Touring car racing
Encyclopedia
Touring car racing is a general term for a number of distinct auto racing
competitions in heavily-modified street cars. It is notably popular in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Scandinavia and Britain.
In this, it shares some similarity with the American stock car racing
(governed by NASCAR
). However, touring cars are, at least notionally, derived from production cars while today's NASCAR vehicles are based on a shared, custom, design. In the early days of NASCAR, stock cars were in fact built from production cars, whereas some current touring car series are also raced in silhouette racing car
s. Touring cars race exclusively on road courses
and street circuits, while its American counterpart predominantly utilizes oval track
s, with road courses constituting a small percentage.
Whilst not nearly as fast as Formula One
, the similarity of the cars both to each other and to fans' own vehicles makes for entertaining, well-supported racing. The lesser impact of aerodynamics also means that following cars have a much easier time of passing than F1, and
the more substantial bodies of the cars makes the occasional nudging for overtaking much more acceptable as part of racing.
As well as short "sprint" races, many touring car series include one or more endurance races, which last anything from 3 to 24 hours and are a test of reliability and pit crews as much as car and driver speed.
' (also known as GT cars). In truth, there is often very little technical difference between the two classifications, and nomenclature is often a matter of tradition.
In general, however, touring cars are based upon family car
s (such as hatchback
s, saloons or estate
s), while GT racing cars are based upon more powerful and expensive sports car
s, such as Ferrari
s or Lamborghini
s. Underneath the bodywork, a touring car is often more closely related to its road-going origins, using many original components and mountings, while a top-flight GT car is often a purpose-built tube-frame racing chassis underneath a cosmetic body shell. Many touring car series, such as the BTCC
and the now-defunct JTCC
distinguish themselves from sports car racing by featuring front-wheel drive
, four-wheel drive
and rear-wheel drive cars with smaller engines.
However, while touring cars have a lower technical level than sports cars in general, there are notable exceptions to the rule. The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
(DTM) is considered to be one of the most technologically advanced racing series in the world, with cars that, underneath their four-door shells, are more purebred racing machines than most FIA
-GT vehicles.
Worldwide
Modern World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) started in 2005, evolving from the reborn European Touring Car Championship
. It is generally considered to be the most prestigious touring car championship in the world after BTCC.
Running at major international racing facilities, this series is supported by BMW
, SEAT
and Chevrolet
. The latter fields a works team, whereas the other two only sell racing kits to be installed on their cars, providing technical support to their customers. In 2011 Volvo
also entered the championship, fielding a one-car team as an evaluation for a possible heavier commitment to the series. The World Touring Car Championship features 1.6-litre cars built to Super 2000 regulations based on FIA Group N
.
Following the trend of recent FIA rules, cost control is a major theme in the technical regulation.
In 2011 the rules concerning the engine capacity have changed, switching from 2000 cc to 1600 cc turbo engines. Cars equipped with the old 2000 cc engines are still eligible in the championship. Many technologies that have featured in production cars are not allowed, for example: variable valve timing, variable intake geometry, ABS brakes and traction control
.
The Russian Touring Car Championship (RTCC) — (Grand -PRIX RTCC) was created in 2004. It adopted the motto «Choice of the best». The RTCC has united more than 100 of the best drivers and technicians in Russia, as well as considerable numbers of spectators. It has 4 different disciplines; Touring, Super-Production, Touring-Light, and National class.
Germany/Europe
The DTM series, the initials standing for Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft until 1996, then following a hiatus, revived as Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters in 2000, features advanced purpose built V8
-powered space frame
machines, covered with largely carbon fibre bodyshapes resemblant of the manufacturers' road machine (although the roof and roof pillars do originate from the production car). In order to lower costs, the engine power is limited to 470 hp, and transmissions, brakes and tyres (Dunlop) are standard parts for all. Also, dimension and aerodynamics are equalized. The approx. 1050 kg (2,314.9 lb) light DTM cars corner incredibly quickly and wear spectacular bodykits incorporating huge wheel arches and diffusers.
More than 20 works-backed entries of Opel Astra
, Audi TT
and Mercedes-Benz CLK contested the revived 2000 DTM series but a serious issue developed for the series when Opel pulled out ahead of the 2006 season. The series has survived this hurdle and remained popular with 18 Audi A4
and Mercedes-Benz C-Class
contesting the present series.
For the 2012 season, the regulations have been adapted to make the vehicles less reliant on aerodynamic downforce and more on mechanical grip. Audi will switch from their A4 model and use the A5, Mercedes will use the Coupe version of their C-Class and BMW have announced their addition to the competition with their M3 Coupe.
Since 1997, and nowadays still on the over 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) long famous old Nürburgring
, in average over 150 touring cars compete in the VLN
series of ten typically 4 hour long races. Cars range from old 100 hp road legal compacts to 500 hp Porsche 996
and even modified DTM
cars (1250 kg (2,755.8 lb)). Most entrants of the 24 Hours Nürburgring
collect experience here.
