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John Cleland (racing driver)
Encyclopedia
John Cleland. is a retired Scottish
auto racing
driver. He raced autocross
and hillclimb
in the 1970s, before achieving success in British Production Car and Thundersaloon championships, before joining Vauxhall
for the 1989 British Touring Car Championship
. He is currently a co-commentator alongside Martin Haven
on the English world feed of the World Touring Car Championship
which is used by Eurosport
.
Cleland adapted quickly and won the title 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. John won 11 of his 13 races in class C for 1.5l 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 in 1990 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. In 1992 John 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 John had to make do with fourth overall in both years.
1995 proved to be the breakthrough year for the Cavalier
, ironically in its last year of competition. Despite the Volvo 850
and Renault Laguna
often having the edge in speed, in the hands of Rickard Rydell
and Alain Menu
respectively, Cleland's consistent run of points finishes allied to a four-race winning streak in the mid-season allowed him to beat both drivers to the title. For 1996, the Cavalier was replaced by the new Vectra, which turned out to be a problematic package. Cleland finished 8th in the title chase. 1997 proved to be even worse, with John slipping to 12th in the standings and Vauxhall finishing bottom of the Constructors' title. 1998 was better, and John 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 the British GT series, an ASCAR
race at Rockingham
, twelve Bathurst 1000
s, and the BTCC Masters
race in 2004. He now runs a Volvo and Jaguar dealership. His son Jamie has started a racing career. John is also a co-commentator for Eurosport
on their WTCC
coverage. He replaced fellow Scot David Leslie
after his death in 2008.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
auto racing
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
driver. He raced autocross
Autocross
Autocross is a form of motorsports that emphasizes safe competition and active participation. An autocross is a timed competition where drivers navigate one at a time through a defined course on either sealed or unsealed surfaces...
and hillclimb
Hillclimbing
Hillclimbing is a branch of motorsport in which drivers compete against the clock to complete an uphill course....
in the 1970s, before achieving success in British Production Car and Thundersaloon championships, before joining Vauxhall
Vauxhall Motors
Vauxhall Motors is a British automotive company owned by General Motors and headquartered in Luton. It was founded in 1857 as a pump and marine engine manufacturer, began manufacturing cars in 1903 and was acquired by GM in 1925. It has been the second-largest selling car brand in the UK for...
for the 1989 British Touring Car Championship
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
. He is currently a co-commentator alongside Martin Haven
Martin Haven
Martin Haven is a freelance British motorsport commentator, who lives in Royal Leamington Spa. He is the Eurosport commentator for the World Touring Car Championship....
on the English world feed of the World Touring Car Championship
World Touring Car Championship
For the video game, known as World Touring Car Championship in Japan, see TOCA World Touring CarsThe FIA World Touring Car Championship is an international Touring Car championship sanctioned by the FIA.-History:...
which is used by Eurosport
Eurosport
Eurosport is a pan-European television sport network operated by French broadcaster TF1 Group. The network of channels are available in 59 countries, in 20 different languages providing viewers with European and international sporting events...
.
Vauxhall Cavalier
The Vauxhall Cavalier is a large family car sold primarily in the UK by Vauxhall Motors, the British division of General Motors , from 1975 to 1995...
was introduced the next year, in readiness for the single 2-litre format in 1991. Cleland finished 2nd in class in 1990 and 5th overall. The following year he won three races and finished second in the championship to Will Hoy
Will Hoy
William Ewing Hoy , was a British racing driver and the 1991 British Touring Car Champion, the highlight of a 20-year career in motor racing. Born in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, Hoy did not begin racing until his late 20s and first raced at international level in 1985, taking on the full World...
, taking Vauxhall's first ever overall BTCC win. In 1992 John battled with Hoy and Tim Harvey
Tim Harvey
Tim Harvey is a racing driver from England. He was the 2008 and 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain Champion. A household name in the 1990s, Harvey won the prestigious BTCC title in 1992, and was a frontrunner for most of the late 80s and early 90s...
for the title, but was denied at the last round by a controversial collision with Steve Soper
Steve Soper
Steve Soper is a retired racing driver from Surrey, England, born in 1951. He raced in sports cars and touring cars at the top level for over 20 years. In 1983 he almost won the British Touring Car Championship before his Rover was deemed illegal. He finished as runner-up in the series in 1988 in a...
, the teammate of eventual champion Harvey. In 1993 and 1994 the championship was dominated by BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
and Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars...
respectively, and John had to make do with fourth overall in both years.
1995 proved to be the breakthrough year for the Cavalier
Vauxhall Cavalier
The Vauxhall Cavalier is a large family car sold primarily in the UK by Vauxhall Motors, the British division of General Motors , from 1975 to 1995...
