BTCC is back...and better than ever

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

Sunday, 30 March 2014 marks the start of the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. One of motorsport’s most popular series’, certainly in the UK anyway is set for one of its most exciting seasons in its established history. The BTCC has been around since 1958 and has undergone radical reforms from class systems and night racing, to the super touring era of the 1990s. However none of these periods have what the fans can look forward to this season, as no fewer than seven…YES SEVEN champions line-up on the grid for the season opener at Brands Hatch in Kent.

Reigning champion Andrew Jordan returns to defend the crown he so brilliantly won last season for the Pirtek Racing Honda squad. To do that though, he must overcome challenges from the works Hondas of Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden, the flamboyant Jason Plato from MG, BMW’s Colin Turkington and the returning Alain Menu and Fabrizio Giovanardi. All of the above have won the BTCC title, stretching back as far as 1997.

Crème of the crop

It was Brands Hatch that brought down the curtain on the 2013 title battle on a wet and windy October afternoon and Jordan held his nerve and a late crash in one of the races to claim his maiden title.

Having become an elite Red Bull athlete over the winter, Jordan enters this season in confident mood. He was the fastest driver at the BTCC media day recently at Donington Park and knows the package of his car inside out. He starts the season as the slender favourite but it is very hard to do back-to-back titles. Only Neal and Giovanardi have done that in the last 30 years.

Andrew Jordan is defending champion and the man to beat in 2014

Whilst Jordan (car pictured above) knows everything there is to know about his car, the works Dynamics Honda boys of Neal and Shedden have to learn a new car from scratch. The new Honda Civic tourer looks an absolute beauty but is it quick enough for them to launch a challenge? Evidence would suggest they will be right up there as expected, despite some early teething problems in testing. The relationship between the teammates is second to none, despite the odd incident on-track. I won’t forget the collision instigated by Neal on the final corner of a race at Oulton Park in 2011 (video below).

Meanwhile at MG, the Triple Eight racing crew will be aiming to spearhead Plato to a third title. He last took the top honours for Chevrolet in 2010 and is the most successful BTCC driver in history for race victories. Never hiding behind anything and always with plenty to say, the Fifth Gear presenter and BRDC board member loves his racing and apart from two years in the mid-2000s, has been a permanent fixture on the grid since 1997. It is the third season of the Plato/MG relationship and this campaign – they want to win and anything else will be considered as a failure.

By contrast, Turkington’s performances were outstanding last season after three years away from the paddock. He won the title for Team WSR in 2009 driving a BMW, so like Jordan – he knew the team, if not the car last season. He strung together some great weekends though and was almost unbeatable at Croft and Knockhill in 2013. His canny driving style means he will always be there to pick up the pieces and collect the points, even if he isn’t the fastest over a race weekend.

For Menu and Giovanardi, it is a return to familiar stomping grounds. Giovanardi is a touring car legend, having won titles in his homeland of Italy, alongside Spanish, European and British titles. He last graced the BTCC at the opening round in 2010 with two wins from three at Thruxton before a lack of sponsorship saw him sadly disappear. There was never a more exciting driver in his first spell on these shores and he is the big gamble by Dave Bartram and his ailing Motorbase Ford Focus squad, who had a winless and fairly lamentable 2013. Menu will be driving a Volkswagen this season. His last full campaign was the final year Super Touring was around, when he clinched the 2000 title in the unstoppable Ford Mondeo. The Swiss was one of the most consistent drivers in his first touring car career. Only once (1999) did he finish outside the top three of the standings at the end of a season between 1994-2000. For these two, race wins will be ideal but anything else has to be considered as a bonus.

Others to watch

It isn’t just the seven champions to lookout for though. Still buzzing from his maiden win at Rockingham in September, Rob Austin will be a threat in his Audi car, now with new sponsorship. Young gun Adam Morgan has taken Austin’s former sponsorship, WIX Racing and now has a Mercedes-Benz to play with. Morgan was one of the biggest surprises last season, cutting out his wild errors of his debut 2012 year with a more mature approach in 2013 that earned many plaudits.

