BTCC: Reflecting on Snetterton’s 2018 Diamond Double

In late 2019, it was confirmed by the BTCC that Snetterton will host an inaugural shootout session during qualifying in 2020’s campaign. The system is utilised in many other forms of motorsport across the globe, but will be a first for the British Touring Cars.

However, this will not be the first time Snetterton has staged a pioneering move for the British Touring Cars – in 2018, to celebrate 60 years of Britain’s leading motorsport series, a “Diamond Double” race was created. To commemorate the past, the race was extended to 60-miles, with a separate qualifying session, no ballast, medium-tyres only, and doubled points to be won.

In anticipation of the future, here is an extended recap on one of the BTCC’s stand-out races of recent times.

Heading into Round 6, Colin Turkington was perched at the top of the championship, 19 points ahead of nearest rival Tom Ingram. Races 16 and 17 were to be standard procedure, with Race 18 as the diamond celebration. Adding to the drama of the spectacle, its 60-mile length meant tyre management would test the drivers to the limit, completing the final laps on exhausted rubber.

Matt Neal and Jack Goff occupied the front row in their varying Honda Civics, with the latter leading the pack for the opening laps. Goff seemed in control, but a safety car for a tangle lower down the field bunched the racers back together. The experienced Neal clung on to Goff’s tail upon the restart.

Enhancing the entertainment of the race, a rain shower broke out halfway through the 20 laps. Leader Goff was victim to the slippery surface, running wide at the Riches, allowing Neal to inherit P1 with ease. Tom Ingram also benefited from the mistake, making it a three-way battle for victory.

The racing was tense, tight, and not very attractive – with doubled points on offer, however, focus on the BTCC title naturally reduced the risky racing that is akin to the championship. Fending off multiple attacks from drivers behind, Matt Neal secured the race win, his then 63rd of his career.

Being the final race of the weekend though, it did entice many of the smaller teams and drivers out of championship contention to attempt risky strategies, provoked by the changing weather.

Speaking after the victory, Neal said:

“I really didn’t know what to expect, so I am over the moon. The engineers were telling me over the radio to be careful in the conditions, but I couldn’t, because the other two were straight back on me. It was hard work, but worth it. I don’t know where to put this huge trophy!”

Second place Goff reported that he had been aware of the rain prior to its arrival, but could do nothing to prevent the mistake. Simply commenting:

“I am pleased to bank the points. This has been a great weekend.”

Rounding up the podium was Tom Ingram, who, after a strong weekend, finished the round on top of the Drivers’ Championship. He concluded:

“I was quicker than Jack and Matt at certain points of the track and they were quicker in others, so it was ebb and flow. But I was thinking about getting to the finish and getting as much as I could – I was just trying to bag the points with the double score.”

Evident in all the drivers’ responses was their enthusiasm over the unique race format, and with the shootout to be trialled in late July, hopefully the same entertainment will arise in late July. Speaking about the subject, BTCC’s Chief Executive Alan Gow said:

“We are always looking at how we can spice things up, so we thought we could give this system a try.”

The race had hardly taken away from the rest of the weekend either. As tough racing had hampered Colin Turkington’s run earlier in the day opening up the championship, while Goff starred in a drag to to the line with Ashley Sutton after an incredible last lap, Snetterton had proven itself a weekend to remember.

If proven to be successful, the BTCC may permanently switch to Saturday shootout sessions, surely adding yet another essence of drama to the touring car series. If 2018’s “Diamond Double” was anything to go by, Snetterton’s 2020 special will be just as enjoyable to watch.