1995 Vauxhall Cavalier BTCC Ex-John Cleland

A couple of significant changes were announced by TOCA for the 1995 Autotrader RAC British Touring Car Championship. After Alfa Romeo’s creative interpretation of the rules it was decided that for the new season, wings and spoilers were now eligible for all cars and all race weekends were now double-headers, except the British GP support race. Happily, the Super Touring regulations adopted by the BTCC in 1993 were to continue with the full agreement of all the participating manufacturers.

In February of 1995, predicting the outcome of the season was proving rather difficult as one can see from looking at the runners and riders.

After their domination in 1994, Alfa Corse went back to contesting the Italian Supertouring Championship, TWR Volvo replaced the 850 Estate with the 850 saloon, Frank Williams set up Williams Touring Car Engineering and took over development of Renault’s Laguna, Rouse Sport ran Ford’s works effort for a third season with the V6 Mondeo, Toyota retained Toyota Team Europe engineering the Carina, Total Team Peugeot once again entered the Peugeot 405 Mi16, now in its final year, Honda joined the championship with Motor Sport Developments, entering the Accord and Vauxhall announced that the Cavalier was to be replaced by the new Vectra at the end of the season, so 1995 was the last hurrah for the model and John Cleland was joined by James Thompson.

With TV money much in evidence and the prospect of double-headers, build budgets were creeping into the 'no expense spared' category. Vauxhall were feeling confident with a strong driver line up (Cleland had already won the Championship in 1989 in an Astra) and the team at Ray Mallock Limited were positive as they prepared for their second season with the Cavalier.

Two cars were built for 1995, #022 was assigned to team leader (and champion elect) John Cleland with #023 destined for works driver, James Thompson. The Swindon-built engines generated 290bhp with roller throttle bodies and Alpha-Weber management, delivered to the road via an X-Trac 6-speed sequential gearbox. Braking was courtesy of AP Calipers on the front and Brembo on the rear, meanwhile suspension damping was taken care of by Dynamics. Tipping the scales at 975kg, the car’s weight was testament to its Dymag magnesium wheel rims, lightweight panels and computer-designed T45 roll cage, which resembled a space frame rather than a safety device. The cage, suspensions arms, pedal box and many other finishing touches were fabricated in house by RML.

As is well documented elsewhere, it was a dramatic and closely fought season with John Cleland winning six races and the Championship with 348 points in #22 from Alain Menu, and James Thompson secured seventh. Vauxhall were narrowly beaten into second by Renault, their winning margin only five points.

After this successful season, RML sold the car to Jim Richards in Australia who campaigned it in the Australian Super Touring championship before selling the car to Bob Tweedie at IBC Motorsport who used the car to compete in the same series (as evidenced by its period scrutineering stickers, which are still in place). We understand that it had a top-end rebuild by John Masala in Australia in 1999.

In 2000, our vendor bought #22 and brought it back to the UK to commence a gentle retirement only interrupted by a demonstration run at Silverstone in 2005 and an engine refresh by Bob Jones in 2011. Earlier this year (2024), it was decided to bring #22 out of retirement and after an inspection and a full check by Bob Jones, it had its first run out for many years at the Super Touring Power Festival at Brands Hatch. The car’s busy year has continued with a photoshoot at Silverstone prior to our sale and a bit of fuss to make #22 look as good as possible for the Festival Auction.

The car still boasts its original 1996 Cleland Racetech steering wheel, seat and belts along with original and period 1995 Homologation stickers. It’s supplied in full running order with a handsome spares package (details available separately) which includes two set of wheels and another suitable for transport. This is a unique opportunity to acquire a championship-winning car from a period when manufacturer-supported saloon car racing had become a Saturday afternoon television must-see and drivers were becoming household names, particularly young John Cleland, whose legendary gestures and no-holds barred opinions of his fellow drivers turned him into a bit of a celebrity. It was 'show business' and #22 was right in the middle.