Formerly the Australian Touring Car Championship
, the current formula was devised in 1993 (based on Group A regulations) and branded as 'V8 Supercars' in 1997. The series features grids of twenty-eight cars with 650+ hp
(480 kW). The cars are Ford Falcon
s and Holden Commodore
s. The weight limit for a V8 Supercar is 1350 kg (2,976.2 lb). At one time the cars were billed as the "biggest, heaviest, fastest and most powerful" of all touring cars. In terms of outright power, size and weight this is still likely to be true. However, V8 Supercars provide the closest racing of any touring car category, with the top twenty usually qualifying within one second of one another.
The race cars themselves are derived from production body shells and panels rather than space-frame chassis. Both Holden
and Ford
financially and technically support their favoured teams and take an active role in promotion of the series.
As the series has grown, major international motorsport organisations have become involved. Several teams now benefit from the involvement of Tom Walkinshaw Racing
, Triple Eight Race Engineering and Prodrive
. In addition to regular appearances in New Zealand (currently using the Hamilton Street Circuit
), the series ventured to China at the Shanghai International Circuit
in 2005, since 2006 has raced at the Bahrain International Circuit
and since 2010 has raced at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi
. The growth of the series has seen motorsport equal Rugby League
as Australia's third most watched sport.
The series incorporates the world famous Bathurst 1000
race as a championship round. Because of the longer distance, regulations require two drivers per car for this race. This also applies to the Phillip Island 500
.
United Kingdom
The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) currently competes at nine circuits in the UK with cars built either to BTC Touring
or Super 2000
specification, with ballast being used to equalise the two types. From 2011
, cars running to the BTCC's own Next Generation Touring Car
specification will be eligible to compete in a phased move away from Super 2000
regulations. Cars are 2.0-litre saloons and hatchback
s with around 270 bhp and can be front or rear-wheel drive. During the 2010 season
works teams entries come from Chevrolet
and Honda
. Since BTCC budgets have been kept relatively low, there is a strong independent and privateer presence in the championship. Manufacturers represented by privateers include BMW
, Vauxhall
, Ford, Honda
, Volkswagen
and SEAT
.
Prior to 2001 the BTCC was contested by cars built to 2.0-litre supertouring regulations and had in its heyday up to nine different manufacturers. Joachim Winkelhock
stated on several occasions that it was the best touring car championship in the world, and many champions of that era now race in the World Touring Car Championship
(WTCC). Between 2002 and 2006 the BTCC ran its own Touring class with Super Production/Super 2000 cars making up the numbers; the Touring class was phased out (only privateers are eligible to run old Touring cars) with the intention of a pure Super 2000 series. The introduction of the Next Generation Touring Car
specification, from 2011
, will start a phased transition from Super 2000 cars in an effort to cut costs and improve the sport.
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
competitions in heavily-modified street cars. It is notably popular in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Scandinavia and Britain.
Characteristics of a touring car
While rules vary from country to country, most series require that the competitors start with a standard body shell, but virtually every other component is allowed to be heavily modified for racing, including engines, suspension, brakes, wheels and tires. Aerodynamic aids are usually added to the front and rear of the cars. Regulations are usually designed to limit costs by banning some of the more exotic technologies available (for instance, many series insist on a "control tyre" that all competitors must use) and keep the racing close (sometimes by a "lead trophy" where winning a race requires the winner's car to be heavier for subsequent races).In this, it shares some similarity with the American stock car racing
Stock car racing
Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing found mainly in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil and Argentina. Traditionally, races are run on oval tracks measuring approximately in length...
(governed by NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
). However, touring cars are, at least notionally, derived from production cars while today's NASCAR vehicles are based on a shared, custom, design. In the early days of NASCAR, stock cars were in fact built from production cars, whereas some current touring car series are also raced in silhouette racing car
Silhouette racing car
A silhouette racing car is a race car which, although bearing a superficial resemblance to a production model, differs mechanically in fundamental ways. The purpose of silhouette cars is to provide a manufacturer with a tangible link to their consumer product offering so as to derive maximum...
s. Touring cars race exclusively on road courses
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
and street circuits, while its American counterpart predominantly utilizes oval track
Oval track
Oval track racing, also known as oval racing, is a form of closed-circuit automobile racing that is contested on an oval-shaped track. An oval track differs from a road course in that the layout resembles an oval with turns in only one direction, almost universally left...
s, with road courses constituting a small percentage.
Whilst not nearly as fast as Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
, the similarity of the cars both to each other and to fans' own vehicles makes for entertaining, well-supported racing. The lesser impact of aerodynamics also means that following cars have a much easier time of passing than F1, and
the more substantial bodies of the cars makes the occasional nudging for overtaking much more acceptable as part of racing.
As well as short "sprint" races, many touring car series include one or more endurance races, which last anything from 3 to 24 hours and are a test of reliability and pit crews as much as car and driver speed.
