1995 British Touring Car Championship

1995 BTCC season
Previous: 1994 Next: 1996

The 1995 Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship was won by John Cleland in a Vauxhall Cavalier. The Independents' title was won by Matt Neal in his Team Dynamics Ford Mondeo with fourteen class wins.

Season review

All the race weekends were now double header meetings, with full points awarded at each race. The exception was the British Grand Prix support round.

Following the controversies over aerodynamic aids in 1994 first used by Alfa Romeo, TOCA announced wings and spoilers were eligible for all the cars in the new season.

After their domination in 1994, Alfa Corse went back to contesting the Italian Supertouring Championship, leaving Prodrive to run the works Alfa team. Derek Warwick was signed to drive alongside Giampiero Simoni with champion Gabriele Tarquini doing occasional appearances. The season was hugely disappointing. Alfa's rivals had overtaken the 155 in development and the Italian team did not score a win or even get on the podium during the whole season. Alfa withdrew from the championship completely at the end of the season to concentrate on their European championship entries.

TWR Volvo replaced the 850 estate with the 850 saloon. Rickard Rydell was partnered with 1992 champion Tim Harvey, and both drivers were in the hunt or the title. Rydell scored 13 pole positions during the season, and challenged for the championship right until the penultimate round.

Renault joined up with WilliamsF1, who re-engineered the Laguna. Alain Menu took more wins than any other driver during the season, ably supported by 1991 champion Will Hoy. Renault won the manufacturers title overall, while Menu fought Rydell and John Cleland for the driver's championship.

Ford were in their third year with the Mondeo, and big things were expected of Paul Radisich, double touring car world cup champion. Sadly, the Mondeo lost ground throughout the year as Ford were not investing in development as heavily as other teams and Radisich would win just once all season. Andy Rouse had retired from driving at the end of the previous year, and is place was taken by Kelvin Burt, who also took one win.

Vauxhall announced that the Cavalier was to be replaced by the new Vectra at the end of the season, so 1995 was the last hurrah for the venerable car. John Cleland was joined by James Thompson, and despite the Volvo and Renault giving strong competition, Cleland's consistency and the Cavalier's reliability took the driver's and teams championships.

Team Schnitzer were heavily involved in other touring car championships around the world in 1995, with 1994 BTCC drivers Joachim Winkelhock competing in the German Supertouring championship which he won, while Steve Soper raced in Japan and took the title there. BMW instead employed it's UK arm to take on the challenge, with factory drivers Johnny Cecotto and David Brabham. The season was a disaster however with no wins or even a podium finish to their credit.

Toyota retained Julian Bailey and Tim Sugden with Toyota Team Europe engineering the Carina, but the squad was short on good results, causing Toyota to drastically reduce their presence in the paddock for the following season.

Peugeot were into their last year running the 405. Patrick Watts led the team once again and managed to score solid results when others ran into trouble. The 405 was now outclassed and would be replaced with the 406 in 1996.

Honda joined the championship with David Leslie leading the team, driving the Accord. Results were promising for the new outfit and towards the end of the season, Leslie managed to step onto the podium.

After a poor year in 1994, Nissan chose to sit out the season, concentrating on the STW. Sadly, BTCC stalwart Kieth O'dor was killed in a crash late on the season.

In the Independents Championship, Matt Neal dominated the season and easily won his second Independent title in his family run Ford Mondeo.

