Archive for February, 2015
The Big Weekend: Bathurst 12 Hour and V8 Supercars Supertest.
The most anticipated motorsport showdown in Australia came to a head on February 8th, with Sydney Motorsport Park playing host to the V8 Supercars Supertest while Australia’s legendary mountain racetrack, Mt Panorama, was home to a large international contingent for the annual Liqui-Moly 12 Hour.
Politics aside. it was horses for courses as each event catered for their own audience; the Supertest showcased some world premieres, namely new livery, the debut of the final Australian Ford Falcon FG-X plus the new aero package for Nissan’s Altimas, new cameras mounted on cars and, importantly for the category, debuting the broadcast between the Ten network amd Fox Sports Australia, complete with new graphics and logos.
It was also the first time the testing had been held over two days, allowing the teams more data logging and a chance to utilise old tyres left from the 2014 season. It opened up a new format, with Saturday (a coolish day, as it turned out) having a three hour session to close out the first day before moving to the traditional track walk after a two hour opener then concluding with a full field shootout.
The aerodynamic changes to Nissan’s Altima (ironically, available with a four or six cylinder, only) appeared to pay off, with the Kelly brothers topping the time sheets, plus the overall gap between first and twenty fifth was well under two and a half seconds.
There’s some conjecture as to how relevant these times were, given the teams were using 2014 rubber and were restricted to using new tyres for the shootout only. Ford driver and co-winner of the 2014 Bathurst 1000, Chaz Mostert, was ultimately the quickest but by an incredible 0.008th of a second and just 6/100ths of a second off fourth place getter, team mate Mark Winterbottom, banking a cool $2500
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At Mt Panorama it was a dream fest for fans of Aston Martin, Bentley, Audi, Ferrari, Porsche and V8 powered Mazdas, plus the circuit had the pleasure of the company of Felix Baumgartner. Don’t recognise the name? Perhaps thinking of someone jumping from a balloon a number of kilometres about the earth’s surface may help.
The race started just before six am and would soon see the return of Australia’s favourite hopping creature to the circuit, bringing out the first of what would be over twenty safety cars. The term “rubbin’s racing” would very quickly be seen throughout the race, with numerous contacts throughout the twelve hours, including racing royalty David Brabham being pushed into the wall by an Aston Martin. An Australian engineered MARC entry, one of the V8 powered Mazda3’s, had an incredible impact at Skyline, skipping straight across the “kitty litter” and impacting, at high speed, the tyre bundles, destroying the bodywork in a cloud of dust.
Nissan had entered here as well, with the GT-R; naturally whispers of the return of “Godzilla”, in respect of the early ’90’s beat that was almost unstoppable, started to circulate and so it was. With just ten minutes to go, a one lap safety car period bunched up the field, with a Bentley leading and desperately holding off a n Aston Martin, Audi and GT-R. On the final lap at the final turn, positions changed and the GT-R, driven by a young Japanese man, Katsumasa Chiyo, that had participated in an academy, an academy that took people that were good drivers in a console computer game, became the winner.
Decoding Automotive Alphabet Soup
Do your eyes glaze over when you read some descriptions of new car models? I know mine do occasionally. It’s not because the new car isn’t exciting or anything like that. It’s the alphabet soup. Yes, I know that a lot of technical mechanical terms are rather long winded and it’s easier to just use an acronym. Who talks about deoxyribonucleic acid instead of DNA?
However, if you’re not particularly mechanically minded and are just on the lookout for a new car, all these strings of letters can be a bit confusing. Do you want an SUV with EBD and DOHC? Or an MPV with LPG and A/C? To make things worse, one marque might use a particular string of letters for a particular feature but another manufacturer will use a completely different acronym.
So just to help you navigate this alphabet maze, I’ll try to be a GPS (global positioning system – uses satellites and a grid system to pinpoint exact locations across the planet. Often involves maps which update themselves with “You are Here” dots). There – that’s one taken care of!
