I went to see the BTCC at Brands Hatch in 1999. I think the problems were just setting in as they were starting to allow more and more independent drivers in, who had older and inferior cars. The result was the main pack would charge off and then you'd have four or five guys straggling along behind, getting lapped and just getting in the way. It wasn't even a two class race like Le Mans, there weren't two groups to watch.
Now the cars are smaller, slower, there's less works teams, and it's hardly mentioned in the media.