2000 British Touring Car Championship

Last updated

The 2000 Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship season featured 24 rounds across 12 meetings, it commenced at Brands Hatch on 9 April and concluded at Silverstone on 16 September. [1]

Contents

2000 marked the final year for Super Touring specification cars in the championship. The champion was Alain Menu driving a Ford Mondeo, his teammates Anthony Reid and Rickard Rydell finished 2nd and 3rd respectively. The Michelin Cup for Independents was won by Matt Neal driving a Nissan Primera.

The newly introduced Class B, for Super Production specification cars, was won by Alan Morrison driving a Peugeot 306 GTi.

Alain Menu won the championship driving a Ford Mondeo Racing Ford Mondeo.jpg
Alain Menu won the championship driving a Ford Mondeo
Anthony Reid finished 2nd driving a Ford Mondeo BTCC 2000 Ford.jpg
Anthony Reid finished 2nd driving a Ford Mondeo
Matt Neal won the Independents Cup driving a Nissan Primera BTCC 2000 Matt Neal.jpg
Matt Neal won the Independents Cup driving a Nissan Primera
Gabriele Tarquini finished 6th overall driving a Honda Accord BTCC 2000 Tarquini Honda.jpg
Gabriele Tarquini finished 6th overall driving a Honda Accord
Alan Morrison won the Class B championship driving a Peugeot 306 BTCC 2000 Alan Morrison.jpg
Alan Morrison won the Class B championship driving a Peugeot 306
James Kaye finished 2nd in Class B driving a Honda Accord BTCC 2000 James Kaye.jpg
James Kaye finished 2nd in Class B driving a Honda Accord

Background

Driver changes

There were several changes of driver for the 2000 season. Nissan, Renault and Volvo retired their works teams because of the rising costs of staying competitive in the BTCC, thus leaving only three manufacturers with factory supported entries: Ford, Honda and Vauxhall. [2] [3] 1999 Drivers' Champion Laurent Aïello did not return to defend his title; the Frenchman tested for Honda, [4] however he instead joined Audi to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race and the newly revived Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters championship in Germany. [5] His place was taken by 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans co-winner and former Super Tourenwagen Cup driver Tom Kristensen. [4] In the meantime, Peter Kox switched to competing in the European Super Touring Car Championship. Initially Honda planned to run two cars but to level the playing field with Ford and Vauxhall decided to draft in 1994 champion Gabriele Tarquini in a JAS Motorsport prepared car that originally would have been driven alongside Kox in the European championship. [6]

1998 series champion Rickard Rydell joined that year's runner-up Anthony Reid and 1997 overall winner Alain Menu at the Prodrive Ford team following Volvo's departure. At the Vauxhall team, Yvan Muller was partnered by Jason Plato and Vincent Radermecker, having joined from Renault and Volvo respectively. [7] After a difficult 1999 season, former double champion (1989 and 1995) John Cleland announced his retirement from the BTCC. [8] Independent driver Matt Neal drove a 1999 Nissan Primera fielded by Team Dynamics, who had semi-works support from the manufacturer and running with updated 2000 body work. [9] [10] A second Nissan was entered by PRO Motorsport for rookie Colin Blair. David Leslie would race the car at selected rounds later in the season following Blair's withdrawal halfway through the season. [11] Lee Brookes appeared on the entry list but his plans of competing in the championship in 2000 did not come to fruition. [12]

Season review

The Prodrive Ford Mondeo’s would prove to be the class of the season, and it would be their three drivers who would battle for the championship. Alain Menu had been the favourite going into the year, but despite being arguably the best all-rounder out of the trio, a handful of non-finishes meant he entered the final race of the year behind Anthony Reid in points.

Reid’s season was based mostly on consistency, taking until round seventeen to win a race and only winning two all season, but he still led the championship going into the final race of the year. The Scot was doing all that he needed in the finale and looked to be on course for the title, until a collision with Vincent Radermecker on the penultimate lap put him out of the race and handed the crown to Menu.

