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1995 British Touring Car Championship

38th season of the British Touring Car Championship


38th season of the British Touring Car Championship

The 1995 Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship was won by John Cleland in a Vauxhall Cavalier. The Independents' title was won by Matt Neal in his Team Dynamics Ford Mondeo with fourteen class wins.

Season summary

All the race weekends were now double header meetings, with full points awarded at each race. The exception was the British Grand Prix support round.

Following the controversies over aerodynamic aids in 1994 first used by Alfa Romeo, TOCA announced wings and spoilers were eligible for all the cars in the new season.

After their domination in 1994, Alfa Corse went back to contesting the Italian Supertouring Championship, leaving Prodrive to run the works Alfa team. Derek Warwick was signed to drive alongside Giampiero Simoni with champion Gabriele Tarquini returning in a third car at Oulton Park. He replaced Simoni after the Silverstone Circuit GP support round but results continued to be disappointing and Alfa Romeo withdrew from the championship at the end of the year.

TWR Volvo replaced the 850 estate with the 850 saloon. The cars were instantly on the pace with Rickard Rydell winning round two and teammate Tim Harvey doubling up at the next round. Rydell remained in championship contention until the penultimate round, taking three more victories in the process whilst Harvey dropped back in the standings and at times was unconvincing compared to Rydell.

WilliamsF1 setup Williams Touring Car Engineering and took over development of Renault Laguna whilst Sodemo Moteurs supplied engines. 1994 runner up Alain Menu was retained and took more wins than any other driver during the season and he partnered by 1991 champion Will Hoy moving from Toyota. Towards the end of the year the Laguna was the class of the field, winning five of the last six races which helped Renault to take the manufacturers title for the first time.

Andy Rouse Engineering ran Ford's works effort for a third season with the V6 Mondeo. Double touring car world cup winner Paul Radisich was joined by British F3 championship winner Kelvin Burt. The car was competitive in the early part of the year but fell back in the development race. The powerful but heavy V6 contributed to major front tyre wear that saw the cars become mobile chicanes as races progressed. Radisich in particular struggled, scoring just 2 points in the final 10 races.

Vauxhall announced that the Cavalier was to be replaced by the new Vectra at the end of the season, so 1995 was the last hurrah for the venerable car. John Cleland was joined by James Thompson who replaced Jeff Allam, and despite the Volvo and Renault giving strong competition, Cleland's consistency and the Cavalier's reliability took the driver's and teams championships. Thompson crashed heavily during testing for the Knockhill Circuit round and injuries sustained would see him miss the remaining rounds. Jeff Allam was brought in as a last minute replacement for Knockhill and then Michael Briggs, the 1995 South African Touring Car Championship winner, for the rest of the season.

Team Schnitzer were heavily involved in other touring car championships around the world in 1995, with 1994 BTCC drivers Joachim Winkelhock competing in the German Supertouring championship which he won, while Steve Soper raced in Japan and took the title there. BMW instead employed it's UK arm to take on the challenge, with factory drivers Johnny Cecotto and David Brabham. The season was a disaster by BMWs standard however with no wins or even a podium finish to their credit.

Toyota retained Julian Bailey and Tim Sugden with Toyota Team Europe engineering the Carina with the backing of a major new sponsor, Mobil 1. Both drivers regularly ran near the higher end of the midfield and at Snetterton Circuit the team debuted a brand new right hand drive car, driven by Sugden, then Bailey for the remainder of the year. The new car was a significant step forward allowing Bailey to challenge the top 3 teams but it wasn't enough to stop Toyota pulling the plug at the end of the season.

Total Team Peugeot once again entered the Peugeot 405 Mi16, now in its final year. Patrick Watts remained with the team for a second season and he was joined by Simon Harrison the 1994 National Saloon Car Championship winner. Harrison struggled, scoring points on just 4 occasions. Watts was more competitive, finishing on the podium twice.