Differences between touring cars and sports cars
For the casual observer, there can be a great deal of confusion when it comes to classifying closed-wheel racing cars as 'touring cars' or 'sports carsSports car racing
Sports car racing is a form of circuit auto racing with automobiles that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built or related to road-going sports cars....
' (also known as GT cars). In truth, there is often very little technical difference between the two classifications, and nomenclature is often a matter of tradition.
In general, however, touring cars are based upon family car
Family car
A family car is a car classification used in Europe to describe normally-sized cars. The name comes from the suitability of these cars to carry a whole family locally or on vacations. Most family cars are hatchbacks or saloons, although there are MPVs, estates and cabriolets with the same structure...
s (such as hatchback
Hatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
s, saloons or estate
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
s), while GT racing cars are based upon more powerful and expensive sports car
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
s, such as Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...
s or Lamborghini
Lamborghini
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., commonly referred to as Lamborghini , is an Italian car manufacturer. The company was founded by manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, with the objective of producing a refined grand touring car to compete with established offerings from marques like...
s. Underneath the bodywork, a touring car is often more closely related to its road-going origins, using many original components and mountings, while a top-flight GT car is often a purpose-built tube-frame racing chassis underneath a cosmetic body shell. Many touring car series, such as the BTCC
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
and the now-defunct JTCC
Japanese Touring Car Championship
The Japanese Touring Car Championship , is a former touring car racing series held in Japan...
distinguish themselves from sports car racing by featuring front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
, four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
and rear-wheel drive cars with smaller engines.
However, while touring cars have a lower technical level than sports cars in general, there are notable exceptions to the rule. The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters is a touring car racing series based in Germany, but also with rounds elsewhere in Europe....
(DTM) is considered to be one of the most technologically advanced racing series in the world, with cars that, underneath their four-door shells, are more purebred racing machines than most FIA
Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile is a non-profit association established as the Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus on 20 June 1904 to represent the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users...
-GT vehicles.
World Touring Car Championship
Modern World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) started in 2005, evolving from the reborn European Touring Car Championship
European Touring Car Championship
The European Touring Car Championship was an international touring car racing series organised by the FIA. It had two incarnations, the first one between 1963 and 1988, and the second between 2000 and 2004...
. It is generally considered to be the most prestigious touring car championship in the world after BTCC.
Running at major international racing facilities, this series is supported by BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
, SEAT
SEAT
SEAT, S.A. is a Spanish automobile manufacturer founded on May 9, 1950 by the Instituto Nacional de Industria , a state-owned industrial holding company....
and Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
. The latter fields a works team, whereas the other two only sell racing kits to be installed on their cars, providing technical support to their customers. In 2011 Volvo
Volvo
AB Volvo is a Swedish builder of commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses and construction equipment. Volvo also supplies marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace components and financial services...
also entered the championship, fielding a one-car team as an evaluation for a possible heavier commitment to the series. The World Touring Car Championship features 1.6-litre cars built to Super 2000 regulations based on FIA Group N
Group N
In relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group N refers to a set of regulations providing 'standard' production vehicles for competition, often referred to as the "Showroom Class"....
.
Following the trend of recent FIA rules, cost control is a major theme in the technical regulation.
In 2011 the rules concerning the engine capacity have changed, switching from 2000 cc to 1600 cc turbo engines. Cars equipped with the old 2000 cc engines are still eligible in the championship. Many technologies that have featured in production cars are not allowed, for example: variable valve timing, variable intake geometry, ABS brakes and traction control
Traction control system
A traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
.
Russian Touring Car Championship
Russia/EuropeThe Russian Touring Car Championship (RTCC) — (Grand -PRIX RTCC) was created in 2004. It adopted the motto «Choice of the best». The RTCC has united more than 100 of the best drivers and technicians in Russia, as well as considerable numbers of spectators. It has 4 different disciplines; Touring, Super-Production, Touring-Light, and National class.
DTM
The DTM series, the initials standing for Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft until 1996, then following a hiatus, revived as Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters in 2000, features advanced purpose built V8
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
-powered space frame
Space frame
A space frame or space structure is a truss-like, lightweight rigid structure constructed from interlocking struts in a geometric pattern. Space frames can be used to span large areas with few interior supports...
machines, covered with largely carbon fibre bodyshapes resemblant of the manufacturers' road machine (although the roof and roof pillars do originate from the production car). In order to lower costs, the engine power is limited to 470 hp, and transmissions, brakes and tyres (Dunlop) are standard parts for all. Also, dimension and aerodynamics are equalized. The approx. 1050 kg (2,314.9 lb) light DTM cars corner incredibly quickly and wear spectacular bodykits incorporating huge wheel arches and diffusers.
More than 20 works-backed entries of Opel Astra
Opel Astra
The Opel Astra is a small family car engineered and manufactured by the German automaker Opel since 1991.It is branded as Vauxhall Astra in the United Kingdom, the Buick Excelle XT in China and the Chevrolet Astra/Vectra in Latin America...