Team newcomer Rickard Rydell also went to Silverstone with a chance of the title. The Swede claimed a season-best nine pole positions throughout the year, but a number of retirements, both crashes and mechanical, would ultimately prove to be his downfall. Indeed, it would be a car problem which would deny him a chance of competing with his teammates in the final race, as a water leak left him unable to take the start.

Vauxhall’s season started well, both Yvan Muller and Jason Plato won races early on and the Frenchman even lead the points for a time. But the team could not sustain that form, and along with an intra-team rivalry building between Muller and Plato, they were forced to settle for best of the rest behind the Fords. Third driver Radermecker had a poor season, scoring only one podium and being the only full-time main class driver to not win a race during the year.

Honda’s season would be one of frustration. James Thompson went into the season planning a title challenge, but those hopes were dashed by a crash at the opening round at Brands Hatch which forced him to miss the next two meetings. He would win a race on his return, but any hopes of the championship were gone, and come the end of the season he found himself combining his British campaign with DTM drives for Audi.

The returning Gabriele Tarquini would ultimately end the season as top Honda, picking up three race wins but only finishing sixth in the standings. British championship rookie Tom Kristensen would also pick up three race wins, including a double at the Silverstone finale (the final races of the Super Touring era), to end the year just behind Tarquini.

Independent king Matt Neal would once again compete admirably with the works teams. He would finish eighth in the standings with a race win late in the season at Brands Hatch. He won the independents class in every race he finished (21 out of 24 races).

Regulation and sporting changes

Michelin, now the series' control tyre supplier, developed new compounds of tyres for the drivers but an intermediate option would no longer be available. The only choice for drivers was slick dry tyres or full wet compounds which meant tyre choices in greasy or changeable conditions were more crucial than before. To make matters even more difficult, tyre warmers were no longer allowed in advance of the race. As a result, the drivers had to take to the track on ill-handling cold tyres at the beginning of all races and after the mandatory pit stops. [13] All teams were restricted to 28 sets of dry tyres for all race meetings and test sessions to lower operating costs but no limitations existed for wet-weather compounds. [14]

Success ballast to help the championship have close and competitive racing and to prevent any team from dominating the series was introduced for the 2000 season. The top three finishers of the sprint and feature race at a meeting were allocated a ballast to be applied at the next meeting. It was distributed as 40 kg (88 lb) for a winner, 30 kg (66 lb) for second place and 20 kg (44 lb) for third place, with the ballast capped at 40 kg (88 lb). [13] No team was permitted to change the engine of their cars between the second qualifying session and the sprint race or the driver would incur a grid penalty that would see him start at the back of the grid. Also, replacement cars were not allowed except in force majeure when he would be allowed to drive his teammate's entry. [14]

The points scoring system for the Drivers' and Teams' Championships remained unaltered from the 1999 championship. However, the Manufacturers' Championship was now limited to each team nominating a maximum of three cars for points, up from two from the previous season, to reward committed manufacturers. [14] Furthermore, a dropped point score system was put into operation for the 2000 season. This meant all drivers would be required to drop their four worst results from the season before tallying his overall points haul. [15]

From 1 March 2000, a complete ban of private testing at any licensed motor racing circuit in the world was enforced, except for official test sessions organised by the series promoter TOCA that lasted for half a day and were held before each race weekend. The ban was enacted to greatly reduce operating costs for all teams and to restrict the amount of available time for drivers to set up their cars for each track to ensure a greater variation in performance and less predictable racing. Furthermore, test cars were barred from all official sessions unless they had been driven in the preceding race meeting. [14]

Class B

The 2000 season saw the introduction of a type of car regulation called "Class B" to bolster the number of entrants on the grid. The class was open to all vehicles that complied with the FIA Super Production regulations and the National Saloon Championship. [16] To allow for suitable grid sizes, Class B entries were accepted on a "first-come, first served" basis from teams who could commit to competing in the BTCC full-time. [17] Class B was created as a consequence of a request to series promoters TOCA from potential competitors in the National Saloon Championship in December 1999 as a means of promoting themselves in a more visible national motor racing series. [17] TOCA subsequently formed a partnership with the British Racing Drivers' Club-organised PowerTour series in January 2000, so that the two championships could work closely with race dates, regulations and marketing and promoting of Class B. [18]

