2006 British Touring Car Championship

Last updated
Matt Neal defended his title winning the 2006 Drivers' Championship. Matt Neal - 2017 BTCC Knockhill (Sunday).jpg
Matt Neal defended his title winning the 2006 Drivers' Championship.

The 2006 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 49th British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season. As in 2005, there were ten racing weekends at nine different circuits; each round comprising three races, making a thirty round competition in total.

Contents

Changes for 2006

2006 BTCC Race at Brands Hatch. BTCC Brands06 PaddockHill.jpg
2006 BTCC Race at Brands Hatch.
The drivers' championship was won by Matt Neal. Matt Neal 2006 BTCC Oulton Park.jpg
The drivers' championship was won by Matt Neal.

Teams and drivers

The Triple 8-run works Vauxhall effort continued with a trio of entries in their second season with the Astra Sport Hatch. Yvan Muller left the team after six seasons to contest the World Touring Car Championship for SEAT, and was replaced by Italian veteran Fabrizio Giovanardi, a multiple champion in several European series but contesting his first season in British touring cars. Tom Chilton replaced Colin Turkington in the second car after three seasons with the Arena Motorsport-run Honda programme, while Gavin Smith spent a second season in the third car. Turkish touring car champion Erkut Kizilirmak also appeared at two rounds in a fourth entry.

Vauxhall's only opposition for a sixth straight Manufacturers title came from SEAT, who replaced its trio of Toledos with a pair of new Leons. Jason Plato again headed their assault, while the second seat was alternated throughout the year between the returning James Thompson (also racing for SEAT in the WTCC) and sportscar star Darren Turner. Both drivers ran at the final meeting with Thompson using his WTCC car.

Reigning Teams and Independents champions Team Dynamics ran their pair of self-developed Honda Integra Type Rs for a second year, with champion Matt Neal remaining with his family team. Scottish driver Gordon Shedden graduated from the SEAT Cupra championship to replace Dan Eaves, while Gareth Howell again appeared in a third car later in the season as he had in 2005.

In its third year as an independent, West Surrey Racing continued to run its ex-works MG ZSs, in spite of (MG Rover in fact having gone out of business during 2005. Colin Turkington returned to the team after a disappointing year at Vauxhall, partnering Rob Collard, who had been the team's sole driver in 2005. A 3rd WSR entry appeared on the official entry list but never materialised. [1]

Among the most competitive newcomers to the series were two teams making the transition from GT racing with Team Dynamics' 2005 title-winning Integras. Team Eurotech ran team boss Mike Jordan, the most experienced driver on the grid, back in the BTCC after well over a decade away in sportscar and GT racing. Motorbase Performance ran David Pinkney, another returning veteran, who was making his first BTCC appearance since 2001. Tom Ferrier also returned to the series with Motorbase in the final round, driving an ex-works SEAT Toledo.

Synchro Motorsport ran James Kaye in their Honda Civic Type-R for a fourth straight season, while Jason Hughes also returned driving an ex-works MG ZS for his Kartworld Racing team. Both Kartworld and the WSR team switched their MGs to bio-ethanol fuel later in the year. Running bio-ethanol fuel for a second year were Tech-Speed Motorsport, who once again ran Fiona Leggate in their Vauxhall Astra Coupe. Leggate was replaced by ex-Vauxhall works driver Paul O'Neill for the final two rounds.

Mark Proctor switched from his Astra Coupe for his second season, his Fast-Tec Motorsport team instead running the Honda Civic Type-R driven by Tom Chilton in 2005. BMW and Alfa Romeo were represented on the BTCC grid for the first time since 2004, with club racers Martin Bell (Geoff Steel Racing) and Mark Smith (In-Front Motorsport) making their debuts in ex-WTCC BMW 320i's and Alfa Romeo 156s respectively.

The championship welcomed several more entries across the course of the season. Xero Competition entered a Lexus IS200 (converted to Super 2000 rules from the Dutch touring car series) for British GT racer Adam Jones, Quest Racing ran young Irishman Eoin Murray in the ex-works Alfa Romeo 156 he won for taking the Alfa Romeo 147 Challenge title in 2005, while Richard Marsh returned to the field racing an ex-Vic Lee Racing Peugeot 307 for Team Griffin Racing. This car was converted to run on bioethanol fuel for the final meeting at Silverstone.

The final two rounds saw another raft of new entries, all of which were planning full campaigns in 2007. The pair of Lexus IS200s run by SpeedEquipe in 2005 were entered by BTC Racing for Chris Stockton and Darren Dowling, while a third Lexus was fielded by Team Forward Racing (a satellite squad of Xero Competition) for Mark Jones. Daniels Motorsport made a second late-season appearance with their Astra Coupe, with Nick Leason at the wheel.