, Audi TT
Audi TT
The Audi TT is a two-door sports car manufactured by the German automaker and Volkswagen Group subsidiary Audi since 1998.The Audi TT has been produced in two generations. Both generations have been available in two car body styles; as a 2+2 Coupé, or two-seater Roadster...
and Mercedes-Benz CLK contested the revived 2000 DTM series but a serious issue developed for the series when Opel pulled out ahead of the 2006 season. The series has survived this hurdle and remained popular with 18 Audi A4
Audi A4
The first generation Audi A4 debuted in 1994, with production starting November 1994. It was built on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat . It had a front-mounted longitudinal engine and front-wheel drive...
and Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact executive car produced by the Mercedes-Benz division of Daimler AG. First introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 range , the C-Class was the smallest model in the marque's lineup until the 1997 arrival of the A-Class...
contesting the present series.
For the 2012 season, the regulations have been adapted to make the vehicles less reliant on aerodynamic downforce and more on mechanical grip. Audi will switch from their A4 model and use the A5, Mercedes will use the Coupe version of their C-Class and BMW have announced their addition to the competition with their M3 Coupe.
Nürburgring VLN Endurance racing Series
GermanySince 1997, and nowadays still on the over 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) long famous old Nürburgring
Nürburgring
The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
, in average over 150 touring cars compete in the VLN
VLN
The VLN, properly the Veranstaltergemeinschaft Langstreckenpokal Nürburgring is an organisation of motorsport clubs of which each hosts one event of a ten-race series held on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the "VLN Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring"...
series of ten typically 4 hour long races. Cars range from old 100 hp road legal compacts to 500 hp Porsche 996
Porsche 996
The Porsche 996 is the internal designation for the Porsche 911 model manufactured and sold between 1998 and 2005. It has since been replaced by the Type 997...
and even modified DTM
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters is a touring car racing series based in Germany, but also with rounds elsewhere in Europe....
cars (1250 kg (2,755.8 lb)). Most entrants of the 24 Hours Nürburgring
24 Hours Nürburgring
The 24 Hours Nürburgring is a touring car and GT endurance racing event on the Nürburgring Nordschleife . With a lap length of over , it allows the participation of more than 200 cars, and over 700 drivers.-Overview:...
collect experience here.
V8 Supercars
Australia and New ZealandFormerly the Australian Touring Car Championship
Australian Touring Car Championship
The Australian Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing award held in Australia since 1960. The series itself is no longer contested, but the title lives on, with the winner of the V8 Supercar Championship Series awarded the trophy and title of Australian Touring Car Champion.-History:The...
, the current formula was devised in 1993 (based on Group A regulations) and branded as 'V8 Supercars' in 1997. The series features grids of twenty-eight cars with 650+ hp
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
(480 kW). The cars are Ford Falcon
Ford Falcon (Australia)
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960. Each model from the XA series of 1972 onward has been designed, developed and built in Australia and/or New Zealand, following the phasing out of the American Falcon of 1960–71 which had been re-engineered...
s and Holden Commodore
Holden Commodore
The Holden Commodore is an automobile manufactured since 1978 by the Holden subsidiary of General Motors in Australia, and, formerly, in New Zealand. In the mid-1970s, Holden established proposals to replace the long-serving Kingswood nameplate with a smaller, Opel-based model...
s. The weight limit for a V8 Supercar is 1350 kg (2,976.2 lb). At one time the cars were billed as the "biggest, heaviest, fastest and most powerful" of all touring cars. In terms of outright power, size and weight this is still likely to be true. However, V8 Supercars provide the closest racing of any touring car category, with the top twenty usually qualifying within one second of one another.
The race cars themselves are derived from production body shells and panels rather than space-frame chassis. Both Holden
Holden
GM Holden Ltd is an automaker that operates in Australia, based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the U.S.-based General Motors in 1931...
and Ford
Ford Australia
Ford Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. At that time, Ford Canada was a separate company from Ford USA...
financially and technically support their favoured teams and take an active role in promotion of the series.
As the series has grown, major international motorsport organisations have become involved. Several teams now benefit from the involvement of Tom Walkinshaw Racing
Tom Walkinshaw Racing
Tom Walkinshaw Racing , was an auto racing team and engineering firm founded in 1976 by touring car racer Tom Walkinshaw.-History:TWR started by modifying BMW 3.0 CSLs, but soon was contracted to head Mazda's works program in the British Touring Car Championship. The TWR developed RX-7, with Win...
, Triple Eight Race Engineering and Prodrive
Prodrive
Prodrive is a British motorsport and automotive engineering group based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. It designs, constructs and races cars for companies and teams such as Subaru, Aston Martin and Ford...
. In addition to regular appearances in New Zealand (currently using the Hamilton Street Circuit
Hamilton Street Circuit
Hamilton Street Circuit is a temporary street circuit in Hamilton, New Zealand as part of the V8 Supercars championship. The 2008 event from 18 to 20 April was known as the Hamilton 400....
