Motor Sport in general - other than F1 - Page 4

**risen** · October 27th, 2018, 12:11 AM

Fascinating day of top flight competition.

I was in and out of planning meetings in the hotel for next year all day (and upcoming annual awards presentations) but got to see plenty of action,
The Ferguson’s are the Pub landlords. Significance is that pub car parks are great practice areas before opening time!

It’s the 750 Motor Clubs unique Birkitt Relay race at Silverstone today, Saturday 27th. https://www.silverstone.co.uk/events...birkett-relay/

**risen** · February 2nd, 2019, 12:46 AM

The race is available live and free on Motorsport TV this weekend

And on YouTube here

**Motorboater** · February 2nd, 2019, 11:33 AM

I'll be watching the race and cricket simultaneously!

There's something I don't get about current day endurance racing, particularly with these cars they use for GT3?

It seems more of a long, sprint race, rather than and endurance race? I can't pin point it.

Hikarufan · February 2nd, 2019, 12:52 PM

The cars are fast and they can keep that speed all day. Enduro racing has changed from what it was. It's like anything, once they start pushing the limits they can often hold at the limit for long periods of time. Everything is so fine tuned now. It's they do seem like long sprint races.

**risen** · February 2nd, 2019, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motorboater

It seems more of a long, sprint race, rather than and endurance race? I can't pin point it.

I fully understand what you mean. Each driver session is flat out whereas in the past there was more caution. I think the modern cars are much more reliable than 30-50 or more years ago. But they do break and crash quite often. One of the Bentley pairings is a bit prone to retirement.

That was the problem with Colin McCrae in World Rally and his ‘when in doubt, flat out’ philosophy. He would have won a lot more if he had exercised a bit more caution. I know the fans loved him for it but he frustrated many within his teams and many of the racers I knew and still know had a high opinion of his skills but a low opinion of his strategy. His appearance at Le Mans ended with a crash at the far side of the circuit when he had been advised to hold a particular race pace but decided to go harder chasing an impossible improvement in position.

**Motorboater** · February 3rd, 2019, 10:14 AM

McCrae WRC career ended prematurely I thought as well. And he should've won 2001 as well.

Getting to the 12 hour, I watched the last 10 hours of it. But due to the nature of this type endurance racing, even though you're watching, you're not paying attention til the last 60-90mins. These cars might be in close proximity, but no one seems to be able to get away as well, or try a really good tactic.

The finish was pretty good, I was glued to the tv for the last 20mins.

I thought Matty Campbell should've got pinged for the move on Mostert at the chase. Racing incidents seem to be judged subjectively, but I'm of the opinion that the lead car should be able to turn into a corner when it's appropriate unimpeded. I think that for all racing. If Campbell managed to peek his nose even marginally in front, then I'd say that Mostert didn't defend his position well. Having said that, I think he should've been given a penalty immediately, not for it to be considered after the race.

The Lowndes, Whincup, Van Gisbergen car worked its way to 4thplace, challenging for the podium. But it was weird seeing them really as a non facto throughout the race. Also disappointed Gary Paffet's MB broke down. Hopefully he comes back for more attempts in the coming years.

**risen** · February 3rd, 2019, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motorboater

Getting to the 12 hour, I watched the last 10 hours of it. But due to the nature of this type endurance racing, even though you're watching, you're not paying attention til the last 60-90mins. These cars might be in close proximity, but no one seems to be able to get away as well, or try a really good tactic.

The finish was pretty good, I was glued to the tv for the last 20mins.

I thought Matty Campbell should've got pinged for the move on Mostert at the chase. Racing incidents seem to be judged subjectively, but I'm of the opinion that the lead car should be able to turn into a corner when it's appropriate unimpeded. I think that for all racing. If Campbell managed to peek his nose even marginally in front, then I'd say that Mostert didn't defend his position well. Having said that, I think he should've been given a penalty immediately, not for it to be considered after the race

Looks like you saw the race in exactly the same way as me. Fully agree about Campbell and what the lead car ought to be able to do but as you know, Porsche got away with it.

I couldn’t sleep so saw the last three hours and like you was glued for the finish. I think that has helped me understand this modern ‘flat out’ strategy, but I’m still surprised to see these young guns going at it like a touring car sprint race.

It also reassures me that there are plenty of really good drivers who are not in F1/F2/F3. Plenty of quick women drivers too enough to make Formula Woman even less relevant than it already is before the first wheel has turned in anger. FW haven’t even considered Jo Polley who is expected to get a decent drive at Le Mans this year.

**Motorboater** · February 16th, 2019, 10:14 AM

Just on Colin McRae. In hindsight, it's just as well that he didn't win the 01 WRC in light of the terrible misfortune Richard Burns suffered with cancer. Otherwise I think McRae had a career where he underachieved.

Anyway onto another topic, Mark Blundell. I heard he's going to participate in the btcc. Is this going to be a serious attempt? Is it likely he'll spend a few years trying to win it?