DOHC: Double overhead cam(shaft). One of the camshafts operates the engine intake valves while the other operates the exhaust valve. Engines with DOHC are more efficient than those with SOHC (single overhead cam).
EBD: Emergency Brake Distribution. Usually found alongside ABS brakes (see below). This system makes sure that when you bang on the brakes, the right amount of power gets to the right wheels to stop safely depending on your vehicle’s load and speed, plus the conditions…. without skidding.
ABS: Anti Brake Skid. Stops your wheels locking up with sudden braking. If your wheels lock up during emergency braking, you are likely to skid and lose control.
BA: Brake Assist. A cunning device that “reads” how hard you’re stamping on the brake pedal and supplies extra power to the braking system if it thinks you’re doing an emergency stop.
LPG: Liquid petroleum gas. A fuel for your car that usually (a) costs less and (b) doesn’t produce as much nasty stuff in the exhaust. Needs the engine to be converted. Popular with family cars with big engines (e.g. Ford Falcons ). LPG is the stuff that comes in the cylinder for your gas barbecue. Don’t attempt to fill an LPG car from one of these cylinders or vice versa.
AWD: All Wheel Drive. Means that the drivetrain powers all four wheel. Yes, this is the same as four-wheel drive (aka 4×4 or 4WD). Usually used for city vehicles that are too sophisticated to associate themselves with tough, rugged Outback-style 4x4s.
SUV: Sports Utility Vehicle. A kind of cross between a big classic 4×4 and your typical family station wagon. Usually has AWD and a bit more ground clearance. Has lots of towing ability and seating space.
ESC: Electronic Stability Control. This usually combines all the anti-skidding stuff in brakes plus traction control to make sure that the car stays on the road more or less where you want it to during a skid or during cornering. Also known as ESP (electronic stability program), VDC (vehicle dynamic control) and heaps of other names – every manufacturer seems compelled to come up with their own acronym.
MPV: Multi Person Vehicle. A big car with lots of seats (usually seven) spread over three rows. Has more of a nose on it than a van.
CVVT: Continuous Variable Valve Timing. Inside your engine, the valves controlling what’s going in and out of the combustion chamber could open and close at the same rate. Not with CVVT – this fine-tunes how long each one’s open for to make your engine burn more efficiently.
A/C: Air conditioning. Do I really need to explain what this is?
EFI: Electronic Fuel Injection. A very precise way of delivering the fuel to the engine. Another efficiency measure. It’s all about efficiency these days.
HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle. A car with an electric motor to back up the fossil-fuel fired one. You also hear about PHEVs. This stands for “plug-in hybrid electric vehicle” – same sort of thing but easier to charge.
RPM (usually rpm): revolutions per minute. Used to measure the speed at which your engine is turning over. Your rev counter probably drops the last three digits off.
LSD. Not the hallucinogenic drug from the 1960s and 70s. Not “pounds, shilling and pence” either. This stands for “limited slip differential”. This system makes sure that if one of the wheels slips, all the power goes to the other wheels instead. Usually seen in four-wheel drives.
LED: Light-emitting diode. Glows like a regular lightbulb but doesn’t use as much power or blow as often as regular ones. Because they produce bright lights, last for ages and don’t use much electricity, they’re becoming increasingly popular. More common in cars than in homes… at least for now!
LCD: Liquid Crystal Display. What an information display panel probably uses. Most screens use this technology these days.
VTOL. Vertical take-off and landing. If you are looking at a vehicle that has this, it isn’t a car. You are looking at a jet.
Safe and happy driving,
Megan
Should the BTCC go International?
