Touring Car discussion - WTCC, BTCC etcTouring Cars

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

It's not the flatness of Croft that i dislike, it's the mickey mouse section at the end of the lap that really disrupt what would have been a nice flowing, and quick, layout. It does have some scary quick sections around the back end of the circuit that are really big-balls stuff - especially when run-off space is at a minimum.

I know what you mean it was the same with snetts that was an awesomely fast track and they have just ruined it with that infield

I have an incar mini race from croft a couple of years ago, you would think it was a rally cross rather than a track race.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

The WTCC will go to Slovakia, after the race in Argentina was cancelled:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97334

The race is to be held at the Slovakiaring, which is one of the weirdest little circuits I have ever seen:

It's got what appears to be a lot of artifical hills:

 

[TheCracker]

Interesting circuit. Hope they've added some apex curbing since that 2009 YouTube vid, otherwise there's going to be a lot of dirt dragged onto the track! The track map also has a chicane added on the back straight that isn't in the vid. Looks like plenty of overtaking opportunities too, but you can never tell until you see a race there i guess.

 

[daan]

The map reminds me of Adria in a "lets see how much track we can fit in a small field" way.

 

[Liquid]

It looks like Aida crossed with Buenos Aries.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

It looks like Aida crossed with Buenos Aries.

Except according to Wikipedia, the Slovakiaring is 5.92km long. Adria, on the other hand is just 2.70km (which means the Slovakiaring is twice as long), while Buenos Aires is 4.25km long.

 

[Liquid]

Looks like. I was only referring to the layout.

 

[Ardius]

I know what you mean it was the same with snetts that was an awesomely fast track and they have just ruined it with that infield

I have an incar mini race from croft a couple of years ago, you would think it was a rally cross rather than a track race.

I like Croft and the new Snetterton 300. In fact, I like all the BTCC tracks, they've all got unique features.
I actually find Brands Hatch Indy the worst track (to watch) as it generally ends up so processional.

 

[TheCracker]

I actually find Brands Hatch Indy the worst track (to watch) as it generally ends up so processional.

Brands Indy does usually throw up a duller race - but it's one of the better tracks for spectators and it's very close to a major population centre. Silverstone's Club layout (i believe the BTCC still runs there?) is even worse in these aspects IMO.

 

[Ardius]

Well yeah, spectators wise and I imagine driving wise (who can dislike Paddock hill bend?) its one of the best.
But seeing as people were talking about general layouts, Croft and Snetterton 300 at least produce great racing which Brands Indy does not.

Really, I think we're lucky to have such a great varied calendar of quality tracks. From the high speeds of Thruxton, Silverstone and Rockingham to the tight and twisty Croft, Oulton Park and Knockhill. Each track presents different challenges and produce different results and races.

The only thing I'd change in the BTCC calendar is bringing back the Birmingham Superprix if I could. If we compare it to say the WTCC calendar, its no contest.

On a different note, great to see James Nash get a secure seat with Arena in WTCC, though I will miss him from the BTCC.

 

[TheCracker]

England's probably the best country in the world to host a racing championship. So many varied and well looked after circuits gathered in close proximity - no where else in the world can compare itself to that.

 

[Sureboss]

Only one I don't like is the Silverstone circuit, would you like some moar straight?

Brands GP is by far and away the best circuit, the "loop" is superb.

 

[joetruckv8]

The WTCC will go to Slovakia, after the race in Argentina was cancelled:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97334

The race is to be held at the Slovakiaring, which is one of the weirdest little circuits I have ever seen:

It's got what appears to be a lot of artifical hills:

This track looks like a very good go-kart track. There sound be lots of dog-fighting here good thing they race 2 rounds in one weekend.

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

Toc off to wsr now

 

[GOTMAXPOWER]

It's got what appears to be a lot of artifical hills:

The jump is pretty crazy, I doubt touring cars will do much with it though.

 

[Ardius]

Toc off to wsr now

Yup, great news along with Collard and Foster being confirmed again and turbo BMWs. 👍
Just need Paul O'Neill to be confirmed somewhere.

 

[Prince.M5]

Yup, great news along with Collard and Foster being confirmed again and turbo BMWs. 👍

Hoho, this is definitely a great news for BMW fans! That means we'll have 3 confirmed Turbo BMWs.

 

[Ardius]

Last hurrah really though for the BMWs (and the rest of the S2000 cars). If no one builds an NGTC BMW that is.