, ironically in its last year of competition. Despite the Volvo 850
Volvo 850
The Volvo 850 is a compact executive car produced by Volvo Cars from 1992 to 1997 and designed by Jan Wilsgaard. Available in sedan/saloon and station wagon/estate body styles, the Volvo 850 was notable as the first front-wheel drive vehicle from this Swedish manufacturer to be exported to North...
and Renault Laguna
Renault Laguna
The Renault Laguna is a large family car produced by the French manufacturer Renault. The first Laguna was launched in 1993, the second generation was launched in 2000, and the third generation was made available for sale in October 2007....
often having the edge in speed, in the hands of Rickard Rydell
Rickard Rydell
Rickard Rydell is a Swedish racing driver. He won the 1998 British Touring Car Championship, the 2011 Scandinavian Touring Car Championship, and has also been a frontrunner in the European/World Touring Car Championship.-Early career:In the early 1990s, Rydell raced in various Formula Three series...
and Alain Menu
Alain Menu
Alain Menu is a Swiss racing driver. He was one of the most successful touring car drivers of the 1990s, winning the prestigious British Touring Car Championship twice . He currently races for Chevrolet in the World Touring Car Championship.- BTCC :He is the son of a farmer...
respectively, Cleland's consistent run of points finishes allied to a four-race winning streak in the mid-season allowed him to beat both drivers to the title. For 1996, the Cavalier was replaced by the new Vectra, which turned out to be a problematic package. Cleland finished 8th in the title chase. 1997 proved to be even worse, with John slipping to 12th in the standings and Vauxhall finishing bottom of the Constructors' title. 1998 was better, and John took two victories, both at Donington Park
Donington Park
Donington Park is a motorsport circuit near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, England.Originally part of the Donington Hall estate, it was created as a racing circuit during the pre-war period when the German Silver Arrows were battling for the European Championship...
- a traditional happy hunting ground for the Scotsman - before a heavy crash at Snetterton
Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit
Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit is a motor racing circuit in Norfolk, England. Owned by MotorSport Vision, it is situated on the A11 road some 20 km north-east of the town of Thetford and 30 km south-west of the city of Norwich...
interrupted his season. In 1999 Cleland was outpaced by team newcomer Yvan Muller
Yvan Muller
Yvan Muller is a French auto racing driver most noted for success in touring car racing. He is a two-time and the reigning World Touring Car Champion.-Single-seaters:...
and decided by mid-season to retire. He finished his last race at a wet Silverstone
Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
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
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
.
Post BTCC
Aside running his long running car dealership, he has done several guest drives since, including appearances in a Dodge ViperDodge Viper
The first prototype was tested in January 1989. It debuted in 1991 with two pre-production models as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 when Dodge was forced to substitute it in place of the Japanese-built Stealth because of complaints from the United Auto Workers, and went on sale in January...
in the British GT series, an ASCAR
VSR V8 Trophy
VSR V8 Trophy was a stock car racing series that raced at circuits around the UK, with a date in northern France at Croix en Ternois. The series has now become part of the European Late Model Series, racing in Belgium and the UK.-History:...
race at Rockingham
Rockingham Motor Speedway
Rockingham is the UK's most modern motorsport venue and Europe's fastest racing circuit, hosting corporate driving days, driver training, conferencing & exhibitions, vehicle manufacturing events, track days, testing, driving experiences and motorsport...
, twelve Bathurst 1000
Bathurst 1000
The Bathurst 1000 is a touring car race held annually at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia...
s, and the BTCC Masters
BTCC Masters
The BTCC Masters was a one off race organised between TOCA director Alan J. Gow and SEAT. The race took place at Donington Park on September 26, 2004 at the end of the final race of the 2004 British Touring Car Championship season.-Race Concept:...
race in 2004. He now runs a Volvo and Jaguar dealership. His son Jamie has started a racing career. John is also a co-commentator for Eurosport
Eurosport
Eurosport is a pan-European television sport network operated by French broadcaster TF1 Group. The network of channels are available in 59 countries, in 20 different languages providing viewers with European and international sporting events...
on their WTCC
World Touring Car Championship
For the video game, known as World Touring Car Championship in Japan, see TOCA World Touring CarsThe FIA World Touring Car Championship is an international Touring Car championship sanctioned by the FIA.-History:...
coverage. He replaced fellow Scot David Leslie
David Leslie (racing driver)
David Leslie was a racing driver. He was most associated with the British Touring Car Championship, in which he was runner-up in 1999. He was particularly noted for his development skill, helping both Honda and Nissan become BTCC race winners...
after his death in 2008.