), the series ventured to China at the Shanghai International Circuit
Shanghai International Circuit
The Shanghai International Circuit is a motor racing circuit, situated in the Jiading District of Shanghai, People's Republic of China. The circuit is best known as the venue for the annual Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, which was first hosted in 2004....
in 2005, since 2006 has raced at the Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain International Circuit
The Bahrain International Circuit is a motorsport venue opened in 2004 and used for drag racing, GP2 and the annual Bahrain Grand Prix. The 2004 Grand Prix was the first held in the Middle East. Since 2006, Australian V8 Supercar has been raced at the BIC and the V8 races are named as the Desert 400...
and since 2010 has raced at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
. The growth of the series has seen motorsport equal Rugby League
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
as Australia's third most watched sport.
The series incorporates the world famous Bathurst 1000
Bathurst 1000
The Bathurst 1000 is a touring car race held annually at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia...
race as a championship round. Because of the longer distance, regulations require two drivers per car for this race. This also applies to the Phillip Island 500
Phillip Island 500K
The Phillip Island 500K is an endurance motor race held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria, Australia. It has been contested each year from 1971 to 1977 and from 2008 to date....
.
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) currently competes at nine circuits in the UK with cars built either to BTC Touring
BTC Touring
In motor racing, BTC Touring was the set of new regulations for the British Touring Car Championship introduced in 2001 BTCC, after the demise of the Supertouring category....
or Super 2000
Super 2000
Super 2000, also known as S2000, is an FIA specification and classification for production based race cars. The specification is split to cover both rally and touring car racing. Super 2000 rally cars are also permitted to compete in Super 2000 World Rally Championship events...
specification, with ballast being used to equalise the two types. From 2011
2011 British Touring Car Championship season
The 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is a multi-event motor racing championship for sedan based touring car racing cars held across England and Scotland...
, cars running to the BTCC's own Next Generation Touring Car
Next Generation Touring Car
Next Generation Touring Car, also known as NGTC, is a TOCA specification and classification for production based race cars. The specification covers touring car racing. The goal of the NGTC classification is to allow more manufacturers and privateers to race by reducing the cost of a competitive...
specification will be eligible to compete in a phased move away from Super 2000
Super 2000
Super 2000, also known as S2000, is an FIA specification and classification for production based race cars. The specification is split to cover both rally and touring car racing. Super 2000 rally cars are also permitted to compete in Super 2000 World Rally Championship events...
regulations. Cars are 2.0-litre saloons and hatchback
Hatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
s with around 270 bhp and can be front or rear-wheel drive. During the 2010 season
2010 British Touring Car Championship season
The 2010 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season was the 53rd British Touring Car Championship season. It began at Thruxton Circuit on April 4 and finished after 30 races over ten events at Brands Hatch on October 10....
works teams entries come from Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
and Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
. Since BTCC budgets have been kept relatively low, there is a strong independent and privateer presence in the championship. Manufacturers represented by privateers include BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
, Vauxhall
Vauxhall
-Demography:Many Vauxhall residents live in social housing. There are several gentrified areas, and areas of terraced townhouses on streets such as Fentiman Road and Heyford Avenue have higher property values in the private market, however by far the most common type of housing stock within...
, Ford, Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
, Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
and SEAT
SEAT
SEAT, S.A. is a Spanish automobile manufacturer founded on May 9, 1950 by the Instituto Nacional de Industria , a state-owned industrial holding company....
.
Prior to 2001 the BTCC was contested by cars built to 2.0-litre supertouring regulations and had in its heyday up to nine different manufacturers. Joachim Winkelhock
Joachim Winkelhock
Joachim Winkelhock , is a German motor racing driver.The younger brother of the late Manfred Winkelhock, Winkelhock was born in Waiblingen, near Stuttgart...
stated on several occasions that it was the best touring car championship in the world, and many champions of that era now race in the World Touring Car Championship
World Touring Car Championship
For the video game, known as World Touring Car Championship in Japan, see TOCA World Touring CarsThe FIA World Touring Car Championship is an international Touring Car championship sanctioned by the FIA.-History:...
(WTCC). Between 2002 and 2006 the BTCC ran its own Touring class with Super Production/Super 2000 cars making up the numbers; the Touring class was phased out (only privateers are eligible to run old Touring cars) with the intention of a pure Super 2000 series. The introduction of the Next Generation Touring Car
Next Generation Touring Car
Next Generation Touring Car, also known as NGTC, is a TOCA specification and classification for production based race cars. The specification covers touring car racing. The goal of the NGTC classification is to allow more manufacturers and privateers to race by reducing the cost of a competitive...
specification, from 2011
2011 British Touring Car Championship season
The 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is a multi-event motor racing championship for sedan based touring car racing cars held across England and Scotland...
, will start a phased transition from Super 2000 cars in an effort to cut costs and improve the sport.