I'm also hoping Tony Gilham manages to get on the grid with GSR in another BMW.

 

[MatskiMonk]

I'm glad that WSR have committed in this fashion to running the 320, I love the BTCC, but with the prospect of not having anyone to cheer for (ie no BMW's), I fear that my interest in the BTCC would go the same way as my interest in F1.

It would be great to see Rob Collard at the sharp end of the grid too, the team seem confident that the car is quick, fingers crossed they are right.

 

[Ardius]

I think really they are hoping to capitalise on the two biggest teams spending the season developing their new NGTC cars. Because otherwise NGTC is clearly going to be more than a match for S2000. I think the real question marks at this point are how competitive are Dynojet, RAR, Welch and Speedworks going to be with their NGTC experience and how fast can Dynamics, 888 and Eurotech get on top of their new machines?

I'm rather hoping the title is a 3 way between the S2000 teams, the experienced NGTC teams and the new NGTC teams. It would be nice to see Wrathall, Austin, Welch, Collard, Onslow-Cole or Wood fighting for the title and then Plato, Neal, Shedden and Jordan all joining the mix later in the season.

 

[MatskiMonk]

I'm rather hoping the title is a 3 way between the S2000 teams, the experienced NGTC teams and the new NGTC teams. It would be nice to see Wrathall, Austin, Welch, Collard, Onslow-Cole or Wood fighting for the title and then Plato, Neal, Shedden and Jordan all joining the mix later in the season.

Provided we get 4 or 5 different winners from the the first couple of meetings I think the season could pan out quite well, but I think the Honda's will probably be setting the pace, and I can't imagine Plato's MG is going to be that quick out of the box.

 

[Ardius]

Plato's driving it, its not likely to be slow either. I'm fully bracing myself for the monthly moan though! I think we can be sure that somewhere, somehow, Plato and Neal will be involved in the title fight - whether thats actually winning it or crashing into each other or someone else we will just have to find out.

 

[Ardius]

Gilham will be racing last year's Civic:

And Toby Moody has been confirmed as commentator for ITV:
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=2831

 

[MatskiMonk]

Gilham will be racing last year's Civic:

And Toby Moody has been confirmed as commentator for ITV:
http://btcc.net/html/generalnews_detail.php?id=2831

Yeaup, just saw that on TcT - bit disappointing, I was hoping to see him in the 320 again.

 

[sumbrownkid]

They should have put a black background behind the numbers. It's hard for me to read them lol.

 

[Ardius]

Yeaup, just saw that on TcT - bit disappointing, I was hoping to see him in the 320 again.

The Civic is just a little bit more competitive though .

 

[GOTMAXPOWER]

They should have put a black background behind the numbers. It's hard for me to read them lol.

It will be on the window once the season starts That door will hopefully be covered in sponsorship logo's

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Augh, my eyes! My precious eyes!

 

[Only_in_f1]

I think really they are hoping to capitalise on the two biggest teams spending the season developing their new NGTC cars. Because otherwise NGTC is clearly going to be more than a match for S2000. I think the real question marks at this point are how competitive are Dynojet, RAR, Welch and Speedworks going to be with their NGTC experience and how fast can Dynamics, 888 and Eurotech get on top of their new machines?

I'm rather hoping the title is a 3 way between the S2000 teams, the experienced NGTC teams and the new NGTC teams. It would be nice to see Wrathall, Austin, Welch, Collard, Onslow-Cole or Wood fighting for the title and then Plato, Neal, Shedden and Jordan all joining the mix later in the season.

I doubt Dynojet and RAR will be as competitive as last season (challenging to podiums) due to the fact the full NGTC cars last season were deliberately running a higher boost than the S2000/NGTC engine cars. It would be nice to see them up there though.

I originally dismissed this whole 'the Honda's will struggle because they are developing' thing, but the car is WAY behind schedule and I'm seriously worried about them!

 

[Ardius]

Augh, my eyes! My precious eyes!

I doubt Dynojet and RAR will be as competitive as last season (challenging to podiums) due to the fact the full NGTC cars last season were deliberately running a higher boost than the S2000/NGTC engine cars. It would be nice to see them up there though.

I originally dismissed this whole 'the Honda's will struggle because they are developing' thing, but the car is WAY behind schedule and I'm seriously worried about them!

RAR and Dynojet weren't fastest in the speedtraps at Rockingham though..so they couldn't have been running that much higher boost.