John Cleland (racing driver)

Racing career

Pre-BTCC

In the mid-1980s, Cleland's father Bill purchased the 1984 Bathurst 1000 second place Holden VK Commodore (an Australian car) from Peter Brock's Holden Dealer Team for his son to race in Thundersaloons. During this time, the Commodore ran as a Vauxhall Senator.

BTCC

Cleland adapted quickly to touring car racing and won the BTCC at his first attempt, in the days when the championship consisted of four separate classes, each in their own races but scoring points for the same title. Cleland won 11 of his 13 races in class C for 1601-2000cc cars. The 2-litre Cavalier was introduced the next year, in readiness for the single 2-litre format in 1991. Cleland finished 2nd in class to his rival Frank Sytner in 1990 after a fierce season long battle, and 5th overall. The following year he won three races and finished second in the championship to Will Hoy, taking Vauxhall's first ever overall BTCC win.{{cite news | access-date = 2009-12-16}} In 1992 Cleland battled with Hoy and Tim Harvey for the title, but was denied at the last round by a controversial collision with Steve Soper, the teammate of eventual champion Harvey. In 1993 and 1994 the championship was dominated by BMW and Alfa Romeo respectively, and Cleland had to make do with fourth overall in both years.

For 1996, the Cavalier was replaced by the new Vectra, which turned out to be a problematic package. Cleland finished eighth in the title chase. 1997 proved to be even worse, with Cleland slipping to 12th in the standings and Vauxhall finishing bottom of the Constructors' title. 1998 was better, and Cleland took two victories, both at Donington Park - a traditional happy hunting ground for the Scotsman - before a heavy crash at Snetterton interrupted his season. In 1999 Cleland was outpaced by team newcomer Yvan Muller and decided by mid-season to retire. He finished his last race at a wet Silverstone in tenth place, after being given a drive-through penalty for speeding in the pits, which provoked a typically belligerent reaction from Cleland over a live radio link to his car that had been set up by the BBC.

In a 2005 poll by Motorsport Magazine, Cleland was voted the tenth greatest touring car driver of all time.

Post BTCC

Cleland purchased his old Vauxhall Vectra super tourer, and now races in the Historic Super Touring championship, alongside his contemporaries Patrick Watts and Tim Harvey.

Racing record

Complete European Touring Car Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete British Touring Car Championship results

(key) Races in bold indicate pole position (1 point awarded all races 1996 onwards, 1989–1990 in class) Races in italics indicate fastest lap (1 point awarded all races - 1989–1990 in class) * signifies that driver lead feature race for at least one lap (1 point awarded - 1998 onwards)

1. – Race was stopped due to heavy rain. No points were awarded.

Complete V8 Supercar Championship results

Complete Bathurst 1000 results

• Super Touring race

Complete British GT Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

References

References

1. "In the hot seat - John Cleland".
2. "Goodwood Festival of Speed 2005 Big Banger HDT VK Commodore".
3. "Vauxhall in the BTCC: The Drivers - INSIDE BTCC".
4. (29 July 2014). "Gallery: 25 years of Vauxhall in the BTCC".
5. "Top 20 tin-top drivers".
6. (2004-08-16). "Six more star names for BTCC Masters grid". [[SEAT Sport]].
7. "Clelands". Cleland of the Borders.
8. "Home".
9. "A Decade of the BTCC Relived with Super Tourers".
10. "British Saloon Car Championship".