{"id":10977,"date":"1996-09-22T14:51:00","date_gmt":"1996-09-22T14:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ooooiykyk.com\/audiarchives\/?p=10977"},"modified":"2026-10-09T15:01:49","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T15:01:49","slug":"british-touring-car-championship-btcc-1996-%f0%9f%87%ac%f0%9f%87%a7%f0%9f%a5%87","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ooooiykyk.com\/audiarchives\/1996\/09\/22\/british-touring-car-championship-btcc-1996-%f0%9f%87%ac%f0%9f%87%a7%f0%9f%a5%87\/","title":{"rendered":"British Touring Car Championship (BTCC, 1996) \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7\ud83e\udd47"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What:<\/strong> 1996 British Touring Car Championship<\/a>
Series:<\/strong> BTCC<\/a>
Model Family:<\/strong> A4<\/a>
Model \/ Generation Code(s):<\/strong> type 8D<\/a>, R7<\/a>
Chassis \/ Matrix:<\/strong> <\/a>B5<\/a>
Racecar Generation:<\/strong> R7<\/a>
Rounds:<\/strong> 13 events \/ 26 races
Season:<\/strong> 1996<\/a>
Circuits:<\/strong> Donington Park<\/a>, Brands Hatch<\/a>, Thruxton<\/a>, Silverstone<\/a>, Oulton Park<\/a>, Snetterton<\/a>, Knockhill<\/a>
Countries:<\/strong> UK<\/a>
Team Champion:<\/strong> Audi Sport UK<\/a>
Manufacturer Champion:<\/strong> Audi
Driver Champion:<\/strong> Frank Biela<\/a>
Winning Car:<\/strong> A4 quattro Super Touring<\/a> #45
Winning Chassis:<\/strong> ST16<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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OVERVIEW<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 1996 Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship marked Audi\u2019s first BTCC season with the A4 quattro Super Touring. The calendar comprised 13 meetings and 26 races, beginning at Donington Park on April 8 and concluding at Brands Hatch on September 22. Seven circuits hosted the championship, with different layouts used for the return visits to Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Oulton Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frank Biela won the drivers\u2019 championship with 289 points, finishing 92 points ahead of Renault\u2019s Alain Menu. Biela recorded eight victories, while teammate John Bintcliffe finished seventh overall. Audi also won the manufacturers\u2019 championship and Audi Sport UK the teams\u2019 championship, completing a sweep of the three principal outright titles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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AUDI\u2019S TWO-CAR FACTORY EFFORT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Audi Sport UK entered two A4 quattro sedans, pairing German touring car veteran Frank Biela in #45 with British newcomer John Bintcliffe in #44. Bintcliffe arrived after winning the Renault Clio Cup in 1994 and the Ford Credit Fiesta championship in 1995, making the Audi drive his first full BTCC campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biela won both opening races at Donington Park and the first race at the following Brands Hatch meeting. His season ultimately included 20 podium finishes, with further victories at Thruxton, Silverstone, Knockhill, Oulton Park and the Brands Hatch finale. Bintcliffe contributed five podiums, including second-place finishes at Thruxton and Knockhill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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QUATTRO AND THE CHAMPIONSHIP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The A4\u2019s quattro all-wheel-drive system became a central talking point during the season. Rival manufacturers challenged its competitive advantage, and