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I haven't finished it yet, but here's my driver-by-driver review so far
[spoiler]34. David Pinkney (Rob Austin Racing – Audi A4)
Yes, remember him? Pinkney appeared at Brands Hatch to give the Audi its debut, didn’t start any of the races and wasn’t seen again, citing ‘business commitments’.
33. John Thorne (Thorney Motorsport – Vauxhall Insignia)
Debuted the Vauxhall Insignia, also known as the Batmobile thanks to its livery, although it wasn’t the best of starts. Missed practice, qualifying and only completed a handful of laps prior to pulling off at the start of Race 1. Finishes ahead of Pinkney in the championship by virtue of actually turning up.
32. Chris Swanwick (Rob Austin Racing – Audi A4)
There were nervous rumblings when it was announced that Swanwick would make his debut for RAR and become the youngest ever BTCC driver at the penultimate round at Brands Hatch. Swanwick, prior to his BTCC debut, was best remembered for causing a huge accident in the Ginetta Juniors race at Silverstone last season so the thought of giving him an Audi A4 was slightly worrying to some. However, he stayed out of trouble (mainly) and achieved five finishes out of six, with a best of 17th.
31. Tony Hughes (Speedworks Motorsport – Toyota Avensis)
Another newbie to the series, Hughes was quite far off the pace (although not helped by the deficiencies of the Toyota Avensis at the start of the season). Finished 14th in the second race at Oulton Park.
30. Martin Byford (AmD Milltek Racing.com – Volkswagen Golf)
A name from the past, Byford finally made his entrance in the Golf mid-season at Snetterton. Byford didn’t show the sort of pace that Onslow-Cole had extracted from the car, but still showed reasonably well. After two seasons, AmD Milltek will be hoping to move further forward next season, but will be buoyed by their progression this year.
29. Shaun Hollamby (AmD Milltek Racing.com – Volkswagen Golf)
When Onslow-Cole left for Ford, Hollamby was left without a driver so stepped into the role himself for one round at Croft. Said he was pleased with the progress of the car he raced in 2010 and recruited Byford to replace him for the rest of the year.
28. Chris James (Team ES Racing – Chevrolet Lacetti)
Committed to a full season of BTCC with the ES Racing squad in the Chevrolet Lacetti and performed admirably. The Lacetti didn’t have the pace to compete with many cars, although he managed to finish ahead of a few regulars in some races simply by staying out of trouble. Finished 12th in the second race at Donington and after a disastrous spell during the middle of the season, finished the final twelve races.
27. John George (GoMobileUK.com with tech-speed – Chevrolet Cruze LT)
“I don’t know who’ll be champion, but it probably won’t be John George” said series director Alan Gow towards the end of the season. George is often found nearer the back of the field than the front, although he was able to show increased speed courtesy of a Chevrolet Cruze rather than the Honda Integra that has been used in previous seasons. An 11th at Donington means he finishes ahead of James in the championship.
26. Oliver Jackson (888 Racing with Collins Contractors – Vauxhall Vectra)
Put together a deal with Triple Eight to contest the final two rounds of the season and despite the usual carnage found in BTCC’s midfield, he finished all 6 races he entered, narrowly missing out on points on two occasions.
25. James Thompson (Airwaves Racing – Ford Focus ST)
If Thompson was meant to return to the series and help Jackson in both the main and Independents crown, it turned out to be a bit of a damp squib. Thompson – albeit with 45kg of ballast onboard – finished way down in qualifying and suffered two retirements and a lowly 18th place finish. Set the race’s fastest lap in the final event but received a drive through penalty for exceeding track limits to do so. Kept the point though. Here’s hoping he’ll be back full time next year.
24. Aron Smith (888 Racing with Collins Contractors – Vauxhall Vectra)
Random Fact: Smith was the only non-Brit to start a BTCC round in 2011. He’s all the way from Ireland… Scored a point in his first race at Knockhill (no mean feat) but was caught out with the sudden braking of Tom Boardman under the safety car in Race 3 and retired with heavy damage.
23. Michael Caine (Airwaves Racing – Ford Focus ST)
Caine blew the doors off on his BTCC debut by finishing 10th in a competitive field at the Rock, although that was the highlight as he retired from Race 2, before – impressively, in a field of 29 cars – finishing 12th in every race at Brands Hatch. Made way for Thommo for Silverstone, but not before impressing quite a few up and down the BTCC paddock.
22. Daniel Welch (Welch Automotive – Proton Gen-2)
A proton in the BTCC? Seriously? Well yes actually. Welch turned up at Snetterton and gave the Proton a decent debut, running fairly well in the order and managing three finishes. In an increasingly competitive field, the Proton – and Welch – improved, claiming a solitary point at Silverstone. The team will continue into 2012, and there’s no reason to be pessimistic; you only have to look at the progress of Wrathall and Austin to believe that the Proton could run nearer the front than it has done so far.
