British Saloon/Touring Car Championships

[Craig]

Can anyone give any assistance into confirming the title of the various series which are seen as having been the direct forerunner of the current British Touring Car Championship?

I have the following - any idea how accurate these are??

1958 - 1962 BRSCC Saloon Car Championship
1963 - 1968 BRSCC British Saloon Car Championship
1969 - 1971 RAC British Saloon Car Championship
1972 RAC Wiggins Teape Paperchase British Saloon Car Championship
1973 RAC British Saloon Car Championship
1974 RAC Castrol Anniversary Saloon Car Championship
1975 RAC Southern Organs British Saloon Car Championship
1976 RAC Keith Prowse British Saloon Car Championship
1977 - 1983 RAC Tricentrol British Saloon Car Championship
1984 - 1985 RAC Trimoco British Touring Car Championship
1986 RAC Tricentrol British Touring Car Championship
1987 - 1988 RAC Dunlop British Touring Car Championship
1989 - 1992 RAC ESSO British Touring Car Championship
1993 - 2000 Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship
2001 TheAA.com MSA British Touring Car Championship
2002 - 2003 Green Flag Motoring Assistance MSA British Touring Car Championship

Thanks in advance

[Craig]

Couple of questions:

I have heard of the 'Britax Production Saloon Championship' which ran in the early seventies - I presume this was a similar status to the old National Saloons Championship which ran until 2000?

I have also heard the 1975 and 1976 series referred to as 'Touring Car Championship' rather than 'Saloon Car Championship' - which was the official title?

[glyn parham]

Craig.
I think that Britax was either the old group 1 championship or production (price based)saloon car championship of the early seventies.
As the RAC were the organisors of the headline championship from 1968/9 onwards the term "Touring Cars" was used for the Group 5/2/1 championships until TOCA took over in the early nineties, saloon cars was used to differentiate the lesser championships etc.

[supertouring]

"Southern Organs" has always sounded to me like some early surgical transplant supplier! I assume they sold keyboards?

[Andrew Kitson]

Originally posted by Craig Antill
Can anyone give any assistance into confirming the title of the various series which are seen as having been the direct forerunner of the current British Touring Car Championship?

Craig,

According to the old race programmes I have, the Championships are named/listed thus ( with regs):

1958 - 1962 BRSCC Saloon Car Championship
1963 - 1965 British Saloon Car Championship (Group 2 Regs)
1966-1968 British Saloon Car Championship (Group 5 Regs)
1969 RAC British Saloon Car Championship (Group 5 Regs)
1970-1971 RAC British Saloon Car Championship (Group 2 Regs)
1972 RAC Wiggins Teape Paperchase British Touring Car Championship (Group 2 Regs)
1973 RAC British Touring Car Championship (Group 2 Regs)
1974 RAC Castrol Anniversary Touring Car Championship (Group 1 Regs)
1975 RAC Southern Organs British Touring Car Championship (Group 1 Regs)
1976 RAC Keith Prowse British Touring Car Championship (Group 1 Regs)
1977 - 1982 RAC Tricentrol British Saloon Car Championship (Group 1 Regs)
1983 RAC Tricentrol British Saloon Car Championship (Group A Regs)
1984 - 1985 RAC Trimoco British Touring Car Championship (Group A Regs)
1986 RAC Tricentrol British Touring Car Championship (Group A Regs)
1987 - 1988 RAC Dunlop British Touring Car Championship (Group A Regs)
1989 - 1990 RAC ESSO British Touring Car Championship (Group A Regs)
1991-1992 RAC ESSO British Touring Car Championship (2 Litre ST Regs)
1993 - 2000 Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship (2 Litre ST Regs)
2001 TheAA.com MSA British Touring Car Championship (2 Litre Regs)
2002 - 2003 Green Flag Motoring Assistance MSA British Touring Car Championship (2 Litre Regs)

[Andrew Kitson]

Craig,

I suppose you could say that the production saloon car championships were the earlier equivalents of the National saloon car cup. But back in the days when the British saloon / Touring Car Championship had 4 classes it was often the supporting race and not really taken seriously as a type of racing that could further a career - you had to do single seaters or long distance sports cars. Drivers like Frank Gardner and Chris Craft would win in the BTCC but also take part in the main race of the day for F5000 or F1. in earlier times, many GP drivers such as Clark & Hill would compete in the supporting BTCC race. A few drivers made money in saloon racing but not many!
In 1971 for example, we had 5 ( yes five!) Formula One races in this country with the stars of the day competing: The Race of Champions at Brands, The International Trophy at Silverstone, The British GP, The Oulton Gold Cup and the Tyrrell Victory meeting at Brands in October. The BTCC was very much a support race, not only at these meetings but also to F5000, F.Atlantic and F3 around the country. We really were spoilt for choice. Special saloons and the introduction of production saloons in 1972 were seperate forms of club racing but I suppose the first recognised feeder championship to the BTCC ( as a career move) was the 1990/91 Esso Prod saloon Championships when the BTCC went single class. Drivers like Matt Neal and Patrick Watts were in Prod saloons then.

