BTCC boss Alan Gow optimistic that 50 per cent of grid will be NGTC machines this year

Just two of the cars built to the low-cost formula started the opening race of the 2011 season against 20 of the S2000 machines that have been predominant in the series for the past five years.

However, five of the cars - including vehicles from Toyota, Audi and Proton - began the final race of the year at Silverstone.

Champion team Honda and the independent Eurotech squad have already committed to switching from S2000 cars to NGTC-spec Civics this season though. And with Skoda and Vauxhall machinery also set to join the field via TH Motorsport and Thorney Motorsport, Gow is optimistic that more than 50 per cent of the cars will be full NGTC machines.

"The concept was to reduce the running costs of the cars, which it has done; to make the cars easier to design and build for people which is why we've had the success we've had with it," said Gow on the main stage at AUTOSPORT International.

"This year we'll probably find that nearly 50 per cent of the grid will be NGTC cars - there is a two year transition period. The cars are great and we're seeing some fantastic makes and models coming out.

"Pretty much from the second half of the season they spent getting used to the car. The first half was about learning about the cars and developing them at each race meetings. In the second half of the year they really came on strong and we getting regular podium finishes - nearly a couple of race wins."

Under the BTCC's current regulations, S2000 cars will continue to be allowed to race against the NGTC machines until the end of this season, after which point they will incur performance restrictions.