21. Liam Griffin (Airwaves Racing – Ford Focus ST)
As BTCC debuts go, it’s fair to say that Griffin’s was up there. However, not in terms of pace, but rather comic value as he walloped into Rob Collard on the formation lap. Brought a fair amount of money to the team and was often found nearer the rear of the field than the front. Despite that, he managed to finish a creditable 9th in the final race at Donington. Finishing record wasn’t too shabby either.
20. Lea Wood (Central Group Racing – Honda Integra Type-R)
Eventually showed up at Oulton Park in his trustworthy Honda Integra (now pretty much a decade old) and did so in spectacular fashion, finishing 7th in a rain affected race. As the races rumbled on, so Wood slipped back as the Integra struggled against the NGTC machines. Didn’t make it to Scotland (who can blame him), whilst Rockingham was a disaster, registering three DNS. Will hopefully return next year, as he deserves a seat.
19. Tony Gilham (888 Racing/Geoff Steel Racing with Collins Contractors – Vauxhall Vectra/BMW 320si)
When he was on track, you could certainly see him. That said, a pink and bright green Vauxhall (later a BMW) was quite hard to miss. Scored in all three races of the season opener, upping his tally to twelve points after Thruxton. However, things went awry and he split with Triple Eight after Snetterton and rocked up with GSR (themselves without a driver) at Rockingham.
18. Andy Neate (Team Aon – Ford Focus)
Anyone with access to a computer will probably best remember Andy Neate’s contribution to the 2011 BTCC season not on track, but on the BTCC forum, as he ripped into fans after some slated him post-Brands Hatch in October. To be fair to him, he is learning. However, he has to avoid throwing away results handed to him on a plate. Lost a top 5 finish at Donington by crashing and ran wide at Brands Hatch when in the top 3. The latter also created the furore over at BTCC.net.
17. Jeff Smith (Pirtek Racing – Vauxhall Vectra)
Every series has to have a bland car, and this was the BTCC’s. Whilst white liveries can be cool (the Sauber C30 a prime example), they don’t really work on a Vauxhall Vectra. Luckily, they do work on a Honda Civic. Although, he might have to hope he doesn’t get confused with the works team. Back to 2011 however and it was a year of respectability. Nineteen points (including a top 5 finish) is nothing to be ashamed of.
16. Rob Austin (Rob Austin Racing – Audi A4)
Having originally decided not to race for his eponymous team, Austin had no option (shame) after Pinkney buggered off. Looking like he came straight out of the 1970s with his old-school helmet and obligatory sunglasses, the first few round were disastrous. Left Snetterton with a couple of points, but the real breakthrough came at Rockingham, where he scored in all three races, including a podium. First win next season? Probably. Still, there's always the porn industry if it goes tits up.
15. Dave Newsham (Geoff Steel Racing/Special Tuning Racing – BMW 320si/Seat Leon)
Started the season in a – relatively – old BMW and last year’s Clio Cup champion took a point in his debut race. Switched to STR’s Seat Leon for Oulton Park – and a far better livery – taking 8th in the final race. A run of five races in the points followed, although a disappointing home round started a rot that lasted until Silverstone, where he drove brilliantly to just miss out on a podium. As debut seasons go, it wasn’t half bad.
14. Nick Foster (WSR – BMW 320si)
The BMW was never going to be able to fight at the front, but Foster did a damn sight better than many expected. Was regularly in the midfield and his efforts were rewarded with a second place at Croft, after team mate Collard graciously let him through as payback for Foster earlier helping Collard. Like Caine, he also managed the feat of finishing in the same position in all three races at Brands Hatch – 10th. Should be back next season, although in what car is anyone’s guess.
13. Tom Onslow Cole (AmD Milltek Racing.com/Team Aon – Volkswagen Golf/Ford Focus)
Having been hung out to dry by Team Aon, with whom he finished 4th in 2010, Onslow Cole was rescued by Shaun Hollamby and got to drive the Golf. Took a few points before he announced he was heading back to Aon for the rest of the season. Struggled initially with the newer model of the Focus, however he rounded out the season with six straight points finishes, including two podiums. A talent of his, especially at a young age, deserves a 2012 seat. That might be down to Aon, if they return to the BTCC.
12. Frank Wrathall (Dynojet – Toyota Avensis)
Mid-point of the season and next to Frank Wrathall’s name was these results: Ret-DNS-DNS-16-NC-NC-Ret-DNS-Ret-Ret-13-Ret-12-Ret-Ret. Had you said that he’d finish the season twelfth in the championship with 65 points, you probably would have been taken away in a straightjacket. A breakthrough fourth place at Snetterton was the catalyst for improvement as he took four straight podiums (no mean feat when you consider the reverse grids) and finished the season off by overtaking Gordon Shedden on the final lap. With an improved Avensis, Wrathall could well be the dark horse for the 2012 title.[/spoiler]
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Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011
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