The Americas
- TC 2000 Championship (Argentina) (1979-still)
- SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge (North America) (1972-still)
- Castrol Canadian Touring Car ChampionshipCastrol Canadian Touring Car ChampionshipThe Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship is a national Canadian touring car racing series sanctioned by ASN Canada FIA. Races are sprint-type with lengths of 20, 30 or 40 minutes and the championship is featured at major racetracks in Canada...
- CDCC Dominican National Championship
- U.S. Touring Car Championship link
- Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge
- American Touring Car Championship link (2009-still)
- Trans Am Series (North America)- originally featured a low displacement touring car group (1966-1972)
Europe
- ADAC Procar SeriesADAC Procar SeriesThe ADAC Procar-Serie is a yearly motorsport series organized by German automobile club ADAC in Germany and some surrounding countries. The series has been running since 1995.-Current status:...
(Germany), formerly DMSBDeutscher Motor Sport BundDMSB or Deutscher Motor Sport Bund e. V. is Germany's motor racing governing body, formerly known as ONS . It is carried by the clubs ADAC, AvD and DMV, and represents Germany at FIA and FIM....
-Produktionswagen-Meisterschaft (DPM) with ETCCEuropean Touring Car ChampionshipThe European Touring Car Championship was an international touring car racing series organised by the FIA. It had two incarnations, the first one between 1963 and 1988, and the second between 2000 and 2004...
rules (1995-still) - Superstars Series (based in Italy) (2004-still)
- Scandinavian Touring Car ChampionshipScandinavian Touring Car ChampionshipThe Scandinavian Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series based in Scandinavia. The series took over from the Danish Touring Car Championship and Swedish Touring Car Championship, with its first season in 2011. The Scandinavian Touring Car Cup was awarded in 2010 to the driver with...
(2010-still) - Swedish Touring Car ChampionshipSwedish Touring Car ChampionshipSwedish Touring Car Championship was a touring car racing series based in Sweden, but also with rounds in Norway. They began operating in 1996, heavily influenced by the British Touring Car Championship and the success of BTCC racing on Swedish television...
(1996–2010) - Danish Touring Car ChampionshipDanish Touring Car ChampionshipThe Danish Touringcar Championship was a touring car racing series in Denmark. The inaugural year for the DTC was 1999, after the huge success in Scandinavia of the British Touring Car Championship. For the first two years it was known as the Danish Touring Car Challenge...
(1999–2010) - Italian Superturismo ChampionshipItalian Superturismo ChampionshipThe Italian Superturismo Championship was Italy's national motorsport series for touring cars. It was established in 1987 and its drivers' title has been held by such notable drivers as Le Mans winner Emanuele Pirro and two-time Champ Car champion Alex Zanardi.-History:Established in 1987 the...
(1987–1999, 2003–2008) - Baltic Touring Car ChampionshipBaltic Touring Car ChampionshipThe Baltic Touring Car Championship or BaTCC is a touring car racing series held each year in the Baltic states. The championship is regulated by a board containing two representetives each from the automobile associations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Eligible cars for the championship have...
- Belgian Touring Car SeriesBelgian Touring Car SeriesThe Belgian Touring Car Series is an endurance touring car racing series based in Belgium. It is organised by Speedworld and sanctioned by the Royal Automobile Club Belgium.-Race format:...
- Benelux Racing LeagueBRL V6The Benelux Racing League V6, better known as BRL V6, is a touring car racing series held in The Netherlands and Belgium between 2004 and 2009. It's the heavier variant on the BRL Light. For 2010, BRL cars were allowed into the Dutch Supercar Challenge....
- Dutch Supercar ChallengeDutch Supercar ChallengeThe Dutch Supercar Challenge is a motor racing series centered on the Benelux. A special feature is that touring cars, GTs and Sportscars can all participate on an equal basis within the same class, enabled by very open regulations. The championship was first held in 2001...
- Finnish Touring Car ChampionshipFinnish Touring Car ChampionshipThe Finnish Touring Car Championship is a domestic saloon car series. As of the 2007 season it became eligible to become part of the FIA European Touring Car Cup.-Champions:-References:**...
(1987-still) - Portuguese Touring Car Championship
- Russian Touring Car ChampionshipRussian Touring Car ChampionshipThe Russian Touring Car Championship is a national Russian racing series created in 2004. It incorporates four classes: Touring, Super-Production, Touring-Light and the national class.since 2004, is the promoter of the Championship Sergey Krylov...
- Rundstrecken Challenge Nürburgring (CHC) entry-level series on Germany's NürburgringNürburgringThe Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
(1990-still) - GleichmäßigkeitsprüfungGleichmäßigkeitsprüfungA Gleichmäßigkeitsprüfung is a motorsport event where precise timing is winning, not outright speed.Mainly Classic cars events like the modern Mille Miglia are held as GLPs....
(GLP) entry-level series on Germany's Nürburgring - V8Star SeriesV8Star SeriesThe V8Star Series was a touring car racing series based in Germany. It ran from 2001 to 2003 and can be compared to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters Series.-Cars:...
Asia
- Super GTSuper GTThe Super GT series, formerly known as the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship or JGTC , is a grand touring car race series promoted by the GT-Association...