A late deal has got multiple race winner Mat Jackson back onto the grid with Motorbase. He had a very difficult 2013 with some fairly anonymous weekends. However he has figured in championship fights in the past and is an excellent benchmark for the returning Giovanardi. Turkington will be supported by another experienced campaigner in Rob Collard. Always one for a good scrap, Rob never gives up and will be hoping for more luck to come his way this time around.

Another youngster to watch out for is Sam Tordoff, who will once again be backing Plato up at MG. Tordoff won his first touring car race at Snetterton last summer and handled the occasion of being paired with Plato very well. His progress will be one of the season’s interesting side stories. Then there is Dubliner Aron Smith with Menu at Volkswagen, looking for a new breath of fresh air after being deemed surplus to requirements at Motorbase, whilst rookies Marc Hynes and Tom Ingram are bound to show flashes of potential as will another former race winner in Dave Newsham, now in an AMD Ford Focus.

Commitments

With new deals with Dunlop and ITV, plus a one-class formula with all 31 cars using the NGTC car requirement, the BTCC is firmly in a good place.

There are 10 race meetings across the country from Silverstone in Northamptonshire and Snetterton in Norfolk to Oulton Park in Cheshire and Thruxton in Hampshire – the fastest circuit in Great Britain.

It all starts on Sunday with three events and with 13 race winners on the grid, there is bound to be plenty of commitment down the field. BTCC 2014 could be a special season. It certainly has all the ingredients to deliver.

Categories: 2014, Andrew Jordan, Brands Hatch, BTCC, Dunlop, Gordon Shedden, Honda, ITV, Jason Plato, Matt Neal, Touring Cars

The 100 Greatest TV Adverts - Part One (20-1)

By Simon Wright

The television advertisement has been around on our screens for almost 60 years.  They portray all of our favourite products, promoted by either everyday celebrities or just normal everyday members of the British public.

The Cravendale Cats make a top 20 appearance, but is it number one?

Adverts (Cravendale cats pictured) have come a long way since a toothpaste company broadcast the first ever commercial on ITV's opening night back in September 1955.  Some of them can be a real nuisance, especially if they pop up in every single advertising break.

It has been over 13 years since a programme was produced by Channel 4 to find the nation's greatest advert, and there have been some real gems since.  Five years ago, I did a top 60 selection on my YouTube account, and have always noticed the commercials that actually can leave you laughing, amazed or even feeling a bit emotional.

In this five-part series for Viewing Perspectives, here is my updated list of the 100 Greatest TV adverts of all-time.  The final part covers the top 20, with all years given a rough reference of when the commercial was either first screened or shown most regularly.

20. Levi’s: Laundrette (1985) 
To promote the new Levi's 501 jean range, this advert is one of the most famous in the history of television.  Directed by Roger Lyons, the advert sees a male individual stroll into the laundrette's with an attitude of 'I look sexy, look at me ladies.'  And the ladies can't quite believe it when the guy, played by Nik Kamen strips down to his underwear.  Ladies with an attraction for the male body can stop drooling now!

19. Walkers: Salt and Lineker (1995) 
Former Barcelona and Tottenham striker Gary Lineker has been promoting Walkers Crisps for the past two decades.  Football's nice guy, who was never cautioned by a referee is a mean man on these adverts, and this is his best advert.  Starring former England team-mate Paul Gascoigne, Lineker is watching the match and preventing Gazza from getting any of his crisps for the new 'Salt and Lineker' range (actually Salt and Vinegar).  Gascoigne then starts sobbing uncontrollably after those famous tears from Italia 90, and Lineker shows no remorse on this occasion.

18. Reebok: Belly’s Gonna Get Ya (2001) 

Whoever created this advert should be praised because it is a real classic.  An athlete tries to run away from a fat, big belly who is determined to swallow him up - charging at him through a shopping centre and even on a motorbike through a multi-storey car park.  Eventually, the belly loses as he crashes into the water, and that is largely because the athlete has his new Reebok trainers.

