2001 British Touring Car Championship Explained

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.[1]

Changes for 2001

2001 saw a complete overhaul of the BTCC, aimed at reducing the cost of competition, improving the quality of racing and making the series more appealing to the fans. The running of the championship was taken over by British Motorsport Promoters (BMP), replacing TOCA who had run the series since 1992.[2]

New regulations

The escalating costs of Supertouring in the late 1990s had seen manufacturers withdrawing as they were no longer able to justify spending the vast amounts of money required to stay competitive and in the British championship in particular independent entries had dropped to an all time low. In 1999 TOCA had begun looking at the next generation of touring car with changes that included simplified aerodynamics, less expensive carbon fibre and more common parts.[3] In June 2000 BMP unveiled plans for the new look formula designed to be "both spectacular and cost effective..." this included allowing manufacturers to use 2 or 3 door cars, no complicated aerodynamics, and standardized parts such as brakes, wheels, gearbox and differential. It also initially stipulated that only front wheel drive cars would be eligible, however this was later changed to allow rear wheel drive cars.

2001 saw the field divided into two classes: BTC-T (Touring class for the new specification cars) and BTC-P (Production for super production based cars, known previously as Class B).

The race format for 2001 was slightly tweaked, there would be three races per weekend - two separate sprint races, one for the BTC-T class and one for the BTC-P class followed by a combined feature race where the BTC-T class would be required to make a 2 tyre stop between 15 and 75% distance as with the previous three seasons. The BTC-P class cars would not be required to stop. In part this format was introduced to allow the BTC-P teams to score and overall victory/podium and not be in the shadow of the BTC-T class. This format was implemented at the opening round however due to the low grid numbers in the BTC-T class (only eight cars completed qualifying) the sprint race was also combined for the remainder of the season. In order for BTC-P teams to still challenge for an overall victory they would have to complete one less lap, BTC-T teams would start first then after a time delay that varied depending on track length the BTC-P teams got the green light. The BTC-T teams would have to catch and effectively un-lap themselves which created a tortoise and hare style race. Across the season the sprint victories were evenly mixed with seven 'outright' victories for the BTC-P class.

However both classes had their own points system so this made no difference in terms of the championship and it was seen as unnecessarily confusing to the casual fan and was ultimately dropped for 2002.

Teams and driver information

BTC-Touring

The new rules provoked different reactions from the three remaining manufacturers in the BTCC. Ford withdrew completely, whereas Honda took a year out to develop a car to the new rules. Vauxhall immediately set to work on a new car and entered four new-regulation Astra Coupes built and run by Triple 8 Racing.

Yvan Muller and Jason Plato remained in first two entries under the Vauxhall Motorsport banner, while James Thompson moved from Honda to partner Phil Bennett, debuting in the BTCC, in Egg Sport-liveried cars. Bennett received a race ban after five separate incidents at Croft[4] for the sprint race at the following round but wouldn't compete in the feature race either as Vauxhall chose to withdraw him from the weekend. Formula 3 racer Andy Priaulx took over his seat for the two races.

Peugeot re-entered the series with a trio of Vic Lee Racing-prepared 406 Coupes[5] driven by Matt Neal (who left after the first round to compete in the European Touring Car Championship for Team Dynamics), Class B graduate Dan Eaves and touring car veteran Steve Soper. The team re-expanded to three cars for Donington, as superbike racer Aaron Slight made a guest appearance whilst evaluating a full-time switch to four wheels the following year. MG began development of a pair of ZS' built to the new regulations courtesy of West Surrey Racing, these made guest appearances in the hands of ex-Ford and Nissan driver Anthony Reid and former Formula 3 and STW racer Warren Hughes during closing rounds of the season in preparation for a full campaign in 2002.

Two small independent teams filled out the Touring class grid ambitiously entering new cars: JSM fielded a pair of Alfa Romeo 147s in an assault headed by 1992 BTCC champion Tim Harvey in a driver/team manager role. After original intended driver Darren Malkin lost his sponsorship deal prior to the start of the season, the team hired Tom Ferrier after his deal to drive for Vauxhall fell through. It was planned for Harvey to drive the car when Ferrier was fulfilling other driving commitments in the European Super Production Championship. The second car was driven by David Pinkney until he walked away from the team after the Silverstone rounds in June which would see Harvey take over and drive alongside Ferrier. Former independent driver Mark Blair competed in two rounds in place of Ferrier later in the year.