These are the Prod Saloon Championships up to the single class BTCC era. I hope I have them all here.
Note the early championships were divided into classes by the showroom price.

1972 Production Saloon Car Championship ( 4 classes - showroom price)
1973 Castrol Prod Saloon Car Championship ( 4 classes - price)
1974 Triplex Prod Saloon Car Championship ( 4 classes - price)
1974-1976 Britax Prod Saloon Car Championship ( 4 classes - price)
1975-1976 BBC Radio 1 Prod Saloon Car Championship ( 4 classes - price)
1977 BRMB Radio Prod Saloon Car Championship ( one class - up to 3000cc )
1977-1978 Britax Prod Saloon Car Championship ( 4 classes - cc)
1979 Shellsport Derwent TV Prod Saloon Car Championship ( 4 classes - cc)
Demon Tweeks 4 Shocks Prod Saloon Car Championship ( 4 classes - cc)
1980 Monroe Prod Saloon Car Championship ( 4 classes - cc)
Rolatruc 1600cc Prod Saloon Car Championship
Wilcomatic 3000cc Prod Saloon Car Championship
1981-1987 Monroe Prod Saloon Car Championship ( 4 classes - cc)
1983 Uniroyal Prod Sports & Saloon Car Championship ( 4 classes - cc)
1983-1989 Uniroyal Prod Saloon Car Championship ( 4 classes - cc)
1989 Firestone Prod Saloon Car Championship ( 3 classes - cc)
1990 Esso Saloon Car Championship ( 4 classes - cc)
1991 Esso Superlube Saloon Car Championship ( 4 classes - cc)

[Andrew Kitson]

From the lists above you will note that the earlier BTCC Championships did not have a title sponsor. In those days, many of the bigger meetings were sponsored and the races became for example the 'Guards 200 Saloon Car Trophy Race' or the Esso Uniflo Trophy Race' etc etc. The F3 or sports car races too would have been sponsored by the company supporting the meeting. In other words, each race of the Championship was sponsored by a different company.
In the list of prod saloons, the latter years of Group 1 Championships were actually run to 'Group 1 1/2' regs. A few additional mods allowed by the RAC were added to the Group 1 regs from the International Sporting Code.

In the early years of the BTCC, many cars joined in from various club saloon car series - e.g. at the end of the 60s several competitors from special saloons - those that met the Group 5 regs.

Special Saloons started from about 1966. Fairly standard cars began to be modified until we got to the point in the late 70s/80s where they were very exotic ( and expensive), literally single seaters with plastic bodies.
Here are the main Special Saloon Series I have found, although there were / are several regional variations:

1966 Westover Saloon Car Championship
1967-1968 Redex Gold Cross Saloon Car Championship
1968 Osram-GEC Special Saloon Car Championship
1969 Redex Gold Cross Special Saloon Car Championship
1970-1973 Hepolite Glacier Special Saloon Car Championship
1972-1973 Kent Messenger 1000cc Special Saloon Car Championship
1972-1975 Forward Trust Special Saloon Car Championship
1973 MCD Special Saloon Car Championship
1973-1977 Esso Uniflo Special Saloon Car Championship
1974 Simoniz Special Saloon Car Championship
1975-1976 Tricentrol Super Saloon Car Championship
1977-1978 BRDC Super Saloon Car Championship
1977 Century Supreme Special Saloon Car Championship
1977-1978 Hitachi 1000cc Special Saloon Car Championship
1978-1979 Rivet Supply Special Saloon Car Championship
1978-1979 Brush Fusegear 1000cc Special Saloon Car Championship
1978-1988 Wendy Wools Special Saloon Car Championship
1979 MCD Special Saloon Car Championship
1989-199? BARC Special Saloon Car Championship

[Craig]

Wow! I have to thank you all for some top notch info on this subject! I feel that I know more about it now than I would have done had I been lucky enough to have been there myself at the time Especially interesting to read about the Production Saloons and Special Saloons - top stuff - thanks

[DaveM]

Do you ever sleep Andrew?!

[Andrew Kitson]

Hi Dave.
Was working late anyway!
What do you reckon to those Championships? Can you remember any I've missed? But there are sure to be some other regional ones.

[supertouring]

Your Anorak is on its way Andrew! Top info.

[Flagman]

"Southern Organs" has always sounded to me like some early surgical transplant supplier! I assume they sold keyboards?

