1981 British Saloon Car Championship

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The 1981 RAC Tricentrol British Saloon Car Championship was the 24th season of the championship. Win Percy won his second consecutive drivers title in his Mazda RX-7.

Teams and drivers

TeamCarNo.DriversClassRounds
Gordon Spice Racing Ford Capri III 3.0S 1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Spice D1–4, 6–11
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stuart Graham D1–2
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Phil Martin-Dye 3–11
Equipe Esso VMW Motors Ford Capri III 3.0S 3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Vince Woodman DAll
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonathan Buncombe D2, 4, 6–7, 10
CSH Racing with Esso
and the Daily Mirror
Ford Capri III 3.0S 5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Sawyer-Hoare D1–4, 6–11
6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Rouse DAll
Patrick Motorsport Rover 3500 S 7 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Muir DAll
8 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rex Greenslade DAll
63 Flag of South Africa (1928-1994).svg Rad Dougall D11
TWR  Daily Express
Mazda Motorsport/TWR
Team BP
Rover 3500 S 9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jeff Allam DAll
10 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Pete Lovett D1, 5–11
Mazda RX-7 20 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Win Percy C1–10
25 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Barry Sheene C1
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chuck Nicholson 8–11
Audi 80 GLE 42 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Martin Brundle BAll
43 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss BAll
Bestmoor Silencers Ford Capri III 3.0S 11 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Graham Goode D1, 3–4, 6–8, 11
Dennis Leech Ford Capri III 3.0S 13 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dennis Leech D2–5, 8–10
Track Marshall Ford Capri III 3.0S 15 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chuck Nicholson D1–7
Richard Grant Racing Ford Capri III 3.0S 16 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Kimpton D1, 3–8
47 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nick Whiting D1–8, 10
Carroll Shelby Ford Capri III 3.0S 19 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Wayne Wainwright D2–5, 8
Unknown Ford Capri III 3.0S 40 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Sugden D8
Castrol Denmark Ford Escort RS2000 96 Flag of Denmark.svg Erik Høyer C5
John Bishop Triumph Dolomite Sprint 79 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Bishop C5, 7, 10
Mike Buckley Ford Escort RS2000 66 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Buckley C1–7, 9–11
James Burrows Toyota Celica 2000 LB 74 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Burrows C3–4, 6, 8–11
Terry Nightingale Triumph Dolomite Sprint 92 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Terry Nightingale C5–9
Ian Stirling Talbot Avenger 23 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ian Stirling C8
Hughes of Beaconsfield Toyota Celica ST 40 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Hodgetts BAll
Toyota Corolla GT 79 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonathan Buncombe B8
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Mayers 9
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Brodie 10–11
Morris Vulcan Ltd. Volkswagen Golf GTI 44 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John MorrisBAll
Napolina Alfa Romeo Dealer Team Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint 51 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rob Kirby B2–9, 11
Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti 81 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jon Dooley AAll
Unknown Mitsubishi Lancer GSR 56 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Barrie Williams BAll
57 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Morgan BAll
Andy Driver Volkswagen Golf GTI 66 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Driver B1, 3–6, 9, 11
Peter Buxtorf Volkswagen Scirocco GTI 69 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Peter Buxtorf B1–8
Demon Tweeks Volkswagen Golf GTI 54 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Minshaw B2, 5–8, 10
Robin Carlisle Toyota Celica LB 76 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robin Carlisle B5, 8–9, 11
Bill Postins Volkswagen Scirocco GTI 62 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bill Postins B8
John Spiller Talbot Sunbeam TI 82 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Spiller B1–2, 4, 6, 8–9
John Tait Toyota Celica GT 84 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Tait B1–2, 6, 8–9, 11
Terry Watts Talbot Sunbeam TI 48 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Terry Watts B8
Team Datapost Racing
with Hepolite and Esso
Austin Metro 1300 HLS 70 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Curnow AAll
77 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Richard Longman AAll
57 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tim GossA10
P.J. Green Racing Mini 1275GT 74 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tim GossA1–8
Julian May Racing Ford Fiesta 1.3 80 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Terry Nightingale A1–2, 4
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Moss 5
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Julian May 8
Haynes Ford Fiesta 1.3 99 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David da Costa A1–7, 9–11
Everest Double Glazing Austin Metro 1300 HLS 74 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Neil McGrath A5–9, 11
Stuart Fowler Ford Fiesta 1.3 85 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stuart Fowler A9
David Grimshaw Ford Fiesta 1.3 39 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Grimshaw A7–9
François Hamon Simca Rallye 3 76 Flag of France.svg François HamonA8
Colin Hawker Ford Fiesta 1.3 42 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Hawker A2, 4–5
Sigma Austin Metro 1300 HLS 87 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Roger Saunders A2–10
IconClass
AUnder 1300cc
B1301–1600cc
C1601–2500cc
D2501–3500cc