Image Credit: BTCC.net
The BTCC has always been fundamentally been a British institution, despite a considerable overseas invasion throughout the 1990s. However, news has come forth across the oceans from the far off land of Macau. The city circuit that resides there has for many years played host to the action-packed final round of the World Touring Car Championship. The tight, twisty terror represents a true test for any race driver; one wrong move and its not only a position you lose but many of your body panels. However, there now exists a void since the departure of the WTCC. The vacuum left behind can only be filled by a top-class touring car series; it is therefore no surprise that the organisers have approached the BTCC. And with the latest news that the championship is to be aired in the states, one question remains. Should the BTCC go international?
It comes as no surprise to hear that the British Touring Car Championship has always competed on British soil in all of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. But never before has this master of touring car series travelled across the oceans to foreign lands. As a life long lover of the BTCC, this genuinely does come as a bit of a surprise. In the 1990s, the series did undergo somewhat of an invasion for international forces; throughout the Super Touring era the BTCC was undoubtedly not just one of the best touring car series, but one of the best motorsport series in the world as a whole. It made perfect sense then that across the latter part of the 90s name such as Aiello, Tarquini, Kox, Kristensen, Muller, Boullion, Rydell, Morbidelli, Radermaker and Menu began to drive the British driver to near extinction.
Considering the international status of the BTCC, I was always surprised that they never had any overseas races, either as part of the championship or just as an exhibition. In terms of ‘special’ races, the BTCC did have the Snetterton (’99 and ’00) and Silverstone (2000) night races, as well as the British GP support for many years. In recent years, the Australian V8 Supercar Championship has travelled across the water to have rounds in China, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. The CEO James Warburton believes that the strength of the championship lies in keeping an Australian championship mostly in Australia, but having unique overseas events can only compliment the series.
Since the departure of the WTCC as a regular race at the Macau circuit, organisers are searching for another series that would slot in along side the F3, GT and bike races. It has been reported that numerous BTCC teams (that remain unnamed) have been approached about the idea, most of whom have expressed an interest. In addition, another suggested series is the newly formed TCR International, which is run by the FIA. A fascinating thought struck me when I realized that the FIA has lifted the NGTC regulations from the BTCC for use in other national touring car series. Yes you probably are thinking what I am thinking; could there be a one off showcase at Macau that brings in cars from across other national series and the BTCC. The ultimate NGTC touring car event.
National FIA Touring Car series will use the same NGTC regulations as the BTCC. Image Credit: SEAT Sport
Before we go any further, I would now like to play devils advocate on myself, just before my head disappears too far into the clouds. It is all very well in saying how amazing it would be to have either a BTCC event or even a mixed race at Macau, but is it actually a feasible concept? It may be that the crown jewel of the current BTCC may in fact also be the poison dagger. The NGTC regulations were created to avoid the monumental costs of the Super Touring era and make it easier for smaller independent outfits to enter.
The usual Macau event takes place in mid-November, which would fall outside the usual BTCC season. Hypothetically therefore, the race would have to be run as a stand-alone event. It may indeed be a high profile event that acts as a showcase of the British championship, but what about the costs? If the round(s) had no championship worth as it were, would teams want to send their drivers and cars out to compete? What if the cars were involved in a series accident? During the championship accidents are almost par for the course, but to have it happen in a one-off event mean the teams may as well throw their money away right there and then. Just to increase the chances of incident, do remember that Macau is a tight street circuit that is prone to large accidents. For the smaller independent outfits on the grid, it is definitely a financial risk that might even endanger the appearance of the teams in the next seasons’ championship.
Despite my own attempts at shrouding this idea in negativity, I do believe that if the Macau race ever comes to fruition it will be fantastic for both the sport and the spectators. In the last few days, it has been announced that the BTCC will enter somewhat of a reincarnation of previous international prestige; a deal has been made with the CBS Sports network to broadcast hour-long reviews of BTCC rounds. To put that into perspective, in both the US and Canada the CBS network goes out to over 60 million families, a whole new frontier for the all-conquering series. On top of that, TorqueTV.com will be running an ‘on-demand’ style service to re-live the highlights for up to 90 days after each race weekend.