Honda joined the championship with Motor Sport Developments entering the Accord driven by David Leslie and double independents champion James Kaye. Results steadily improved as the season progressed and Leslie in particular was able to mix it at the front of the pack, scoring a podium at Oulton Park.

In the Independents Championship, Matt Neal dominated the season and easily won his second Independent title driving a 1994 Andy Rouse Engineering built Ford Mondeo run by family outfit Team Dynamics. Mint Motorsport entered a 1993 Mondeo, also built by Andy Rouse engineering for Richard Kaye, making his BTCC debut and finishing second in the independent standings. Finishing third Nigel Smith competing in his second season, once again racing his 1993 Ecurie Ecosse Vauxhall Cavalier. Hamish Irvine finished fourth in his 1994 Peugeot 405. 1990 champion Robb Gravett entered the opening rounds at Donington Park in a 1993 Vauxhall Cavalier before returning at the Silverstone GP support race in an ex-STW Ford Mondeo. At Snetterton he scored the first outright podium finish for an independent driver in the 2 litre era. Australian Charlie Cox (racing) also entered a Ford Mondeo. A strategic tyre choice saw him take fifth overall at Brands Hatch in April. At the following round he was involved in a huge crash destroying the car and forcing him to miss a number of races. He returned at Brands Hatch in a rebuilt car, the first hatchback Mondeo to race in the UK.

Teams and drivers

TeamCarNo.DriversRoundsManufacturersIndependents
ITA Alfa Romeo Old Spice RacingAlfa Romeo 155 TS1ITA Gabriele Tarquininowrap5, 9–13
5ITA Giampiero Simoni1–8
55GBR Derek WarwickAll
FRA Williams Renault Dealer RacingRenault Laguna2CHE Alain MenuAll
22GBR Will HoyAll
GBR Valvoline Team MondeoFord Mondeo Ghia3NZL Paul RadisichAll
33GBR Kelvin BurtAll
GBR Vauxhall SportVauxhall Cavalier 16v4GBR John ClelandAll
10GBR Jeff Allam9
14nowrapGBR James Thompson1–8
24ZAF Mike Briggs10–13
FRA Total Team PeugeotPeugeot 405 Mi168GBR Patrick WattsAll
18GBR Simon HarrisonAll
SWE Volvo 850 RacingVolvo 850 20v9GBR Tim HarveyAll
15SWE Rickard RydellAll
JPN Team Toyota GBToyota Carina E11GBR Julian BaileyAll
12GBR Tim SugdenAll
DEU BMW Motorsport TeamBMW 320i16VEN Johnny CecottoAll
17AUS David BrabhamAll
JPN Honda Team MSDHonda Accord20GBR David LeslieAll
21GBR James KayeAll
GBR Thames Ford DealersFord Mondeo Ghia19AUS Charlie Cox1–3
Ford Mondeo10–13
GBR Mint MotorsportFord Mondeo Ghia23GBR Richard KayeAll
GBR HMSO BookshopsVauxhall Cavalier 16v25GBR Nigel SmithAll
GBR SCB Vehicle DismantlersPeugeot 405 Mi1626GBR Hamish IrvineAll
GBR FoesportFord Mondeo Ghia27GBR Robb Gravett8–13
GBR Roy Kennedy RacingVauxhall Cavalier 16v301
SWE Team MagicMazda 323F32SWE Slim BorguddDNS*
GBR Team DynamicsFord Mondeo Ghia77GBR Matt NealAll
  • Team Magic was entered for the season on the initial entry listing, but did not compete due to budget issues.

Race calendar and results

All races were held in the United Kingdom.