Entry List

Team Car No. Drivers Rounds
Manufacturers
Alfa Romeo Old Spice Racing Alfa Romeo 155 TS 1 Italy Gabriele Tarquini 5, 9–13
5 Italy Giampiero Simoni 1–8
55 United Kingdom Derek Warwick All
Williams Renault Dealer Racing Renault Laguna 2 Switzerland Alain Menu All
22 United Kingdom Will Hoy All
Valvoline Team Mondeo Ford Mondeo Ghia 3 New Zealand Paul Radisich All
33 United Kingdom Kelvin Burt All
Vauxhall Sport Vauxhall Cavalier 16v 4 United Kingdom John Cleland All
10 United Kingdom Jeff Allam 9
14 United Kingdom James Thompson 1–8
24 South Africa Mike Briggs 10–13
Total Team Peugeot Peugeot 405 Mi16 8 United Kingdom Patrick Watts All
18 United Kingdom Simon Harrison All
Volvo 850 Racing Volvo 850 20v 9 United Kingdom Tim Harvey All
15 Sweden Rickard Rydell All
Team Toyota GB Toyota Carina E 11 United Kingdom Julian Bailey All
12 United Kingdom Tim Sugden All
BMW Motorsport Team BMW 318i 16 Venezuela Johnny Cecotto All
17 Australia David Brabham All
Honda Team MSD Honda Accord 20 United Kingdom David Leslie All
21 United Kingdom James Kaye All
Independents
Thames Ford Dealers Ford Mondeo Ghia 19 Australia Charlie Cox 1–3
Ford Mondeo 10–13
Mint Motorsport Ford Mondeo Ghia 23 United Kingdom Richard Kaye All
HMSO Bookshops Vauxhall Cavalier 16v 25 United Kingdom Nigel Smith All
SCB Vehicle Dismantlers Peugeot 405 Mi16 26 United Kingdom Hamish Irvine All
Foesport Ford Mondeo Ghia 27 United Kingdom Robb Gravett 8–13
Roy Kennedy Racing Vauxhall Cavalier 16v 30 1
Team Magic Mazda 323F 32 Sweden Slim Borgudd DNS*
Team Dynamics Ford Mondeo Ghia 77 United Kingdom Matt Neal All

Race calendar and winners

All races were held in the United Kingdom.

