BTCC @ Brands Hatch - 9th April

Who's going to the 1st round of the BTCC this year ? I may have a spare ticket which will include hospitality in the Lotus Cars area - will sell at cost, though you must be young single and attractive (so that rules out Lorna on all three counts... ;))

Everyone's talking about the BTCC at Brands, you spent all yesterday wittering on about it. I think you're just being really mean and want to get me completely depressed because I can't go :(

Trackside Moderator disappears in a sulk and refuses to return until the end of the season ;)

Okay, buster. I may not be a spring chicken any more (12 more days before I hit 30) but there ain't no rings on my fingers and I am damn pretty! So how much is the ticket ;)

Tickets arrived today :)

32 of your English squids if you're interested ? Let us know. Price includes entry, paddock transfer, entry to Lotus hostility tent, free barbeque, etc.

What's the matter with a packed lunch and a beer in a plastic cup in an overcrowded bar?

I don't think I can afford £32. Let me know if you knock the price down to a fiver ;)

I know that this is a massive long shot, and I am not "young single and attractive" but if that £32 ticket is still availiable, then I am really interested. I know it is a bit late, but if it is still there then please could you let me know as soon as possible so I can sort out how I am going to Con my parents into giving me a lift, they have said they will if the ticket is still hanging around ;)
So Craig, please let me know

OK, Lee, the ticket is yours!

Drop me a line with your address, and i'll mail it to you. Sort out the dosh when we meet up.

Brillient, I'll e-mail you my home address,
Who else is going?
Looks like we have an invite over to the Mackie Motorsport people too!!
:) :)
I've not been to a BTTC meeting, or even to Brands Hatch before.

If you do come over the most youll get is a cuppa.
Theres only me staying the night at the track so Ill come over to your BBQ and grab a bite.

I expect I shall be lurking around somewhere!

If I can knock car troubles on the head in time, I'll be making an appearance.

A plague on engine management chips, is all I can say.

But I want to make the effort to see the Thoroughbred GP cars at good old Brands for one last time, if they really are going to rip the place apart as Sparky says.

A query. Never having been to a modern BTCC at Brands, do they have spectator parking on South Bank? and how early do you have to be there to get a fighting chance of a space?

Yes, Tim, parking is available on the South Bank but I haven't a clue what time you need to get there as I never park on the inside of a circuit. I have seen cars arriving reasonably late in the day (10am) but couldn't guarantee you'd get in if I gave you a definite time :)

According to Autosprout, there will now be two races for the TGP on Sunday :D as the grid is oversubscribed...

Thanks Craig,

Sounds like a job for my trusty alarm clock then. There's something about being able to use a comfy chair at South Bank, even if it means hanging around for hours until the queues have gone.

But it'll be worth it for a full grid of F1s. Oh, and I understand there's a couple of events for saloon cars taking place the same day.....

I think we're in for a great days racing guys!

OK who's going and are we meeting up?

There's one TGP race on saturday, and the main event on Sunday. The Sunday race starts at 10.15 - so be there early if you want to see GP cars!!!

Can I advise that everyone should walk round to the GP circuit, namely Dingle Dell, as this is easily the most spectactular place to see racing cars in the country... This is its last year!

Do'h, Arse, Damn it, and all other things to say in a situation like this.
My traind doesn't get in 'till 10:15, so i will miss the TGP Cars :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(
(phew, what an obscene amount of :('s :))

I'd lurve to be there... but can't http://www.ten-tenths.com/ubb/icons/icon34.gif

Somebody pleeeeeze take a photo or two of where the old Brabham Straight grandstands used to be... and post 'em right here so I can see... and have a cry. http://www.ten-tenths.com/ubb/icons/icon24.gif


The place is changing already, enjoy it while you can...

does anyone have the full timetable for Sunday?

I read on Ceefax that the feature race starts at 4pm - is it a new time for this season or just a one-off to fit rounds the over 60's indoor bowling on Grandstand?

