2006 British Touring Car Championship Explained

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.

Changes for 2006

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.(https://www.touringcartimes.com/2006/03/29/btcc-2006-entry-list-released/)

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 RacingVauxhall Astra Sport Hatch5 Tom ChiltonAll
10 Gavin SmithAll
11nowrap Fabrizio GiovanardiAll
90 Erkut Kızılırmak5, 7
Works S2000 Entries
SEAT Sport UKSEAT León4 Jason PlatoAll
14 James Thompsonnowrap1–3, 5, 7, 10
24 Darren Turner4, 6, 8–10
Independent BTC-T Entries
Team HalfordsHonda Integra Type-R1 Matt NealAll
25 Gareth Howell7–10
52 Gordon SheddenAll
Team RACMG ZS6 Colin TurkingtonAll
7 Rob CollardAll
Fast-Tec MotorsportHonda Civic Type-R12 Mark Proctor1–3, 5, 7–8
Peugeot 30716 Richard Marsh6–10
NJL Racing with Daniels MotorsportVauxhall Astra Coupé19 Nick Leason9–10
Synchro MotorsportHonda Civic Type-R20 James KayeAll
Kartworld RacingMG ZS28 Jason HughesAll
Motorbase PerformanceHonda Integra Type-R55 Dave PinkneyAll
nowrapTeam Eurotech Racing with John GuestHonda Integra Type-R77 Mike JordanAll
Thurlby Motors Boston Bowl with Tech-SpeedVauxhall Astra Coupé82 Fiona Leggate1–7
Paul O'Neill9–10
Independent S2000 Entries
Geoff Steel RacingBMW 320i15 Martyn BellAll
Quest RacingAlfa Romeo 15617 Eoin Murray5–7, 9–10
Xero CompetitionLexus IS20021 Adam Jones3–6, 8–10
Team Forward Racing79 Mark Jones9–10
Motorbase PerformanceSEAT Toledo Cupra23 Tom Ferrier10
BTC RacingLexus IS20042 Darren Dowling9–10
43 Chris Stockton9–10
InFront MotorsportAlfa Romeo 15666 Mark Smith1, 3–7, 9–10

Season Calendar

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

RoundCircuitDatePole PositionFastest LapWinning DriverWinning Team
1R1Brands Hatch Indy, Kent9 April Tom Chilton Tom Chiltonnowrap James ThompsonSEAT Sport UK
R2 Jason Plato James ThompsonSEAT Sport UK
R3 Gordon Shedden Jason PlatoSEAT Sport UK
2R4Mondello Park23 April Matt Neal Matt Neal Matt NealTeam Halfords
R5 Jason Plato Matt NealTeam Halfords
R6 Rob Collard Mike JordannowrapTeam Eurotech Racing
3R7Oulton Park Island, Cheshire14 May Jason Plato Jason Plato Gordon SheddenTeam Halfords
R8nowrap Colin Turkington Matt NealTeam Halfords
R9 Jason Plato Jason PlatoSEAT Sport UK
4R10Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire4 June Gordon Shedden Gordon Shedden Gordon SheddenTeam Halfords
R11 David Pinkney Matt NealTeam Halfords
R12 Colin Turkington Colin TurkingtonTeam RAC
5R13Croft Circuit, Yorkshire16 Julynowrap James Thompsonnowrap James Thompson Jason PlatoSEAT Sport UK
R14 Gordon Shedden Matt NealTeam Halfords
R15 Gordon Shedden James ThompsonSEAT Sport UK
6R16Donington Park National30 July Gordon Shedden Gordon Shedden Gordon SheddenTeam Halfords
R17 Rob Collard Gordon SheddenTeam Halfords
R18 Colin Turkington Colin TurkingtonTeam RAC
7R19Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit, Norfolk13 August Jason Plato Gavin Smith Jason PlatoSEAT Sport UK
R20 Colin Turkington Jason PlatoSEAT Sport UK
R21 Gordon Shedden Matt NealTeam Halfords
8R22Knockhill Racing Circuit, Fife3 September Jason Plato Gordon Shedden Jason PlatoSEAT Sport UK
R23 Colin Turkington Fabrizio GiovanardiVX Racing
R24 Gordon Shedden Matt NealTeam Halfords
9R25Brands Hatch Indy, Kent24 September Jason Plato Jason Plato Jason PlatoSEAT Sport UK
R26 Jason Plato Jason PlatoSEAT Sport UK
R27 Tom Chiltonnowrap Fabrizio GiovanardiVX Racing
10R28Silverstone National15 October Gareth Howell Gareth Howell Gareth HowellTeam Halfords
R29 Gordon Shedden Matt NealTeam Halfords
R30 Gareth Howell Gareth HowellTeam Halfords

