Inside BTCC - Issue 13 - Knockhill (August 2012)

INSIDEBTCC.COM issue 13: aug 2012

PLUS - LOOKING AHEAD TO ROUNDS 19-21 AT KNOCKHILL

JACKSON JOINS NGTC

WE GO BEHIND THE SCENES TO SEE HOW NEW FORD HIT THE TRACK

KNOCKHILL PREVIEW / LATEST RESULTS & POINTS / MUCH MORE...

jakobebrey.com

Inside BTCC

www.insidebtcc.com

WELCOME...

The second half of the BTCC season burst back into life at Snetterton with one big story dominating proceedings in Norfolk – the arrival of a new NGTC-spec car on the grid.

The debut of the Redstone Racing Ford Focus wasn’t expected by many after the Motorbase-run team worked hard over the seven-week summer break to build the car in time for the event, and Mat Jackson rewarded the team with some impressive results straight out of the box.

In this edition of Inside BTCC, we go behind the scenes with the team in an exclusive feature on the build of the car – including previously unseen images of the Ford being built at the Motorbase factory during the summer.

Team boss David Bartum and team manager Oly Collins tell the story of how the new car was put together and we also hear from Liam Griffin on the part he played by stepping down from his drive for the weekend.

www.insidebtcc.com

As well as the Redstone feature, we have an exclusive driver diary from BTCC debutant Robb Holland, a lap of Knockhill with the series’ latest race winner Dave Newsham and some of the stars of the grid share their memories of Knockhill ahead of the 20th BTCC meeting this weekend.

We also have a full round-up of the latest news, including the announcement of plans for a new circuit that could take touring cars back to Wales for the first time since the early 1990s.

As usual, we’ll be tweeting all the latest news from the circuit over the course of the weekend on our Twitter account at @ InsideBTCC and you can get in touch with us via e-mail at contact@insidebtcc.com.

Until next time...

Inside BTCC

jakobebrey.com

Inside BTCC

www.insidebtcc.com

S T TEN

N O C

IN THIS ISSUE...

KNOCKHILL PREVIEW Looking ahead to rounds 19, 20 & 21

6-7

SNETTERTON REVIEW We look back at all the action from Norfolk

8 - 11

BTCC SET FOR WALES RETURN? Details of a new track being planned for Wales

12 - 13

BORN IN THE USA Robb Holland’s exclusive BTCC debut diary

14 - 17

KNOCKHILL MEMORIES We look back at 20 years of BTCC in Scotland

18 - 21

MOTORBASE SPECIAL FEATURE We get behind the scenes with Redstone Racing to reveal details of just how they brought a brand new NGTC racer to the BTCC grid at Snetterton!

22 - 31

NEWS IN BRIEF Latest from inside the BTCC paddock

34 - 35

10 QUICK QUESTIONS Louise & Andrew Richardson

40 - 41

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS Points tables after Thruxton

42 - 43

THE SEASON SO FAR Results at-a-glance

44 - 45

ABOUT INSIDE BTCC...

Inside BTCC is an independent publication that is in no way endorsed by, or affiliated to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship or its organisers.

Photos are credit PSP IMAGES (www.psp-images. co.uk) or JAKOB EBREY (www.jakobebrey.com) unless otherwise stated.

To get in touch, please email: CONTACT@INSIDEBTCC.COM. Written, produced and edited by Matt Salisbury and Matt Lamprell.

Front cover images: Main - Mat Jackson on track in new redstone Racing Ford Focus (Dzenis/PSP); Top right - Knockhill 2011 (Dzenis/PSP).

Back cover: Grid girl (Still/PSP).

www.insidebtcc.com

Inside BTCC

Dzenis/PSP

KNOCKHILL PREVIEW

LOOKING AHEAD TO ROUNDS 19, 20 & 21

Just two weeks after racing on the longest circuit on the calendar, the BTCC heads for one of the shortest next time out as the series heads to Scotland for the seventh round of the 2012 campaign.

the standings in Norfolk but have seen the gap to the chasing pack come down noticeably – with Jason Plato now just ten points away from the championship lead.

Despite being far from happy with the boost levels in place, Neal and Shedden retained their position at the head of Inside BTCC

Dzenis/PSP

Shedden had looked set to top the championship standings going into his home event after rebounding well from his practice fire at Snetterton to score three solid points finishes. However, it proved to be too good to be true for the Honda man when he was excluded from the final race of the weekend for an overboost issue – which knocked him behind teammate Matt Neal in the points as a result.

Still/PSP

Knockhill is always one of the most well-attended events on the schedule as Scottish fans take their chance to catch the BTCC action trackside, with a bumper crowd expected at the circuit to cheer on home hero Gordon Shedden.

Plato was the man to beat at Snetterton as he took his MG to a podium finish in each of the three races and has brought himself firmly back into contention as a result heading to a circuit where he has won more times that any of his rivals – with eight victories over the years.

The double champion will be eager to avoid a repeat of the misfortune he suffered twelve months ago, when a controversial clash with Tom Boardman put him out of the lead of race three.

A strong weekend for Andrew Jordan last time out has brought him firmly back into contention for title honours as well, with the Pirtek Racing man having established himself as a championship challenger with his first victory of the season. That allowed him to break away from eBay Motors man Rob Collard, who saw his run www.insidebtcc.com

of points finishes end at Snetterton and will aim to return to form at the circuit where he took his first BTCC win back in 2005.

Another to watch this weekend is set to be Mat Jackson, who will race his new NGTC-spec Ford Focus for the second time, with the Redstone Racing team having also managed to get in some testing at Brands Hatch since the Snetterton weekend – a weekend which saw Jackson secure three strong finishes in the car despite a lack

of running. Although the overall title will be a step too far, Jackson could still be a contender for Independent honours and will be keen to outscore both Jordan and Collard to try and make up places in the standings.

Collard in particular will be looking over his shoulder, being just four points ahead of Jackson going to Scotland.

Elsewhere in the top ten, Tom Onslow-Cole, Dave Newsham and Frank Wrathall all go to Knockhill on the back of podium finishes at

KNOCKHILL

RECENT HISTORY 2011 Pole

Tom Chilton, Global Ford Focus

Race One

Tom Chilton, Global Ford Focus

Race Two

Gordon Shedden, Honda Civic

Race Three

Tom Boardman, SEAT Leon

Snetterton; in Newsham’s case following a visit to the top step for the first time. All three should be in contention again this time around.

has already confirmed he will be missing due to commitments elsewhere while question marks also exist over a number of others. Tony Gilham is one with is deal with Thorney Motorsport having only been for Snetterton, although his Team HARD team will be present for Robb Holland’s second outing in the Honda Civic.

The Knockhill weekend sees Paul O’Neill return to the Speedworks team in place of Tony Hughes and he should be a contender for top ten finishes having now gained experience of the NGTCspec Avensis both at Croft prior to the summer break and in testing at Pembrey.

O’Neill will also hope to help team-mate Adam Morgan, who suffered another tricky weekend at Snetterton, albeit one that that ended on a high with a maiden top ten finish.

There will be no Renault Clio Cup action at Knockhill, with the Scottish Classic Sports and Saloons and the Celtic Speed Mini Cooper Cup joining the party, as they did at Croft before the summer break.