Other

The entry fee for the Independents' Championship was abolished; teams would receive a starting money fee of £5,000 for each race meeting they entered, tyres would be given to teams at no extra cost and the champion of the category would receive £10,000 in prize money. [19]

Entry List

TeamCarNo.DriversRounds
Manufacturers
Redstone Team Honda with JAS Motorsport Honda Accord 2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Leslie 3
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Thompson 1, 4–12
7 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Peter Kox 2
18 Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini All
77 Flag of Denmark.svg Tom Kristensen All
Ford Team Mondeo Ford Mondeo 3 Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell All
11 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu All
12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Anthony Reid All
Vauxhall Motorsport Vauxhall Vectra 5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato All
6 Flag of France.svg Yvan Muller All
8 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Vincent Radermecker All
Independents
PRO Motorsport Nissan Primera GT '00 2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Leslie 9, 12
45 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Blair 1–7
Team Dynamics Max Power Racing Nissan Primera GT '00 9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal 1–11
Nissan Primera GT '98 12
Class B
Touring Car V.I.P. Club Peugeot 306 GTi 13 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Morrison All
14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Will Hoy 6
24 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lee Linford9
25 Flag of Finland.svg Toni Ruokonen10
26 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Eaves 11–12
Gary Ayles Motorsport Alfa Romeo 156 16 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Ferrier 10–12
44 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gavin Pyper 10–11
Bintcliffe Sport Nissan Primera 20 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Marc Nordon1–3, 5–12
21 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rob Collard 2–3, 5–12
Barwell Motorsport Honda Integra Type-R 23 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Lemmer 1-11
33 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Kaye 4
Honda Accord 23 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Lemmer12
33 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Kaye1-3, 5-12
Kermit RacingProton Compact43 Flag of France.svg Richard Cuene-GrandidierNone
Arnold James Sport Honda Integra Type-R 48 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nick James6–12
RJN Motorsport Nissan Primera 50 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Middlehurst 11
51 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bryce Wilson12
David Pitcher Honda Integra Type-R 69 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Pitcher1
GR Motorsport Ford Focus 71 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Simon Harrison 11
81 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gareth Howell 11
Geoff Kimber-Smith Toyota Carina E 74 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Geoff Kimber-Smith12
Sources: [20] [6] [21] [11] [22] [23]

(https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/bumper-line-up-for-2000-btcc-5039306/5039306/

Calendar

All races were held in the United Kingdom. A provisional 28-round calendar for the BTCC was officially announced on 28 July 1999. For the first time since the 1996 season, the series raced on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix layout and it served as the championship's season-opening meeting in April. [24] Two meetings were held at night: the sole Snetterton Circuit round in July and the season-closing meeting at the Silverstone Circuit in mid-September. [25] TOCA director Alan J. Gow explained that the advance publication of the calendar was so that the remaining British motorsport series could plain theirs but was told to reduce the number of rounds because of budgetary constraints for some teams. [26]

In response, the management of the Thruxton Circuit agreed to forego its second planned meeting in August and lower the number of rounds to 26. [25] Later, the Donington Park National circuit meeting, which had been proposed to be the season's second meeting on 23 April, was moved to late March to avoid a clash with the 2000 British Grand Prix but this decision was later reversed. The series' planned inaugural meeting in Ireland at Mondello Park was cancelled because the track needed improving to bring it to Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and TOCA standards, bringing the final number of rounds to 24. [27]

