RE: PH Blog: what's the point of BTCC?

RE: PH Blog: what's the point of BTCC?

Thursday 1st December 2011

PH Blog: what's the point of BTCC?

Riggers wonders whether Britain's favourite tin-tops have lost their way



So. The BTCC has decided to change its points structure for 2012, giving the first 15 finishers a chance to score points - whereas before only the top 10 would score. Okay, so it gives those who finish outside the top 10 on a regular basis something to aim for, I've no doubt, but it does seem a bit like giving your race car a good polish when what it actually needs is an engine-out rebuild.


Because there's something missing from the BTCC these days. When I was growing up, the highlight of my motorsport year (apart from the couple of times I got to go to the British GP) was a visit to the BTCC.

Being the fresh-faced yoof that I am, I missed out on the RS500 Sierra era (though I do recall watching it on the box), but me, my dad and his mates used to trundle around the country during the halcyon days of the Super Touring rules following the series. Brands, Snetterton, Donington, Oulton, Thruxton - you name it, we parked in a muddy overflow car park near it.


And we were treated to a great day, without fail - there were always huge crowds, big-name drivers from all over the world driving for a plethora of factory-funded teams and great racing (not to mention more than the odd spot of bent metal). And even if we didn't make it we could always catch it on the Beeb. Complete with Murray walker on the mic.

Nowadays, it just isn't so exciting. Sure, there are big grids, increasing TV and live-action viewer numbers, plenty of close racing and - if you have the stamina - you can watch six hours of coverage on ITV4 for every event, but it's missing the spark it used to have.

And I don't know what it is. Is it that the cars aren't so appealing? Is it the lack of truly top-line drivers? Is it the knowledge that the cars' performance is artificially capped?


Whatever the problem is, I hope they sort it out. Because I want to get excited about the BTCC. And I just can't bring myself to do it at the moment.

Fortunately there is something filling the tin-top void in my life - Australian V8 Supercars, via Motors TV. It's got top-notch drivers in well-matched cars, and there's guaranteed close racing up and down the field at eevery round. that all the cars are rear-drive V8s is really just icing on the cake. I only wish the action didn't take place 10,000 miles away...

Riggers

 

Author
Discussion

gavin555

7 posts

147 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
touring cars like wrc has lost its way. It used to sell cars watch it on a sunday buy it on a monday bring back the days of the cosworth and evo's

TobesH

Original Poster:

550 posts

206 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
I've been following BTCC closely and it's fantastic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2losyrki0w

But, back in the day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4eeHBvpjdw

Edited by TobesH on Thursday 1st December 15:52

EDLT

15,421 posts

205 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
Biggest grids for over a decade, spectator and viewer numbers rising throughout the season, brilliant close racing all year.

Yeah the BTCC is pointless and OMG what kind of nerd can be bothered with a whole day of racing?

KaraK

13,177 posts

208 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
gavin555 said:
touring cars like wrc has lost its way. It used to sell cars watch it on a sunday buy it on a monday bring back the days of the cosworth and evo's
  1. Welcome to PH
  2. Scroll down a bit and you'll see General Motorsport. Might want to start there wavey

ETA: I'm guessing you were attempting to respond to the news article? Try this thread http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Riggers

1,859 posts

177 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
EDLT said:
Biggest grids for over a decade, spectator and viewer numbers rising throughout the season, brilliant close racing all year.

Yeah the BTCC is pointless and OMG what kind of nerd can be bothered with a whole day of racing?
Didn't say it was pointless, just that it doesn't draw my attention in the way it used to. I used to have any BTCC coverage series linked. Now that honour goes to V8 Supercars...

And this spectator and viewer still isn't convinced... but each to their own smile


ETA: Actually I guess I kind of did say it was pointless, with a headline like that. Which is probably overstating my feelings somewhat...

Edited by Riggers on Thursday 1st December 15:56

EDLT

15,421 posts

205 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
KaraK said:
  1. Scroll down a bit and you'll see General Motorsport. Might want to start there wavey
But please don't, there are already enough people ignorant of motor-racing-that-isn't-F1 in there.

MrKipling43

5,788 posts

215 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
Thanks.

GroundEffect

13,819 posts

155 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
Riggers, I'm the exact same. For the last decade I didn't miss any race (either live or recorded) yet I've missed most of the races this season...

I just don't seem to care frown

I think it's something to do with the strangled turbo power, though. Hate those engines.

DannyScene

6,596 posts

154 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
BTCC is by far my favourite motorsport. Love nothing better than getting comfy on a sunday and watching a full days racing from the BTCC, Ginetta, Carrera cup etc.
Don't know how this will be received but I'd say BTCC is far more entertaining than F1.