Sadly for the Scottish fans, Knockhill is the circuit where drivers are known to sometimes stay at home and this season will be no exception. At the time of writing, Liam Griffin

2010 Pole

Alex MacDowall, Chevrolet Cruze

Race One

Gordon Shedden, Honda Civic

Race Two

Matt Neal, Honda Civic

Race Three

Jason Plato, Chevrolet Cruze

2009 Pole

Jason Plato, Chevrolet Lacetti

Race One

Jason Plato, Chevrolet Lacetti

Race Two

Fabrizio Giovanardi, Vauxhall Vectra

Race Three

Mat Jackson, Chevrolet Lacetti

Pole

Darren Turner, SEAT Leon TDI

Race One

Jason Plato, SEAT Leon TDI

Race Two

Jason Plato, SEAT Leon TDI

Race Three

Darren Turner, SEAT Leon TDI

btcc.net

2008

2007 Pole

Darren Turner, SEAT Leon

Race One

Darren Turner, SEAT Leon

Race Two

Darren Turner, SEAT Leon

Race Three

Gordon Shedden, Honda Civic

2006

KNOCKHILL STATS LENGTH

1.2713 miles

2012 RACE LAPS

24

RACE DISTANCE

30.5112 miles

Pole

Jason Plato, SEAT Leon

LAP RECORD (QUALIFYING)

52.999s (Tom Chilton, 2011)

Race One

Jason Plato, SEAT Leon

LAP RECORD (RACE)

53.283s (Darren Turner, 2008)

Race Two

Jason Plato, SEAT Leon

MOST WINS (1991-)

8 – Jason Plato

Race Three

Matt Neal, Honda Integra

www.insidebtcc.com

Inside BTCC

NEAL LEADS AFTER SHEDDEN EXCLUSION

jakobebrey.com

WINS FOR PLATO, JORDAN AND NEWSHAM BUT NEAL LEADS POINTS STANDINGS

Inside BTCC

www.insidebtcc.com

Still/PSP

MATT LAMPRELL REPORTS

NEWSHAM TAKES FIRST WIN TEAM ES RACING DRIVER BREAKS NGTC DOMINANCE TO CLAIM MAIDEN BTCC VICTORY

Race wins went to Jason Plato, Andrew Jordan and Dave Newsham.

RACE ONE Frank Wrathall started the first race from pole position, with Jason Plato alongside him on the front row. However, it was Plato who took the lead through the first corner. Dave Newsham moved into second for Team ES Racing.com.

Adam Morgan started the race in fifth for Speedworks www.insidebtcc.com

Motorsport, but a first lap spin dropped his Toyota Avensis down the order. His race was to get worse though, when a clash with Robb Holland on lap three sent both cars into the barriers at Riches on lap three.

charge in his Proton Persona.

It took five laps to recover the Honda and the Toyota, but when the pace picked up again, it was Plato still at the front. He was forced to defend from Newsham, who was straight on the attack in his S2000 Vauxhall Vectra.

After his fire drama on Saturday, Gordon Shedden had to work his way up through the order from the back of the grid and eventually finished eighth.

Behind the lead pair, Wrathall sat in third, ahead of Andrew Jordan. Reigning champion Matt Neal headed a queue of cars in fifth – with Dan Welch leading the

Lap nine saw Newsham challenge Plato for the lead at Riches, but the move ended with Wrathall taking second place away from the ES Racing driver.

On the last lap, Andrew Jordan passed Newsham for third, only to have the place taken straight back.

However, come the end of the lap, Jordan was back in front and claimed the final podium position.

Inside BTCC

Pics: Still/PSP

Matt Neal leads the championship after rounds 16, 17 and 18 at Snetterton, but only after teammate Gordon Shedden was excluded from the day’s final race.

Following the race, Dave Newsham was excluded from the results after his Vectra was found to have run underweight.

RACE TWO Jason Plato started from pole position as a result of his earlier victory, with Wrathall second, making it a reversal of the race

one front row. Just like in the first race, Wrathall didn’t get away from the line well and it was Plato who took the early lead.

Andrew Jordan took up second position, ahead of Matt Neal.

The pair of Hondas soon had Plato under pressure at the front, but not before they had switched positions and Neal was into second.

It quickly became a repeat of a battle we have seen many times before – Neal vs Plato. And predictably, it ended in the same way that it has on so many occasions – with contact.

It was the penultimate lap when Neal made his

move. He had been closing on race leader Plato for several laps and was in danger of being caught by Jordan behind him.

That was enough encouragement for Neal to go for broke.

Plato ran a little wide at Hamilton, which handed the momentum to Neal.

The Honda driver closed right up and eventually tapped the back of the MG. Plato caught his slide in spectacular style, but Neal was through. At the next corner, the roles were reversed and Plato hit the back of Neal.

1 Jason Plato (NGTC) 33:10.134; 2 Frank Wrathall (NGTC) + 1.834; 3 Andrew Jordan (NGTC) +6.764; 4 Matt Neal (NGTC) + 13.072; 5 Daniel Welch (NGTC) +17.363; 6 Tom OnslowCole (S2000) +17.873; 7 Gordon Shedden (NGTC) + 18.288; 8 Mat Jackson (NGTC) +19.298; 9 Lea Wood (S2000) +19.715; 10 Jeff Smith (NGTC) +21.271.

Independent winner: Frank Wrathall.

Fastest lap: Jason Plato (1:58.682).

RACE TWO TOP TEN: 1 Andrew Jordan (NGTC) 24:08.819; 2 Gordon Shedden (NGTC) +0.561; 3 Jason Plato (NGTC) +1.751; 4 Matt Neal (NGTC) +2.123; 5 Frank Wrathall (NGTC) +4.807; 6 Mat Jackson (NGTC) +7.583; 7

Cole the first S2000 finisher in seventh.

Dave Newsham, Lea Wood and Aron Smith completed the top ten.

Plato and Neal finished third and fourth respectively.

Frank Wrathall and Mat Jackson made it an all-NGTC top six, with Tom Onslow-

FIA WTCC star Rob Huff was on hand at Snetterton to draw the reverse grid – and selected the number nine, handing pole position to Lea Wood.

RACE THREE

Both cars went off, handing the lead to Andrew Jordan with one lap to go.

The Pirtek Racing driver didn’t need

RACE RESULTS - TOP 10s RACE ONE TOP TEN:

asking twice – that was his first victory of the season.

Gordon Shedden also benefitted from the Neal/Plato battle, crossing the line in second place.

Tom Onslow-Cole (S2000) +8.014; 8 Dave Newsham (S2000) +8.500; 9 Lea Wood (S2000) +14.196; 10 Aron Smith (S2000) +14.787.

Independent winner: Andrew Jordan.

Fastest lap: Gordon Shedden (1:58.460) RACE THREE TOP TEN: 1 Dave Newsham (S2000) 24:12.464; 2 Tom OnslowCole (S2000) +0.991; 3 Jason Plato (NGTC) +3.066; 4 Mat Jackson (NGTC) +5.130; 5 Andrew Jordan (NGTC) +5.444; 6 Aron Smith (S2000) +6.898; 7 Frank Wrathall (NGTC) +9.676; 8 Matt Neal (NGTC) +18.863; 9 Rob Collard (S2000) +19.074; 10 Adam Morgan (NGTC) +23.968.

Independent winner: Dave Newsham.

Fastest lap: Dave Newsham (1:59.283).

Still/PSP

Plato took victory, ahead of Wrathall, Jordan and Newsham.

Matt Neal finished fifth, with Dan Welch sixth and Tom Onslow-Cole in seventh. Shedden claimed eighth – just ahead of Mat Jackson in an impressive debut outing for the Redstone Racing NGTC Ford Focus. Lea Wood finished tenth for BINZ Racing.

QUALIFYING REPORT Qualifying at Snetterton brought a first BTCC pole position for Frank Wrathall.

The Dynojet racer set a best time of 1:57.595 to head finish at the top of the times in qualifying for the first time.

It’s the first BTCC pole position for Toyota for almost 20 years – the last was Julian Bailey at Knockhill in 1993.

Wrathall said, “I was pretty confident coming into the meeting but things didn’t go right for us in practice. This is our biggest achievement so far. I just hope we can follow it up with some good performances tomorrow. So far, it’s a case of job well done.”

MG’s Jason Plato claimed second, having been the main challenger for pole position during the 30minute session.

Third place in qualifying went to Dave Newsham – also the first S2000 car on the grid.

Gordon Shedden failed to set a competitive time.

The Team Dynamics mechanics successfully got the Civic out on track, having completed repairs to the fire damage from free practice, however Shedden stuttered to a halt out on track.

In his brand new NGTC Ford Focus, Redstone Racing’s Mat Jackson set the 16th fastest time in the session.

Good weekend: Mat Jackson Performed well on NGTC debut. Looked strong in race three, but missed out on podium.