Round Circuit Date Pole Position Fastest Lap Winning Driver Winning Team Winning Independent
1 R1 Donington Park (Grand Prix), Leicestershire 2 April Sweden Rickard Rydell United Kingdom John Cleland United Kingdom John Cleland Vauxhall Sport United Kingdom Matt Neal
R2 Sweden Rickard Rydell Sweden Rickard Rydell Sweden Rickard Rydell Volvo 850 Racing United Kingdom Matt Neal
2 R3 Brands Hatch (Indy), Kent 17 April Sweden Rickard Rydell New Zealand Paul Radisich United Kingdom Tim Harvey Volvo 850 Racing Australia Charlie Cox
R4 Sweden Rickard Rydell United Kingdom Kelvin Burt United Kingdom Tim Harvey Volvo 850 Racing United Kingdom Matt Neal
3 R5 Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire 8 May Switzerland Alain Menu Switzerland Alain Menu Switzerland Alain Menu Williams Renault Dealer Racing United Kingdom Nigel Smith
R6 United Kingdom James Thompson United Kingdom James Thompson United Kingdom James Thompson Vauxhall Sport United Kingdom Nigel Smith
4 R7 Silverstone Circuit (National), Northamptonshire 14 May Sweden Rickard Rydell New Zealand Paul Radisich Sweden Rickard Rydell Volvo 850 Racing United Kingdom Matt Neal
R8 Sweden Rickard Rydell New Zealand Paul Radisich New Zealand Paul Radisich Valvoline Team Mondeo United Kingdom Matt Neal
5 R9 Oulton Park (International), Cheshire 29 May United Kingdom James Thompson Switzerland Alain Menu Sweden Rickard Rydell Volvo 850 Racing United Kingdom Nigel Smith
R10 Sweden Rickard Rydell Switzerland Alain Menu Switzerland Alain Menu Williams Renault Dealer Racing United Kingdom Matt Neal
6 R11 Brands Hatch (Grand Prix), Kent 11 June Switzerland Alain Menu United Kingdom John Cleland Switzerland Alain Menu Williams Renault Dealer Racing United Kingdom Hamish Irvine
R12 Switzerland Alain Menu Switzerland Alain Menu United Kingdom John Cleland Vauxhall Sport United Kingdom Richard Kaye
7 R13 Donington Park (Grand Prix), Leicestershire 25 June United Kingdom John Cleland United Kingdom John Cleland United Kingdom John Cleland Vauxhall Sport United Kingdom Nigel Smith
R14 United Kingdom John Cleland United Kingdom John Cleland United Kingdom John Cleland Vauxhall Sport United Kingdom Richard Kaye
8 R15 Silverstone Circuit (Grand Prix), Northamptonshire 16 July United Kingdom John Cleland United Kingdom Julian Bailey United Kingdom John Cleland Vauxhall Sport United Kingdom Robb Gravett
9 R16 Knockhill Circuit, Fife 30 July Sweden Rickard Rydell Sweden Rickard Rydell Sweden Rickard Rydell Volvo 850 Racing United Kingdom Matt Neal
R17 Sweden Rickard Rydell United Kingdom Tim Harvey Switzerland Alain Menu Williams Renault Dealer Racing United Kingdom Matt Neal
10 R18 Brands Hatch (Indy), Kent 13 August Sweden Rickard Rydell Sweden Rickard Rydell United Kingdom Will Hoy Williams Renault Dealer Racing United Kingdom Matt Neal
R19 Sweden Rickard Rydell United Kingdom John Cleland United Kingdom John Cleland Vauxhall Sport United Kingdom Matt Neal
11 R20 Snetterton Circuit, Norfolk 28 August Sweden Rickard Rydell Venezuela Johnny Cecotto United Kingdom Kelvin Burt Valvoline Team Mondeo United Kingdom Robb Gravett
R21 Sweden Rickard Rydell Sweden Rickard Rydell United Kingdom Will Hoy Williams Renault Dealer Racing United Kingdom Matt Neal
12 R22 Oulton Park (Fosters), Cheshire 24 September Switzerland Alain Menu Switzerland Alain Menu Switzerland Alain Menu Williams Renault Dealer Racing United Kingdom Matt Neal
R23 Switzerland Alain Menu Switzerland Alain Menu Switzerland Alain Menu Williams Renault Dealer Racing United Kingdom Matt Neal
13 R24 Silverstone Circuit (National), Northamptonshire 1 October United Kingdom John Cleland Switzerland Alain Menu Switzerland Alain Menu Williams Renault Dealer Racing United Kingdom Richard Kaye
R25 Switzerland Alain Menu Switzerland Alain Menu United Kingdom Will Hoy Williams Renault Dealer Racing United Kingdom Matt Neal

Results

Points tables for the various titles as follows:[2]

Drivers Championship

Note: bold signifies pole position, italics signifies fastest lap.