Other changes

Teams and drivers

TeamCarNo.DriversRounds
Works BTC-T Entries
VX Racing Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch 5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Chilton All
10 Flag of Ireland.svg Gavin Smith All
11 Flag of Italy.svg Fabrizio Giovanardi All
90 Flag of Turkey.svg Erkut Kızılırmak 5, 7
Works S2000 Entries
SEAT Sport UK SEAT León 4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato All
14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Thompson 1–3, 5, 7, 10
24 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Darren Turner 4, 6, 8–10
Independent BTC-T Entries
Team Halfords Honda Integra Type-R 1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal All
25 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gareth Howell 7–10
52 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden All
Team RAC MG ZS 6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Turkington All
7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rob Collard All
Fast-Tec Motorsport Honda Civic Type-R 12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Proctor 1–3, 5, 7–8
Team Farécla Peugeot 307 16 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Richard Marsh 6–10
NJL Racing with Daniels Motorsport Vauxhall Astra Coupé 19 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nick Leason 9–10
Synchro Motorsport Honda Civic Type-R 20 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Kaye All
Kartworld Racing MG ZS 28 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Hughes All
Motorbase Performance Honda Integra Type-R 55 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Pinkney All
Team Eurotech Racing with John Guest Honda Integra Type-R 77 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Jordan All
Thurlby Motors Boston Bowl with Tech-Speed Vauxhall Astra Coupé 82 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Fiona Leggate 1–7
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul O'Neill 9–10
Independent S2000 Entries
Geoff Steel Racing BMW 320i 15 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Martyn Bell All
Quest Racing Alfa Romeo 156 17 Flag of Ireland.svg Eoin Murray 5–7, 9–10
Xero Competition Lexus IS200 21 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Adam Jones 3–6, 8–10
Team Forward Racing 79 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Jones 9–10
Motorbase Performance SEAT Toledo Cupra 23 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Ferrier 10
BTC Racing Lexus IS200 42 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Darren Dowling 9–10
43 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Stockton 9–10
InFront Motorsport Alfa Romeo 156 66 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Smith 1, 3–7, 9–10

Season Calendar

All races were held in the United Kingdom (excepting Mondello Park round that held in Ireland). [2]

RoundCircuitDatePole PositionFastest LapWinning DriverWinning Team
1R1 Brands Hatch Indy, Kent 9 April Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Chilton Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Chilton Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Thompson SEAT Sport UK
R2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Thompson SEAT Sport UK
R3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato SEAT Sport UK
2R4 Mondello Park 23 April Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal Team Halfords
R5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal Team Halfords
R6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rob Collard Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Jordan Team Eurotech Racing
3R7 Oulton Park Island, Cheshire 14 May Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden Team Halfords
R8 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Turkington Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal Team Halfords
R9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato SEAT Sport UK
4R10 Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire 4 June Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden Team Halfords
R11 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Pinkney Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal Team Halfords
R12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Turkington Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Turkington Team RAC
5R13 Croft Circuit, Yorkshire 16 July Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Thompson Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Thompson Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato SEAT Sport UK
R14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal Team Halfords
R15 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Thompson SEAT Sport UK
6R16 Donington Park National 30 July Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden Team Halfords
R17 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rob Collard Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden Team Halfords
R18 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Turkington Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Turkington Team RAC
7R19 Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit, Norfolk 13 August Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of Ireland.svg Gavin Smith Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato SEAT Sport UK
R20 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Turkington Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato SEAT Sport UK
R21 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal Team Halfords
8R22 Knockhill Racing Circuit, Fife 3 September Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato SEAT Sport UK
R23 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Turkington Flag of Italy.svg Fabrizio Giovanardi VX Racing
R24 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal Team Halfords
9R25 Brands Hatch Indy, Kent 24 September Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato SEAT Sport UK
R26 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato SEAT Sport UK
R27 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Chilton Flag of Italy.svg Fabrizio Giovanardi VX Racing
10R28 Silverstone National 15 October Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gareth Howell Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gareth Howell Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gareth Howell Team Halfords
R29 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal Team Halfords
R30 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gareth Howell Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gareth Howell Team Halfords
Source: [3]