Inside BTCC 10

Dave Newsham Second in race one prior to disqualification and then victory in race three..

www.insidebtcc.com

jakobebrey.com

It was an all-Vauxhall front row, with Dave Newsham starting second. Wood held the lead away from the line, but Tom Onslow-Cole used his rear wheel drive advantage to move up to second.

Matt Neal slid onto the grass on the opening lap and dropped to the back of the field. The Honda driver was defending from Frank Wrathall at the time.

At the front, Mat Jackson put his new NGTC Ford into third place when he overtook Tom OnslowCole, who had already lost out to Newsham.

On lap four, there was a switch among the Vectras at the front, with Newsham passing Wood to lead.

Meanwhile, Jackson was forced to defend his third place from the hard-charging Gordon Shedden.

As the race went on, a queue formed behind Jackson’s Ford and it was only a matter of time until he lost third place. It happened on lap seven, when both Onslow-Cole and Shedden found a way through.

Onslow-Cole then inherited second place when Lea Wood was forced to retire with a gearbox problem.

However, there was nothing he could do

about Newsham at the front as the Scot headed towards his first BTCC victory.

Newsham held on to be the first to see the chequered flag. He was followed across the line by OnslowCole and Shedden.

However, for the second time this year, Shedden was excluded from the result for exceeding the permitted turbo boost levels during the race.

That promoted Jason Plato to third, with Mat Jackson fourth and Andrew Jordan fifth. Sixth place went to Aron Smith, ahead of Frank Wrathall and Matt Neal. Rob Collard

Bad weekend: Gordon Shedden Caught fire on Saturday; disqualified on Sunday. Otherwise would have led championship.

www.insidebtcc.com

and Adam Morgan rounded out the top ten.

points behind, with Plato a further two adrift.

Following Shedden’s disqualification, Matt Neal regains the championship lead heading to Knockhill.

Shedden is eight

NEWSHAM WINS BUT NGTC STARS DOMINATE Newsham, Wood and Onslow-Cole all helped boost the S2000 ‘laps led’ tally at Snetterton, but the overall stats still show dominance from the NGTC racers.

With Mat Jackson joining the NGTC ranks, surely the gap is only going to increase over the remainder of the 2012 season.

NGTC S2000 Races won

14

4

Fastest laps

12

6

5

1

201

111

Pole positions Laps led

Lea Wood Not so much a bad weekend as a bad race, that could have been so good. Gearbox failure cost him dear.

Inside BTCC 11

CYMRU CALLING? Plans move forwards for a multi-million pound circuit in Wales...

Inside BTCC 12

www.insidebtcc.com

COULD THE BTCC RETURN TO WALES? The British Touring Car Championship could return to Welsh soil for the first time since 1993 if plans for an-all new circuit in South Wales come to fruition.

The proposal being put forward for the Circuit of Wales would see a 3.5-mile circuit created at a location in Ebbw Vale in Blaenau Gwent.

Part of a wider project that would include investment in industrial, commercial and leisure developments, the circuit would be developed in line with FIA and FIM standards to make it suitable for a range of major national and international events.

Karting and Motocross tracks would be built alongside the main circuit while a racing academy would be created to help with the development of young drivers and riders.

A planning application for the £250 million project, which would cover some 830 acres, will be submitted to Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council within the next two months.

While the headline news www.insidebtcc.com

to many is the revelation that it could mean a Welsh round of MotoGP or World Superbikes, it would also create a venue more than suitable for a round of the BTCC, which last raced in Wales nearly two decades ago.

“This is a major private sector-originated regeneration project in partnership with the local authority and the Welsh Government which will create significant job opportunities in a deprived part of the UK,” Michael Carrick, chief excecutive of the Heads of the Valleys Development Company and the director in charge of delivering the project, said. “We are currently in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders on our plans to create world class infrastructure and facilities that will allow us to attract and retain high-quality businesses and operate international motor sports events.

“This exciting project will create new capacity and deliver highquality automotive infrastructure in the UK whilst providing a major regeneration boost that will bring lasting benefits

to the regional and wider Welsh economy.

“A key element in our strategy to develop the automotive cluster was to find the right location and site profile. We believe that we have identified an outstanding site in Ebbw Vale: it is on the boundary of a national park, close to major population centres, and the topography will allow us to create a unique, exciting, safe and stunning environment, which will offer an outstanding experience for competitors and spectators.

“Our discussions to date have been extremely positive, and we welcome the feedback on our proposals. We do hope to finalise our detailed plans during this year and commence work on the development early next year with a view to being operational in 2015.”

The Motor Sports Association, the governing body for fourwheeled motorsport in the UK, has already given its backing for the plans.

“The Motor Sports Association has a long and successful history with the sport in Wales, and Wales Rally GB has brought in excess of £10m a year to the Welsh economy since 2001,” chief executive Colin Hilton said. “There is no doubt that the proposed motor sport complex project could create great employment opportunities as well as increasing tourism, sport and education opportunities in the local and surrounding areas.

“As a result, the MSA welcomes the initiative and will offer any assistance possible to the parties involved.”

It is anticipated that the plans would create 3,000 new jobs during the construction phase with an additional 6,000 created when the development is complete.

Tourism would also be given a boost while the economic benefits to the Welsh economy are reported to be over £50m per annum.

Inside BTCC 13

jakobebrey.com

BORN IN THE USA BTCC new boy Robb Holland guides us through his debut weekend after joining Team HARD at Snetterton...

“It’s been funny since I announced I was going to be joining the BTCC, as the first question everyone asked me was why was I heading to Britain to go racing.

To be honest with you, in my view, the BTCC is the best touring car series in the world so it was an easy decision to make...”

Inside BTCC 14

www.insidebtcc.com

jakobebrey.com

ROBB HOLLAND KEPT A DEBUT DIARY FOR INSIDE BTCC AT SNETTERTON...

When it came to joining Tony and Team HARD, they were the best option for me in order to join the grid.

Of course it would have been good to drive an NGTC car, but none of the established teams had an NGTC car available, so I went for the next best thing in the Honda Civic.

The team is a great group of guys and I think there is a lot of potential there. We’re already talking about the possibility of doing something together next year.

I went into the weekend with one day of running behind me and the test was good, although it was a shame that the weather was as it was and I couldn’t get a lot of dry running. However it gave me some seat time to learn a bit about the Civic and about how the team worked ahead of www.insidebtcc.com

my debut.

Free Practice 1 – 17th, +3.902secs The first session went okay and it was good to get out on track, although we had an issue with the set-up of the car and it was like the rear was trying to drive the front. The car was quite unstable as a result and it was hard to be precise behind the wheel.

I was able to spend some time on track behind Andrew Jordan’s Honda and followed him a little but the issues with the set-up meant I wasn’t able to brake as late as him into the corners and couldn’t take the same lines. However, watching what he was doing, there wasn’t much I needed to do differently once we had the set-up problem sorted out.

Free Practice 2 – 19th, +4.142secs

The second session was much better as we made big changes to the car and it was a lot more stable. I picked up more time but I was still learning the circuit and the car. I got quicker as we went on and even went green in the first sector on my in lap so it showed that I was still getting faster when the session ended.

One thing I was realising is that the car is very sensitive, more so than the cars I have raced back in the USA, and every little change affects it a lot more.

We started off on scrubbed tyres and then put new tyres on the front before pitting to swap them over to the rear and it was a big change running on those different tyres. All in all though, it was a step in the right direction.

Qualifying – 20th, +3.517secs Obviously I hoped to be higher up the grid than 20th but at the same time, I was quicker than I had been in the earlier sessions, which was encouraging.

The S2000 car is so different to what I am used to and I was losing out under braking.We’d got hold of the data from Gordon Shedden from last year and we could see that I was losing most of my time under braking. If I could get that sorted then I knew I would find time straight away and the aim for Sunday was to try and get three finishes, more experience and be competitive.

Race 1 - DNF My aims didn’t last long as race one turned out to be short and not so sweet! My start was Inside BTCC 15

jakobebrey.com

pretty miserable if I’m being honest as the car was really difficult to get off the line. It’s difficult to get the clutch and the throttle just right and you have to change to second really quickly off the line, but you can’t be on full throttle because you’ll get wheel-spin.