Calendar and winners

All races were held in the United Kingdom. Overall winners in bold.

RoundCircuitDateClass A WinnerClass B WinnerClass C WinnerClass D Winner
1A Mallory Park, Leicestershire 22 MarchNot contested. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Win Percy Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Rouse
B Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jon Dooley Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John MorrisNot contested.
2 Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire 29 March Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Curnow Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Martin Brundle Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Buckley Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Rouse
3A Oulton Park, Cheshire 17 AprilNot contested. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Win Percy Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Spice
B Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jon Dooley Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Hodgetts Not contested.
4 Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire 20 April Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Richard Longman Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Hodgetts Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Win Percy Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Vince Woodman
5A Brands Hatch, Kent 25 MayNot contested. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Win Percy Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nick Whiting
B Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Neil McGrath Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Barrie Williams Not contested.
6 Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire 21 June Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Neil McGrath Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Hodgetts Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Win Percy Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Pete Lovett
7 Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire 18 July Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jon Dooley Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Hodgetts Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Win Percy Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Pete Lovett
8A Donington Park, Leicestershire 16 AugustNot contested. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Win Percy Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Pete Lovett
B Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Richard Longman Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Hodgetts Not contested.
9 Brands Hatch, Kent 31 August Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Richard Longman Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Hodgetts Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Win Percy Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jeff Allam
10 Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire 20 September Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Richard Longman Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Martin Brundle Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Win Percy Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jeff Allam
11 Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire 4 October Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jon Dooley Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Morris Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Buckley Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jeff Allam

Championship standings

Drivers' Championship

Points were awarded on a 9, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1 basis to the top six finishers in each class, with one bonus point for the fastest lap in each class. In races where a class had less than four starters, points would be awarded to the top two finishers (6 & 4 respectively) with one point for the fastest lap. A driver's best nine scores counted towards the championship, dropped scores are shown in brackets. Positions are shown as overall/class.

