The ROCK's circuit layout

[Ed- the MG fan]

On another website they have a little guide to the layout the BTCC are using this weekend. They are using quite allot of the actual oval, about half of it.

It will be intersting to see how the tyres hold up, as in the DTM the Dunlop tyres couldn't take the high speeds of the Euro speedway

I also wonder how many tourers will end up in the wall!

[cos]

I believe they're using the "international" circuit.
Other circuit variations include the full oval, International Long, Superbike, Motorcycle (short and long), National, Sportscar, Historic, Historic Link, Lake and Handling. Phew!

[acorn]

the dtm had problems because they had 2 high speed left hand corners one after the other and their testing was done in cooler conditions than the race. goodyear or bridgestone would probably have had a better idea of what tyre construction to use as both have run on the oval. i don't expect the btcc to have the same problem at rockingham because they only have the one (turn 4) fast corner to contend with. they might run the thruxton tyre or they might have different compounds on either side(the harder being on the wall side.

[Reynard]

Mmmm, but Turn 4 on the oval is probably the trickiest corner on the whole circuit. It's not quite as fast as it looks and many an ASCAR has bit the dust there...

The typical ooooopsie there is going in backwards and with none of these guys having any great deal of experience of Rockingham (bar a few exceptions) I would not bet against seeing at least one tourer in the wall at Turn 4.

[Peter]

Although I have never seen a race on the infield section before, I doubt that use of turn 4 will cause too much of a problem. The cars will enter the banking at reduced speed and will carry a great deal of downforce. At Lausitz last week, the DTM cars were running 2 of the 3 oval corners, and were therefore at speed when they arrived at turn 1. To use F1 at Indy as a comparison, the backing has been seen as gentle and easy.

[acorn]

Originally posted by Reynard
Mmmm, but Turn 4 on the oval is probably the trickiest corner on the whole circuit. It's not quite as fast as it looks and many an ASCAR has bit the dust there...

The typical ooooopsie there is going in backwards and with none of these guys having any great deal of experience of Rockingham (bar a few exceptions) I would not bet against seeing at least one tourer in the wall at Turn 4.

i think you'll agree that most spins at turn 4 in cars that use the road course have been in damp/wet conditions. the ascars are approaching that corner far faster and that poor set up and /or following cars can "upset " the leading car.

[Paul Rayner]

Plenty of championships have raced on the Rockingham road courses without any tyre problems (In fact, the only championship on the TOCA package not to have raced there before is the Touring Cars themselves).

It should be a great race. Rockingham has some fantastic overtaking opportunities, Clios and Fiestas there have been spectacular into the first chicane, I can't wait to watch the Tourers fly through there!