As I have previously stated, the appeal of the championship lies in its British heritage, regardless of its international reputation. I am in no way suggesting that the BTCC head abroad and start invading WTCC turf. In exactly the same vein as the comments made by James Warburton, the strength of the BTCC is retaining the British backdrop. To remove that may remove some of the 60 year old magic that drives the sport. However, considering the overseas excitement, it would be a nice gesture to acknowledge the global fan-base by bringing a motorsport series they love to them. Knowing that any sports series understands and appreciates its fan is a sure-fire way of obtaining lifelong followers. If Macau were to happen and be successful, I would like to see the BTCC competing in one off events at different circuits across the world over different years.
Can you imagine the BTCC field streaming down the infamous Corkscrew at Laguna Seca? Image Credit: Porsche Official
To utilise the obvious advantages (business, financial, sponorship and fan-based) of heading to areas with a high concentration of BTCC fans is almost a no-brainer. Not only would the fans benefit, but it would give the touring car drivers the opportunity to race on circuits that they may not have had the opportunity to based on their limited budgets. On top of everything else I have said in support of such an enterprise, the chance to join forces with the other touring series would be a great way to bring together touring car drivers from across the globe in order to see who truly is the best. Imagine if you will a race event similar to the Formula Ford festivals where there are multiple heats where drivers progress and qualify for the final. A whole weekend of intense touring car action. Personally, I cannot think of a better way to spend a weekend.
If I was therefore to answer my original question then yes, I do think that BTCC should go international. However, they must excercise extreme caution so as not to alienate their British audience in search of exotic glory and riches. Financial difficulties may be a concern, but exposure in new territories may bring with it new business and new opportunities.
What do you think? Should the BTCC consider taking its high octane action overseas?
What circuits would you love to see the field racing on? What about taking on Bathurst supporting the V8 Supercar Series?
Would you want to see a merging of the BTCC series and other touring car championships?
Let me know your thoughts!
Follow me on Twitter @lewisglynn69 for all my auto-antics!
Keep Driving People!
Peace and Love!
BTCC Memorable Drives: Two Toyotas, One Barrier
That’s what you call an action shot. Image Credit: popscreen.com
For any motorsport team, there surely can be no better feeling than having one of the most competitive driver line ups on the grid. As the 1992 British Touring Car Championship rolled around, it was the Toyota team of previous champions Will Hoy and Andy Rouse that entered the season with this undeniable feeling of confidence and expectations. The two best drivers in arguably the strongest car on the grid. What could possibly go wrong? As the championship reached Brands Hatch, they were about to find out.
The 1991 BTCC season was the inaugural year that the then brand new 2.0 litre formula was run on British soil; the previous multi-class operation had been thrown into the pages of history and replaced with a single class, high action championship. For many of the teams, 1991 had been a season of learning and development to acclimatize to this new era of racing. Therefore, as the engines roared into life for the 1992 season, the teams were ready to launch their full arsenal upon the tarmac in search of honour and glory.
The returning Vauxhall pairing of Jeff Allam and 1989 champion John Cleland were statistically the team to beat; both were proven race winners in a car that had already endured two previous seasons in the 2.0 litre specification. BMW had gone back to the drawing board for 1992, entering the brand new 318is in place of the now retired M3 for drivers Steve Soper and Tim Harvey. It would take a long time for the new BMW to become competitive. A handful of other teams including Vauxhalls, BMWs and even a Mazda completed the grid. There was however one other team.
Image Credit: retrorides.proboards.com
Image Credit: BTCCCrazy.co.uk
In 1991, the Kaliber Toyota team of Andy Rouse and Gary Ayles had endured a character building first year in a 2.0 litre machine. However, by the end of the season, Rouse was a proven race winner and completed the championship in 3rd position. To build on 1991 successes, Rouse joined forces with champion Will Hoy, who also brought with him his Securicor sponsorship from his BMW M3. The resulting car turned out to be a high-performance beast that quickly became everyone’s favourite for the championship. Not only that, but the Toyota team had arguably the two greatest touring car stars of the day driving for them. The titans of touring cars in ’92 were definitely going to be Toyota.
