I've had my say on the BTCC 2014 season as I'm sure you've read about , so I decided it was fair that you should have your say on what you thought of Turkington's second title winning year.
I threw it open to you on the Facebook page, asking who you thought deserved each of the following accolades; Best Driver, Best Team, Best Newcomer, Best Memory, Best Overtake. And as promised your feedback has been used and was greatly appreciated!
Here's what you all thought.
I threw it open to you on the Facebook page, asking who you thought deserved each of the following accolades; Best Driver, Best Team, Best Newcomer, Best Memory, Best Overtake. And as promised your feedback has been used and was greatly appreciated!
Here's what you all thought.
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28884251/1223896.jpg?719)
BEST DRIVER
The vast majority thought the best driver of 2014 was WSR's Colin Turkington, the man that won the drivers title and the independents title behind the wheel of his BWW 125i M-Sport. Unsurprising that he was a popular choice, because the Ulsterman barely put a foot wrong all year.
There were some other selections.
Jack Clarke's name cropped up, and it's fair to say the lad had a solid debut season in the BTCC. He steadily progressed throughout the year and saved the best until last with a superb podium finish in the final race of the year.
Motorbase's Mat Jackson was also mentioned, because he completed the most laps throughout the season. It's rather easy to heap praise on the Englishman after a stellar performance. Fourth in the championship ahead of four former champions is a superb achievement.
The vast majority thought the best driver of 2014 was WSR's Colin Turkington, the man that won the drivers title and the independents title behind the wheel of his BWW 125i M-Sport. Unsurprising that he was a popular choice, because the Ulsterman barely put a foot wrong all year.
There were some other selections.
Jack Clarke's name cropped up, and it's fair to say the lad had a solid debut season in the BTCC. He steadily progressed throughout the year and saved the best until last with a superb podium finish in the final race of the year.
Motorbase's Mat Jackson was also mentioned, because he completed the most laps throughout the season. It's rather easy to heap praise on the Englishman after a stellar performance. Fourth in the championship ahead of four former champions is a superb achievement.
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28884251/8635343.jpg?719)
BEST TEAM
This one was more evenly spread, with two main contenders. To my personal surprise, nobody elected West Surrey Racing, who won both the overall teams and independents team championships.
With a victory of four to 3, Exocet Racing (Rob Austin Racing) were the team that impressed you the most, primarily because they are fan friendly. It's great to see that the team appear to be welcoming to fans and are hospitable. You also credited their work ethic, saying they were hard working, particularly with rebuilding both Austin and Abbott's cars at Brands the other week.
In a close second were Warren Scott's Team BMR. BMR have had a great year, with two race victories with Aron Smith. Aron is loving life at BMR, and his results are showing. Menu also enjoyed a decent season, whilst Goff and Scott are both improving. With four cars, they are the biggest team on the BTCC Grid.
This one was more evenly spread, with two main contenders. To my personal surprise, nobody elected West Surrey Racing, who won both the overall teams and independents team championships.
With a victory of four to 3, Exocet Racing (Rob Austin Racing) were the team that impressed you the most, primarily because they are fan friendly. It's great to see that the team appear to be welcoming to fans and are hospitable. You also credited their work ethic, saying they were hard working, particularly with rebuilding both Austin and Abbott's cars at Brands the other week.
In a close second were Warren Scott's Team BMR. BMR have had a great year, with two race victories with Aron Smith. Aron is loving life at BMR, and his results are showing. Menu also enjoyed a decent season, whilst Goff and Scott are both improving. With four cars, they are the biggest team on the BTCC Grid.
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28884251/5639234.jpg?719)
BEST NEWCOMER
Most of you decided 2014's best newcomer was former Ginetta racer Tom Ingram. Tom certainly caught our eyes this year, with some great drives although the results don't necessarily reflect how impressive his year has been at the wheel of the Speedworks Toyota Avensis.
Young Scot Aiden Moffat's name also cropped up. Aiden is racking up experience and most definitely has youth on his side, so could become one of the country's top touring car drivers.
There was also a mention for Crabbie's Racing's Jack Clarke, after impressing in the rain at Brands.
BEST MEMORY
I was delighted to read that a lot of you had recalled personal memories from being at the races, and those were brilliant and intriguing to read so thank you!
Sam Digweed was priviliged enough to be in the Exocet Racing garage when Rob Austin won the final race of the day at Rockingham Raceway! That must have been something special to be a part of. More of you picked this out as your favourite memory of the year, unsurprising as Rob Austin is one of the most popular drivers on the grid.
Daz Barker also enjoyed being in amongst the winning action. He got to hold up Aron Smith's race winning trophy from Oulton Park for a photo that Smith's dad took for him! The closeness to the action is what makes the BTCC grid great!