Points system
 1st   2nd   3rd   4th   5th   6th   7th   8th   9th   10th 
24 18 12 10 8 6 4 3 2 1
Pos. Driver DON BHI THR SIL OUL BHGP DON SIL KNO BHI SNE OUL SIL Pts
1 United Kingdom John Cleland 1 2 Ret Ret 2 5 3 5 2 3 2 1 1 1 1 5 6 3 1 13 3 3 2 3 3 348
2 Switzerland Alain Menu 2 4 7 9 1 2 Ret 4 3 1 1 3 3 4 16 Ret 1 4 18 Ret 10 1 1 1 2 305
3 Sweden Rickard Rydell 4 1 13 3 9 4 1 2 1 2 7 DNS 2 6 17 1 2 2 3 14 Ret 5 10 7 Ret 255
4 United Kingdom Will Hoy 6 5 9 7 Ret Ret 5 15 Ret 18 4 4 12 8 2 Ret Ret 1 2 12 1 2 Ret 2 1 195
5 United Kingdom Tim Harvey 8 3 1 1 15 7 7 3 8 15 3 5 10 12 Ret 2 3 7 7 Ret 2 Ret 5 10 7 176
6 New Zealand Paul Radisich 3 6 2 DNS Ret 6 2 1 Ret 5 Ret 7 5 2 6 Ret Ret 14 Ret 9 Ret Ret 12 18 12 130
7 United Kingdom James Thompson 7 7 Ret 2 Ret 1 4 Ret 6 4 Ret 2 4 5 3 124
8 United Kingdom Kelvin Burt Ret 13 3 4 Ret 3 Ret 7 DNS 6 Ret 14 9 3 5 3 Ret 13 11 1 12 10 7 4 Ret 117
9 United Kingdom Julian Bailey Ret Ret 6 8 7 8 Ret DNS 4 9 6 6 6 7 4 6 9 9 Ret 11 6 Ret 4 Ret 5 94
10 United Kingdom Patrick Watts 13 11 8 DNS 3 Ret 6 10 Ret 13 5 8 15 Ret 10 DNS 11 11 6 2 Ret Ret Ret 11 8 61
11 United Kingdom David Leslie Ret Ret 17 17 8 12 9 8 DNS DNS 12 18 7 9 12 11 7 17 10 8 8 6 3 5 4 61
12 Venezuela Johnny Cecotto 5 8 11 5 Ret 11 11 12 9 Ret 10 9 Ret Ret DNS 4 Ret 5 Ret 10 Ret Ret 6 Ret Ret 49
13 Australia David Brabham 12 12 4 6 5 Ret 8 11 10 8 Ret 10 11 11 7 DNS 4 Ret Ret 16 17 11 Ret 9 Ret 48
14 United Kingdom Tim Sugden 9 Ret 14 10 4 Ret Ret 6 Ret 11 Ret DNS 8 13 8 7 10 12 9 6 7 Ret Ret 13 6 48
15 South Africa Michael Briggs 6 5 7 5 12 8 6 Ret 35
16 Italy Gabriele Tarquini 11 Ret Ret 8 Ret 4 4 Ret 4 13 Ret 15 33
17 Italy Giampiero Simoni 10 9 10 12 6 10 Ret 9 5 7 9 12 Ret Ret 11 27
18 United Kingdom James Kaye 11 10 19 14 16 13 10 13 14 10 13 19 14 10 Ret Ret 5 10 8 18 9 7 9 16 9 25
19 United Kingdom Derek Warwick Ret Ret 12 Ret 12 Ret 16 17 DNS DNS 8 11 13 Ret 9 Ret 16 8 14 Ret 13 8 Ret 8 10 15
20 United Kingdom Robb Gravett 19 15 13 10 14 19 13 3 Ret 16 DNS 15 Ret 13
21 United Kingdom Matt Neal 15 14 16 13 Ret 15 13 14 13 14 Ret DNS Ret Ret 14 9 13 15 12 15 4 13 11 17 11 12
22 United Kingdom Simon Harrison 14 17 15 11 10 9 12 16 7 12 11 13 Ret Ret 15 Ret Ret Ret DNS 19 11 9 Ret Ret DNS 9
23 Australia Charlie Cox 18 Ret 5 15 13 DNS 21 15 Ret 16 Ret DNS Ret 14 8
24 United Kingdom Richard Kaye 17 Ret 20 19 14 16 14 18 15 17 15 15 17 14 Ret 13 15 18 17 5 14 15 15 12 13 8
25 United Kingdom Jeff Allam 8 12 3
26 United Kingdom Nigel Smith 16 16 18 16 11 14 Ret Ret 12 16 16 17 16 Ret Ret 12 18 16 16 17 15 14 14 Ret DNS 0
27 United Kingdom Hamish Irvine Ret 18 Ret 18 Ret DNS 15 Ret 16 Ret 14 16 18 15 18 14 17 20 Ret Ret DNS 17 16 14 Ret 0
Pos. Driver DON BHI THR SIL OUL BHGP DON SIL KNO BHI SNE OUL SIL Pts

