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.