PosDriverClass MAL SIL 1 OUL 2 THR BRA SIL SIL DON BRA THR SIL Pts
1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Win Percy C2/1(Ret)1/14/12/14/14/11/12/12/178
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Hodgetts B(Ret)Ret1/111/18/412/1?/11/18/1?/47/274
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jon Dooley A4/113/24/1?/26/3?/2?/1(10/4)(16/3)?/310/165
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John MorrisB1/18/2?/??/25/313/2?/22/29/2(?/3)6/160
5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Richard Longman ARet15/313/5?/17/4?/??/26/114/1?/111/258
6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Pete Lovett D5/44/31/11/12/13/23/22/252
7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jeff Allam D8/74/4Ret5/43/2Ret2/2Ret1/11/11/150
8 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Rouse D1/11/13/23/3Ret3/33/33/25/45/4Ret49
9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Curnow ARet12/16/2?/3?/??/4?/67/215/2?/212/348
10 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Spice D11/92/22/12/22/2Ret5/44/37/6Ret38
11 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Vince Woodman D3/23/34/31/17/65/4RetRetRet4/34/435
12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Neil McGrath A3/118/1?/38/3DNS13/433
13 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Morgan BRet24/?9/618/42/216/4?/43/312/3?/29/433
14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Buckley C10/2?/1Ret?/?8/2NCRet23/3?/317/131
15 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Martin Brundle B2/26/112/8?/5RetRetRet4/4DSQ10/1Ret30
16 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Barrie Williams BRetRet3/314/31/1Ret?/35/513/4Ret8/330
17 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nick Whiting D4/3Ret5/46/51/16/55/46/516/?25
18 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David da Costa A5/2?/4?/??/44/2?/?Ret17/4?/616/524
19 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss B3/322/62/2RetRet15/322/79/6DNS?/514/520
20 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Roger Saunders A26/?10/4?/610/5?/3?/4?/519/5?/519
21 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chuck Nicholson C8/26/28/2Ret18
22 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tim Goss A7/4?/67/3?/?11/6?/??/5?/??/414
23 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rob Kirby B?/35/4?/?9/5?/5?/??/?18/515/614
24 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Peter Buxtorf B?/4?/48/5?/??/??/??/5Ret10
25 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Burrows C?/2?/?DNSRetRetDNS21/29
26 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Terry Nightingale A6/3?/5?/58
27 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Terry Nightingale C14/4?/2NCDNSRet7
28 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Muir DRetRet7/69/811/8Ret?/?4/3RetRetRet6
29 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonathan Buncombe D5/5?/?Ret6/56/56
30 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Sawyer-Hoare D9/87/6Ret10/99/87/67/611/79/75/55
31 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Minshaw B21/514/6?/??/6?/??/65
32 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Bishop C9/3NCRet4
33 Flag of South Africa (1928-1994).svg Rad Dougall D3/34
34 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ian Stirling C14/34
35 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Phil Martin-Dye D11/10?/?6/510/9Ret10/87/5?/?Ret4
36 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Spiller B?/5DNS?/6?/6?/?21/74
37 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chuck Nicholson D6/5?/?9/87/613/107/6?/?4
38 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Kimpton D?/??/??/?5/414/10?/?Ret3
39 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rex Greenslade DRet14/?6/5?/?10/78/7?/?RetRetRetRet2
40 Flag of Denmark.svg Erik Høyer C15/52
41 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Graham Goode D7/610/98/7?/??/?9/7Ret1
42 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robin Carlisle B?/??/?20/618/71
43 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Tait B?/625/??/??/?24/820/91
44 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dennis Leech D?/?12/11?/??/?13/1110/6Ret1
45 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Grimshaw ARet?/?22/61
46Flag placeholder.svg François Hamon A?/61
47 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Wayne Wainwright DDNS8/7?/?12/912/100
48 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Driver BDSQ11/7?/?DSQ?/?Ret19/80
49 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Hawker ADNS?/?12/70
50 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Moss A13/80
51 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Sugden D11/90
52 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Mayers B25/90
53 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stuart Graham DRet?/?0
54 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Brodie B?/?Ret0
55 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonathan Buncombe B?/?0
56 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bill Postins B?/?0
57 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Terry Watts B?/?0
NC Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Barry Sheene CRet0
NC Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stuart Fowler ARet0
NC Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Julian May ADNS0
PosDriverClass MAL SIL OUL THR BRA SIL SIL DON BRA THR SIL Pts
ColourResult
GoldWinner
SilverSecond place
BronzeThird place
GreenPoints finish
BlueNon-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
PurpleRetired (Ret)
RedDid not qualify (DNQ)
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
BlackDisqualified (DSQ)
WhiteDid not start (DNS)
Withdrew (WD)
Race cancelled (C)
BlankDid not practice (DNP)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Excluded (EX)

Bold - Pole in class
Italics - Fastest lap in class

Notes:

1. ^  – Class A pole position for round 2 is unknown.
2. ^  – Class A & B pole positions for round 3 are unknown.

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