ABG Motorsport entered a Lexus IS200 for Kurt Luby, with plans to expand to a second car[6] for Brazilian GT racer Thomas Erdos later in the year. This did not come off and instead Erdos took Luby's drive mid-season when the Englishman walked away from the team, while the running of the car was taken over by Total Motorsport. After a failed attempt to hire former Volvo and Vauxhall works driver Vincent Radermecker, the car was driven by driver-turned-motoring journalist Steve Sutcliffe as a guest entry in the final round.

BTC-Production

With a low entry in the top class, the grid relied largely on the super production specification base Production class (formerly Class B) to boost grid numbers in this transitional year.

HTML headed the Peugeot entry with Roger Moen and Simon Harrison moving across from the National Saloon Cup, Tech-Speed Motorsport also entered a pair of 306s for MG-F racers Annie Templeton and young gun Paul O'Neill, and teenager Tom Boardman drove a fifth 306 for his family-run team.

Barwell Motorsport fielded a pair of Honda Accords for former works Honda driver 2000 Class B runner up James Kaye and Peter Cate who was replaced by Simon Graves following the first three rounds. Tiff Needell appeared in the second car at Oulton Park in August but was ineligible for points. There were also Accords for Total Control Racing's Jim Edwards Jnr and Synchro Motorsport's Dave Allan. Mark Lemmer raced in place of Allan at Croft and Snetterton.

The Honda contingent was also bolstered by businessman John Batchelor's pair of B&Q-backed Integras, entered for himself (as John B-and-Q) and Nick Beaumont. Joanna Clarke raced in place of Batchelor for three rounds mid season. Nick James also appeared for a handful of rounds in the Integra he raced in the second half of 2000.

The Ford Focus was also competitive in the hands of GR Motorsport, who entered a quartet of cars for youngsters Gareth Howell and Mat Jackson, and veterans Rick Kraemer and Richard Meins. Mein's car was taken over by future champion Gordon Shedden for the Knockhill races. Phil Andrews was also listed as one of the team's intended drivers but never raced.

GA Janspeed entered two Alfa Romeo 156's, campaigned by Gavin Pyper and Colin Blair, a third entry for Italian Antonio Russo was also entered but never raced. Rob Collard returned now driving a self-entered Renault Clio.

Cranfield Automotive entered Mitsubishi Carismas for reigning National Saloon champion Toni Ruokonen, James Levy and Sandro Proietti but the latter was replaced by Andy Neate before the season started. Neate only raced at Brands Hatch and Levy only raced at Oulton Park, the rest of the time, Ruokonen was the team's sole entry.

Bintcliffe Sport ran a single Nissan Primera for Matt Kelly but abandoned their efforts early in the year. Later in the season the first Proton entered in the BTCC, a Satria run by TH Motorsport for Steven Wood, appeared at Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

Other changes

Teams and drivers

TeamCarNo.DriversRounds
Works Entries
MG Sport & RacingMG ZS2 Anthony Reid11–13
20 Warren Hughes11–13
Vauxhall MotorsportVauxhall Astra Coupé4 Yvan MullerAll
5 Jason PlatoAll
egg:sport9nowrap James ThompsonAll
18 Andy Priaulx10
27 Phil Bennett1–9, 11–13
Peugeot Sport UKPeugeot 406 Coupé8 Matt Neal1
22 Dan EavesAll
44 Steve SoperAll
111 Aaron Slight6
Independent Entries
JS MotorsportAlfa Romeo 14714 Tom Ferrier2, 7–9, 12–13
15 Dave Pinkney1–4
16 Tim Harvey3–4, 9–13
17 Mark Blair10–11
ABG MotorsportLexus IS20041 Kurt Luby2–6
42 Tommy Erdos7–9
Total Motorsport10–12
43 Steve Sutcliffe13
Production Entries
HTMLPeugeot 306 GTi50 Roger MöenAll
60 Simon HarrisonAll
TCR/Interactive Network SolutionsHonda Accord51 Jim Edwards Jr.1–4, 6–10
GR MotorsportFord Focus52 Gordon Shedden7
94 Gareth HowellAll
95 Phil AndrewsNone
96 Rick Kraemer1, 3–13
97 Richard Meins1–6, 9–11, 13
98 Mat JacksonAll
Team B&Q/Talksport RadioHonda Integra Type-R53 Joanna Clarke7–9
54 Nick Beaumont1–4, 6–12
55 John B&Qnowrap1–4, 6, 10, 12–13
Tech-Speed MotorsportPeugeot 306 GTi58 Paul O'NeillAll
59 Annie TempletonAll
Collard RacingRenault Clio 17262 Rob Collard1–8, 10–11, 13
GA-Janspeed RacingAlfa Romeo 15663 Antonio RussoNone
64 Gavin PyperAll
65 Colin BlairAll
Team Kaliber Sport with BarwellHonda Accord66 Peter Cate1–3
88 James KayeAll
89 Tiff Needell10
99 Simon Graves4–9, 11–13
Synchro MotorsportHonda Accord68 Mark Lemmer8–9
70 Dave Allan1–4, 6–7, 10–13
Tom Boardman RacingPeugeot 306 GTi77 Tom BoardmanAll
Cranfield Automotive ManagementMitsubishi Carisma78 James Levy3
79 Toni Ruokonen1–5
80 Andy Neate1
Bintcliffe Sport RacingNissan Primera84 Matt Kelly1, 4
Arnold James SportHonda Integra Type-R85 Nick James4, 8, 12
TH MotorsportProton Satria GTi86 Steve Wood11, 13

