The introduction of a 2-litre, single-class touring car formula (devised in the UK and later adopted worldwide by the FIA as ‘Sup…1197 tokens truncated…elt, the TWR-run Volvo attack switched to a saloon bodyshell, while Renault set up a new BTCC camp with its renowned Formula 1 partner Williams. Further underlining the series’ status, Alfa Romeo engaged former F1 star and UK racing hero Derek Warwick. Nevertheless, it was Cleland, the 1989 champion, who took the opening race for Vauxhall. Sweden’s Rickard Rydell and new team-mate Harvey were soon race winners for Volvo and, when Menu triumphed for Renault, an epic battle was set up among the leading three manufacturers. Four successive mid-season victories by Cleland reasserted Vauxhall’s advantage. Although Menu and Hoy fought back and ultimately secured the Manufacturers’ title for Renault, Cleland continued to amass enough points to become a worthy Drivers’ Champion.

Audi was the big talking point in 1996. Entering the series for the first time, the German manufacturer came armed with its four-wheel-drive A4 quattro saloon and accomplished German star Frank Biela. The silver cars quickly became the class of the field and Biela established a strong grip on the title by winning five of the opening eight rounds. A mid-season weight review reduced the Audi’s 4WD advantage, but didn’t prevent a clear-cut success.

After three seasons as championship bridesmaid, Renault ace Menu finally made it to the top in 1997. The Swiss speedster swept to victory, securing the Drivers’ crown with several races in hand. The Renault Laguna was all-conquering and the Williams outfit succeeded Audi as champions in every domain.

The following year’s championship, though, was more keenly contested with the destination of the Drivers’, Manufacturers’ and Teams’ titles all in doubt until the final weekend of a memorably hard-fought campaign. No fewer than nine different drivers claimed race wins before Rydell emerged as champion in his TWR-prepared Volvo S40. The other two titles went to the Nissan Primera squad prepared by RML. 1998 was also the year when former F1 World Champion Nigel Mansell made three high-profile guest appearances in the BTCC, racing a Ford Mondeo at Brands Hatch, Donington Park and Silverstone.

Volvo, Honda, Vauxhall and Ford all won races in 1999 but, after a disastrous start at Donington Park, it was Nissan’s French signing, Laurent Aiello, who quickly established himself as the man to beat. Aiello was always under pressure – not least from team-mate David Leslie – but nine victories from 26 starts was enough to clinch the crown. The year produced another big winner, too, when Nissan privateer Matt Neal bagged a bumper £250,000 cheque offered by TOCA to the first independent driver to win a BTCC race outright.

With TOCA marketing the series aggressively, the Nineties were a boom time for the BTCC. Thrilling TV coverage – live coverage on the BBC’s Saturday afternoon sports show, Grandstand, supplemented by regular highlights – plus packed grandstands and star names became part and parcel of the championship’s ongoing success, but such achievement came at a cost. With budgets soaring, only three manufacturer teams – Ford, Honda and Vauxhall – remained as the BTCC headed into a new millennium in 2000 and the Super Touring grid was supplemented by a less powerful class for Group N-based cars. All three front-line teams won races before Menu – now spearheading Ford’s three-pronged attack – took his second title. For the record, the final two races of the Super Touring era – which was about to be superseded by a new set of cost-cutting technical regulations – were won by Le Mans 24 Hours legend, Denmark’s Tom Kristensen, in a WSR-prepared Honda Accord at Silverstone.