SSC 23/07/16

Tennis

Andy Murray beat Milos Raonic (MILOS RAYONICH) after 2 hours and 48 minutes of close tennis in the wimbledon final.
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Cricket

Alastair Cook and Joe Root hit centuries as England laid down a strong platform on day one of the second Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford.

Cook's 105 was his 29th Test hundred, putting him level with Sir Donald Bradman, and helped his side to 314-4.

Root, who put on 185 with Cook for the second wicket, was unbeaten on 141 at stumps, his 10th Test century.

Mohammad Amir took 2-63, including bowling Cook, but Pakistan - 1-0 up in the series - toiled on a flat pitch.

England's batting was much improved from their 75-run defeat in the opening Test, when they were dismissed for 272 and 207.

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Tour de France - As of Yesterday

Britain's Chris Froome extended his lead in the Tour de France despite crashing on stage 19, which was won by Frenchman Romain Bardet.

Froome, 31, crashed descending in wet conditions, but the two-time champion continued racing after borrowing team-mate Geraint Thomas' bike.

Team Sky's Froome now leads by four minutes and 11 seconds from stage winner Bardet, who is up to second.

Colombian Nairo Quintana is third, with Briton Adam Yates slipping to fourth.
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FOOTBALL - The European Championships

Wales. What an effort.

England. What was that effort...

Iceland. Did they even have a team?

Germany. A suprising Semi final faller, didn't wuite have the same spark as 2 years ago

France. Really thought they were going all the way. Portugal were supprising

Ronaldo! Oh dear. No one likes to see that.(Late goal)

Portugal Won the Final after Eder's 109th minute goal that put POrtugal 1 nilll up on hosts France at the end of extra time. 

The final was the first competition match the French National team have ever lost at the Stade de France since it was built in 1998 for the World Cup. (They won beating Brazil 3-0 in the Final in the Stade de France)

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ENGLAND FOOTBALL

Sam Allerdyce leaves Sunderland to become England Manager with immidete effect. His forst tournement will be the 2018 World Cup in Russia. This comes after Roy Hodgeson stepped down after Englands Embarrasing defeate to Iceland in the Round of 16. 

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Athletics

Russia found guilty of giving their athletes preformance enhansing drugs during the Winter Olyimpcs in 2014. Will they be allowed to compete in Brazil come AUGUST FIFTH? Another disapointment for sport. (Vladamir FUmin)

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Formula E - Buemi wins the title after a controversial Finale, in what will be Battersea Park's last ever motor race. The Accident, The implications. the fastest lap. 

WTCC Champion Jose Maria Lopez will drive for Virgin DS Racing next season In place of Jean Eric Vergne who moves to the new, Techeetah team for next season. He will drive alongside Ma Quin Ha, while Lopez will drive alongside Virgin DS Racing main stay, Sam Bird.

Lopez is also tipped to share his Formula E season with a season in the WEC as no events clash. Sarrazin and the WRC? Toyota likley. Buemi and Di Grassi shared LMP1 with FE seasons this year.and last, as did Heidfeld.

Over to the WEC and Le Mans. 

Toyota Heartbreak as Porsche win Le Mans for a supprise 18th time. Jani Lieb and Dumas in the #2 919 Hybrid.

Signatech Alpine win and Nicolas Lappiere makes it 2 out of 2 Le Mans LMP2 wins in 2 Years.

Ford vs Ferrari ends in Ford vicory as it did 50 years ago, in a very controversial GTE-PRO race. talk lights and penaties. Ford were penalised for speeding in yellows, the win would have been handed Ferrari, if it was not for a penalty then given to them for their position likghts failing at the end of the race. Inconsistant ruling left the Risi Competitzioni team furoius.

THE next race for the WEC is the 6 Hours of the Nurburgring this weekend. The #1 and #2 cars took the fastest times in both of yesterdays practice sessions. 

POLE/GRID - 

RACE START - 

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BTCC Next race is Snetterton next weekend

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Formula One  - GO! 

LOCAL SPORT. CHELMSFORD CITY WANT LOTS OF FANS

Rod Stringer says he wants to have regular 1,000 plus attendances at the Melbourne Community Stadium after taking charge of his first home match as Chelmsford City boss.