Audi received an additional weight penalty. Biela nevertheless secured the drivers\u2019 title with four races remaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Britain\u2019s championship was one of seven national touring car titles won by the A4 quattro in 1996, alongside Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, South Africa and Australia. The British result established the A4 as a championship winner in another major Super Touring series and made Biela the first Audi driver to win the BTCC title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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AUDI TEAMS & DRIVERS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Team<\/th>Car<\/th>No.<\/th>Driver<\/th>Class<\/th>Chassis<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Audi Sport UK<\/td>A4 quattro<\/td>44<\/td>\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 John Bintcliffe<\/td>Factory<\/td>Unconfirmed<\/td><\/tr>
Audi Sport UK<\/td>A4 quattro<\/td>45<\/td>\ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea Frank Biela<\/td>Factory<\/td>ST16<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

RACE CALENDAR & RESULTS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dates use month\/day\/year. \u201cEvent\u201d identifies the meeting; \u201cRace\u201d identifies the first or second race within that meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Date<\/th>Event<\/th>Circuit<\/th>Race<\/th>Pole Position<\/th>Winner<\/th>Marque<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
04\/08\/1996<\/td>1<\/td>Donington Park (GP)<\/td>1<\/td>Rickard Rydell<\/td>Frank Biela<\/td>Audi<\/td><\/tr>
04\/08\/1996<\/td>1<\/td>Donington Park (GP)<\/td>2<\/td>Frank Biela<\/td>Frank Biela<\/td>Audi<\/td><\/tr>
04\/21\/1996<\/td>2<\/td>Brands Hatch (Indy)<\/td>1<\/td>Alain Menu<\/td>Frank Biela<\/td>Audi<\/td><\/tr>
04\/21\/1996<\/td>2<\/td>Brands Hatch (Indy)<\/td>2<\/td>Joachim Winkelhock<\/td>Joachim Winkelhock<\/td>BMW<\/td><\/tr>
05\/06\/1996<\/td>3<\/td>Thruxton<\/td>1<\/td>Frank Biela<\/td>Frank Biela<\/td>Audi<\/td><\/tr>
05\/06\/1996<\/td>3<\/td>Thruxton<\/td>2<\/td>Joachim Winkelhock<\/td>Joachim Winkelhock<\/td>BMW<\/td><\/tr>
05\/19\/1996<\/td>4<\/td>Silverstone (International)<\/td>1<\/td>Roberto Ravaglia<\/td>Kelvin Burt<\/td>Volvo<\/td><\/tr>
05\/19\/1996<\/td>4<\/td>Silverstone (International)<\/td>2<\/td>Frank Biela<\/td>Frank Biela<\/td>Audi<\/td><\/tr>
05\/27\/1996<\/td>5<\/td>Oulton Park (International)<\/td>1<\/td>Frank Biela<\/td>Joachim Winkelhock<\/td>BMW<\/td><\/tr>
05\/27\/1996<\/td>5<\/td>Oulton Park (International)<\/td>2<\/td>Frank Biela<\/td>Rickard Rydell<\/td>Volvo<\/td><\/tr>
06\/16\/1996<\/td>6<\/td>Snetterton<\/td>1<\/td>Joachim Winkelhock<\/td>James Thompson<\/td>Vauxhall<\/td><\/tr>
06\/16\/1996<\/td>6<\/td>Snetterton<\/td>2<\/td>Joachim Winkelhock<\/td>Joachim Winkelhock<\/td>BMW<\/td><\/tr>
06\/30\/1996<\/td>7<\/td>Brands Hatch (GP)<\/td>1<\/td>Alain Menu<\/td>Alain Menu<\/td>Renault<\/td><\/tr>
06\/30\/1996<\/td>7<\/td>Brands Hatch (GP)<\/td>2<\/td>Alain Menu<\/td>Alain Menu<\/td>Renault<\/td><\/tr>
07\/13\/1996<\/td>8<\/td>Silverstone (GP)<\/td>1<\/td>David Leslie<\/td>Roberto Ravaglia<\/td>BMW<\/td><\/tr>
07\/14\/1996<\/td>8<\/td>Silverstone (GP)<\/td>2<\/td>David Leslie<\/td>David Leslie<\/td>Honda<\/td><\/tr>
07\/28\/1996<\/td>9<\/td>Knockhill<\/td>1<\/td>Rickard Rydell<\/td>Frank Biela<\/td>Audi<\/td><\/tr>
07\/28\/1996<\/td>9<\/td>Knockhill<\/td>2<\/td>Rickard Rydell<\/td>Rickard Rydell<\/td>Volvo<\/td><\/tr>
08\/11\/1996<\/td>10<\/td>Oulton Park (Fosters)<\/td>1<\/td>David Leslie<\/td>Alain Menu<\/td>Renault<\/td><\/tr>