RoundCircuitDatePole PositionFastest LapWinning DriverWinning TeamWinning Class B
1R1 Brands Hatch (Grand Prix), Kent 9 April Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Ford Team Mondeo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Morrison
R2 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Anthony Reid Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Vauxhall Motorsport Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Kaye
2R3 Donington Park (National), Leicestershire 24 April Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Ford Team Mondeo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Morrison
R4 Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Ford Team Mondeo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Kaye
3R5 Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire 1 May Flag of France.svg Yvan Muller Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of France.svg Yvan Muller Vauxhall Motorsport Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Morrison
R6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of France.svg Yvan Muller Vauxhall Motorsport Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Morrison
4R7 Knockhill Circuit, Fife 14 May Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Thompson Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell Ford Team Mondeo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Lemmer
R8 Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini Flag of Denmark.svg Tom Kristensen Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini Redstone Team Honda Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Morrison
5R9 Oulton Park (Island), Cheshire 29 May Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Ford Team Mondeo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Kaye
R10 Flag of Denmark.svg Tom Kristensen Flag of Denmark.svg Tom Kristensen Flag of Denmark.svg Tom Kristensen Redstone Team Honda Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Kaye
6R11 Silverstone Circuit (International), Northamptonshire 11 June Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell Flag of France.svg Yvan Muller Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Thompson Redstone Team Honda Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Morrison
R12 Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell Flag of France.svg Yvan Muller Flag of France.svg Yvan Muller Vauxhall Motorsport Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Morrison
7R13 Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire 25 June Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell Ford Team Mondeo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Morrison
R14 Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell Ford Team Mondeo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Kaye
8R15 Snetterton Circuit, Norfolk FullMoon2010.jpg 8 July Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Vauxhall Motorsport Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Morrison
R16 Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Ford Team Mondeo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rob Collard
9R17 Donington Park (Grand Prix), Leicestershire 30 July Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Anthony Reid Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Anthony Reid Ford Team Mondeo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Morrison
R18 Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Anthony Reid Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini Redstone Team Honda Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Kaye
10R19 Brands Hatch (Indy), Kent 28 August Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal Team Dynamics Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Morrison
R20 Flag of Denmark.svg Tom Kristensen Flag of Denmark.svg Tom Kristensen Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu Ford Team Mondeo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Kaye
11R21 Oulton Park (Island), Cheshire 10 September Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Anthony Reid Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Anthony Reid Ford Team Mondeo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Morrison
R22 Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini Redstone Team Honda Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Kaye
12R23 Silverstone Circuit (International), Northamptonshire FullMoon2010.jpg 16 September Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell Flag of Denmark.svg Tom Kristensen Flag of Denmark.svg Tom Kristensen Redstone Team Honda Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Morrison
R24 Flag of Denmark.svg Tom Kristensen Flag of Denmark.svg Tom Kristensen Flag of Denmark.svg Tom Kristensen Redstone Team Honda Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Eaves

Championship results tables

Points system
 1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th  6th  7th  8th  9th  10th Pole PositionFastest LapLead a lap
in feature race
1512108654321111
Source: [28]

Drivers Championship

Pos.Driver BRH DON THR KNO OUL SIL CRO SNE DON BRH OUL SIL Pts
Touring Class
1 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu 17*11*832Ret16Ret352Ret1*8941*56Ret3*195
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Anthony Reid 52*342433532Ret2DSQ4613*(8)412*(7)Ret(*)193(201)
3 Flag of Sweden.svg Rickard Rydell 34*23*4Ret12RetRet8DSQ11*35Ret632Ret82DNS178
4 Flag of France.svg Yvan Muller 23Ret511*74Ret571*85Ret4445633(8)5168(171)
5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato 41*6732*8872Ret5RetRet‡125773*94Ret2160
6 Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Tarquini 96*42*Ret5Ret1*98526Ret‡6761*91021*Ret6149
7 Flag of Denmark.svg Tom Kristensen 7Ret569Ret5Ret31*36*492Ret10Ret288Ret11*143
8 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal (10)Ret887Ret45694Ret3358*221977*57129(130)
9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Thompson 6Ret6DSQ441474Ret3*35*65*4538*129
10 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Vincent Radermecker 857Ret5Ret*96276Ret9Ret‡RetDNS981076Ret4481
11 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Blair 1189101061078Ret91026
12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Leslie 6Ret7106Ret15
13 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Peter Kox Ret92
Class B
1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Morrison 12Ret1013117NC9RetRet1071077131112111510139Ret264(266)
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Kaye 139111113Ret12111010118NC68101211Ret111291010260(265)
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Lemmer 1410121212DSQ11101112129121091113131413151212Ret185(200)
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rob Collard RetRetDNSDNS121113Ret118Ret914RetRet12RetDNSRetRet81
5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Eaves 111011953
6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nick James14111411111216RetRetDNSRetRet13Ret51
7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Marc NordonRetDNSRetDNSDNSDNS13RetDNSDNS13Ret‡10RetRetRet15RetRetRetRet1230
8 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Ferrier 1314RetRetRetDNS18
9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gareth Howell 131118
10 Flag of Finland.svg Toni Ruokonen12Ret14
11 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Geoff Kimber-Smith141311
12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bryce WilsonRet1110
13 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andy Middlehurst 14Ret6
14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lee Linford15Ret6
15 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Will Hoy RetRet2
16 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gavin Pyper RetDNSRetDNS1
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Simon Harrison RetRet0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David PitcherDNSDNS0
Pos.Driver BRH DON THR KNO OUL SIL CRO SNE DON BRH OUL SIL Pts

