It's all so quiet...

All so peaceful until...

It's been a long old winter, but I'm glad to say - the BTCC is definitely getting closer!
And I'm back!
Ready and waiting for this year's British Touring Car Championship season to get under-way!

The 2012 season is shaping up to be one of the best yet, and the winter break has come up trumps with it's slow, but steady build up of news and announcements.

At the beginning of the year, it was announced that Dave Newsham would be driving alongside Chris James at ES Racing for the 2012 season, with the news later on that they would be taking on the former Triple 8 Vauxhall Vectras.
     Adam Morgan - the 2011 Ginetta GT Supercup winner - signed with Speedworks Motorsport, whilst at the annual Autosport Show in Birmingham, Ollie Jackson was confirmed as AmD Miltek's 2012 driver.
     Airwaves Racing put forward their thoughts on the upcoming season - saying they would like to see three Ford Focuses on the grid for the opening round at Brands Hatch. Only a couple of weeks ago, it was confirmed that Mat Jackson and Liam Griffin would be returning, joined by the new arrival Aron Smith, who will graduate from the Renault Clio Cup. The "red devils" this year, would be powered from Mountune and would be running the NGTC regulations.
     Special Tuning Racing said earlier on in the year, that they would like to see two cars running in both the BTCC and the WTCC for 2012. This led to Tom Boardman announcing that he would be driving in the WTCC - the second 2011 driver to make the switch.
     One of the biggest stories over the winter, was the news of MG returning to the championship, in partnership with Triple 8 Racing, with former two time champion Jason Plato and Andy Neate being the driving forces.
     A wave of shock and sadness spread across the touring car community, when it became apparent that RML would not be returning to the BTCC for 2012, but instead decided to focus on it's successes in the WTCC.
     The 2011 BTCC Independent's Champion James Nash, was the next driver to make the move up to the World Touring Car Championship for 2012. He would be driving for Team Aon in the series alongside another previous BTCC Independent's winner, Tom Chilton.
     WSR confirmed that Rob Collard and Nick Foster would remain with the team in 2012, with Tom Onslow-Cole completing the three car line-up. Team boss Dick Bennett's believes 2012 will be the team's strongest year since winning the title in 2009, with the three drivers taking on turbo powered BMWs.
     With Ben Edwards heading to the BBC to work alongside David Coulthard in the Formula One commentary box, MotoGP commentator Toby Moody was confirmed as his replacement, alongside BTCC veteran Tim Harvey.
     The much anticipated news of the winter came from Tony Gilham, who announced that he would be racing a turbo-charged Honda Civic - previously driven by 2011 runner up, Gordon Shedden. The news of which team Gilham will be running with for 2012 is still unknown.
     Thorney Motorsport will make their debut in the BTCC this season, and only last week, it was announced that they would be running two Vauxhall Insignias, one for principle John Thorne and a second for former Britcar driver Rob Hedley. The second car will run from the Oulton Park round of the championship in June. The mirror.co.uk will become another national media partner to the championship, as they follow the progress of Thorney Motorsport through the year.
     The very latest news from the championship, which was confirmed today, is a fourth driver from the 2011 grid will be making his move to the WTCC for this season. Alex MacDowall will race with Bamboo racing alongside Pasquale Di Sabatino.
     Teams that have yet to announce/confirm their plans for the 2012 season, to name a few, are Dynojet, Rob Austin Racing, Tech Speed and STR.

The BTCC Media Day, will be held at Silverstone Circuit on the 19th March (three week's today!) with free public entry from 12:30 p.m, just in time for the first official test to begin.

Phew - all this excitement - and the season hasn't even begun!

I think it's safe to say a big welcome back to the BTCC - and here's to another spectacular year - let's make it better than ever!

If you've got any questions about this season or anything else to do with the BTCC, follow me on Twitter (@nikkii98) and ask away!

Autosport International 2012.

So, here's the thing.

The Autosport International Show 2012. What a day...

Let me start from the beginning.
I've always dreamt of going to the Autosport show, but every year I've had to miss it because of work. Gutted.
But this year, I had the chance to go on the Thursday - and I have to say it was one of the best days of my life.