I think the only thing they sold was a dummy to the RACMSA

[glyn parham]

Further information on the club racing scene of the sixties for all you anoraks out there.
1963-65 - Slip Molyslip/Ilford Saloon Car Championship.
1966 - BARC Spring Grove Saloon Car Championship.
1966 - BRSCC Peco Saloon Car Championship (Oulton Park only)
1966 - Westover (already mentioned by Andrew K was Brands Hatch only)
1966 - John Aley 850cc Championship (Snetterton, Mallory & Cadwell Park only)
F3 was sponsored by Les Leston, GT cars were sponsored by Autosport/Redex, Sports cars by Guards, Clubmans cars by Radio Caroline and British F2 by Autosport.
Can I have my anorak now please?

[Craig]

I think you deserve one, Glyn

That is all very useful info folks, thanks! Another question now - can anyone help with me track down any lists of racedates for the BTCC (or equvalent listed above) prior to 1988? I have some dates for 1987 but not many at all prior to that? Thanks in advance!

[Aysedasi]

I used to love watching those "Wendy Wools" specials. David Enderby's Karmann-Ghia in particular.

[Jeremy Jackson]

Craig,

I have the dates for the 1967 - 73 championships, plus the 1983-87 ones, with 1984 being partially complete.

Posting them here may be lengthy, so I can either do that, or send them to you.

On the same theme, if anyone knows of a source of results, especially for the 1974-81 years, I'd ebe interested!

Cheers

Jeremy

[Craig]

Excellent stuff, Jeremy! I'd be happy to receive them in either manner however, in case someone else is interested in future, I'd suggest perhaps we post them here if possible?

Alternatively drop me an email to craig@craigantill.com

Cheers!

PS I only have four meetings listed for 1984:

1984
1st April Silverstone International Trophy F2
21-23 April Thruxton European F2
28th May Thruxton
20-22 July Brands Hatch British GP

Don't know if it's any help to you?

[Craig]

And here, in case it's of interest, are the dates I have listed for the year's you're missing:

1982
9th April Oulton Park
10-12 April Thruxton European F2
29-31 May Thruxton
4th July Donington Park
14-15 August Donington Park
30th August Brands Hatch
11 3rd October Silverstone
SMMT Trophy 25-26 October Donington Park

1981
22nd March Mallory Park
29th March Silverstone
18-20 April Thruxton European F2
25th May Brands Hatch
16-18 July Silverstone British GP
20th September Thruxton

1980
1 23rd March Mallory Park
2 4th April Oulton Park Aurora British F1
3 5-7 April Thuxton European F2
4 20th April Silverstone
5 8th June Silverstone
6 13th July Brands Hatch British GP
7 17th August Mallory Park
8 25th August Brands Hatch
9 7th September Thruxton Aurora British F1
10 5th October Silverstone

1979
25th March Silverstone
13th April Oulton Park
14-16 April Thruxton European F2
28th May Silverstone
24th June Donington Park
14th July Silverstone British GP
12th August Mallory Park
27th August Brands Hatch
9th September Thruxton Aurora British F1
23rd September Snetterton
29th September Oulton Park

1978
1 19th March Silverstone International Trophy F1
2 24th March Oulton Park
3 25-27 March Thruxton European F2
4 1st May Brands Hatch
5 29th May Silverstone
6 25th June Donington Park European F2
7 2nd July Mallory Park
8 16th July Brands Hatch British GP
9 6th August Donington Park
10 28th August Brands Hatch
11 10th September Thruxton
12 7th October Oulton Park

1977
6th March Silverstone
20th March Brands Hatch
9-11 April Thruxton European F2
6th June Silverstone
19th June Thruxton F3
14-16 July Silverstone British GP
11th September Thruxton
16th October Brands Hatch

1976
11th April Silverstone International Trophy F1
17-19 April Thruxton European F2
9th May Thruxton F3
16-18 July Brands Hatch British GP

1975
28th March Oulton Park
29-31 March Thruxton European F2
13th April Silverstone International Trophy F1
20th April Brands Hatch
11th May Thruxton
26th May Silverstone
15th June Mallory Park
29th June Snetterton
19th July Silverstone British GP
17th August Ingliston
25th August Brands Hatch
6th September Oulton Park
19th October Brands Hatch

1974
15th April Thruxton
25-27 May Thruxton F5000
20th July Brands Hatch British GP
18th August Ingliston

By no means comprehensive so if anyone can fill in the gaps...?