08\/11\/1996<\/td>10<\/td>Oulton Park (Fosters)<\/td>2<\/td>Frank Biela<\/td>Frank Biela<\/td>Audi<\/td><\/tr>
08\/26\/1996<\/td>11<\/td>Thruxton<\/td>1<\/td>Alain Menu<\/td>David Leslie<\/td>Honda<\/td><\/tr>
08\/26\/1996<\/td>11<\/td>Thruxton<\/td>2<\/td>Joachim Winkelhock<\/td>Rickard Rydell<\/td>Volvo<\/td><\/tr>
09\/08\/1996<\/td>12<\/td>Donington Park (GP)<\/td>1<\/td>Rickard Rydell<\/td>Rickard Rydell<\/td>Volvo<\/td><\/tr>
09\/08\/1996<\/td>12<\/td>Donington Park (GP)<\/td>2<\/td>Rickard Rydell<\/td>David Leslie<\/td>Honda<\/td><\/tr>
09\/22\/1996<\/td>13<\/td>Brands Hatch (Indy)<\/td>1<\/td>Joachim Winkelhock<\/td>Alain Menu<\/td>Renault<\/td><\/tr>
09\/22\/1996<\/td>13<\/td>Brands Hatch (Indy)<\/td>2<\/td>Joachim Winkelhock<\/td>Frank Biela<\/td>Audi<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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DRIVER STANDINGS (TOP 10)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pos.<\/th>Driver<\/th>Nationality<\/th>Marque<\/th>Pts.<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
1<\/td>Frank Biela<\/td>\ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea GER<\/td>Audi<\/td>289<\/td><\/tr>
2<\/td>Alain Menu<\/td>\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded SUI<\/td>Renault<\/td>197<\/td><\/tr>
3<\/td>Rickard Rydell<\/td>\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddea SWE<\/td>Volvo<\/td>194<\/td><\/tr>
4<\/td>David Leslie<\/td>\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 GBR<\/td>Honda<\/td>159<\/td><\/tr>
5<\/td>Joachim Winkelhock<\/td>\ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea GER<\/td>BMW<\/td>158<\/td><\/tr>
6<\/td>Roberto Ravaglia<\/td>\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf9 ITA<\/td>BMW<\/td>157<\/td><\/tr>
7<\/td>John Bintcliffe<\/td>\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 GBR<\/td>Audi<\/td>113<\/td><\/tr>
8<\/td>John Cleland<\/td>\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 GBR<\/td>Vauxhall<\/td>102<\/td><\/tr>
9<\/td>Will Hoy<\/td>\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 GBR<\/td>Renault<\/td>95<\/td><\/tr>
10<\/td>James Thompson<\/td>\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 GBR<\/td>Vauxhall<\/td>83<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

TEAM STANDINGS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pos.<\/th>Team<\/th>Pts.<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
1<\/td>Audi Sport UK<\/td>396<\/td><\/tr>
2<\/td>BMW Team Schnitzer<\/td>323<\/td><\/tr>
3<\/td>Williams Renault Dealer Racing<\/td>288<\/td><\/tr>
4<\/td>Volvo 850 Racing<\/td>255<\/td><\/tr>
5<\/td>Honda Team MSD<\/td>186<\/td><\/tr>
6<\/td>Vauxhall Sport<\/td>185<\/td><\/tr>
7<\/td>Valvoline Team Mondeo<\/td>29<\/td><\/tr>
8<\/td>Total Team Peugeot<\/td>26<\/td><\/tr>
9<\/td>Mint Motorsport<\/td>6<\/td><\/tr>
10<\/td>Rouse Sport<\/td>5<\/td><\/tr>
11<\/td>Brookes Motorsport<\/td>3<\/td><\/tr>
12<\/td>Team Dynamics<\/td>1<\/td><\/tr>
13<\/td>ProMotor Sport<\/td>0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

MANUFACTURER STANDINGS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pos.<\/th>Manufacturer<\/th>Pts.<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
1<\/td>Audi<\/td>298<\/td><\/tr>
2<\/td>BMW<\/td>258<\/td><\/tr>
3<\/td>Volvo<\/td>244<\/td><\/tr>
4<\/td>Renault<\/td>243<\/td><\/tr>
5<\/td>Honda<\/td>201<\/td><\/tr>
6<\/td>Vauxhall<\/td>172<\/td><\/tr>
7<\/td>Peugeot<\/td>74<\/td><\/tr>
8<\/td>Ford<\/td>74<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

PHOTO GALLERY<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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SOURCES AND NOTES<\/h2>\n\n\n\n