Note: bold signifies pole position in class (1 point awarded all races), italics signifies fastest lap in class (1 point awarded all races) and * signifies that driver lead feature race for at least one lap (1 point given).

‡ Retired before second start of race

Independent's Championship

Pos.Driver BRH DON THR KNO OUL SIL CRO SNE DON BRH OUL SIL Pts
1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal 10Ret887Ret45694Ret335822197757339 (360)
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Blair 1189101061078Ret910144
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Leslie 7106Ret36
Pos.Driver BRH DON THR KNO OUL SIL CRO SNE DON BRH OUL SIL Pts

Manufacturers Championship

PosManufacturer BRH DON THR KNO OUL SIL CRO SNE DON BRH OUL SIL Pts
1 Ford / Ford Team Mondeo 121123121323113113311223515
34234423568Ret22458642567Ret
2 Honda / Redstone Team Honda 664265513112442331252111411
7Ret569Ret6Ret4434696765684536
3 Vauxhall / Vauxhall Motorsport 216511742261851244533342399
4377328675759Ret‡Ret457766484
PosManufacturer BRH DON THR KNO OUL SIL CRO SNE DON BRH OUL SIL Pts

Touring Teams Championship

PosTeam BRH DON THR KNO OUL SIL CRO SNE DON BRH OUL SIL Pts
1 Ford Team Mondeo 213233113123205
43436Ret25626Ret
2 Vauxhall Motorsport 151421524332196
372655Ret‡47644
3 Redstone Team Honda 625112431511176
Ret6RetRet44975856
4 Team Dynamics Max Power Racing Ret8Ret59Ret38297747
5 PRO Motorsport 81067Ret1010Ret19
PosTeam BRH DON THR KNO OUL SIL CRO SNE DON BRH OUL SIL Pts

‡ Retired before second start of race

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Touring Car Championship</span> Auto racing championship in the United Kingdom

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom, currently organised and administered by TOCA. It was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and was renamed as the British Touring Car Championship for the 1987 season. The championship, currently running Next Generation Touring Car regulations, has been run to various national and international regulations over the years including FIA Group 2, FIA Group 5, FIA Group 1, FIA Group A, FIA Super Touring and FIA Super 2000. A lower-key Group N class for production cars ran from 2000 until 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Neal</span> British racing driver (born 1966)

Matthew Stephen Phillip Neal is a British motor racing driver. Neal is a triple BTCC Champion having won the British Touring Car Championship in 2005, 2006 and 2011. Neal is also a record 6 time BTCC Independents Champion having won the title in 1993, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2005 and 2006. He is also a race winner in the European Touring Car Championship. He is 6' 6" (2 m) tall, making him almost entirely unable to race single-seaters. He is also the Group Marketing Director at Rimstock, the alloy wheel manufacturer founded by his father Steve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Thompson (racing driver)</span> British racing driver (born 1974)

Edward James Thompson is a British auto racing driver. He has twice been champion of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), and was third in the 2007 World Touring Car Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Leslie (racing driver)</span> British racing driver (1953–2008)

David William Leslie was a Scottish racing driver. He was most associated with the British Touring Car Championship, in which he was runner-up in 1999. He was particularly noted for his development skill, helping both Honda and Nissan become BTCC race winners. He was born in Dumfries, Scotland.