[Jeremy Jackson]

Craig, thanks for those dates, here's 1983 - 87:

1983:
March 20 Silverstone
April 1 Oulton Park
April 4 Thruxton
April 10 Brands Hatch
May 30 Thruxton
June 12 Silverstone
June 25 Donington Park
July 16 Silverstone
August 14 Donington Park
August 29 Brands Hatch
October 2 Silverstone

1984:
March 25 Donington Park
April 1 Silverstone
April 20 Oulton Park
April 23 Thruxton
May 28 Thruxton
...
...
July 22 Brands Hatch
August 28 Brands Hatch
September 16 Donington Park
October 7 Silverstone

1985:
March 24 Silverstone
April 5 Oulton
April 8 Thruxton
May 5 Donington Park
May 27 Thruxton
July 14 Donington Park
July 21 Silverstone
August 11 Snetterton
August 26 Brands Hatch
October 6 Brands Hatch
October 13 Silverstone

1986:
April 13 Silverstone
May 26 Thruxton
June 8 Silverstone
June 15 Donington Park
July 13 Brands Hatch
August 10 Snetterton
August 25 Brands Hatch
September 14 Donington Park
October 5 Silverstone

1987:
April 12 Silverstone
April 17 Oulton Park
April 20 Thruxton
May 25 Thruxton
June 7 Silverstone
July 12 Silverstone
July 26 Brands Hatch
August 1 Oulton Park
August 16 Donington Park
August 22 Oulton Park
September 20 Donington Park
October 4 Silverstone

Any corrections gratefully received. I don't have no. of laps for a lot of these, so any additonal info. always welcome. If you want the pre-73 dates, I'll post those aswell

Cheers

Jeremy

[Craig]

Top man. There was about 10-12 I hadn't had noted so pleased to fill in those gaps! Just the one I had which you didn't:

9th June 1985 - Silverstone

And, yes, would be very pleased if you could post the earlier dates too

Thanks again.

[glyn parham]

Craig.
Here is an early one for you.
1966
April 2 - Oulton Park
April 8 Snetterton
April 11 Goodwood
May 14 Silverstone (International Trophy)
May 30 Crystal Palace
July 16 Brands Hatch (Grand Prix)
August 29 Brands Hatch
September 17 Oulton Park

I have some from the sixties and early seventies which I will rescue from the attic as soon as I can get back up there.

[Craig]

Thanks Glyn
Curiosly I have 17th September 1966 listed as a meeting at Goodwood? Additionally I have an additional meeting at Brands Hatch on 30th October 1966.

Keep em coming folks

[Jeremy Jackson]

1967:
March 12 Brands Hatch
March 24 Snetterton
March 27 Silverstone
April 29 Silverstone
May 14 Mallory Park
May 20 Silverstone
July 15 Silverstone
August 28 Brands Hatch
September 16 Oulton Park
October 29 Brands Hatch

1968:
March 17 Brands Hatch
April 15 Thruxton
April 25 Silverstone
June 3 Crystal Palace
June 23 Mallory Park
July 20 Brands Hatch
July 27 Silverstone
August 10 Croft
August 17 Oulton Park
September 2 Brands Hatch
October 27 Brands Hatch

1969:
March 16 Brands Hatch
March 30 Silverstone
April 4 Snetterton
April 7 Thruxton
May 15 Silverstone
May 26 Crystal Palace
June 29 Mallory Park
July 12 Croft
July 19 Thruxton
August 16 Oulton Park
September 1 Brands Hatch
October 19 Brands Hatch

1970:
March 22 Brands Hatch
March 27 Snetterton
March 30 Thruxton
April 25 Silverstone
May 25 Crystal Palace
June 6 Silverstone
June 27 Silverstone (ETCC Tourist Trophy)
July 11 Croft
July 25 Brands Hatch
August 22 Oulton Park
August 31 Brands Hatch
October 18 Brands Hatch

1971:
March 21 Brands Hatch
April 9 Oulton park (Upto 1300cc)
April 9 Snetterton (Over 1300cc)
April 12 Thruxton
May 8 Silverstone
May 30 Crystal Palace
June 5 Silverstone
July 11 Croft
August 22 Oulton Park
August 30 Brands Hatch
September 26 Mallory Park
October 24 Brands Hatch

1972:
March 19 Brands Hatch
March 30 Oulton Park
April 3 Thruxton
April 23 Silverstone
May 28 Crystal Palace
July 15 Brands Hatch
September 16 Oulton Park
September 24 Silverstone
October 1 Mallory park
October 22 Brands Hatch

1973:
March 18 Brands Hatch
April 8 Silverstone
April 23 Thruxton
May 28 Thruxton
July 14 Silverstone
August 19 Ingliston
August 27 Brands Hatch
October 21 Brands Hatch

Again, coreections & omissions welcome

[Craig]

Excellent!

Queries I have:

* I have the final race of 1968 down as 20th October?
* I have both April 4th and 7th 1969 down as being held at Brands?
* Final race of 1971 - I have it listed as 22nd October?
* I also had a number of racedates which were one day different to you but I'm not that fussed about that at this time - so long as I've pinpointed the weekend.

Thanks again!

[Jeremy Jackson]

Craig,

1968: You're correct, it was the 20th
1969: My venues are OK
1971: Sunday, October 24th - Definitely OK, the day Seppi died.