At the same time, the gearbox doesn’t like that change when you aren’t on full throttle and you really have to work to get it into second gear, so the start is something I need to practice.

Things didn’t go to plan after that and there was an incident on lap two with Adam Morgan at turn one. I thought it was a racing incident and we just got a bit too close to each other. The end result was we both ended up in the barriers; not the way I wanted to start.

Race 2 – 14th, +38.363secs Inside BTCC 16

Race two was much better and I managed to score some points – so I was very happy with that. I really wanted some race mileage in the car and that was what I got, plus we were able to get more information that will help us moving forwards. It was good to get some points on the board and I was lapping quicker than the two guys ahead but couldn’t find a way through and I was also struggling with tyre wear towards the end.

For some reason, the brake bias had gone to the rear and that meant the rear tyres overheated but I kept the car on track and brought it to the finish.

My aim was to get a top ten from the weekend and I went into race three hoping that I could try and push forwards towards the top ten spots.

Race 3 – 17th, +52.714secs Race three would have been better if I’d not be pushed off at turn two at the start. I’m not sure who it was that hit me, but when you are going into a hairpin, these things can happen.

Unfortunately the car then stalled so I took time to get going again but from then onwards, I ran at a strong consistent pace and managed to close the gap to the cars ahead.

With a few more laps I think I could have caught them but in a weird way, running at the back was good for me because I could focus on getting my head down and pushing to see what I could get out of the car, rather than battling with people around me.

been able to learn a lot about the car and the difference in driving style required compared to what I’ve been used to back at home. Now I’ve got to use what I have learned when we head up to Knockhill, which is a totally different circuit to Snetterton and that is one of the reason why I chose these two circuits for my first taste of the BTCC. There is also the fact that Knockhill looks like it’s a total blast! I’m going there with some experience under my belt of what the car will be like and even though it was a bit of an incident packed debut, I think I have learned a lot that I can now try and build on.

The big thing I can take away from the weekend is the fact that I’ve www.insidebtcc.com

Inside BTCC 17

jakobebrey.com

www.insidebtcc.com

jakobebrey.com

KNOCKHILL READY FOR ANNIVERSARY

We ask some of the BTCC stars to give us their top Knockhill memories ahead of the 20th anniversary meeting Inside BTCC 18

www.insidebtcc.com

KNOCKHILL MEMORIES...

BY MATT SALISBURY It’s always a big weekend for Knockhill when the BTCC comes to town, but it will be even bigger in 2012 with the race meeting being the 20th time that British Touring Cars will have competed on Scottish soil.

Since that first meeting back in 1992, there has been action aplenty at the tight and twisty Fife circuit and plenty of controversial clashes – such as last season when Tom Boardman and Jason Plato clashed in the final race of the weekend.

Ahead of the Knockhill weekend, Inside BTCC decided to ask members of the paddock what their top moment from the BTCC at Knockhill was – and one iconic touring car moment got it’s fair share of mentions…

Matt Neal: One would have to be when we got the 12-3 finish with the Integra with me, Gordon and Gareth Howell – that was a great weekend. Something else that sticks in the mind www.insidebtcc.com

is Gabriele Tarquini rolling the Alfa in 1994 and then James Thompson crashing in testing in 1995. They were both big shunts Jason Plato: Tarquni rolling the Alfa Romeo and James’ big accident in the Cavalier are two that stick in the mind – Jimmy’s accident was a really bad one. One thing personally I can remember is driving for Williams Renault and holding off Laurent Aiello’s Nissan for 25 laps. Over the start-finish line I would ease off just a little to force him to go to the outside as I could then defend into turn one but eventually he decided not to keep his foot in and just fired me off. It was a bit like Tom Boardman last year, only more aggressive!

Something else I can remember is Patrick Watts leading in the Mazda, although he didn’t manage to win the race. I’ve had some good drives through the field at Knockhill – it takes an epic run sometimes to go from the back to the front.

Andy Jordan: There isn’t one race at Knockhill that sticks in my mind – it’s a circuit where there is always a lot going on and plenty of action. Turn one always used to be great when there was the big kerb on the inside, and I can remember seeing cars go through there on two wheels.

Rob Collard: Taking my first BTCC win with WSR in the MG back in 2005 in the rain. I’ll never forget it as Yvan Muller was chasing me for quite a while and he is an expert in the wet so to keep ahead of him was great.

Tom Onslow-Cole: Having a really strong weekend and playing a key role in helping Vauxhall and Giovanardi to win the title back in 2008.

It was a weekend that was a real turning point for my career and gave me the confidence to push on and become an established name on the grid.

Adam Morgan: Tarquini rolling the Alfa Romeo in

1994 – I remember that as it just kept rolling! It’s a mental track that takes guts. You have to just hold on and go for it!

Ollie Jackson: I’ve not raced a touring car at Knockhill before and I’m looking forward to it. I can remember being there in the Carrera Cup and being at the end of a train of cars heading into turn one. I saw the three in front get onto two wheels through turn one and thought ‘That looks mega’. Then I realised I was probably doing the same!

Aron Smith: That safety car period last year sticks in my mind – I think it was the most abrupt and quick end to a race I’ve had! I love Knockhill though, it’s great to see the cars getting up on two wheels when they push across the kerbs. It’s always the most exciting circuit on the calendar and I can’t wait to go there again this year.

Mat Jackson: Tarquini’s roll is a quite a memorable moment and it one of the Inside BTCC 19

iconic images of the BTCC across the years. Whenever you see a montage of the series, that accident is always included.

Paul O’Neill: I can remember being there in 2002 with the Astra Coupe.

I was chasing Anthony Reid in the rain and as we came down to the hairpin, I turned my headlights off so he couldn’t see me in the spray and dived up the inside to take the lead.

Then I put my lights back on again!

Chris James: Nearly rolling in qualifying last year sticks in my memory – I think you could get a cigarette paper in the gap there was between going over and landing back on my wheels again! Knockhill is great and always gets exciting racing and controversy, like last year with Jason and Tom. Andy Neate: Tarquini going over in the Alfa Romeo – and Murray Walker getting very excited by it!

Rob Huff: I remember James Thompson’s accident

back at turn one when he was testing. It was a huge accident and he was lucky to come back from it.

Dave Newsham: I can remember being there as a spectator back in 1995 when I’d bought a new Vauxhall and had been invited to go along and watch the races. It was brilliant at the chicane seeing the cars come through on two wheels and then we got to spend time with John Cleland and James Thompson. Now I’m going back there myself in the BTCC – and with a Vauxhall!

Tony Gilham: I’ve been there a few times in the Porsche Carrera Cup and one thing that sticks in my mind is when Jonny Adam was with Motorbase and his fire extinguisher went off in the car during one of the races. I suspect he would have tried to carry on but it went off when he was talking to ITV live in the car so he couldn’t really hide it!

DAVE NEWSHAM TAKES US ON A LAP OF THE TRACK...

Having taken his maiden win in the BTCC at Snetterton, Dave Newsham will be on home soil next time around at Knockhill.

Ahead of the weekend, the Inverness-based Team ES Racing driver talked us through a lap of the Fife circuit…

Coming down to the first corner, I tend to use a bit of the pit exit to help line the car up and then it is a case of carrying as much as you can through turn one – most of the time on two wheels as you have to use the kerb quite a lot.

Turn one is a very difficult corner because you don’t know if you are going to come over the brow of the hill and find a car in front of you; it is totally blind.

It takes a while to know where you need to turn in and where you need to be on the exit and if something is kicking off when you turn in, you sometimes just have to bail out and go across the gravel to avoid it!

I don’t know if we will be flat through the left-hander at the bottom of turn one this year; I know we were last year in the SEAT but I’ll have to wait and see with the Vectra. You have to keep as far to the left as possible to then get the ideal line into the righthander at Scotsman before you head down towards the chicane.

jakobebrey.com

The chicane is all about keeping momentum up.

There are some big kerbs there and you have to stay off the one on the left. You can use the one on the right but it will launch the car and get it up on two wheels – I have some good pictures Inside BTCC 20

from last year! I think I’m pretty good through there and it’s a fun corner.