Total Cup for Privateers

Pos. Driver DON BHI THR SIL OUL BHGP DON SIL KNO BHI SNE OUL SIL Pts
1 United Kingdom Matt Neal 15 14 16 13 Ret 15 13 14 13 14 Ret DNS Ret Ret 14 9 13 15 12 15 4 13 11 17 11 430
2 United Kingdom Richard Kaye 17 Ret 20 19 14 16 14 18 15 17 15 15 17 14 Ret 13 15 18 17 5 14 15 15 12 13 342
3 United Kingdom Nigel Smith 16 16 18 16 11 14 Ret Ret 12 16 16 17 16 Ret Ret 12 18 16 16 17 15 14 14 Ret DNS 298
4 United Kingdom Hamish Irvine Ret 18 Ret 18 Ret DNS 15 Ret 16 Ret 14 16 18 15 18 14 17 20 Ret Ret DNS 17 16 14 Ret 188
5 United Kingdom Robb Gravett 19 15 13 10 14 19 13 3 Ret 16 DNS 15 Ret 160
6 Australia Charlie Cox 18 Ret 5 15 13 DNS 21 15 Ret 16 Ret DNS Ret 14 110
Pos. Driver DON BHI THR SIL OUL BHGP DON SIL KNO BHI SNE OUL SIL Pts

Manufacturers Championship

Pos Manufacturer DON BHI THR SIL OUL BHGP DON SIL KNO BHI SNE OUL SIL Pts
1 Renault / Williams Renault Dealer Team 2 4 7 7 1 2 5 4 3 1 1 3 3 4 2 Ret 1 1 2 12 1 1 1 1 1 419
2 Vauxhall / Vauxhall Sport 1 2 Ret 2 2 1 3 5 2 3 2 1 1 1 1 5 6 3 1 7 3 3 2 3 3 414
3 Volvo / Volvo 850 Racing 4 1 1 1 9 4 1 2 1 2 3 5 2 6 17 1 2 2 3 14 2 5 5 7 7 359
4 Ford / Valvoline Team Mondeo 3 6 2 4 Ret 3 2 1 Ret 5 Ret 7 5 2 5 3 Ret 13 11 1 12 10 7 4 12 236
5 Toyota / Team Toyota GB 9 Ret 6 8 4 8 Ret 6 4 9 6 6 6 7 4 6 9 9 9 6 6 Ret 4 13 5 172
6 BMW / BMW Motorsport Team 5 8 4 5 5 11 8 11 9 8 10 9 11 11 7 4 4 5 Ret 10 17 11 6 9 Ret 144
7 Honda / Honda Team MSD 11 10 17 14 8 12 9 8 14 10 12 18 7 9 12 11 5 10 8 8 8 6 3 5 4 136
8 Alfa Romeo / Alfa Romeo Old Spice Racing 10 9 10 12 6 10 16 9 5 7 8 11 13 Ret 9 Ret 8 8 4 4 13 4 13 8 10 132
9 Peugeot / Total Team Peugeot 13 11 8 11 3 9 6 10 7 12 5 8 15 Ret 10 Ret 11 11 6 2 11 9 Ret 11 8 127
Pos Manufacturer DON BHI THR SIL OUL BHGP DON SIL KNO BHI SNE OUL SIL Pts

