After the successful RML Vauxhall Cavalier which won the BTCC in 1995, hopes were high for the replacement, the 1996 Vectra. John Cleland was joined by highly promising youngster, James Thompson.
However, the season was a disappointment due to the car handling ''strangely'' and the Audi team dominating the season.
Cleland and James Kaye went to Bathurst at the end of the year and had an ''interesting'' time.
1997 saw Thompson move to Honda, his replacement being ex-F1 driver Derek Warwick. Also new was the car, this time built by 888 as RML were awarded the contract to build the new Nissan Primera.
Again, results were poor, mainly due to the car's aero package being designed for bigger European tracks. BTCC rules said that the aero parts couldn't be changed after the season started, so 888's hands were tied.
1998 saw Cleland stay with Vauxhall with Warwick returning, and the team went to the Bathurst 1000 with strong results.
Greg Murphy and Russell Ingall ran Warwick's BTCC car at Bathurst too:
Mark Lemmer also ran a Vectra privately in the Total Cup.
1999 was to be the the final season of John Cleland. Again, the car was off the pace which was enough to convince John to hang up his helmet. He told the world via BBC Grandstand live coverage at Thruxton......before he told Ian Harrison, boss of 888. Also changing was Warwick leaving, Yvan Muller coming in from a poor season with Audi.
2000 was the final season of the Super Touring cars. The high costs forced out Volvo, Nissan, Renault and Audi in previous seasons, leaving just Ford, Honda and Vauxhall to run 3 cars apiece. 888 fielded Jason Plato and Vincent Radermecker alongside returnee Muller.
Away from the BTCC, the Vectra was a sucessful front-running car in Sweden, Italy, Germany and Spain, running under the Opel brand. Lots of chassis were built, and they are a popular choice for club racers today.
However, the season was a disappointment due to the car handling ''strangely'' and the Audi team dominating the season.
Cleland and James Kaye went to Bathurst at the end of the year and had an ''interesting'' time.
1997 saw Thompson move to Honda, his replacement being ex-F1 driver Derek Warwick. Also new was the car, this time built by 888 as RML were awarded the contract to build the new Nissan Primera.
Again, results were poor, mainly due to the car's aero package being designed for bigger European tracks. BTCC rules said that the aero parts couldn't be changed after the season started, so 888's hands were tied.
1998 saw Cleland stay with Vauxhall with Warwick returning, and the team went to the Bathurst 1000 with strong results.
Greg Murphy and Russell Ingall ran Warwick's BTCC car at Bathurst too:
Mark Lemmer also ran a Vectra privately in the Total Cup.
1999 was to be the the final season of John Cleland. Again, the car was off the pace which was enough to convince John to hang up his helmet. He told the world via BBC Grandstand live coverage at Thruxton......before he told Ian Harrison, boss of 888. Also changing was Warwick leaving, Yvan Muller coming in from a poor season with Audi.
2000 was the final season of the Super Touring cars. The high costs forced out Volvo, Nissan, Renault and Audi in previous seasons, leaving just Ford, Honda and Vauxhall to run 3 cars apiece. 888 fielded Jason Plato and Vincent Radermecker alongside returnee Muller.
Away from the BTCC, the Vectra was a sucessful front-running car in Sweden, Italy, Germany and Spain, running under the Opel brand. Lots of chassis were built, and they are a popular choice for club racers today.