Clark’s is another blind corner with a late turn in.

You have to maximise the kerb on the inside and carry speed into the back straight, which isn’t actually a straight, and which leads you into the hairpin.

The hairpin is a corner where defending is very difficult. If you commit to defending on the inside, then it is easy for someone to get a cut-back and then take the position on the run up to the line. If you defend you have to cover the whole circuit, you can’t leave a small gap up the inside of you’ll lose position.

On the racing line, you have to break as late as you can and make a late turn-in and once again it is all about momentum to carry as much speed as you can onto the straight.

The whole lap is very important but being fully committed through the chicane is a good way to find time on a lap. You can find a couple of tenths of a second just by using your ‘you know what’s’ through there! But also getting the drive out of the final corner is vital. In reality, to get a good lap you have to hook it up everywhere.

Knockhill is the only circuit that could be run in reverse and it would be interesting to see. I’ve not seen it used for a race that way yet and the run into turn one down the hill would be fun as everyone goes into a hairpin! Maybe we’ll do it one day in the BTCC but I’d like to get some practice in first!

www.insidebtcc.com

Inside BTCC 21

jakobebrey.com

www.insidebtcc.com

MOTORBASE SPRINGS A SURPRISE Motorbase turns up with an NGTC-spec Ford Focus for the Snetterton BTCC meeting and impresses first time out

Still/PSP

MATT SALISBURY REPORTS Inside BTCC 22

www.insidebtcc.com

Still/PSP

Motorbase Performance sprung a surprise when the BTCC season resumed after taking the wraps of its new Ford Focus at Snetterton.

The car, built to the series’ NGTC regulations, has been in the pipeline for some time and has been put together during the seven-week break that followed the fifth round of the campaign at Croft.

The first race for the car was to even make it to Snetterton in time for its debut, with the final decision only made in the days running up to the event when it became clear that all the required parts would arrive in time for the car to be on track for the sixth meeting of the year.

“I’m extremely proud of what we will be achieving this weekend,” team boss David Batrum said at the start of the weekend.

“We’re about to enter a new chapter for Motorbase www.insidebtcc.com

Performance, one which has taken a lot of hard work and further shows our commitment to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship as a constructor.

“The guys in the team have been absolutely amazing this last seven weeks to get this car built in such a short amount of time and to such a high standard. We’re not doing this on a manufacturer budget and therefore it requires a different approach and we have to be a little less orthadox.

A big thanks goes to all of our suppliers who have helped greatly with this project. I won’t name them as there have been so many but they know who they are. I can’t thank the team enough for their effort, skill and determination to achieve this and I just hope for all of our sakes they are rewarded with results as soon as possible.”

With the car only arriving at Snetterton at 6am on Saturday morning, the opening practice sessions of the weekend became

nothing more than a hugely public shakedown, albeit one that passed successfully with the car running without any major issues. In fact, the only brief cause for concern came when Jackson clipped the rear of Tony Gilham’s Vauxhall Insignia due to a minor problem with the brake bias.

Qualifying then saw Jackson set the 16th quickest time which, while lower than the team would normally have hoped for, was an impressive performance from a car that had only turned 13 laps in the two practice sessions.

Eighth place in race one after Dave Newsham’s exclusion for being underweight was a great start to the weekend while further improvements were made in race two as the Focus crossed the line in sixth – earning a second row start for the final race when the reverse grid draw took Inside BTCC 23

place.

Pics: PSP Images

Fourth in that race meant Jackson picked up 31 points from his first weekend at the wheel of the NGTC car – more than he had scored at Brands Hatch (22), Outon Park (20) or Croft (12) while running in the S2000based car.

“Going into the first race at P16 we always knew it was going to be a dogfight and having the new car and no spare parts we obviously have to be mindful of that so to come away with three top eight finishes and a sniff at the podium is pretty remarkable,” Jackson said afterwards. “You have to pinch yourself and it’s testament to the Redstone Racing guys that the car has run faultlessly all weekend. We came here viewing it as a test day and there we were on the second row in only our third race – it’s been a dream start so far and Inside BTCC 24

hopefully we can keep the momentum going.”

Understandably, Bartrum was also delighted with a weekend that ultimately exceeded all expectations.

“This weekend was a special weekend,” he said.

“We came here and went out at free practice one and turned a wheel for the first time ever. Things progressed in free practice two, again in qualifying and then to go out and move forward in every race is just unbelievable.

“We never moved backwards all weekend.

If you would have told me on Friday night that we’d get three top eight finishes this weekend I’d have said I’ll be a very lucky man if we do!”

But just how did Motorbase build up an allnew car in the seven week break…

www.insidebtcc.com

Still/PSP

HOW MOTORBASE

We get the inside story on how Redstone Racing arrived at Snetterton with an all-new NGTC Ford for Mat Jackson. www.insidebtcc.com

Inside BTCC 25

Still/PSP

STUNNED THE BTCC PADDOCK...

Still/PSP

With the advent of social networking, it’s hard to keep a secret – but Motorbase managed it ahead of Snetterton…

It was no secret within the BTCC paddock that Motorbase was looking at building an NGTC-spec Ford Focus for the 2013 season but few expected the car to suddenly appear at Snetterton for the second half of the current campaign.

Barely seven weeks after the Croft meeting - where team boss David Barturm pulled no punches in an interview with Inside BTCC about the Next Generation Touring Car Championship regulations [See Issue 12] – the team arrived at Snetterton with the all-new car, which was only completed the night before and which only turned a wheel for the first time in Saturday’s opening practice session.

The car had been started earlier in the year, with the initial work on the Focus shell having been completed at Motorbase’s Inside BTCC 26

Wrotham base. More work was planned over the course of the season, but a debut in the sixth round of the season wasn’t on the cards.

“We had started the shell over the winter with an idea that we would build it at some point this year,” team manager Oly Collins explains. “We’d already decided that it would probably be at the end of the year with a view to then running the car in 2013. Clearly you need an NGTC car to be competitive next year but even though we’d started the car, it was probably only 30 per cent complete because it was literally just the shell that we’d been working on.

“Although we had some of the NGTC parts, we’d not had chance to do anything with them because we were working on developing the S2000

cars we were running.

We’d said all along that when we had our driver line-up sorted, we would focus on the S2000 car and the NGTC car would only be worked on when the opportunity arose.

Clearly there was a sevenweek break where would be some NGTC work would going on, but it wouldn’t have been to take it to the stage it is now at. Then Liam had his accident at Croft…”

That accident had left Griffin’s car all but written off, with the team faced with a decision over how it would move forwards for the remainder of the season.

One option, which was quickly ruled out, was to try and repair Griffin’s damaged car ready for Snetterton, which meant instead that focus turned to the NGTC shell sitting in the workshop.

The decision was therefore taken to use the summer break to build up the car and get it out on track, although before work could properly get underway, there was the small issue of where the money was going to come from to make the NGTC machine a reality.

“I stand by what I told you at Croft when it comes to the financial situation around NGTC, because it is something that every team will need to look at when they come to put a car together,” team boss David Bartrum said. “But the reality is that if you can’t beat them, then join them. You have to be in the game if you want to try and win it.

“When Liam’s car burst into flames at Croft, you only had to look at the damage that there was – both from the fire and www.insidebtcc.com

“Oly went off on holiday and left me and engineer Richard Townsend to look at what we had – which was a part built car – and decide what we were going to do. We took the decision that we would try to raise the money and while I started trying to put the money in place, the boys got to work on finishing off the work that was needed on the shell.”

Finding the funds with which to build the actual car was the first hurdle to overcome, with the team lucky that its multitude of sponsors were able to step up to the plate to allow the programme to move forwards.

“Going round with a begging bowl in the middle of the season isn’t ideal,” Bartrum continued.

“I met with Redstone, with Airwaves, with Truphone and with Liam because he is also a sponsor through Addison Lee. “Liam’s immediate response was ‘Look guys, you know I’m not doing Knockhill anyway so I’ll stand down for Snetterton – don’t repair my car’.

