1993 British Touring Car Championship

The 1993 Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship season was 36th British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season.

1993 BTCC season
Previous: 1992 Next: 1994

Season summary

At the end of 1992 BMW GB withdrew from the championship after the rules had been changed in a direction which BMW felt disadvantaged them. Prodrive, which had run the works operation for BMW, had been expected to be entering a works Mercedes Benz team in cooperation with AMG, running the C-class. Prodrive stalwart Tim Sugden and Bernd Schneider were due to drive for the team.[1] The plans were for a late season appearance leading to a full challenge in 1994, but this eventually came to nothing.[2] Vic Lee Motorsport was liquidated after owner Vic Lee's drug scandal. The assets of the team were taken over by Steve Neal and Ray Bellm, who picked up personnel from Euroracing's discontinued sports car effort and merged it into Neal's Rimstock Racing outfit, creating Team Dynamics. Bellm would sell his share in the team later in the year, leaving Steve Neal as the only owner. The team started the 1993 season with three 1992-spec 318iS cars piloted by Matt Neal, Ray Bellm and Alex Portman, later dropping down to two.
Only weeks after BMW GB withdrew from the BTCC, BMW withdrew their Schnitzer Motorsport-run works operation from the German DTM championship, also there because of their disagreement with new rules. With few other series to contest in Schnitzer Motorsport were sent over by BMW to the British championship along with works drivers Steve Soper and Joachim Winkelhock.
Andy Rouse had lost his Toyota contract to famous Toyota tuners TOM'S Norfolk-based European arm known as Tom's GB, who had previously run Group A Toyotas in BTCC in the eighties. Andy Rouse's seat was taken over by Julian Bailey, and the new shape Carina E GTi replaced the older model. Toyota also supported a junior team run by Park Lane Racing, who would run two older shape Carinas for James Kaye and Bobby Verdon-Roe. Rouse himself had landed a Ford works deal, but the new Mondeo would not appear until after the season had started.
Vauxhall retained their John Cleland / Jeff Allam line-up in the Vauxhall Cavalier and their Ecurie Ecosse semi-works team; at Ecurie Ecosse David Leslie retained his seat and was after a few races joined by fellow Scotsman Harry Nuttall. Peugeot added Eugene O’Brien and Ian Flux to Robb Gravett for a three-car line-up in the Peugeot 405 Mi16 (with Flux’ car being run by Roy Kennedy Racing); Nissan ran three cars for Keith O'Dor, Win Percy and Tiff Needell, and Mazda returned with Patrick Watts in a brand new Xedos 6. Renault was the new manufacturer to join the championship with Alain Menu and reigning champion Tim Harvey as their drivers in the Renault 19 16v

The season started at Silverstone, where Steve Soper led team-mate Joachim Winkelhock home for a dominating BMW one-two. The second round at Donington Park was the support race for the European Grand Prix. The race was hit by torrential rain, and thanks to Michelin (whose wet-weather tyres were far superior to the ones of the other tire manufacturers) Renault was able to claim a one-two finish, Tim Harvey winning the race ahead of Alain Menu. It soon became apparent that Renault's pace was tied to conditions, as they struggled to match the championship's privateers in the dry.

A start line crash at the next round at Snetterton forced a red flag, and five cars failed to make the restart. The race would be won by Soper, with Julian Bailey in second and David Leslie in third. Winkelhock then took the victory at Round 4 at Donington Park ahead of Jeff Allam and Steve Soper. Winkelhock then took a commanding victory at Oulton Park, and as Steve Soper had gone off into a tyre wall and forced into retirement Winkelhock now took the championship lead by two points.

Brands Hatch hosted the first double header of the season. Winkelhock was at the centre of controversy when he shunted David Leslie out of the lead to take the win. Keith O’Dor finished second and Will Hoy third. Leslie was not amused, commenting that Winkelhock had not had any opportunity whatsoever to pull the pass off. Winkelhock apologized, saying he was a lot faster than Leslie in that corner but that there had been a bit of a misunderstanding when he tried his move. Winkelhock then led the second race when he made a mistake going into Clearways and went off into the Armco barrier and retirement. Will Hoy then went off at the same place, but ended up a bit further to the right and into the tires that covered some of the barriers at that corner. With both of his major contenders out Soper could take an easy win ahead of O’Dor and Jeff Allam.

