rec.autos.simulators

BTCC Race Today on SV

Tom Pabs

BTCC Race Today on SV

by Tom Pabs » Sat, 19 Jan 2002 04:35:04

I just finished watching a BTCC race on Speedvision....the second main race
was run completely in the rain (sorry, I don't recall the track name).  It
was a great race, even included some bashing and banging that resulted in
one driver being suspended for a race.

The reason I'm writing about this, is I was totally surprised to hear the
announcers chiding certain drivers for missing the apex in many turns.  I
expected something as professional as the BTCC series to have announcers who
were at least knowledgeable of racing.....and I expected the BTCC to field
driver who were professional drivers.  More than half the BTCC field was
hitting the apex's...then spinning off track...while the ones being "chided"
by the announcers for not hitting the apex's....went on to win the race (or
at least finish).  Don't they know the "wet" racing line is any place the
"dry" racing line is not?  You stay off the curbs, out of the "dry line" and
look for grip anywhere out of the "dry line" you can find it.  After racing
most of my career out of Portland, Oregon....where it rains a ton....I
learned those lessons very well.  Since it rains a lot in England....I
expected those driver to be a little more "rain smart" than I observed in
that race.  The announcers, of course....had no clue!

TP

Richard

BTCC Race Today on SV

by Richard » Sat, 19 Jan 2002 09:31:42

I saw the same race. I think the track was Croft. Also one of the announcers
was ex F1 driver John Watson.
I would imagine he knows what he's talking about.

;-)

--
Richard "ZZ" Busch

Member:
Screamers Racing League
GPL Rank + 27.58

----------------
Busch Motorsports:
Remember racecar is racecar spelled backward
-----------------
Busch Carpentry:
Plans? Oh, you mean that napkin sketch?
-----------------
Stressed is just Desserts backwards

Dave Henri

BTCC Race Today on SV

by Dave Henri » Sat, 19 Jan 2002 11:44:38

  Yeah John Watson,  THE John Watson...he usually keeps pretty up on that
wet stuff, but I guess he fubar'd that commentary.  Old F1 drivers don't
die, they just find the faults with everyone else.....
dave henrie


Richard Walke

BTCC Race Today on SV

by Richard Walke » Sun, 20 Jan 2002 03:01:21



Ah!  Croft!  That's twenty minutes from here in the car!  :-)  The rain was
truly awful - I was stood there at clervaux, getting *very* wet.

Yet again, it was a Soper vs. Bennett duel, and Bennet showed that he is a
twit!

Charlie Cox and John Watson are not *that* bad.  They are both ex-drivers,
so do know their stuff.

During the 2001 season, they looked worse than in the past because the TV
programmes (produced by Octagon, rather than BHP) were *very* badly put
together.  I hope TOCA do something about this for next year.

The silly thing is that the commentary is basically scripted, so I don't see
how they are able to get so many things 'wrong'.  I blame Octagon.

P.S. In the UK, we will get to see the 2002 races one week after they take
     place.  :-)

P.P.S. Go to http://www.tocatour.com and you can watch the races 'live' on a
       web cam and listen with RealPlayer...

--
Richard.

"Well, my heart went "boom", when I crossed that room."

Jan Koh

BTCC Race Today on SV

by Jan Koh » Wed, 23 Jan 2002 03:22:26

The "clueless" announcers were Charlie Cox (ex-BTCC driver) and John Watson
(ex-F1 driver).
While I don't recall the commentary you spoke of, I sincerely doubt that
they are anywhere near
clueless.

Jan Kohl
The Pits - 6 years and counting
http://www.theuspits.com

chairbor

BTCC Race Today on SV

by chairbor » Fri, 25 Jan 2002 08:06:02



After watching the race, they did make the "missing the apex"
statement, but followed that up immediately by stating that they were
"trying to find more traction..."  Personally, I really like that show
and their coverage (including Mr. Cox and Mr. Watson), although their
camera angles leave a bit to be desired sometimes...

Richard Walke

BTCC Race Today on SV

by Richard Walke » Sat, 26 Jan 2002 00:21:33



This is *totally* the fault of Octagon, who do the filming and editing.
They are absolutely useless.

In the past, Barrie Hintcliffe Sports were behind such work, and it was
always superb.

This year, things are supposed to get better.  We'll see!

--
Richard.

"Well, my heart went "boom", when I crossed that room."


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