Weighty difference for BTCC runners.
Oulton Park this weekend sees the BTCC's new ballast weight rules applying during qualifying for the first time. Success - or failure - ballast is now calculated after each race This means the winning car in the Feature Race at Brands Hatch three weeks ago will be the heaviest car on the track for free practice, qualifying and the Sprint Race at Oulton Park, before the weights are again re-assessed for the Feature Race at the Cheshire circuit.
Oulton Park this weekend sees the BTCC's new ballast weight rules applying during qualifying for the first time. Success - or failure - ballast is now calculated after each race This means the winning car in the Feature Race at Brands Hatch three weeks ago will be the heaviest car on the track for free practice, qualifying and the Sprint Race at Oulton Park, before the weights are again re-assessed for the Feature Race at the Cheshire circuit.
For the first race, the following list gives ballast added or taken away, along with the new Touring Class minimum weights, including driver weight:
Matt Neal Vauxhall Astra Coupe + 9kg 1183kgYvan Muller Vauxhall Astra Coupe + 30kg 1204kgJames Thompson Vauxhall Astra Coupe + 42kg 1216kgDan Eaves Peugeot 406 Coupe - 24kg 1150kgTim Harvey Peugeot 406 Coupe - 15kg 1159kgAnthony Reid MG ZS + 18kg 1192kgWarren Hughes MG ZS - 21kg 1153kgDavid Leslie Proton Impian - 24kg 1150kgTom Chilton Vauxhall Astra Coupe - 24kg 1150kgPhil Bennett Proton Impian - 9kg 1165kgGareth Howell MG ZS TBA 1174kgColin Turkington MG ZS TBA 1174kgAlan Morrison Honda Civic Type-R - 24kg 1150kgAndy Priaulx Honda Civic Type-R0kg 1174kgPaul O'Neill Vauxhall Astra Coupe - 24kg 1150kgAaron Slight Vauxhall Astra Coupe - 24kg 1150kg
Brands Feature Race winner James Thompson has the heaviest car going to Oulton, his Vauxhall Astra 66kg heavier than the similarly mounted Paul O'Neill, who retired in round 2. A good result for O'Neill could see him on the grid for Oulton's Feature Race in a car much heavier than he would have tested or qualified at the track - a potential cause of handling problems and differing tyre wear.
The MG team also see a discrepancy in weights, Anthony Reid carrying 39kg more than team-mate Warren Hughes for qualifying and the first race.
Weights are worked out from a car base minimum weight, with driver, of 1174kg. Currently, without figures from the Team Atomic Kitten drivers, heaviest driver in the Touring Class pit lane is Matt Neal, who at 101kg outweighs second placed Tim Harvey by five kilos. Lightest driver is Warren Hughes, a sparrow-like 66kg.