The BTCC then headed to Wales for Round 8 at Pembrey, where Ford made its debut. Winkelhock won the race with Hoy in second and Soper in third. At the next round at Silverstone Toyota appeared to be heading home a one-two finish for Will Hoy and Julian Bailey. An over-ambitious move from Bailey however put Hoy on his roof and forced Bailey himself into retirement. It was instead Keith O’Dor who took his and Nissan's first BTCC victory. To make it a perfect day for Nissan his teammate Win Percy finished second in a drag race over the line with Paul Radisich, who took the returning Ford team's first podium.

Knockhill held the next double header of the season. A race long battle between Vauxhall driver John Cleland and Toyota driver Julian Bailey saw Cleland finally come out on top, with Will Hoy finishing in third. Further back, Soper lost valuable points when he was pushed off by Radisich in the Ford. Luckily for him Winkelhock was not able to start the second race due to clutch problems. It was now Bailey's turn to win a race, finishing ahead of Cleland and Hoy. The Renault team decided to skip the Scottish meeting and focus on developing their car.

Oulton Park hosted Round 12 which was the Gold Cup, and Renault's car updates appeared to have paid off. Both cars qualified and finished much better than before, Menu taking fourth. Up front Winkelhock led from start to finish while Soper was second ahead of Cleland.
Round 13 took place at Brands Hatch and Winkelhock and Leslie clashed again. First Winkelhock barged past Leslie to take second, and when Leslie attempted to retake the place he pushed Winkelhock into a spin. Both drivers dropped down the field while Radisich won the race from Soper and Peugeot driver Robb Gravett; Soper was however later penalised one position because of his rather forceful move on Gravett on the last lap to take second.

Leslie then finally won a race when the series visited Thruxton. Ford was second and third with Radisich and Andy Rouse, while a sixth place from Soper closed the gap between him and Winkelhock to twelve points.

Donington Park hosted the penultimate weekend of the championship and the last double header meeting. Radisich dominated the first race and won it by more than ten seconds, while wet weather conditions enabled Renault to finish second and third. A puncture had forced Soper to retire, and with Winkelhock finishing fifth the German now had the chance to take the title in the second race. Menu then won Race 2 from Radisich and Winkelhock, but as Soper finished fifth the championship would be decided in the final round at Silverstone.

At Silverstone the race was red flagged following an accident involving Robb Gravett's Peugeot. Will Hoy led away in the Toyota after the restart, but was later passed by both Paul Radisich and Andy Rouse, who took a one-two finish for Ford. Hoy held on to third, and while Steve Soper finished ahead of Winkelhock he did not get the result he needed and it was Joachim Winkelhock who won the 1993 British Touring Car Championship. Despite missing the first part of the season Paul Radisich finished third in the championship, with John Cleland in fourth and Julian Bailey in fifth.

Teams and drivers

Team Car No. Drivers Rounds
Manufacturers
Renault Dealer Racing Renault 19 1 Tim Harvey 1–8, 10–14
19 Alain Menu 1–8, 10–14
Team Securicor Toyota Toyota Carina E 2 Will Hoy All
21 Julian Bailey All
Vauxhall Sport Vauxhall Cavalier 3 John Cleland All
4 Jeff Allam All
Team Mondeo Ford Mondeo Si 5 Andy Rouse 7–14
15 Paul Radisich 7–14
BMW Motorsport Team BMW 318i 6 Steve Soper All
22 Joachim Winkelhock All
Park Lane Toyota Junior Team Toyota Carina E 10 James Kaye 1–8, 10, 12–14
20 Bobby Verdon-Roe All
RKR with Silkolene at Halfords Peugeot 405 Mi16 14 Ian Flux All
Nissan Castrol Racing Nissan Primera eGT 23 Kieth O'dor All
24 Win Percy 1–4, 6–14
Tiff Needell 5
34 6–9, 11
Peugeot Talbot Sport Peugeot 405 Mi16 45 Robb Gravett All
46 Eugene O'Brien All
Mazda Racing Team Mazda Xedos 6 66 Patrick Watts All
Ecurie Ecosse Vauxhall Vauxhall Cavalier 78 Tiff Needell 2
Harry Nuttall 3–14
79 David Leslie All
80 Chris Goodwin 11, 14
Independents
Team Dynamics BMW 318is 11 Ray Bellm 2–4, 6–8
Andy Wallace 5
27 Alex Portman 1–6, 8–14
13 Matt Neal 1–11
BMW 318i 77 12–14
Pinkney Motorsport BMW 318is 12 Dave Pinkney 1–8, 11
Tamchester Team Maxted Vauxhall Cavalier 17 Ian Khan All
16 Ian Ashley 1–8
Colin Davids Racing 10-14
Peggen Motorsport BMW M3 25 Peggen Andersson 1–2
Jim Wheals Ford Sierra Sapphire 26 Jim Wheals 3
Asquith Autosport Mazda 323F 32 Ian Cantwell 1–3, 6, 8
Bob Berridge Ford Sierra Sapphire 35 Bob Berridge 6, 8, 10–14