(formerly the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship- JGTC, 1993-still ) - Hong Kong Touring Car ChampionshipHong Kong Touring Car ChampionshipThe Hong Kong Touring Car Championship was established by the Hong Kong Automobile Association in 2002. Currently, all the races are held at the Zhuhai International Circuit in Guangdong province, China , at the Guangdong International Circuit in the same province or during the Macau Grand Prix...
(2002-still) - Asian Touring Car ChampionshipAsian Touring Car ChampionshipThe Asian Touring Car Series is a touring car racing series that takes place each year across several Asian nations. It includes events at circuits in Malaysia, China and Indonesia. It ran as the Asian Touring Car Championship between 2000-2001, and 2005-2006.The championship consists of three...
(2000–2002, 2005-still) - New Zealand V8s (1994-still)
- Philippine Touring Car ChampionshipPhilippine Touring Car ChampionshipThe Philippine Touring Car Championships , formerly the Philippine National Touring Car Championships, is the only touring car series running under the banner of the Automobile Association of the Philippines ....
(formerly the PNTCC) - China Touring Car ChampionshipChina Touring Car ChampionshipThe China Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series based in China. Between 2004 and 2008 the series was known as the China Circuit Championship...
- Malaysian Super Series
- Macau Touring Car Championship (? - still)
- V8 supercars AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
Previous series
- The old World Touring Car Championship, plagued by lack of support from the FIAFédération Internationale de l'AutomobileThe Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile is a non-profit association established as the Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus on 20 June 1904 to represent the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users...
, raced under the Group AGroup AIn relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group A referred to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for outright competition. In contrast to the short-lived Group B and Group C, the Group A referred to production-derived vehicles limited in terms of power, weight, allowed...
regulations in 1987. - Germany's former DTCDTC-Companies and organizations:*Defence Technology Centre*Delaware Theatre Company*Delhi Transport Corporation , the transportation backbone of Delhi*Denver Technological Center, a business park located on I-25 in Denver and Greenwood Village, Colorado...
adopted ETCCEuropean Touring Car ChampionshipThe European Touring Car Championship was an international touring car racing series organised by the FIA. It had two incarnations, the first one between 1963 and 1988, and the second between 2000 and 2004...
rules in 2004 and was renamed to DMSB-Produktionswagen-Meisterschaft (DPM) until 2005 - Japanese Touring Car ChampionshipJapanese Touring Car ChampionshipThe Japanese Touring Car Championship , is a former touring car racing series held in Japan...
(JTCC) ran from 1994 through 1998. - Super Tourenwagen CupSuper Tourenwagen CupThe Super Tourenwagen Cup, or German Supertouring Championship, was a touring car racing series held between 1994 and 1999 in Germany.The championship was established when BMW and Audi both left the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft in 1992, after the series had adopted the more expensive Class 1...
(STW) ran from 1994 through 1999. - North American Touring Car ChampionshipNorth American Touring Car ChampionshipThe North American Touring Car Championship was a touring car racing series using the Supertouring formula that raced in North America in 1996 and 1997. The series was funded in part by IndyCar team owner Gerald Forsythe. He appointed his Vice-President of Business Operations, Canadian Roger...
(NATCC) ran from 1996 to 1997. - South American Super Touring Car ChampionshipSouth American Super Touring Car ChampionshipThe South American Super Touring Car Championship was an international touring car racing series in South America.-The Champions:-Notable Drivers:...
ran from 1997 through 2000. - Norwegian Touring Car ChampionshipNorwegian Touring Car ChampionshipThe Norwegian Touring Car Championship was held for three seasons between 2002 and 2004. The series used cars from the British Touring Car Championship and the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters that were built between 1987 and 1995...
- French Supertouring ChampionshipFrench Supertouring ChampionshipThe Championnat de France de Supertourisme was a touring car racing championship organised by the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile between 1976 and 2005....
(Championnat de France de Supertourisme), last season in 2005. - Campeonato Español de Turismos (Spanish Touring Car Championship) ran from 1959 to 1998.
- Bankfin Touring Car Championship (South African Touring Car Championship) which ended in 2000.
- Previous DTM (1984–1994) then turned to ITCC by fia in 1995, based in heavily modifield cars, began to be too expensive and due to retilrement from Opel and Alfa Romeo the ITCC series were cancelled in 1996.
Other notable competitions
- Renault Eurocup Mégane Trophy
- Spa 24 HoursSpa 24 HoursThe Total 24 Hours of Spa is an endurance racing event held annually in Belgium at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Conceived by Jules de Their and Henri Langlois Van Ophem just one year after the first 24 Hours of Le Mans, the race was run under the auspices of the Royal Automobile Club Belgium...
since 1924 - 24 Hours Nürburgring24 Hours NürburgringThe 24 Hours Nürburgring is a touring car and GT endurance racing event on the Nürburgring Nordschleife . With a lap length of over , it allows the participation of more than 200 cars, and over 700 drivers.-Overview:...
at the famous old NürburgringNürburgringThe Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
, since 1970, related to VLNVLNThe VLN, properly the Veranstaltergemeinschaft Langstreckenpokal Nürburgring is an organisation of motorsport clubs of which each hosts one event of a ten-race series held on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the "VLN Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring"...
series there - European Touring Car CupEuropean Touring Car CupThe FIA European Touring Car Cup is an annual touring car racing event, which has been held at various locations across Europe since 2005. Unlike in previous years where it was a one-off event, for 2010 the series is a three round event.-History:...
