Bennett Out / Bennet must stay in the BTCC

Guy Goddard · 12 Aug 2001, 19:45 (Ref:129304)

Phil Bennet has been given a one race ban after using "barging" tatics in the feature race obviously still sore from his heavy contact with Plato at Snetterton, who will replace him...

now wheres Matt Neals number!!

hunttheshunt · 12 Aug 2001, 20:18 (Ref:129320)

Interesting that Plato got docked points wheras Bennett gets a ban-i'll have to see the incident on TV. Also, i would have thought Vauxhall would have used someone like a young driver from a support race, or even no-one at all.

runnyhunny · 12 Aug 2001, 21:13 (Ref:129341)

I was at Croft earlier today.

I saw Phill Bennett after the race, in the paddock, and he was stomping away very quickly, and didn't look too pleased!

I also saw Mick Linford, talking to some Motorsport News journalists in the Peugeot paddock (next to Soper's battered 406). He was absolutely livid with Bennett!!! The nice journalist people (!) suggested that Mick have a word with Tim Harvey, since he's also had experience of being barged by Phil. Maybe they ganged up on him, and hence the ban?!

Matty B · 13 Aug 2001, 14:37 (Ref:129690)

Said journalists were merely pointing out that Mick wasn't alone in his anger, rather than suggesting they start a Phil Bennett witch-hunt.
Most journos are not really in the business of going around getting teams to gang up on each other - we do try to keep a balanced view, honest!
My personal feeling is that the punishment doesn't fit the crime...

redshoes · 13 Aug 2001, 17:16 (Ref:129738)

Agree with you there Matt. From what I saw at the complex it was a case of too many cars too little room. The was a coming together at Tower but that was too far away to see who was to blame. Can't understand what Bennett did to deserve the ban.

Guy Goddard · 13 Aug 2001, 18:44 (Ref:129786)

Quote:

Originally posted by redshoes

Can't understand what Bennett did to deserve the ban.

Yeh your right redshoes, remember 99 when Thompson in the Honda drove Plato off the track in the Laguna when fighting with Leslie which must have been the worst act of barging tatics ever...did he get banned no, although he lost his points but Bennets tactis were never to this level of Thompson in that race.
Bennett deserves better than this..

**Craig** · 13 Aug 2001, 18:48 (Ref:129790)

As I was at Mallory Park I haven't yet seen the move so can't really comment but, given some of the tactics employed by certain drivers in the series this year, it must have been pretty severe. If it wasn't then someone somewhere has a problem adminstering the rules fairly...

hunttheshunt · 13 Aug 2001, 19:04 (Ref:129808)

Unfair considering what Plato did at Snett and only got a time-penalty. It does seem unfair as mayb Phil is still being treated with less respect as he is the 'new boy'. Although he's getting bloody quick now!

Les · 13 Aug 2001, 21:50 (Ref:129928)

What was worse - Plato pushing Bennett down the track sideways or Bennet hitting Soper?

It doesn't seem to be punishment fitting the crime.

Guy Goddard · 14 Aug 2001, 07:53 (Ref:130142)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Les
[B]What was worse - Plato pushing Bennett down the track sideways or Bennet hitting Soper?

Your right Les Plato's move was simply not on and he had only one thing in mind and that was to remove Bennett from the race, looking at the two incidents plato's move could have seriously hurt bennett at the speed he was going and although Bennetts tatics were hard they were not in the same danger zone as Plato.
We have seen this happen in F1 where drivers have got away with things to keep the championship alive...has BTCC gone down the same road.

Guy

**Craig** · 14 Aug 2001, 18:12 (Ref:130409)

Quote:

Originally posted by Matty B
Said journalists were merely pointing out that Mick wasn't alone in his anger, rather than suggesting they start a Phil Bennett witch-hunt.
Most journos are not really in the business of going around getting teams to gang up on each other - we do try to keep a balanced view, honest!
My personal feeling is that the punishment doesn't fit the crime...

This is a snippet of the Pug press release... they certainly are making their views on the incident known...

Quote:

Vic Lee, Team Principal said: 'Consequently, since all the trouble with Phil Bennett, a one race ban for reckless driving is little compensation for the extensive damage his bad driving has caused. This was not a justified end to an excellent drive from Steve.'