TOCA Shootout

Entrants

Team Car No. Drivers
Manufacturers
Team Mondeo Ford Mondeo Si 5 Nigel Mansell
15 Paul Radisich
BMW Motorsport Team BMW 318i 6 Steve Soper
Park Lane Toyota Junior Team Toyota Carina E 8 Derek Warwick
Peugeot Talbot Sport Peugeot 405 Mi16 45 Robb Gravett
46 Dave Coyne
Mazda Racing Team Mazda Xedos 6 66 Patrick Watts
Ecurie Ecosse Vauxhall Vauxhall Cavalier 78 Tiff Needell
79 David Leslie
80 Hayden Measham
Independents
Team Dynamics BMW 318i 11 Matt Neal
BMW 318is 27 Alex Portman
77 Chris Rea
Pinkney Motorsport BMW 318is 12 Dave Pinkney
Colin Davids Racing Vauxhall Cavalier 16 Ian Ashley
Tamchester Team Maxted Vauxhall Cavalier 17 Ian Khan
Thenander Motorsport BMW M3 30 Bengt Thenander
Petroline BMW 318i 33 Klaas Zwart

Results

TOCA Shootout
Pos. Driver
1 David Leslie
2 Paul Radisich
3 Steve Soper
4 Robb Gravett
5 Dave Coyne
6 Tiff Needell
7 Ian Ashley
NC Matt Neal
NC Nigel Mansell
NC Bengt Thenander
NC Ian Khan
NC Hayden Measham
NC David Pinkney
NC Derek Warwick
NC Chris Rea
NC Klaas Zwart
NC Patrick Watts
NC Alex Portman

Race calendar and winners

All races were held in the United Kingdom.

Round Circuit Date Pole Position Fastest Lap Winning Driver Winning Team Winning Privateer
1 R1 Silverstone (National), Northamptonshire 28 March Steve Soper Joachim Winkelhock Steve Soper BMW Motorsport Team Matt Neal
2 R2 Donington Park (GP), Leicestershire 11 April Steve Soper Tim Harvey Tim Harvey Renault Dealer Racing Ian Cantwell
3 R3 Snetterton Circuit, Norfolk 3 May Patrick Watts Joachim Winkelhock Steve Soper BMW Motorsport Team Ian Ashley
4 R4 Donington Park (GP), Leicestershire 16 May Joachim Winkelhock Joachim Winkelhock Joachim Winkelhock BMW Motorsport Team Matt Neal
5 R5 Oulton Park, Cheshire 31 May John Cleland John Cleland Joachim Winkelhock BMW Motorsport Team Ian Ashley
6 R6 Brands Hatch (Indy), Kent 13 June David Leslie Keith O'Dor Joachim Winkelhock BMW Motorsport Team Ray Bellm
R7 Joachim Winkelhock Steve Soper BMW Motorsport Team Ray Bellm
7 R8 Pembrey Circuit, Carmarthenshire 27 June David Leslie David Leslie Joachim Winkelhock BMW Motorsport Team Ian Khan
8 R9 Silverstone (GP), Northamptonshire 11 July Keith O'Dor Patrick Watts Keith O'Dor Nissan Castrol Racing Ian Khan
9 R10 Knockhill Racing Circuit, Fife 25 July Julian Bailey Jeff Allam John Cleland Vauxhall Sport Matt Neal
R11 Julian Bailey Julian Bailey Team Securicor Toyota Alex Portman
10 R12 Oulton Park, Cheshire 8 August Joachim Winkelhock Joachim Winkelhock Joachim Winkelhock BMW Motorsport Team Alex Portman
11 R13 Brands Hatch (Indy), Kent 22 August David Leslie Joachim Winkelhock Paul Radisich Team Mondeo Ian Khan
12 R14 Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire 30 August David Leslie David Leslie David Leslie Ecurie Ecosse Vauxhall Matt Neal
13 R15 Donington Park (GP), Leicestershire 12 September Paul Radisich Tim Harvey Paul Radisich Team Mondeo Alex Portman
R16 Paul Radisich Alain Menu Renault Dealer Racing Ian Ashley
14 R17 Silverstone (National), Northamptonshire 19 September Paul Radisich Paul Radisich Paul Radisich Team Mondeo Ian Khan

