The 1990 Esso RAC British Touring Car Championship season was the 33rd
British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season and marked the last year of the
Group A era. It was also the final year of the multi-class format.
Changes for 1990
Classes changed from four to two. Group A cars now ran alongside the all new 2 litre Touring Car Formula, with a view to a single class formula for 1991. This was to encourage new manufacturers to enter the series, with a more even field of cars and cheaper running costs.
BMW and
Vauxhall already entered works teams this year, with other manufacturers showing interest for future seasons.
One hour endurance races increased from one to two.
Season summary
The first race was won by
Andy Rouse in his
Ford Sierra RS500. He also won the first 1 Hour endurance race at
Donington Park GP with
David Sears. The next race at
Thruxton was won by
Robb Gravett. Gravett also won the next six races including the second 1 Hour endurance race at
Brands Hatch with
Mike Smith. Rouse won the
Birmingham Superprix. This would be best remembered for the last lap accident between
Frank Sytner and
John Cleland. It would be the last time that the
BTCC would race on the track.
Gravett then won at Donington. The last two races, at Thruxton and
Silverstone, were won by Rouse and Gravett.
It was Gravett who won the championship, despite the team's struggle to run through the season on a low budget with no main sponsor.
The 1990 Esso RAC British Touring Car Championship season was the 33rd
British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season and marked the last year of the
Group A era. It was also the final year of the multi-class format.
Changes for 1990
Classes changed from four to two. Group A cars now ran alongside the all new 2 litre Touring Car Formula, with a view to a single class formula for 1991. This was to encourage new manufacturers to enter the series, with a more even field of cars and cheaper running costs.
BMW and
Vauxhall already entered works teams this year, with other manufacturers showing interest for future seasons.
One hour endurance races increased from one to two.
Season summary
The first race was won by
Andy Rouse in his
Ford Sierra RS500. He also won the first 1 Hour endurance race at
Donington Park GP with
David Sears. The next race at
Thruxton was won by
Robb Gravett. Gravett also won the next six races including the second 1 Hour endurance race at
Brands Hatch with
Mike Smith. Rouse won the
Birmingham Superprix. This would be best remembered for the last lap accident between
Frank Sytner and
John Cleland. It would be the last time that the
BTCC would race on the track.
Gravett then won at Donington. The last two races, at Thruxton and
Silverstone, were won by Rouse and Gravett.
It was Gravett who won the championship, despite the team's struggle to run through the season on a low budget with no main sponsor.