Thirteen cars are registered under the BTC Touring Class with twenty-three entering the BTC Production category. The new sporting regulations, introduced for the 2001 season, were designed to lower the costs for teams competing in the Championship and boost the number of entries from previous years. The new format has clearly played a key role in attracting new teams to the series.

Series Director Richard West commented: "I'm very pleased with the number of entries to the 2001 Championship. I'd like to thank all the teams for the enormous effort they've put in over the winter months in order to get their programmes together. I think the combination of the Vauxhall, Peugeot, Lexus and Alfa Romeo 147's are going to be a potent force for racing in the BTC Touring Class. As for the BTC Production class, I'm equally delighted with the number of entries we've received. The quality of teams are very high, and whilst we've been rebuilding the Championship, everybody has shown tremendous commitment to the series which is born out by the number of entries we have for the opening round.

89% of drivers registered are British, with the entry list for 2001 boasting amongst others, the star names of Steve Soper, Matt Neal, James Thompson and Jason Plato. Anthony Reid is due to make a return to the Championship later in the season with MG Sport and Racing.

In the Production category, Sporty Spice Mel C's brother Paul O'Neill has made the step up from the MGF Cup and will be looking for victory in the Production class with a Tech-speed prepared Peugeot 306. He faces tough opposition from Jim Edwards Jnr in the Honda Accord and Toni Ruokonen in the Mitsubishi Carisma but they will all be looking to outpace proven Production Class winners and strong title contenders Barwell Motorsport if they hope to reach the podium.

The first round of the British Touring Car Championship takes place at Brands Hatch on the 15th/16th April.