RoundCircuitDatePole positionFastest lapWinning driverWinning teamnowrapWinning independent1R1R22R3R43R5R64R7R85R9R106R11R127R13R148R159R16R1710R18R1911R20R2112R22R2313R24R25
Donington Park (Grand Prix), Leicestershire2 AprilSWE Rickard RydellGBR John ClelandGBR John ClelandVauxhall SportGBR Matt Neal
nowrapSWE Rickard RydellnowrapSWE Rickard RydellnowrapSWE Rickard RydellVolvo 850 RacingGBR Matt Neal
Brands Hatch (Indy), Kent17 AprilSWE Rickard RydellNZL Paul RadisichGBR Tim HarveyVolvo 850 RacingAUS Charlie Cox
SWE Rickard RydellGBR Kelvin BurtGBR Tim HarveyVolvo 850 RacingGBR Matt Neal
Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire8 MayCHE Alain MenuCHE Alain MenuCHE Alain MenuWilliams Renault Dealer RacingGBR Nigel Smith
nowrapGBR James ThompsonnowrapGBR James ThompsonnowrapGBR James ThompsonVauxhall SportGBR Nigel Smith
Silverstone Circuit (National), Northamptonshire14 MaySWE Rickard RydellNZL Paul RadisichSWE Rickard RydellVolvo 850 RacingGBR Matt Neal
SWE Rickard RydellNZL Paul RadisichNZL Paul RadisichValvoline Team MondeoGBR Matt Neal
Oulton Park (International), Cheshire29 MayGBR James ThompsonCHE Alain MenuSWE Rickard RydellVolvo 850 RacingGBR Nigel Smith
SWE Rickard RydellCHE Alain MenuCHE Alain MenuWilliams Renault Dealer RacingGBR Matt Neal
Brands Hatch (Grand Prix), Kent11 JuneCHE Alain MenuGBR John ClelandCHE Alain MenuWilliams Renault Dealer RacingGBR Hamish Irvine
CHE Alain MenuCHE Alain MenuGBR John ClelandVauxhall SportGBR Richard Kaye
Donington Park (Grand Prix), Leicestershire25 JunenowrapGBR John ClelandnowrapGBR John ClelandnowrapGBR John ClelandVauxhall SportGBR Nigel Smith
GBR John ClelandGBR John ClelandGBR John ClelandVauxhall SportGBR Richard Kaye
nowrapSilverstone Circuit (Grand Prix), Northamptonshire16 JulyGBR John ClelandGBR Julian BaileyGBR John ClelandVauxhall SportGBR Robb Gravett
Knockhill Circuit, Fife30 JulySWE Rickard RydellSWE Rickard RydellSWE Rickard RydellVolvo 850 RacingGBR Matt Neal
SWE Rickard RydellGBR Tim HarveyCHE Alain MenuWilliams Renault Dealer RacingGBR Matt Neal
Brands Hatch (Indy), Kent13 AugustSWE Rickard RydellSWE Rickard RydellGBR Will HoyWilliams Renault Dealer RacingGBR Matt Neal
SWE Rickard RydellGBR John ClelandGBR John ClelandVauxhall SportGBR Matt Neal
Snetterton Circuit, Norfolk28 AugustSWE Rickard RydellVEN Johnny CecottoGBR Kelvin BurtValvoline Team MondeoGBR Robb Gravett
SWE Rickard RydellSWE Rickard RydellGBR Will HoyWilliams Renault Dealer RacingGBR Matt Neal
Oulton Park (Fosters), Cheshire10 SeptemberCHE Alain MenuCHE Alain MenuCHE Alain MenuWilliams Renault Dealer RacingGBR Matt Neal
CHE Alain MenuCHE Alain MenuCHE Alain MenuWilliams Renault Dealer RacingGBR Matt Neal
Silverstone Circuit (National), Northamptonshire24 SeptemberGBR John ClelandCHE Alain MenuCHE Alain MenunowrapWilliams Renault Dealer RacingGBR Richard Kaye
CHE Alain MenuCHE Alain MenuGBR Will HoyWilliams Renault Dealer RacingGBR Matt Neal

Championship standings

Points tables for the various titles as follows:

Points system
**1st**
24

Note: bold signifies pole position, italics signifies fastest lap.