Mick Linford, Motorsport Manager for Peugeot said: 'Once again the Peugeot team has suffered from Phil Bennett wild driving. The penalty of a single race ban seems too lenient considering this is the third time he has prevented Steve getting a good result. The damage that he has caused to our cars this year adds up to tens of thousands of pounds. Let us hope that he will now drive in a professional way like all the other drivers do, or is that too much to ask?'

SPOONERBORO · 14 Aug 2001, 18:43 (Ref:130431)

cheeky buggers!! mr bennett aint a happy chappy!! cant see why an automatic suspension is necessary should have been a one race suspended ban rather than a full blown ban!! Christ think of all those accidents in past years Menu, Ravaglia, Rydell Snetterton 1996!! Cleland vs Rydell 1996 brands hatch, simoni vs radisich in 1994 Bintcliffe on leslie 1998!! say no more

but i predict Mr Warwick to take the helm!!......

hunttheshunt · 14 Aug 2001, 18:48 (Ref:130436)

Pug are trying to make excuses for their own shortcomings-they have failed thisyear and are blaming Phil

for it.

He does not deserve the (now two race!) ban!

Daz · 14 Aug 2001, 21:17 (Ref:130511)

I don't know what the hell is going on in the minds of BMP this year. Phill no way deserved the recent meeting ban he's got. There are others that have driven far worse, Steve Soper, Jason Plato and got away with either nothing or just a 30 second penalty.
Do BMP have a hidden agenda on this matter and are try to force Phill Bennett out of the BTCC?
Lets all show our support to the one and only Eggy Bennett, he must stay in the BTCC with Vauxhall. BMP can't be allowed to make Phill escape goat for other teams poor performing cars and drivers on track standards.

I rest my case, thank you.

**touringlegend** · 14 Aug 2001, 21:42 (Ref:130525)

I'm waiting to see the TV Coverage on this.

It may have been he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, or the bumps looked like very big bangs.

Guy Goddard · 14 Aug 2001, 21:50 (Ref:130527)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hunttheshunt
[B]Pug are trying to make excuses for their own shortcomings-they have failed thisyear and are blaming Phil

for it.

Bang on mate, Peugeot are using this as their escape plan to get the media off the fact as to why they are as slow now as at the start of the season.
I hoped Peugeot would get nothing this year after dropping Matt Neal and they have, using Phil Bennett as the escape goat will not wash with any off us on this thread who have followed BTCC.
Peugeot should not be in the sport if they are not happy with swopping paint and losing a bumper here or there they cause more damage to their cars with their own drivers mistakes!!!

Guy:confused:

redshoes · 14 Aug 2001, 21:59 (Ref:130528)

From the Complex it looked a little like this

redshoes · 14 Aug 2001, 22:00 (Ref:130529)

and by the next lap Soper's car looked like this

fudge · 14 Aug 2001, 22:05 (Ref:130532)

If you feel that this ban is unfair, could I please ask all attending Oulton Park to make their feelings known!
I for one will be showing my opinion with either a t.shirt or banner supporting PB!

fudge · 14 Aug 2001, 22:09 (Ref:130535)

Looks like Phil reversed into the Pug again!

silverfox · 14 Aug 2001, 22:22 (Ref:130538)

Get into the attic,find those Free Nelson Mandella teeshirts and recycle them as Justice for Phil ones.
The fans do not just have to sit and watch diabolical decisions being carried out

RIKB · 14 Aug 2001, 22:32 (Ref:130540)

As the old saying goes, rubbing is racing!

Get a grip Mr West, Most fans don't go to see an orderly procession!

fudge · 14 Aug 2001, 23:10 (Ref:130549)

C'mon Spoonerboro, I'm sure you can think up something to put on a banner at Oulton, something suitable for the 'Justice for Phil Bennett' campaigners.

Sodemo · 15 Aug 2001, 00:22 (Ref:130569)

WOW, this reminds me of that "Free Bertrond Gacho"(F1 driver) campaign in 90/91 when he assaulted a taxi driver or something.

RickP:Clio51 · 15 Aug 2001, 10:22 (Ref:130685)

"Free the Eggy one!"

I agree, t-shirts, flags the lot.

Actually Sodemo, I was in Belgium for the GP the week after Mr Gachot was incarcerated by the Brits. The locals were pretty unhappy that their only GP star wasn't racing at his home GP because we'd locked him up...

"All" he did was mace a taxi driver... living in London, I can sympathise...

Imagine if "Our Damon" had been locked up by the Belgians the week before the Silverstone GP?

RickP
"Free the Eggy one"

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