, held at various European circuits since 2005 - Macau Grand PrixMacau Grand PrixThe Macau Grand Prix is a motor-racing event held annually in Macau, one of China's Special Administrative Regions. It is known for being the only street circuit racing event in which both car and motorcycle races are held...
Guia RaceGuia RaceThe Guia Race of Macau is an international touring car race, and currently a round of the World Touring Car Championship. It is held on the temporary Guia Circuit on the steets of Macau, the Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China as part of the Macau Grand Prix weekend...
(contested as part of WTCC since 2005) - Bathurst 1000Bathurst 1000The Bathurst 1000 is a touring car race held annually at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia...
held at Mount Panorama CircuitMount Panorama CircuitMount Panorama Circuit is a motor racing track located in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. It is the home of the Bathurst 12 Hour motor race, held each February, and the Bathurst 1000 motor race, held each October...
since 1963 (the race was held at Phillip IslandPhillip Island Grand Prix CircuitThe Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is a motor racing racing circuit on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. The circuit was opened in 1956.-Road circuit:...
from 1960–1962) - Tourist Trophy for cars, held until 1988
- Wellington 500Wellington 500The Wellington 500 was a street race for touring cars which took place at Wellington City in Wellington, New Zealand. The race was first proposed in 1984 and first took place a year later with a different layout from that to the original proposal....
, held at the WellingtonWellingtonWellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
street circuit between 1985 to 1996 - InterTEC (インターTEC), held at Fuji SpeedwayFuji Speedwayis a race track standing in the foothills of Mount Fuji, in Oyama, Suntō District, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. It was built in the early 1960s and hosted the first Formula One race in Japan in 1976. In the 1980s, Fuji Speedway was used for the FIA World Sportscar Championship and national racing...
as part of the JTCC round through the series duration until the series' demise in 1998
Rule sets
Different sets of regulations do apply:- Contemporary touring car racing: Group AGroup AIn relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group A referred to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for outright competition. In contrast to the short-lived Group B and Group C, the Group A referred to production-derived vehicles limited in terms of power, weight, allowed...
Group BGroup BGroup B was a set of regulations introduced in 1982 for competition vehicles in sportscar racing and rallying regulated by the FIA. The Group B regulations fostered some of the quickest, most powerful and sophisticated rally cars ever built. However, a series of major accidents, some fatal, were...
Group F Group G Group H Group NGroup NIn relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group N refers to a set of regulations providing 'standard' production vehicles for competition, often referred to as the "Showroom Class"....
Group S Group SE Group SP Next Generation Touring CarNext Generation Touring CarNext Generation Touring Car, also known as NGTC, is a TOCA specification and classification for production based race cars. The specification covers touring car racing. The goal of the NGTC classification is to allow more manufacturers and privateers to race by reducing the cost of a competitive...
Super 2000Super 2000Super 2000, also known as S2000, is an FIA specification and classification for production based race cars. The specification is split to cover both rally and touring car racing. Super 2000 rally cars are also permitted to compete in Super 2000 World Rally Championship events...
SupertouringSupertouringSuper Touring, Class 2 or Class II was a motor racing Touring Cars category defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile for national touring car racing in 1993. It was based on the "2 litre Touring Car Formula" created for the British Touring Car Championship in 1990... - Historic touring car racing: Group 1Group 1 (racing)The Group 1 racing class referred to regulations for cars in touring car racing and rallying, as regulated by the FIA. The Group 1 class was replaced by Group N in the 1980s....
Group 2Group 2 (racing)The Group 2 racing class referred to regulations for cars in touring car racing and rallying, as regulated by the FIA. Group 2 was replaced by Group A in 1982....
Group 3Group 3 (racing)The Group 3 racing class referred to a set of regulations for Grand Touring Cars competing in sportscar racing and rallying events regulated by the FIA. These regulations were active, in various forms, from 1957 to 1981-1957 to 1965:...
Group 4Group 4 (racing)The Group 4 racing class referred to regulations for cars in sportscar racing, GT racing and rallying, as regulated by the FIA. The Group 4 class was replaced by Group B for the 1983 season.-Production requirements:...
Group 5Group 5 (racing)Group 5 was an FIA motor racing classification which was applied to four distinct categories during the years 1966 to 1982. Initially Group 5 regulations defined a Special Touring Car category and from 1970 to 1971 the classification was applied to limited production Sports Cars restricted to 5...