Teams Championship

Pos Team DON BHI THR SIL OUL BHGP DON SIL KNO BHI SNE OUL SIL Pts
1 Vauxhall Sport 1 2 Ret 2 2 1 3 5 2 3 2 1 1 1 1 5 6 3 1 7 3 3 2 3 3 510
7 7 Ret Ret Ret 5 4 Ret 6 4 Ret 2 4 5 3 8 12 6 5 13 5 12 8 6 Ret
2 Williams Renault Dealer Team 2 4 7 7 1 2 5 4 3 1 1 3 3 4 2 Ret 1 1 2 12 1 1 1 1 1 500
6 5 9 9 Ret Ret Ret 15 Ret 18 4 4 12 8 16 Ret Ret 4 18 Ret 10 2 Ret 2 2
3 Volvo 850 Racing 4 1 1 1 9 4 1 2 1 2 3 5 2 6 17 1 2 2 3 14 2 5 5 7 7 431
8 3 13 3 15 7 7 3 8 15 7 DNS 10 12 Ret 2 3 7 7 Ret Ret Ret 10 10 Ret
4 Valvoline Team Mondeo 3 6 2 4 Ret 3 2 1 Ret 5 Ret 7 5 2 5 3 Ret 13 11 1 12 10 7 4 12 247
Ret 13 3 DNS Ret 6 Ret 7 DNS 6 Ret 14 9 3 6 Ret Ret 14 Ret 9 Ret Ret 12 18 Ret
5 Team Toyota GB 9 Ret 6 8 4 8 Ret 6 4 9 6 6 6 7 4 6 9 9 9 6 6 Ret 4 13 5 142
Ret Ret 14 10 7 Ret Ret DNS Ret 11 Ret DNS 8 13 8 7 10 12 Ret 11 7 Ret Ret Ret 6
6 BMW Motorsport Team 5 8 4 5 5 11 8 11 9 8 10 9 11 11 7 4 4 5 Ret 10 17 11 6 9 Ret 97
12 12 11 6 Ret Ret 11 12 10 Ret Ret 10 Ret Ret DNS DNS Ret Ret Ret 16 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret
7 Honda Team MSD 11 10 17 14 8 12 9 8 14 10 12 18 7 9 12 11 5 10 8 8 8 6 3 5 4 87
Ret Ret 19 17 16 13 10 13 DNS DNS 13 19 14 10 Ret Ret 7 17 10 18 9 7 9 16 9
8 Alfa Romeo Old Spice Racing 10 9 10 12 6 10 16 9 5 7 8 11 13 Ret 9 Ret 8 8 4 4 13 4 13 8 10 75
Ret Ret 12 Ret 12 Ret Ret 17 11 Ret 9 12 Ret Ret 11 Ret 12 Ret 14 Ret Ret 8 Ret Ret 15
9 Total Team Peugeot 13 11 8 11 3 9 6 10 7 12 5 8 15 Ret 10 Ret 11 11 6 2 11 9 Ret 11 8 70
14 17 15 DNS 10 Ret 12 16 Ret 13 11 13 Ret Ret 15 DNS Ret Ret DNS 19 Ret Ret Ret Ret DNS
10 Foesport 13 10 14 19 13 3 Ret 16 DNS 15 Ret 13
11 Team Dynamics 15 14 16 13 Ret 15 13 14 13 14 Ret DNS Ret Ret 14 9 13 15 12 15 4 13 11 17 11 12
12 Thames Ford Dealers 18 Ret 5 15 13 DNS 21 15 Ret 16 Ret DNS Ret 14 8
13 Mint Motorsport 17 Ret 20 19 14 16 14 18 15 17 15 15 17 14 Ret 13 15 18 17 5 14 15 15 12 13 8
14 HMSO Bookshops 16 16 18 16 11 14 Ret Ret 12 16 16 17 16 Ret Ret 12 18 16 16 17 15 14 14 Ret DNS 0
15 SCB Vehicle Dismantlers Ret 18 Ret 18 Ret DNS 15 Ret 16 Ret 14 16 18 15 18 14 17 20 Ret Ret DNS 17 16 14 Ret 0
16 Roy Kennedy Racing 19 15 0
Pos Team DON BHI THR SIL OUL BHGP DON SIL KNO BHI SNE OUL SIL Pts

References

  1. http://www.motorsport.com/btcc/news/btcc-1995-entry-list-2006-04-10/
  2. Touring Car Year 95–96. Teddington: Haymarket Specialist Motoring Publications Ltd. 1996. p. 122. ISBN 0-86024-925-5.
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