1996 British Touring Car Championship 

Winner: BMW 320i E36 BTCC / Brands Hatch 1996 Winner

After a disappointing 1995, BMW factory outfit Team Schnitzer returned to the series with 1993 champion Joachim Winkelhock and multiple touring car title winner Roberto Ravaglia leading the team, with Peter Kox running in a third car in selected races.

#22 was driven by Joachim "Smokin Jo" Winkelhock. With 4 victories, he finished the season on 5th place. While #21 was driven by veteran driver Roberto Ravaglia. With one victory, he finished 6th, right behind Winkelhock in the drivers' standings.

Winkelhock took several wins during the year but was too inconsistent to challenge his compatriot for the title, whilst Ravaglia only won a single race and was mostly remembered for a string contentious moments with the likes of Radisich and Menu during the season.

After seeing the success that rivals BMW and Alfa Romeo had achieved in the series, and wanting to expand their successful touring car programme, Audi entered a works team for the season, headed up by Audi Sport UK's Frank Biela. This further proven BMW’s reputation as a strong competitor.