Team Dynamics Motorsport is a UK-based motor-racing team based in Droitwich, Worcestershire; best known for their successes in the British Touring Car Championship, including winning the Overall Drivers title in 2005, 2006 and 2011 with Matt Neal and 2012, 2015 and 2016 with Gordon Shedden. The team was founded by Steve Neal and former driver of Vic Lee Motorsport, Ray Bellm when they acquired its assets in 1993. For the following season, Bellm, having bought a majority stake in the Silverstone-based motorsport equipment retailer, Grand Prix Racewear, also acquired a McLaren F1 GTR and went his own way.

The 2003 Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 46th British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season.

The 2001 theAA.com MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 44th British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season and marked the beginning of a new era of lower-cost rules and regulations for the series. The season saw a rivalry between Vauxhall teammates Jason Plato and Yvan Muller for the title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Onslow-Cole</span> British racing driver (born 1987)

Thomas Michael Onslow-Cole is a former British racing driver. He won the International GT Open in Pro-Am category in 2018 and in 2019 and the 24H Series in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1998 British Touring Car Championship</span> Sports season

The 1998 Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship featured 26 races across 13 rounds, it commenced at Thruxton on 13 April and ended at Silverstone on 20 September.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1999 British Touring Car Championship</span> Sports season

The 1999 Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship featured 26 races across 13 rounds. It began on 5 April at Donington Park and concluded on 19 September at Silverstone. The driver's title was won by Laurent Aïello in his debut season driving for the Nissan works team, with his teammate David Leslie in second place. Reigning champion Rickard Rydell finished in third place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John George (racing driver)</span> British racing driver (born 1961)

John Alfred George is a Cornish mobile phone entrepreneur and race car driver, best known for driving in the British Touring Car Championship.

Eurotech Racing was a British motor racing team based in Tamworth, Staffordshire, founded by Mike Jordan and currently owned by Jeff Smith since December 2014, that last competed in the 2018 British Touring Car Championship

Next Generation Touring Car, also known as NGTC and by its Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) designation TCN-1, is an FIA and TOCA specification and classification for production based race cars. The specification covers national level touring car racing. The goal of the limited choices in engines and parts in the NGTC classification is to allow more manufacturers and privateers to race by reducing the cost of a competitive car and to reduce reliance on the increasingly expensive Super 2000 equipment. The only significant differences between different models is the external body shells and the use of front- or rear-wheel drive; the suspension, brakes and transmissions are common to all cars, and engines are of uniform performance.

Liam Griffin is a British racing driver and businessman. He is the son of John Griffin and was CEO of minicab company Addison Lee for 10 years before carrying out a management buyout with the private equity firm Carlyle. He is currently the Vice Chairman of Addison Lee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 British Touring Car Championship</span> Sports season

The 2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship was a multi-event motor racing championship for production-based touring cars held across England and Scotland. The championship features a mix of professional motor racing teams and privately funded amateur drivers competing in highly modified versions of Family cars which are sold to the general public and conform to the technical regulations for the championship. It is one of the most popular domestic motor racing series in the United Kingdom, with an extensive program of support categories built up around the BTCC centrepiece. It was the 56th British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Gilham Racing</span> British motor racing team

Tony Gilham Racing , competing as Re.Beverages and Bartercard with Team HARD., Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils. and Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown. currently, is a British motor racing team based in Dartford, Kent and founded by Tony Gilham. The team raced under the Team HARD. banner in the British Touring Car Championship until the end of 2013. They now compete in the British Touring Car Championship, Volkswagen Racing Cup, Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Mini Challenge UK and the GT Cup series.

Laurent Aïello is a French former race car driver, most notable for winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1998, the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) in 1999, and the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) series in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 British Touring Car Championship</span> MSA British Touring Car Championship

The 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship was a multi-event motor racing championship for production-based touring cars held across England and Scotland. The championship features a mix of professional motor racing teams and privately funded amateur drivers competing in highly modified versions of Family cars which are sold to the general public and conform to the technical regulations for the championship. It is one of the most popular domestic motor racing series in the United Kingdom, with an extensive program of support categories built up around the BTCC centrepiece. It was the 57th British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season.