The Clarets manager had his first experience of sitting in the home dugout at the ground on Friday, and watched his team beat a West Ham United XI 2-0, thanks to second half goals from Jake Reid and Max Cornhill.

Stringer has often been in the away dugout as boss of City's rivals Braintree Town and Bishop's Stortford but enjoy his first match with the fans' backing.

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Cricket

England Test captain Alastair Cook has given Essex a boost by returning to the team for the Specsavers County Championship match against Kent starting Sunday, after his recent international commitments.

Cook was key to Essex's push to the top of the Division Two table, as they won two and drew two of the four matches he featured in before the Test Series with Sri Lanka. The opening batsmen scored 523 runs, including the centuries at an average of 130.75.

He has been made eligible by The ECB to compete in the Battle of The Bridge fixture and will look to stretch the home side's lead over the visitors, who sit seven points behind in second place.

After the recent loss to Leicestershire, Chris Silverwood will welcome the former Maldon cricket Club man, who while away became the first English batsman to score 10,000 Test runs.

http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/results/championship/drivers/page/193-290---.html

BTCC Decider Brands Hatch Bound

After a weekend of shadowing each other's every move, Jason Plato has kept his championship battle with Colin Turkington alive until the series finale at Brands Hatch in a fortnight.
 

Previous title contender Gordon Shedden had a tough time at Rockingham dropping him down to 3rd in the standings and the nature of the Silverstone National Circuit made it hard for him to make up ground in his un suited Honda.

The MG's were expected to follow a dominant tradition the have made a certainty since their return to the championship in 2012. Plato and his team mate, Sam Tordoff, topped free practice 1 and 2 respectively to confirm they would be going for wins come Sunday.

 

 

Plato made hay at Silverstone

Championship leader Colin Turkington hooked up a lap good enough for second on the grid alongside Plato for race 1. A Strong performance for Mat Jackson put him at the sharp end with the CC's of Smith and Menu staring to start 5th and 6th respectively. The 3 Honda's were left to play catch up with Jordan, Shedden and Neal all outside the top 15.
 

Race 1 saw Turkington snatch the lead from Jason Plato off the start. Everyone else was 3rd. It wasn't long however before Plato took a lunge down the inside at Brookland's

Luke Hines returned to BTCC action

and took control of the race. Turkington was close to making a move but had to much to loose. Mat Jackson's qualifying form continued into the race as he kept the BMW man honest for the whole race. It stayed like this across the line.

Menu beat Aaron Smith to the line in the BMR battle, Sam Tordoff held on for 4th. Marc Hynes sealed an 8th place finish with Rob Austin behind. Andrew Jordan made the charge into the top 10 with Shedden the best placed works Honda in 14th.
 

Race 2 races towards the end of lap 1

Race 2 was much the same but for 1 thing. The same start of Turkington leading early before Plato took the lead a couple of laps in happened but the race was cut short. Rob Collard was collected by a sideways Jack Clarke on the exit of Becketts and was pitched into a vicious series of roll overs. The car was rolled into a ball and the race red flagged. Collard was cut out of his eBay motors BMW and air lifted to hospital for precautionary X-rays.
 

The top 7 were reversed for the final race of the day which gave Fabrizo Giovanardi another opportunity to start from pole position. The start was delayed after Sam Tordoff who lined up 2nd had a transmission failure while pulling away for the green flag lap. Once the leak was cleaned up the race got underway and Colin Turkington made his way from 6th to 4th thanks to yet another trade mark start. Plato slowly worked his way to be on the bumper of Turkington. Jackson led the race and was breaking away with former team mate Aaron Smith behind who started 3rd on the grid. Giovanardi was holing back a charging Turkington for 3rd place with a defending master class for up until half race distance. This was allowing Jackson and Smith to get away but also Turkington's championship rival, Plato to close in. The train of champions lapped Silverstone nose to tale lap after lap until, in true race 3 fashion, something had to give.

