BTCC 2014

apparently both Belchers and Ollie Jacksons crashes were caused by front left wishbone failures

Thruxton needs some serious work

They need to flatten off the runoffs thats for sure. They could do with some proper tyre walls as well. Considering the speed some of the Tec-pro barriers could be useful. As for the track itself change too much you may as well tear it up entirely

That 'tire wall' was essentially a pile of tires which was launching cars out of the track. Maybe worth putting gravel there to slow them down, then agin if they're sideways at that speed they could dig in & roll.

If the current BTCC is too quick for that circuit, then they're going to have to find a safer one...

...looking at the circuits origins, there have been a few variants, the old startline was on a runway from the start of the final chicane up to the Campbell-Cobb section, but on this layout the chicane was right on the apex of church corner...



...you wouln't be destroying the track by putting a chicane back there.

Disagree. Ive driven Thruxton in a Superkart and can say without a doubt its one of the top 3 circuits ive driven, behind Cadwell and Oulton. Getting Church right is one of the toughest challenges ive experienced in racing. If the risk of an accident is that big a deal, you may as well lobotomise every track.

If Church is bad, what about Paddock Hill? What about Craners? Island bend and Druids at Oulton? Hall bends at Cadwell? Any argument you make about Church can be replicated at any track! The issue at church is the uneven runoff and the complete lack of barriers. If proper barriers were put in the problem would disappear without watering down one of the most epic corners in UK motorsport.

I actually think a proper barrier at church would cause some safety issues too, think Adelaide Turn 8. There's plenty of run off there, so I'm afraid the only real solution is to take down the trees,flatten the run-off, add a layer of tarmac run-off, a layer of gravel, then you're conveyor belt tyre barrier.

But to be honest, that would be an extreme knee jerk reaction. I think the tyres at Thruxton did quite a good job of dissipating the energy and redirecting the cars from a full on impact with the greenery. Cars have been going off like that at Thruxton for years in the BTCC, and it's yet to yield any serious injury.

nickyf1 wrote: I'm afraid the only real solution is to take down the trees,flatten the run-off, add a layer of tarmac run-off, a layer of gravel, then you're conveyor belt tyre barrier.

Agreed cant understand why its not been done already.

I like Rob Austin but his move at church was very silly, he said in a interview that it was 3/4 along side Foster but I'm pretty sure Foster would have seen him if he was, thats my view anyway.

The trees most likely won't be removed as they act as part of the sound deadening for the village.

Matt i asked that exact question after I had a tyre failure and nearly went into them. That is exactly why they arent removed. When i asked why they hadnt flattened the runoff they didnt answer, as for the barriers, cost.

"Formula Bored" HA!!!

If you are going to oulton this weekend, come say hello. Ill be there from friday morning to sunday evening.

Alot of the BG guys will be this weekend, myself included.

I agree with tarmac. Cost effective and safer.

BG Chucky 82 wrote:Alot of the BG guys will be this weekend, myself included.

Will you guys be noticeable or would you like to PM me your mobile number and can arrange a meet up ?

I think there will be about 10 of us, I will be in no fear clothing as always lol but yeah i will pop you over my mobile number later

Enjoy those Super Tourers guys I'd be envious but I get to play with them at the Silverstone Classic next month, and Group C, and Historic F1 etc etc etc

Fantastic weekend, Plesure to meet the BG Team, Plesure to meet Paul299 aswell. Absolutly brilliant weekend. Got very very drunk both nights we stayed lol. Home now and feeling the pain now its catching up with me!

Hope the BG team and Paul299 are to have a safe journey home!

Pleasure to meet you to Josh. It was a great weekend despite some rain and it was fantastic to see the Super Touring Cars in action.

^^^This needs to be a permanent BTCC support series.

Rear Wheel Drives to run longer first gear from the next round onwards until further notice...

http://www.touringcartimes.com/2014/06/12/longer-first-gear-for-rwd-cars-from-croft/

lol plato

Does Plato run the BTCC? it seems whenever he says something, something always gets done, and ITV seem to have to interview after every race regardless of how he's done.

Turkington has only just gone top of the standings, so it can't be that big of an advantage?! (although they do get far better starts, so the 1st gear may help with this).

They tired the long 1st gear a few years ago and it got changed, i cant see it lasting very long. Plato wont be missed when he retires.