10:15 TGP (15 laps)
11:00 Clio (11)
12:45 BTCC Sprint (14)
13:30 FF (14)
14:15 Lotus (24 min)
15:00 Renault 2000 (15 laps)
16:00 BTCC Feature (28)
17:10 Fiesta (11)

Yes, Feature race will generally be earlier for rest of season (night races exluded) usually about 15:30.

E & O E

I'm going - and I'm bringing a horrendously shy young friend with me, so if we meet up, please try not to frighten him too much :)

Any firm plans for time / plase to meet up?

10am outside the Kentagon. Looks like we've got quite a few of us going...

Lee will be joining us later, when (if ?) his train arrives. Lee, have you got my moby number ? If so, give us a ring when you arrive at the circuit and we'll arrange somewhere to meet up. If you've not got it, drop me an email and i'll let you know it.

(and I could have sworn I read that there will be a total of three TGP races, with two on the Sunday... oh well :()

I'm going! Don't fall over Craig. I really am going.

I have no idea where Kentagon is and if I'll even make it for 10am but I have your mobile number Craig so I'll find you :D

Oh, ****!

Rik, are we gonna get to meet you, sir ?

I can't go due to a misunderstanding with my goldfish.
He seemed to think I was taking him for a swim down the canal on Sunday.
I'll try to spot you all on the telly.

I'm planning on being there both days! So I hope I wil finally meet up with you all! kentagon, 10am Sunday it is!

Don't worry about it Dave - we'll not miss you... ;)

As well as Lee arriving late, I just got an email from Maisie saying that she, Chris and her friend will be late too. I suggest that we return to the Kentagon for fresh supplies, and to meet up with the stragglers immediately after the Clio race (which starts at 11am, and runs for 11 laps...)

So, we have Rik, Invader, Maisie, Chris, Lee, Lorna, Woody, and perhaps Tim and Mackperson too. Blimey. I don't think we should be buying rounds for that little lot...!

Does everyone know what we look like ? And have you got my mobile number in case you can't find us ? If not, drop me a line.

See ya there

I don't know what anyone looks like, but you will not fail to miss me :)
I am the lanky one wearing yellow and using a walking stick ;)
Oh, and probally looking over my shoulder very afraid at finally getting to a btcc race and not having a clue what to expect :)

I have no idea what any of you look like!

Just look out for a short fat guy with lopsided glasses (I Broke em!) and a Ford Mondeo racing hat!

http://www.ten-tenths.com/images/misc/gang/

Phew! what a rogues gallery!! ;)

Drat! And double Drat!

Anyone travelling the M11 southbound near North Weald this morning may have seen a small silver Vauxhall Corsa on the hard shoulder with the bonnet up.

By the time the nice man with the yellow van had confirmed my analysis that the engine management chip was out to lunch, the Thoroughbred GPs had run their race.

With the car running - hesitantly - I decided to cut my losses and go 'ome! Hope everyone else had a fabulous day. I'll try to meet up later in the year.

Anyone want a 1998 Vauxhall Corsa, small kick-shaped footprint in the paintwork?

Didn't think so...

Well I was held up en route and arrived too late for the 10am rendezvouz! I saw the TGP thanks to it being re started, then returned to the Kentagon after the seriously shortened Clio race (4 laps!! I ask you!!!)

Sadly I didn't recognise anyone, and no one regognised me from my unflattering but none the less accurate description.

Sorry to have missed you guys, we'll have to do better next time eh?

Sorry to miss you both - the organisation was a bit of a balls up, i'm afraid - looks like we need Carrie to organise things again!

I did see Maisie and Chris at one point, and it was good to meet Lee. Of course I saw Invader, and also saw Woody, Lorna and Nigel. (though the last two seemed to disappear into the woods together fot much of the day...! ;))

Favourite race ? TGP, followed by Fiestas. A good day - if only they can sort out the touring cars, it will truly be a great card...

