BTCC Qualifying & Support - Brands Hatch 31st March 2007

[Dave_G]

Good moaning

Preparation for yesterday's (Sat 31st) outing was driving back from South Wales after photographing a Track Day (that's another story, I'd like to add) and celebrating the fact by possibly over indulging at the Red Lion afterwards.

After about 5 hours sleep we made it to Brands Hatch in time for breakfast without a hitch which is frankly something of a miracle these days...the Numpty Avoidance Radar had two targets programmed both of which were successfully evaded - don't you just hate it when a random says you'll help them with their efforts when all you want to do is do your own thing? Anyway, it never happened so let's break dance.

The day started off cold and dull but brightened up after lunch giving us some nice light to play with. The usual suspects were conspicuous by their absence but I'm sure there will be a glut of BTCC threads from Saturday.

As usual kit is everything in my signature. PP Limited to VelviaVision™ and some level adjustments and possibly some sharpening (although not on all). Enjoy...

What better way to start a thread with a 1/125s pan of Reigning Champion Matt Neal in the new (and frankly horrible looking) Honda Civic.
http://images24.fotki.com/v764/photos/1/105162/4778592/IMG_5268-vi.jpg

New Clios about to crash at Druids
http://images21.fotki.com/v756/photos/1/105162/4778592/IMG_6835-vi.jpg

Henry Surtees (the name may ring a bell) in his Formula BMW
http://images23.fotki.com/v763/photos/1/105162/4778592/IMG_5399-vi.jpg

Team RAC WSR BMWs
http://images24.fotki.com/v764/photos/1/105162/4778592/IMG_6253-vi.jpg

The new SEAT Leons looked good and were quick
http://images21.fotki.com/v756/photos/1/105162/4778592/IMG_5725-vi.jpg

Clio going for it using the kerbs at Clearways
http://images22.fotki.com/v752/photos/1/105162/4778592/IMG_6170-vi.jpg

Clio going for it again. this time at Druids
http://images24.fotki.com/v764/photos/1/105162/4778592/IMG_5615-vi.jpg

No thread is complete without at least one pic of a Porsche 911. Tim Harvey opens his 2007 account with a win in the Porsche GB Supercup
http://images22.fotki.com/v754/photos/1/105162/4778592/IMG_6619-vi.jpg

Hope you like them, I need some sleep. A man cannot exist alone on beer and burgers, but I'll have a f***ing good go at it.

Gallery will be up sometime in October I expect...

[rickydiver]

Dave these shots are superb, very impressive indeed! No9 at Druids is the pick of the bunch for me, thanks for sharing :)
Cheers Ricky

[justinmob]

#7 is sweet. Nice pics.

[Dave_G]

:) cheers guys!

I need to add to my tally of 8 hours sleep in the last 36 so catch you later..!

[lingham]

ace pics as usual mate

[GSH]

Gallery will be up sometime in October I expect...

Probably the same week that my MK3 arrives then :rolleyes:

Nice work Dave but the shot of Harvey's Porker is lovely. As for the Clios i've seen elsewhere that they're up to their usual antics so i'm looking forward to an all-day BTCC TV fest.

[Dave_G]

Cheers Lee, Geoff.

I like the Porker. The fence is beatable, early and late in the day, especially if it's overcast but sunny late on is nice. It robs you of a bit of contrast but a poke with the Adobe stick helps with that.

The Clios made it about 100 yards before one got turtled and the race red flagged, is that a record? Used the pit wall as a launch ramp!

I'm enthusiastic about the all-day BTCC TV fest™ tomorrow, Motors TV here we come!

[GSH]

I'm enthusiastic about the all-day BTCC TV fest™ tomorrow, Motors TV here we come!

Erm...i hate to be the bearer of bad news but MotorsTV have dropped the BTCC due to cost, even though Alan Gow gave them the rights for the grand total of £0....

It's on Setanta Sports now.

[Dave_G]

Argh. Mentalists.

Maybe they'll show it on BBC2 like the olden days!

F*****g Setanta, my arse!1

[lingham]

dave if you have freeview drop me a pm on teh saxo site

[datasafe]

Great pics!

[AzzA]

Cracking shots Dave, like the Clio at Druids, nice catch :)

Did you see either of the rollovers? One at Clearways and one right at the start of Race1... seems nothing changes!!!

It was damn cold in the morning and all day with the wind... I seem to somehow have got sunburn though, nice! It wasn't nearly as busy as I thought it might be, being the first round. Don't know about you but I thought there were LOADS of "media" people signed on, one dude even had a camera fresh from his Christmas cracker... wohooooooooooo! Yeh I'll be going through my pics this morning :)

[darren h]

Excellent pics Dave, as some others have already said #7 Clio @ Druids the best for me

[Dave_G]

Cracking shots Dave, like the Clio at Druids, nice catch :)

Did you see either of the rollovers? One at Clearways and one right at the start of Race1... seems nothing changes!!!

It was damn cold in the morning and all day with the wind... I seem to somehow have got sunburn though, nice! It wasn't nearly as busy as I thought it might be, being the first round. Don't know about you but I thought there were LOADS of "media" people signed on, one dude even had a camera fresh from his Christmas cracker... wohooooooooooo! Yeh I'll be going through my pics this morning :)

Looked left and saw a bloke getting out of yellow one upside down....was at Druids for the start of the first race and saw the start line incident briefly through the trees.

You're right, it wasn't as busy as expected and yes there were a lot of Media about. I saw some downright dangerous actions from one as well - once I've gone through everything I'll post a pic and you can see it :confused:

[PeteDyer]

Awesome shots

[Ian_H]

Well in total agreement about the Clio at Druids very nice indeed, like the look of the WSR BMWs also.


Cheers
Ian

[Simon Harrison]

The last three shots are absolute snorters Dave. Those new Clios actually look quite photogenic.....can't believe I just said that!

Cheers,

Simon.