BTCC, is it any good these days?
Discussion
So the missus recently asked me if I would like to go to the BTCC this year at Silverstone in September.
I will admit I'm not really up to scratch with it anymore, haven't followed it for some time. I used to watch quite a bit of it in the late 90s and early 00s, when it was really quite enjoyable but never actually got the chance to go and see it live.
Do we still get the bumper to bumper action from those days or have regulations somewhat killed it as a spectacle? And are there still as many manufacturers competing in it anymore?
I will admit I'm not really up to scratch with it anymore, haven't followed it for some time. I used to watch quite a bit of it in the late 90s and early 00s, when it was really quite enjoyable but never actually got the chance to go and see it live.
Do we still get the bumper to bumper action from those days or have regulations somewhat killed it as a spectacle? And are there still as many manufacturers competing in it anymore?
Silverstone isn't the worst place (Oulton Park was far worse IMO as it was almost impossible for anyone to pass) and has the massive bonus of free grandstands with plenty of seating.
Out of what's left on the calendar for this year Brands for the season finale would be my pick. Thruxton is fast and there's plenty of space on the spectator banks surrounding the first half of the track but the grandstand at the final chicane where a lot of action happens is only small. Snetterton is OK but being where it is, it's very flat and you can't see anywhere near as much of the track as you can at Brands Hatch.
Out of what's left on the calendar for this year Brands for the season finale would be my pick. Thruxton is fast and there's plenty of space on the spectator banks surrounding the first half of the track but the grandstand at the final chicane where a lot of action happens is only small. Snetterton is OK but being where it is, it's very flat and you can't see anywhere near as much of the track as you can at Brands Hatch.
Mr Tidy said:
Yes, just don't try watching it live as you'll waste so many hours watching Ginettas, Minis or Porsches in between the BTCC races. 
Like anything these things are much better if there is someone you know or support in the races.I quite like the ginettas they can be good
The porsches I agree are just boring. Seems like more of a gentlemans trackday where they practically let each other past. I always switch off or fast forward their races.
There is far , far better racing to watch -eg the CSCC package has cars from six decades, often huge grids and close racing . It also lacks the tribalism of the BTCC and the racegoers don't erect f
king gazeboes and drop litter by the ton . Snob ? Course I am - but actually a good BTCC race can be cracking entertainment , even if the cars are a bit samey .
Still reeling from the post above which states that Silverstone (yes , bloody Silverstone )is better to attend than Oulton ? What ..??? It is if you don't like cars being in the same postcode as spectators
king gazeboes and drop litter by the ton . Snob ? Course I am - but actually a good BTCC race can be cracking entertainment , even if the cars are a bit samey . Still reeling from the post above which states that Silverstone (yes , bloody Silverstone )is better to attend than Oulton ? What ..??? It is if you don't like cars being in the same postcode as spectators
slipstream 1985 said:
Mr Tidy said:
Yes, just don't try watching it live as you'll waste so many hours watching Ginettas, Minis or Porsches in between the BTCC races.
Like anything these things are much better if there is someone you know or support in the races.I quite like the ginettas they can be good
The porsches I agree are just boring. Seems like more of a gentlemans trackday where they practically let each other past. I always switch off or fast forward their races.
To the OP. bTCCt is still worth watching but the support races are much better imho as they're mostly old rich blokes with no skill or young kids with no sense of self preservation, a combination guaranteed to case mayhem
coppice said:
Still reeling from the post above which states that Silverstone (yes , bloody Silverstone )is better to attend than Oulton ? What ..??? It is if you don't like cars being in the same postcode as spectators
I stand by it based on my experience. Granted, at Oulton Park you are closer to the action but across the 3 headline races I saw 1, yes ONE, pass all weekend. OK, conditions weren't great and a few people did go off on wet grass but in terms of on the track action Silverstone was far superior even if the large run offs give some fans the feeling of being too far away from the action. coppice said:
eg the CSCC package has cars from six decades, often huge grids and close racing . It also lacks the tribalism of the BTCC and the racegoers don't erect fking gazeboes and drop litter by the ton . Snob ?
I'm obviously a bit biased (because I race with the CSCC) but for a cheap bit of Motorsport viewing with access to pits and garages etc the CSCC is great.king gazeboes and drop litter by the ton . Snob ? Have a look at the diversity of cars doing the Spa Francorchamps event in a week and a halfs time:
http://spasummerclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/201...
I'm biased too - I write the CSCC race weekend reports for their website .But only because they have a great offering - a typical meeting having 3 , 4, 6 (V flat and IL ) and V8 power ,from sub 1 litre to 8 litres , front and rear engined , turbo and NA . Variety is the spice of life - and that applies to the drivers too . I have interviewed people who were raw beginners, ex BTCC guys, a Ferrari F1 designer and a multiple Oscar winner . Nearly a knighted cyclist at the last meeting too !
coppice said:
There is far , far better racing to watch -eg the CSCC package has cars from six decades, often huge grids and close racing . It also lacks the tribalism of the BTCC and the racegoers don't erect fking gazeboes and drop litter by the ton . Snob ? Course I am - but actually a good BTCC race can be cracking entertainment , even if the cars are a bit samey .