Liam’s decision to stand down gave us the freedom to know that we could put Mat in the old car or the new car depending on how we got on. Liam hasn’t run out of budget or anything like that – he just stood down and took one for the team.

“All of the sponsors without fail came forward and they all want to be a part of Motorbase going forwards. They have seen what has happened with NGTC. At the start of the www.insidebtcc.com

How the NGTC Focus came together...

season I sat down with them all and said what I felt was going to happen with NGTC and how it was going to take a while for the NGTC cars to get up to speed. It is clear that we got that wrong and the teams learned quicker than we thought they would, and the sponsors all wanted to help me to get to where I needed to be.”

Unknown to most outside the paddock, Motorbase had already secured some of the NGTC parts required to build a car back in February, acquiring the kit that had been purchased by RML before its plans to build a Next Generation Touring Car were shelved.

With those parts – which were purchased at a noticeable discount – and the shell in place, the financial support from sponsors allowed the build to begin in earnest and kick-started a frantic race against time to prepare for Snetterton.

“There were a massive variety of things that combined to create a huge challenge,” Collins said. “Manufacturing stuff is one thing but luckily with NGTC as it is, with GPRM building a lot of the suspension parts, there is a lot less of a design element to the build then there would have been with an S2000 car – where the suspension would be bespoke.

“That helped because the suspension is the same as it is on the MG, the Honda or the Toyota but then there were issues elsewhere. The windscreen for example comes from Italy and has a six week lead time, and we needed it just as they prepared to go on a month-long break in August so it was very much touch-and-go as to whether we would get it in time.

“The bodywork was a

Pics: PSP Images

from the collision with the barriers – to see that the money was going to mount up repairing it.

On the Monday morning after Croft, it was very clear that we were going to have to sit down and decide what we were going to do because that car was finished and we were down to two cars.

Inside BTCC 27

challenge for us as we don’t have an in-house

have the money to just throw people at it, so

a few people in the paddock may have guessed we were doing something and Dynamics probably guessed when

Pics: PSP Images

we ordered 30 18-inch wheels!

CAD programme. Instead, we have a good guy down in Kent who did it for us, and he had a mule car down at his place to work with. The bodywork had to be designed, he had to make something similar to clay model of it, then we had to make sure the design worked from a performance point of view and that TOCA were happy with it. Then we had to make moulds and then had to manufacture the bodywork – all of which takes time. In fact, our spare bodywork only arrived at 11pm on the Friday before Snetterton.

“We don’t have a massive amount of staff and don’t Inside BTCC 28

everyone has had to dig in hard and do things they wouldn’t normally do. A few people in the paddock may have guessed we were doing something as there were questions that

were asked in the working group meetings where it was obvious we’d been working on an NGTC car – and Dynamics probably guessed when we ordered 30 18 inch wheels! But I don’t think people expected it to appear at Snetterton…”

At times, the team itself was unsure if the car would be ready for the weekend, with the final decision only taken late on the Friday night to load the car up and head for

Norfolk.

“At the start of the week we knew it was going to be a tall order, but things were going well,” Collins continues. “As you get further into the build of a car, you come up against brick walls and that happened a few times. We wanted to do a shakedown before we went to Snetterton but it soon became apparent that that wouldn’t be possible.

That was why both S2000 cars were shaken down as normal and taken to the circuit while we kept working on the NGTC car “It was probably only at midnight on the Friday that we knew that the car would be ready to run at Snetterton and was in a position to turn a wheel for the first time. We wouldn’t have run the car if it wasn’t going to be safe and if we didn’t think we would be able to learn from it. We don’t expect to be fighting for podiums www.insidebtcc.com

Matt Neal checks out the new competition at Snetterton

The end result was a car that turned heads both on and off-track, picking up three solid results and being universally welcomed by fans watching on both trackside and at home on ITV – leading to a huge sense of pride within the Motorbase team after its first build was completed.

“The seven boys who did the work have done a job that knocked my socks off,” Bartrum says. “I think the car looks great, and I know that I would say that as it’s my car. However, if anyone wants to come and tell me it looks crap, then I think they will be in a minority. I think its one of, if not the, best looking NGTC car and I’m delighted with it. www.insidebtcc.com

“I think people underestimated what we could do. They all thought it was for later in the year and maybe we’d get the car out for the last two rounds ahead of next year.

We brought it forward and will now benefit for next year and when it comes to building the second car. We’ll keep working on that, and also on the shell for the third car as well.

You may see the second car before the end of the year but realistically and financially, I think we’ll stick with the one we’ve got.

“We need to concentrate on Mat’s car because if you are rushing to get more cars built up, then you don’t have time to go out and test. The important thing is to get this car right, and then we can look to build on it and move forwards.”

Pics: PSP Images

and wins in the first few meetings and the early focus is on reliability – so to have no major issues on what was effectively a shakedown was very encouraging.”

Inside BTCC 29

Still/PSP

Inside BTCC 30

www.insidebtcc.com

STEPPING DOWN WAS MY CONTRIBUTION

Still/PSP

Liam Griffin reveals that dropping out of the Snetterton BTCC round was his way of aiding Redstone Racing with its new NGTC programme

BY MATT SALISBURY When Liam Griffin’s Ford Focus went up in flames after an accident in the final race of the weekend at Croft, it kick-started a chain of events that would lead to Redstone Racing debuting its new NGTC machine at Snetterton.

The damage sustained in the shunt was enough to leave Griffin’s car all but written off and led to the team bringing forward the development of its NGTCspec machine, which had been started but then put to one side to allow the team to focus on the job at hand.

The plan was simple – in theory at least. The NGTC car would be built up for Mat Jackson to step into, freeing up his older S2000-based machine for Griffin to then drive for the remainder of the season - thereby allowing Motorbase to keep all three cars on the grid. www.insidebtcc.com

That of course was dependent on the NGTC car being ready for the second half of the season and having already told the team he wouldn’t be making the trip to Knockhill because of commitments elsewhere, Griffin then took the decision to step down from Snetterton - a move which gave the team more flexibility when it came to getting the new car ready.

“Once my car effectively burnt out at Croft it was a case of what do we spend the money on?” he said. “Do we put it into rebuilding the S2000 car or put it into the new one?

I was happy to leave my car and put the money towards the NGTC car, and I think the end result looks fantastic. It is the way forward and the way that the team needed to go. They had to build an NGTC car, either this year or next season, so it seemed the right time to

do it.

“It was always going to be touch and go for Snetterton and the boys did a great job to get it ready. It was a case of if the car was ready, I could race and if the car wasn’t ready then I couldn’t race.

To be honest though, it was for the benefit of the team and of Mat that I stood down and took some of then pressure off as they knew the had the older cars to fall back on if the NGTC one wasn’t quite ready.

“I know that my contribution on track isn’t always what it could be, so I’m happy to help contribute off track instead.”

Of course, Griffin’s involvement with the team isn’t just as a driver, but also as a sponsor through the taxi firm Addison Lee and he insisted that the arrival of the NGTC machine was also good

for the sponsors who have made the Redstone Racing programme possible.

“As a sponsor, Motorbase is great team to be with as they are an underdog,” he said. “Dave Bartrum is a great team principal to be involved with and is a top bloke in the paddock, so you want to help him to achieve his ambitions.

“The old car isn’t going to be a championship contender this year, even with Mat Jackson at the wheel – we can see that now. The Honda and the MG have been developed to such an extent that they are noticeably quicker and as a sponsor, if you want to get coverage, you need a good car. This Focus will be every bit as good as the Honda and the MG and will hopefully be better.

From a sponsor point of view, we’ll then be back at the front.”

Inside BTCC 31

Inside BTCC 32

www.insidebtcc.com

Pics: PSP Images & jakobebrey.com

jakobebrey.com www.insidebtcc.com

Inside BTCC 33

jakobebrey.com

NEWS IN BRIEF | NEWS IN BRIEF | NEWS IN BRIEF

O’Neill earns second Speedworks outing

mileage under his belt in the car.”

Paul O’Neill will return to the Speedworks line-up at Knockhill after being called up to replace Tony Hughes for the second time this season.