Stu R

21,410 posts

214 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
It has lost a lot of appeal for me, for reasons I'm not sure of. I used to be mad keen on it.

Same applies to WRC.

Yet it's not that I've lost interest in motorsport, these days I'm an adopted fan of NASCAR, IndyCar, still love F1, still love the Aussie V8s, and a few other series.

I'd love to see the big factory names pile a load of cash in and for it to get a slot on a decent TV channel again. The racing itself is still pretty damn good though it must be said.

dele

1,270 posts

193 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
Id be more inclined to say whats the point of WRC anymore?

The Wookie

13,909 posts

227 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
Personally I think, despite the big grids, it's going through an awkward transition phase before the NGTC kicks in properly. Once that happens with a bit of luck and some extra boost (and thus speed) there will be a level playing field and a return to the old magic.

Plus I think the quality of the BBC coverage of F1 and the fact that TOCA is absent from a 'first page' TV channel does dampen the interest somewhat. Who knows, maybe with the Sky deal F1's loss is TOCA's gain

TobesH

Original Poster:

550 posts

206 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
EDLT said:
Biggest grids for over a decade, spectator and viewer numbers rising throughout the season, brilliant close racing all year.

Yeah the BTCC is pointless and OMG what kind of nerd can be bothered with a whole day of racing?
I've attended most races this year. I work with the teams and drivers. 30 cars on the grid, fisty-cuffs and tantrums, close racing, spectacular crashes and bumps. There was just one second between the top 20 cars in qualifying at Silverstone this year.
Turbos and NA battling it out. Nearly a million TV viewers and 10's of thousands spectators at every round. Plus a great support package, Ginnetta Super Cup, Clio Cup, Porsche Carrera Cup, Ginetta Juniors and F-Renault.

TobesH

Original Poster:

550 posts

206 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
DannyScene said:
BTCC is by far my favourite motorsport. Love nothing better than getting comfy on a sunday and watching a full days racing from the BTCC, Ginetta, Carrera cup etc.
Don't know how this will be received but I'd say BTCC is far more entertaining than F1.
Race 1, bit of lunch, Race 2, an afternoon pint , Race 3 - there goes another Sunday afternoon...

Number31

351 posts

222 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
Big crowds? Have a look at my photos from 1994!



No crowds in this one though.



Number31

EDLT

15,421 posts

205 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
TobesH said:
EDLT said:
Biggest grids for over a decade, spectator and viewer numbers rising throughout the season, brilliant close racing all year.

Yeah the BTCC is pointless and OMG what kind of nerd can be bothered with a whole day of racing?
I've attended most races this year. I work with the teams and drivers. 30 cars on the grid, fisty-cuffs and tantrums, close racing, spectacular crashes and bumps. There was just one second between the top 20 cars in qualifying at Silverstone this year.
Turbos and NA battling it out. Nearly a million TV viewers and 10's of thousands spectators at every round. Plus a great support package, Ginnetta Super Cup, Clio Cup, Porsche Carrera Cup, Ginetta Juniors and F-Renault.
I can't stand the Carrera Cup or F-Renault, how can something so fast look so dull?

I did like the slightly pantomime bhing that went on all year, it is much more interesting than the PR drones that F1 drivers have become. The only improvements I'd make is bring the move to NGTCs forward, or at least bin NA cars early, and replace the Porsches and FR with MINIs (that race an Knockhill was brilliant) and Caterhams.

Tonsko

6,299 posts

214 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
marker

re33

269 posts

163 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
Overall I think this seasons btcc has been good but engine rules are a farce. If they had to go to dull turbos they could have at least matched up with wtc rules to allow more mixing between championships. At very least they need to limit it to one set of engine rules to stop restrictors determining the result.

EDLT

15,421 posts

205 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
Number31 said:
Big crowds? Have a look at my photos from 1994!

Depends where you take the pictures from, and the weather on the day this was the last race of the year:


Riggers

1,859 posts

177 months

Thursday 1st December 2011
quotequote all
The Wookie said:
Personally I think, despite the big grids, it's going through an awkward transition phase before the NGTC kicks in properly. Once that happens with a bit of luck and some extra boost (and thus speed) there will be a level playing field and a return to the old magic.

Plus I think the quality of the BBC coverage of F1 and the fact that TOCA is absent from a 'first page' TV channel does dampen the interest somewhat. Who knows, maybe with the Sky deal F1's loss is TOCA's gain
Think you've got the nail on the head there. Oh ,and when I talked about the lack of truly top-line drivers I obviously did not mean certain former Caterham stars... beer