Collard, BTCC.

Tom · Post 14 Apr 2006, 21:14

I know that this series doesn't affect/interest most of us, but I love it.

I was wondering if anyone had seen the race from Brands last week and had seen the Collard/Neal incident.

I was amazed to read about Collards punishment in Autosport this week and would like to know what you think.

Obviously I'm biased because I don't like Matt (because hes a stuck up Yorkshire twat who only got where he is because his fathers loaded!)

but I thought it was a racing incident and for Matt to suggest that Rob (loaded father again, had enough tallent to be taken in by MG WSR, just about) that Rob did it deliberatly is idiotic esspecially seeing his 'attempts' to pass the MGs earlier.

Wew.

Over to you.

Scuderia_Russ · Post 14 Apr 2006, 21:23

I saw the races and too thought threy were great. What was the punishment? Collard said that Neal braked early , I also saw Neal move over in front of Collard so I just thought it was a racing incident personally. (I too think Neal is a bit of a twat BTW)

Personally I'm a big fan of Plato because he drives hard and is always falling out with people... and you can't beat a good grudge match!

It appears that Vauxhall are having the same second half, race pace issues that they did last year.

Tom · Post 14 Apr 2006, 22:26

Autosport quote:

[Collard was] excluded from second place in Sunday's third [BTCC] race at brands Hatch.

He also received a four point licence endorsement and a six-place grid penalty [To be enforced after the next round at Mondello Park dependant on the result of the appeal, also after Mondello].

I like Plato and Chilton for their banter (bet they're best mates really) and I believe VXR are going towards the Vectra for next season, which should be better on tyres.

Are you going to an event?

I hope to be at Knockhill again. Duffers dip, naturally.

vyselegend · Post 15 Apr 2006, 04:24

I saw the race and personnaly, I was angry about Collard's move, although I dislike Neal, because I think BTCC is becoming a "stock car overtaking" serie this year. Particulary with Plato, who has still to learn how to overtake someone without pushing him off track from the interior. for me, real racing have to be different of videogames and I don't think this kind of driving style will help those drivers to be recognised and progress to other series. Pushing someone off track is anti-professional, at least that's my point.
It's like Tomczic (not sure of the spelling) in DTM at Hockenheim, when he forced Alesi off track on purpose. Hopefully, Alesi was able to bounce back and overtake him before the flag, but if not, it would have spoil the race (or at least this great fight for P6, with Susie Stoddart in the way). If that's the way of modern racing, then I think I could be a good racer, and that's disapointing. What I want to see is professionals drivers amazing myself with strong technique and self control, doing things I'm not able to do, even in a game.

Scuderia_Russ · Post 15 Apr 2006, 15:15

Rubbing door handles doesn't bother me, and Plato likes to unsettle drivers by brushing their bumpers before going in for the kill and it works nine times out of ten. I'm amazed at that punishment to be honest, althopugh if you looked to the corner before then you could probably see the revenge coming. Neal tried to pull a Plato by giving Collard a nudge but it was so blatantly / poorly executed that Collard was obviously going to be unhappy about it to the point of wanting to give him one back... I know I would have.
I don't think I will be able to get to any events of anything this year Tom apart from Goodwood Festival of Speed and British G.P. because most of my money getting plowed into my Lotus 7 replica build! (£20 on spark plugs today... what are they gold plated?!!)

Jason · Post 15 Apr 2006, 15:23

Scuderia_Russ wrote:Rubbing door handles doesn't bother me, and Plato likes to unsettle drivers by brushing their bumpers before going in for the kill and it works nine times out of ten. I'm amazed at that punishment to be honest, althopugh if you looked to the corner before then you could probably see the revenge coming. Neal tried to pull a Plato by giving Collard a nudge but it was so blatantly / poorly executed that Collard was obviously going to be unhappy about it to the point of wanting to give him one back... I know I would have.
I don't think I will be able to get to any events of anything this year Tom apart from Goodwood Festival of Speed and British G.P. because most of my money getting plowed into my Lotus 7 replica build! (£20 on spark plugs today... what are they gold plated?!!)

m3_lover · Post 15 Apr 2006, 19:51

You got any pics of your car that you are working onRuss?

Scuderia_Russ · Post 15 Apr 2006, 20:14

Little bit of info in this thread talking about other build ideas for the proposed project car too. I'll post some pics Tuesday hopefully because I'm working on the old beast now the weather's picked up again. (No garage at my gaff!)

viewtopic.php?t=1364&start=15

Tom · Post 15 Apr 2006, 22:16

Looks nice.

I doubt I'll ever have the time/money/experience to build a kit car, but I would like on of those Lotus 7s or similar types.

What annoyed me about the Collard incident was that the normal braking point for Paddock is the end of the pit exit, but Neal anchored it at the start. Thats a good 10m at the very least. How the hell was Collard supposed to forsee that.

Also vyselegend, I agree with you about the DTM, it is a seriouse sport and high quality drivers like Tomchzic should not be punting people off, but in the BTCC it is more acceptable. It is expected that the drivers should be lower quality and therefore scrapes are enevitable, although Plato has pulled that one a little too often.

vyselegend · Post 16 Apr 2006, 00:07

I see your point, I'm probably expecting too much from BTCC, it's a nice serie, with nice cars running on nice tracks, but the level isn't the same as DTM, agreed.