Not eligible for points.

There was no Independent Cup in 2001.

(https://www.crash.net/btcc/news/6776/1/bumper-btc-entry-lists-announced)

Race calendar and winners

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

RoundCircuitDatePole PositionFastest LapWinning DriverWinning TeamnowrapProduction Class winner
1R1Brands Hatch (Indy), Kent16 April Yvan Muller Yvan Muller
Jason Plato
Yvan Muller
R2 Yvan Muller Yvan Mullernowrap James Thompsonegg:sport James Kaye
2R3Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire7 May Jason Plato Yvan Muller Jason PlatoVauxhall Motorsport Simon Harrison
R4nowrap James Thompsonnowrap James Thompson Yvan MullerVauxhall Motorsport James Kaye
3R5Oulton Park (Island), Cheshire20 May Yvan Muller Jason Plato Yvan MullerVauxhall Motorsport Simon Harrison
R6 Yvan Muller Jason Plato Yvan MullerVauxhall Motorsport Gavin Pyper
4R7Silverstone Circuit (International), Northamptonshire2 June Yvan Muller James Thompson Jason PlatoVauxhall Motorsport Simon Harrison
R8 Yvan Muller Yvan Muller Jason PlatoVauxhall Motorsport Roger Möen
5R9Mondello Park17 June Yvan Muller Yvan Muller Yvan MullerVauxhall Motorsport James Kaye
R10 Yvan Muller Yvan Muller Yvan MullerVauxhall Motorsport James Kaye
6R11Donington Park (Grand Prix), Leicestershire1 Julyegg:sport Roger Möen
R12 James Thompson James Thompson Jason PlatoVauxhall Motorsport Mat Jackson
7R13Knockhill Circuit, Fife22 July Jason Plato Jason Plato Jason PlatoVauxhall Motorsport Simon Graves
R14 Jason Plato Jason Plato Jason PlatonowrapVauxhall Motorsportnowrap Gordon Shedden
8R15Snetterton Circuit, Norfolk4 August Jason Plato Yvan Muller Yvan MullerVauxhall Motorsport Simon Graves
R16 Jason Plato Jason Plato James Thompsonegg:sport Gareth Howell
9R17Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire12 August Phil Bennett Yvan Muller Jason PlatoVauxhall Motorsport Roger Möen
R18 James Thompson Yvan Muller Yvan MullerVauxhall Motorsport Jim Edwards Jr.
10R19Oulton Park (Island), Cheshire26 August Andy Priaulx Jason Plato Yvan MullerVauxhall Motorsport Roger Möen
R20 Andy Priaulx Jason Plato Jason PlatoVauxhall Motorsport Roger Möen
11R21Silverstone Circuit (International), Northamptonshire9 September Phil Bennett Phil Bennett Phil Bennettegg:sport Roger Möen
R22 Phil Bennett Yvan Muller James Thompsonegg:sport James Kaye
12R23Donington Park (Grand Prix), Leicestershire23 September Jason Plato Jason Plato Phil Bennettegg:sport Simon Graves
R24 Jason Plato Jason Plato Yvan MullerVauxhall Motorsport Roger Möen
13R25Brands Hatch (Indy), Kent7 October Yvan Muller Yvan Muller Anthony ReidMG Sport & Racing Simon Graves
R26 Warren Hughes Jason Plato Phil Bennettegg:sport Gavin Pyper

† Both classes had their own separate races.