Team BMR was a British motor racing team based in Buntingford, Hertfordshire and founded by Warren Scott. The team raced in the British Touring Car Championship between 2013 and 2019 after previously entering the 2004 British Superbike Championship season as BMR Racing. During the winter of 2013, Scott purchased Tony Gilham Racing's assets, including their four NGTC race cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 British Touring Car Championship</span>

The 2015 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship was a motor racing championship for production-based touring cars held across England and Scotland. The championship featured a mix of professional motor racing teams and privately funded amateur drivers competing in highly modified versions of family cars which are sold to the general public and conform to the technical regulations for the championship. The 2015 season was the 58th British Touring Car Championship season and the fifth season for cars conforming to the Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) specification.

References

  1. "Organisers revise 2000 calendar - BTCC - Autosport". Autosport.com. Archived from the original on 2017-12-08. Retrieved 2017-12-08.
  2. Nichols, Pete (3 April 2000). "Centre stage: Three teams on tour just doesn't add up, even with the tractors" . The Guardian . p. 6. Retrieved 28 February 2019 via General OneFile.
  3. Beck-Burridge, Martin; Walton, Jeremy (18 November 1999). Britain's Winning Formula: Achieving World Leadership in Motorsports. New York City, United States: Springer Publishing. p. 80. ISBN   978-0-230-28593-4. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  4. 1 2 "Kristensen將於2000年為HONDA BTCC車隊效力" (in Chinese). Auto Online. 10 December 1999. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  5. "BTCC: Aiello to retire at end of season". motorsport.com. 18 September 2005. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Thompson to miss Donington". Autosport . 22 April 2000. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  7. "Five swell touring title ranks" . The Birmingham Post . 1 March 2000. p. 27. Retrieved 1 March 2019 via Infotrac Newsstand.
  8. "Cleland decides to call it a day as Leslie narrows championship gap". The Herald . 2 August 1999. Archived from the original on 8 December 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  9. "Nissan Primera (54)". Super Touring Register. Archived from the original on 8 December 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  10. Alsop, Derick (5 April 2000). "Touring cars' brave new world". The Independent . Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  11. 1 2 "Nissan Primera (56)". Super Touring Register. Archived from the original on 8 December 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  12. "BTCC news: Bumper line-up for 2000 BTCC". Autosport. Archived from the original on 8 December 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  13. 1 2 "2000 season preview". Autosport. 3 April 2000. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "TOCA unveils sporting regulations for 2000". British Touring Car Championship. 3 September 1999. Archived from the original on 6 February 2001. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  15. "BTCC Preview: Round 12 – Silverstone". Crash. 14 September 2000. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  16. Gardner, John (7 January 2000). "BTCC – TOCA Adds Class B". Speedvision. Archived from the original on 24 August 2000. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  17. 1 2 "BTCC series to include new class". Autosport. 7 January 2000. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  18. "TOCA Forms Relationship with BRDC for 2000 BTCC Class B". British Touring Car Championship. 27 January 2000. Archived from the original on 5 February 2001. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  19. M. Baines, Stephen (2 March 2000). "BTCC: Entries and start money". motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  20. "2000 BTCC Entry List". BTCC Pages. Archived from the original on 26 March 2009. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  21. staff, AUTOSPORT.com. "BTCC news: Bumper line-up for 2000 BTCC". AUTOSPORT.com. Archived from the original on 2017-12-08. Retrieved 2017-12-08.
  22. "News Round-up: 12 May 2000". Redshoes Racing. 12 May 2000. Archived from the original on 30 September 2000. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  23. "Class B field grows at Oulton Park". Autosport. 27 May 2000. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  24. "Millennium Heralds Expanded BTCC". British Touring Car Championship. 28 July 1999. Archived from the original on 5 February 2001. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  25. 1 2 "2000 Touring Car calendar confirmed". Autosport. 11 October 1999. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  26. "TOCA told to reduce calendar". Autosport. 23 September 1999. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  27. "Organisers revise 2000 calendar". Autosport. 3 February 2000. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  28. 1 2 3 "BTCC Regulations". BTCC Pages. Archived from the original on 20 March 2009. Retrieved 1 March 2019.