The long and the short of it

[John]

As you know many tracks have a variety of layouts - eg Brands GP vs Brands Indy etc. and I always think its a shame that one or more circuits aren't used - for a while the Oulten Pk choice was Fosters, now its Island and its not been the International layout for quite some time.

Obviously when there were more meetings there was more scope for variety - eg Donnington GP one meeting then later in the year the short circuit, but now theres only one visit (if you're lucky!) to the major tracks.

As there are two races per meeting is there any reason why one race cant be done on the longer track and the second on the short tracks? Just a thought - theres probably some really obvious reason why not, but tought Id ask for opinions.

Also (as they did with the F1 rule suggestions) to throw in a totally mad suggestion - you could have the production cars on a short layout and the tourers on the other within the same race (eg Donnington GP vs short circuit or Oulten Pk Island vs Fosters!). Now that'd be confusing!! ;)

Views...??

[Mocko]

The Tourers wouldn't have hope.

I was upset when Knockhill was dropped but I was angry when they filled the gap with a 2nd Brands Indy race. I still don't see why they have a race on the GP track.

I like Oulton's sweeping left hander into a banked hairpin but the Island hairpin is good for overtaking.

[John]

Yeah Croft and Knockhill are the two nearest to me so the two that I go to so I was gutted as well, but theres obviously a reason behind it (which has been discussed in the past I think) so who are we to argue!

How many Brands races are there now? 2 or 3 - soon be the Brands Touring Car Championship - but at least its easy to get to stuck down in the far south east!! ;)

[John]

Just checked and there are 'only' two at Brands this year - but the appear to both be on the Indy circuit.

[Mocko]

Yup. I wouldn't be annoyed if they had put on the GP track as well. Variety is the one. I guess the organisers only wanted the two Indy tracks because they'll produce more stunnin' races like last year.

[mark]

I think it's silly that they visit the same circuit twice, let alone the same layout! If it was possible, then I think the BTCC should visit each possible track once throughout the season and if they have to double up, use a different layout!

[John]

I think the BTCC should visit every venue twice a year - but thats just wishful thinking! Plus a street race based around my town - now I am dreaming!! ;)

[The Stig]

Not a bad thing, two visits to Brands Hatch Indy - one with the Carts tonking round, causing carnage, (of a mechanical kind). Anyone been to or seen much motorsport at Rockingham ? Only ever watched ASCAR around the oval. Is the infield a bit like the pit straight near Paddock at Brands where you can see most of the track ?

[John]

Never been but seen the F3/GT CART on TV - presumably they've fixed the corner that launched F3 cars into the air now?! That was pretty spectacular!

[thommo_fan]

that was an amazing corner, the designer obviously didn't consult any racing drivers before deigning the corner tho.

i think its silly that the btcc visits brands hatch twice but doesn't use the GP circuit, the best in the country.;)

[John]

There is some problem to do with noise and residents at Brands GP I think - which means they can only hold a certain number of events there each year.

If I lived next to a circuit you wouldnt here me complaining! - Well actually I might do and demand free tickets to see the events to shut me up! ;)

[tvgod]

Originally posted by John
There is some problem to do with noise and residents at Brands GP I think - which means they can only hold a certain number of events there each year.



Actually there is some problem with the safety certificate on the GP circuit expiring, Octagon not being able to afford to make the safety improvements which are needed to get a new safety certificate, and subsequently not being able to get insurance for competitors or spectators for car events on that layout.


And the main reason why different layouts are not used on the same weekend is that usually it means barriers have to be moved between races, which takes time.

[Claw]

Originally posted by John


Also (as they did with the F1 rule suggestions) to throw in a totally mad suggestion - you could have the production cars on a short layout and the tourers on the other within the same race (eg Donnington GP vs short circuit or Oulten Pk Island vs Fosters!). Now that'd be confusing!! ;)

Views...??

That's just silly, not to mention dangerous.

[John]

Yeah but it'd be a laugh!

On the Brands GP thing - hadnt realised that - the noise issue was definately the case at some point in the past though (just dont ask when!)

[tvgod]

Yes, noise is an issue at a lot of circuits.

I can't understand why people buy houses near to Brands/Thruxton/Croft/Goodwood and then complain about the noise of the cars.

Rockingham has a similar problem, but most people living nearby moved in before the circuit was built, so they have a point.

[John]

I wondered that but I guess maybe they were living there before the circuits were used so much.

Its the same with people who live near fire stations and then complain about the sirens!

[Claw]

Yeah, I would love to live next to a track.

[Peter]

Originally posted by John
I think the BTCC should visit every venue twice a year - but thats just wishful thinking! Plus a street race based around my town - now I am dreaming!! ;)

With the endless problems with the economy, TOCA have to cut back on the number races and apply quality over quantity.

As there was more than one BTCC event at the majority of circuits, attendance often dropped at the second meeting, as local fans had already had their annual dose of racing.

A lot of races is very demanding and expensive for the teams. Do not forget that they are often forced to rebuild cars after races and they have to be able to afford damage repairs.

Thus multiple events at each track result in smaller grids and teams running out of money- hardly spectacular.

[Frank Rizzo]

Hey, here's an even better idea - proddies going one direction, tourer's going the other! That'd be fun!

[John]

Originally posted by Frank Rizzo
Hey, here's an even better idea - proddies going one direction, tourer's going the other! That'd be fun!


Excellent idea!! ;)

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

Originally posted by Frank Rizzo
Hey, here's an even better idea - proddies going one direction, tourer's going the other! That'd be fun!

Its TOCA 2 all over again. ;)

[John]

Oh yeah - I knew I'd seen it somewhere before!! Always makes Toca2 more entertaining

[touring fan]

Huh? Is that a cheat or something?

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

Originally posted by touring fan
Huh? Is that a cheat or something?

No its just me driving round backwards but yes there is a cheat for that come to think of it :)

[King Cleland]

Yer.... haven't played that in such a while!

[John]

Bit out of date now - is there a Toca3, based on the new cars, coming up?

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

Originally posted by John
Bit out of date now - is there a Toca3, based on the new cars, coming up?

TOCArace driver based on the 2001 cars. TOCArace Driver on PC comes out soon (set back by years it seems), and apparently there may be new cars on that (2002 and 2003). The platinum version for TOCArace Driver may also have new cars.

[John]

Cool - I'll keep an eye out for that then! Have done everything on Toca2 so a new one would be good. :)

[Rob]

Originally posted by Sim_Da_BTCC_Man
Its TOCA 2 all over again. ;)

lol.. more like toca1. cmgarage with the green mean tank. driving the wrong way round the track

ANTHONY REID IS OUT OF THE RACE

PAUL RADISICH IS OUT OF THE RACE

JOHN BIELA IS OUT OF THE RACE

pure carnage.

(omg did i just post on this new ott forum)

[Les]

yeah! someone else who plays like I do. Sit and wait in the tank until the leaders come round and fire!!!! Usually I manage to take 2 or 3 out each race!!

[Claw]

I thought the tank was really crap. Dunno why.

[touring fan]

how can I unlock the extra cars in Toca 2?

[Claw]

Where you type your name, type "mechanic".

[AussieV8]

Brands Hatch is one of my favourite tracks on the PS2 game V8 driver or TOCAWorld Cup but never been there.:p :D