Getting the opportunity to be up close and personal to all the last pieces of engineering blew my mind.
Formula One cars, touring cars, Ginettas, Porsches, Ferraris, Aston Martins - they had the lot.

I also managed to meet a few of the British Touring Car Championship drivers, who stopped to give me a few autographs and a chat. 

All in all, I had an amazing day -- with 200 odd photos to prove!

If you fancy it, check them out: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3062820254555.154059.1384922898&type=3

If you ever get the chance to go, do it.
You'll never regret it, I promise!

Newsham joins Team ES Racing for 2012

Team ES Racing has announced who will be joining team principle Chris James for the 2012 season of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
      Dave Newsham, who made his debut to the series in 2011, will make his move following negotiations with the team to ES Racing for the season, which will start on the 8^th April at the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent. An announcement will follow regarding the team’s choice of car.
     Speaking about the announcement, Chris James said, “We are pleased to confirm Dave Newsham for the team along with two turbo race winning pedigree cars.” He went on to say, “We’ve been in talks with Dave for some time now and we’re glad we can finally announce he will be driving for us in 2012.”
     Dave Newsham said, “Chris is a passionate guy, I saw that from last year, racing with him and talking to him in the paddock.” He also stated, “Having a quick car is going to help, and if all things go well we should get some podiums and maybe sneak a win or two.”
     After a somewhat slow start to the year in 2011, Team ES Racing will be looking to make significant improvements during 2012.

BTCC Media Day 2012...

Will be held at the home of British Motorsport - Silverstone - on Monday 19th March!

Goodbye Dan Wheldon.

It’s taken me a while to think of what to write in my blog about what happened in Las Vegas last weekend. I’m not going to sit here and say that I’m an intense follower of the IndyCar series, because I’m not, but I have a good idea of what’s going on mainly through Twitter feeds and magazine articles.
     I remember reading about this year’s Indy 500 race and feeling so proud to be British because Dan Wheldon had won in an emotional victory. I’d heard about the final of the series heading to Las Vegas and read about Wheldon’s quest to win from the back of the field for a large sum of money, which was to be shared between himself and a competition winner.
      After an exciting day, having watched the Korean Formula One race and the finale of the BTCC at Silverstone on the TV, I settled down to write some reports on what had gone on during the day – never expected to be writing this one four days later.
     When I’d heard through Twitter that there had been a horrific crash in Las Vegas, my heart sank. I quickly found a live feed to watch the aftermath and to ensure that the drivers involved were all okay – that was the factor I was most concerned about.
     When confirmation broke of Dan Wheldon’s condition after the accident, I waited and hoped for any glimmer of light from the ABC commentators – who were doing a great job in holding the broadcast together in a time of somewhat desperation.
     The wait seemed endless...
     Nearly two hours after the event and a dodgy connection on my internet I was forced to close down my laptop and I asked my Twitter followers to keep me updated on Dan’s condition. At that time, nobody really knew what was going on, only that something wasn’t right.
     Just before going to sleep, my phone flashed. I don’t really know how I felt when I picked it up to see what the news was - something inside of me was telling me that something bad had happened I just didn’t want to envisage it.
     When I found out that the world had lost Dan Wheldon, it didn’t sink in. I thought that someone had made a mistake; a miscommunication somewhere along the line. But no, it was true – this was really happening. Dan Wheldon had been killed.
      The next morning, I woke in hope that all of this was some awful nightmare. But again, no; it had happened and the motorsport community was in shock.
     I watched the five lap salute held by the drivers on YouTube – the saddest five laps you’ll probably ever see.
     Everyone that is a fan of motorsport has been affected by Dan’s passing in some way. The world has lost a legend, but he will always be remembered for what he did best. We should all spare a thought about the family that have been left behind after this terrible tragedy.
      “Racing drivers never die. Their spirits are too strong and they never go away.” – Jackie Stewart.
Goodbye Dan Wheldon – Rest in Peace.

