The queue moved quickly and as in previous years, it paid to avoid the high profile names. The queue to see Honda and MG were vast and I doubt people at the back saw anything else all day. I managed a handful of posters and postcards and some goodies too.
With the pitlane crowds herded back to the outside of the circuit, I nipped back down the tunnel for a paddock wander, first up was the BTCC garages again, some many new cars. MG, Honda, Audi, Ford and VW just some of the makes that now support or have privately run cars in the series.
Out of the garages and the smaller teams had set ups as well as the support races.
Support for the three main races comes from a variety of tintop and single seaters. The Porsche Cup, Ginettas, Clios and Formula Ford. I managed to get to the 911s just as they were heading out and got caught in the best traffic jam ever!
The Ginettas caters for kids aged 14 and up, its scarey to think while some teenagers are bumming round doing nothing, others are racing at national level and doing a great job.
The Clio cup is pocket sized touring cars from Renault.
The weakest and the newest support race is for the new Formula Fords, they've added wings to the cars these days, but with such small grids it was the big let down of the day.
With the racing already under way I made my way out to the chicane for the end of the Ginetta race and the first of the Porsches.
Next up was the first of three BTCC races, the massive grid stretched all the way back to the chicane, it was going to be close racing. Fortunately the organisers installed a massive screen showing the ITV4 feed so once the cars were out of sight we could still keep up with the action. Lap after lap the Honda of Jordan held the lead. Sadly the harsh nature of Thruxtons high speed corners took its toll, and a half a lap from the end the front left gave up. Honda still claimed the win with the works car of Matt Neal, but there was an audible sigh of disappointment from the huge crowd.
With the race over, the hike to the complex began, never one to stay in the same place for too long! The Clio race was under way and the pocket rockets were bumping and hustling round. I watched the last few frantic laps from here.
Then it was time for a pint and more Ginettas,
The second touring car race was stopped in the opening laps for a massive shunt by a Proton, after the safety car things closed up, but it was another Honda win.
We hung around for the only single seaters of the day, the Formula Fords, now with added wings front and rear but a grid of about 10 cars, it failed to do anything. Cars were spaced out and it was uneventful. Maybe a bigger grid or maybe get rid of the wings and make it cheaper to boost the numbers.
Using the dull FF race to head back to the paddock, I went damage spotting. The details were sketchy and I haven't watched the TV coverage yet, but the back of the Welch car was not looking good.
Elsewhere it was a time for squaring up and making sure everything was in order for the final race of the day.
I'm not sure how they did it, but with time to spare and plenty of tank tape, the car was on its wheels and on the grid.
The last 911 outing of the day had finished and a suitable spot was found back at the chicane. The top 10 finishers had been partially reversed and they were ready for another 16 mad laps.
A bit too much kerb hopping a couple of laps from home sent Plato to the pits with a puncture. I have never heard so much cheering from a crowd, the place erupted with joy, I don't think he is liked that much by the fans!
With a late spin, the race ended as a Honda 1-2-3, the Swindon team had done well getting all the wins of the day.
And that was it, a brilliant days racing, scorching weather for most of the day and a bag full of posters for the study. What more does a motorsport fan need? The rest of the photos can be found here
Steve.
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