Drivers Championship

Pos.DriverDONBRHTHRSILOULBRHDONSILKNOBRHSNEOULSILPts123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627Pos.DriverDONBRHTHRSILOULBRHDONSILKNOBRHSNEOULSILPts
GBR John Cleland*1*2RetRet253523*2*1***1******1*****1**563*1*13332**3**3**348**
CHE Alain Menu2479***1***2Ret4*3**1***1*****3***3416Ret1418Ret10***1******1****1****2*****305**
SWE Rickard Rydell**4*****1*****13****3**94**1****2**1**2**7DNS2617***1*****2*****2*****3****14*****Ret***5107Ret**255**
GBR Will Hoy6597RetRet515Ret18441282RetRet121212Ret21**195**
GBR Tim Harvey831115773815351012Ret2*3*77Ret2Ret5107**176**
NZL Paul Radisich36*2*DNSRet6*2**1*Ret5Ret7526RetRet14Ret9RetRet121812**130**
GBR James Thompson77Ret2Ret***1***4Ret**6**4Ret2453**124**
GBR Kelvin BurtRet133*4*Ret3Ret7DNS6Ret149353Ret13111121074Ret**117**
GBR Julian BaileyRetRet6878RetDNS496667*4*699Ret116Ret4Ret5**94**
GBR Patrick Watts13118DNS3Ret610Ret135815Ret10DNS111162RetRetRet118**61**
GBR David LeslieRetRet171781298DNSDNS121879121171710886354**61**
VEN Johnny Cecotto58115Ret1111129Ret109RetRetDNS4Ret5Ret*10*RetRet6RetRet**49**
AUS David Brabham1212465Ret811108Ret1011117DNS4RetRet161711Ret9Ret**48**
GBR Tim Sugden9Ret14104RetRet6Ret11RetDNS813871012967RetRet136**48**
ZAF Michael Briggs65751286Ret**35**
ITA Gabriele Tarquini11RetRet8Ret44Ret413Ret15**33**
ITA Giampiero Simoni1091012610Ret957912RetRet11**27**
GBR James Kaye1110191416131013141013191410RetRet510818979169**26**
GBR Derek WarwickRetRet12Ret12Ret1617DNSDNS81113Ret9Ret16814Ret138Ret810**15**
GBR Robb Gravett191513101419133Ret16DNS15Ret**13**
GBR Matt Neal15141613Ret1513141314RetDNSRetRet14913151215413111711**12**
GBR Simon Harrison1417151110912167121113RetRet15RetRetRetDNS19119RetRetDNS**9**
AUS Charlie Cox18Ret51513DNS2115Ret16RetDNSRet14**8**
GBR Richard Kaye17Ret201914161418151715151714Ret1315181751415151213**8**
GBR Jeff Allam812**3**
GBR Nigel Smith161618161114RetRet1216161716RetRet1218161617151414RetDNS**0**
GBR Hamish IrvineRet18Ret18RetDNS15Ret16Ret1416181518141720RetRetDNS171614Ret**0**

Total Cup for Privateers

Pos.DriverDONBRHTHRSILOULBRHDONSILKNOBRHSNEOULSILPts123456Pos.DriverDONBRHTHRSILOULBRHDONSILKNOBRHSNEOULSILPts
GBR Matt Neal***15*****14**16***13******Ret*****15*****13******14*****13*****14*****Ret****DNS****Ret*****Ret*****14***9****13******15******12***15***4******13******11*****17****11****430**
GBR Richard Kaye17Ret**20**19141614181517*15**15*1714Ret13151817*5*1415151213**342**
GBR Nigel Smith1616181611*14*RetRet*12*161617*16*RetRet1218161617151414RetDNS**298**
GBR Hamish IrvineRet18Ret18RetDNS15Ret16Ret1416181518141720RetRetDNS171614Ret**188**
GBR Robb Gravett1915*13***10**141913**3**Ret16DNS15Ret**160**
AUS Charlie Cox18*Ret**5*1513DNS2115Ret16RetDNSRet14**110**

