BTCC Round 5 - Croft
Discussion
You know the year is going way too quickly when it’s already time for Croft!
With how the season has been so far it seems silly to predict anything but another lottery for qualifying and all 3 races. It is usually a RWD track but with the Subaru’s likely to still be missing can we expect a BMW domination in qualifying at least?
With how the season has been so far it seems silly to predict anything but another lottery for qualifying and all 3 races. It is usually a RWD track but with the Subaru’s likely to still be missing can we expect a BMW domination in qualifying at least?
It’s not even subtle either, going from running last to suddenly qualifying 1-2. Anyone who believes they suddenly get the development sorted in 2 weeks is either a fool or blind.
Mind you, they looked exactly the same until Croft last year, is Alan Gow hoping people just think the Subaru isn’t suited to the first few tracks?
Mind you, they looked exactly the same until Croft last year, is Alan Gow hoping people just think the Subaru isn’t suited to the first few tracks?
MG CHRIS said:
They have no been given any more boost what the team are doing is running too the max limit they were already set too, which has already caused Plato too have overheating issues again. Also looking at lap times Plato is quicker in 2016 than this year and don't forget they have wider tyres this year.
Sutton said at the end of qualifying they’ve had more boost... And the wider tyres were ran last year also. 
king stinks, it’s not even subtle. Tin foil hat on or not 2 weeks ago Plato is saying very publicly changes are needed or he’ll be making a big decision, and with not much chance for testing in the time between races the same ballast free cars that were running last are suddenly winning with full ballast....
Croft is a rear wheel drive circuit everyone knows that but the BM’s haven’t won a race on full ballast like that this year.
Croft is a rear wheel drive circuit everyone knows that but the BM’s haven’t won a race on full ballast like that this year.
Kraken said:
Look at the speed trap figures. If TOCA had given the Subarus far more boost than they said they're hiding it very well...
It's just a combination of things. Lap times are down from previous years, big drivers having problems with setups, ballast isn't such a problem if you're at the front, the Subaru has always carried ballast well and the engine/cooling changes they've made let them run nearer to the potential of the engine.
If they’ve found this hidden potential in the engine then they should get a boost decrease, same as the Honda’s and BM’s have had in the past showing this pace in the past then. It's just a combination of things. Lap times are down from previous years, big drivers having problems with setups, ballast isn't such a problem if you're at the front, the Subaru has always carried ballast well and the engine/cooling changes they've made let them run nearer to the potential of the engine.
Everyone is quick to jump on the Honda bias, they’ve never had an advantage like the Subaru’s have had today with ballast or no ballast
The Wookie said:
There were rumours of all sorts of tricks going on.
The real problem though is that you have a pitlane full of skeptical people. You can’t deny it looks bloody odd after all the shenanigans last year, particularly right after Plato has a strop.
This is most peoples issue even more than the performance, most were well aware that there was an advantage with the boxer engine, and there’s been times where BMR haven’t had a handle on the car for a big chunk of the season, but 2 years in a row there’s been an overnight jump in how quick one of the factory backed cars in the series suddenly jumps up the order, and it’s been the same car both times. It was the same at Oulton Park last year with the Subaru’s, they claimed to be down on power as Sutton’s car pulled a car and a half gap in the second race on the BMW’s from the top hairpin to the chicane. And that was a gap you could see opening up with your eyes nevermind a timing screen. The real problem though is that you have a pitlane full of skeptical people. You can’t deny it looks bloody odd after all the shenanigans last year, particularly right after Plato has a strop.
Combine that with the big Plato strop and jump in performance that appears just 2 weeks and no testing later... Who isn’t going to be asking questions?
Kraken said:
Some interesting points here - https://www.adrianflux.co.uk/motorsport/plato-back...
Do you work for BMR or something? A copy and paste article from the main sponsor providing literally no interest or news. Just regurgitating what someone in their office has read on Touring Car Times...
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