BTCC at Thruxton - A Fan's Point of View of the Weekend
Russell Petty shares his views about the fourth BTCC weekend of 2008 at Thruxton.
28-05-2008
Another year has past and Thruxton has come around again, the annual trip for the Malvern Touring Boys to create Hell on Hampshire...
So this all started in 2006 with 4 of us wearing T-Shirts as a lads weekend, nobody could have imagined that 2 years later there would be 23 of us coming together to enjoy the best Motor Racing Championship in the world, the BTCC.
So it all begins on the Friday set off for 90 minute drive to Thruxton and arrive at the campsite for about midday set up base camp I.E. 2 gazebos 6 tents and a van not forgetting the trusty gas BBQ and let the games commence, Football, Quick Cricket and the dangers of a Frisbee especially when we have already started consuming the Nectar...
Then settle down for the legend that is the God-Fathers Chilli with Naan breads warms the cockles for the short walk across the circuit to the Goodwood Bar for the evenings entertainment, But somebody decided to walk round the circuit (seemed like a good idea at the time) then the entertainment turned out to be me DJ Rusty on the decks with a bag of Dodgy CDs from the Bar Girls (who are part of the gang now) spinning some tunes, Search Malvern Touring Boys on YouTube for video evidence, very amusing I promise...
So its back to the campsite after a long nights fun and Disaster strikes Fran one of our newest members trips over a guy rope and (snap) breaks her leg quite severely so its of to the security boys who were great and wait for Steve the paramedic to come and have a look and confirmed the inevitable, we need an ambulance so after all the commotion of that at 3am it was time to get some sleep ready for day 2...
7am came around really quickly and with it bought Breakfast Bacon rolls and then a fry-up in the Jackeroo restaurant believe me it was needed, then the sounds of engines starting and soon after tyres screeching it had began and not before time, but then all had stopped already as Alice Powell decided to try and take the Chicane the wrong way up in the Ginetta's, better luck next time darling.
So the day was spent enjoying the practice and qualifying and having fun with the drivers in the paddock and finally getting the answer to why Motorbase BMWs have Scooby Doo stickers under the hoods (nice idea David) then it's the turn of the BTCC cars to qualify, great fun and some surprises mostly Plato's mechanics failing to get his ride height right twice and that wasn't the last we would here about that...
So qualifying over and we watch the 3 races at the end of the day at the Chicane and believe me it was cold standing there in the wind...
And so the second evening begins with a BBQ then supposed to be a live band who never appeared so it was back to the decks and another late night but no injuries this time except me falling off the fence at the bar trying to get back to the campsite...
Then after another 7am start its Race day and we set up all 23 chairs and our flag in front of the burger bars at the Complex and settle down to enjoy one of the most exciting days racing I have seen for years. Race 1 Jason's mechanics still cant get his ride height right so 3rd turns into disqualified and Tom Onslow-Cole takes a well deserved birthday win, great action but not the result I wanted being a JP fan (sorry guys)...but 2 solid positions for the Motorbase boys.
After a long what seemed an age wait along comes race 2 which was just as action packed from a fans point of view and obviously Martyn Bell felt left out when the Mad Turk buried his Astra at donning ton last week because he did it on the exit of the complex on lap 1 and then Giovanardi getting a puncture on the last lap and finishing 10th lol sorry but what a drive by JP from last on the grid to 7th and then top 9 reversed to line up a fantastic last race.
So its time for the lunch break and the Red Devils to perform a Parachute display, fun, but not as impressive as last years helicopter display, So on to the last touring car race of the day and it doesn't disappoint as usual, Win for the man that is JP and 2 even stronger finishes for the Motorbase boys with Mr Kane getting into the top 10... Then its off back to the campsite to pack up and reflect on what has been an unforgettable weekend for more than just 1 reason, and now another 12 month wait to do it all again next year...
Thanks to David Bartrum for the chance to share my weekend with all the other fans, I hope you all enjoyed it as Much as we did.
Regards Russell Petty (RUSTY) and all the Malvern Touring Boys.