Church corner was a highlight for Samantha Trimmer, who enjoyed exilerating BTCC action from one of the quickest corners in the UK!
From your living rooms, there were suggestions from Silverstone. Chris Chatters felt all the BMR Passat CC's covering the top 9 places was the highlights, whilst Nadine Taylor hailed the strength of the BTCC cars after Rob Collard's terrifying barrel roll in race 2.
My best memory from the season was either the pulsating first race at Knockhill that I was lucky enough to see trackside, or the opening two rounds of the season. Being an Andrew Jordan fan, I enjoyed seeing him take two straight victories.
Most of you decided 2014's best newcomer was former Ginetta racer Tom Ingram. Tom certainly caught our eyes this year, with some great drives although the results don't necessarily reflect how impressive his year has been at the wheel of the Speedworks Toyota Avensis.
Young Scot Aiden Moffat's name also cropped up. Aiden is racking up experience and most definitely has youth on his side, so could become one of the country's top touring car drivers.
There was also a mention for Crabbie's Racing's Jack Clarke, after impressing in the rain at Brands.
BEST MEMORY
I was delighted to read that a lot of you had recalled personal memories from being at the races, and those were brilliant and intriguing to read so thank you!
Sam Digweed was priviliged enough to be in the Exocet Racing garage when Rob Austin won the final race of the day at Rockingham Raceway! That must have been something special to be a part of. More of you picked this out as your favourite memory of the year, unsurprising as Rob Austin is one of the most popular drivers on the grid.
Daz Barker also enjoyed being in amongst the winning action. He got to hold up Aron Smith's race winning trophy from Oulton Park for a photo that Smith's dad took for him! The closeness to the action is what makes the BTCC grid great!
Church corner was a highlight for Samantha Trimmer, who enjoyed exilerating BTCC action from one of the quickest corners in the UK!
From your living rooms, there were suggestions from Silverstone. Chris Chatters felt all the BMR Passat CC's covering the top 9 places was the highlights, whilst Nadine Taylor hailed the strength of the BTCC cars after Rob Collard's terrifying barrel roll in race 2.
My best memory from the season was either the pulsating first race at Knockhill that I was lucky enough to see trackside, or the opening two rounds of the season. Being an Andrew Jordan fan, I enjoyed seeing him take two straight victories.
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28884251/8152580.jpg?719)
BEST OVERTAKE
This is a difficult one to answer for the BTCC, as there are overtakes up and down the grid in every race in this series, but you responded well with some memorable moves.
Probably the most memorable of those was Shedden's final corner pass through the gravel on Turkington as was suggested, and I have to say I probably agree this move or Jason Plato's on the new champion at Silverstone as was also suggested were the stand out manoeuvres.
Plenty of you praised Hunter Abbott's performance at Rockingham, coming from the back of the grid to 16th place, passing nearly 15 cars in a single race!)
There were also shouts for Adam Morgan's race 2 performance at Brands Hatch, claiming the first win for him and the Mercedes marque in the BTCC.
And Daz Barker said, "Every single one of them, this is the BTCC after all!"
I don't think I could have put it better myself.
The 2014 BTCC season has been an incredible one, and I throroughly enjoyed hearing what you fellow fans thought. Thank you to everybody who responded and entered our competition, your support is greatly appreciated! Don't forget to Like and share our facebook page www.facebook.com/thegriduk and follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/@thegriduk and keep an eye out for our next competition. All your feedback and comments are appreciated. we would like to thank you again for your continued support .
Luke Barry – Reporter
Laurence Johnson – Editor/Photographer
This is a difficult one to answer for the BTCC, as there are overtakes up and down the grid in every race in this series, but you responded well with some memorable moves.
Probably the most memorable of those was Shedden's final corner pass through the gravel on Turkington as was suggested, and I have to say I probably agree this move or Jason Plato's on the new champion at Silverstone as was also suggested were the stand out manoeuvres.
Plenty of you praised Hunter Abbott's performance at Rockingham, coming from the back of the grid to 16th place, passing nearly 15 cars in a single race!)
There were also shouts for Adam Morgan's race 2 performance at Brands Hatch, claiming the first win for him and the Mercedes marque in the BTCC.
And Daz Barker said, "Every single one of them, this is the BTCC after all!"
I don't think I could have put it better myself.
The 2014 BTCC season has been an incredible one, and I throroughly enjoyed hearing what you fellow fans thought. Thank you to everybody who responded and entered our competition, your support is greatly appreciated! Don't forget to Like and share our facebook page www.facebook.com/thegriduk and follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/@thegriduk and keep an eye out for our next competition. All your feedback and comments are appreciated. we would like to thank you again for your continued support .
Luke Barry – Reporter
Laurence Johnson – Editor/Photographer