Jackson took his 2nd win of the season

Giovanardi got a poor run out of copse which allowed Turkington to line up an overtake. Fabrizio held the overlap to a minimum which slowed the Ulsterman down which in turn gave Plato a offer he couldn't refuse at Beckets. Plato went too deep on the breaks and nudged the BMW ever so slightly which in turn nudged Giovanardi who was to spin out of the race. The run down the wellington straight saw Turkington and Plato side by side with Turkington holding on with some stunning out breaking into Brooklands to fend off his championship rival for 3rd.
 

This means that yet again Brands Hatch will host the title deciding round. 50 points is the gap between Turkington and Plato, 3rd place man Shedden is as further 100 back, so you'd be a brave to bet against Turkington but we all know what Plato is capable of at Brands Hatch GP.

Full album can be found here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/125463799@N02/
All photos by James Clarke

The Young Drivers - Monza Formula 1

There were some new faces in the first practice at Monza for the Formula 1 today. Roberto Mehdi was experiencing his first time in a Formula 1 car.

For the second weekend running Kobayashi has had to give up his Caterham seat to another drive, although it was only for FP1 today. Markus Erikson was once again the benchmark and this time was beaten again by his F1 rookie team mate, Roberto Mehdi, by 0.2 of a second.

Charles Pic got his first go in a Formula 1 car since the Silverstone test where he drove the 18 inch wheeled Lotus. With the regular sized wheels he was beaten by Pastor Maldonado in the sister car by 0.6 of a second. Romian Grosjean had to sit out the session.

DTM driver Daniel Juncadella replaced Sergio Perez for the first half an hour of FP1 at Force India. The Spaniard ended his stint in the car 1 second behind the final lap times of his highly rated team mate, Nico Hulkenberg.

At the front of the grid Lewis Hamilton bounced back from Spa to top the session from fellow Brit Jenson Button in a strong looking McLaren. Nico Rosberg was 0.8 of a second behind his team mate.

Sebastian Vettel also managed 6th in his Red Bull RB10. Interestingly using the chassis he complained about earlier in the season. The Chassis he raced at Spa (Chassis number 1) is being looked at to try and identity the car's lack of pace in Belgium.

British GT - Brands Hatch 2014

The penultimate round of the 2014 British GT Championship saw the championship head to Brands Hatch to do battle on the Grand Prix circuit.

The race got off to an exciting start as the Beechdean Aston Martin led the Demon Tweeks Trackspeed Porsche and the rest of the field though Paddock Hill Bend. There was slight contact between the front 2 cars which was gathered up nicely as they raced up to Druids. I am not sure if it was due to the contact but a few laps later the Aston Martin took a bit longer to come round after an unscheduled pit stop which handed the lead of the race to the Number 4 Aston Martin Vantage of the Oman Racing team from the number 63 Porsche. The other Motorbase Aston Martin was following in 3rd spot.

The race got off to a thrilling start

Up to the pit window this stayed much the same with the gap coming down slightly every few laps. Sir Chirs Hoy fell back after making a strong start in the #80 Nissan GT-R.

Just before the pit window the safety car was scrambled after an off at druids for one of the Triple8 BMWs. This closed the field up and after the pit stops the 63 Porsche had found a way to jump the #4 Aston by about a car length. The 31 Trackspeed Porsche had put in Porsche works driver Nick Tandy at the stop which saw the car pick up pace.

Sparks Fly: The Beechdean drivers didn't give up

After the restart it was evident from the track-side that everyone was pushing to the absolute limit even if they were well out of the race for points. The United Autosports Audi R8 finished 2 laps down in 17th position but was the fastest car on the track at the end of the race. It was a promising end to a tough weekend.

The M-Sport Bentley was making steady progress with works driver Steven Kane behind the wheel but the car ground to a halt with about 40 minutes to go on the short tun between Sheene Curve and Sterlings on the grand prix loop.

While attrition started to kick in the Demon Tweeks Porsche of Jon Minshaw and Phil Keen carried on untroubled and was pulling out a strong lead with about 20 minutes to go. Tandy was busy closing gaps in the sister car. He caught and passed the #4 Oman Racing Aston Martin at Paddock Hill Bend and a few minutes later he was right behind the leader.