Matt Neal takes his third BTCC title for Honda Racing in the final race of the day at Silverstone

The reverse grid, as chosen by former BTCC driver John Cleland, saw Alex MacDowall starting on pole in front of Team Aon driver of Tom Chilton and team mate Jason Plato. The Honda’s of Neal and Shedden would be starting from 8^th and 9^th respectively. How would it all pan out as the end of the 2011 championship drew ever closer?
     A disappointing weekend for James Thompson saw him not starting on the grid, but from the pit lane.
     A good start from Chilton saw him take the lead as Jason Plato took second ahead of Silverline Chevrolet team mate Alex MacDowall. Matt Neal leads ahead of Gordon Shedden – the two Honda Racing drivers in 7^th and 8^th place respectively before heading into Maggots and Beckets complex. Neal had 9 kilos less ballast that Shedden going into race three – could this help the Worcestershire driver to his third title?
     Dave Newsham, who ran so well in the first two races of the day for Special Tuning Racing, pulled off from ninth position on the grid with a problem and later retired from the race, leaving team mate Boardman to battle it out with the leaders.
     Andy Neate was the next car to enter the pits whist team mate Tom Chilton was still holding the lead to Silverline Chevrolet’s Jason Plato. The third Aon driver Onslow-Cole was running down in sixth position ahead of the two Hondas.
     Despite starting from the pit lane and lying in eighteenth position, James Thompson on his one off return to the BTCC saw him set the first fastest lap of the race with a one minute lap around the National Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire.
     Mat Jackson, who was giving everything in the Airwaves Ford Focus after the day’s earlier calamities, was running down in thirteenth place ahead of WSR’s Rob Collard, who’d rejoined the track having done some off-roading after contact with Wrathall’s Toyota Avensis.
     Back with the Hondas, and Shedden was now 0.4 seconds behind team mate Matt Neal in the battle for seventh place – the Scot needed to make a move on Neal in order to be in contention for winning his first championship. Up front, Silverline Chevrolet’s Jason Plato was starting to put some pressure on Tom Chilton for the lead.
     Rob Austin in the NGTC Audi A4 was flying behind the two Hondas – could a move by the Worcestershire based driver be a factor in the title decider? Both Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden were also now getting closer to the back of Onslow-Cole’s Global Ford Focus.
     The first of the black and white warning flags to be shown in race three were for James Thompson and Andrew Jordan – who was lying in a lonely fifth place on the grid. James Thompson was soon given a drive through penalty by track stewards for exceeding track limits.
       Newly crowned Independents Champion James Nash tried to make a move stick on the Audi, but was unable to gain enough momentum to take the place, whilst behind the Triple 888 Vauxhall Vectra, Jackson was preparing a fight. A quick burst in the Ford saw Jackson take the place however a mistake from Jackson saw Nash regain his place on the circuit. A few seconds later and Mat Jackson made a daring move into Abbey and took the place again from rival Nash – despite damage to the bonnet of his car.
     Rob Austin managed to separate the Hondas after Shedden went very wide going into Copse corner – this move gave Matt Neal a bigger margin in terms of the championship going into the final stages of the race.
     James Nash, currently sitting in eleventh, was the second driver to be handed a drive through penalty of which he took immediately. Up front, Chilton was still leading the race ahead of Jason Plato and team mate Alex MacDowall.
     Another brilliant move by Rob Austin saw him take seventh place from Matt Neal, and was now lying behind Tom Onslow-Cole. This was a good result from the NGTC giving the team’s earlier catastrophes. The only way that Gordon Shedden would be able to win the championship at this stage of the race would be by finishing in fourth position or better.
     Frank Wrathall was now coming up to the back of the Hondas, and was looking to make a move on Gordon Shedden for seventh place. Contact between Tom Onslow Cole and Rob Austin saw the Audi driver take fifth from the Aon driver in the closing stages of the race.
     The chequered flag saw Chilton win the final British Touring Car Championship race of the year ahead of the two Chevrolet team mates Jason Plato and Alex MacDowall. A fourth place finish for Matt Neal saw him take his third BTCC championship for the Honda Dynamics team, with team mate Gordon Shedden finishing a close second in the standings.
     Speaking about winning the championship after the race, Neal said to ITV4, “It’s surreal. I never thought it was going to happen.”
     Both the Manufacturers and HIQ Teams Championship also went to Honda Dynamics, whilst the Independents Team Championship went to Triple 8 Racing.
     An exciting years racing drew to a close as the sun set at Silverstone Circuit; the home of British motor sport. Roll on 2012.

