but from what I have seen its boooorrriiiinngg!!!
Its nice to see RWD BMW against the usual hatches though
And as for the oval, granted I have not seen a lot of it but from what I have seen its boooorrriiiinngg!!!
Chris944_S2 said:
Woody said:
Didn't think much of the racing - seemed too much banging and barging, although only the BMW's and Vectra's look like proper touring cars!!
I'm glad to see I'm not alone in thinking that! Most people rave on about how close the racing is, but I just find the cars dull and uninspiring. It should be renamed British Econohatch Championship.If people like banging and bashing of small underpowered cars and find that makes exciting racing, then Clio Cup is the one for them, it's got even more of it that BTCC.
They should use proper sized cars, V8's and RWD. That formula works the world over in making exciting tin-top racing, be it in DTM, Australian V8 Supercars or Nascar.
chrisbr68 said:
I like the sound of the different cars, but the racing in the btcc is closer and more intense than that of dtm or aus v8 supercars so far as I have seen. I dont think they should change it.
Its nice to see RWD BMW against the usual hatches though
And as for the oval, granted I have not seen a lot of it but from what I
have seen its boooorrriiiinngg!!!
totally agree btcc value for money all the way. Its nice to see RWD BMW against the usual hatches though
And as for the oval, granted I have not seen a lot of it but from what I
have seen its boooorrriiiinngg!!!
thunderbelmont said:
Chris944_S2 said:
They should use proper sized cars, V8's and RWD. That formula works the world over in making exciting tin-top racing, be it in DTM, Australian V8 Supercars or Nascar.
I concur.Though bring back the old multi-class rules. Where you had all sorts of different cars on the grid, from 1600's to nice V8's....
But let's have some more OVAL - especially with a facility like Rockingham. Imagine the BTCC field screaming around the oval. Mind you, make sure that the V8 trophy cars are not on the same bill as they'll make the high-tech repmobiles look dreadfully steady.
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