Championship standings

Drivers' Championship

PosDriver BHI MON OUL THR CRO DON SNE KNO BHI SIL Pts
1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal 33Ret1*1*341*821*231*4457681*251*22Ret41*Ret289
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Plato Ret51*22814*61*RetRet31*2*37RetRet1*1*61*Ret*DNS1*1*38Ret4241
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Turkington 4224327175861*4322*81*Ret3479Ret*3342DSQ2240
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden RetRet45DSQ61*3Ret1*211124171*1*3Ret656Ret2*74262Ret204
5 Flag of Italy.svg Fabrizio Giovanardi Ret867Ret5529Ret8126Ret534*23RetRet41*6651*7316163
6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Thompson 1*1*53Ret41142*2*51*2225Ret5162
7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Chilton 2*73*6Ret9973*498Ret865Ret6Ret73*12RetRet468*3Ret3139
8 Flag of Ireland.svg Gavin Smith 64785781066127968*6254Ret7Ret25RetNC1011410123
9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rob Collard 76DSQRet10Ret6545365Ret10913Ret115RetRetRet7576105797
10 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Jordan 5RetRet971*2127RetRetRet1110783Ret54125RetDNS8Ret79RetDNS91
11 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gareth Howell 79Ret373Ret851*6*1*80
12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Kaye 89Ret106DNS39DNS77487910789Ret8RetRetDNS1113RetDNSDNSRet61
13 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Pinkney Ret10813410108RetRet4579Ret11Ret912Ret11Ret3999Ret13111256
14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Darren Turner 35Ret129410DSQ4RetRetDNSRet10641
15 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Hughes 911911DNSRet12Ret10910914121115RetRet10Ret1584RetRet1091591127
16 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Proctor RetRetDNS128Ret131113DNSDNSDNSRet14Ret811996818
17 Flag of Ireland.svg Eoin Murray 101112136RetRet1010RetDNSDNSRetDNSDNS8
18 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Martyn Bell 10RetRet15911Ret131412RetDNS16151614121014Ret13Ret81014Ret1316Ret158
19 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Ferrier 12787
20 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul O'Neill 1011111489*7
21 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Fiona Leggate Ret121014RetDNS151411101310Ret1614DNSDNSDNS1312Ret3
22 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Adam Jones Ret15121111131313131610Ret11RetDNS12Ret12DNSDNSDNS1
23 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Smith 11RetDNS1616RetNC14141717181711RetRetRet161714141813130
24 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Stockton 1312Ret1916Ret0
25 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Richard Marsh 18RetDNSDNSDNSDNSRetDNSRetDNSDNSDNS1712140
26 Flag of Turkey.svg Erkut Kizilirmak 15Ret15Ret13140
27 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Darren Dowling 16Ret152014Ret0
28 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nick Leason 15DNSDNSNC15DNS0
29 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Jones 18Ret16RetNCRet0
PosDriver BHI MON OUL THR CRO DON SNE KNO BHI SIL Pts
Sources: [4] [5]

Manufacturers Championship

PosManufacturer BHI MON OUL THR CRO DON SNE KNO BHI SIL Pts
1 SEAT / SEAT Sport UK 11122411413531217941121Ret41135Ret4572
Ret553Ret81462RetRetRet25312RetRet22610DSQDNSRetDNSDNS8Ret5
2 Vauxhall / VX Racing 2736Ret5523488685342373416451333528
Ret867Ret9979Ret912RetRet65Ret6RetRetRet12RetRet6687Ret16
Source: [5]

Teams Championship

PosTeam BHI MON OUL THR CRO DON SNE KNO BHI SIL Pts
1 Team Halfords 334113118112314113661251222111512
RetRetRet5DSQ643Ret22111241745778537274542Ret
2 SEAT Sport UK 11122411413531217941121Ret41135104418
Ret553Ret81462RetRetRet25312RetRet22610DSQDNSRetDNSDNS8Ret5
3 VX Racing 243655523487665322373415451333386
6767Ret7876698986545413712266687410
4 Team RAC 4224326545314322811134797334252332
76DSQRet10Ret71758665Ret10913RetRet5RetRetRetRet57610DSQ7
5 Team Eurotech 5RetRet9712127RetRetRet1110783Ret54125RetDNS8Ret79RetDNS93
6 Motorbase Performance Ret10813410108RetRet4579Ret11Ret912Ret11Ret3999Ret127874
131112
7Synchro Motorsport89Ret106DNS39DNS77487910789Ret8RetRetDNS1113RetDNSDNSRet66
8 Kartworld Racing 911911DNSRet12Ret10910914121115RetRet10Ret1584RetRet1091591136
9 Fast-Tech Motorsport RetRetDNS128Ret131113DNSDNSDNSRet14Ret811996822
10 Tech-Speed Motorsport Ret121014RetDNS151411101310Ret1614DNSDNSDNS1312Ret101111148915
11 Geoff Steel Racing 10RetRet15911Ret131412RetDNS16151614121014Ret13Ret81014Ret1316Ret1511
12 Quest Racing 101112136RetRet1010RetDNSDNSRetDNSDNS9
13 Xero Competition Ret15121111131313131610Ret11RetDNS12Ret12DNSDNSDNS2
14 InFront Motorsport 11RetDNS1616RetNC14141717181711RetRetRet161714141813130
15 BTC Racing 1312151914Ret0
16RetRet2016Ret
16Team Farécla18RetDNSDNSDNSDNSRetDNSRetDNSDNSDNS1712140
17 NJL Racing with Daniels Motorsport 15DNSDNSNC15DNS0
18 Team Forward Racing 18Ret16RetNCRet0
PosTeam BHI MON OUL THR CRO DON SNE KNO BHI SIL Pts
Source: [5]