17. Apple Computers: 1984 (1984) 
Apple's most famous advert was one of its first commercials, which promotes the new Macintosh range, launched in January 1984.  It sees some disciples being brainwashed by messaging on a big screen, before the message explodes by a flying object.  'And you will see why 1984 won't be like 1984.'  Computing has never been the same since.

16. Yellow Pages: JR Hartley (1983) 
In 1983, author JR Hartley takes a trek into town, desperate to get a copy of his book 'Fly Fishing.'  However, he is to be massively disappointed, as all bookshops in the town do not sell this.  Returning home looking disconsolate, Hartley is persuaded to try a couple more that can only be found in Yellow Pages.  Eventually, he gets what he is looking for and it is down to the yellow book that has always been there to solve a problem.  The fictional character was played by actor Norman Lumsden and was replayed again after his death in November 2001, aged 95.

15. Barclaycard: Waterslide (2008) 
Seriously, is there a cooler way to get to your home from work.  I can't think of one.  In 2008, Barclaycard came up with this amazing idea to have a guy leave his office and down this giant waterslide, ranging through various locations from downtown to libraries and groceries. 

14. Irn Bru: Crazy Granny (2002) 
On the outside, she seems just like a normal grandmother, but on the inside, she has an evil craving and it is for the soft drink Irn Bru.  Arriving at a shop, she goes crazy in her buggy, and scatters cans of Irn Bru all over the place, collecting many in her trolley.  Some people will do anything to get refreshed.

13. Nike: Parklife (1997) 
In 1997, Nike decided to take football back to the hundreds of pitches where it started.  Sunday League football is mocked at, but these normal footballers got a real treat when they starred alongside top superstars at the time such as Eric Cantona, David Seaman and Robbie Fowler.  Whatever team you are in, Nike loves the beautiful game.

Watch it on YouTube

12. John Lewis: The Snowman Journey (2012) 
Called 'The Snowman Journey,' this commercial for John Lewis is heart-warming, tender and emotional.  Whenever I saw it throughout Christmas last year, it nearly brings me to tears.  John Lewis encourage everyone to go the extra mile to get the desired gift and this advert ticks all the right boxes.  The song 'The Power of Love,' reached the top 10 over the festive period last year in the iTunes chart and is worthy of its high ranking.

11. British Telecom: Ology (1988) 
Maureen Lipman is often outspoken and she shows it in this advert where she congratulates her grandson on the phone on his exam results.  When he surprises her by saying his results were disastrous, Lipman doesn't care what he failed, just what he passed and takes pride in Anthony having passed Sociology.  Whether it is hard luck or well done, a positive message is always the way forward.

10. British Airways: World Face (1989) 
Struggling to keep up with the rapidly moving airline technology in the 1980s, the fortunes of British Airways changed with this advert in 1989, which sees groups of different people form an eye, then the global world map.  The airline brings millions of people together and it was a unique advert at the time it was first screened.  It starts the top 10 countdown and deservedly so.

9. Honda: Cog (2003) 
This advert actually topped my ranking five years ago, but has taken a drop since.  It cost £7m to produce and campaign, and the full two-minute commercial which was first shown during ITV's coverage of the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix shows the various parts of a Honda Accord car clicking together from start to finish.  It was money well spent and might have its critics, but as the advert says, isn't it nice when things just work.

8. Cravendale: Cats with thumbs (2011) 
Now to many of us, cats are seen as lovely pets to have, even if sometimes they can do their business in the most inappropriate of places.  However, this commercial for Cravendale sees the species of cat show their frustration at not getting the milk they crave for.  They get together, growing thumbs along the way.  It really is a scary proposition, 'Cats with Thumbs.'  A very funny and outstanding advert.