Championship standings

Drivers' Championship

PosDriverBHIMONOULTHRCRODONSNEKNOBHISILvalign=middlePts
1 Matt Neal33Ret1*1*341*821*231*4457681*251*22Ret41*Ret289
2 Jason PlatoRet51*22814*61*RetRet31*2*37RetRet1*1*61*Ret*DNS1*1*38Ret4241
3 Colin Turkington4224327175861*4322*81*Ret3479Ret*3342DSQ2240
4 Gordon SheddenRetRet45DSQ61*3Ret1*211124171*1*3Ret656Ret2*74262Ret204
5 Fabrizio GiovanardiRet867Ret5529Ret8126Ret534*23RetRet41*6651*7316163
6 James Thompson1*1*53Ret41142*2*51*2225Ret5162
7 Tom Chilton2*73*6Ret9973*498Ret865Ret6Ret73*12RetRet468*3Ret3139
8 Gavin Smith64785781066127968*6254Ret7Ret25RetNC1011410123
9 Rob Collard76DSQRet10Ret6545365Ret10913Ret115RetRetRet7576105797
10 Mike Jordan5RetRet971*2127RetRetRet1110783Ret54125RetDNS8Ret79RetDNS91
11 Gareth Howell79Ret373Ret851*6*1*80
12 James Kaye89Ret106DNS39DNS77487910789Ret8RetRetDNS1113RetDNSDNSRet61
13 David PinkneyRet10813410108RetRet4579Ret11Ret912Ret11Ret3999Ret13111256
14 Darren Turner35Ret129410DSQ4RetRetDNSRet10641
15 Jason Hughes911911DNSRet12Ret10910914121115RetRet10Ret1584RetRet1091591127
16 Mark ProctorRetRetDNS128Ret131113DNSDNSDNSRet14Ret811996818
17 Eoin Murray101112136RetRet1010RetDNSDNSRetDNSDNS8
18 Martyn Bell10RetRet15911Ret131412RetDNS16151614121014Ret13Ret81014Ret1316Ret158
19 Tom Ferrier12787
20 Paul O'Neill1011111489*7
21 Fiona LeggateRet121014RetDNS151411101310Ret1614DNSDNSDNS1312Ret3
22 Adam JonesRet15121111131313131610Ret11RetDNS12Ret12DNSDNSDNS1
23 Mark Smith11RetDNS1616RetNC14141717181711RetRetRet161714141813130
24 Chris Stockton1312Ret1916Ret0
25 Richard Marsh18RetDNSDNSDNSDNSRetDNSRetDNSDNSDNS1712140
26 Erkut Kizilirmak15Ret15Ret13140
27 Darren Dowling16Ret152014Ret0
28 Nick Leason15DNSDNSNC15DNS0
29 Mark Jones18Ret16RetNCRet0
PosDriverBHIMONOULTHRCRODONSNEKNOBHISILvalign=middlePts

Manufacturers Championship

PosManufacturerBHIMONOULTHRCRODONSNEKNOBHISILvalign=middlePts
1SEAT / SEAT Sport UK11122411413531217941121Ret41135Ret4572
Ret553Ret81462RetRetRet25312RetRet22610DSQDNSRetDNSDNS8Ret5
2Vauxhall / VX Racing2736Ret5523488685342373416451333528
Ret867Ret9979Ret912RetRet65Ret6RetRetRet12RetRet6687Ret16

Teams Championship

PosTeamBHIMONOULTHRCRODONSNEKNOBHISILvalign=middlePts
1Team Halfords334113118112314113661251222111512
RetRetRet5DSQ643Ret22111241745778537274542Ret
2SEAT Sport UK11122411413531217941121Ret41135104418
Ret553Ret81462RetRetRet25312RetRet22610DSQDNSRetDNSDNS8Ret5
3VX Racing243655523487665322373415451333386
6767Ret7876698986545413712266687410
4Team RAC4224326545314322811134797334252332
76DSQRet10Ret71758665Ret10913RetRet5RetRetRetRet57610DSQ7
5Team Eurotech5RetRet9712127RetRetRet1110783Ret54125RetDNS8Ret79RetDNS93
6Motorbase PerformanceRet10813410108RetRet4579Ret11Ret912Ret11Ret3999Ret127874
131112
7Synchro Motorsport89Ret106DNS39DNS77487910789Ret8RetRetDNS1113RetDNSDNSRet66
8Kartworld Racing911911DNSRet12Ret10910914121115RetRet10Ret1584RetRet1091591136
9Fast-Tech MotorsportRetRetDNS128Ret131113DNSDNSDNSRet14Ret811996822
10Tech-Speed MotorsportRet121014RetDNS151411101310Ret1614DNSDNSDNS1312Ret101111148915
11Geoff Steel Racing10RetRet15911Ret131412RetDNS16151614121014Ret13Ret81014Ret1316Ret1511
12Quest Racing101112136RetRet1010RetDNSDNSRetDNSDNS9
13Xero CompetitionRet15121111131313131610Ret11RetDNS12Ret12DNSDNSDNS2
14InFront Motorsport11RetDNS1616RetNC14141717181711RetRetRet161714141813130
15BTC Racing1312151914Ret0
16RetRet2016Ret
1618RetDNSDNSDNSDNSRetDNSRetDNSDNSDNS1712140
17align=left nowrapNJL Racing with Daniels Motorsport15DNSDNSNC15DNS0
18Team Forward Racing18Ret16RetNCRet0
PosTeamBHIMONOULTHRCRODONSNEKNOBHISILvalign=middlePts