Championship results

Drivers Championship

Pos Driver SIL DON SNE DON OUL BRH PEM SIL KNO OUL BRH THR DON SIL Pts
1 Joachim Winkelhock 2 Ret 5 1 1 1 Ret 1 4 3 DNS 1 20 14 5 3 8 163
2 Steve Soper 1 3 1 3 Ret 4 1 3 Ret 12 8 2 3 6 Ret 5 5 150
3 Paul Radisich 8 3 5 5 Ret 1 2 1 2 1 110
4 John Cleland 3 4 10 7 2 Ret 5 7 6 1 2 3 12 8 Ret 6 7 102
5 Julian Bailey Ret 7 2 5 15 6 9 4 Ret 2 1 5 7 7 7 17 6 88
6 Kieth O'Dor Ret 5 DNS 9 4 2 2 5 1 7 11 10 5 11 8 11 11 82
7 Will Hoy 4 Ret 4 6 Ret 3 14 2 Ret 10 3 Ret 4 10 16 16 3 79
8 David Leslie Ret Ret 3 8 Ret 18 6 Ret 5 9 7 7 13 1 4 8 4 72
9 Jeff Allam 5 6 DNS 2 3 7 3 10 18 6 6 6 15 13 11 12 9 67
10 Alain Menu 10 2 Ret 13 Ret 15 Ret Ret 8 4 9 9 2 1 Ret 57
11 Andy Rouse Ret Ret 16 10 Ret 6 3 DSQ 4 2 41
12 Win Percy 7 Ret 8 11 5 4 9 2 DNS DNS 18 11 Ret 10 7 Ret 38
13 Robb Gravett Ret Ret 7 14 DNS DSQ 16 11 9 Ret DNS Ret 2 4 17 13 DNS 34
14 Tim Harvey 11 1 Ret 16 Ret 11 8 Ret Ret Ret 14 16 3 Ret 15 31
15 Patrick Watts 6 Ret DNS 4 Ret 10 Ret Ret Ret 4 4 Ret 8 12 Ret DNS 12 29
16 Eugene O'Brien Ret Ret 13 Ret 5 12 11 Ret Ret 8 Ret 9 10 5 6 15 Ret 23
17 Harry Nuttall 16 15 8 Ret DNS 6 7 11 9 8 Ret 15 9 Ret 13 16
18 Ian Flux 9 8 11 10 6 9 7 14 Ret 15 13 11 Ret 18 Ret 10 18 14
19 Bobby Verdon-Roe 14 Ret 6 12 7 8 15 15 12 Ret Ret 13 17 17 Ret DNS Ret 11
20 Matt Neal 8 Ret DNS 17 Ret 14 Ret 18 13 14 15 16 18 19 13 14 17 3
21 James Kaye 13 11 9 Ret Ret Ret DNS Ret 10 DNS DNS 12 20 14 Ret 14 3
22 Ian Cantwell 12 9 Ret Ret 17 DNQ 16 2
23 Ian Ashley Ret 12 12 Ret 9 17 13 13 17 17 21 Ret 15 9 19 2
24 Ian Khan 15 10 17 Ret 14 Ret DNS 12 11 18 Ret 15 16 21 DNS 18 16 1
25 Alex Portman Ret Ret 15 19 10 16 Ret DNQ Ret 17 14 14 Ret 22 12 Ret 21 1
26 Chris Goodwin Ret 10 1
27 Tiff Needell Ret 12 Ret 10 19 Ret 13 12 Ret 0
28 Andy Wallace 11 0
29 Ray Bellm Ret DNS 18 13 12 17 14 0
30 David Pinkney Ret 13 14 Ret 13 Ret Ret 16 15 19 0
31 Bob Berridge Ret DNS Ret Ret DSQ Ret 18 Ret 20 0
  Peggen Andersson Ret Ret 0
  Jim Wheals Ret 0
Pos Driver SIL DON SNE DON OUL BRH PEM SIL KNO OUL BRH THR DON SIL Pts
ColourResult
GoldWinner
Silver2nd place
Bronze3rd place
GreenPoints finish
BlueNon-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
PurpleRetired (Ret)
RedDid not qualify (DNQ)
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
BlackDisqualified (DSQ)
WhiteDid not start (DNS)
Withdrew (WD)
Race cancelled (C)
Blank Did not participate (DNP)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Excluded (EX)
  • Note: bold signifies pole position, italics signifies fastest lap.

