TCR UK

[colin79666]

Was a bit of a damp squib when it started in 2018 but looks like they may have got a decent package together this year. Quite a few well known names from BTCC and other series and a full grid.

Calendar: https://www.tcr-uk.co.uk/calendar/

Live on YouTube from Snetterton today: https://www.youtube.com/live/c5kHJD3dy1c?feature=s...

[C69]

I recall the organisers of the first season saying that qualification races would be necessary, because there were going to be so many entries. The grids ended up being embarrassingly small, though.

So it's good to see that things have now been turned around. With a decent number of drivers and evenly-matched cars, the series probably deserves more attention.

[Dan BSCS]

C69 said:

I recall the organisers of the first season saying that qualification races would be necessary, because there were going to be so many entries. The grids ended up being embarrassingly small, though.

So it's good to see that things have now been turned around. With a decent number of drivers and evenly-matched cars, the series probably deserves more attention.

Worth mentioning that the series is run by different people now to when those claims were made.

[PartsMonkey]

What are spectator attendances like these days? I'm assuming its nowhere near as busy as the BTCC.

[LukeBrown66]

I went to a round at Donington last year, was dead sadly. But racing was good and grids were too.

[entropy]

Saw them in-person supporting Brit GTs (Donny, large crowd) and headlining Castle Combe. Latter gets good crowd size when I went a couple of times last year.

They were also slotted in with Japanese car shows with Time Attack. I get that it's trying to raise awareness but the execution seems daft since the bulk of TCR UK grid is made up of VAG products! There's a plethora of MX-5 championships to go along the Civic Cup which makes much better sense.

This year they're headlining with Civics and Ford Fiestas supporting.

[PartsMonkey]

LukeBrown66 said:

I went to a round at Donington last year, was dead sadly. But racing was good and grids were too.

In that case, I think it might be time to pay a visit.

[hammo19]

I will be attending the Croft Round on 5/6 May. Some well known faces in there now.

[colin79666]

Well Croft today/tomorrow. Not the smartest move i think to run it in a BTCC weekend. Shall catchup on YouTube after the fact.

[LukeBrown66]

Yeah that is about as dumb a decisions as it gets but a lot of things do this now, I have no idea why, trying to make people choose I guess, Pathetic really,

[Dan BSCS]

LukeBrown66 said:

Yeah that is about as dumb a decisions as it gets but a lot of things do this now, I have no idea why, trying to make people choose I guess, Pathetic really,

I’m pretty sure this wasn’t a conscious decision. I imagine it would be a nightmare trying to plan an entire season of racing, visiting all the tracks your drivers want whilst also fitting in with the availability of circuits and working with the other series that your chosen club are running, all while trying to avoid BTCC weekends. In fact I’m pretty sure it would be impossible.

So not really dumb, just more unavoidable.

[Drumroll]

LukeBrown66 said:

Yeah that is about as dumb a decisions as it gets but a lot of things do this now, I have no idea why, trying to make people choose I guess, Pathetic really,

Like so many things, it is not as straightforward as you would like it to be. Whilst circuits will allocate meetings that fit in with their agenda, clubs will then have to take what dates are offered. Then there is how you organise a race series to give a spread of dates for each championship. I could go on; but I know luke isn't interested in the actual facts involved in organising or running events.

Edited by Drumroll on Sunday 7th May 08:47

[LukeBrown66]

You are right, I am not remotely slightly interested, but as a fan, or a sponsor I would be, and that never seems to equate to common sense in these decisions, have less rounds!

You are trying to sell a brand, a product, this practice is done all the time, in town centres banks, car dealers, coffee shops, pubs, entire retail parks are often having shops doing similar things right next to or opposite, it is common practice.

So dont tell me it is all about planning. Some of it is deliberate, but I doubt it was in this case.

[entropy]

As a fan it wouldn't bother me too much since the two different meetings are held at other ends of the country. If you're at home the live footage on YT is instantly archived so you can watch/catch up on TCR if you choose to miss a support race or watch later.

[Truckosaurus]

If a racing series we trying to avoid weekends where there was another 'big' race taking place they'd probably only run once a year.

I'm not sure anything other than BTCC is going to get enough people through the gates to make it worth worrying too much with clashes.

[GlobalRacer]

One thing from the weekend highlights the difference in popularity between TCR and BTCC for me.

Race 3 of BTCC we had the 10 second track limits penalty for Collard and I've seen hundreds of social media posts bemoaning how track limits are destroying BTCC, how Collard was robbed, how it was justice etc etc.

In race 1 of TCR three drivers got 5 second penalties with one of them getting an additional 10 seconds but I haven't seen a single social media post regarding that other than from people involved.

Not to mention race 2 where two drivers were disqualified for section C breaches. If that had happened in BTCC it would be everywhere.

Edited by GlobalRacer on Tuesday 9th May 10:11

[colin79666]

Made it to Knockhill today. Pretty impressed how far it has come since their last (and only) visit.

Grid walk open to all was a nice touch.

[Scooobydont]

colin79666 said:

Made it to Knockhill today. Pretty impressed how far it has come since their last (and only) visit.

Grid walk open to all was a nice touch.

Camped from the Friday through to Sunday. Probably the most racing I have ever watched in a weekend, 18 races on Sunday, it was non stop from 9am till 6pm!

I thought the TT's were a bit dull but apart from that a great weekend, TCR and civics being the highlights for me. I am gutted that it was still relatively quiet spectator wise although apart from the BTCC any racing up there seems quiet.