None of you came to my awning

where were you?????????

did any of you meet maxi jass from Faithless who was driving fiestas

I had a really good day!
Cheers Craig for getting me the ticket, and also for the lift back to the train. Did you find the main road again?
It was good to see the likes of Vincent Apple "racing" in the flesh!! ;)
Havent had time to see the taped tv coverage, I wonder if we were on the tv?? :) ??
It was good to meet some fellow ten-tenths people, I will definatly be trying to get to some more meetings, unless I am politly asked not to ;)

My thoughts on the day include:

1) the following items would be a welcome addition to the GP Loop - commentary, toilets for those not prepared to nip off into the trees and food 'cos it is too far to walk back to the Indy circuit.

2) was the crowd smaller than last year? - I think so, although the GP track made it hard to tell.

3) why didn't the TGP blokes leave the cars round in the paddock for us to have a good look at. When I looked in a few Williams were lying about but most teams were getting the stuff straight in the van and nipping off.

4) the ST races weren't great but thanks to James Thompson for your spin it was worth the admission money alone.

5) why was the radio commentary so ****, it wasn't the usual Radio TOCA was it?

6) Dingle Dell corner is lovely.

The big plus point is I do think the works teams and drivers are evenly matched (except Honda?) so it should be less of a one or two horse race than past years.

The support bill looks good as well it's just the main event that needs a kick in the bits to get it going.

Fan of the day: 8 year old "dad why are they called Touring Cars?". Father "cos they tour tracks in the UK racing."

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Craig Antill:
Sorry to miss you both - the organisation was a bit of a balls up, i'm afraid - looks like we need Carrie to organise things again!

I did see Maisie and Chris at one point, and it was good to meet Lee. Of course I saw Invader, and also saw Woody, Lorna and Nigel. (though the last two seemed to disappear into the woods together fot much of the day...! ;))

Favourite race ? TGP, followed by Fiestas. A good day - if only they can sort out the touring cars, it will truly be a great card...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

S'funny. I thought Fatbloke was going to be there. Didn't you bump into him as well? ;)

I enjoyed the weekend a lot, as I went for both days.

The Touring car race definatley needs spicing up a bit though!

And as usual Brands Hatch couldn't organise a pi55 up in a brewery! But they certainly knew how to charge!

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Craig Antill:
I did see Maisie and Chris at one point, and it was good to meet Lee. Of course I saw Invader, and also saw Woody, Lorna and Nigel. (though the last two seemed to disappear into the woods together fot much of the day...! ;))
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I did disapper into the woods with Nigel - it was not for most of the day. At least I disappeared into the woods with someone of the opposite sex unlike you :D

Agree with most comments - organisation could've been better, especially with regards to radio commentary or at least PA around the GP loop - the main reason we stayed at Druids to watch most of the races rather than going to Dingle Dell - that and being bloody frozen - plus Chris getting in a strop after being frozen stiff and having one of his contact lenses blow away in a sudden gust :(

Nice to see Graham Holmes & Vincent Apple in action again! We did pass your awning Mackmot, but were afraid to barge in :) And we were following your truck towards the motorway for some distance (in case you were wondering who the lunatic in the white Cavalier was!) What happened to your driver? One minute he was doing quite well, the next he just pulled off after Druids? Do tell.

Hope to actually get to meet up with more people at Donington.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lorna:
At least I disappeared into the woods with someone of the opposite sex unlike you :D<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

And you would know this, how ? :)

Mr Macperson, we did call your name when we passed your team wheeling the car down the paddock, but we were ignored, so we presumed you were not in the group :) Come across to Redgate Lodge next time out, huh ?

BTW, does anyone have a spare program from Brands which they wouldn't mind sending this way ? I never got to buying one when I was there, but would mind a read :)

Who's program did you have in the Kentagon then Craig?

Mine you two timing trollop.

Oh and I've just mailed it to Reynolds.