In the end, it was to prove third time lucky for Yvan Muller, finally getting the better of his Vauxhall teammate, whilst Triple Eight were able to squeeze sufficient development from the Astra Coupé to take 11 victories from the 20 races. Muller himself took an impressive tally of six victories with a further 11 podium finishes, failing to reach the finish line just twice.

Reliability (and pitstop perfection!) was the difference between Vauxhall and the rest. Both Honda and MG suffered frustrating engine problems, in particular when carrying ballast after a strong finish in the previous race. The Honda Civic’s pace was never in question, as demonstrated at Rockingham when Matt Neal and Alan Morrison claimed an impressive 1-2. However at the end of the season, it was always going to be an Astra at the top, and Yvan Muller’s delight was clear to see when finally lifted the famous trophy at Oulton Park.

As if to mirror the main championship, the battle for Independent glory went right to the wire. Indeed, the only fight to go the full distance was the duel between Rob Collard and James Kaye. Having overcome a budget-busting shunt at Thruxton early on in the season, it was Collard who finally delivered the knockout blow, bringing home the title in the final round as the perfect reward for the efforts of his truly independent team.

With so much to talk about, it would be difficult to do the 2003 BTCC season justice in ten-volumes, let alone a brief round up. However, here are just a few of the highlights from throughout the year…

Mondello Park

The opening rounds of the season saw the teams cross the Irish Sea and travel to Mondello Park near Dublin. Many of the cars had only been completed in the hours before the start of the event, and heavy rain did not make the learning process any easier.

Yvan Muller started the season as he had in the previous two years, by taking pole position for both of the opening races, but it was James Thompson who got his title defence off to the best possible start, claiming a pair of impressive victories after a last-lap battle with Muller in the second race – the Frenchman conceding after a mechanical problem slowed his final charge.

There was controversy right from the start of the season, as Paul O’Neill and Phil Bennett clashed in the pitlane, sending Bennett’s Proton crashing into the parked podium truck. Matt Neal and Gavin Pyper also came together as the conditions got the better of Pyper and he careered in to the back on Neal’s Honda. Hilton Independent Cup victory went to Rob Collard in both races.

Also:
Yvan Muller & Anthony Reid clash
Two non-finishes for Matt Neal
Colin Turkington fails to start either race

Brands Hatch Indy - CART

The second meeting of the year brought the first visit to Brands Hatch, with the BTCC headlining the support package for the prestigious UK round of the American CART series. In a weekend that was considered a huge success, more than 58,500 fans watched the BTCC stars out-shine the ‘slicks and wings’ CART formula, with a superb display of panel-bashing action and exhilarating entertainment, gaining the respect of a large new audience from both sides of the Atlantic.

Alongside the glamour brought by the American influx, James Thompson celebrated his 200th race in the BTCC by taking pole position. But it was Neal and Muller who emerged from the weekend with victories, although Neal was at the centre of disputes once more. The Honda Racing driver only took victory in round three after a dramatic last-corner lunge which saw him steal the glory away from VX Racing’s Paul O’Neill. Also being touched by controversy was the battle between Thompson and Colin Turkington, which ended with the MG in the tyre barrier.

Also:
Yvan Muller & Warren Hughes in synchronised slide at Paddock Bend
Heavy impact ends Chris Ryan’s season
Top 10 on the grid separated by 0.381 seconds
Tom Chilton misses both races after rolling in qualifying
1-2-3 for VX Racing in race two

Thruxton

Despite a full compliment of ballast, Yvan Muller took two more victories at the fastest circuit in the country, moving in to a 20-point lead over teammate Thompson. Matt Neal set the early pace for the weekend, and started race one from pole position, but the recurring problem of poor pitstops allowed Muller to leapfrog the Honda driver and take victory. The battle resumed in race two, but a puncture for Neal once more allowed Muller to take the glory

In the worst shunt of the season, Rob Collard’s independent Astra Coupe suffered severe damage on the first lap of the first race, collecting the MGs of Anthony Reid and Warren Hughes on the way in to the tyre barrier. The incident put a severe dent in his Indy Cup hopes, as well as his budget for the year.

Also:
Muller has won at Thruxton in each of the past four years
James Thompson makes stunning recovery after high speed slide
Gavin Pyper’s Astra refuses to start on the grid for race two
First production class victory of the year for Tom Boardman in the Peugeot 307

Silverstone

Silverstone brought further disappointment for Matt Neal, as an engine failure denied him victory just a couple of laps from the end of the race. James Thompson was the beneficiary of Neal’s bad luck, and was followed home by Muller. Colin Turkington finished third to take the first podium of the season for MG.

Making a one-off comeback to the series in a Team Dynamics Astra was Gareth Howell, and he was soon at the thick of the action. Anthony Reid found himself embroiled in a battle with the youngsters, as Howell, Pyper and Tom Chilton did battle all around the MG. Not to be outdone, Colin Turkington and Paul O’Neill also put on an impressive display, unfortunately ending with Alan Morrison being fired in to the gravel.

Also:
Reid hits Leslie in pitlane
Perfect pitstops for VX Racing
Alan Gow returns to BTCC paddock
Collard Astra rebuilt in time, only to retire early in race one

Rockingham

Rounds nine and ten took the BTCC to Rockingham Motor Speedway for the first time. With its imposing grandstands, views of the entire track and fast corners, the circuit became an immediate hit with the fans and teams alike. Honda Racing dominated the first race, taking their first front-row lockout in qualifying, followed by an impressive 1-2 from in the race.

A six-way battle for third place ensued behind the leaders, with Muller, Reid, Thompson, Pyper, Chilton and Collard all involved in a fierce battle that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats. With bollards on the chicane being demolished lap-by-lap, the race proved to be one of the most exciting of the season.

The Honda Civics experienced a complete turnaround in fortunes in race two however, as the all-too fragile engines succumbed under the increased ballast, sending both Neal and Morrison in to retirement. Anthony Reid looked set to take the first win of the season for MG, before throwing away the lead soon after the restart from a safety car period. Yvan Muller was there to capitalise on Reid’s misfortune, taking his 6th win of the season.

Also:
Double Indy victory for Collard
Boardman excluded from round 10 for Bentwood clash
Anthony Reid: “I’m a bloody plonker”
Electrical storm moves in on Rockingham

With a 31-point lead at the halfway stage in the season, Yvan Muller looked to be in a strong position. However, having watched his teammate steal the title from within his grasp in each of the previous two seasons, there was no way Muller would sit back and relax. No one could have predicted the excitement that was to come in the second half of the season!

Read part two of our look back over 2003 very soon on BTCCPages.com!
Photography by Peter Still & Andrew Jackson.