Goodman to race at Knockhill

O’Neill raced in Hughes’ Toyota Avensis at Croft when the Stockport businessman was unavailable and will again partner Adam Morgan for the Scottish weekend after commitments elsewhere prevented Hughes from being at the circuit for Saturday’s practice and qualifying sessions.

“We knew some time ago Tony wouldn’t be able to make the Saturday due to prior commitments,” Speedworks boss Christian Dick said.

“Paul did a great job for us at Croft and took part in our very productive test at Pembrey, plus all the team and kit are going anyway to Knockhill. He was a natural choice and it will be interesting to see how he can go now he’s got the Croft and Pembrey Inside BTCC 34

ITV presenter Louise Goodman will race at Knockhill alongside her TV commitments in her first motorsport appearance for more than a decade.

Goodman has previously competed in rallying – finishing third in class on the British round of the WRC back in 1999 – and will now join the Celtic Speed Mini Cooper Cup for the Knockhill weekend.

The series will be competing alongside the BTCC for the second time this year having also been part of the support package at Croft prior to the summer break.

“It’s been a few years since I sat in a racing car so I’m not really expecting to be giving the regular drivers too much trouble but I’m very excited, and more than a little nervous, about racing at Knockhill,” she said.

“It’s a fabulous circuit and I’m sure it will be quite a challenge – and a lot of fun. I’ll be getting some lessons from one of the very best before my race…

Gordon Shedden has agreed to take me out on track and give me a few tips. I think I’ll be needing all the help I can get!”

Knockhill to celebrate A series of cars from years gone by will be on show at Knockhill to help the circuit celebrate its 20th anniversary as part of the BTCC calendar.

John Cleland’s 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier, a David Leslie Honda Accord, Anthony Reid Nissan Primera, Frank Biela Audi and the Ford Mondeo used by Paul Radisich to win the World Touring Car cup at Monza in 1993 will all be on display and will turn parade laps during the weekend – with the exception of the Audi.

Nine Scottish drivers to have competed in the BTCC – Cleland, Reid, John Clark, Ian Forrest, Micky Doyle, Hamish

Irvine, Colin Blair, Gavin Pyper, Colin Gallie – will also be present alongside current racer Shedden over the course of the event. eBay launches mechanics challenge eBay Motors has used its BTCC sponsorship deal with West Surrey Racing to launch a special ‘mechanics challenge’ that will run for the next month or so.

Driver Tom OnslowCole will work with WSR mechanics and TV presenter Edd China to try and turn a humble milk float into a racing machine using parts voted for by fans and pursched from the eBay Motors website.

“I have never been involved in anything like this before and can’t wait to get started,” OnslowCole said. “Having driven the milk float around Snetterton it is clear that we have a massive amount of work on our hands. We have got some great engineers working on the car and I am eager www.insidebtcc.com

Dzenis/PSP

NEWS IN BRIEF | NEWS IN BRIEF | NEWS IN BRIEF

The finished machine is set to appear in the BTCC paddock at Silverstone later in the year.

Wrathall boosts qualifying record Frank Wrathall’s pole position at Snetterton not only marked the first time he had topped the qualifying time-sheets – it also improved his position amongst the best qualifiers on the grid this season.

Pole for the Dynojet man means he now has a qualifying average of 5.6667 after six rounds of the year, which has put him level with defending champion Matt Neal.

Jason Plato is still the man to beat with a qualifying average of 2.8333 ahead fo Andy Jordan, with an average of 3.1667.

Qualifying averages (top six): 1. Jason Plato 2.8333 2. Andrew Jordan 3.1667 3. Matt Neal 5.6667 www.insidebtcc.com

4. Frank Wrathall 5.6667 5. Rob Collard 5.8333 6. Dave Newsham 6.6667 AmD, RAR to miss Knockhill AmDTuning.com and Rob Austin Racing will both miss the Knockhill meeting.

After a difficult weekend at Snetterton, AmD has elected to sit out the Scottish race weekend and go testing to work on car development and to unlock more performance for the final three rounds of the year at Rockingham, Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

Regular driver Ollie Jackson will be joined at the test by former Clio Cup champion Phil Glew, who raced alongside Jackson in the Lotus Sport UK team in the British GT Championship last season.

“We had a difficult weekend at Snetterton and have taken the decision to miss Knockhill so we can go away and do some testing and get our head around a few

things,” team boss Shaun Hollamby said. “There are a things on the car that we want to examine and it is better to go away and do that during a few days of testing than to try and do it on a race weekend with all the extra pressures and time constraints that that involves.

“Instead of going to Knockhill, we’ll go back to Snetterton in the break before Rockingham for two days to look at different settings and Phil will also be on hand to drive the car alongside Ollie. They know each other from the Lotus programme in British GT and it will be good to get feedback from two drivers on the changes we make so we can then move forwards for the remainder of the season.”

Knockhill will be the first meeting the AmDTuning. com team has missed since joining the BTCC at the start of 2010, although the team was forced to sit out race day at Silverstone during its debut campaign after a

broken alternator belt damaged the engine.

Rob Austin Racing meanwhile has taken the decision to miss the event due to the ongoing budget issues it has faced since joining the grid last season, although team boss Rob Austin will be present in a watching capacity.

“It’s no secret our budget is tight and, as much as I love Knockhill, I’ve had to let my head rule my heart on this one,” he said. “I’ll still be there as it’s an event I wouldn’t miss for the world and it’ll be interesting having time to see how some of the bigger teams operate.”

Tony Gilham meanwhile will focus on overseeing his Team HARD outfit, with Thorney Motorsport having made it clear at Snetterton that it wouldn’t be going to Scotland.

Inside BTCC 35

Jakob Ebrey

to see what is in store for the final challenge.”

Dzenis/PSP

Inside BTCC 36

www.insidebtcc.com

get involved!

SEND US YOUR: •PHOTOS •QUESTIONS •SUGGESTIONS

@InsideBTCC facebook.com/insidebtcc contact@insidebtcc.com www.insidebtcc.com

Inside BTCC 37

directory a who’s who of btcc on twitter...

BTCC DRIVERS Matt Neal Mat Jackson Aron Smith Rob Collard Frank Wrathall Dan Welch Rob Austin Dave Newsham Adam Morgan Tony Gilham Tom Onslow-Cole Lea Wood Andy Neate Tony Hughes Gordon Shedden Andrew Jordan Chris James Jason Plato

@MattNealRacing @mat_jackson @AronSmith_ @CollardRob @FrankWrathall @BTCCDanWelch @RobertoAustini @NewshamRacing @AdamMorgan33 @TonyGilham @TomOnslowCole @TeamWoodRacing @AndyNeate @TonyHughesBTCC @GordonShedden @AndrewJordan77 @ChrisJamesBTCC @JasonPlato

AND A FEW MORE...

Official BTCC Inside BTCC Tin Top Tuesday Alan Hyde Not Alan Gow Talking Point ITV Toby Moody Richard John Neill Tim Harvey YourRacingCar Unlap Brands Hatch Oulton Park Snetterton Silverstone Rockingham Knockhill Croft Thruxton Donington Park

@DunlopBTCC @InsideBTCC @TinTopTuesday @AlanHydeStudio @alan_gow_btcc @TPBroadcasting @ITVtouringcars @TobyMoody @richardjneil @TimHarvey7 @YourRacingCar @unlap @Brands_Hatch @Oulton_Park @SnettertonMSV @SilverstoneUK @RockinghamUK @krcircuit @CroftSupporters @thruxtonracing @DoningtonParkUK

BTCC TEAMS Honda Yuasa Racing MG KX Momentum Racing Redstone Racing eBay Motors Welch Motorsport ES Racing Rob Austin Racing Speedworks BINZ Racing AmDTuning.com Pirtek Racing Thorney Motorsport Toyota

Inside BTCC 38

@HondaRacingBTCC @official888race @RedstoneRacing @ebaymotorsbtcc @WelchMotorsport @teamESracing @RobAustinRacing @SpeedworksMS @CentralGroupRacing @AmDessex @andyjordanBTCC @ThorneyMS @ToyotaBTCC

www.insidebtcc.com

2012 BTCC CALENDAR

www.insidebtcc.com

Inside BTCC 39

jakobebrey.com

31 March-1 April, Brands Hatch Indy 14-15 April, Donington Park National 28-29 April, Thruxton 9-10 June, Oulton Park Island 23-24 June, Croft 11-12 August, Snetterton 300 25-26 August, Knockhill 22-23 September, Rockingham 6-7 October, Silverstone 20-21 October, Brands Hatch GP

10 QUICK QUESTIONS ANDREW & LOUISE

RICHARDSON

jakobebrey.com

In our latest ten quick questions with drivers from the BTCC support package, we catch up with brother and sister pairing Andrew and Louise Richardson – who compete for the family-run Richardson Racing team in the Ginetta GT Supercup…

Inside BTCC 40

www.insidebtcc.com

ANDREW & LOUISE

RICHARDSON

What is your favourite circuit?

