JUST THE RIGHT LEVEL OF EFFECT
It is unlikely that there are many so-called purists left enjoying motorsport. The term purist is often used in a disparaging way by those who chuckle at people who enjoy genuine motor racing that produces a genuine result, unaffected by any artificial outside factors. The reason that purists will have turned their attentions away from motor racing – circuit racing at least – is that every branch of the sport seems to have its performance-enhancing
(or detracting) gizmos that can influence a result. But motor racing no longer harks back to the days of cork crash helmets and a cravat. Artificial devices – be they option tyres, the drag reduction systems or a boost of hybrid power – are here to stay. Much like the world is slowly moving towards a cashless society, pure unencumbered motor racing seems like it might be beginning to write its own obituary.
But that doesn’t mean to say that factors to spice up racing are a bad thing. Look at two examples from last weekend. Formula 1’s drag reduction system proved to be overly powerful at Imola and the merit of an overtaking move was hard to judge. In fact, it was a relief when the system was disabled due to the wet weather. More work needs to be done here to stop drivers simply biding their time, waiting for the DRS zone and blasting past.
The other example was the new hybrid era of the British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park. There were concerns about the hardware and true, some drivers were affected by technical gremlins, but for the ones where it did work fully, the racing was superb. The amount of extra oomph the electrical power gives a driver – said to be worth up to 15 metres per lap – was perfect. It still made overtaking tough and the action in the BTCC, which has always been its biggest pulling power, was in no way diminished. If the evidence of the three races last weekend is anything to go by, it will be a great season.
Of course, that is like comparing apples and pears slightly because the BTCC is designed to be a show. But the very fact that F1 introduced DRS in the first place goes to demonstrate just how important grand prix racing’s global bosses realise the actual racing is. And if it is all about the racing, the right level of influence can give the right level of result.
In this bumper reports issue, as well as a fascinating interview with former McLaren and Ferrari F1 driver Stefan Johansson, we have all the action from that opening BTCC clash and also the get-go of the British Rally Championship, which broke new ground on the Tendring and Clacton closed-road spectacular, which was well received by all. It was a mammoth weekend of action and it is all here.