The 63 car limps home after loosing the lead

Trackspeed looked set for a fantastic 1-2 finish up until when 5 minutes to go there was confusion as the leading 63 car didn't come round. sure enough it appeared back onto the Indy part of the Brands Hatch track witch a flat left tire. The car made its way back into the pit lane but not without dropping outside the top positions. This handed the lead to David Ashburn and Nick Tandy, 2nd place back to Ahmad Al Harthy and Micheal Caine with 3rd being gifted to the 2nd Motorbase run car of former BTCC racer Jeff Smith and Rory Butcher. The last 5 minutes saw the chaos calm before the Checkered flag fell with the top 3 in the above order.

Trackspeed's winning Porsche

GT4 saw a lights to flag victory for the Beechdean AMR team who had a much better day than their sister team.

Final Results - Top 15

1. #31 Trackspeed Porsche 997 GT3 R                                2:00:54.103
2. #4 Oman Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3         +8.511

3. #5 Oman Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3         +8.672
4. #79 Ecurie Ecosse BMW Z4 GT3                                   +37.471
5. #29 AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia GT3                               +40.784
6. #6 PGF - Kinfaun AMR Aston Martin Vantage GT3        +40.941
7. #21 Strata 21 Aston Martin Vantage GT3                        +54.705
8. #18 FF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia GT3                               +54.932
9. #63 Trackspeed Porsche 997 GT3 R                               +1:03.8
10. #88 Triple 8 BMW Z4 GT3                                           +1:04.7
11. #80 Nissan GT Academy Team RJN Nissan GT-4 GT3 +1 Lap
12. #3 Rosso Verde / Hector Lester Ferrari 458 Italia GT3   +1 Lap
13. #22 Preci -Spark McLaren MP4-12C GT3                    +2 Laps
14. #28 HorsePower Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3      +2 Laps
15. #38 MP Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage GT3            +2 Laps

Pictures by James Clarke. Find the full album here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/125463799@N02/sets/72157646692255660/

The 2 Ends of The Grid at Spa - Formula One

This weekend has seen some interesting results, not least the result of Nico Rosberg trying to pass Hamilton at Le Combe on lap 2 at Spa. Yes, that is where I'am going...

Firstly, before I find myself rating about Rosberg, I'd like to mention the musical seats going on at The back end of the grid.

Marussia are defiantly only giving Chilton a drive because of money it would seem. Rossi was confirmed to drive for the whole weekend, and then it would seem Max payed up and bought his seat back. It shows there are very serious funding issues at Marussia which is a shame.

There is clearly some talent getting points on that budget, not only Bianchi Driving the car but designers and strategy calls. It is possible to design a worse car on a higher budget, as Caterham have demonstrated. But with less funding that plucky team has shown that with a bit more cash it can move up to the mid-field battle

3 time Le Mans Winner André Lotterer was drafted in to replace Kamui Kobayashi for the weekend and when his car worked he showed his skill. Out qualifying Erickson who has been in that car all year by a second shows he is a top driver. It has been said that there may be a new driver in the Kobayashi seat for Monza.

Will Stevens is one of a few drivers to get their hands on the Caterham this year

I'd like to see Lotterer given another chance but I would bet that it'd be Rossi in an attempt to gain some experience for a potential HAAS Formula drive in the future. I must say though that in am ideal world Kobayashi should keep his seat and Erickson's seat should be up for rental. Kamui has lead the way all year and has shown in the Caterham, Sauber and Ferrari in the WEC last year he is a top driver. It's a shame he keeps finding himself out of money and ultimately, out of luck. Further evidence of a financialy struggling Caterham team. All that is left to say is that my heart sank for Lotterer on lap 2 when his engine cried enough.

Lap 2 was also a defining moment of the season. We all know what happened. I just don't know what Nico was trying to do there. He knew that he wasn't going to glide around the outside of Hamilton and fly to the flag. Everybody knows that it was his fault. I think there is allot riding on how Mercedes deal with this. Maybe even the future of Lewis at the team. We know Honda want a 'star' at McLaren next year and we all know that Ron Dennis will knock on the Hamilton door asking for a return favour for Lewis's world title. If Mercedes-Benz don't punish Rosberg appropriately Lewis may be tempted to leave Brackly for Woking. But what can they do to Rosberg?