Independents Trophy

PosDriverBHIMONOULTHRCRODONSNEKNOBHISILvalign=middlePts
1 Matt Neal33Ret11341821231445768125122Ret41Ret337
24224327175861432281Ret3479Ret3342DSQ2290
3align=left nowrap Gordon SheddenRetRet45DSQ613Ret121112417113Ret656Ret264262Ret233
4 Rob Collard76DSQRet10Ret6545365Ret10913Ret115RetRetRet75761057174
5 Mike Jordan5RetRet9712127RetRetRet1110783Ret54125RetDNS8Ret79RetDNS162
6 James Kaye89Ret106DNS39DNS77487910789Ret8RetRetDNS1113RetDNSDNSRet126
7 David PinkneyRet10813410108RetRet4579Ret11Ret912Ret11Ret3999Ret131112124
8 Jason Hughes911911DNSRet12Ret10910914121115RetRet10Ret1584RetRet1091591198
9 Gareth Howell79Ret373Ret8516197
10 Mark ProctorRetRetDNS128Ret131113DNSDNSDNSRet14Ret811996855
11 Martyn Bell10RetRet15911Ret131412RetDNS16151614121014Ret13Ret81014Ret1316Ret1546
12 Fiona LeggateRet121014RetDNS151411101310Ret1614DNSDNSDNS1312Ret36
13 Eoin Murray101112136RetRet1010RetDNSDNSRetDNSDNS33
14 Adam JonesRet15121111131313131610Ret11RetDNS12Ret12DNSDNSDNS32
15 Paul O'Neill101111148924
16 Tom Ferrier127818
17 Mark Smith11RetDNS1616RetNC14141717181711RetRetRet1617141418131313
18 Richard Marsh18RetDNSDNSDNSDNSRetDNSRetDNSDNSDNS1712144
19 Chris Stockton1312Ret1916Ret3
20 Darren Dowling16Ret152014Ret0
21 Nick Leason15DNSDNSNC15DNS0
22 Mark Jones18Ret16RetNCRet0
PosDriverBHIMONOULTHRCRODONSNEKNOBHISILvalign=middlePts

Independent Teams Championship

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PosTeamBHIMONOULTHRCRODONSNEKNOBHISILvalign=middlePts
1Team Halfords334113118112314113661251222111622
RetRetRet5DSQ643Ret22111241745778537274542Ret
2Team RAC4224326545314322811134797334252469
76DSQRet10Ret71758665Ret10913RetRet5RetRetRetRet57610DSQ7
3Team Eurotech5RetRet9712127RetRetRet1110783Ret54125RetDNS8Ret79RetDNS164
4Motorbase PerformanceRet10813410108RetRet4579Ret11Ret912Ret11Ret3999Ret1278159
131112
5Synchro Motorsport89Ret106DNS39DNS77487910789Ret8RetRetDNS1113RetDNSDNSRet127
6Kartworld Racing911911DNSRet12Ret10910914121115RetRet10Ret1584RetRet10915911102
7Tech-Speed MotorsportRet121014RetDNS151411101310Ret1614DNSDNSDNS1312Ret101111148964
8Fast-Tech MotorsportRetRetDNS128Ret131113DNSDNSDNSRet14Ret811996859
9Geoff Steel Racing10RetRet15911Ret131412RetDNS16151614121014Ret13Ret81014Ret1316Ret1548
10Quest Racing101112136RetRet1010RetDNSDNSRetDNSDNS34
11Xero CompetitionRet15121111131313131610Ret11RetDNS12Ret12DNSDNSDNS33
12InFront Motorsport11RetDNS1616RetNC14141717181711RetRetRet1617141418131315
13BTC Racing1312151914Ret5
16RetRet2016Ret
1418RetDNSDNSDNSDNSRetDNSRetDNSDNSDNS1712145
15align=left nowrapNJL Racing with Daniels Motorsport15DNSDNSNC15DNS0
16Team Forward Racing18Ret16RetNCRet0
PosDriverBHIMONOULTHRCRODONSNEKNOBHISILvalign=middlePts