**risen** · February 17th, 2019, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motorboater

Anyway onto another topic, Mark Blundell. I heard he's going to participate in the btcc. Is this going to be a serious attempt? Is it likely he'll spend a few years trying to win it?

I’ve read what Motorsport News BTCC Pundit and Editor says but can’t help thinking that Mark is just chasing the money and his business interests clearly suggest that. Hope I’m wrong but as ever only time will tell.

~~bigtrain45~~ · February 17th, 2019, 03:02 PM

The GT cars can run flat out for 1000km, 12 hours, or 24 hours at least partly because the engines are de-tuned to a degree to comply with the balance of performance rules. You can buy a Porsche, Ferrari, or Corvette off the showroom floor that has between 250 and 300 more horsepower than their race cars. Does that make any sense? Since the race engines are not under any real stress, they can run flat out all day and all night.

October 27th, 2018, 12:11 AM	#31
risen Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stuck in the middle Posts: 1,100 Thanks: 68,798 Thanked 15,539 Times in 1,092 Posts	Report on Ken Wharton Autotest Fascinating day of top flight competition. I was in and out of planning meetings in the hotel for next year all day (and upcoming annual awards presentations) but got to see plenty of action, The Ferguson’s are the Pub landlords. Significance is that pub car parks are great practice areas before opening time! It’s the 750 Motor Clubs unique Birkitt Relay race at Silverstone today, Saturday 27th. https://www.silverstone.co.uk/events...birkett-relay/

February 2nd, 2019, 12:46 AM	#32
risen Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stuck in the middle Posts: 1,100 Thanks: 68,798 Thanked 15,539 Times in 1,092 Posts	Bathurst 12 hours The race is available live and free on Motorsport TV this weekend And on YouTube here Last edited by risen; February 2nd, 2019 at 12:53 AM..

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February 2nd, 2019, 11:33 AM	#33
Motorboater Vintage Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 4,325 Thanks: 41,487 Thanked 38,245 Times in 4,299 Posts	I'll be watching the race and cricket simultaneously! There's something I don't get about current day endurance racing, particularly with these cars they use for GT3? It seems more of a long, sprint race, rather than and endurance race? I can't pin point it.

February 2nd, 2019, 12:52 PM	#34
Hikarufan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Down under Posts: 399 Thanks: 68 Thanked 4,200 Times in 395 Posts	The cars are fast and they can keep that speed all day. Enduro racing has changed from what it was. It's like anything, once they start pushing the limits they can often hold at the limit for long periods of time. Everything is so fine tuned now. It's they do seem like long sprint races.

February 3rd, 2019, 10:14 AM	#36
Motorboater Vintage Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 4,325 Thanks: 41,487 Thanked 38,245 Times in 4,299 Posts	McCrae WRC career ended prematurely I thought as well. And he should've won 2001 as well. Getting to the 12 hour, I watched the last 10 hours of it. But due to the nature of this type endurance racing, even though you're watching, you're not paying attention til the last 60-90mins. These cars might be in close proximity, but no one seems to be able to get away as well, or try a really good tactic. The finish was pretty good, I was glued to the tv for the last 20mins. I thought Matty Campbell should've got pinged for the move on Mostert at the chase. Racing incidents seem to be judged subjectively, but I'm of the opinion that the lead car should be able to turn into a corner when it's appropriate unimpeded. I think that for all racing. If Campbell managed to peek his nose even marginally in front, then I'd say that Mostert didn't defend his position well. Having said that, I think he should've been given a penalty immediately, not for it to be considered after the race. The Lowndes, Whincup, Van Gisbergen car worked its way to 4thplace, challenging for the podium. But it was weird seeing them really as a non facto throughout the race. Also disappointed Gary Paffet's MB broke down. Hopefully he comes back for more attempts in the coming years.

February 16th, 2019, 10:14 AM	#38
Motorboater Vintage Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 4,325 Thanks: 41,487 Thanked 38,245 Times in 4,299 Posts	Just on Colin McRae. In hindsight, it's just as well that he didn't win the 01 WRC in light of the terrible misfortune Richard Burns suffered with cancer. Otherwise I think McRae had a career where he underachieved. Anyway onto another topic, Mark Blundell. I heard he's going to participate in the btcc. Is this going to be a serious attempt? Is it likely he'll spend a few years trying to win it?

February 17th, 2019, 03:02 PM	#40
~~bigtrain45~~ Banned! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Savannah GA Posts: 16,142 Thanks: 47,756 Thanked 215,718 Times in 16,027 Posts	The GT cars can run flat out for 1000km, 12 hours, or 24 hours at least partly because the engines are de-tuned to a degree to comply with the balance of performance rules. You can buy a Porsche, Ferrari, or Corvette off the showroom floor that has between 250 and 300 more horsepower than their race cars. Does that make any sense? Since the race engines are not under any real stress, they can run flat out all day and all night.