Nico Rosberg was under scrutiny in Belguim. 

If the stewards didn't deem it a purposeful move then Rosberg will always have 'proof' it was an 'accident'

One thing is for sure. If we thought Monaco was the start of a fall out, this certainly is.

Photography by James Clarke - https://www.flickr.com/photos/125463799@N02/sets/72157645597851735/

Fair is fair

Since the end of the 2009 BTCC season it seems to me like politics in the popular national series have taken off.

Boost levels, turbos and rear wheel drive are all terms that seem to get banded around these days way to often.

The turbo issue has declined going into this season as all cars are now running to the same NGTC regulations but unfortunately it would appear that ToCA are continuing to adjust the boost levels.

In 2011 and 2012 the adjusting of the boost levels allowed the S2000 spec cars to be on equal terms with the NGTC cars. Which, although it at times became frustrating for the likes of Honda was a fair way to manage the issue. Now all the cars are running to the same spec why are boost levels still being tampered with?

At the last round at Snetterton the Honda of Gordon Shedden got a much better run onto the Bentley straight than Jason Plato, but the MG man pulled out 2 car lengths by the end of the straight. Living proof of boost disparity.

Jason Plato mentioned after the racing that he was concerned that he was the only front wheel drive car challenging the BMW of Colin Turkington. You can bet your bottom dollar that if they had the same straight line speed the Honda's would be up there too.

Plato has also recently been sharing his concerns that rear wheel drive cars are unbeatable in front wheel drive cars.

Yes, a BMW is leading the championship at the moment. But where are the other rear wheel drive cars? Rob Austin and Hunter Abbot have not been enjoying as many wins as the MG's and Honda's have. In fact Plato in his front wheel drive MG won the first two races of the day at Snetterton. The second with maximum ballest in a straight fight against Turkington in the 'unbeatable' BMW.

Plato gets away well in Snetterton opener

In a championship that Plato claims to be only for rear wheel drive cars 12 of the 18 races so far have been won by front wheel drive cars. That leaves 6 won by a rear wheel drive car. All 6 of those wins by Turkington. I think the drivers ability has something to do with it.

So enough ranting. How do we solve these problems?

Boost. Don't penalise cars for being good in the corners. You can't race without straight line speed. If an engine is faster then restrict it. But for all the teams that have to use it. That would mean that BMW would get the same restrictions as Honda get and vise-verse. That means that it's down to the team to set the car up and the driver to race it.

Rear Wheel Drive advantage? Well. Looking at the race wins this year and the fact that 1992 1993 and 2009 are the last 3 times RWD won the championship and all but one of the rest of them front wheel drive champions. All beating RWD on many occasions, I don't think there is an issue there at all.

Photography by James Clarke - https://www.flickr.com/photos/125463799@N02/

25 years of Highlights

In the last 25 years we have been blessed with some outstanding moments, not least that final lap in Brazil 2008. The disappointment to elation in 20 seconds really underlines the greatness of motoracing. Our friends on 2 wheels in the BSB went 1 better with the most exciting final lap of a season ever at brands hatch in 2011. A day that saw Tommy Hill Snatch the tilte at the line. But I have gone for something more personal to me for my highlight.


The 4th of October 2009 was the final round of the BTCC that year and was the first title decider that I would watch unfold. It was also my first visit to Brands Hatch and to this day the best. The season was the first since the infamous 2000 season to bring 3 drivers to the last round that could take away the title. I looked like Turkington was safe but the reason it is my highlight? Jason Plato's never say die attitude. The 3 wins in a day was amazing. The closest finish in BTCC history set the tone that Jason wasn't giving in, he later raised the proverbial roof of Brands Hatch when he went around the outside of Turkington and Giovanardi at the corner where you can't overtake around the outside, Paddock Hill Bend.


It all went down to the final race of the day where Turkington had to find a way around Matt Neal. Which with a chear from the fans and a slight 'Touring car nudge' he did at druids.


5 points was the margin after Plato's charge but the consistent Colin held on to be crowned a worthy champion after withstanding Jason Plato's bid for glory I've been hooked ever since.