Andrew: It used to be Donington Park but it seems the circuit doesn’t like me, so I’d go for Brands Hatch GP Louise: Silverstone GP Who is your racing hero?

Andrew: My favourite driver is Fernando Alonso Louise: Michael Schumacher If you could race any car, what would it be?

Andrew: Easy one – F1, what else!? I’d really like the chance to try a DTM car as well Louise: Audi’s LMP1 sportscar If you could pick any driver as your team-mate on a race weekend, who would you pick?

Andrew: Alonso as I know I’d really have to push myself every race to stand a chance of beating him Louise: I’m not sure to be honest – there are too many drivers to choose from!

What is your day job?

Andrew: Co-running the team and sponsorship work for my own racing Louise: I’m about to start at Aston University studying Business and Maths, but work part-time at Trent Valley Kart Club and as an instructor at Silverstone What do you drive on the road?

Andrew: SEAT Leon 1.9 TDi Louise: Vauxhall Corsa What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given in your racing career?

Andrew: Enjoy yourself Louise: Don’t look back on a race circuit. Always look forwards and don’t give up Do you have any pre-race rituals?

Andrew: I almost make it a ritual to not think about the race – just jump in the car and go Louise: I sit on the truck steps with my iPod in for the half hour leading up to a race

Who do you think will be BTCC champion at the end of the season?

Andrew: I’d like to see someone different do it, so I’m going to go for Andy Jordan Louise: Gordon Shedden www.insidebtcc.com

Inside BTCC 41

Pics: jakobebrey.com

What is your ultimate career goal?

Andrew: To be a professional racing driver, which would mean getting paid to do what I love Louise: To win the Le Mans 24 Hours

RACE FOR

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDING

DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Matt Neal Gordon Shedden Jason Plato Andrew Jordan Rob Collard Mat Jackson Tom Onslow-Cole Frank Wrathall Dave Newsham Jeff Smith Lea Wood Nick Foster Rob Austin Tony Gilham Aron Smith Dan Welch Andy Neate Ollie Jackson Liam Griffin Will Bratt Chris James Adam Morgan Tony Hughes Paul O’Neill Robb Holland John Thorne

Inside BTCC 42

255 247 245 218 178 170 161 118 114 95 83 81 71 71 71 61 52 33 29 20 15 13 11 3 2 0

MANUFACTURER/CONSTRUCTOR 1 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Honda/Dynamics MG/Triple Eight

567 458

TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP Honda Yuasa Racing eBay Motors Pirtek Racing MG KX Momentum Racing Redstone Racing Team ES Racing.com Dynojet Rob Austin Racing BINZ Racing Team HARD Welch Motorsport AmDTuning.com Speedworks Thorney Motorsport

482 350 313 292 267 133 120 94 84 72 63 41 39 3

www.insidebtcc.com

THE TITLE

GS AFTER 18 OF 30 RACES INDEPENDENT DRIVERS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Andrew Jordan Rob Collard Mat Jackson Tom Onslow-Cole Frank Wrathall Dave Newsham Jeff Smith Nick Foster Lea Wood Tony Gilham Rob Austin Aron Smith Dan Welch Ollie Jackson Liam Griffin Tony Hughes Chris James Will Bratt Adam Morgan Paul O’Neill Robb Holland John Thorne

www.insidebtcc.com

265 217 213 203 163 141 140 127 126 108 102 101 94 70 55 50 47 31 28 9 8 5

INDEPENDENT TEAMS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Pirtek Racing eBay Motors Redstone Racing Dynojet Team ES Racing BINZ Racing Team HARD Rob Austin Racing Speedworks Welch Motorsport AmDTuning.com Thorney Motorsport

287 282 262 188 187 152 143 140 129 117 104 19

Inside BTCC 43

THE SEASON

RACE-BY-RACE RESULTS FOR THE 2012 DUNLOP

Matt Neal

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

2

1

7

3

2

DNF

10

5

2

1

5

1

1

Mat Jackson

7

4

DNF

1

3

EXC

1

3

6

5

DNF

7

8

Aron Smith

DNF

DNF

8

8

9

11

7

8

14

DNF

16

DNF

10

Liam Griffin

14

12

11

DNF

DNF

14

DNF

17

12

DNF

8

DNF

14

Rob Collard

1

6

6

10

8

4

4

7

7

3

14

6

2

DNF

DNS

13

9

14

7

5

4

3

12

17

9

DNF

Dan Welch

17

11

DNF

12

DNF

8

DNF

DNS

DNS

6

4

DNF

DNF

Rob Austin

8

5

5

DNF

DNS

DNS

DNF

18

13

/

/

/

5

Will Bratt

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

8

DNF

11

9

DNF

9

3

7

4

DNF

2

6

18

DNF

10

DNF

DNF

Nick Foster

9

DNF

DNS

11

11

12

14

14

11

9

6

8

18

Paul O’Neill

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

17

Frank Wrathall

Dave Newsham

Adam Morgan

DNF

DNS

DNF

15

13

DNF

DNF

DNC

DNF

DNF

DNF

DNF

15

Tony Gilham

18

13

10

14

7

3

11

9

DNF

DNF

11

10

12

Robb Holland

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

Tom Onslow-Cole

3

10

DNF

5

10

9

8

13

10

DNF

9

3

7

Lea Wood

11

15

9

DNF

15

10

9

12

8

10

7

5

13

Andy Neate

12

14

14

16

12

DNF

16

16

DNF

7

DNF

DNF

6

Ollie Jackson

13

8

DNF

DNC

DNS

DNS

12

15

15

11

15

15

11

Tony Hughes

16

16

15

DNF

16

15

DNC

19

16

13

12

14

/

5

DNF

EXC

2

1

1

6

1

1

4

1

4

3

10

7

4

13

6

5

13

11

9

DNF

DNS

12

DNF

DNF

17

16

DNS

DNS

DNS

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

Gordon Shedden Jeff Smith John Thorne Andrew Jordan

6

2

2

6

5

6

DNF

10

5

2

2

DNF

4

Chris James

15

DNF

12

17

DNF

13

15

DNS

17

DNF

13

13

16

Jason Plato

4

3

1

4

DNC

2

3

2

4

DNC

3

2

DNC

Inside BTCC 44

www.insidebtcc.com

SO FAR

P MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP

14

15

16

17

18

2

4

4

4

8

DNF

12

8

6

4

DNF

DNF

14

10

6

14

DNF

/

/

/

5

5

DNF

DNC

9

8

15

2

5

7

17

10

5

17

12

3

7

12

DNF

DNF

18

DNF

/

/

/

12

16

EXC

8

1

10

8

11

13

13

DNF

13

/

/

/

20

14

DNF

DNF

10

11

DNF

13

DNF

DNF

/

/

DNF

14

17

6

2

6

7

2

19

DNF

9

9

DNF

9

9

15

12

15

15

DNF

DNF

15

14

/

/

16

16

16

1

6

7

2

EXC

13

11

10

11

11

/

/

/

/

/

4

3

3

1

5

16

17

DNF

DNF

DNF

7

1

1

3

3

www.insidebtcc.com

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Inside BTCC 45

29

30

Hubbleday/Jakob Ebrey