[kmchow]

Let's do a comparison of the '01 BTCC and '99 BTCC which I have easy access to, courtesy of my Touring Car World Annuals! I don't have '02 records yet.

Comparing Fastest Laps

'99 BTCC (sprint,feature race)
Donington Park 155,154.5 kph
Silverstone 153,148 kph
Thruxton 172,179 kph
Brands Hatch 140,143 kph
Oulton Park 149,146 kph
Croft 147,146 kph
Snetterton 151,157 kph
Knockhill 141,135 kph

'01 BTCC (sprint, feature race)
Donington Park 123,129 kph
Silverstone 139,126 kph
Thruxton 163,169 kph
Brands Hatch 142,135 kph
Oulton Park 146,152 kph
Croft 125,111 kph
Snetterton 128,136 kph
Knockhill 129,117 kph

So the new BTC cars seem to be about 10-15 kph slower than the ST counterparts in general. ST cars supposedly had closer to 320hp during the last few years of existence. This compares to the 290hp the BTC cars currently have.

OTOH, as someone mentioned, the lightest ST cars weight 975kg compared to the current 1180kg for BTC cars--a difference of 205kg!