Racing Rivals

ss_collins · 28 Jul 2003, 13:26 (Ref:673295)

Was actually rather good - for those that don't know its a TV programme based on the SEAT Cupra race series. I think Natlie Barretts gonna come in for some stick though...

**ghinzani** · 28 Jul 2003, 14:20 (Ref:673347)

I thought it stank - typical ITV rubbish.

**BertMk2** · 28 Jul 2003, 14:30 (Ref:673358)

I must admit I thought it was pretty poor. My expectations were low and ITV failed to meet them - so no change there then. Suffice to say I won't be watching again.

**garcon** · 28 Jul 2003, 15:43 (Ref:673417)

Saw them racing at Oulton 2 weeks or so ago. They're competitive that's for sure. And I think the amount of money and coverage going into it should help the more successful drivers launch a genuine tin top career.

Saw most of the programme on Sunday - I don't know what some of you guys are expecting, but I didn't think it was too bad. However, it does seem to follow the latest trend of dumbing it down somewhat for non-racing fans and not actually including that much racing...

As for Natalie, at Oulton she looked like she might be getting the hang of it. I'd like to see any of that grid keep up with her in a rally car...

**touringlegend** · 28 Jul 2003, 17:11 (Ref:673484)

Motorsport in general can be boring on the TV for the general public. I think this is what Seat realised and therefore billed it as a documentary type programme that makes more of the characters in the sport to follow them through thick and thin.

If you turned on expecting racing you'd be dissapointed, but I wasn't so therefore quite liked the programme as a whole. They do seem to have several favourites already though...
(oh and does Stefan Hodgetts always sound like he's got the cold or something ?? )

Muppet · 28 Jul 2003, 17:29 (Ref:673498)

Quote:

Originally posted by touringlegend
(oh and does Stefan Hodgetts always sound like he's got the cold or something ?? )

Yes, but he's a top bloke... ;-)

ITV show was boring. The actual SEAT racing watching from trackside is a lot more entertaining.

Well worth the trip to Rockingham next weekend. (It's also free to get in!!!!) Seems to be billed as the headline event along with The Sugarbabes. F3/GT not mentioned(!)

Les · 28 Jul 2003, 18:34 (Ref:673580)

I am looking forward to seeing them race at the Rock.
The prog does seem to focus on just a few....

**Spudgun** · 28 Jul 2003, 21:28 (Ref:673713)

I saw the programme on Sunday. I was slightly concerned for the woman (can't remember her name) who didn't know what the flags meant!

Just waiting for my Rockingham tickets to come through the post. I'm really looking forward to it. It's my first trip up there so it should be fun.

rdjones · 29 Jul 2003, 06:38 (Ref:673914)

Saw the ITV1 program on Saturday it was OK, but the program on ITV2 was a lot better.

Rob29 · 29 Jul 2003, 08:08 (Ref:673976)

The ITV2 programmes are a 60 min expanded version of the ITV show.I did not like the way Natalie Barrett was treated.She is an experienced rally driver with some previous race experience.I don't believe she did not know the flag signals,though maybe the green flag was not in use when she last raced?

andy_b · 29 Jul 2003, 09:32 (Ref:674057)

for anyone going to Rockingham. I have created a Rockingham race guide showing form, current points, pics of all the cars with sponsor/colour combinationsetc etc.

email me @ andyb@seatcupra.net and i'll email the link to the pdf

ss_collins · 29 Jul 2003, 11:02 (Ref:674148)

Well I've spoken to a number of non racers and they found it enjoyable TV. (note: motorsport - enjoyable) I think this is very positive indeed

spanner · 29 Jul 2003, 12:29 (Ref:674228)

The commentator did say it was her first race in 11 years, but how hard is learning what the flags mean.

As for the programme, i watched sundays but they did seem to make it out as though it was a demolition derby rather than a race, nevermind that it seemed that half the field shoulod have been black flagged for dangerous driving

Dave Brand · 29 Jul 2003, 12:47 (Ref:674256)

It will be interesting to see the Oulton coverage - perhaps they will have an explanation for their disgraceful behaviour.........

ss_collins · 29 Jul 2003, 15:49 (Ref:674407)

disgraceful behaviour - go on?

Dave Brand · 29 Jul 2003, 18:06 (Ref:674519)

Quote:

Originally posted by ss_collins
disgraceful behaviour - go on?

Most of the races had been shortened & the last race of the day cancelled, which meant the second SEAT race then became the last race of the day. The

SEAT drivers, having requested a second green flag lap, ostensibly to 'bed in new brake pads', then proceeded to drive very slowly on their green flag laps. I don't know the point they were trying to make, but they certainly succeeded in losing the respect of the marshals &, I hope, the speccies.

ss_collins · 30 Jul 2003, 08:58 (Ref:675053)

how odd... This makes me want to watch it even more...

andy_b · 30 Jul 2003, 14:41 (Ref:675360)

dont know all the details, but I read that the cars were given new pads for the second race due to serious brake fade problems.

**touringlegend** · 30 Jul 2003, 15:45 (Ref:675421)

Wasn't Stefan Hodgetts accident something to do with failed brakes ? Same happened to Gavin Smith pre season but Seat disagreed!

Muppet · 30 Jul 2003, 19:47 (Ref:675655)

Stefan's brakes failed at Knickerbrook but still carried on "hoping they would work at Lodge". They didn't and he had a very big off.

The SEATs were very badly behaved at Oulton and were the number one reason why the marshals didn't get a lunchbreak on Saturday and Sunday's timetable didn't work.

With the Rockingham scenery a lot harder (concrete) than Oulton's bouncy tyre walls, trees and fluffy bunny rabbits, maybe they will behave this time... then again, fat chance!

Colour chart? If it's a rear view then that's easy. They're all green with Holiday Inn plastered all over them!

**touringlegend** · 30 Jul 2003, 21:19 (Ref:675741)

Out of curiosity, does Seat pay for the car if it's a technical failure that leads to it being written off ?

Muppet · 31 Jul 2003, 17:19 (Ref:676479)

Dunno. Haven't seen the regs for the SEATs. The Maserati things at the GP I do know about... The "dealer" (who the driver is contracted to) gets charged 5000 EURO for 1st major accident, 7500 EURO for 2nd and 10,000 EURO for 3rd. All excess is absorbed by Maserati. Judging by the driving standards at the GP, Maserati should be bankrupt by now. ;-)

alfa57 · 31 Jul 2003, 19:41 (Ref:676598)

All drivers must have a £1500 damage excess paid at the start of each meeting. The first £1500 of repairs comes out of that - the rest is down to SEAT

**touringlegend** · 31 Jul 2003, 22:58 (Ref:676731)

Jeez thats another good whack on top of the £75k entry fee isn't it!

Les · 1 Aug 2003, 06:05 (Ref:676828)

but presumably - no damage and you get your money back?

Seat seem to know all the pitfalls and have got all the money up front. Therefore we shouldn't have any dropouts and they don't get stung with the 'can't afford to repair it' syndrome.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[TV] Racing Rivals tv shows 2004	Sato san	Armchair Enthusiast	3	8 Jul 2006 14:16
Racing Rivals part 2	Tiptop	Racers Forum	3	15 Mar 2004 10:56
Seat -Racing Rivals	Tiptop	National & Club Racing	45	25 Jan 2004 12:35
My Thruxton Photo's - British F3, GT, Racing Rivals etc 2003	UkF1 Lad	Cool Sites	5	19 Aug 2003 23:36