Independents Trophy

PosDriver BHI MON OUL THR CRO DON SNE KNO BHI SIL Pts
1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matt Neal 33Ret11341821231445768125122Ret41Ret337
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Colin Turkington 4224327175861432281Ret3479Ret3342DSQ2290
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Shedden RetRet45DSQ613Ret121112417113Ret656Ret264262Ret233
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rob Collard 76DSQRet10Ret6545365Ret10913Ret115RetRetRet75761057174
5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Jordan 5RetRet9712127RetRetRet1110783Ret54125RetDNS8Ret79RetDNS162
6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Kaye 89Ret106DNS39DNS77487910789Ret8RetRetDNS1113RetDNSDNSRet126
7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Pinkney Ret10813410108RetRet4579Ret11Ret912Ret11Ret3999Ret131112124
8 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Hughes 911911DNSRet12Ret10910914121115RetRet10Ret1584RetRet1091591198
9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gareth Howell 79Ret373Ret8516197
10 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Proctor RetRetDNS128Ret131113DNSDNSDNSRet14Ret811996855
11 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Martyn Bell 10RetRet15911Ret131412RetDNS16151614121014Ret13Ret81014Ret1316Ret1546
12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Fiona Leggate Ret121014RetDNS151411101310Ret1614DNSDNSDNS1312Ret36
13 Flag of Ireland.svg Eoin Murray 101112136RetRet1010RetDNSDNSRetDNSDNS33
14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Adam Jones Ret15121111131313131610Ret11RetDNS12Ret12DNSDNSDNS32
15 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul O'Neill 101111148924
16 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Ferrier 127818
17 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Smith 11RetDNS1616RetNC14141717181711RetRetRet1617141418131313
18 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Richard Marsh 18RetDNSDNSDNSDNSRetDNSRetDNSDNSDNS1712144
19 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Stockton 1312Ret1916Ret3
20 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Darren Dowling 16Ret152014Ret0
21 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nick Leason 15DNSDNSNC15DNS0
22 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Jones 18Ret16RetNCRet0
PosDriver BHI MON OUL THR CRO DON SNE KNO BHI SIL Pts
Sources: [4] [5]

Independent Teams Championship

PosTeam BHI MON OUL THR CRO DON SNE KNO BHI SIL Pts
1 Team Halfords 334113118112314113661251222111622
RetRetRet5DSQ643Ret22111241745778537274542Ret
2 Team RAC 4224326545314322811134797334252469
76DSQRet10Ret71758665Ret10913RetRet5RetRetRetRet57610DSQ7
3 Team Eurotech 5RetRet9712127RetRetRet1110783Ret54125RetDNS8Ret79RetDNS164
4 Motorbase Performance Ret10813410108RetRet4579Ret11Ret912Ret11Ret3999Ret1278159
131112
5Synchro Motorsport89Ret106DNS39DNS77487910789Ret8RetRetDNS1113RetDNSDNSRet127
6 Kartworld Racing 911911DNSRet12Ret10910914121115RetRet10Ret1584RetRet10915911102
7 Tech-Speed Motorsport Ret121014RetDNS151411101310Ret1614DNSDNSDNS1312Ret101111148964
8 Fast-Tech Motorsport RetRetDNS128Ret131113DNSDNSDNSRet14Ret811996859
9 Geoff Steel Racing 10RetRet15911Ret131412RetDNS16151614121014Ret13Ret81014Ret1316Ret1548
10 Quest Racing 101112136RetRet1010RetDNSDNSRetDNSDNS34
11 Xero Competition Ret15121111131313131610Ret11RetDNS12Ret12DNSDNSDNS33
12 InFront Motorsport 11RetDNS1616RetNC14141717181711RetRetRet1617141418131315
13 BTC Racing 1312151914Ret5
16RetRet2016Ret
14Team Farécla18RetDNSDNSDNSDNSRetDNSRetDNSDNSDNS1712145
15 NJL Racing with Daniels Motorsport 15DNSDNSNC15DNS0
16 Team Forward Racing 18Ret16RetNCRet0
PosDriver BHI MON OUL THR CRO DON SNE KNO BHI SIL Pts
Source: [5]

References

  1. Meissner, Johan (2006-03-29). "BTCC 2006 entry list released". TouringCarTimes. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  2. Meissner, Johan (9 November 2005). "Provisional 2006 calendar". TouringCarTimes. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  3. "British Touring Car Championship Results 2006". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Championship Standings". TouringCars.net. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Championship Points" (PDF). MST World. 15 October 2006. Retrieved 9 July 2025.