The championship was initially run with a mix of classes, divided according to engine capacity, racing simultaneously.

In 1990, the BTCC introduced a class for cars with an engine displacement up to 2.0 litres which would later be adopted by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile and become the Super Touring regulations that were used in various championships in Europe and around the world.

During the first seasons, the cars were not fitted with aerodynamic aids such as a front splitter or a rear wing which were allowed from 1995 after Alfa Romeo caused controversy a year earlier, when they entered the 155 fitted with a rear wing – an item that was delivered with the road-going version of the 155, however unfitted in its boot.

[3] The continuously high number of manufacturer-backed teams meant rapid development on the cars and quickly growing costs to compete which caused several manufacturers to withdraw from the championship until the 2000 season, when only Ford, Honda and Vauxhall remained in the championship.

The BTC Touring regulations cut costs dramatically but both manufacturer and spectator interest was low.

In 2009, the BTCC released details of its Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) specification, to be introduced from 2011.

The NGTC specification also aimed to cut costs by reducing reliance on WTCC/S2000 equipment, due to increasing costs/complexity and concerns as to its future sustainability and direction.

With the introduction of the NGTC rules, all cars share a number of common components provided through a contract with RML Group.

This has allowed many independent teams to enter without the need for manufacturer support, and negating the need to source ex-works cars.

The rules previously allowed for a variety of different fuels in a bid to encourage more efficient cars.

In 2004 Mardi Gras Motorsport independently entered a Liquified petroleum gas powered Super 2000 Honda Civic Type-R (which was subsequently replaced by a more competitive BTC-Touring Peugeot 406 Coupé, still LPG powered), and in 2005 Tech-Speed Motorsport converted an ex-works Vauxhall Astra Coupé to run on bio-ethanol fuel.

In the middle of 2006, Kartworld's owner-driver Jason Hughes converted his 4-cylinder MG ZS to run on Bio-Ethanol, soon followed by the West Surrey Racing cars of championship contender Colin Turkington and Rob Collard, and for the final event at Silverstone, Richard Marsh converted his Peugeot 307 to run on bio-ethanol fuel.

At the start of the 2010 season, it was announced that Team AON racing had converted both of their Ford Focus ST cars to run on LPG.

Aintree, Crystal Palace, Goodwood, Ingliston, Mallory Park and Rockingham have also hosted rounds in the past.

This "reverse grid" rule polarised opinion: some fans enjoy the spectacle afforded by having unlikely drivers on pole position while faster ones have to battle through the field; others feel it detracts from the purity of the racing.

After 1997 the commentary team was Charlie Cox and John Watson with Murray Walker dedicating his time to Formula 1.

This returned in the second half of 2007, after the first five meetings had been on ITV3 (a digital channel with fewer viewers), with a half-hour late-night highlights show.

ITV also has a Sunday night show called Motorsport UK, featuring many of the supporting races.

Speed TV screened several seasons in the USA over the winter, but this ended when the network became Fox Sports 1 in 2013.

Unlike Speed's offering as the series being winter programming filling the void after the American racing season, CBSSN airs events a week or so after their actual running.

The current coverage consists of Saturday's Qualifying Sessions and support races live on ITVX.

This service allows you to follow free practice and qualifying as well as race day action via a timing screen from your computer or mobile phone.

The Jack Sears Trophy was introduced for the 2013 season and was awarded to the highest scoring driver competing in S2000 machinery.

For 2014, with S2000 cars no longer eligible to compete, it was awarded to the drive that had made up the most places from their grid position throughout the season.

For the 60th anniversary year in 2018, any driver who had yet to take an overall podium was eligible to contest the Jack Sears Trophy.

For 2020, the Renault Clio Cup UK has been replaced by the Mini Challenge, which joins from the British GT package.