General News

Turkington’s ‘ton-up’ at Brands Hatch

Colin Turkington (Portadown) will celebrate his 100th race in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch on 9 April. And, says the Northern Irish driver, it has been at the Kent circuit where he has experienced the highest and lowest points of his BTCC career so far.

Turkington is currently on 98 races: therefore, he’ll celebrate his century in the second of the BTCC’s opening three rounds of 2006 at Brands this coming Sunday 9 April. The 24-year-old has rejoined Team RAC to drive one of its MG ZSs with which he enjoyed some great results in 2003 and 2004. Indeed it was in the MG that he achieved his first BTCC race win – at Brands thanks to dramatically overtaking Vauxhall’s Yvan Muller on the final lap.

Turkington told btcc.net: “I can’t believe you’re asking me about my 100th race. I didn’t think I was anywhere near that. It makes me sound like and old timer!

“But Brands 2003 is my most memorable race to date. You’re always aiming towards a win. The car was going well and I was getting some good results, but the first win is always a shock to the system. When you realise you’ve done it, it’s a mixture of emotions, relief and excitement. You’ve never experienced standing on the top step of the podium and you certainly don’t feel shy. You savour the moment.

“I remember that last lap so vividly. There’d been a safety car period and it was down to just one lap. Yvan was in front but I knew I had the quicker car. He went into Paddock Hill Bend too hot at the re-start, locked a wheel and drifted wide and I was through. It was probably a combination of pressure from me but also the fact his brakes had cooled during the safety car period.”

Ironically, it was at the same corner the previous year that Turkington – a quiet, cool type – for once almost let his frustration boil over. He added: “I was running second for most of the race and there were just two laps to go. Going through Paddock, I had a clash with James Thompson. I was going to be second, it was going to be my first podium, but instead I was off into the tyre wall.”

Turkington, however, is not a driver known for becoming embroiled in the rough and tumble of the BTCC and his record for bringing the car home relatively unscathed is exemplary.

He said: “The key to racing is getting to the finish. If someone’s giving me a hard time I’m going to give it back, but the priority is looking after the car. I am aiming for number 1 in 2006, but would be extremely happy to finish in the top three. I think we’ve got a very good chance. But you must finish races, finish on the podium more times than not and keep on racking up the points.”

Turkington also believes he’s in the ideal surroundings to thrive in 2006. After a tricky season with Vauxhall and having tested reigning champion team Team Halfords’ Honda Integra in March, he insists that Team RAC is the place to be.

He said: “I had two options. Team Halfords or Team RAC. I was always pretty keen to come back here because I knew the team, knew the car and knew the work the team had done to it. It was always looking promising. It was always in the back of my mind, but the other half was saying ‘reigning champions, probably the best car out there’. My heart told me WSR, though, and I’m glad I followed it.

“A lot of drivers who have come and gone down the years but I’ve done well enough to still be in the BTCC. You might look and say five wins from 100 races isn’t a great record but I’ve not always been in the fastest car. I’m extremely happy with the time I’ve had and hope it continues.”