Manufacturers Championship

PosManufacturerDONBRHTHRSILOULBRHDONSILKNOBRHSNEOULSILPts1Renault / Williams Renault Dealer Team4192Vauxhall / Vauxhall Sport4143Volvo / Volvo 850 Racing3594Ford / Valvoline Team Mondeo2365Toyota / Team Toyota GB1726BMW / BMW Motorsport Team1447Honda / Honda Team MSD1368Alfa Romeo / Alfa Romeo Old Spice Racing1329Peugeot / Total Team Peugeot127PosManufacturerDONBRHTHRSILOULBRHDONSILKNOBRHSNEOULSILPts
247712543113342Ret1121211111
12Ret2213523211115631733233
411194121235261712231425577
3624Ret321Ret5Ret75253Ret1311112107412
9Ret6848Ret64966674699966Ret4135
58455118119810911117445Ret10171169Ret
1110171481298141012187912115108886354
10910126101695781113Ret9Ret884413413810
1311811396107125815Ret10Ret111162119Ret118

Teams Championship

PosTeamDONBRHTHRSILOULBRHDONSILKNOBRHSNEOULSILPts1510250034314247514269778787597010131112128138140150160PosTeamDONBRHTHRSILOULBRHDONSILKNOBRHSNEOULSILPts
Vauxhall Sport12Ret2213523211115631733233
77RetRetRet54Ret64Ret2453812651351286Ret
Williams Renault Dealer Team247712543113342Ret1121211111
6599RetRetRet15Ret184412816RetRet418Ret102Ret22
Volvo 850 Racing411194121235261712231425577
83133157738157DNS1012Ret2377RetRetRet1010Ret
Valvoline Team Mondeo3624Ret321Ret5Ret75253Ret1311112107412
Ret133DNSRet6Ret7DNS6Ret14936RetRet14Ret9RetRet1218Ret
Team Toyota GB9Ret6848Ret64966674699966Ret4135
RetRet14107RetRetDNSRet11RetDNS813871012Ret117RetRetRet6
BMW Motorsport Team58455118119810911117445Ret10171169Ret
1212116RetRet111210RetRet10RetRetDNSDNSRetRetRet16RetRetRetRetRet
Honda Team MSD1110171481298141012187912115108886354
RetRet191716131013DNSDNS13191410RetRet7171018979169
Alfa Romeo Old Spice Racing10910126101695781113Ret9Ret884413413810
RetRet12Ret12RetRet1711Ret912RetRet11Ret12Ret14RetRet8RetRet15
Total Team Peugeot1311811396107125815Ret10Ret111162119Ret118
141715DNS10Ret1216Ret131113RetRet15DNSRetRetDNS19RetRetRetRetDNS
Foesport13101419133Ret16DNS15Ret
Team Dynamics15141613Ret1513141314RetDNSRetRet14913151215413111711
Thames Ford Dealers18Ret51513DNS2115Ret16RetDNSRet14
Mint Motorsport17Ret201914161418151715151714Ret1315181751415151213
HMSO Bookshops161618161114RetRet1216161716RetRet1218161617151414RetDNS
SCB Vehicle DismantlersRet18Ret18RetDNS15Ret16Ret1416181518141720RetRetDNS171614Ret
Roy Kennedy Racing1915

References

References

  1. (1996). "Touring Car Year 95–96". Haymarket Specialist Motoring Publications Ltd.
  2. "BTCC: Toyota announces 1995 challenge".
  3. "Ford Mondeo (94M 008)".
  4. "Ford Mondeo (ARE-M0293)".
  5. "Vauxhall Cavalier / Opel Vectra A (010)".
  6. "Peugeot 405".
  7. "Vauxhall Cavalier / Opel Vectra A (020-93)".
  8. "Ford Mondeo".
  9. "Ford Mondeo".
  10. "Ford Mondeo".
  11. "BTCC: 1995 entry list".
  12. (1996). "Touring Car Year 95–96". Haymarket Specialist Motoring Publications Ltd.
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