Still reeling from the post above which states that Silverstone (yes , bloody Silverstone )is better to attend than Oulton ? What ..??? It is if you don't like cars being in the same postcode as spectators
Hmm... Now this sounds much more like something that would tickle my fancy. I love a variety of machines all with different sounds. A bit more investigation required for me I thinkking gazeboes and drop litter by the ton . Snob ? Course I am - but actually a good BTCC race can be cracking entertainment , even if the cars are a bit samey . Still reeling from the post above which states that Silverstone (yes , bloody Silverstone )is better to attend than Oulton ? What ..??? It is if you don't like cars being in the same postcode as spectators
coppice said:
Come over to Anglesey 20/21 July , Brands 25/26 August, Thruxton 21/22 September or Donington 26/27 October and find out . Lots of info on cscc website .
What he said 
If its a i'm thinking of getting you a birthday present.... would you like to go and see BTCC type conversation with your wife, then im not sure CSCC would be 'special' enough.
However on a race weekend with the CSCC you will see just about every type of car you can think of from every period. And people are really happy to talk to fellow competitors and spectators that take an intrest in their cars.
Races are either loosly split into decades: a 1990s grid an 1980s grid etc, or some races are split by car style: caterham, hatchback etc. Great info on the CSCCs website.
The open races sometimes throw up some very interesting car battles between 2 vastly different age cars totally different styles both lapping at about the same speed.
And if you do go to any of the following rounds (apart from brands) come and say hi:
I'm in a green 3.0 M3 in the 90s race - Modern Classics
As a day out, BTCC is pretty good. Lots of action on track and because it's televised live, the organisers are prone to keep schedules on track so there's no lengthy waits to recover stranded cars (usually). Plenty off track to look at and do as well. It's a very well-packaged event IMO.
As for spectating, as others have said, Silverstone will offer a more remote experience compared to other tracks. Brands would be my pick and will give you time to catch up with the championship on ITV 4 to get a feel for what's what.
Enjoy!
As for spectating, as others have said, Silverstone will offer a more remote experience compared to other tracks. Brands would be my pick and will give you time to catch up with the championship on ITV 4 to get a feel for what's what.
Enjoy!
Go to something like Deutsche Fest at Brands coming up soon and you have all the attractions plus a great variety of cars, not so many obnoxious people, full access to the paddocks without special tickets and entry at half the price of BTCC.
My experience of BTCC was so horrific I'll probably never go again. The only thing worse was the British GP. It's such a shame that the drunken football lout mentality has moved into those parts of motorsport.
My experience of BTCC was so horrific I'll probably never go again. The only thing worse was the British GP. It's such a shame that the drunken football lout mentality has moved into those parts of motorsport.
you can watch previous races online to get a feel for it
https://www.itv.com/hub/british-touring-car-champi...
https://www.itv.com/hub/british-touring-car-champi...
Tommo Two said:
What he said
If its a i'm thinking of getting you a birthday present.... would you like to go and see BTCC type conversation with your wife, then im not sure CSCC would be 'special' enough.
However on a race weekend with the CSCC you will see just about every type of car you can think of from every period. And people are really happy to talk to fellow competitors and spectators that take an intrest in their cars.
Races are either loosly split into decades: a 1990s grid an 1980s grid etc, or some races are split by car style: caterham, hatchback etc. Great info on the CSCCs website.
The open races sometimes throw up some very interesting car battles between 2 vastly different age cars totally different styles both lapping at about the same speed.
And if you do go to any of the following rounds (apart from brands) come and say hi:
I'm in a green 3.0 M3 in the 90s race - Modern Classics
That was exactly the type of conversation it was with the wife If its a i'm thinking of getting you a birthday present.... would you like to go and see BTCC type conversation with your wife, then im not sure CSCC would be 'special' enough.
However on a race weekend with the CSCC you will see just about every type of car you can think of from every period. And people are really happy to talk to fellow competitors and spectators that take an intrest in their cars.
Races are either loosly split into decades: a 1990s grid an 1980s grid etc, or some races are split by car style: caterham, hatchback etc. Great info on the CSCCs website.
The open races sometimes throw up some very interesting car battles between 2 vastly different age cars totally different styles both lapping at about the same speed.
And if you do go to any of the following rounds (apart from brands) come and say hi:
I'm in a green 3.0 M3 in the 90s race - Modern Classics
With regards to the idea of Silverstone, it was the only track she's heard of
And it happens to be quite close to us too.Would I need to prebook the tickets for CSCC or could I just come on the day? I will most certainly come and say hi and talk all things cars for as long as she allows!
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