A total of 334 cars have been tested since BBDC began in 1989
The 730bhp Ferrari F12 is the most powerful BBDC entry
The Audi A2, however, with a 75bhp 1.4-litre engine, was the least powerful
This Bugatti EB110 GT had a spectacular 150mph off at one BBDC, but came away undamaged
The E36 AMG Estate was the most practical contender
The Tommy Kaira ZZ was the most curiously named car to participate
A lot of cars have been tested in the 25 years of Britain’s Best Driver’s Car, ranging from the efficient Audi A2 to the quad-turbocharged Bugatti EB110. Here are the facts and figures, and most memorable moments, from past handling events.
Number of cars to attend BBDC since 1989
334
Most successful manufacturers
Porsche - nine wins
Lotus - four wins
Ferrari - three wins
Mazda, Honda - two wins
Lamborghini, Noble, Audi, Nissan, Toyota - one win
Notable no wins - BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar, all of which have yet even to get a car into the top three
Most powerful participant
Ferrari F12 (730bhp)
Least powerful participant
Audi A2 1.4 (75bhp)
Winning cars by engine location
Front engine - 8 wins
Mid engine - 12 wins
Rear engine - 5 wins (all 911s)
Front, rear or all-wheel drive?
Front drive - 0 wins. Best result: Ford Focus RS with 3rd in 2002.
Rear drive - 21 wins
Four-wheel drive - 4 wins. In 2008, 1st, 2nd and 3rd went to 4WD cars.
Natural aspiration or forced induction?
Natural aspiration by 21 wins to four
Open or closed bodywork?
Closed, by 21 wins to four
The perfect formula?
A closed, mid-engined, rear drive, naturally aspirated Porsche. Or, put another way, a Cayman.
Most popular locations (not including 2014)
Five visits - Goodwood
Four visits - Rockingham
Three visits - Castle Combe and Bedford Autodrome
Two visits - Croft, Silverstone, Oulton Park
One visit - Brands Hatch, Donington, Snetterton, Mireval
Star guests
Derek Warwick, Jonathan Palmer, Takumo Sato, Jason Plato, John Miles, Tiff Needell, Justin Wilson, Jay Kay, Anthony Reid, Andy Priaulx
They got invited how?
Audi A2, BMW Z3 1.9, Peugeot 406 Coupe, Peugeot 407 2.2, Fiat Punto HGT, VW Bora V6, Alfa Romeo 156GTA
Biggest off award
Ferrari 328GTB at Quarry bend in 1989. Tricky car, tricky corner. Result: to date the only car to be written off at BBDC
There but for the grace of God award
To the tester who spun a Bugatti EB110GT at 150mph through Fordwater at Goodwood. Broke record set by John Surtees in an F1 car for the longest set of skid marks ever laid at Goodwood. Hit nothing.
The Red faced award
To the driver who crashed the Ford GT at Rockingham. If a car’s going to get damaged, it really should be done by one of us, not a PR man from a rival manufacturer…
The WTF award for the weirdest car/car name ever to attend BBDC
Honourable mention - Ruf CTR2
Runaway winner - Tommy Kaira ZZ
Practicality award
Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate. Nothing else got close
Read the Britain’s Best Driver’s Car 25th anniversary special
Britain's Britain’s Best Driver’s Car - 25 years of memories
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Gompo
Focus RS higher than DC2 etc?
Perhaps the years in which they competed were 'stronger' in terms of RWD opposition?
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