The BTCC is a saloon-style league of races held in the United Kingdom of modified consumer cars which started in 1958. In 1991, the "super touring" class started and by 2000, the costs to compete spiraled out of control, so the entire league was combined into one class to simplify the series and kept the 2.0 liter limitation, but also limited the horsepower to 270. With modified engines, the series granted a standard set of upgraded parts available to all teams so that the cars can handle the increased power but still remain a more even playing field. Although these cars are modified, they are still intended to be relatively easy to finance a team.
Car manufacturers include Honda, MG, Proton, Vauxhall, Peugeot, BMW, Alfa Romeo, and Nissan. Other manufacturers like Audi, Volkswagen, Volvo and others used to race in this series.
Although the series is based in Europe, the BTCC can be experienced in the United States. It is shown on Speed Channel (formerly Speedvision). Electronic Arts brought TOCA Racing 1 and 2 from Codemasters in the United Kingdom to the United States of America.