BTCC vs ETCC

[Alan]

Went to Donington at the weekend for a look see at these ETCC cars - and very nice they were too. Some good racing and the cars look and sound good.

Out of interest I have looked up the qualifying times for the BTCC from last year and have the qualifying times to hand for the ETCC. Here they are:

2002 - Qual for sprint - Tourers Thompson 1.41.378
Production Pyper 1.46.519

Qual for feature - Tourers Priaulx 1.40.543
Production Kaye 1.46.799

2003 ETCC Larini 1.40.463 (Alfa Romeo 156 GTa)

Slowest ETCC was 1.42.977 (Sardelli in a Volvo S40)

The BTCC cars may be quicker this year but there does not seem to be alot in it.

[Jamie P-E]

If there is alot of intrest with the etcc cars for 2004 it should make the BTCC a very good series .


Jamie:D

[cos]

Faster cars don't always make for better racing remember! (just look at F1...)

[Les]

yes but can they race for more than 13 laps a race!

I tell you if our lot only did that much I would not pay to go.

[Alan]

Well done Jamie - at least there is one person out there being positive!!!:D

Cos - they aren't significantly faster, I was pointing out that the times are very similar, so I am not quite sure what you are getting at!

Les - of course they can do more than 13 laps! Mind you, they may only have fuel tanks large enough to do that sort of distance in which case they will need to be changed - you may have a point!!!

But you are right, why only 13? I would feel a bit short changed!:(

[Amanda]

I enjoyed the ETCC races at Donington and decided to support the Clever Cats Team!

However, Les makes a very good point 13 lap races are not long enough.

One good thing was no pit stops ~ I find them very confusing!

[Les]

It must be difficult to decide on a race length. Too long on a long track and it can get very processional, too short and it doesn't get going.

That's a valid point about the fuel tank - I wonder how much they would slow down if the race was twice as long?

The whole ETCC thing seems to been race, repair, race where as ours is race, support, support, support, support, race - that can change race strategy a lot.
It would be intersting to see our lot put under that pressure - maybe just one support race between the two touring car races but I reckon it would just be loaded for the manufacturers who have bodies and money who could do the fast turn a round.

[MGmad]

I know I risk a serious rollocking from most for talking out of by posterior, but I'd like to ask a question.

What is the turn-over like int he ETC's compared to the BTC's?

It is a fact I know that on July 26 the ETC's visit Spa and on Oct 19 they visit Monza having visited in July Magny-Cours and Barcelona. You don't get to race in places like that and not make a healthy profit.