Championship results tables

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

Drivers' Championship

(key)

Pos.DriverBRHTHROULSILMONDONKNOSNECROOULSILDONBRHvalign=middlePts
Touring Class (BTC-T)
1 Jason Plato22*12*9Ret*31*172*21*21*33*2231*33*53*32336
21Ret*21*71*43*11*33*4Ret22*31*1Ret22*61*4Ret*318
3 James Thompson31*3482543312*7361*53*4241Ret25Ret276
4 Phil Bennett43*43*11Ret621544Ret92*Ret619Ret1Ret*4Ret61*173
5 Dan Eaves5616Ret18Ret*10Ret10Ret54*RetDNS21Ret13593104Ret583*115
6 Steve Soper74*RetRet16Ret1164Ret65*Ret4*20412RetRetRet*20820RetRetDNS93
7 Thomas Erdos8Ret11584116*14614472
8 Tim Harvey173*DNSRetDNSDNSDNSDNSRetRet8516Ret13Ret7Ret43
9 Kurt LubyRet62051558RetRetDNS33
10 Tom FerrierRetDNSRetDNSRetDNS20Ret12Ret*Ret420
11 Andy Priaulx2Ret*15
12 Mark Blair15415Ret15
13 David PinkneyRetRet12RetRetDNS19714
14 Matt Neal6511
drivers ineligible for points
 – Anthony Reid12710Ret1Ret0
 – Warren HughesRet5*118RetRet*0
 – Aaron Slight7Ret*0
 – Steve Sutcliffe9Ret0
Production Class (BTC-P)
1 Simon Harrison8Ret*5Ret17110*9817Ret57810181268*610Ret7*1410227
2 James KayeRet7*75*2Ret99*25*12Ret669Ret6101310Ret9*314107220
3 Roger Möen98*RetRet*3Ret28*61187*Ret1017141Ret57*5Ret26*RetNC212
4 Mat Jackson11910812Ret8Ret117106*RetRet7916710138RetRet9*Ret12151
5 Gareth Howell1011RetRet46Ret115RetRetDNSRetDNS47*78121113Ret7Ret186*139
6 Gavin Pyper1410RetDNS54*RetRet7Ret9Ret*11RetRetRet*4Ret79912*9RetRet5*
7 Simon Graves14RetRetRet*Ret8*1Ret*18*911RetRet1Ret*28*
8 Paul O'NeillRet12RetRetRetDNS712Ret6RetRet121113Ret10RetRetDNSRet118DNS17974
9Ret159914Ret131313121491211146*RetRet71
10 Rick Kraemer19161591815131014101313Ret1515131712Ret131515111570
11 Tom Boardman1517Ret10108Ret1712Ret18RetDSQRet1513DNSDNS16187Ret*1612121166
12 Dave Allan171981521111614159RetDNS1814171419Ret161349
13 Rob Collard13DNSRetNCRetDNS12RetRetDNS11Ret1085RetDNSDNSDNSDNS11RetDNSDNS15Ret
14 Richard Meins20Ret11111910Ret1814RetRetRetRet9201519NC131434
15 Gordon Shedden35*30
16 Nick Beaumont1818612RetRet2019DNSRetRet121412RetDNSRetDNSRet16Ret11
17 Peter Cate161315761227
18 Colin BlairRetDNSRetRet221317RetRet9RetRetRetRet16Ret17Ret19Ret18Ret1710RetRet22
19 Annie Templeton21Ret1313RetRet21Ret16121611RetRet19RetRet14211621Ret18Ret191721
20 Toni Ruokonen1214RetRet13RetNC20RetRet11
21 Mark Lemmer101611Ret*10
22 John B&Q2220141423142221Ret13Ret17DNSDNSRetRetRetRet8
23 Nick JamesRetDNSRetRetDNSDNSNC134
24 Steve Wood2215Ret164
25 Joanna Clarke151418RetRetDNS2
26 Matt KellyRetDNS23162
 – Andy NeateRetRetDNSDNS0
 – James LevyRetRet0
drivers ineligible for points
 – Tiff Needell14DNS0
Pos.DriverBRHTHROULSILMONDONKNOSNECROOULSILDONBRHvalign=middlePts