Shedden takes the win for Honda Racing in the penultimate race of the season

The scene was set. In order for Plato to remain in the championship hunt, he would have to finish race two in sixth place with rival Matt Neal failing to score any points. If Neal wins the race, team mate Shedden will have to finish in 3^rd place in order to keep his championship dreams alive. Would the 2011 Championship be decided in this race?
     After the incident at the start in race one, Tony Gilham was on the grid in his brightly coloured BMW. The Geoff Steel Racing driver sharing the back of the field with Rob Austin, James Thompson, Mat Jackson and Jason Plato, both of whom had a disastrous start to the day.
     At the start, Neal ran very wide going to Copse, which saw team mate Shedden take the lead, whilst Team Aon driver Tom Onslow-Cole had a brilliant start and took advantage of Neal’s mistake to take second. WSR driver Rob Collard also had a great start from 8^th on the grid.
     Contact midfield at Brooklands saw Frank Wrathall’s Toyota Avensis passenger door swinging open. The Dynojet driver was soon given the black mechanical flag and pitted to sort out the problem.
     Tony Gilham was struggling out on track, whilst back at Airwaves, another devastating weekend for Mat Jackson saw him pit early on in the race with his second puncture of the day. This is not the way the Airwaves team wanted to end the season.
      Further down the field, Jason Plato was dicing with Chris Swanick in the second Rob Austin Racing Audi for track position, trying desperately to defend his championship, whilst up front Shedden still led from Onslow-Cole and team mate Neal.
     A horrid weekend for GoMobileUK saw Paul O’Neill have to pit in his Chevrolet Cruze, whilst a wide move from Tom Onslow-Cole saw him slip back behind Neal, leaving the championship leader to chase team mate Shedden.
     Running 15^th on track, Jason Plato set the pace with the fastest lap, whilst Dave Newsham was having a strong race for Special Tuning racing, running fourth behind the leaders. Despite running wide through Copse, Plato took a place from now crowned Indie Champion James Nash in the Triple 8 Vectra.
     Matt Neal was now flying at Silverstone and was closing in on his Honda Racing team mate in first place, whereas down the field contact was made with Jeff Smith and Rob Austin with both drivers losing track position.
      Now running in twelfth behind team mate MacDowall, Plato was looking strong after his first race dramas however the Chevrolet driver was not in a point scoring finish just yet. Having lapped Martin Byford, Plato made his move stick on MacDowall for eleventh, and was soon in tenth after a battle with Liam Griffin’s Airwaves Racing Ford Focus at Brooklands.
     Shedden was still leading up front to Matt Neal, whilst contact for Dan Welch and Nick Foster saw Plato shoot up to eighth place. A spin for Nick Foster on the start/finish straight after his tangle with Welch saw him leave debris all over the track - after being collected by James Thompson - and brought out the safety car. There was no clear path on track for cars to make their way through the debris, so all drivers were treading carefully and were cautious about picking up punctures.
     A good restart from Shedden saw him maintain a good lead over Matt Neal, who was being chased by Tom Onslow-Cole, with Newsham defending fourth from Andrew Jordan.
     James Nash was jostling with Liam Griffin but was unable to maintain the move, meanwhile Aon driver Andy Neate was on a charge – a battle which saw Nash slightly tapped by Griffin and losing position.
     Gordon Shedden was the Honda driver to shine, and came across the line in first place followed closely behind by Matt Neal and Tom Onslow-Cole, who brought home a terrific result for Team Aon. Jason Plato managed to finish in seventh place, however was too far behind the Hondas, meaning the Chevrolet driver was mathematically out of the hunt.
     Another great race for Special Tuning Racing saw Newsham finishing in 4^th place and Tom Boardman in a strong 6^th.
     With six points separating the two Honda drivers, the championship will be decided during a nail biting final race of the day. Which man will come out on top come the end of the day?