The first four rounds of the 1992 championship (Silverstone, Thruxton, Oulton Park and Snetterton) were very much dominated by Toyota and Vauxhall. Thanks to a somewhat memorable spin by Cleland at Oulton Park, it was Rouse that led the standings going into the fifth round at the Brands Hatch GP circuit. What had been clear throughout the opening rounds of the season was just how consistently competitive both the Toyota cars were. Watching back the footage from the ’92 season review, you can see that because the team was made up of the two best drivers in the field, they challenged and pushed each other throughout each race; You could draw a comparison between them and the on-track battles between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in the recent 2014 F1 championship. Both cars/drivers have such incredible pace that they would make each other faster and faster. However, unlike Hamilton-Rosberg example, Hoy and Rouse had a solid friendship outside of the cars; there was none of this petty behaviour that became shockingly common in the F1 last year.
The original promo used for the ’92 Toyota team. The perfect combination of Rouse and Hoy
Such harmony however was about to take a drastic tumble off a considerably gargantuan rock face. As with previous rounds, the race began with the two Toyotas battling with John Cleland in the Vauxhall. After swapping positions the two team mates found themselves side by side as they entered the famous GP loop of Brands Hatch. Andy Rouse edged ahead of Hoy, but heading into Westfields Hoy made his move up the inside. At first, it was a true execution of two great drivers battling at the edge of grip, performance and sanity. But then Hoy’s car moved left…
Words cannot truly describe what happens next. As such, here is the moment for you all to see:
BTCC 1992: Hoy and Rouse Crash at Brands Hatch
Added to the explosion of drama as the cars go searing off into the barrier at 120mph, you cannot forget the commentary of the one and only Murray Walker. He is a man whose voice IS motorsport:
“And, they’re off! Both of them off! Wha- Incredible!”
“And Rouse’s body language says rage and fury!”
Who is to blame for the incident? For some people, it appeared to be nothing more than a racing incident where two cars got too close together on track. For others, the blame can be placed on Will Hoy. After all, it was Will who made the decision to charge up the inside and his car that appeared to move over the left causing the incident. You can tell by the reaction of Rouse that he certainly did not see it as his fault, especially that these are the cars that he himself had engineered. Perhaps Hoy should not have made the move, but if perhaps Rouse had driven faster he wouldn’t have been overtaken in the first place. Furthermore, when you watch the footage, it appears (to me anyway) that Hoy’s car hit a small bump in the road that slightly unsettled the car; usually this wouldn’t cause any issue but when you have a car immediately to your left, well you saw what happened.
At the time, the incident was nothing more than the door handle to door handle action that you would get in any race. However, if we now fast forward to the famous final race of the ’92 season. The season ending race at Silverstone has become famous in its own right; 3 drivers, 1 title. However, what if the Toyota’s had never had that crash at Brands Hatch?
What if Rouse and Hoy did not crash that day? Image Credit: hispaniatecnica.com
Let us assume Hoy had successfully completed the pass and finished the Brands Hatch race in 2nd position. That would add an extra 18 to his final total, meaning the championship would have been his and not Tim Harvey’s. Furthermore, Rouse would have found himself in a top 3 finishing position in the championship. Also please note that further points scores would have been affected from Brands as everyone else would have finished 2 places lower. Even with the astonishing development of the BMW team throughout the year, it was Toyota that (again I believe) had the strongest car and driver line up.
Essentially, the bottom line is that Toyota lost the championship at Brands Hatch. Is this a real life example of Chaos Theory and the Butterfly Effect? One race, one bump in the road, one incident that changed the entire course of the 1992 British Touring Car Championship.
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Keep Driving People!
Peace and Love!
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