Manufacturers Championship

PosManufacturerBRHTHROULSILMONDONKNOSNECROOULSILDONBRHvalign=middlePts
1Vauxhall / Vauxhall Motorsport/egg:sport11117131111121212111215132886
2222824332224332323232624Ret
3Ret349Ret54173337Ret63534Ret43Ret35Ret
2Peugeot / Peugeot Sport UK5415Ret16Ret1054Ret54Ret42041259310420583271
65RetRet18Ret11Ret5Ret65RetDNS21Ret13RetRetRet208RetRetRetDNS
767Ret
manufacturers ineligible for points
 –MG / MG Sport & Racing1251081Ret0
Ret711RetRetRet
PosManufacturerBRHTHROULSILMONDONKNOSNECROOULSILDONBRHvalign=middlePts

Touring Teams Championship

PosTeamBRHTHROULSILMONDONKNOSNECROOULSILDONBRHvalign=middlePts
1Vauxhall Motorsport2111111211212269
Ret2Ret323Ret32Ret33Ret
2egg:sport1322322132121211
34Ret44Ret36RetRetRetRetRet
3Peugeot Sport UK4RetRet5Ret4445345395
5RetRetRetRet5DNSRetRetRet8RetDNS
4JS MotorsportRetRet36DNSDNSDNSRet4RetRet437
DNSDNSRetDNSRet5RetRetRet
5ABG Motorsport656RetDNSRet5432
6Total Motorsport664Ret19
teams ineligible for points
 –MG Sport & Racing58Ret0
7RetRet
PosTeamBRHTHROULSILMONDONKNOSNECROOULSILDONBRHvalign=middlePts

† Not eligible for points

Production Teams Championship

PosTeamBRHTHROULSILMONDONKNOSNECROOULSILDONBRHvalign=middlePts
1GR Motorsport9861176577111396205
11119151010139812NC1512
2HTML8Ret788771012710610173
RetRetRet1011Ret1014Ret8Ret7NC
3Team Kaliber Sport with Barwell75129586810109147
137RetRetRetRetRetRet11DNSRetRet8
4Tech-Speed Motorsport1213Ret1261111Ret141611Ret962
RetRetDNSRet12RetRetRetRetDNSRetDNS17
5GA Janspeed Racing10Ret4Ret9RetRetRetRet912105
DNSDNS13RetRetRetRetRetRetRetRetRetRet
6TCR/Interactive Network Solutions159Ret13129116Ret46
7Synchro Motorsport191511149DNS16Ret1414Ret1331
8Tom Boardman Racing1710817RetRetRet13DNS18Ret121130
9Team B&Q/Talksport Radio18121419131212DNS171611Ret
2014Ret21Ret14RetDNSDNSDNSRet
10Arnold James SportDNSRetDNS134
11TH Motorsport15164
12Cranfield Automotive Management14RetRet20Ret3
RetRet
13Collard RacingDNSNCDNSRetDNSRet8RetDNSDNSRetDNSRet
14Bintcliffe Sport RacingDNS162
PosTeamBHITHROULSILMONDONKNOSNECROOULSILDONBHIvalign=middlePts

References

  1. News: Plato on the civil war for his BTCC crown: 'It was disgusting' . . Elson . James . 30 December 2021 . 31 December 2021 . limited.
  2. News: New regulations announced for 2001 BTCC.. 2000-06-28. Crash. 2017-12-10.
  3. Book: Touring Car Year: The Official Review of the Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship: 1999-2000. Haymarket Specialist Publications. 1999. 0860249298.
  4. News: Bennett bags ban for Croft sprint... - BTCC - Autosport. Autosport.com. 2017-12-11. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20171212084345/https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/15824/bennett-bags-ban-for-croft-sprint. 2017-12-12. dead.
  5. News: Peugeot announces 2001 BTCC challenger - BTCC - Autosport. Autosport.com. 2017-12-08. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20171208175015/https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/11897/peugeot-announces-2001-btcc-challenger. 2017-12-08. dead.
  6. Web site: BTCT : Lexus IS200 2. Touring Car Register. 2017-12-11.