7. Carling: Dambusters (1989) 
The Carling Black Label brand got more popular after this advert in 1989, which was a mimic take of the classic movie 'The Dambusters.'  His goalkeeping ability is fairly impressive too.

6. Thinkbox: Every Home Needs a Harvey (2010) 
The power of advertising television in general actually makes the top six, when a couple visit a dogs home, looking for a pet to take home with them.  They then meet Harvey, who seems determined to show what he can do, which includes cooking the dinner, drive the kids and clean the windows.  Once the slogan is completely shown to the music of 'You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet,' Harvey's suitcase is packed and he raises his eyebrow in anticipation that he might be chosen.  A very chilled and cool commercial that richly earns a place as my number six choice.

5. John West Salmon: Bear Fight (2000)  
Into the top five and it is a fight between the bears and a man who just loves his salmon.  They get into a vicious confrontation, involving karate and kung-fu moves, ending with the human being distracting the bear by shouting: "Ooh look an eagle.'  As the bear looks away, he gets a painful kick in the wotsits and loses the battle for the salmon.  The advert is for John West and is one of the funniest of all-time.

4. John Smith’s: Diving (2003)
The best advert in the Peter Kay/John Smith's range comes in a diving competition.  Into the final round, two divers from Australia and Canada show off their techniques  with quality moves that earn decent scores from the judges.  Kay, acting as John Smith from Great Britain is the final diver to go and does a 'running bomb' jump into the pool, soaking the judges on his way through.  He gets perfect 10s, which shows advertising can really stretch into the realms of fantasy.  Top bombing and very unlucky to just miss out on the top three.

3. Guinness: Surfers (1999) 
Voted as The Greatest TV Advert by viewers of Channel 4 back in the year 2000, this advert encapsulates why good things come to those who wait.  Some adverts don't need explaining and just need to be watched, and this is one of these.  A top three ranking shows the high praise I think of this commercial.

2. PlayStation: Double Life (1995) 
When the PlayStation was created by Sony and launched into Europe in October 1995, the world of computer gaming changed forever.  Along with it came this truly epic commercial, titled the Double Life.  It shows a man travelling through the streets after a hard day in a 9-5 job, but coming alive at night in a gaming ID.  It then follows other people who admit to their gaming passions, all claiming to have a Double Life.  They all say 'they've lived,' and it produces the best slogan in my view of all-time: 'Do Not Underestimate The Power of PlayStation.'  An awe-inspiring commercial which stays in a number two ranking as it achieved from me back in 2008.

1. Hovis: Slices of History (2008) 
And so we come to my number one advert, and it is a new commercial to my previous lists.  Hovis have been part of our lives for over 100 years, and this advert is simply mind-blowing.  A young boy collects a loaf of Hovis from the shop, and then travels through British history and some of its key points in just 90 seconds.  Moments include the demonstrations before women get the vote, devastation after the two World Wars and jubilee celebrations before arriving home.  Superb in every way possible and a truly deserving winner of 'The Greatest TV Advert of all-time.'

Hope you enjoyed my selection of commercials from just under the past 60 years, and here's to more stunning adverts over the next 60 years.

Categories: British Airways, Carling, Cats, Channel 4, Cravendale, Guinness, Harvey, Honda, Money, Peter Kay

The 100 Greatest TV Adverts - Part Four (80-61)

By Simon Wright

The television advertisement has been around on our screens for almost 60 years.  They portray all of our favourite products, promoted by either everyday celebrities or just normal everyday members of the British public.

The meerkats have become a regular feature of the advertising break

Adverts (meerkats pictured) have come a long way since a toothpaste company broadcast the first ever commercial on ITV's opening night back in September 1955.  Some of them can be a real nuisance, especially if they pop up in every single advertising break.

It has been over 13 years since a programme was produced by Channel 4 to find the nation's greatest advert, and there have been some real gems since.  Five years ago, I did a top 60 selection on my YouTube account, and have always noticed the commercials that actually can leave you laughing, amazed or even feeling a bit emotional.