TOCA Challenge for Privateers

Pos Driver SIL DON SNE DON OUL BRH PEM SIL KNO OUL BRH THR DON SIL Pts
1 Matt Neal 8 Ret DNS 17 Ret 14 Ret 18 13 14 15 16 18 19 13 14 17 194
2 Ian Khan 15 10 17 Ret 14 Ret DNS 12 11 18 Ret 15 16 21 DNS 18 16 192
3 Ian Ashley Ret 12 12 Ret 9 17 13 13 17 17 21 Ret 15 9 19 148
4 Alex Portman Ret Ret 15 19 10 16 Ret DNQ Ret 17 14 14 Ret 22 12 Ret 21 125
5 David Pinkney Ret 13 14 Ret 13 Ret Ret 16 15 19 70
6 Ray Bellm Ret DNS 18 13 12 17 14 64
7 Ian Cantwell 12 9 Ret Ret 17 DNQ 16 56
8 Bob Berridge Ret DNS Ret Ret DSQ Ret 18 Ret 20 15
9 Andy Wallace 11 12
  Peggen Andersson Ret Ret 0
  Jim Wheals Ret 0
Pos Driver SIL DON SNE DON OUL BRH PEM SIL KNO OUL BRH THR DON SIL Pts

Manufacturers Championship

Pos Manufacturer SIL DON SNE DON OUL BRH PEM SIL KNO OUL BRH THR DON SIL Pts
1 BMW / BMW Motorsport Team 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 3 8 1 3 6 5 3 5 251
2 Vauxhall / Vauxhall Sport/Ecurie Ecosse 3 4 3 2 2 7 3 6 5 1 2 3 12 1 4 6 4 198
3 Toyota / Team Securicor Toyota/Park Lane Toyota Junior Team 4 7 2 5 15 3 9 2 Ret 2 1 5 4 7 7 16 3 159
4 Nissan / Nissan Castrol Racing 7 5 8 9 4 2 2 5 1 7 11 10 5 11 8 7 11 138
5 Ford / Team Mondeo 8 3 5 5 Ret 1 2 1 2 1 122
6 Peugeot / Peugeot Sport/Roy Kennedy Racing 9 8 7 10 5 9 7 11 9 8 13 9 2 4 6 10 18 111
7 Renault / Renault Dealer Racing 10 1 Ret 13 Ret 11 8 Ret 8 4 9 9 2 1 15 93
8 Mazda / Mazda Racing Team 6 Ret DNS 4 Ret 10 Ret Ret Ret 4 4 Ret 8 12 Ret DNS 12 51
Pos Driver SIL DON SNE DON OUL BRH PEM SIL KNO OUL BRH THR DON SIL Pts

References

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