Most underrated driver in the Super Tourer era

[Radisichrox]

Any thoughts on who would be one of the most underrated drivers in the btcc during the super tourer era?

[kristof14]

my vote gos to vincent radermacker, he was the rubens barichello of the teams he was in (in the btcc anyhoo) he was never backed up much by his teams and last season was pretty much only employed by vauxhall to make up the numbers.

[Radisichrox]

I think Kelvin Burt was a driver that was never really given a chance, he had tremendous talent but was restricted by team orders and weak cars. I don't like his personality off the track but he was (and still is) a very good driver.

Jeff Allam, also, was scarred by team orders and bad luck.

Some people say that John Bintcliffe was underrated, but his 2 wins in 1997 were given to him by Frank Biela. John even admitted that Frank gave him those wins.

I don't know what people think of Kieth O'Dor but he should have been offered better cars in his time in the BTCC.

Will Hoy, for a time, was underrated when in a great car (1992,1995).

Paul Radisich was underrated even after winning 2 world cups!

[racer69]

Tim Harvey

He won in 1992, then raced uncompetitive Renaults in 93 and 1994, and then was number 2 at Volvo in 95, before struggling in Peaugeots between 96-98, being quicker than his teamates. I think he deserved the Volvo drive in 99, as he proved what he can do at Bathurst in 97 and 98 and again at Oulton when he finished on the podium in his first meeting back since 1998.

Also David Leslie, He put in great performances over the years, winning lots of races and was responsible for developing the Honda Accord and Nissan Primera, and was very good in a private Vauxhall in 92 and 93.

Also Craig Baird didn't get a fair go at Ford in the 1998 series, he deserved more because he put in some good performances, and he had to learn front wheel drive.

[AndyF]

I agree with the nomination of Craig Baird. He came as champion of Australia (or something like that), but had an unlucky year. Good performance in the rain at Silverstone.

[JTBK]

i'd have to go for.....radermacker, he was one of my favourite drivers in 2000 and 99

[Radisichrox]

I agree that Leslie and Harvey were underrated, at least for a while. For a while, though, they had their day.

[hunttheshunt]

James Kaye-he showed what he can do in the privateers cup and in Production cars and in terms of speed was very close to david Leslie during their years at Honda.

And also Peter Kox-i thought atthe end of '96 in the BMW showed real flashes of brilliance.

[AndyF]

I agree with hunt about Kaye and Kox. Kaye and Simon Harrison (another under-rated driver) are in my opinion, the class of Production.

[pink69]

I'd agree with Radermecker, but also I'd say JCB [ Jean christophe Boullion]. He only got the one year in the BTCC and he looked good in alot of races. He has proven sportscars pedigree and I believes he deserved a longer stint in the BTCC to prove himself more.

[hunttheshunt]

JCB was more or less forced out of the BTCC at the end of '99 becuase there were no seats available-Renault had pulled out and he was left as a refuge. Shame, because he is a class-act.

Also, hopefully both Kaye and Harrison will be in the BTCT next year, Kaye in the Barwell Honda and hopefully Harrison in a HTML Pug 406.

[Radisichrox]

I agree about Kaye. He really was only good as a privateer, because on the track with Leslie in the Honda he never really scored a lot of points.