In this five-part series for Viewing Perspectives, here is my updated list of the 100 Greatest TV adverts of all-time.  This part covers numbers 80-61, with all years given a rough reference of when the commercial was either first screened or shown most regularly.

80. Compare The Meerkat: First advert (2009)
No list would be complete without an appearance from those meerkats.  In 2009, Aleksandar Orlov made his debut on television introducing his new brand, as an intention to mimic the Compare The Market brand.  It worked, as no-one listens to the latter versions.  Orlov normally features, with companions such as Sergei and has become a huge hit.  This advert also introduced the 'Simples' word into the English language.

79. Coca Cola: Three-legged striker (2002) 
In 2002, Coca Cola created a three-legged striker.  Enter 'Leggsy,' who would be seen for the next two years in break bumpers during ITV's doomed three-year highlights association with The Premiership.  His first televised part though was the best, which sees him laughed at by his friends when he attempts to show off his soccer skills, but ultimately win a late call-up to the England squad in fortunate circumstances, and comes off the bench to score the winning goal in the World Cup final.  As to date, no England striker can claim they have three legs - it might help in competitive matches!

78. Renault: Shake It (2003) 
French car manufacturer Renault introduced another word into the English language in 2003 that wasn't commonly associated before then.  There is some use of the new Megane model, and a lot of shaking for 'La derrière.'  Supposedly, the closer to the steering wheel it is, the better the driving experience is, though that is probably up for debate.

77. The Guardian: Point of View (1986) 
The Guardian newspaper has been around since 1821, although in those days, it was known as the 'Manchester Guardian.'  In 1986, this advert was declared a success by critics, which tells a story from three different points of view.  It is only from the third angle that you seen the full picture of what is about to happen.  This newspaper is one that most can still trust after the phone-hacking scandal of 2011 that tore through the tabloid and broadsheet industry, leading to the demise of one of its main competitors the News of the World.

76. McCain Micro Chips: Quickety Quick (1994) 
The McCain chip family has been around for a long time, but for those who love their chips (like myself), and are in a rush, then they came up with a product that has chips getting cooked to perfection in the microwave in just three minutes.  Enter McCain Micro Chips and this classic jingle in 1994 - 'real chips, quickety quick.'

75. Pepsi Max: Burnout (2011) 
Pepsi Max have a history of producing commercials that are actually totally ridiculous.  However, this particular advert in 2011 made me laugh, as the big boss has a complete burnout on a Friday afternoon.  Let's be honest, drinking Pepsi Max and watching American motorsports action is a million times better than a tedious business meeting at the end of a long and tiring week.

74. Snickers: Mr. T (2007) 
The famous figure of Mr. T appears in this advert for Snickers, with some catchy words for a footballer who has attempted to win a foul and fake an injury.  Perhaps we should see more from Mr. T in a real football environment, as it might cut out the excessive diving that the game has today.

73. EDF Energy: Athlete Dreams (2012) 
EDF Energy was the power of electricity behind the Olympic Games in London last summer.  Starring Team GB gold medalist and Strictly Come Dancing's Victoria Pendleton, two technicians have their own dreams, trying out events in the Velodrome, and the Olympic Stadium amongst others.  You can't blame them for trying.

72. Citroen: Ice Skating Transformers (2004) 
Citroen's second entry in the list is similar to the one they produced just over six years later.  In the snowy conditions of central France, some Citroen technicians test out their new car, with the help of the model actually turning into an ice skating transformer.  Some catchy music from artist David Guetta adds a decent beat to a commercial that was most definitely alive with technology.

71. Clarks: School Report (1980s) 
As a shoe brand, Clarks is still one of the best when it comes to all-round comfort.  I know the background of the company, having worked in retail with them for almost seven years (2005-2012).  One aspect they've lacked in recent years is decent advertising campaigns, which wasn't a problem in the 1980s.  Highlighting their strong aspect of looking after kids shoes, some of their most popular collections feature in this advert, putting together shoe flexibility and good grades in school reports.  I still recommend that for a new school year, always go to Clarks - as their dedicated fitters will give customers the best experience you could ask for.

70. Nationwide: Little Britain (2010) 
The England football team is on the training field, preparing for their dismal World Cup campaign in South Africa.  Two famous characters from Little Britain appear, and distract Fabio Capello's attention, with Andy, played by Matt Lucas leaving some of the top professionals looking surprised with his skills.  Nationwide ended their association with the team after World Cup 2010, but they went out on a high with this funny commercial.

69. Cornetto: Just One More Cornetto (1983) 
On the gondola of beautiful Venice in Italy, this famous advert for Wall's Cornetto deserves to make the list.  I'll let you watch rather than describe it.  This advert was repeated again in a more modern fashion in 2006, but it simply doesn't beat the original.

68. T-Mobile: Pillow Fight (2003) 
Back in 2003, the latest phone craze for technical geeks was the introduction of picture messaging.  T-Zones was the promotion for this when signing up with T-Mobile.  It is a funny advert, but the use of pillows is strange.

67. Budweiser: Whassup! (2000) 
Whassup! was a successful advertising campaign that ran for four years by the American beer Budweiser.  Although this advert first premiered in the States in late 1999, it wasn't until the year 2000 in the UK when we saw it for the first time.  The catchphrase is quite tired now, but in its prime, it was seen as 'cool' to use it.  The advert does tell a typical story for the neutral sports fan though: 'Not much mate, watching the game, having a bud.'

66. Pepsi: Sumo Football (2002) 
Ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Pepsi ran an advert for a match between some of the world superstars at the time such as Raul, David Beckham and Edgar Davids against a team of overweight, Japanese sumo wrestlers.  The prize they were playing for was Pepsi.  And who won, well watch to find out.  However, don't call the underdogs as amateurs.

65. One2One: Gary Oldman (2001) 
Before the days of T-Mobile, One2One was one of the leading mobile phone networks.  In its final year as it was known before being rebranded in 2002, Gary Oldman narrated this powerful 90-second commercial which expresses some of the emotions you can find in a one-to-one conversation, from chance meetings and heartbreak to more precious moments.  I reckon this advert would get the attention of most.

64. Real Fires: Togetherness (1988) 
Who said that dogs, cats and mice can't get on.  This advert, first screened in 1988 was created by director Tony Kaye, who has gone on to have great success in directing music videos and feature-length movies.  It shows that animals can get on, and in a deadly situation as a real fire, there is no time for hate and bitterness.

63. Vodafone: Bees and Freebies (2010) 
The Vodafone bees made their debut on the TV advert three years ago, promoting the new Vodafone Freebies incentive.  This was a cracking advert, which shows one of the bees wanting to know more about the reward package, only to keep banging his head on a glass window without paying attention to a door just nearby to enter the shop.  Typical clumsiness!

62. Weetabix: Steeplechase (2009) 
A major horse race takes place and there's a fall on the first fence.  Both jockey and horse are unscathed, but the chances of victory are over.  That bet you placed in the bookies was wasted, or was it?  The jockey continues with the power of Weetabix and ends up winning the event.  This is a superb imagination of man triumphing against the odds in The Rigby Stakes.

61. Honda: The Impossible Dream (2005) 
When it comes to producing and creating car adverts, no-one does it much better like Honda.  Travelling through time on some of the classic machinery that Honda has produced over the years, this advert portrays the impossible dream, as actor Simon Paisley Day rides, sings and drives through time in two minutes, with the perfect backing music from the late great Andy Williams.  The commercial was filmed on roads in New Zealand and the Iguazu Falls in South America and tingles the beat of many watching.

Categories: Actor, America, Bees, Dogs, Gary Oldman, Honda, Jockey, New Zealand, Pepsi, Pillows, Raul, South America, Venice, Vodafone, Whassup